Book Reviews

Book Review–Where She Went by Gayle Forman

| Tasha

whereshewent

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

The sequel to If I Stay tells the story of what happened in the three years since the accident that killed Mia’s family and left her choosing between life and death.  The three years since Mia headed to Julliard and left Adam behind, completely.  Now Adam is a rock star living in LA, riding on the fame that his songs of heartbreak and anger created.  Songs that were inspired by his loss of Mia.  But the life of a rock star is not working out well for Adam.  He has to take medication to calm himself down, is no longer traveling or living with his band, and worries that he may have to leave music behind entirely.  In one final evening before he leaves on a long tour, the impossible happens and he meets up with Mia at one of her concerts.  The two of them explore Mia’s New York, and explore the accident and devastation that caused them to pull apart.

This sequel is just as beautifully written as the first book.  Forman excels at exploring emotion, writing it in such a way that it causes readers to feel it inside their own skin.  Without overwriting at all, Forman creates a lyrical and sparking prose that rings with truth and feelings.  In this second book, she explores betrayal, abandonment, grief and success. 

The characters have nicely grown since the first book, showing that the three years have changed them but not enough to leave readers behind.  These young adults bear the scars of their previous relationship, scars that imprint so many of their choices and reactions.  And then we have the city of New York, which is almost a character herself.  The background to the reunion that serves as action and adventure for the characters.

A compelling, surprising and haunting sequel.  This is one that fans of If I Stay will be satisfied and enthralled by.  Appropriate for ages 16-18.

Reviewed from copy received from Penguin Young Readers Group.

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Book Reviews–Bunches of Board Books- The First Bunch

| Tasha

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One, Two, Buckle My Shoe by Salina Yoon

Yoon take the traditional rhyme and enlivens it with strong graphical images.  The holes in the pages let readers look through either way, making turning pages a delight as you see different ways to look at the same thing.  The rhyme and interesting illustrations make this an appealing choice.

Reviewed from copy received from Random House.

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Rocket Town by Bob Logan

A board book filled with rockets and enough humor to keep adults entertained as well.  The real treat here are the illustrations which have a great 60s vintage vibe that is playful and welcome.  Logan also plays with color as the book pages turn.  If you have a child into trucks and trains, give rockets a try!

Reviewed from copy received from Sourcebooks.

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Who’s in the Forest? by Phillis Gershator, illustrated by Jill McDonald

Peek through the holes in the pages to see who you can see in the forest.  The mixed media collage illustrations are whimsical and charming.  From the various patterns that make up leaves and sky to the smaller details of acorn caps and bird wings, there is so much for the eye to look at here.  The rhyming text combined with the holes in the pages will appeal to little ones.

Reviewed from library copy.

Book Review–Pablo Neruda: Poet of the People by Monica Brown

| Tasha

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Pablo Neruda: Poet of the People by Monica Brown, illustrated by Julie Paschkis

Follow the transformation of a young boy named Neftali into the poet Pablo Neruda.  The book starts with Neruda’s childhood and moves through his life as he begins to write poetry in his signature green ink.  His connection to nature is emphasized throughout the book from his love of the sea to the stones of Chile.  It also speaks to his love of children and his growth into a fighter for workers’ rights.  This is a lovely, quick glimpse of an amazing poet.

Brown’s words are simple and accessible to children.  She manages to explore Neruda’s inspirations without losing her young audience.  Rather she talks in detail about what inspired his poetry, what he meant as a person, and where he came from.  It is a powerful way to look at Neruda and his work.

The art by Paschkis is extraordinary.  Her paintings combine moments throughout Neruda’s life with words.  The words grow on leaves and trees.  They show in the sun and the moon.  They form the very ground.  It is an expressive way to show the power of words in Neruda’s life as well as how they came from all that surrounds him.

Explore Neruda through beautifully simple text and illustrations that have words streaming through them.  Appropriate for ages 5-8.

Reviewed from copy received from Henry Holt.

Book Reviews–Clackers Board Books

| Tasha

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Clackers: Monkey by Luana Rinaldo

Clackers: Crocodile by Luana Rinaldo

Looking for a great book to give to a new baby?  Take a look at Clackers.  They are board books with super thick pages (could I even suggest that the foam core of the pages would be ideal for little teethers?) Plus they have a handle.  If shaken by the handle, the books make a clacking noise as the pages bounce together.  So these are both books and toys.

Each book has a simple story.  Monkey’s story is about the noises Monkey hears as he swings through the jungles.  The story is filled with enough sounds to make it very fun for little ones.  Crocodile has an equally appealing story with a peek-a-boo theme as Crocodile searches for her mother.  The art of the books is simple and colorful, just right for the audience.

A pair of adorable, fun and functional books for the smallest of readers, these are sure to be thrown, chewed, and shaken by little hands.  Appropriate for infants through toddlers.

Reviewed from copies received from Macmillan Publishers.

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Review–Planting the Wild Garden by Kathryn O. Galbraith

| Tasha

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Planting the Wild Garden by Kathryn O. Galbraith, illustrated by Wendy Anderson Halperin

This lovely book moves from the steady and deliberate planting of seeds by farmers to the ways that seeds are planted in nature.  The seeds sweep along the in the wind.  They are dropped by birds eating from the seed heads.  They pop and snap to new places.  They are carried on the coats of animals.  They are planted by squirrels hiding them for winter.  Told in a poetic voice with images that evoke nature in all of its beauty, this book is one to be treasured.

Galbraith’s writing is leisurely and lovely, lingering on each of the moments that spread seeds across nature.  She explains each instance in detail, offering noises, specific plant names, and building moments that readers themselves can feel and be in for a bit.  She also skillfully blends in animals in each setting, bringing it further to life.

Halperin’s style works very well with this subject matter.  She plays with light and dark, draws the animals and plants described in the text.  Through her fine-lined and gently colored images, nature comes to life.  One of her most successful pages is early in the book, capturing the movement of the wind in colors and lines.

A natural, lovely look at seeds and planting in the wild, this book is a gorgeous tribute to wilderness.  Appropriate for ages 4-7.

Reviewed from copy received from Peachtree Publishers.

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Review–In Like a Lion Out Like a Lamb by Marion Dane Bauer

| Tasha

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In Like a Lion Out Like a Lamb by Marion Dane Bauer, illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully

Bauer has created a poetic picture book that explores the concept of March coming in like a lion and going  out like a lamb.  A lion enters a boy’s home and tromps mud across the floor.  But when the air turns warmer, the lion sneezes mightily.  On that breeze, a lamb comes in and the grass turns green.  But what will happen to the snowy lion now that spring has arrived?  Will he disappear?  Not him!  Meanwhile, the lamb is frolicking and bringing in new babies to greet the spring.

The verse is light and free, creating a poetic, friendly picture book for young children.  The idea of the lion not leaving, but instead lingering in a warm patch of sun and purring is a lovely one.  While the lamb is breezy and light, the lion asleep happily is what lingers with me afterwards, waiting for winter to return.

McCully’s art echoes the freedom of the verse and the lightness of the subject.  She uses a light touch on her lines, a freedom in her colors, and a lushness as spring returns. 

Welcome spring and the end of March with this book and hope along with all of us in Wisconsin that the snow will finally come to an end!  Appropriate for ages 4-6.

Reviewed from copy received from Holiday House.

Also reviewed by BooksForKidsBlog.

Review–Spring Is Here by Will Hillenbrand

| Tasha

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Spring Is Here by Will Hillenbrand

Mole wakes up and tries to figure out if spring has arrived.  He sniffs the air, tiptoes past Bear’s room and then squishes mud under his feet.  He knows that spring is here.  But when he tries to wake up Bear to let him know, Bear just keeps on snoring.  So Mole comes up with a way to get Bear to wake up.  It involves gathering eggs, milking a cow, churning the milk, pouring, mixing, and baking.  When he presents Bear with his surprise though, Mole is the one so tired from his efforts that he is snoring.

Hillenbrand has created a charming picture book from a very simple concept, making a book that is ideal to share with toddlers.  Sounds have been sprinkled nicely throughout the book, energizing the story.  With only a few lines per page, the pacing of the book will work well read aloud to small children.   Towards the end, the pacing picks up even more as Mole works on his idea to wake up Bear.

The artwork in the book adds to the story’s cozy feel.  The mixed media illustrations have a warmth thanks to their soft lines and homey subject.  Filled with small touches, a complete world is created where friendship between a mole and bear makes perfect sense.

Add this to your spring story time pile, especially if you read to the smallest of children.  Appropriate for ages 2-4.

Reviewed from library copy.

Review–Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton

| Tasha

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Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton

Ari has always stood out with her silver hair and teal eyes.  Now after years in foster care, she is on a quest to discover what happened to her parents.  Her long-dead mother, who committed suicide, left her a message.  Run!  Ari heads to New 2, what has become of New Orleans after several devastating hurricanes and after some wealthy families purchased the land from the United States to make their own domain.  It is where Ari was born and where she must return to learn the answers about not only her parents but herself.  When she reaches New 2, Ari finds a place that accepts people who are very unique and different, like herself.  For the first time ever, she feels she might have found a place she can belong in and maybe even love in.

Keaton writes with a beautiful clarity, creating a setting and characters that are vivid and compelling.  Ari is a protagonist that teens will relate to easily.  She is deadly, fascinating and unique.  Her voice is strong, her actions make sense, and the truth about her is a delight to discover.

One of the strongest characters in the book is New 2, the destroyed city that serves as a haven for the paranormal.  Keaton renders New 2 in prose that is filled with imagery, lovingly detailed and places readers right inside the city alongside Ari.  Those who know New Orleans will recognize it under the ruins, others will be drawn to the city in new ways.

With so many paranormal romances available, one grows jaded reading them.  Don’t make that mistake with this title which keeps the genre fresh and enjoyable.  Fans of Twilight and Hunger Games will find a well-written story to long after here.  Appropriate for ages 14-17.

Reviewed from copy received from Simon Pulse.

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Book Review–Press Here: A Fresh, Simple, Marvelous Idea

| Tasha

PressHere

Press Here by Herve Tullet

Press the dot on the cover and launch yourself into a journey where a book responds to your touch without any flaps, popups or electronics.  Follow the directions on each page, turn the page and see what happens next!  This is a book that is so simple in concept and beautifully executed in design.  Readers will enjoy making the dots big by clapping their hands, moving the dots around the page by shaking the book, and turning off the lights by pushing the yellow dots hard.  This is a simple, beautiful book that shows us that the pleasure of reading is universal.

Hand this to any child and they will grin as the pages turn.  While this won’t work for a group of children, it is an ideal book for a handful to share or for a parent to share with a child.  Toddlers especially will enjoy this book and the effect they have on it.  This book is pure delight.

Get your hands on this one to see for yourself, or take a look at the video below to see more of the pages in the hands of children.  Appropriate for ages 2-5.

 

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