Category: children

Author: Gabby Dawnay
Illustrator: Ian Morris
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-500-65260-2
Pages: 32
Price: $16.95

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Zach and Ro are visiting the library, and Ro can hardly wait to start browsing to find the perfect book. But Zach is not impressed. Ro excitedly explains to Zach about all the fun and adventure he can find in books as Zach remains stubbornly disinterested. Finally, after much encouragement, Zach’s interest is piqued and he can hardly wait to dive into his own stack of books.

This cute rhyming book is fun to read while extolling the virtues of all kinds of books. Kids (and parents) will love to read it out loud. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Paula Merlán
Illustrator: Brenda Figueroa
Publisher: Cuento de Luz
ISBN: 978-84-18302-36-7
Pages: 32
Price: $18.95

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Sara nibbles her nails all day – while she reads, waters her plants, and even when she dreams. But her body isn’t happy with her unconscious habit.

One day grandma shows up with a surprise – a beautiful cake made from strawberries and freshly cut nails! Sara is horrified. Why would she eat such a cake? But when grandma tells her that it’s made from Sara’s own nails, she realizes what she’s doing. Thankfully, it’s only a dream, but Sara wakes up determined to use the nail clippers from now on.

Breaking bad habits is hard, but Nibbling Your Nails might gross kids out enough to make them stop chewing their own nails. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author & Illustrator: Tereza Sediva
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-500-65205-3
Pages: 32
Price: $16.95

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Mole lives in his hole with his best friend, Chandelier – a radish growing above him. Chandelier is the only color in his black and white world, but he tells Mole all about the things he sees around him. Colorful things like flowers, birds, and sunshine. He encourages Mole to come out to see them, but Mole is content in his black and white hole.

One day Chandelier is picked, leaving a hole in the ground. Mole finally gets the courage to leave, and explores the world around him. He enjoys seeing the beautiful colors, and brings some of the items he sees back to his hole. Now he can see color in the hole as well as above it.

Mole in a Black & White Hole is full of insights into the human experience that children will be able to discuss and explore. It tackles the concepts of safety, courage, black and white thinking, and friendship, while also telling a charming tale. I highly recommend this cute story for kids.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Ariel Andrés Almada
Illustrator: Sonja Wimmer
Publisher: Cuento de Luz
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-84-18302-46-6
Pages: 32
Price: $16.95

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Family can be loving, fun, and occasionally difficult. But the strongest families stick together through it all.

Brothers and sisters play together, fight over their toys, snuggle up while reading together, and giggle over the same things. They may be as different as day and night or souls that share the same spirit. But no matter what happens, they love each other and try to make each other’s days just a little brighter.

Brothers and Sisters expresses all the feelings kids have about their siblings. It’s a warm and caring look at family relationships that kids will really enjoy.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Huw Lewis Jones
Illustrator: Ben Sanders
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-500-65243-5
Pages: 32
Price: $16.95

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Apple is a nasty piece of fruit. He drank Pea’s tea. He stole Cat’s hat. And he pushed Spud in the mud. So what happens to a really bad apple? He just might just do something to Snake that he will regret.

Bad Apple is a mischievous tale that reminds kids that it’s not a very good idea to be bad. In fact, it can have terrible consequences.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Kellie Byrnes
Illustrator: Aśka
Publisher: EK Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-925820-50-8
Pages: 32
Price: $18.99

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A boy declares that what we’re reading is NOT a book. He explains that a book needs a main character, interesting places to visit, action, problems, and a solution. And as he explains each, he finds himself in the exact situation he’s describing.

The boy’s reactions to what’s happening in this NOT-book are hilarious, and kids will laugh as they learn the various pieces of a published story. I highly recommend This is NOT a Book!

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author & Illustrator: Zeno Sworder
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-760-76111-0
Pages: 32
Price: $17.95

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A baby’s big sister welcomes a newborn to earth, excited to share all the things she’s learned about life so far. The earth is small blue dot in a universe of stars, and it holds a wealth of things to explore. Nature, playtime, sunny and dark days, and interesting people fill her world. The earth is full of dreamers, and this newborn is its newest explorer. Big sister can’t wait to show off the things she’s discovered.

This Small Blue Dot shares some of the wonders of life through the excited eyes of a child. I highly recommend this book and its positive message.

Reviewer: Alice Berger