fast reviews

Left, Right, Emma! Stuart J. Murphy

Murphy is a Visual Learning Specialist and what he does in this book is make the task of learning left and right easier for children; a marching parade and a string for Emma, as well as color distinction with the words left and right, help pave the way. The book is a simple story which could prove to be a helpful asset to teachers.


Crouching Tiger, Ying Chang Compestine

A boys visit with his grandfather gives him an opportunity to learn about what it means to be Chinese. Not my favorite story, a little too long for a picture book.






Omer's Favorite Place, Ifeoma Onyefulu
Books like these can be great teaching tools, a view into another world for kids, however, Onyefulu's book falls short of that when he uses Nigerian words without explaining what they mean.

I did not care for this book.


And then it's Spring, Julie Fogliano, illus. Erin E. Stead (2011 Caldecott winner)

I loved this book, it's lovely story and glorious illustrations. I fell in love with Stead when I read her Caldecott winning A Sick Day for Amos McGee, and this books illustrations were a reminder of why she is a Caldecott winner! Stead chose a simple pallet of earth tones, which match perfectly with Fogliano's easy text. My favorite page reads, "and it is still brown, but a hopeful, very possible sort of brown." Gentle, lovely stories like these are my favorites. This book rocks! I am totally getting it for my niece or nephew (due in a month!).

And then it's Spring

And then it's Spring