Review: A Child Is a Child by Brigitte Weninger & Eve Tharlet

Two young frogs are waiting for their Mommy and Daddy frogs to come back. Sadly, this never happens. Mr. Hedgehog, Mr. Mole, and Mrs. Blackbird speak of how they cannot be good parents for these children as they are too different. Along comes Mama Mouse with her children who states that she will take care of these children since “A child is a child. All children need a place to live and play, good food to eat and someone who loves them!”. This heartwarming tale does a beautifully simple job speaking of the fears of taking care of children who are not one’s biological children while recognizing the simplicity of all the children need in that moment. The use of animals allows for a more light hearted feel through a difficult subject, and an easier understanding of biological differences. This book is non specific on what happened to the parent frogs, and therefore can be read and interpreted by the child in whatever way is personal to them. This book is perfect for any young child who has experienced some sort of familial abandonment/loss and rehoming.

Resources:

Review: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/brigitte-weninger/a-child-is-a-child/

Review & a place to buy this read: https://www.amazon.com/Child-Brigitte-Weninger/dp/0698400062

Review: Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell & David Catrow

Molly Lou Melon is too short, her teeth are too big, and her voice is not like everyone else’s. The good news is she lives with her Grandma who always reminds her to stand tall, smile big, and sing loudly. But, what happens when Molly Lou Melon must move and switch schools? What will her new classmates think of her? Molly Lou Melon learns that she has to use her differences to her advantage as they differentiate her from everyone else. This award-winning book is a super reminder to show off what you have and that it is okay to look different compared to your peers. The artwork is very well done adding perspective to this heartwarming story. Great for the reader who is self conscious, worried, or might may look or sound different than others and are concerned about what others might think. A great reminder to love yourself for who you are!

Resources:

A lesson plan provided by Scholastic for teachers or parents to use along with this book. https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plans/teaching-content/stand-tall-molly-lou-melon-lesson-plan/

Interviews with Patty Lovell & David Catrow. http://www.judynewmanatscholastic.com/blog/2021/02/author-interview-video-patty-lovell-david-catrow/

Review: Always and Forever by Alan Durant & Debi Gliori

Otter, Mole, Fox and Hare lived together in a house in the woods. They all work together and love each other dearly. One day, Fox fell ill and died. His family talks about Fox, their favorite qualities about him, and remembers him. His house was consumed by deep sadness for a very long time. Their friend Squirrel comes to their house to help them through their grief.With Squirrels’ help, they learn healthier ways to grieve and cope while remembering Fox will always be with them. The usage of animals in this book makes it very appealing for its palatability. This book openly talks about sadness, grief, and loss. The story doesn’t shy away or sugar coat the feelings that loved ones feel after losing someone. But it also helps to remind you that life must go on and it is important to find ways to incorporate the lost loved one in daily life without being completely consumed by sadness. Great for the reader who has lost someone important in their life.

If you like this book you may like:

Maybe Tomorrow? by Charlotte Agell

I’m Sad by Michael Ian Black

Invisible String by Patrice Karst

Review: Sneezy the Snowman by Maureen Wright & Stephen Gilpin

Sneezy the Snowman has a cold and is always cold. His friends try to warm him up, but every time they get him too warm he melts. They try a hot tub, hot cocoa, and layers of clothes. They must figure out a way to keep him warm but not too warm and find the perfect balance of hot and cold. This book is very sweet and will melt your heart. This story uses cute drawings to pique your interest as you are questioning what the children will try next to save their friend.. Reading this book gets you excited for winter and has you feeling the child-like magic of the holiday season. This book is great for the reader who is just looking for a light, easy read with a laugh. This book is especially great for younger readers who still believe in the magic of winter and snowmen. 

Teaching Resources:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/Search:sneezy%20the%20snowman

Kindergarten specific: https://www.kindergartenworks.com/kindergarten-teaching-ideas/sneezy-the-snowman-activities/

Review: The Remember Balloons by Jessie Oliveros & Dana Wulfekotte

Everyone carries around memories. In this book, memories are carried around as balloons. Grandpa has more than Mom, Dad, and both young boys combined! Recently Grandpa has been losing his balloons and telling the same stories over and over. Slowly, Grandpa starts to lose all of his balloons. The young boy must learn how to cope with the difference in his grandfather as he starts to lose his memory. This book beautifully uses balloons to explain Alzheimer’s. It makes it relatable for anyone who has had to watch someone close to them suffer through this awful disease. The illustrations and their use of balloons being the only thing with color is executed wonderfully.  Great for the reader, specifically younger readers,who have a loved one (especially grandparent) suffering from this disease and are learning how to maintain a relationship with a loved one who slowly becomes less and less responsive.

If you like this book you may like:

The Invisible String by Patrice Karst

Grandpa‘s Stories by Joseph Coelho

Always and Forever by Alan Durant

Review: The Unbudgeable Curmudgeon by Matthew Burgess & Fiona Woodcock

Curmudgeon definition: a bad-tempered, difficult, cranky- person; a grouch. Now, how do you budge an unbudgeable curmudgeon? A young girl must figure out how to get rid of the unbudgeable curmudgeon. She tries everything including fudge brownies! But he won’t budge, leaving her out of ideas until she decides to join him. This book explores feelings of grumpiness and what to do about it when you are dealing with a grumpy person or your own feelings of grumpiness. The illustrations are very well done, and help to show a sibling rivalry while normalizing grumpy feelings and coping mechanisms. This story also shows how this feeling may come and go. Having the child turn into a monster when crabby better allows the young reader to better understand their grumpy feelings. This story is great for the reader who may be feeling cranky or difficult and doesn’t always know why.

Resources:

A great resource to get teaching guides for different ages for this book and topic! https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/Search:unbudgeable%20curmudgeon

Reviews! https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/40640806-the-unbudgeable-curmudgeon