Category: Picture Book Reviews

REVIEW: Just Wild Enough by Marta Magellan

REVIEW: Just Wild Enough by Marta Magellan

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary and Review

Marta Magellan tells the story of primatologist Mireya Mayor in this delightful new picture book. Mireya Mayor has loved animals and been fascinated by them her whole life. “Wild” was kind of her vibe. The book chronicles her quest for the “wild” as she moved from dancer to NFL cheerleader to scientist. The media has called Mayor “the female Indiana Jones.” And this book briefly tells the story of her discovery of a new species of mouse lemur and her efforts to preserve its home.

My husband met Mayor at convention recently and picked this book up for me. And it’s terrific! I loved how the author wove “wild’ through her subject’s journey from childhood to her work as a primatologist. The author includes just enough information to round out the story, but she never gets too lost in details that might cause her to lose her audience. And the illustrations are engaging and beautiful. Classrooms and libraries in need of more picture book biographies, especially ones looking to highlight women in STEM, should considering adding this to their collections!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ – Great! Might re-read

REVIEW: The Most Magnificent Idea by Ashley Spires

REVIEW: The Most Magnificent Idea by Ashley Spires

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Kids Can Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary and Review

What happens when a girl whose brain is an idea machine suddenly finds herself with no ideas at all?

This was as lovely as I hoped it would be. I ADORED the first book, The Most Magnificent Thing (♥♥♥♥♥). I think creatives will be able to identify with the journey of this character. First she had a great idea but struggles to create something that exactly reflects her vision. This time, she has no ideas at all – a complete emptiness where there’s usually more than she could use.

This would be a great read aloud for any classroom, but especially for creative subjects and clubs where kids can be encouraged to not give up when ideas are slow to come. The illustrations here are darling as always. You cannot go wrong with a book from Ashley Spires!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: Spellbound by Jess Townes

REVIEW: Spellbound by Jess Townes

Posted on by Jaymie

[The book originally scheduled for review today was NOT a good fit for me, so instead I’m going to share a brief review of a picture book I read in the bookstore earlier this summer.]

Summary and Review

A little girl starts to suspect her new baby brother is a wizard because he enchants everyone he meets, interrupting her own magical little world.

This was OUTSTANDING! I was, of course, immediately drawn in by the purple cover with the darling illustration. But the set up of the magical story, where a charming little girl “enchants” her entire family only to be overthrown when a new baby joins the family, is an absolute delight! It’s clever and sweet.

This would make a lovely gift for a family expecting a second child, or for a story time with children who can identify with how a new baby changes family dynamics. Pair this with The New Small Person, which is another new sibling picture book I loved.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Off-Limits by Helen Yoon

REVIEW: Off-Limits by Helen Yoon

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary and Review

Dad takes a work break and his daughter slips in to his office to explore.

This is one of the most delightful picture books I have read in awhile!

First there’s the joy of office supplies. That alone caused me to buy the book after reading only the first few pages. Then there’s the art – the portrayal of the child’s glee and the way she plays with everything from tape to binder clips to post-its is fantastic!

And then there’s the surprise ending. Absolutely outstanding! Don’t miss this one!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

SABBATICAL: Five Star Reviews for Kids

SABBATICAL: Five Star Reviews for Kids

Posted on by Jaymie

This week my sabbatical posts will be links to the books that earned a five star review from me. Today my focus will be on books for kids. This list will include picture books as well as middle grade and older middle grade books that I adored. Some of the reviews you will find in the full list include outstanding books that didn’t make it into a Year in Review post like these:

Madeline Finn and the Library Dog
Solving for M
Wedgie and Gizmo
Mabel Opal Pear and the Rules for Spying
Sidetracked
Framed

Here’s the full list: Five Star Reviews for Kids

SABBATICAL: We go back to where it all began.

SABBATICAL: We go back to where it all began.

Posted on by Jaymie

Here is the first review I ever posted here at The Neverending TBR.

It had been a few years since I blogged, and I was eager to find a place where I could talk about books since I wasn’t going to be in the classroom talking about them with students. Check it out!

REVIEW: Ada Twist, Scientist

BONUS REVIEW: Arnold the Super-ish Hero by Heather Tekavec

BONUS REVIEW: Arnold the Super-ish Hero by Heather Tekavec

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Kids Can Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Arnold’s superhero family keeps waiting for him to get a super power of his own. In the mean time, he answers the phone at headquarters and takes down messages in his very neat penmanship.

When an emergency call comes in and all of the heroes are busy, Arnold dons a mask and cape to see if he can save the day. Arnold’s hero-ing may not look like what his family expects, but to the people he helps, he’s a super-ish hero!

Review

DARLING! This is a such a fun story! This would be a great read-aloud. It has a fantastic message about heroic acts of everyday kindness and helpfulness. The illustrations are excellent. This is the sort of book kids will enjoy hearing, but will insist on exploring up close time and time again.

I think this would be perfect for classroom, story time, and bedtime reading. If your little reader(s) love(s) hero stories and/or you are looking to launch a discussion about kindness, helpfulness, or everyday heroes, be sure to give Arnold a try!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥=Outstanding!

REVIEW: Burt the Beetle Doesn't Bite by Ashley Spires

REVIEW: Burt the Beetle Doesn’t Bite by Ashley Spires

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Kids Can Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Burt the june beetle learns all about the special skills of different bugs. And he starts to wonder what is special about june beetles like him.

What if the answer is… nothing?

Review

ADORABLE! Another delightful book by the spectacular Ashley Spires! (I included her in a list of my favorite illustrators a few years back. You can read that post here. ) This is funny, and full of awesome bug facts as well as a fantastic story starring an endearing character. It take something special to make a BUG an endearing character!

Spires writes such fantastic stories, but her illustrations are really what make her books memorable for me. This is the sort of book that kids – and adults – are going to want to read up close so they can really enjoy the pictures and the humorous little side comments. Even the end papers are not to be missed!

If you aren’t familiar with the author’s work, some of my favorites are: The Most Magnificent Thing (♥♥♥♥♥), Binky the Space Cat (♥♥♥♥♥) and the whole Binky graphic novel series. Do not miss her work, especially this delightful book starring Burt.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥=Outstanding!

BONUS REVIEW: Princesses Versus Dinosaurs by Linda Bailey

BONUS REVIEW: Princesses Versus Dinosaurs by Linda Bailey

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Tundra Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary and Review

As a group of princesses celebrates being in a book about all tiaras, gowns, and glass slippers, they encounter a rival group of dinosaurs who believe the book is all about them.

This is darling! I enjoyed the split pages where each group convenes about the dilemma. Then they bring in the heavy hitters, which is my favorite part.

Things get silly for a moment, but in the end, the princesses and dinosaurs come to a delightful compromise.

This will be a fun read-aloud with a good message – that this is a book for everyone. But kids are definitely going to want a close up look at the fun illustrations, too, so be prepared for plenty of lap reading and read-to-self time.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½= Good+

REVIEW: Madeline Finn and the Therapy Dog by Lisa Papp

REVIEW: Madeline Finn and the Therapy Dog by Lisa Papp

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Peachtree Publishing Company in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Madeline Finn’s puppy, Star, is finishing his training to be a therapy dog by visiting a retirement village. Star does well on his tests, and Madeline makes sure he practices. And the residents of Walker Oaks love him. But one resident doesn’t respond to Star or Madeline’s efforts to connect.

Review

Another winner of a book by Lisa Papp starring Madeline Finn! I don’t think I personally could use this one for a read aloud, though, because I think I choked up on every single page. This is precious!

Madeline is sweet and earnest. Star is adorable. The soft illustrations in this series feel like warm hugs. And once again, books and reading play as big a role as the sweet, cuddly dogs.

Do not miss ANY of the books in this series!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥