Tag: Children’s Book

ECONOGAL > Children's Book

Peyton Picks the Perfect Pie Book Review

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A Thanksgiving Celebration

America’s Test Kitchen produced Peyton Picks the Perfect Pie as a complement to their many cookbooks. This wonderful story geared towards young grade school kids was written by Jack Bishop with illustrations by Michelle Mee Nutter. Peyton Picks the Perfect Pie is a multi-layered tale rich with life lessons. And the story is a perfect fit with the message of Thanksgiving-food, family and friends gather to give thanks and share.

The Picky Eater

Peyton doesn’t consider herself picky, she is just rather particular about her food. For example, she doesn’t like her foods touching. Nor does she like certain colors of food. But most of all, she doesn’t like “gooey, or gummy, sticky or slimy, frosted or flaky…chunky or lumpy” foods. However, she’s decided to try one new food at Thanksgiving dinner–pie.

Peyton Picks the Perfect Pie

Open pages from the story book Peyton Picks a PieExpanding one’s food likes is the foundation of the story. However, Bishop kicks it up a notch. Peyton has a wide range of choices because all the dinner guests arrive with a different kind of pie. No cookie cutter pies and neither are the guests. The all-inclusive message is subtle and as rich as the desserts. So, while Peyton is having second thoughts about leaving her comfort zone, readers will glimpse the message of inclusiveness.

Multi-layered Message

At heart, the story is about trying new things. In this case new food. But the story and illustrations provide so much more. Harkening back to the first Thanksgiving, friends and family with different backgrounds and experiences are gathering together to celebrate another year. Food, family and friends is what Thanksgiving is all about.

Peyton Picks the Perfect Pie is author Jack Bishop’s first picture book. However, I hope the veteran cookbook author and editor, considers writing another. I love the wittiness of the story and Michelle Mee Nutter does an outstanding job with the paired drawings. Each pie coming in the front door made me hungry. As a bonus, the book includes the recipe for the pie Peyton decides to try. Consider giving this book to a youngster this Thanksgiving.

Illustration of a Thanksgiving gathering passing food around the dinner table.

Con Pollo Book Review

Posted on by Econogal

Bilingual Books

Book cover of Con Pollo Bold red print with a chicken for the first "o"Con Pollo is a bilingual story book penned by Jimmy Fallon and Jenifer Lopez and illustrated by Andrea Campos. It is a perfect find for a child who is being raised bilingual. Such as my grandson who just turned one. Naturally, books are the go-to gift for this little guy born much earlier than expected. However, he is catching up quickly due to his parents’ love, persistence, and dedication. His little book collection includes those written in English, Spanish and a handful like Con Pollo which blend the two languages.

Vocabulary Building

In addition to the rhyming text, the authors present simple examples of vocabulary building. For example, soccer and futbol, dancing and bailar. This exposes children outside of bilingual households to other languages in a fun way. And the character of Con Pollo is perfect to interest the little ones.

A Day in the Life of Con Pollo

As a storybook, Con Pollo is geared toward the English-Spanish translations versus a plot. But there is an attempt to appeal to a toddler’s sense of an active day. So, the story presents lots of playtime, trips to school, store and the biblioteca and of course at the end of a long day-bedtime. And best of all, the authors pop out a surprise at the end of the book. Kids love surprises.

Illustrations

I love the style of illustration for Con Pollo. The simple drawing of Pollo will appeal to the minimalists in the crowd. And she will be very easy to identify if the authors find time in their busy lives to write another. As an illustrator, Campos reminds me of Charles Schultz. Simple strokes creating complex characters. I concur with this Forbes article that Andrea Campos has quite a future in front of her.

My Recommendation

Con Pollo is a cute book. At heart, the authors are introducing Spanish vocabulary at a children’s interest level. Pollo, as the main character, lives the way children used to, playing all day long. A fun book for both public and private libraries to acquire.

Fun at the Biblioteca/Library

Page of Con Pollo illustrating a little chicken at the biblioteca

The Great Eggscape! Book Review

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A Storybook for Ages 3-8

Cover of The Great Eggscape depicting three eggs running down a grocery aisle.The Great Eggscape! is a delightfully silly children’s book written by Jory John. A dozen eggs run around the grocery store in an elaborate game of hide and seek. Young children can easily connect with the theme. Since the eggs dye themselves during the story there is an easy tie into Easter week activities. Thus, the book fit into my categorization of an Easter book. But The Great Eggscape is non-religious. However, the message of leaving no egg behind is meaningful.

Lead Character

Shel is the only egg not romping through the grocery store. He prefers “alone time” and misses out on the coloring bath. Meanwhile, the other eggs from the carton decide to make him leave the container by hiding in various sections of the grocery store. (Much to the displeasure of at least one grumpy vegetable.) And as time ticks by, Shel worries and starts on a hunt for the hidden eggs. Thus, his friends’ plan works.

Subtle Subtext in The Great Eggscape!

Hidden among the eggs are several learning opportunities. Time is captured on an analog clock. Shel lines up his fellow eggs to make sure the full dozen is there. So, even though there is not an actual count, readers can easily perform this simplest of math functions – if they choose to.

But when little egg Meg is missing Shel stops the rest from quitting the search until all are found. With the help of Greg (the egg decorated like the universe) and the others, Shel discovers Meg’s hiding place. Persistence and teamwork are just as important as having fun with friends.

Parents can use the various illustrations for additional learning opportunities.

 

A little Adobe Photoshop of my Own…..

Illustrations

Pete Oswald is the noted illustrator and recognized on the book’s exterior cover. But further details on the artwork are just inside. Saba Joshaghani used scanned pencil sketches based on Oswald’s original artwork to create the interior pages. Adobe Photoshop was the software utilized to paint the images. This remarkable feat was produced in Italy.

Finally, two pages of stickers can be detached from the book and used to decorate eggs-just in time for Easter.

Skippyjon Jones in the Doghouse Book Review

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New to Me Author

My oldest grandchild introduced me to the Skippyjon Jones series. Judy Schachner writes and illustrates story books that are very appealing to young children from ages three and up. In the series, Mama Junebug Jones leads the way with her rhyming dialogue as she struggles with a son that thinks he is a Chihuahua and not a Siamese Cat.

To a certain extent, Schachner’s writing reminds me of tall tales. Stories that are larger than life, like Paul Bunyon and the Big Blue Ox. Yet the writing takes the stories up a notch with wittiness in abundance. And lots of humor. The laugh out loud kind of silliness. I found the story delightful.

Skippyjon Jones

The hero of the stories, Skippyjon Jones has an alter ego, El Skippito Friskito. A bedroom closet is the portal for young Jones and his transition to the brave Chihuahua. In Skippyjon Jones in the Dog-House, Skippyjon/Skippito meets up with his old amigos, Los Chimichangos who urge the youngster in all manners of mischief.

Silly puns for both young and old pepper the dialogue of Los Chimichangos crew. Naturally Skippyjon/Skippito relishes the merriment even when tossed into a giant burrito. And the wannabe Chihuahua saves the day.

Inside page of Skippyjon Jones in the Dog-House depicting young Cat coloring walls with crayons

Make Believe

Schachner has created a series devoted to the imagination of the young child. The rhymes and puns incorporated into the dialogue add backbone to the outrageous storyline. Who ever heard of a Siamese Cat thinking he was a Chihuahua? And a superhero to boot? This early introduction of a suspension of disbelief is essential for the enjoyment of fiction through the years.

The antics of Skippyjon Jones and his counterpart El Skippito Friskito came on the scene in the early years of the 21st Century. And Skippyjon Jones in the Dog-House was published in 2005. One excuse for missing these entertaining books was a pre-occupation with keeping teenagers busy and out of trouble. Thankfully, having grandkids gives one a second chance.

Stephanie’s Ponytail Book Review

Posted on by Econogal

Children’s Story Book

Stephanie's Ponytail Book CoverStephanie’s Ponytail written by Robert Munsch with illustrations by Michael Martchenko is one of my favorite children’s story books. The first time I bought a copy was over twenty years ago. I am sure the artwork hooked me. The harried mother trying to fix unruly hair at the breakfast table struck a chord of recognition. And the story itself is classic hilarity.

Two Ideas from Stephanie’s Ponytail

Like many children’s books, Stephanie’s Ponytail posits key lessons. Young Stephanie wants to be different. But, often non-conformity is looked down upon. Or, as in the case of this delightful book, the individual with flare is copied. Dealing with copycats is frustrating.

There is much debate on whether leaders are made or born. Even though Munsch does not delve into deep philosophy, it is clear Stephanie is both a trendsetter and smart. The thinking skills are clearly lacking in the copycats. Deftly woven into the story are kudos for originality as well as a warning to those who blindly follow the leader.

Fun to Read

The best thing about Stephanie’s Ponytail is that the book is fun to read. And this is a “must” requirement for any who have a little one that wants a book read again, and again. Munsch captures family and group dynamics. So, the story is easy to relate to. Furthermore, the illustrations aptly portray both the home and school settings. Michael Martchenko is the go-to artist for Munsch books. The partnership works well.

Stephanie’s Ponytail

My children grew up owning several of Munsch’s books. Furthermore they read many more at school. Plus they checked his books out from the library. If I polled them, I am sure there would be four different titles listed as favorites. Love You Forever, Thomas’ Snowsuit and I Have to Go, all earned a place in the family library.

Apparently, my oldest granddaughter is on track to be a reader. She wakes up from naps and grabs books. And “reads.” Furthermore, as soon as I walk in the door, she wants me to read to her. I hope Stephanie’s Ponytail will be one of her favorites because I love reading the story.

Robert Munsch

Munsch recently disclosed he has been diagnosed with dementia. Click here for the interview. He believes the memories of his books will stay with him. From my experience with my Mom, I think he is right.  I wish Munsch and his family well.

I am thankful Annick Press is re-releasing his books. And for publishing them in the first place. The small publishing house spotted a gem all those years ago.

If you have kids in the family and are not familiar with Robert Munsch and Michael Martchenko, I highly recommend these wonderful stories. Christmas is just around the corner.

Page of text from Stephanie's Ponytail
Illustration from Stephanie's Ponytail

Elephants Can’t Fly Book Review

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Elephants Can’t Fly

Elephants Can’t Fly by Charlotte Christie is a wonderful addition to a young child’s library. This board book is beautifully illustrated by Cee Biscoe. The gray she uses for the elephants is both a cool blue and warm and fuzzy at the same time. But it is the inspirational words of Christie that makes this 2017 book such a find.

Elly is a young elephant. Naturally, she loves to explore like any young offspring. She observes nature and she tries to imitate. All the things one will see in a youngster.

Christie begins the story giving examples of things elephants can’t do. But then the story unfolds and Elly achieves the impossible. All because no one told her she couldn’t. Thus this simple story is also very meaningful.

Author

A quick search on the Internet yielded little information about Charlotte Christie. The first hit brought up the actress. Adding writer to the search bar brought up a young writer looking for an agent. Then the addition of the title resulted in numerous places to buy the book and a matching stuffed elephant.

A similar search for Cee Biscoe brought up lots of information. She illustrates children’s books. So finally, I searched for Jellycat Books, the publisher of Elephants Can’t Fly. Jellycat is a company specializing in plush toys. But they also sell baby gifts and under this category are some board books, including two about Elly. But the two have different authors. (Same illustrator.)

So, I am no closer to discovering Charlotte Christie the author. I hope Elephants Can’t Fly is not her only book. If it is, I hope she writes another. Because the message of Elly and her willingness to try is the key to this lovely story. If you know anything about the writer of this wonderful children’s book, please share in the comment section.

I love this story and can’t wait to read it to the newest addition to the family. Even newborns can be read to. Thus, I have written her name on the book plate provided on the first page. Tonight I will hold her and read to her for the very first time. Welcome to the world little one!

 

There Still Are Buffalo Book Review

Posted on by Econogal

Book Cover with buffalo herdAnn Nolan Clark’s children’s book, There Still Are Buffalo is a beautiful example of narrative poetry. The tale of a buffalo bull from birth rolls off the tongue if read aloud. Indeed, even reading the story silently, the words sing inside one’s head.

Clark captures an era of long-ago. There Still Are Buffalo, first published in 1942, describes the life of a buffalo and his herd from the time perspective of roaming wild buffalo. But the story references an attempt by man to corral the beasts. This provides a time stamp.

The story opens in the Dakotas. The Sioux have set aside land for the buffalo. Wide open plains provide space for the buffalo to roam as they have from the beginning. But there is little mention of these human stewards for this is a story of the giant beast which at one time dominated the open prairie.

Life Cycle of the Buffalo

The second stanza begins the tale of one special bull calf. Clark’s words describe the first hours of life. The protective mother standing guard over her bull calf until he is able to stand and walk. The baby joins the herd just a few days after birth.

There Still Are Buffalo describes both the workings of the herd and the individual life of this new calf. The stanzas progress through the life cycle. But they also provide a naturalist look at nature and her dangers. So, the reader learns much from this book.

Ann Nolan Clark

The life of Ann Nolan Clark is as interesting as her story. She was born in the late 1800’s in the small New Mexico town of Las Vegas. However, once, Las Vegas was one of the larger cities of the old west. Since it was a stop on The Santa Fe Trail, it was a rival of places such as Denver and Dodge City.

The city history seems to have influenced Clark’s outlook on diversity of cultures. In some ways she may have lived a hundred years before her time. Her life work shows her appreciation for many cultures. While There Still Are Buffalo alludes to Native Americans, other works by Clark share cultural tales from Central and South America as well as Southeast Asia.

Her writing is incredible. I strongly recommend There Still Are Buffalo. But I encourage you to find copies of her other stories as well. This is a great American writer.