My Very First Mother Goose edited by Iona Opie, illustrated by Rosemary Wells "25th Anniversary Edition" [Review & Giveaway - US/CANADA]

ISBN: 9780763688912

Hardcover $24.99

My thoughts:  This anniversary edition of My Very First Mother Goose for the very young child is enchanting. Though it differs from my image of Mother Goose books with different styles of illustrations, the use of a variety of little critters is charming.

The book is sturdy and should withstand the rough handling that wee little hands can give a book turning pages and fingering the pictures.

Some of the pages of illustrations are more appealing to me than others but all have a distinct charm. I particularly liked "Puffer-billies all in a row," "Little Boy Blue," "The Cow Jumped Over the Moon," "Pat A Cake," "Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, Bless the bed that I lie on.," and "The Brave Duke of York, he had ten thousand men..."

Some of the rhymes are cut short in deference to the intended age of the audience. My Very First Mother Goose brings the beloved rhyming charm to the very young with lots of cute images to capture their attention and imagination.

About the book: To a small child, words are magical. And the most magical of all are the beloved words of Mother Goose. Here, folklorist Iona Opie has gathered more than sixty treasured rhymes in their most perfect, honest forms, from “Hey Diddle, Diddle" and “Pat-a-Cake” to “Little Jack Horner” and “Pussycat, Pussycat”—familiar verses that have been passed from parent to child for generations and are every child’s birthright. With watercolors by Rosemary Wells capturing the simple joy and sly humor of the classic nursery rhymes, this special anniversary volume features a new case cover and jacket and includes a note from the illustrator on the unparalleled influence of Mother Goose, both during childhood and far beyond it.

Twenty years after Iona Opie and Rosemary Wells released their first collection of Mother Goose rhymes, the celebrated original is back in a gorgeous anniversary edition.

GIVEAWAY

Begins December 2

ENDS December 11 @ 12:01 a.m. ET

Open to USA & CANADA addresses only. NO P.O. BOXES

a Rafflecopter giveaway DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Candlewick Press to facilitate a review of my honest opinions which are freely given. Giveaway copy is provided by and directly to the winner.

Little One by Jo Weaver from Peachtree Publishing [Review & Giveaway]

My thoughts: Have you ever sat down with a little one and taken a pencil and made simple drawings to entertain them? No color. Just a simple black lead pencil. To the child you have just done something wondrous and special.

In Little One the artist and author has taken the simplicity of black and white with muted shading and told a simple story. Simple visually. Simple text. A few words that share how the mama bear gently leads baby bear as they emerge from den and winter slumber into an awakening world of spring. She leads him on through the summer and into the fall until it is again time to sleep in the den for another winter.

Yes, a spot of color here and there (example: the spring flowers, the fall leaves) might have lent more interest visually; but I chose to enjoy the book as Joe Weaver has drawn it in its beautiful black and white simplicity.

I think this book is a treasure for its lovely story and also for its ability to detail beauty with stark simplicity.

About the book: Spring is here and new life is stirring. There is so much for Big Bear to teach her new cub as they step out into the forest. Together they eat, swim, fish, and play as one season becomes the next. With Big Bears help, Little One grows more and more confident, until winter comes once more and its time to head home. With gentle text and stunning black and white illustrations, Jo Weaver reveals the wonder of nature, the first steps of independence, and the strength of parental love.

GIVEAWAY

Begins December 1

ENDS December 11 @ 12:01 a.m. ET

Open to USA addresses only

a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy from Peachtree Publishing to facilitate a review of my own opinions which are freely given. Giveaway copy is provided directly to the winner by Peachtree.
ISBN13: 9781561459247

Also an Octopus by Maggie Tokuda-Hall & illustrated by Benji Davies [Review & Giveaway]

My thoughts: At first glance upon picking up Also An Octopus one thinks, "Oh! Another adorable kiddie picture book." But then upon delving into this first-time author's debut (redundant, huh!) book, there is a bit more meat to the story than cutsie octopuses and kiddies and fantastic folks in unreal places.

Now we don't want to overthink a kid's book because that might just take away from the fun of reading. But what is the harm in discovering that the "rest of the story" is the beginning of the story or the making of the story.

We start with a character - like a kid. We add in others - also an Octopus and that makes for fun - and as they say, "...a little bit of nothing." And then if you struggle through the making of the story and it flops, then you can take that and a little bit of nothing and go again for another try.

So it is cute story line that encourages and gives a basic story structure beginning with "..a little bit of nothing." And it is also simply a cute kid's picture book with delightful characters, smiles, happiness, and positive thoughts.

About the book: Even the most totally awesome story starts with a little bit of nothing. What happens next is up to you! A delightfully meta picture book that will set imaginations soaring.

It begins with an octopus who plays the ukulele. Since this is a story, the octopus has to want something—maybe to travel to faraway galaxies in a totally awesome purple spaceship. Then the octopus sets out to build a spaceship out of soda cans, glue, umbrellas, glitter, and waffles. OK, maybe the octopus needs some help, like from an adorable bunny friend, and maybe that bunny turns out to be . . . a rocket scientist? (Probably not.) But could something even more amazing come to pass?

GIVEAWAY - 2 winners each win a copy

Begins December 1

ENDS December 10 @ 12:01 a.m. ET

Open to US/CANADA. No PO Boxes

a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Candlewick Press to failitate a review of my honest opinions which are freely given. Giveaway copy is provided and mailed directly to winner by Candlewick.

The Lion Picture Puzzle Bible by Peter Martin & illustrated by Len Epstein

My thoughts: Children love picture puzzle books because they are fun, intriguing, and provide more to do than just read a story. In The Lion Picture Puzzle Bible the author Peter Martin tells short stories beginning in the Old Testament with Noah and ending in the New Testament after the Cross with telling the good news. To these short re-tells, Len Epstein brings his delightfully humorous drawings that show a two--page spread image jammed full of people and activities that tell the story.

Factor into this the opportunity to find specific images that are hiding in the maze that is the whole illustration, and you have fun combined with learning a little more about those wonderful events and people that are in our Bible.

Some might say that these types of books make too much jest of such serious topics and happenings. I can agree with that but I also see it as an opportunity that lets the kids know that Christians do have a sense of humor and can see a bit of fun in much of life.

So I think Bible Picture Puzzle books have a place, albeit limited, in the homes of Christians.

About the book: Are you a super sleuth? Have you got an eagle eye? This book is a treasure trove of wonderfully detailed pictures from the world of the Bible. You will have hours of fun trying to find people and objects from ancient times. As you exercise your brain solving the puzzles, you will also become a real expert on the fascinating setting of some of the Bible’s greatest stories. Watch out for the wily fox. He’s hiding somewhere on every page.

DISCLOSURE; I was provided a complimentary copy by Kregel on behalf of Lion Hudson Publishing to facilitate a review of my honest opinion which is freely given.

A Clhristmas greeting - "Let There Be Light"

Read and Share Look, I'm Reading! Bible Storybook By Gwen Ellis Published by Thomas Nelson

ISBN: 9780718088699
Hardcover $12.99

My thoughts: Bible storybooks have a distinct place in helping young children embrace the stories, concepts, and faith that is contained in a real Bible. A Bible storybook does not attempt to give the entirety of the Biblical text, it seeks to engage the young mind and heart to a basic understanding of the who, what, when, and where of that which is in the Bible.

In Gwen Ellis' retelling of these stories, the text flows well so that it can easily be read to two, three, and four year olds with their enjoying their interaction by pointing out the three words shown as images (featured at the top of the story page) throughout the story replacing the actual word or name.

Kids love to take part in the telling of the story. This also provides a tool for keeping them focused during the reading.

I see that this little book has value to families with young children who will be read to and then for those a bit older to read aloud with Mom and Dad.

I love the Table of Contents in the front as it will help seek out that special story that worms itself into your child's heart for lots of re-readings. Extra value in the Table of Contents is the Biblical reference for finding the story in the Bible.

About the book: Your family will love this Bible storybook in the popular rebus style with pictures sprinkled between words, allowing your little ones to read along with you! Kids will love to engage with the Bible stories by pointing out the pictures among the words to tell the story. This is a proven way to help children learn and retain the stories through interaction. In the rebus format, children see the picture key, learn the word, and then complete the sentence using the correct picture. This gives children positive learning and interactive reading time.

Stories include: Adam and Eve and the Sneaky Snake, Noah and the Big Boat, Moses and the Ten Commandments, David and the Giant, Mary’s Big Surprise, Jesus Stops a Storm, Jesus Goes to Heaven, and A Promise to All God’s Children.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the BookLook Blogger Review Program on behalf of Tommy Nelson a division of Thomas Nelson Publishers to facilitate my review. Opinions are my own and freely given.

Vera's Reviews & Gift Suggestions

Click image to find my review of item: