Title: Emmeline Pankhurst (Little People, Big Dreams)
Author: Lisbeth Kaiser
Illustrator: Ana Sanfelippo
Source: Free ARC from Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Note: As stated under the Source (above), I received this book for free from Frances Lincoln Children’s Books via NetGalley. I pride myself on writing fair and honest reviews.
Emmeline Pankhurst is a name I recognized, but I didn’t know why. How could she be so famous that I knew her name, but nothing about who she was? Enter another edition of Little People, Big Dreams!
At this point, I’m certain you are tired of me saying this, but…I love this series! It’s a wonderful way for children to get essential information about historical figures. And while I have appreciated every edition, those that focus on women of historical significance are by and large my favorite because the contributions of women are at risk of being forgotten, having often been disregarded as less important (hence why I suspect I recognized Emmeline Pankhurst’s name, but knew nothing about her).
In a nutshell, Emmeline Pankhurst was an early suffragette, an early feminist, who fought her entire life for women to be offered the same opportunities as men. And – spoiler alert – she lived to see some of her dreams come true, including women earning the right to vote!
As ever, Little People, Big Dreams act as a stepping stone, for children (and adults) to learn more about important figures of our past.
Title: Muddy, the Raccoon Who Stole Dishes
Author: Griffin Ondaatje
Illustrator: Linda Wolfsgruber
Source: Free ARC from NorthSouth Books
Rating: ⭐⭐ 1/2
Note: As stated under the Source (above), I received this book for free from NorthSouth Books via NetGalley. I pride myself on writing fair and honest reviews.
The gaze (group) of raccoons in which Muddy lives have sworn off eating garbage in the city because it’s gotten them into too much trouble in the past. Instead, they eat clams, and whatever else Mother Nature offers in their habitat. But Muddy is very particular about food and can’t stop eating garbage from the restaurant across the way. In fact, not only does he eat the garbage, he insists on carrying it away on a plate, and has amassed quite a collection by the water. When his secret stash is discovered, every raccoon in the gaze will work to make it right.
Raccoons are one of my all-time favorite animals, and I found the illustrations in this book to be intriguing (I still can’t decide if I like them, but I keep going back to look at them!). There were some interesting factual tidbits about raccoons, shining a more positive light on their nature, and that was much appreciated. However, the story itself fell rather flat for me and the ending was a bit sudden. In fact, it seemed a bit incomplete, which is likely the primary reason I found this book to be only ok.
Interesting story, but not a book I’d purchase personally.
Title: Goodbye, School
Author: Tonya K. Lippert
Illustrator: Tracy Bishop
Source: Free ARC from Magination Press
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Note: As stated under the Source (above), I received this book for free from Magination Press via NetGalley. I pride myself on writing fair and honest reviews.
Change can be challenging for children of all ages. This is especially true when they are moving away, leaving school and friends behind, or have a friend who is moving away. Goodbye, Schooloffers an example of an emotionally healthy way for a child to acknowledge the difficulty of that change and move on.
As a child, we moved a lot, and every time, at every age, it was painful. I remember every single move, starting in kindergarten, and not in a positive way. If my parents had a book like this, maybe those transitions would have been smoother, maybe the moves wouldn’t have left scars.
While the story itself would be helpful to young children, I think the section in the back, directed to the parents, would be even more so. It has wonderful advice, from an expert in psychology, on ways in which this type of experience can be made easier for kids. Honestly, the last two pages are just as critical as the example provided in the story, and I love that this type of advice is being made so accessible.
A great book for families who are making a move or for children who have a friend who is moving away.
Title: Stephen Hawking (Little People, Big Dreams)
Author: Isabel Sanchez Vegara
Illustrator: Matt Hunt
Source: Free ARC from Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Note: As stated under the Source (above), I received this book for free from Frances Lincoln Children’s Books via NetGalley. I pride myself on writing fair and honest reviews.
Stephen Hawking had an intriguing character and equally intriguing life. In this edition of Little People, Big Dreams, we learn about the type of household Stephen grew up in, his education, his curiosity and intellect, and his perseverance in the face of a devastating illness. Young minds will read this and learn a little something about the wonders of the universe, about a man who would advance science further than most could ever imagine, and who didn’t let the failings of his body prevent him from pursuing his dreams.