One More Hug: Picture Book Review

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

A scary tapping on the window elicits the call of "One more hug" from a boy to his Mama. A broken sword gets one more kiss, and waiting for the school bus gets one more tight squeeze. As the boy grows and learns to ride a bike, climb a wall, and run track, his mama is always there and ready for that " one more hug."

 The sentiment of a mother's deep love bursts from every page, reassuring not just children but grown-ups, too, that there will always be a bond. Young readers will relate to the illustrations of getting older. However, it's adults who will really connect and will want to read it as that one last bedtime story.

Rating ★★★★☆

Publishing Information

Publisher: Aladdin (Nov. 12, 2019)
ISBN: 978-1-5344-29710
Pages: 40
Ages 4-8

This book can be purchased HERE

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Picture Book Review: Little Brown by Marla Frazee

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

Little Brown spends his time at the dog park cranky. Is he cranky because no one ever plays with him or does no one play with him because he is cranky? Little Brown doesn't really know he keeps getting crankier and decides to action. He nabs the ball and grabs the tassel toy. He even takes a blanket and stick. In fact, he amasses quite a collection of things from the other dogs. 

While he looks at his collection, Little Brown wonders if the other dogs will like him or play with him if he returns the belongings. His dilemma presents a great lesson in how to start conversation with others in the struggle to belong. Unfortunately, the story ends with no resolution leaving some disappointment but also room for open ended discussion.

Rating ★★★☆☆

Publishing Information

Publisher: Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster (Oct. 2, 2018)

ISBN: 9781481425223

Ages: 4-8

Miguel's Brave Knight by Margarite Engle and Raúl Colón

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

The imaginative and brilliant mind of Miguel de Cervantes created one of the greatest masterpieces of Spanish literature, Don Quixote. While many admire the brave antics of the fictional Don Quixote, few know the real story of the author who created him.

The son of a vagabond barber-surgeon, Miguel de Cevantes spent much of his young life moving from place to place, fleeing the collectors after his father. Margaret Engle delves into the mind of young Miguel through fictional first person biographical verse. In doing so, she introduces the reader to thought provoking themes like poverty and censorship.

Raúl Colón's pen and ink and watercolor illustrations add depth to the life of one of the greatest storytellers of all time. A perfect way to introduce a new generation to a literary genius and maybe even inspire new writers.

Rating ★★★★★

Publishing Information

Publisher: Peachtree Publishing (October 2017)

ISBN: 978-1-56145-856-1

Ages: 8-12

Book can be purchased from the following: 

Book Review: Max Makes a Cake by Michelle Edwards and Illustrated by Charles Santoso

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

Max can't wait to make a special Passover surprise birthday cake for his mom. Only his baby sister, Trudy,  keeps getting in the way of his dad helping him. He tries to be patient while his dad gets Trudy to bed. He waits and waits but he wants to "hurry, hurry, hurry." When he realizes they had a mix for the cake but not for the frosting, he rushes to the refrigerator to see what he can find.

With all of the ingredients for a cake and frosting in hand, Max gets impatient waiting and takes matters into his own hands. What surprise will his dad find when he finally returns? While Max's resourcefulness and charm will warm the reader's heart, the abrupt change from the story of the Passover to Max making a cake may leave a feeling of confusion. A cute story intended for a large audience but may miss the mark for those not familiar with the Jewish traditions.

Rating: Good to Recommended ★★★✬☆

Publishing Information

Publisher: Random House Kids (Jan. 28, 2014)

Pages: 32

Ages: 3-7

ISBN: 978-0-449-81431-4

This book can be purchased from the following retailers:

 

*I received the book at no charge from the publisher to facilitate my review.No monetary compensation was received.  As always, I retain the right to give a fair and honest review.**

Book Review and Giveaway: Tiger in My Soup by Kashmira Sheth and Jeffery Ebbeler

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Having an older sister in charge wouldn't be so bad if she actually paid attention to you. 

When a boy is left in the care of his sister, he tries to get her to read his tiger book to him. Instead, she is too busy reading her own book. With ear buds planted in her ears, nothing will distract her. When she finally takes a break to give her brother a bowl of soup, he finds a ferocious tiger escaping with the steam from his bowl. The boy declares war on the tiger using the things in his kitchen while his sister cares only that his soup gets cold.

Bright colors evoke the warmth of Indian fabrics. The image of the tiger cowering on a table from the deluge of kitchen implements coming at him will give the young reader the thrill of victory and keep him glued to the pages long after he reads the words.

Recommended to Highly Recommended (4 1/2 stars)

Publishing Information:

Publisher: Peachtree Publishers (April 2013)
ISBN-13: 978-1-56145-696-3
Ages 4-8

Purchase from the following retailers.

**Disclosure:  Review copy received from publisher at no charge. No monetary compensation was received. My review is based upon by honest opinion and is not influenced by outside sources.

Giveaway Details: 

Winner will receive a copy of Tiger in My Soup. Use the Rafflecopter form to enter. By entering, you acknowledge you have read the terms on the form and agree to them. Contest ends 5/30/2013 at 11:59 EST.
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Kiss! Kiss! Yuck! Yuck!: Book Review and Giveaway

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KISS! KISS! YUCK! YUCK! by Kyle Mewburn. 
Illustrated by Ali Teo and John O'Reilly

Every time Auntie Elsie visits Andy, he gets ready to run. But Andy is always too slow. When Auntie Elsie finds him, it's Kiss! Kiss! on the left cheek and Kiss! Kiss! on the right cheek. It's enough to make Andy think, Yuck! Yuck!. All of those sloppy kisses keeps him in hiding in the worst places.

One day Andy crawls under the house among the spiderwebs. Andie waits and waits, but this time Auntie Elsie never comes. Could the sloppy kisses be better than not seeing Auntie Elsie at all?

Kiss! Kiss! Yuck! Yuck! is an absolutely adorable picturebook. Any child who has had to endure the kisses of those who love them can relate to Andy.The pencil, photo and fabric collage illustrations are playful and fun. I especially like the colorful collage of Auntie Elsie's clothes and shoes, giving her a touch of eccentricity. This is a perfect read aloud for children ages 4-8. It will elicit both groans and laughter from boys in the room who hate mushy kisses. Adults will enjoy reading aloud this book over and over. Highly Recommended.

You may purchase this book from the following retailers:

 

  Publishing Information 

• Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
• Date: September 1, 2008
• Pages: 32
• ISBN-10: 1561454575
• ISBN-13: 978-1561454570

 **Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book at no charge from the publisher for review purposes. It in no way influenced my opinion of the book. A copy of the book will be provided by the publisher to the winner of the contest.


Want to win a hard copy of this book? Please follow instructions on Rafflecopter form. If the right form does not load, please click on the post title and it will reload. Contest ends January 18, 2011 at 10:01 MST. Winner will be notified by email and have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Open to U.S. residents.