Title: Animosaics: Can You Find It?
Author: Surya Sajnani
Source: Free ARC from words&pictures
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Note: As stated under the Source (above), I received this book for free from words&pictures via NetGalley. I pride myself on writing fair and honest reviews.
This is a very simple board book for young children, a sort of I-Spy in different colors. On each 2 page layout, the left page has the page to search, the items blending in to the monochromatic background. The right hand page lists the items that can be found. Some colors are more challenging than others, the darker colors creating a better camouflage.
Ultimately a simple book that meets its intended purpose. My 8 year old son was interested and enjoyed it, but made quick work of it. A good book for children in the 4-7 year range, I’d think.
Title: Little People Big Dreams, L.M. Montgomery
Author: Isabel Sanchez Vegara
Illustrator: Anuska Allepuz
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.
Little People, Big Dreams is such a lovely series and this latest edition, L.M. Montgomery, does not disappoint. Though I’ve not read any of her work (gasp!), I used to watch the original tv series starring Megan Follows (who will always, always be Anne to me!), so Anne of Green Gables is near and dear to my heart.
Aside from highlighting the life and accomplishments of an esteemed female author, I love this book because it might inspire some more children to read her stories. In fact, I’m now inspired not only to go back and re-watch the original tv series, but to finally read the series. But I digress…
As an adult and avid reader, I’m always excited to learn more about the lives of authors. Once again, I learned a great deal about L.M. Montgomery while reading this book. However, what is particularly pertinent for children is her persistence and positive attitude. Despite a less than stellar childhood, she found a way to make herself happy and tenaciously pursued her dreams. That’s an example we can all learn from.
Title: Just Like You
Author: Sarah J. Dodd
Illustrator: Giusi Capizzi
Source: Free ARC from Lion Hudson
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Note: As stated under the Source (above), I received this book for free from Lion Hudson via NetGalley. I pride myself on writing fair and honest reviews.
Miki the meerkat is excited to hear that a new kid is moving in next door, but when she finds out Raffa is a giraffe, neither of them see how two creatures so different could ever be friends. However, one night circumstances bring them together and they realize that not only can they be friends, but having friends who are different enhances the way we see the world.
What a lovely little book! The illustrations are super cute, which is a make or break for me when it comes to children’s books. Even better is the story. With three 2ndgraders at home, this book is incredibly pertinent as we’re entering the phase where they are starting to be influenced by their peers. It’s an excellent time to strengthen the foundation of acceptance and independent thinking we’ve laid for them, and this book is a wonderful way to reopen that conversation. In an honest and elementary fashion,Just Like You reminds children that we often have more in common with others than we realize, and that difference can be a really good thing as well. Absolutely an appropriate read for toddlers through mid-elementary.
Great reviews! This makes me want to read the L.M. Montgomery, it sounds like it has a lot of good info but is super easy to read! I will have to request it from NetGally 🙂 Thanks!
The series as a whole is wonderful, but this one in particular hit the mark for me. It is a super quick read!
Great review Myndi. I hope this book is going to be available in New Zealand as I would love to get a copy for my toddler grandson. 💕📚
Just Like You I meant 😅😅😅
Ha! No worries. And that’s a great choice!
Thank you! Is it really difficult to get hold of books out there? I haven’t been, but I get the impression it’s rather isolated. In my quilting groups on Facebook, members from UK and your neck of the woods are always saying how expensive fabric is and how little choice there is as well. I’m embarrassed to admit I never considered how that might apply to books as well.
I love the Little People, Big Dreams series. I have to review the Just LIke You one as missed the first one. I think my grandson would have loved it. I will have to see if they have it at the library. Nice reviews. All good one too.
Thank you! Just Like You is a great book, and who doesn’t love animals?
I’m sad I didn’t get on the kids book review train earlier because I suspect I missed out on some of the earlier books in Little People, Big Dreams. Which has been your favorite so far?
I think the Lucy Maud Montgomery one. Perhaps because I already knew a lot about her and she is Canadian. 😁😁
I misses several of them as well. I think I liked the Lucy Maud Montgomery book the best. Probably because I already knew a lot about her as well as her being a Canadian. 😁😁
Great reviews, Myndi!
Thanks!
I think L.M. Montgomery is a great choice for this series. She has impacted a lot of girls. I didn’t read any Anne books until my granddaughters were reading them. I enjoyed them and learned a lot about places different from anywhere I have lived.
I agree!