Little Gray's Great Migration by Marta Lindsey & illustrated by Andrea Gabriel

Hardcover ISBN: 9781628554526, $17.95

Paperback ISBN: 9781628554601, $9.95

Ages 4-8, Grades K-3

About the book: Little Gray loved his lagoon and the humans who came to visit him there. One day, Mama announces that they must swim north to a far-away sea. At first he is sad to leave his home, but Little Gray soon realizes the importance of their journey.  What happens along the way and how does Little Gray help his mother? Swim along with Little Gray as he finds the way to this special, food-filled sea.

Review: People are fascinated by whales and according to the author's story-line in Little Gray's Great Migration, Gray Whales are also fascinated by people - so much so that they relish entertaining people and receiving their applause.

While entertaining, I find the story just a bit too fictional to be classified as a children's non-fiction. However, the story is cute, sweet, and will most certainly entertain and engage young children.

As usual, Arbordale Publishing has included a For Creative Minds section at the end of the book. I found this very good and informative and believe it to be this book's redeeming factor. Included are Whale Surfacing (Don't we love it when they breach?), Whale Fun Facts, A Migration Map (fascinating!), and Whale Food. This section alone is well worth the money you spend to acquire this book.

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy was provided by Arbordale Publishing to facilitate this review. Opinions are those of the reviewer. No compensation was received for this review.

Animal Eyes by Mary Holland

Hardcover ISBN: 9781628554465, $17.95

Paperback ISBN: 9781628554540, $9.95

Ages 4-8, Grades K-3

About the book: The sense of sight helps an animal stay safe from predators, find food and shelter, defend its territory and care for its young. We can tell a lot about an animal from its eyes: whether it is predator or prey, whether it is more active during the day or night, and sometimes even its gender or age. Award-winning nature photographer and environmental educator Mary Holland shares fascinating animal eyes with readers of all ages.
 
Review: This non-fiction picture book for young school age children is "spot-on" with age-appropriate information, beautifully detailed photographs, and educational appeal. It is sure to captivate the young mind as they learn of the variety of eyes in insects, animals, and people.

Written in straight-forward prose, the child will absorb facts tucked away that teach the difference in the eyes of predators and prey animals. They will learn just what a predator and what a prey animal is. They will learn that different eyes have more eyelids than human eyes have and the purpose of these extra eyelids.

They will learn about the number of eyes creatures have and why they have more than two. Also, the positioning of the eyes and the purpose behind the positioning.

As with other publications from Arbordale, there is a For Creative Minds section in at the end of the book. This will stretch the mind of the young child and be interesting to the older reader.

This book is a real winner!

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy was provided by Arbordale Publishing to facilitate this review. Opinions are those of the reviewer.

Dino Treasures by Rhonda Lucas Donald and illustrated by Cathy Morrison

ISBN: 9781628554588

About the book: Just as some people dig and look for pirate treasure, some scientists dig and look for treasures, too. These treasures may not be gold or jewels but fossils. Following in the footsteps of Dino Tracks, this sequel takes young readers into the field with paleontologists as they uncover treasured clues left by dinosaurs. Readers will follow what and how scientists have learned about dinosaurs: what they ate; how they raised their young; how they slept, fought, or even if they ever got sick. True to fashion, the tale is told through a rhythmic, fun read-aloud that can even be sung to the tune of Itsy Bitsy Spider.

Review: The illustrations are striking and interesting. The artist has taken an imaginative tour of prehistoric time and fleshed it out. Perhaps too much liberty for a line of books such as Arbordale which tends to educate as well as entertain. I really like the illustrations but consider them flights of one's imagination.

The author has taken the findings of archaeological discoveries and attempted to translate them for the mind of the young child. Children do seem to be fascinated with dinosaurs and this book will certain feed that imagination.

Each two page spread focuses on a rhyme that beats well to Itsy Bitsy Spider song of the nursery. There is a lot of text in each of these. Example - "Skin Samples":

"Say, can you describe what dino skin was like?

If you said, "it's scaly," you'd be in the right.

But finding dino skin is not an easy task.

Most fossils are of bone, as skin just doesn't last.

Can you now imagine how great it must have been

to find a duckbill fossil complete with dino skin?

Plain as you can see are scales of different size,

which makes this fossil find a rare and special prize." 

At the back of the book there is a section For Creative Minds. The difference between a Biologist and Palentologist is examined. Ways to read clues in body and trace fossils are presented.

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher to facilitate this review. Opinions are those of the reviewer. No compensation was received for this review.

The Ride by Kayla Davidson and illustrated by Kim Felts

About the book: Learning to ride a bicycle is a risky challenge for Olivia. She avoids this risk and even turns down ice cream, her favorite snack. What will encourage Olivia to overcome her fear and take a chance?

The Ride gives children hope and understanding. Regardless of the size of the task or regardless of the person's age, gaining strength and courage from the Lord is only a prayer away.

In this, her second book, Kayla Davidson creates a fun, playful way to teach children how to include God in their everyday lives.

Review: The Ride is a story of how a young girl overcomes her fear of riding her bike without her training wheels by relying of God. The encouragement of her supportive mother, the lure of a trip to the ice cream parlor, and the use of prayer help Olivia overcome her fear.

While the story is sweet and I always love a story where one’s trust in God is encouraged, I found the lovely art a bit off with the story. The child using the training wheels is pictured as a school age girl who appears older than one would expect a child to be who uses training wheels. But this is just my opinion.

The illustrations are lovely. The story is sweet. The lesson learned wonderful!  “I can do all things with Christ.”

DISCLOSURE: The author provided a complimentary copy in exchange for our review. No compensation was received and opinions are those of the reviewer.

Henry Hodges Needs a Friend by Andy Andrews & illustrated by Colleen Madden

About the book: From the author ofThe Kid Who Changed the World, this hilarious rhyming story, complete with charming art, offers comfort to children who often feel left out or are in need of a good friend.

At some point, almost every child struggles with feeling like they don't fit in or are left out just like Henry Hodges. Henry is a lonely little boy on a lonely little street who longs for a friend. One day, his mother and father take him to a pet rescue shelter and his lonely world is changed! Told in a playful rhyme with adorable illustrations, this book will be a favorite among children and parents who love dogs and, ultimately, will comfort and encourage children who struggle with feeling accepted and finding friends.

Review: I think the illustrations of Henry Hodges Needs a Friend a "spot on" bringing vivid coloring, whimsical expressions, and child-friendly creatures to enhance the story. Written in rhyme, Henry's search for a special friend explores Henry's imagination of just what a "One-of-a-kind" friend (think pet) would be like.

A figure-skating hippo

Would really be nice.

But he'd eat way too much

And break through the ice.

Henry and his parents go to a shelter and find a cute dog to be Henry's friend. The end of the book reveals that a one-of-a-kind friend is "YOU" and that is what your friends need. The book teaches that each friend is unique and you need to be a friend to someone.

I enjoyed this children's book think that families that enjoy pets would find it a treat to read.

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy was provided by the BookLook Blogging program on behalf of the publisher Tommy Nelson a Division of Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Monster Needs a Party (A Monster & Me™ book) by Paul Czajak – illustrations by Wendy Grieb

ISBN: 978-1-938063-55-8
Hardcover - $16.95

About the book:  A Monster & Me Book – That time of year is finally here: Monster’s birthday has arrived!  With pirates, prizes, and playful rhyme, this story is sure to surprise readers until the very last page.

Review: This is a really, really fun book and the second one I have read in the Monster & Me series.  I will not hesitate to read any future editions.  The rhyming pattern to the story is so easy to read and the illustrations are wonderful

It’s Monster’s birthday and he wants to have a pirate party with all his friends, but it seems that no one can attend.  Monster is very sad, so his friend offers to take him to Pirateland in hopes this will make him glad.  Monster says,”Okay, I’ll go” but doesn’t really expect to have much fun, you know.  But he was greatly surprised at all the fun games and rides!  When it was time to go home, Monster was no longer glum and walked into a birthday surprise.  All his friends did come to his birthday party and Monster had the best birthday ever.

Paul Czajak never disappoints with his illustrations and rhyming story. Fun, cheerful, and appealing in a monstrously delightful way.

If you have a chance to read this book, you’ll have fun too! (reviewed by P.Howard)

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher to facilitate this review. Opinions are those of the reviewer. No compensation was received for this review.

Seaver the Weaver by Paul Czajak, pictures by The Brothers Hilts

ISBN13: 9781938063572

About the book: Seaver is an orb spider with a sky full of inspiration. His siblings prefer tradition and aren’t afraid to let him know. But Seaver doesn’t mind! He loves his new shapes and isn’t afraid to stand out. Told with quiet charm, this picture book tangles readers in a web of delight.


Review:  Seaver the Weaver is a delightful story about an orb spider who has a unique outlook on weaving his own path.  Seaver has many brothers and sisters who tell him that they are orb spiders and they weave round webs and that if he wants to be an orb weaver, “then your web needs to look like ours.”  Seaver wants to do like his brothers and sisters tell him, but he can’t resist the beautiful shapes he sees in the night sky and takes great pride in weaving those shapes.  Each time his family reminds him that he is an orb weaver and must weaver round webs, he looks at their webs all round, perfect, and empty and says that he’ll try to do better next time, but he "must now tend to his guest."

This is a good book about how sometimes it can be a good thing to not always do the normal. I felt that the author and illustrator were insightful in having Seaver make a correlation between the night sky constellations and the varied shapes he wove. The artistry of triangles, octagons, and other shapes different from the traditional round orb's woven by Orb Spiders.

Seaver the Weaver is written by the same author of the “Monster & Me" books, and he has woven a wonderful web of words.  The illustrations are simple, childlike and beautiful.  This is a fun book! (reviewed by P.Howard)

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher to facilitate this review. Opinions are solely those of reviewer. No compensation was received for this review.