Book Reviews by Genre: Picture Books

House Held Up By Trees book jacket
Kooser, Ted
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

The book is about a man who lives in a house that keeps his porch and lawn tidy. The man's children used to play in the woods next to the house. When the man's children grow up, he abandons the house. The trees and nature that the man had been battling years ago have taken over the property. The trees eventually lift the house off the ground, keeping the house held up by trees. This book also dives deep into the theme man vs nature very well.

Reviewer's Name: Andrew
When Grandfather Flew
MacLachlan, Patricia
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

Emma tells the story of how much her grandfather loved birds and how he taught his grandchildren about the beauty of birds all around him. When Grandfather Flew by Patricia Maclachlan is a gentle story of life and death and the ways it changes us. This is written on a 3rd grade reading level but is perfect for family members ages 3 – 100 who might be experiencing the loss of a loved one.

Reviewer's Name: Barbara
Please Please the Bees
Kelley, Gerald
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

The book is a grate book

Reviewer's Name: Hayden
Rita & Ralph's Rotten Day
Deedy, Carmen Agra
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

Having a fight with your best friend can really ruin your day. This is exactly what happens in Rita and Ralph's Rotten Day by Carmen Agra Deedy and Pete Oswald. Right in the middle of a crazy fun day an accident happens, someone gets hurt, feelings get hurt and that brings trouble. The ups and downs of friendship are beautifully portrayed in this charmingly illustrated book for kids age 3 - 8.

Reviewer's Name: Barbara
The Lions at Night
Boehman, Jessica M.
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

Two stone lions who guard the entrance of the New York Public Library jump off their pedestals one night and scamper into the subway. I wonder where they will go? Join lions, Patience and Fortitude,as they enjoy a night out. This wordless picture books is an enchanting gem to read and explore over and over again. Ask your child questions about what is happening. Let them tell the story and practice creating sentences and story lines. You'll be surprised at what they come up with. For ages 3 - 9.

Reviewer's Name: Barbara
Sulwe
Nyong'o, Lupita
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

This is a wonderful book that explores colorist in a gentle manner. Great addition to the PPLD collection.

Reviewer's Name: Aisha
Perfect
Amato, Max
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

How do you define perfect? For eraser, it's a flawlessly clean piece of paper. For pencil, it's a paper full of squiggles and more. Is there a way that they can learn to work together, get along, and become friends? Read this simply "perfect" book to find out. You'll enjoy the ways that pencil and eraser come to life through the illustrations.

Reviewer's Name: Carol
Moo, Moo, Chew, Chew Sounds from the Farm
Shand, Jennifer
3 stars = Pretty Good
Review:

Consider reading this this interactive book to your youngster as they transition from board books to picture books. Its tear-resistant pages make it ideal! The guessing game format will delight your child as it introduces new vocabulary and concepts related to the farm.Together you will hear a cow, pig, horse, and more. A delightful book!

Reviewer's Name: Carol
Sleepover at the Museum
LeFrak, Karen
3 stars = Pretty Good
Review:

Mason and his 2 best friends are celebrating his birthday with a sleepover at the museum of natural history. They begin with a scavenger hunt through the museum. While they figure out the clues, they are also figuring out the best place to sleep for the night. You can help solve the clues and learn facts about various exhibits while you explore with them. Would you choose the same place to sleep as they do?

Reviewer's Name: Carol
Cookiesaurus Rex
Dominy, Amy Fellner and Evans, Nate
3 stars = Pretty Good
Review:

Cookiesaurus Rex comes out of the oven with a huge attitude! He starts out happy with his green frosting until he realizes that other cookies are getting sprinkles and more. Is he happy with his new look? See the different ways he’s decorated and find out what happens to him in the end. This is a fun book with colorful illustrations that help tell the story.

Reviewer's Name: Carol
Richard Scarry's Cars and Trucks and Things That Go
Scarry, Richard
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

The pig family is going on a picnic. Join them on this interactive journey and learn about all sorts of vehicles – some real and some made up. In addition, you can find that tricky Goldbug on each page. You’ll learn a bit about transportation, hunt for Goldbug, learn new vocabulary, and see some funny things. You’ll see new things each time you read this book. It’s destined to become a family favorite!

Reviewer's Name: Carol
Right This Very Minute
Detlefsen, Lisl H.
3 stars = Pretty Good
Review:

Do you know where your food comes from? Each meal (or snack) you eat comes to you compliments of a farmer. This simple book details the stories of the varied food that children are eating. You’ll learn about the breakfast of pancakes, orange juice, and maple syrup and the trail mix snack. You’ll also learn about the lunch, dinner, and dessert and where they come from. This book doesn’t stop there. It encourages you to think like a farmer and begin to grow your own food.

Reviewer's Name: Carol
How to Give Your Cat a Bath in Five Easy Steps
Winstanley, Nicola
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

It’s not easy to give a cat a bath as you will soon realize when you read this book! Mr. Flea, the cat in this book, is NOT agreeable to having a bath. The five simple steps that start the book turn into much more work than Mr. Flea’s owner is expecting. Enjoy this book and its pictures and learn what might be the best way to bathe a cat.

Reviewer's Name: Carol
What Is Inside THIS Box?
Daywalt, Drew
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

Monkey and Cake are asking big questions in this easy reader. They are curious about the magical cat that’s inside the box. Why does it disappear when they open the box? How do they know if the cat is really in the box when it is closed? When the box is closed, they can think about anything they want to be inside. It’s a dilemma, isn’t it? See what happens when Monkey & Cat walk away from the box. This is a beautifully illustrated fun book for those who are learning to read.

Reviewer's Name: Carol
Be Brave Like Batman!
Hitchcock, Laura
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

There is no need to be afraid of the dark. You have all the tools to be brave like Batman! Just use your gadgets, get help, and use your wits. Don’t let your fear stop you from doing what you need to do. Think like Batman and conquer your fears!

Reviewer's Name: Carol
Gittel's Journey: An Ellis Island Story
Newman, Lesléa
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

This is the story of Gittel. She is supposed to travel with her mother to America. At the last minute, her mother is unable to board the boat because of health concerns and so Gittel must travel alone. Read the story of tis young Jewish girl and her journey to America for a better life. Will she find mama’s cousin when she reaches America? Will her mother be able to join her in the new country? Read this beautifully illustrated picture book to find out. It’s loosely based on stories handed down in the author’s family.

Reviewer's Name: Carol
The Color of Us
Katz, Karen
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

Karen Katz celebrates diversity in The Colors of Us. Seven-year-old Lena thinks that brown skin is brown skin until she takes a walk with her mother. They admire the different shades of skin on the people they see and compare the colors to foods and other natural things. It’s a colorfully illustrated book that helps kids see that we are all both different and the same.

Reviewer's Name: Carol
Peek-a WHO?
Laden, Nina
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

This darling rhyming board book allows readers to guess what’s hiding on the next page. Page designs with cut-outs give clues to what might be there. The simple text and colorful pictures help make this a fun book for little ones.

Reviewer's Name: Carol
Interrupting Chicken
Stein, David Ezra
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

Papa is trying to read little red chicken a story at bedtime, but she keeps interrupting. She can’t help herself! She inserts herself into the story of Hansel & Gretel. She jumps into the story of Little Red Riding Hood. She changes the story of Chicken Little. Will little red chicken ever stop interrupting and go to sleep? Find out when you read this story.

Reviewer's Name: Carol
Princess Truly in I Am Truly
Greenawalt, Kelly
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

Wonderful book! There are 4 in this series so far. I hope PPLD completes their collection of this series.

Reviewer's Name: Aisha Y.