Mr. Alex's Bookshelf

Review: No! Said Rabbit

This book is funny, delightful, beautifully-simply, illustrated and sure to provide much needed conversation with naysayers. Our five-year-old enjoyed saying “No!” along with the rabbit, but, by the end of the book completely understood that he himself acted like the rabbit many times–not giving things a chance, or saying “no” to something he actually wanted.

Review: Bella’s Recipe for Success

Guided by the gentle hand of her grandmother Bella comes to realize that accomplishment takes work and perseverance; even Bella’s siblings get in on the lessons!

REVIEW: ANITA AND THE DRAGONS

From her vantage point on the roof, Anita watches the airplanes high overhead, and imagines they are dragons, that she, the princesa, will finally have to face. Anita and her family are leaving the Dominican Republic for a distant land where there will be baths with hot water, regular electricity, and a real dryer. But Anita’s abuela won’t be coming, and Anita will miss her beautiful island terribly. However, Anita is a valiant princesa, who conquers her fears, and meets the fearsome dragons who will fly her to her new life with courage and grace.

REVIEW: Pockets Full of Rocks

Ella’s daddy doesn’t feel well. He stays in bed all day, and doesn’t smile any more. When Ella wonders why, her daddy explains that he has depression.

REVIEW: My Story Friend

This gentle book will offer encouragement both to young readers to tell their stories, no matter how sad, and to all of us to be better listeners and story friends.

Review: Share Some Kindness Bring Some Light

The book is delightfully quaint, a beautiful story about being brave, showing kindness, the joys of friendship, and the idea that if you are truly kind, you need not buy friendship.

Review: A Gift for Amma: Market Day in India

Meandering through crowded, narrow lanes our dark-skinned protagonist narrates the scents and sounds of the market as she contemplates what to get for her mother- the swish of marigold garlands, the scent of jasmine to perfume her mother’s braid, the rickshaw rushing by.

Review: Cave Dada Picky Eater

As a parent, have you ever been faced with a picky eater? I feel like this is something that could drive any parent either to the brink of insanity or, lead them to do anything in their power to get that little one to eat.

REVIEW: We Became Jaguars

He is very hesitant, as she convinces him to become a jaguar crawling first along the carpeted floors of the house and then into the nearby forest. The transformation from human to beast is captured beautifully on a bifold illustration depicting them as half human, half jaguar stalking into the night.