Review: I Can’t Draw

Kids start the negative self-talk at a very early age–with or without parental assistance. They pick it up at school, at the playground, from other relatives, etc. Sometimes, it simply comes from comparing themselves to their peers and noticing that they are either not able to do something as well as somebody else, they do it more slowly, or they do it differently. As adults we know that different is not necessarily bad (at least I hope that we all know that); but, for a kid, that message is not always clear.

Review: Grandma’s House of Rules

My house, my rules. At one point or another may of us have either heard or said (or both) these infamous words. It’s not surprising. We all can have very particular ways of how we like our things arranged and/or treated. Do you remember, however, what it was like when you were a kid and you had to follow a set of rules you did not come up with?

Review: Cinderelliot

When the Prince decides to have, you guessed it, a Bake-Off Ball (okay, really a Royal Baking Competition–I think bake-off ball would have been funnier!), Cinderelliot dreams of participating; but, alas, he cannot because his siblings want them to bake treats for their participation. And, somebody has to clean the kitchen!

Review: A Sky-Bench

Aria, who received a “helper-leg” after an accident, is excited about returning to school after an extended absence. The school, however, has no places for her to sit, making her participation incredibly difficult. After almost giving up, Aria becomes determined to take matters into her own hands and solve the problem: she would build a bench for herself to use!

Review: If You’re a Drag Queen and You Know It.

De Dios’ illustrations are over the top, capture some incredible expressions are sure to invoke a giggle or two. As for the text, it’s your standard “If you’re happy and you know it” book, designed to get you out of your seat and moooooving! Read it to one, or better yet, to a classroom and prepare to have a great time!

Review: Anthony and the Gargoyle

This wordless picturebook lets you travel in time from generation to generation. Through illustrations done in a decidedly warm Parisian pallet Kastelic pushes thoughts to run free in a collection of images that propel Bogart’s narrative forward. Illustrated in graphic-novel style, each panel, gives the reader plenty to discuss. Discussion, essential, as it engages children in much needed analysis essential to developing reading and comprehension skills. This book is ripe for dialogic reading.

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