Tag: perseverance

REVIEW: Quadzilla Finds His Footing by AJ Dillon

REVIEW: Quadzilla Finds His Footing by AJ Dillon

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Quadzilla likes hanging out with his monster friends. They are all good at something they play, but Quadzilla hasn’t found his “thing,” yet.

Review

The Green Bay Packers posted a video this summer where they asked various players what they did during the off season. Running Back AJ Dillon said he wrote a children’s book. Of course, I had to check it out.

This is a cute story with a nice message about trying again and perseverance. Quadzilla eventually finds his place/activity in football, of course. But he also keeps trying the things his friends like, too.

The message makes this a fun read, and I think kids will get a kick out of the monster characters.

Rating: ♥♥♥*

♥♥♥ = Good/Solid/Fine

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: Cone Cat by Sarah Howden

REVIEW: Cone Cat by Sarah Howden

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Jeremy the cat was quick, flexible, and graceful.

But after a trip to the vet, Jeremy is now “Cone Cat.” Cone Cat is none of those things.

But with some creativity and perseverance, Cone Cat makes the best of his situation.

Review

This is so fun! I got a huge kick out of Cone Cat’s transformation from Jeremy to Cone Cat and back again. Cone Cat does a brilliant job of getting the cone to work in his favor. And the end was a funny (and sad) surprise.

This would be great as a read aloud or a lap book. And I think kids will love Cone Cat so much, they’ll beg to read it again and again.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: The Thing Lou Couldn't Do by Ashley Spires

REVIEW: The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do by Ashley Spires

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Lou and her friends are brave adventurers. But Lou prefers that her adventures take place on the ground. And her friends want to play pirates up in a tree. She tries hiding, distraction and excuses. Yet her friends are having a blast playing pirates up in the tree while Lou watches from the ground. What can she do?

Review

I have loved Ashley Spires work for years! (Binky the Space Cat, The Most Magnificent Thing, Larf) The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do is a great companion to The Most Magnificent Thing. Both books look at perseverance from different perspectives.

The illustrations are always my favorite part of Ashley Spires’ work. In this book, I enjoyed the diversity of the group of friends. Lou’s cat companion is sweet. Lou’s expressions are great for conveying her emotions as she contemplates an adventure she’s not sure she can tackle.

Lou’s response to the challenge of climbing the tree is typical. Kids (and parents/teachers) will likely see themselves in Lou. She tries to distract her friends with things to play on the ground. She also tries to think of ways to get up with her friends without having to climb. Excuses. Anger and frustration. The reader can totally understand where Lou’s coming from. Apparently her friends do, too, because they offer to help her, and they don’t get mad or tease her.

My favorite part comes at the end. While Lou doesn’t have success in the book, she doesn’t give up. She keeps coming back and keeps trying again.

Many thanks to the publisher for an electronic review copy of The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do which they provided in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥