Scan barcode
librarianryan's reviews
6535 reviews
The Witch of the Woods by Zetta Elliott
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
4.5
This is probably one of the most unique picture books I’ve ever read. When the very first illustrations are of a little girl in a gas mask all expectations go out the window. This book feels like a dystopian future but could very much be now. A young girl has a baby sibling who is not breathing well and needs lots of attention, so she goes off to play. She wanders the woods and finds the witch who explains about the cycle of life. This book feels like a story you would study in literature class but written for grade three and four. The illustrations are unique and interesting but fit the story well.
When Digz the Dog Met Zurl the Squirrel: A Short Tale About a Short Tail by Chris Pine
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Chris Pine did a decent job of writing a kid’s picture book. He has fantastic rhyming skills, but he needs to practice his cadence skills. Digs an adopted dog, and Zorro the neighborhood squirrel finding their spots in their homes and become friends in this adorable story. However, a reader finds himself tripping over the text because there is no flow. There will be sections of flow in cadence that by the next page is completely gone. How Chris uses language and chooses to rhyme parts of the stories shows the ability to do better. This book is a pretty gosh darn good first attempt. I hope he tries writing more picture books, but also get some more practice.
Touch the Earth by Julian Lennon, Bart Davis
lighthearted
slow-paced
3.0
If Julian wasn’t the son of rockstars, I’m not sure he would have gotten this book published. The book is fine. It’s very similar to Press Here. Except in this instance, they’re in a plane going to different places on earth. Each place has an issue. It could be pollution in the water driving the fish away, a desert that needs irrigation to grow crops, etc. In this book, I like the illustrations better than I like the story. I wish Julie Lennon and co-writer Bart Davis had either chosen to write an environmental story or write an action story and not try to combine the two together. This book is fine, but nothing special.
Clydeo Takes a Bite Out of Life by Jennifer Aniston
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Jennifer Aniston surprises me. This book was really well done. It’s not a rhyming book, but the story has great flow. The author does not use too many words to get their point across and the illustrations are fantastic. This is about a dog trying to find their thing while taking an I’ll try anything once approach to life. It’s a great lesson for kids and adults alike. But at the same time, it’s a fun story to read. I’m greatly surprised at how well done this is. I cannot find evidence of a co-writer so Jennifer good job. Write something else I look forward to reading it.
Goats Afloat by Lezlie Evans
funny
fast-paced
5.0
I am not sure what is better the story, the rhymes, or the artwork. This was a really fun book that I would have an amazing time reading at story time.
A Little Labradoodle Christmas: A Rhyming Picture Book About the Power of Family, Love, and Kindness by Kairi Fullerton, Remesh Ram, April M. Cox
lighthearted
slow-paced
3.0
This book was fine. The little Labradoodle family takes in a grumpy cat and shows it the true meaning of Christmas. The book rhymes and has a nice cadence. The pictures are lovely. The only thing that does not make sense is the title. This book is about the cat not the dogs. The dogs wake up to presents but otherwise Why does this book have this title.
Do You Think She's a Witch?, Volume 1 by Judith M. Ackerman
mysterious
slow-paced
2.5
This book is half done. The author does a decent job rhyming and while this story has a cadence there was about four cadences that the author switches around. The illustrations feel old-fashioned but at the same time go well with the story. However, the story ends in the middle of nowhere. It feels like the book isn’t finished. However if it were to get an ending, it would probably be too long.
A Home For Steamboat by Casey Rislov MBA
informative
medium-paced
4.0
This book is about the bucking bronco of a horse named Steamboat. Steamboat became the symbol of Wyoming that is still used today. This book is about family and not breaking anyones spirit just because you can. This book is a fine biography of a horse. What sets this apart is the artwork. It’s a goofy somber western comedic style artwork not usually seen in children’s picture books. But it goes perfectly with this story.
Sandwiches of History: The Cookbook: All the Best (and Most Surprising) Things People Have Put Between Slices of Bread by Barry W. Enderwick
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Do you ever get bored of the same ham and Swiss on rye. You’re not alone. Welcome the sandwiches of history. This cookbook not only explores the history of sandwiches, but some of the most unique things ever put on them and the recipes to make them. This book is well done and entertaining. And of all the recipes I’ve seen the one that sounds most intriguing is the cucumber pineapple sandwich. And the most WTF sandwich is probably the hotdog sloppy Joe’s sandwich. Also trigger warning: this book is on the side of hotdogs are sandwiches.
Anna Maria's Blueprint Quilting: Explore Color, Pattern, and Technique with 16 Joyful Projects from 4 Simple Design Structures by Anna Maria Parry
informative
slow-paced
3.0
There’s something wrong with my galley. I’m not sure if the pages are supposed to be black with a light color printing or if it’s just a mess up with the digital galley. Having said that what I have read of this book I think it’d be nice for like a public library collection, but I wouldn’t add it to my own. It really didn’t add anything to what I already knew, and I thought the parts about educating on color hue etc. were long and drawn out. This felt more like sitting through professors’ class, then picking up a new hobby.