Mr. Alex's Bookshelf - Page 9 of 42 - The word "parent" is not just a noun. It's also a verb.

Review: My Mommies Built a Treehouse

August 14, 2024 Alexander Fernández-Pons

My Mommies Built a Treehouse by Gareth Peter, illustrated by Izzy Evans and published by Lantana Publishing in 2023, is a delightful story that captures the process of making a childhood dream come true. The narrative follows a young boy who, filled with excitement, asks his two moms to build him a treehouse. What unfolds is not just a tale of construction but a journey filled with planning, patience, and teamwork.
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Review: Mina Belongs Here

August 12, 2024 Alexander Fernández-Pons

Mina Belongs Here by Sandra Niebuhr-Siebert, with illustrations by Lars Baus and published by Floris Books in 2022, is a beautifully crafted story that tenderly captures the experience of a young child stepping into a new, unfamiliar world. Little Mina, just starting kindergarten, finds herself in a classroom where she doesn’t yet understand the language. As the story unfolds, we watch her slowly but surely blossom, learning new words and gradually finding her place in this new environment.
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Review: La Falda Morada de Leo

February 6, 2024 Alexander Fernández-Pons

“Irma Borges’ book, ‘La Falda Morada de Leo,’ illustrated by Francesco Fanani, takes readers on a vibrant journey of self-expression and breaking gender stereotypes through the eyes of a young boy, Leo. With a treasure trove of costumes, Leo loves to immerse himself in various roles, from pirates to superheroes. Among his favorite items is a purple skirt that allows him to explore a multitude of characters, highlighting the versatility and joy of imaginative play.
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Review: Go-Go Guys

February 5, 2024 Alexander Fernández-Pons

“Go-Go Guys” by Rowboat Watkins is a vibrant and imaginative picture book that will resonate especially with children who are always on the move, including those showing characteristics akin to ADHD. The story centers around three lively characters who find the idea of bedtime unappealing, opting instead for thrilling adventures. This portrayal is particularly relatable to children who have difficulty settling down or exhibit high energy levels, making the book a delightful read for young, spirited minds.
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Review: The Darkest Dark

February 2, 2024 Alexander Fernández-Pons

“The Darkest Dark” by Chris Hadfield, illustrated by The Fan Brothers, is a touching and inspiring picture book that speaks to children’s common fear of the dark, while also encouraging them to dream big and embrace their aspirations.
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Review: If You See a Bluebird

February 1, 2024 Alexander Fernández-Pons

Bahram Rahman’s “If You See a Bluebird,” illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard, is a heartfelt tale exploring displacement, family, and the essence of “home.” Centering on Ali, a young boy from Kabul, the story juxtaposes his joyful past with the challenges of war and relocation. Rahman’s genuine narrative, paralleled in works like “A Sky-Blue Bench” and “The Library Bus,” provides a sincere perspective on the refugee experience.
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Review: El Ratón Que Comía Cuentos (Spanish)

January 31, 2024 Alexander Fernández-Pons

In José Carlos Andrés’ “El Ratón Que Comía Cuentos,” illustrated by Katharina Sieg, the journey of Simenón, a small, ever-hungry mouse, becomes a touching metaphor for the nourishing power of stories and knowledge. His discovery of a bookstore leads to an unusual but fulfilling diet of book pages, symbolizing how stories feed our minds and souls.
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Review: Lolo’s Sari-Sari Store

January 29, 2024 Alexander Fernández-Pons

“Lolo’s Sari-Sari Store” by Sophia N. Lee, illustrated by Christine Almeda, is a heartwarming tale that resonates with the themes of community, connection, and the enduring warmth of home. The story centers on a young narrator who fondly remembers helping their Lolo (grandfather) run his sari-sari store—a variety store—in the Philippines. The store, with its diverse inventory ranging from household products to freshly baked pan de sal, becomes a microcosm of community life, where Lolo’s generosity and understanding play a pivotal role.
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Review: Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

January 26, 2024 Alexander Fernández-Pons

“Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” illustrated by Vivian Mineker, brings a new visual dimension to Robert Frost’s classic poem. Known for her work on “The Road Not Taken,” Mineker continues her exploration of Frost’s poetry with a style that is both approachable and quietly elegant.
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Review: Tree Whispers

January 25, 2024 Alexander Fernández-Pons

“Tree Whispers: A Forest of Poems,” authored by Mandy Ross and illustrated by Juliana Oakley, is a captivating and educational exploration of nature’s splendors through poetry. Ideal for a classroom setting, this collection introduces children to the varied and significant roles of trees in our natural world and diverse cultures.
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Review: This or That

January 24, 2024 Alexander Fernández-Pons

The book not only entertains but also educates, making it a valuable tool for parents and educators. It teaches children that making choices is a skill that can be developed and that every choice, whether big or small, contributes to shaping one’s life. “This or That: A Story About Choosing” encourages children to embrace decision-making, highlighting that it is okay to make mistakes as they are opportunities for learning and growth.
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Review: Are We There Yet

January 23, 2024 Alexander Fernández-Pons

Throughout their journey, Bear and Butterfly traverse a variety of landscapes, each imparting its own unique lesson. A particularly meaningful scene is their journey through a vast forest, where the illustrations deftly symbolize the immensity of life and our role within it, teaching children about perspective and the value of persistence.
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Review: What Boys Do

December 17, 2021 Alexander Fernández-Pons

A wonderful alternative to “snips and snails and puppy-dogs’s tails,” What Boys Do, takes us on a journey for the answer to what every boy can do: anything and everything.

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Review: At the Pond

December 17, 2021 Alexander Fernández-Pons

Valério’s vivid imagery and simple but lush illustrations layer each spread with meaning upon meaning, creating a depth that can be explored over multiple readings.

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Review: Mr. Watson’s Chickens

December 16, 2021 Alexander Fernández-Pons

From the end pages, done in whimsical egg motifs, through the meticulously delineated chickens in every spread, this book is a joy to look at, and read.

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Review: Una Tarde Súper Increíble

December 16, 2021 Alexander Fernández-Pons

On a walk with her Grandfather, our young protagonist declares that she is not hungry. Undeterred (as most adults would be at such a declaration), her Grandfather assures her that by the time they reach home, she will have a ravenous appetite.

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Review: All the Way to the Top

December 15, 2021 Alexander Fernández-Pons

As a Kindergartner, she more often experienced the word STOP than she did the word GO in everyday life–experiences simply but effectively illustrated in the picturebook.

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Review: The Shaman’s Apprentice

December 15, 2021 Alexander Fernández-Pons

My brain wants to put this in the category of magical realism. But my heart and spirit keep asking, “is it?”

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Review: The Good Germ Hotel

December 14, 2021 Alexander Fernández-Pons

This is a well-illustrated, solid books that is a wonderful introduction to how germs and bacteria work within your body. It is rich in text, cartoon-like illustrations, and even contains a brief discussion of the Covid-19 virus.

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Review: The Neighborhood Surprise

December 14, 2021 Alexander Fernández-Pons

Van Dongen’s gorgeous illustrations immediately draw you in to this multicultural neighborhood wherein a much loved neighbor is “moving out.”

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