The Great Smelly, Slobbery, Small-Tooth Dog

By Margaret Read MacDonald and Illustrated by Julie Paschkis

Publisher: August House

Genre: Children's Book/Folklore (32 pages)

Ages: 4-8 (pre-k -2nd grade)

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Book Blurb:

A rich man is rescued from harm by a smelly, slobbery dog. As a reward, he asks for the man's beautiful daughter. In this tale from England, Margaret Read MacDonald puts a new spin on the classic story, Beauty and the Beast.

I didn’t need the Blurb to tell me this was a retelling of Beauty and the Beast.  A large dog saves a merchant and demands that the merchant's daughter come live with the dog.The girl goes with the dog of her own free will, because her father gave his word. From there, we get the nice kind girl having fun, playing with the dog in the day, and at night she is sad, feeling like a prisoner, until the dog hears her crying and took her home.  It was only on the way home the girl started calling him names (Great Smelly, Slobbery, Small -Toothed Dog) and the dog whisked her back to his castle.  At the end she learns the “lesson” and he becomes a prince.  

This story is supposed to teach kindness since, in order for the girl to see her father again, she has to be kind to the dog.  I guess this lesson would make sense if the daughter was known to be unkind to people, but in truth, like many Beauty and the Beast retellings, the girl is not unkind to anyone.  And, only to the dog the closer she got to her home.  I understand the value of being kind, but it was just out of left field.  I am not looking for a whole character ark, but something more than “the girl, who had never shown any penchant for being a mean, unkind person now can not see her father because the person/dog keeping her locked in a castle will not let her see him, until she learns to be kind.”  It just seems so random and not at all set up to be a lesson at all.

Beauty and the Beast also should teach children to look beyond a person's looks and find the person within. The part of the story is not even hinted at, and in this day and age, I think that is a very important lesson to teach. And I almost thought that this is where the book was going, showing us how the dog was befriending her, reading and playing etc.

I know this is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, but the author could have put a little more into the lessons, tightened it up a bit.  The author DOES have a way with words that would make this story fun for children to enjoy, it’s just I don’t like the weak message.

However, as much as I was not happy with the story, the art was STUNNING in an old tapestry look.  The pictures flow with the movement and not one is a plain boring square setup.   

In the end, I will say, this is not a book I would buy to keep, but maybe read to the kids, when we visit the library.

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review*

The Little Red Hen

From Amazon

The Little Red Hen

By Heather Forest and Illustrated by Susan Gaber

Publisher: August House

Genre: Children's Book/Folklore (32 pages)

Ages: 3-7 (pre-k - 2nd grade)

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Where to Buy: Amazon

Book Blurb:

Heather Forest and Susan Gaber join forces to breathe new life into this classic story. A little Red Hen lived in a house, with a frisky dog, a cat, and a mouse. So begins this fresh look at a beloved old fable. The little Red Hen's frisky housemates—Dog, Cat, and Mouse—would rather play than settle down to daily chores such as planting, cutting, and grinding wheat. But when the wheat is used to make a delicious cake, the little creatures are more than happy to help eat it! Heather Forest's rhythmic retelling captures the chaos of daily living and celebrates the spirit of teamwork inherent in this tale. Susan Gaber's whimsical illustrations done in acrylics, some pastels and cut paper transport the reader to a cozy cottage where the little Red Hen helps others learn how to help her even if it is more effort than doing the work by herself.

This is a retelling of an old folktale in a rhyming style, that teaches children that with hard work comes a reward.  It is an old story that I have seen many books retell it, but this version stands out because of the art.  Susan Gaber brings the story alive with a whimsical art style that reminds me of a picture book from early 1900’s.  

However, I don’t see this story being one my nephew would want to have me read repeatedly, this is definitely a book to pick up from your local library to read to your child.

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review*

Reading Challenges for 2016

So I have gotten the bug of reading challenges,  because nothing makes things more fun, than achievements!

This year I have a few I want to do for this blog, kicking it into the blog I want to see.  One will be adding more than just book reviews, but I am jumping forward again!

The first challenge is right up this blogs allay the 2016  I Love Picture Book Reading Challenge, hosted by Bea's Book Nook.

 

Sign ups are running now!

My goal is to read and review 50 picture books or more. Hopefully more!

Will update this post as I find more to fit my goal here.

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My next one is the Blogger Shame Review Challenge, which yes, that cat is me!  I have been putting off so many posts, it is sad.  Well no more!  I am going to be a happy purring cat from now on! 

Goal is to clear out my NetGalley Books, (that is 7 for here) and get a handle on the hard copy (real) books, (that is 35)  

So 42 books to review!  I CAN DO THIS!  

Now I just need to find a challenge for food blogging ...

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I Love You, Stinky Face

From Amazon

I Love You, Stinky Face

Written by Lisa McCourt , Illustrated by Cyd Moore

Publisher:Scholastic

Genre: Children's Book, Children’s Bedtime Stories (29 pages)

Amazon Link: I LOVE YOU, STINKY FACE

A young boy asks his mom, will you still love me if I was an ape, a skunk, or an one-eyed monster.

I Love You, Stinky Face is one of my must haves for any new family.  It is a very adorable story of a mother’s love, told through the questions of an imaginative child.  No matter if you are an alligator, a meat-eating dinosaur, or a swap creature, mama will love you.  Leason: A mother has unconditional love.

As with most of my favorite children's books, the artwork in this book is amazing, with bright colors and pictures that depict movement.  The story is easy to read, adding voices to the child and the mother. It is a story every child I read it too asks to hear it again and again.

I have a few must haves for baby showers now.  A pack of size 1 diapers. receiving blankets (can never have too many) a Tupperware Quick Shake (best thing for formula) and a book.  This is one of three books I give.  

Babushka

(from Amazon.com)

Babushka

Written by Dawn Casey , Illustrated by Amanda Hall

Publisher:Lion Hudson

Genre: Children's Book, Children’s Folk Tales (32 pages)

Amazon Release Date: 8/01/2016  - LINK

Babushka is busy working, cleaning, cooking and the sort, when one night three travelers stop by her home for food and warmth, and tell her about following the star in the east. The sign a new baby and king has been born.

I have heard this russian tale before, about the woman who feed the Three Wise Men, as they stopped on their journey, inviting the old woman to join them. After turning them down, she decides the next day, that she will journey to meet with them, only to get lost on the way.  This is a Russian tale that is much like the Father Christmas tales, about someone traveling the earth giving toys and food to those children she meets.  

What I loved about this book, is the artwork, hands down. The style reminds me of a whimsical classic russian style I studied in art history class. Only the colors are more pleasing to a child's eye. In other tales of Babushka, Babushka is a crooked looking crone, drawn looking to scare, for some reason. Only here she is warm, and loving.  More like a classic grandmother.

I quite enjoyed this retailing of a tale I heard as a child. In reading this story for this review, I introduced my nephew to it.  He sat on my lap, and we saw this magical story open for us, it was a lovely experience.

I recommend that this story is added to your holiday collection.  

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Never Give Up - A story about self-esteem (children's book review)

(from amazon.com)

Never Give Up - A story about self-esteem

Written by Kathryn Cole , Illustrated by Qin Leng

Publisher: Second Story Press

Genre: Children's Book (24 pages) Ages 5-8

Never Give Up, in itself a simple story to follow.  A young kid, Shaun, is trying to learn to ride his bike, but is having a hard time balancing.  But, this story has a few more layers to it.  It is told by Nadia, his young friend, who is also having issues of her own, they main being watching her friend get teased, yet not standing up for him.

I have read many children's stories about not giving up, and to keep trying, but “Never Give Up”  does it far better.  This story not only teaches that you need to keep on trying, but to do it even when others maybe laughing at you.  It is also a story of friendship and helping others.  Our main character, feels awful for not standing up and helping her friend, and goes to her father for help.  Teaching children that when you have problems you can not slove, it is okay to seek out adult help.  

However, the part of this book that stood out above anything else, we the author’s and illustrator’s way of adding diversity without waving flags stating, ‘look how diverse we are here.”  With a main character in a hijab and the children of different races playing together, it is all there but never brought into the focus of the story. They just are, and it is perfect.   

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.