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Dear Me, Letters to Myself For All of My Emotions
Donna Tetreault
2021 Honorable Mention
36 Pages
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Children - Educational
Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite
Dear Me, Letters to Myself For All of My Emotions by Donna Tetreault is a delightful illustrated children’s book that teaches children positive ways of dealing with their emotions, be they good or bad. The story focuses on one happy little boy (most of the time) and covers the full gamut of emotions that any child might experience from happy, surprised, joyful, scared, mad, embarrassed, and a few others besides. When the young boy’s mother tells him it will help him understand and deal with his emotions by writing them down, he begins writing short notes to himself about what he is feeling on any particular day. What he discovers is that by writing these down, he has not only understood why he felt the emotion but also that it wasn’t permanent and that he discovered a new emotion in himself – pride in his achievement.
Dear Me, Letters to Myself For All of My Emotions is an excellent illustration for children of a correct and appropriate way for young kids to express their emotions and especially not to be afraid of what they are feeling. By sharing these emotions with a parent, it also allows a greater understanding by the child that what they are experiencing is not unique to them and that others also experience the same emotions and learn to deal with them. Author Donna Tetreault has produced an incredibly useful tool for parents when discussing emotions, especially negative ones, with their youngsters. The book is beautifully illustrated by Elisena Bonadio and the bright colors and expressive faces of the artist’s work just add to the wonderful message. I would be extremely happy to share this book with or read it to any young child struggling with their emotions and I am sure it would prove useful to them. I can highly recommend this parenting tool.
Dear Me, Letters to Myself For All of My Emotions by Donna Tetreault is a delightful illustrated children’s book that teaches children positive ways of dealing with their emotions, be they good or bad. The story focuses on one happy little boy (most of the time) and covers the full gamut of emotions that any child might experience from happy, surprised, joyful, scared, mad, embarrassed, and a few others besides. When the young boy’s mother tells him it will help him understand and deal with his emotions by writing them down, he begins writing short notes to himself about what he is feeling on any particular day. What he discovers is that by writing these down, he has not only understood why he felt the emotion but also that it wasn’t permanent and that he discovered a new emotion in himself – pride in his achievement.
Dear Me, Letters to Myself For All of My Emotions is an excellent illustration for children of a correct and appropriate way for young kids to express their emotions and especially not to be afraid of what they are feeling. By sharing these emotions with a parent, it also allows a greater understanding by the child that what they are experiencing is not unique to them and that others also experience the same emotions and learn to deal with them. Author Donna Tetreault has produced an incredibly useful tool for parents when discussing emotions, especially negative ones, with their youngsters. The book is beautifully illustrated by Elisena Bonadio and the bright colors and expressive faces of the artist’s work just add to the wonderful message. I would be extremely happy to share this book with or read it to any young child struggling with their emotions and I am sure it would prove useful to them. I can highly recommend this parenting tool.
Recommend this book:
Wayne Gerard Trotman's Rhyming Stories
An Anthology of Seven Illustrated Children's Poems
Wayne Gerard Trotman
2021 Finalist
270 Pages
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Children - Educational
Reviewed by Trisha Dawn for Readers' Favorite
Wayne Gerard Trotman's Rhyming Stories: An Anthology of Seven Illustrated Children's Poems is a collection of different, witty poems focused on different modern concerns. The book starts off with a poem about honey bees, followed by a poem about the animals from the forests and seas, and a poem about a pure-hearted girl and her struggles in her new life in the city. Each page is filled with amazing and vibrant illustrations that children would surely adore. Join the characters of each poem as they tell the story of a whole different world from their perspective!
Wayne Gerard Trotman's Rhyming Stories, introduced by Benjamin Zephaniah, is a fascinating and lovely series of poems that parents will surely enjoy reading with their children. It is filled with lessons mostly about the environment and animals, which is exactly what children need. The different poems truly helped me see the problems we are currently facing in our environment. Each poem has eye-catching illustrations, illustrated by Nhat Hao Nguyen, which added to the beauty of the stories and helped me clearly visualize the message each poem was trying to impart. I felt the sadness in each poem as they struggled to get through the problems they were facing and even sadder knowing that these problems are really happening around us. This book not only teaches us the consequences of the irresponsibility of mankind’s actions but also presents us with solutions to help make the world a better place. Overall, this was truly an eye-opening and awe-inspiring book. Well done!
Wayne Gerard Trotman's Rhyming Stories: An Anthology of Seven Illustrated Children's Poems is a collection of different, witty poems focused on different modern concerns. The book starts off with a poem about honey bees, followed by a poem about the animals from the forests and seas, and a poem about a pure-hearted girl and her struggles in her new life in the city. Each page is filled with amazing and vibrant illustrations that children would surely adore. Join the characters of each poem as they tell the story of a whole different world from their perspective!
Wayne Gerard Trotman's Rhyming Stories, introduced by Benjamin Zephaniah, is a fascinating and lovely series of poems that parents will surely enjoy reading with their children. It is filled with lessons mostly about the environment and animals, which is exactly what children need. The different poems truly helped me see the problems we are currently facing in our environment. Each poem has eye-catching illustrations, illustrated by Nhat Hao Nguyen, which added to the beauty of the stories and helped me clearly visualize the message each poem was trying to impart. I felt the sadness in each poem as they struggled to get through the problems they were facing and even sadder knowing that these problems are really happening around us. This book not only teaches us the consequences of the irresponsibility of mankind’s actions but also presents us with solutions to help make the world a better place. Overall, this was truly an eye-opening and awe-inspiring book. Well done!
Recommend this book:
Moment
Inspiring Our Youth to be Active Global Citizens
Robert Abad
2021 Finalist
140 Pages
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Children - Educational
Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
“When you look at the images of protests going on in a number of countries, you see young people leading the way. They’re demanding not just change, but attention and action.” Those are the well-formulated thoughts of Ariella Abad, age 12. She and her sister have annotated and assisted their father, Robert Abad, in his testament to youth, his photo collage of children in third-world countries. His book, Moment, is a compelling insight into the world out there, all of it, good and the not-so-good. The purpose of this photo collage is to introduce young people to a world beyond their perimeters, to make them “think outside the box.”
Too often young people are trapped in a stereotypical view of the world. We’re all guilty of that, actually seeing what is closest and dearest to us, but not venturing further beyond. Robert Abad’s photographs take the reader/viewer deeper into the esthetics and reality of the world as a whole. Photographs of children playing games we take for granted using only what they can find as equipment, using space littered with debris and who-knows-what-else. The author has accompanied these photos with quotes from famous thinkers from around the world. l like Salman Rushdie’s quote, “The only people who see the whole picture are the ones who step out of the frame.” And, Jorge Luis Borges’ quote, which certainly defines this book’s title, “Any life is made up of a single moment; the moment in which a man finds out, once and for all, who he is.” He also included some anonymous well-known sayings, like “Never lose your sense of wonder.” The result is a powerful, very thorough, thought-provoking book to study and appreciate, something to hopefully inspire young people to reach out, explore, be adventurous, to understand what is out there. And, yes, with photographs and quotations like this, the book can still be a fascinating coffee table book, one to open up multiple avenues of discussion amongst family and friends.
“When you look at the images of protests going on in a number of countries, you see young people leading the way. They’re demanding not just change, but attention and action.” Those are the well-formulated thoughts of Ariella Abad, age 12. She and her sister have annotated and assisted their father, Robert Abad, in his testament to youth, his photo collage of children in third-world countries. His book, Moment, is a compelling insight into the world out there, all of it, good and the not-so-good. The purpose of this photo collage is to introduce young people to a world beyond their perimeters, to make them “think outside the box.”
Too often young people are trapped in a stereotypical view of the world. We’re all guilty of that, actually seeing what is closest and dearest to us, but not venturing further beyond. Robert Abad’s photographs take the reader/viewer deeper into the esthetics and reality of the world as a whole. Photographs of children playing games we take for granted using only what they can find as equipment, using space littered with debris and who-knows-what-else. The author has accompanied these photos with quotes from famous thinkers from around the world. l like Salman Rushdie’s quote, “The only people who see the whole picture are the ones who step out of the frame.” And, Jorge Luis Borges’ quote, which certainly defines this book’s title, “Any life is made up of a single moment; the moment in which a man finds out, once and for all, who he is.” He also included some anonymous well-known sayings, like “Never lose your sense of wonder.” The result is a powerful, very thorough, thought-provoking book to study and appreciate, something to hopefully inspire young people to reach out, explore, be adventurous, to understand what is out there. And, yes, with photographs and quotations like this, the book can still be a fascinating coffee table book, one to open up multiple avenues of discussion amongst family and friends.
Recommend this book:
A Rainbow Every Day
Fiona Smart
2020 Gold Medal
38 Pages
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Children - Educational
Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
A Rainbow Every Day is an educational children’s picture book written by Fiona Smart and illustrated by Vanessa Alexandre. The little boy in this story loved to play with his favorite toy, his unicorn king. The two of them would go on voyages to imaginary lands where everything was fun and delicious things to eat were abundant. He found lollipop trees, cupcake clouds, and even a hot dog train. Then one day, after overindulging in sweets, the little boy felt awful. Was he ill? Or was it indigestion? His best friend, the unicorn, had some marvelous advice for him. The unicorn gestured to the colorful rainbow arching overhead and explained how its bright colors remind him to eat colorful fruits and vegetables every day. Following that rainbow meant you’d have the energy and stamina to keep on playing and get stronger day by day. The unicorn also sang him a song about the rainbow of healthy fruits and vegetables. Who knew getting strong and healthy could be so much fun?
Fiona Smart’s A Rainbow Every Day is a fun and light-hearted introduction to healthy eating for kids. Smart includes a search-for puzzle on every page -- can you find the golden star? -- and she also provides a link to a recording of the official “A Rainbow Every Day” song. While the more skeptical child may still prefer cupcakes to beets (after all, honestly, who doesn’t?), Smart’s verses give kids real-world reasons for choosing the healthy stuff. Vanessa Alexandre’s cheerful and colorful illustrations are loads of fun to look at as caregivers and children alike enjoy the story of a small boy and his unicorn friend. This book might actually convince some young readers to try a colorful fruit or veggie or two, and that’s a good thing. A Rainbow Every Day is highly recommended.
A Rainbow Every Day is an educational children’s picture book written by Fiona Smart and illustrated by Vanessa Alexandre. The little boy in this story loved to play with his favorite toy, his unicorn king. The two of them would go on voyages to imaginary lands where everything was fun and delicious things to eat were abundant. He found lollipop trees, cupcake clouds, and even a hot dog train. Then one day, after overindulging in sweets, the little boy felt awful. Was he ill? Or was it indigestion? His best friend, the unicorn, had some marvelous advice for him. The unicorn gestured to the colorful rainbow arching overhead and explained how its bright colors remind him to eat colorful fruits and vegetables every day. Following that rainbow meant you’d have the energy and stamina to keep on playing and get stronger day by day. The unicorn also sang him a song about the rainbow of healthy fruits and vegetables. Who knew getting strong and healthy could be so much fun?
Fiona Smart’s A Rainbow Every Day is a fun and light-hearted introduction to healthy eating for kids. Smart includes a search-for puzzle on every page -- can you find the golden star? -- and she also provides a link to a recording of the official “A Rainbow Every Day” song. While the more skeptical child may still prefer cupcakes to beets (after all, honestly, who doesn’t?), Smart’s verses give kids real-world reasons for choosing the healthy stuff. Vanessa Alexandre’s cheerful and colorful illustrations are loads of fun to look at as caregivers and children alike enjoy the story of a small boy and his unicorn friend. This book might actually convince some young readers to try a colorful fruit or veggie or two, and that’s a good thing. A Rainbow Every Day is highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Wild About the Alphabet!
And Other Tales
Mike Crowder
2020 Silver Medal
64 Pages
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Children - Educational
Reviewed by Geree McDermott for Readers' Favorite
Mike Crowder’s Wild About the Alphabet! And Other Tales is a delightfully challenging and entertaining alphabet book for grown-ups. I found this book at times surprisingly educational and other times so funny I laughed out loud. This is the perfect book for someone ill or feeling low but only if they don’t mind those around them eyeballing them when they burst out laughing. And, not only does Mike Crowder stimulate our thinking by teaching us new animals and their names, but he also rewards us with his abstract depictions of the animals which are artistically expressive and well done.
I thoroughly enjoyed Mike Crowder’s unique collection of illustrations of animals, some of which I had never heard of before I read this book. Each letter captivated me and I soon found myself engrossed in the descriptions, illustrations, and the names of odd animals with even more unusual portraits. I found myself smiling, and yes sometimes I even laughed out loud as I read each page and examined each drawing. I like the unusual choice of animals to portray each letter of the alphabet as well as the unique artwork. I also like the animals given honorable mention and illustration, as well as the thoughtful guide to teach us how to pronounce the unusual names, found at the back of the book. Wild About the Alphabet! is amazingly informative and scholastically entertaining at the same time.
I can see Wild About the Alphabet! becoming a must-read among students of literature and art as well as those enduring a long flight or illness or any other stressful situation. My husband of 45 years died two months ago and I have had few instances of spontaneous laughter until I read Wild About the Alphabet! I highly recommend Mike Crowder’s book to those interested in literature, words, art, and, of course, animals.
Mike Crowder’s Wild About the Alphabet! And Other Tales is a delightfully challenging and entertaining alphabet book for grown-ups. I found this book at times surprisingly educational and other times so funny I laughed out loud. This is the perfect book for someone ill or feeling low but only if they don’t mind those around them eyeballing them when they burst out laughing. And, not only does Mike Crowder stimulate our thinking by teaching us new animals and their names, but he also rewards us with his abstract depictions of the animals which are artistically expressive and well done.
I thoroughly enjoyed Mike Crowder’s unique collection of illustrations of animals, some of which I had never heard of before I read this book. Each letter captivated me and I soon found myself engrossed in the descriptions, illustrations, and the names of odd animals with even more unusual portraits. I found myself smiling, and yes sometimes I even laughed out loud as I read each page and examined each drawing. I like the unusual choice of animals to portray each letter of the alphabet as well as the unique artwork. I also like the animals given honorable mention and illustration, as well as the thoughtful guide to teach us how to pronounce the unusual names, found at the back of the book. Wild About the Alphabet! is amazingly informative and scholastically entertaining at the same time.
I can see Wild About the Alphabet! becoming a must-read among students of literature and art as well as those enduring a long flight or illness or any other stressful situation. My husband of 45 years died two months ago and I have had few instances of spontaneous laughter until I read Wild About the Alphabet! I highly recommend Mike Crowder’s book to those interested in literature, words, art, and, of course, animals.
Recommend this book:
What I Tell Myself FIRST
Children's Real-World Affirmations of Self Esteem
Michael A Brown
2020 Bronze Medal
32 Pages
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Children - Educational
Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
What I Tell Myself FIRST: Children's Real-World Affirmations of Self Esteem is a social issues picture book for children, grades k-3, written by Michael A. Brown and illustrated by Zoe Ranucci. Who am I? A simple question, but the answer can provide a child with room and time to begin considering who they actually are beyond the formality of name and family identification. The short answer is, of course, one’s name, but there’s so much more that can be explored. Children are faced with an existence that often seems to require a graduate-level understanding of philosophy in a world that gets ever more complex.
Michael A. Brown’s compilation of affirmations goes a long way towards guiding children to consider themselves, their identities and their choices in a positive and engaging way. Brown is never preachy nor does he fall into the trap of didacticism. Rather, he approaches each of the issues he covers in this marvelous workbook from a child’s perspective. He takes his readers very seriously, and it shows in the way he communicates with them. I was inspired by this book and feel that anyone who reads this book, child and caregiver alike, will find it as inspiring as I did. Reading it can lead to discussions about truth, lies, visions and even why some people just can’t excel at some things while they do at others.
Zoe Ranucci’s illustrations do an outstanding job of reinforcing the author’s goals and visions. Her kids feel real, neither stereotypes nor cartoon images, and readers will find characters to identify with on every page. Even left-handed kids will find kids just like them throughout the pages of this book. Lefties are often left out or overlooked; Brown and Ranucci’s work fairly teems with left-handed artists, writers, and ballerinas. What I Tell Myself FIRST may help readers of all ages become just a bit more self-aware as well as help to build their self-esteem. It really is the most remarkable and accomplished children’s book and is highly recommended.
What I Tell Myself FIRST: Children's Real-World Affirmations of Self Esteem is a social issues picture book for children, grades k-3, written by Michael A. Brown and illustrated by Zoe Ranucci. Who am I? A simple question, but the answer can provide a child with room and time to begin considering who they actually are beyond the formality of name and family identification. The short answer is, of course, one’s name, but there’s so much more that can be explored. Children are faced with an existence that often seems to require a graduate-level understanding of philosophy in a world that gets ever more complex.
Michael A. Brown’s compilation of affirmations goes a long way towards guiding children to consider themselves, their identities and their choices in a positive and engaging way. Brown is never preachy nor does he fall into the trap of didacticism. Rather, he approaches each of the issues he covers in this marvelous workbook from a child’s perspective. He takes his readers very seriously, and it shows in the way he communicates with them. I was inspired by this book and feel that anyone who reads this book, child and caregiver alike, will find it as inspiring as I did. Reading it can lead to discussions about truth, lies, visions and even why some people just can’t excel at some things while they do at others.
Zoe Ranucci’s illustrations do an outstanding job of reinforcing the author’s goals and visions. Her kids feel real, neither stereotypes nor cartoon images, and readers will find characters to identify with on every page. Even left-handed kids will find kids just like them throughout the pages of this book. Lefties are often left out or overlooked; Brown and Ranucci’s work fairly teems with left-handed artists, writers, and ballerinas. What I Tell Myself FIRST may help readers of all ages become just a bit more self-aware as well as help to build their self-esteem. It really is the most remarkable and accomplished children’s book and is highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Oh, The Things I Can Be When I See Me
Valerie J. Lewis Coleman
2020 Honorable Mention
34 Pages
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Children - Educational
Reviewed by Barbara Fanson for Readers' Favorite
If you enjoyed the Dr. Seuss book titled Oh, the Places You’ll Go, you’ll love Oh, The Things I Can Be When I See Me. This new book by author Valerie J. Lewis Coleman introduces children to many different occupations written in story form. While MeMe is looking after two grandchildren, Lyric and Samara, she tells them of people who have succeeded in their professions. Although the story features famous black Americans, such as Michelle Obama, Alicia Keys, Serena Williams, and Mariah Carey, everyone can benefit from the encouraging underlying messages. You can be whatever you want to be. This book also encourages creative play—indoors and outdoors.
The realistic-looking artwork by illustrator Natasza Remesz will help to draw young children into the book and the story will keep them interested. Author Valerie J. Lewis Coleman has written a book to inspire children to be whatever they want to be. MeMe, the grandmother, provides several role models while she babysits her two grandchildren. After reading the book, why not read it again and act out the roles? Draw a picture while they’re talking about artists, sing when they discuss famous musicians, play a sport when they discuss well-known athletes, play doctor with a doll or plush toy, or pretend to be a teacher. This book encourages creative play and letting children dream about what they would like to be when they grow up. There are two activities at the back of the book to please teachers and parents. I think all public and school libraries should have Oh, The Things I Can Be When I See Me.
If you enjoyed the Dr. Seuss book titled Oh, the Places You’ll Go, you’ll love Oh, The Things I Can Be When I See Me. This new book by author Valerie J. Lewis Coleman introduces children to many different occupations written in story form. While MeMe is looking after two grandchildren, Lyric and Samara, she tells them of people who have succeeded in their professions. Although the story features famous black Americans, such as Michelle Obama, Alicia Keys, Serena Williams, and Mariah Carey, everyone can benefit from the encouraging underlying messages. You can be whatever you want to be. This book also encourages creative play—indoors and outdoors.
The realistic-looking artwork by illustrator Natasza Remesz will help to draw young children into the book and the story will keep them interested. Author Valerie J. Lewis Coleman has written a book to inspire children to be whatever they want to be. MeMe, the grandmother, provides several role models while she babysits her two grandchildren. After reading the book, why not read it again and act out the roles? Draw a picture while they’re talking about artists, sing when they discuss famous musicians, play a sport when they discuss well-known athletes, play doctor with a doll or plush toy, or pretend to be a teacher. This book encourages creative play and letting children dream about what they would like to be when they grow up. There are two activities at the back of the book to please teachers and parents. I think all public and school libraries should have Oh, The Things I Can Be When I See Me.
Recommend this book:
Jack
Norman Whaler
2020 Finalist
28 Pages
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Children - Educational
Reviewed by Shannon Winings for Readers' Favorite
Oh no! Jack is sick with the measles and home from school. Of course, the best part of missing school is staying at home, watching TV, and playing games but his mom won't let him. He could read but books are just boring. So, he's stuck at home with nothing to do. Luckily, it's a beautiful day outside his window with luscious, puffy clouds that seem to change by the minute. All he has to do is look outside and his imagination goes crazy. From knights to white rabbits to dinosaurs, there's so much to see.
Jack by Norman Whaler is a wonderful children's book for kids aged five to seven. I think it can also be read to slightly younger readers as a storytime or bedtime book. The pages are filled with colors and interesting illustrations, an easy-to-read font, and rhymes. It is sure to catch any young reader's attention. I loved at the end that the author has added counting questions for kids to interact with the story. It keeps the fun going as kids are sure to go back through the book to find the answers. I also quite enjoyed that the author stressed just how much fun reading can be. The author shows kids how reading can stay with you and your imagination can take you to new places. If readers enjoy this book, and I'm sure many will, the author has included the covers of his other books that appear to be just as colorful as this one. I am excited to see what else he has done and what might come next.
Oh no! Jack is sick with the measles and home from school. Of course, the best part of missing school is staying at home, watching TV, and playing games but his mom won't let him. He could read but books are just boring. So, he's stuck at home with nothing to do. Luckily, it's a beautiful day outside his window with luscious, puffy clouds that seem to change by the minute. All he has to do is look outside and his imagination goes crazy. From knights to white rabbits to dinosaurs, there's so much to see.
Jack by Norman Whaler is a wonderful children's book for kids aged five to seven. I think it can also be read to slightly younger readers as a storytime or bedtime book. The pages are filled with colors and interesting illustrations, an easy-to-read font, and rhymes. It is sure to catch any young reader's attention. I loved at the end that the author has added counting questions for kids to interact with the story. It keeps the fun going as kids are sure to go back through the book to find the answers. I also quite enjoyed that the author stressed just how much fun reading can be. The author shows kids how reading can stay with you and your imagination can take you to new places. If readers enjoy this book, and I'm sure many will, the author has included the covers of his other books that appear to be just as colorful as this one. I am excited to see what else he has done and what might come next.
Recommend this book:
Secret Garden
The Amazing Life of Caterpillars
Fei Fei Chiam
2019 Finalist
Kindle Edition
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Children - Educational
Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite
Another creative take on children’s picture books is Secret Garden: The Amazing Life of Caterpillars by Fei Fei Chiam. Simple yet engaging, it poetically narrates the life cycle of butterflies in short bursts of verses per page. While the grownups among us are well aware of a butterfly’s cycle from egg to adult, Chiam adds a little element of fantasy in the middle of the process by involving fairies as instrumental elements in the creation of butterflies. While picture books are traditionally illustrated, Chiam highlights her tale with photography of young girls on stage in a ballet performance, depicting through dance the lepidopteran coming of age. She dedicates this short read to all children, that they may become curious about the things around them.
Sublimity resides in the simplicity of this tale. Mostly young girls would find this story charming with its visual metaphor of young ballerinas as flowers, caterpillars, fairies, and butterflies. The photography is arresting. As readers are invited to explore a butterfly’s development, the ages of ballerinas also change--performers designated as flowers and caterpillars are grade schoolers, while butterflies are young adults. Secret Garden was originally a ballet performance and this book allows us to take part as an audience. As both author and photographer, Fei Fei Chiam succeeds not only in telling a story but also in inspiring children to aspire for greater things. Meticulous parents of early readers will find this book a delight. It is a feel-good, inspirational picture book that will not disappoint.
Another creative take on children’s picture books is Secret Garden: The Amazing Life of Caterpillars by Fei Fei Chiam. Simple yet engaging, it poetically narrates the life cycle of butterflies in short bursts of verses per page. While the grownups among us are well aware of a butterfly’s cycle from egg to adult, Chiam adds a little element of fantasy in the middle of the process by involving fairies as instrumental elements in the creation of butterflies. While picture books are traditionally illustrated, Chiam highlights her tale with photography of young girls on stage in a ballet performance, depicting through dance the lepidopteran coming of age. She dedicates this short read to all children, that they may become curious about the things around them.
Sublimity resides in the simplicity of this tale. Mostly young girls would find this story charming with its visual metaphor of young ballerinas as flowers, caterpillars, fairies, and butterflies. The photography is arresting. As readers are invited to explore a butterfly’s development, the ages of ballerinas also change--performers designated as flowers and caterpillars are grade schoolers, while butterflies are young adults. Secret Garden was originally a ballet performance and this book allows us to take part as an audience. As both author and photographer, Fei Fei Chiam succeeds not only in telling a story but also in inspiring children to aspire for greater things. Meticulous parents of early readers will find this book a delight. It is a feel-good, inspirational picture book that will not disappoint.
Recommend this book:
The Shadow of the Volcano
Shadows From the Past, Book 5
Wendy Leighton-Porter
2019 Bronze Medal
Kindle Edition
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Children - Educational
Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
The Shadow of the Volcano: Shadows From the Past, Book Five is an historical adventure novel for children and preteens written by Wendy Leighton-Porter. It had already been a busy summer as the twins, Max, and their friend, Charlie, continued to search for the twins' parents who were lost in time. They had already been to Atlantis, ancient Crete, Troy, and ancient Egypt, but each time they found that their parents had been there, but had left some time before. Now they were ready for another adventure, and they consulted the strange book that kept sending them out to find their parents. This time, they ended up in Pompeii in August of AD 79. The eleven-year-olds arrived and found themselves in a line of people on a dock. Before they knew it, they were sold as slaves, fortunately as a group and to a kind master. Still, adapting to the concept of being a slave is challenging, and convincing the friends they make during their stay and their kindly master to flee before Vesuvius erupts is even more difficult. Will they be able to escape Pompeii themselves before it's too late?
Wendy Leighton-Porter's historical adventure novel for children and preteens, The Shadow of the Volcano: Shadows From the Past, Book Five, finds the time-travelers in Pompeii, and seeing the doomed city and its inhabitants just days before the eruption is poignant and moving. While this is book five in Leighton-Porter's Shadows From the Past historical series, each of these books is complete and can be read as a stand-alone novel. I was fascinated by the historical aspect of this work as I was not all that familiar with Pompeii, aside from the tragic images taken after the town was rediscovered. The author breathes life anew into Pompeii, showing the likely culture one would have found there at that time in history. She also addresses the issue of slavery in an upfront and personal way by having her characters experience it first-hand. The Shadow of the Volcano: Shadows From the Past, Book Five is a thrilling and exciting read, and it's most highly recommended.
The Shadow of the Volcano: Shadows From the Past, Book Five is an historical adventure novel for children and preteens written by Wendy Leighton-Porter. It had already been a busy summer as the twins, Max, and their friend, Charlie, continued to search for the twins' parents who were lost in time. They had already been to Atlantis, ancient Crete, Troy, and ancient Egypt, but each time they found that their parents had been there, but had left some time before. Now they were ready for another adventure, and they consulted the strange book that kept sending them out to find their parents. This time, they ended up in Pompeii in August of AD 79. The eleven-year-olds arrived and found themselves in a line of people on a dock. Before they knew it, they were sold as slaves, fortunately as a group and to a kind master. Still, adapting to the concept of being a slave is challenging, and convincing the friends they make during their stay and their kindly master to flee before Vesuvius erupts is even more difficult. Will they be able to escape Pompeii themselves before it's too late?
Wendy Leighton-Porter's historical adventure novel for children and preteens, The Shadow of the Volcano: Shadows From the Past, Book Five, finds the time-travelers in Pompeii, and seeing the doomed city and its inhabitants just days before the eruption is poignant and moving. While this is book five in Leighton-Porter's Shadows From the Past historical series, each of these books is complete and can be read as a stand-alone novel. I was fascinated by the historical aspect of this work as I was not all that familiar with Pompeii, aside from the tragic images taken after the town was rediscovered. The author breathes life anew into Pompeii, showing the likely culture one would have found there at that time in history. She also addresses the issue of slavery in an upfront and personal way by having her characters experience it first-hand. The Shadow of the Volcano: Shadows From the Past, Book Five is a thrilling and exciting read, and it's most highly recommended.
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