2012 Reviews by Library: Manawa
Everyone loves a hug
Felicia Bond is well known for her illustrations of the "If you Give a..." series. This time she is both writer and illustrator of Big Hugs, Little Hugs. This book has wonderful mixed media illustrations including collage that portray animals all over the world giving each other hugs. The words are plain and simple, it's the artwork that grabs you here. While it too is plain and simple on one level, on another level it is not. I think many young readers will clue into the art on these pages and have lots to talk about.
Together/Alone
Chopsticks are a real pair. They hang in there through thick and thin until one of them gets hurt. While the injured one recuperates the other half is persuaded to venture off and explore going solo. Of course there is a happy ending. This book has a great rhythm with a wonderful play on words. The illustrations are sometimes hilarious - the "hospital" where the injured Chopstick gets fixed is a medicine cabinet - and older preschoolers and early elementary aged youth will have a good time figuring out what some of the other characters are and the activities taking place. Very clever book.
Nursery Rhymes in Relief
You've never seen Nursery Rhymes illustrated quite like this. Mavor takes a variety of nursery rhymes, some familiar, some not and creates a rich world around them with sewn miniatures of people, buildings, scenery, etc. Dispersed throughout are real things like driftwood, tree bark, beads and wire. All of this is then sewn or glued to felt backgrounds. The results are stunning. This book is truly a visual treat.
Finding your place in the world
This incredibly funny picture book also has a sweet message about going out into the big world and finding your place in it. Several little rodents are born in a "small dark hole" and when they have to emerge because they are getting too big where they are and the obstacles they face are hilarious. Young listeners will be able to figure where the journey is taking these little creatures and will applaud their bravery when resucing one of their own.
There are alternatives!
Hurray for Ian Falconer. Hurray for Olivia. Leave it up to Olivia to finally take on the pink princesses. Someone had to and I'm so glad it's Olivia. Olivia does a good job of realizing that being a princess, especially a pink princess, is not all there is to be in life. The usual sly references and the iconic picture on Olivia's wall are here as well as the great facial expressions of Olivia and her family members. What does Olivia end up being instead of a princess? Once you find out it will make perfect sense. For adults who are tiring of the princess craze and want to introduce their children (let's be real...girls) to a story about something other than princesses this is the book that will do the trick. For everyone else, it's another great trip inside the head of the great Olivia.
Fractured and Upside Down
This laugh out loud fractured fairy tale of Goldilocks and Three Bears is another gem from Mo Willems. Goldilocks thinks she knows what she's doing but does she really? The Dinosaurs think they know what they're doing, but do they really? The illustrations have lots of fun surprises so study them closely. Fans of Willems' other books will spot a familar face here and there. The phrasing is funny and well structured and the adult readers will enjoy the book on one level while the young listeners will enjoy it on another. This book is a treat. Children reading on their own who are familiar with Goldilocks will also enjoy this book immensely.
Carrots!
Wombat is at it again, this time with Santa and the Reindeer. Wombat loves carrots and he finds out if he hangs around with said Santa and Reindeer he'll find all the carrots he could possibly eat. Nice illustrations and sparse but clever text makes this book very enjoyable.
Peace and Quiet
Underwood is the author of The Quiet Book and The Loud Book. In this holiday release she beautifully portrays all the ways it can be "Christmas Quiet". The examples (Searching for Presents Quiet - Getting Caught Quiet) are fleshed out expertly in the illustrations. Young and old alike will know exactly what these "quiets" are all about.
