Book Review - The Bee Who Was Different

The Bee Who Was Different

by Kurt Zimmerman

 

Rating *** (3 stars)

This is a picture book about a bee who is in a wheelchair, which is even more striking since all the other bees are the same. The book is not about helping educate children about differences in others. Rather it is about overcoming your own difficulties to be a hero.

I like that the main character has a physical disability, that is not common enough in picture books. The message is good, but not great. The pictures are cute, but not anything above and beyond. I wish the book could have expanded slightly to help children without a physical disability understand a bit better, and I think that May have been a goal, however I do not feel it was reached. 

Overall the writing and pictures are average. I do think it could be a useful story for a young child with a physical disability who is feeling left out.



 

Book Review - The Deep and Snowy Woods

The Deep and Snowy Woods

by Elwyn Tate

Rating **** (4 stars)

When I was looking at the books I have downloaded over the years this one caught my eye. The cover is adorable, and holds the promise of more beauty to come. When I opened it I asked if L wanted me to read it to her. Her response "Oh, I know this book. I have read it lots of times." She then proceeded to read the book to me - twice - and then type out the following review.

3 animals know but the rest did not know that it is Christmas day. It was interesting because I like running, hoping, and digging. 3 stars because I did not like how it ended. They just made me hanging.

- L age 9

I did some minor editing while she was typing, in truth she really used spell check, and I did ask what she likes, explained how I give a rating, and asked why it was three stars. I think she had a valid reason.  The artwork is beautiful. The words are beautiful because they are incorporated into the artwork, and because they sound beautiful when read aloud. I do agree about the ending. I was a bit surprised when Santa Clause showed up and we were magically in the North Pole, and I also agree that is a bit anticlimactic in the end. 

However, I do believe it earns one more star then L gave it. She smiled the entire time she read it. She nearly ripped the iPad out of my hands to read it to me, then begged to be allowed to read it again. That is why I upped her rating one star. I mean, for my child who adamantly proclaims that she hates to read, that is kind of a miracle. 

Book Review - Queen-a-Bella Finds a Best Friend

Queen-a-Bella Finds a Best Friend

by Lisl Fair & Nina De Polonia

Rating *** (3 stars)

This is a picture book about a little bunny who wants to find a best friend. After being turned away by an older sister, she searches through the meadow looking for a friend. In truth she does not search very hard. She more begs and pleads in true toddler fashion. Each animal shuns her because they are too different until she meets a lizard. The lizard tries to pull the same speech about being too different, but Queen-a-Bella has had enough and debates with him until he gives in and becomes her friend.

The pictures are cute, and while not masterpieces, they are good. The writing is pretty good also. There is only a few places where it is a little awkward. The main character can not be older then preschool age. Her social skills are a bit juvenile, and will not help teach them to other children. The book is a cute, fun read. It is not a book about how to get and keep a best friend.

 

 

Book Review - God Gave Me You

God Gave My You

by Cindy Bracken

Rating **** (4 stars)

This is yet another amazing story by Cindy Bracken. The illustrations appear to be copies of paintings. Some of them are nature in theme, and other's show a mother or father with her child. The story is a simple one that showcase the brilliance of nature, and then the further brilliance of God by giving the child to the care of his or her parents.

As the title alone gives evidence to, this is a Christian theme book. It is a great book for helping a child to understand the joy you feel at being their parent. I read this book to my children a lot when they were younger going through harder days.

Book Review - Tip of the Toes

Tip of the Toes

by. Lily Lexington

Rating ***1/2 (3 1/2 stars)

This is a cute picture book of a young girl who is learning ballet. The start of the book talks about various dance moves, then the story goes on to the girl preparing for a dance recital. To help calm her fear, the teacher gives her a magical bow that will help her to not make a mistake. Then at the end the girl subtly realizes that it was her that was able to dance, not the bow.

The pictures are simple, but decent, computer generations. The text is formatted under the pictures and at times can break into a new page. The writing is good. It is made to rhyme, and at times it is a little forced. The vocabulary is more one for an adult to read to a child, rather then a child to read to an adult. Even if they are familiar with ballet terms they will probably have difficulty with words such as maintaining or enchanted.

If your child is interested in ballet then this is a cute story to check out. The writing and pictures are good, and the plot has a good message - even if it is a bit truncated. Overall, a cute story.

Book Review - Princess Charleston of the Isle of Palm

Princess Charleston of the Isle of Palm

by Kelly Sheehy Degroot

Rating ** 1/2 (2 1/2 stars)

Princess Charleston of the Isle of Palms is a picture book about a princess with a magical window that allows her to see all of her friends who live on the beach - which consist of just seagulls and crabs. When a storm approaches Princess Charleston sings a magical song and creates a place for her friends to wait out the storm. After the storm has passed Princess Charleston visits her friends, and they sing their praises to her.

The plot is basic and uninspiring. The writing is choppy and boring. The words are printed in an italic font which does not really look good, and is not very compatible for reading. The pictures are good, but not amazing. They look like they were drawn with color pencil and then scanned in.

There are so many picture books available on the market. While this book you can tell that an effort was made in producing a good book, it just is not a good book.

Book Review - Christmas Cats - A Christmas Picture Book for Kids

Christmas Cats - A Christmas Picture Book for Kids

by Rachael Poole

Rating ***(3 stars)

Christmas Cats - A Christmas Picture Book For Kids is more a collection of adorable pictures of cats then an actual book. There are a total of 46 pictures of cats and kittens posing in various holiday cheer. Some are in stockings, other with hats on their heads, and others are wrestling with a Christmas tree.

The pictures are professional, and I am nearly certain were taken for the express purpose of creating this book, as opposed to some collections where you are sure they collected them off the internet. Each picture is decorated with a digital scrapbook feel to the page.

The book is cute, and I can see S and L both enjoying themselves while looking at the pagers. Which brings to mind my problem with this book. They will only be looking at the pages, because their is nothing to read. Maybe I am weird, but I like books to have words in them. I like my kids to read books with words in them - even if they are only looking at the pictures. This book does not even need an actual plot - just a phrase per each page about a kitten in socks, or something along those lines.

Book Review - There's No Such Thing as Monsters by Michael Yu

There's No Such Thing as Monsters

by Michael Yu

 

Rating ***(3 stars)

There's No Such Thing As Monsters is a Kindle children's book about a mother tucking her young boy into bed, continually contradicting him when his imagination runs wild thinking of monsters. Except the mother is wrong, there are monsters. The monsters are big, furry, and friendly. They just want to be friends.

This book is deserving of the three stars because of the beautiful computer animation. The pages are vibrant, colorful, and detailed. This is rare in self published kindle books for children. However, the writing is not all that great. The book tries to rhyme, but does not come close. The book would have been better served with a simple prose style.

I am also not sold on the plot. It starts out as a mom telling her child that he is wrong for believing in monsters then goes on to show that the mom was in fact wrong. Then the book moves in the direction of the world is such a safe and wonderful place because even the monsters are friendly. Maybe I am over thinking it a bit. . . but I can not see using this as a book to help with nighttime fears.

I purchased this book when it was free on Kindle. I can see L flipping through it when she is being stubborn about reading chapter books. I did really enjoy the pictures and could see the book being enjoyed for that purpose. However, I would not recommend buying it based on the words.