Tilbury Publishing's Kid-Friendly Dinosaur Tour of Art History and a Bedtime Book about Endangered Species - 2 book giveaway "If da Vinci Painted A Dinosaur" & "Mother Earth's Lullaby"

If da Vinci Painted A Dinosaur by Amy Newbold and illustrated by Greg Newbold

My thoughts:  This is a cute book and the little hamster that is the artist is perky and fun. Essentially the "story" is a journey through the works of various artist's styles and what their work of painting a dinosaur might look like.

At the back of the book, a short bio of the artists is given which is nice for families that expose their young children to art. But for those families that don't, this is just a cute story and the kiddies will miss the actual points of reference to artists and their distinctive styles.

Still, it is a cute book and one to choose to read from the library.

About the book: In this sequel to the tour de force children’s art-history picture book If Picasso Painted a Snowman, Amy Newbold conveys nineteen artists’ styles in a few deft words, while Greg Newbold’s chameleon-like artistry shows us Edgar Degas’ dinosaur ballerinas, Cassius Coolidge’s dinosaurs playing Go Fish, Hokusai’s dinosaurs surfing a giant wave, and dinosaurs smelling flowers in Mary Cassatt’s garden; grazing in Grandma Moses’ green valley; peeking around Diego Rivera's orchids in Frida Kahlo’s portrait; tiptoeing through Baishi’s inky bamboo; and cavorting, stampeding, or hiding in canvases by Henri Matisse, Andy Warhol, Frida Kahlo, Franz Marc, Harrison Begay, Alma Thomas, Aaron Douglas, Mark Rothko, Lois Mailou Jones, Marguerite Zorach, and Edvard Munch. And, of course, striking a Mona Lisa pose for Leonardo da Vinci.


As in If Picasso Painted a Snowman, our guide for this tour is an engaging beret-topped hamster who is joined in the final pages by a tiny dino artist. Thumbnail biographies of the artists identify their iconic works, completing this tour of the creative imagination.

Mother Earth's Lullaby: A Song for Endangered Animals by Terry Pierce and illustrated by Carol Heyer

My thoughts:  First of all, I don't hold to the theory or concept of a "mother Earth" but still can enjoy the story or pictures of endangered animals and the onset of evening and bedtime stories.

Each animal tucks away for the night and their rest. And each of the animals is an endangered animal. This presents opportunity to teach young children the fragility of the environment and specifically those animals whose existence is at peril.

A sweet book.

About the book: Mother Earth’s Lullaby is a gentle bedtime call to some of the world’s most endangered animals. Rhythm, rhyme, and repetition create a quiet moment for children burrowing down in their own beds for the night, imparting a sense that even the most endangered animals feel safe at this peaceful time of day. In successive spreads, a baby giant panda, yellow-footed rock wallaby, California condor, Ariel toucan, American red wolf, Sumatran tiger, polar bear, Javan rhinoceros, Vaquita dolphin, Northern spotted owl, Hawaiian goose, and Key deer are snuggled to sleep by attentive parents in their dens and nests under the moon and stars. Brief descriptions of each animal appear in the back of the book.

GIVEAWAY

Begins December 11

Ends January 7 at 12:01 a.m. EST

Open to USA
a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of each book to facilitate this post. Any opinions expressed in review are my own. I was not compensated for this post. Giveaway copies are provided by the publisher and sent by them directly to the winner.

The Illustrated Compendium of Amazing Animal Facts by Maja Säfström

About the book: An artfully playful collection of unexpected and remarkable facts about animals, illustrated by Swedish artist Maja Säfström.

Did you know that an octopus has three hearts? Or that ostriches can't walk backward? These and many more fascinating and surprising facts about the animal kingdom (Bees never sleep! Starfish don't have brains!) are illustrated with whimsical detail in this charming collection.

My thoughts: When this little book arrived, I removed it from the shipping box which I disposed of and then immediately found a seat in my recliner to delve into the pages of this rather unique little book of black and white drawings and sparse text.

What a delight! What fun! And interesting wee bits of fact to tuck away knowing that you are probably the only one in your acquaintance that knows that little nugget.

I found the style of imparting facts interesting and entertaining. Just the right amount of quirky prose that educates and entertains populated generously with Maja Säfström's quirky black and white drawings that are on-spot like the critters and  yet fun to look at.

Who is it for? Well, it is not touted as for children ages this to that or grade whatever to grade whichever. It is simply ageless. Children will enjoy it and ponder it and laugh at it. Adults will enjoy it and ponder it and laugh at it. They'll all stuff wee bits of odd facts into their craniums waiting for that momentous trivia moment. So get one and share it and laugh and giggle and say "Wow!" a bit.

Stockholm-based Maja Säfström is a very gifted graphic designer and you can learn more about here by clicking here.  @MajasBok Instagram And more from Penguin Random House

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the Blogging For Books Review Program on behalf of the publisher and author. Opinions are my own and freely given.