Creative, imaginative picture book for animal lovers and travelers
353722
The days of sending physical letters in the mail are almost done (if not gone already), but I still wax nostalgic for real mail. It might have something to do with all of those international pen pals I kept in touch with as a preteen, and definitely has something to do with The Jolly Postman, still one of my favorite picture books ever. When I saw a picture book with a postage stamp cover, I had to take a look. I could keep Philip C. Steads Special Delivery on my coffee table forever, if only for Matthew Cordells fantastic illustrations.

Sadie is determined to send her Great-Aunt Josephine an elephant, to alleviate her loneliness (of course! what a thoughtful grand-niece). She first tries to send the elephant by post, but the amount of stamps needed more than fill a wheelbarrow  that won't work! Sadie soon takes matters into her own (creative) hands, and she and the elephant travel far and wide by plane, train and ice cream truck, meeting many interesting creatures and characters along the way.

In Special Delivery, Stead has created an outlandish adventure that will appeal to animal lovers and travelers alike. The narrative is a bit disjointed in parts, as Sadie and her elephant jump from one unlikely scenario to another. Some transitions and conversations are left to the imagination. That said, Steads story tickles the imagination, and will likely prompt the telling of other tall tales among its readers.  Its inspirational like that.

The real star of this book? Matthew Cordells illustrations. They have a deliciously old-fashioned feel, in a style that reminded me of Bill Peet.  Sadie is the main (human) character, but I found myself looking at the animals on each page first  their expressions as they have these unusual adventures are hilarious and spot-on. Other fun details in the art: Words made out of train smoke, stamps upon stamps, and the unexpected reunion scene at the end, when the reader finally learns the real story.

Special Delivery does what the best picture books do so well: it inspires imagination and creativity, while telling a silly story that will spark questions and laughter. It may not have been my exact cup of tea, but its sure to become the favorite book of many children this year.

Recommended for: young readers, and parents/teachers/interested adults looking for books that will speak to an adventurous spirit.
128593
This is a refreshingly different approach to an A to Z picture book!  One would be wise to use this in Literacy Programs as it is written at a more advanced level. Older children and adults would more thoroughly enjoy this in learning to read yet it would present a challenge with some words.  Young children would enjoy it as well. It offers a wider variety of nature objects not usually found in picture books.

John Maddin the co-author of this book created the cover and inside  illustrations as well. The pictures are plainly sketched, yet are colorful. The book is a hardbound, approximately 9 inch square. As shown ion the cover, the animals and other objects of nature are not the usual pictures and alphabet words. Each picture also indicates the scientific name for the object focused on.

* I was sent this book in exchange for an honest review, of which I have given.
4271837
"Rainbow Sheep" by Kim Chatel, a children's picture book, is brimming over with creativity, much like the rainbow in the story brims over with colorful tears of happiness.  A young shepherdess named Genevieve tires of constant rain that falls from the sky for an entire week "like snakes slithering down the hill", making her sheep "muddy and cold". She takes matters into her own hands, climbing to the top of her hill which is "as tall as a castle spire" and tickles the clouds until they part and roll away.  A rainbow appears, but its colors are pale because it's bored.  Genevieve tries telling stories about the forest to the rainbow, but it's not impressed.  Finally, Genevieve tells fantastic stories about the "kingdom of the mermaids" under the ocean.  The rainbow's interested in that, and its colors brighten.  Genevieve goes on to say that the mermaids have "fancy, masked balls where the sharks dance with the dolphins to the music of the whales."  Then Genevieve tells about jousting seahorses.  The rainbow smiles; then laughs so hard, happy, colorful tears spring from its eyes and color the sheep with its various colors.  After that, people journey from miles around to see the "rainbow sheep", and they stay to listen to the shepherdess spin stories.

After the fictional part of the story, the author provides extensive instruction on how to make the type of felt artwork shown in the book, and includes information for various ages.  This book is like two books in one, and well worth the purchase.

<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Fisherman-s-Son/dp/1554042003/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Fisherman's Son</a>
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392140
I wonder how the pig got on top of the sign (cover). Ooh--imagination! But Farmer Johnson needs more than that to round up all of his farm animals. And he needs the children's help. In fact, this book involves the children, for they are to shout out the names of the animals when they figure out what ones they are. Nicely interactive, involving the child in the book itself.

I don't know how the author made some of the clever techniques happen in this book and I'd like to find out. Great use of e-books and Kindle, beyond just reading. Makes the child want to "read it again!" The artwork fits in quite well and doesn't distract from the words but adds to them. I'm looking forward to more of her creations--next one: "The Animal Game: Safari."
2942930
Alison McGhee's upcoming children's novel is quite a visual, imaginative and creative endeavor. With Christopher Denise's spectacular and stunning illustrations, this novel is a delight. The story of fireflies, crickets, and mice who are Giants to them.

The author has humanized the smallest creatures that the reader will never look the same way at crickets, fireflies, or even mice again. The author has developed a believable world where Firefly wants to touch the moon and not learn to fly; Cricket wants to go to a baseball game; and Peter the Giant wants friends.

While Peter has befriended the Cricket and Firefly, the three friends go on an adventure in fulfilling their dreams together. Their friendship creates an adventure and lessons learned for life.

The children's novel here is beautifully done for the most part. The writing is easy to read for most of the time. If there are weaknesses in the writing, it is the slow pace of the storytelling. A little more clarity in the writing would help the reader regardless of age.

I have high hopes the final edition will earn well deserved accolades for the author and illustrator. Some of the large color illustrations are pieces of art in itself to enhance the story.
1848810
What a charming and whimsical book! My five-year-old son loves drawing, so Ive taken to doodling along with him. One of his favorite things to draw is our family, complete with our dog, so I thought this would be the perfect book to try out with him.

The book is divided into four parts. The first part is full of quirky things like lists (including signs you're a dog person  Your pockets are full of poop pick-up bags), dog facts, and a dog alphabet. It also has several pages of example dogs and dog faces, demonstrating different characteristics and emotions. The meat of the book is the 30-some pages in part 2 where you learn how to draw several species of dogs step by step (French bulldog, dachshund, bichon frise, greyhound, collie, and poodle). Part 3 experiments with hats, patterns (a tie-dye dog?), a series of anthropomorphic dogs (including Lucky the Lab Technician), dogs in costumes, dog houses, and dog toys. Part 4 is a series of templates of already drawn dogs for you to doodle on.

Its super cute, and suitable for children as well as adults. My five-year-old got a kick out of drawing dogs with hats, and loved looking at all the various dog doodles. If you're looking for lots of detailed step-by-step guides, I think youd be disappointed. Instead, it kickstarted our imaginations (astronaut dog! alien dog!) and provided a fun afternoon full of giggles and doodles. I think this would make a super cute gift for any fan of dogs and drawing!

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3553242
I had been looking at this book for awhile without buying it, until another reviewer posted the video review of it. I really like it! The images are very out of the box. I don't usually like books that are done by multiple artists because usually the art styles vary so widely that I find it incredibly annoying. But if I had not read that there were multiple artists before I opened the book I would not have guessed it. They all go together nicely. There is a wide range of animals, many real animals, and a few mythical or extinct creatures like unicorns and dinosaurs. The book is smaller than i thought it would be. I thought it would be about the same size as Johanna Basfords books. I am attaching some photos including one of this book on top of Lost Ocean to show you the size. Most pages are single sided, with a quote on the back. A few are two page spreads however meaning half of the illustration is on the back of another page. But there are only a few like that so it isn't a big deal.
3638692
This books is wonderfully bright, and is about 85% animals (every kid's favorite); the rest is composed of nature or human-made elements.  In truth, I wasn't expecting so many animal photos in this book, assuming it would be 50% other things.  My son has several animal photo books and didn't really need any more.  Despite that, the book is very good sized, which makes the photos good-sized and easier for young children (with their lesser vision and motor control) to be able to view and point at different photos.  My Big World and Animal Book is a delightful addition to our library and is in heavy rotation.  Definitely recommend.
3603251
An imaginative picture book about exploring not only physical spaces, such as space and sea, but also emotional spaces, such as companionship.
4107419
I'm not sure who loves this book more -- us or the grandchildren who come to visit us! I love it especially because, if kids read it early on, they are less likely to be freaked out when they encounter an unusual animal, especially insects. The sections are divided simply, just as in the title: Strange, Unusual, Gross, and Cool animals. Each section has wonderful photos, accompanied by the excellent and clear writing of the author, Charles Ghigna (aka Father Goose, a well known children's author.) In each section, as well, there are four different subsections: "Gallery", photo spreads that explore a theme, such as "Creatures of the Deep," about the kinds of animals who live far below the ocean's surface, where there is little or no light; "Featured Creature", such as the Duck-Billed Platypus, with this great description: "it has a bill like a duck, a tail like a beaver, and feet like an otter, it lays eggs like a chicken, and walks like a reptile"; "Creature Collection", which offers photo spreads about many groups of animals to compare, contrast, and learn more about; and "Macroview," very up close and startling photos of small animals, showing their very unusual characteristics. There is no question that you get lots of squeals and eeeewwww noises when you're reading this aloud, and when kids are reading to themselves. We found the kids develop favorites, and then love to chase each other around claiming to be one or another of the Gross animals, like the Mozambique Spitting Cobra. Much hilarity, and also much terrific, very painless learning. Just a great book!
4161586
This is such a beautiful book! The photos are exquisite, While the book is perhaps geared towards children, Tippi was 15 when it was first published so it's not a cute-sy, talking down to kids, book of wild animals. It's a very interesting read for adults as well. She talks about racism, hunting, being able to talk to animals and what the life of a wild animal is really like. It's not graphic, but it's honest. She talks about the tribes they lived with and their mysticism. My 8 year old niece is obsessed with animals, all animals. I think she'd rather be a cat than a human. haha Some themes in this book will probably go over head but they aren't inappropriate. Actually she'll probably just stare at the photos then build a Minecraft sanctuary for all the wild animals. lol She's going to FLIP when she opens this book at Christmas.
2766670
Some breeds of dog are especially picture book friendly.  Your bulldogs, of course.  Your weiner dogs.  And then there's your West Highland terriers.  I daresay that if you were to ask what type of pup is owned by more children's authors and illustrators than any other, it would be this breed.  Author Rosemary Wells (who wrote the "McDuff" books) takes hers to book signings.  "Widget", by Lyn Rossiter McFarland created a series out of her character.  And now, to top it all of, David Shannon has thrown himself into the mix.  Best known at this point in time for his "David" picture books (though I consider his, "Duck On a Bike" to be one of the best readlouds ever conceived), Shannon has come up with a whole crop of misbehaving but adorable misfits.  First came "David" and his ilk.  Then trotted out, "Alice the Fairy".  And now we've gone into the world of canines with the new dog in town, "Good Boy, Fergus!".  He's a West Highland terrier who, according to the bookflap, is found, "in ten of David Shannon's books".  Apparently being an extra has paid off well in the end.  Fergus has gotten his very own book and he's attempting to take the world by storm.

Your first view of Fergus is of a little white dog playfully chewing a monkey toy, rear firmly in the air.  The first official page of the book, however, shows the little guy's head just barely peeping up over the coverlet of a bed.  "Good morning, Fergus!  Want to go out?".  You bet he does.  Together, we spend a day with a dog.  From tummy tickles to a failure to obey commands, to the rapid destruction of a houseplant, we see Fergus pull every trick in the book.  No matter what he tends to do, however, in the end he's always a, "Good boy".  And by the time you see him sleeping peacefully on the bed's coverlet, you almostn begin to believe it yourself.

Until now, I don't think you can say that Shannon's done out-and-out cute before.  You can make a case for "Alice" or "David" having a kind of grody charm, but you certainly wouldn't slap a label of "Adorable" onto their books.  With "Fergus", it's different.  Something about this terrier has struck a particularly delicate chord in the author's heart.  Fergus hasn't the jolly ugliness of David's triangle nose and sharp pointy teeth.  Maybe it's the fuzziness that makes him so lovable.  Maybe the fact that Shannon can make a fast-moving dog's legs look to be in four different places at once.  Or maybe it all comes down to the, "Don't beg, Fergus", sequence.  This consists of four different colored shots, three of which show Fergus staring meaningfully up at a man sitting at the dinner table.  By the fourth panel the man has given in and Fergus, munching delightedly on a meatball, gives the audience a waggish wink.

Sometimes picture books with canines can be separated into two categories: For Dog Lovers Only and For Everybody.  "Fergus" kinda straddles this line.  On the one hand, it's a perfectly nice book with plenty of mischief to keep the kids amused with doggie antics.  On the other, I think dog lovers will find this book especially amusing.  The rest of us?  Moderately.  Unlike the David books, Fergus's antics are just those of a high-strung pup.  You can't revel in his naughtiness because so much of what he does is just what dogs do.  The two-page spread of him having peed on everything in sight on a street corner is kind of naughty, but what else would you expect from a dog?  Now if David were to do that, it would be another matter entirely.  Just the same, it's hard to resist such a good-natured book.  And when it all comes down to it, kids will love this pup's crazy schemes.  Fun to read, "Good Boy, Fergus!", is a worthy successor of an already enjoyable series.
3092499
A delightful story by Ethel Pochoki filled with the imagined settings and words of the animal kingdom. The engraved illustrations by Barry Moser show a master artist and illustrator at his best. Fine detail is revealed in every curving line wonderfully composed and skillfully executed in the challenging medium of block engraving. Subtle and vivid colors are used with sparing grace. A storybook to read again and again. A terrific combination of word and picture.
130255
Loala M. Shaefer is the author of this fabulous non-fiction picture book, "Lifetime", that looks at the natural world in terms of numbers.  It is full of fun facts like: a rattlesnake will add 40 beads to its rattle and a male seahorse will give birth to and carry 1,000 baby seahorses in his lifetime.  With today's featured book she takes a completely different take on the natural world.  She introduces readers to the concept of food chains and ecosystems.  The book is enriched by the beautiful illustrations created by Frann Preston-Gannon.

"Because of an acorn, a tree."  begins the story.  A cutaway on the first page forms the cup of the acorn and you discover a sprouting sappling when you turn the page.  The cutaway and sapling returns in the final pages, this time the leaf of the white oak reveals a forest with a page turn.

Schaefer's gently poetic prose leads the reader through the forest,  from an acorn to a tree to a bird who knocks seeds from a pod in the tree.  These seeds lead to flowers, fruit... and a chipmunk. The chipmunk attracts a snake, but the snake attracts a hawk.  Landing in a tree, the snake in its claws, the hawk causes an acorn to tumble to the ground, which takes the text back to the opening lines, ending with, "Because of an acorn, a forest."

This amazing book gives its readers an intimate visit with nature.  The illustratoions add so much enrichment and beauty to the narrative.  Her illustrations are simply fantastic.  I highly recommend this book.
1664906
I received the book on my Amazon Kindle which was different than the way I like to read most picture books, but it saves room on our bookshelves which are spilling their contents onto the floor because they are so jam packed with varying titles, so that was nice. But I half the fun of a picture book for me is the bright colorful images on each page which I missed on the Kindle version. Although, I do have to say I did love the illustrations by Mindy Liang that accompanied this addition. They were bright and splashy (no pun intended) and they were nice touches to a digital book.

Now onto, Terry. Terry is an inquisitive, tree climbing, boy with an affinity for nature and the environment. On a camping trip to a nature reserve with his parents, Terry decides to explore the reserve from several feet above ground  in a tree, of course. From his perch, while peering through his binoculars Terry sees something splashing in the ocean, and upon further exploration at the beach he finds a pod of dolphins, including a young dolphin he decides to name Dido. When Dido comes closer to shore, to say hi to Terry, he becomes entangled in a fishing net, and it is up to Terry to find a way to save him. Can he do it? Youll have to read the book to find out, but it is a childrens book, so I can assure you there is a happy ending.

This book was written in simple language and was a quick read, with colorful images. I loved how it touched upon one of the environmental issues that plagues our oceans  marine debris  in particular a lost fishing net. I think an opportunity was lost to discuss the impact of other debris in the ocean (possibly through the rangers eyes), and though it did, touch upon some of the behaviors inherent in dolphins, I think it could have elaborated a bit in these areas, while still avoiding being preachy. But all-in-all it was a sweet introduction to environmental issues in the world for young readers, and it peeked my interest as to what other adventures Terry Treetop might have. So much so, in fact, that I also downloaded, Terry Treetop and the Lost Egg. (See my review here, too)
1461790
This coloring book brings us 60 realistic animal images, that is like getting 3 coloring books in one.

You will find our best loved animals, both pets and wild animals from around the world in realistic, charming poses that will inspire your imagination and kick start your creativity.

This book is different and a must have book for animal lovers of all ages, it is perfect for quality family coloring time, these realistic up-close head portraits and delightful full body poses of your favorite animals include the pattern of the fur and/or feathers giving them a more realistic look than in other coloring books and is filled with amusing and delightful poses, this book is perfect for the entire family, from preschoolers to adults.

I love coloring these pictures with colored pencils, bringing these illustrations to life following the fur and feather patterns, creating realistic eyes and noses , my Grandchildren of all ages love this book, the illustrations kick start their creativity and draw them to my Arts and Crafts table . This style of art is perfect for crayons, markers, or colored pencils. I know this is one of the few coloring books that I will buy over and over again because every single picture will be colored.

1. This full sized coloring book is filled with 60 delightful ,realistic illustrations printed one per page on medium weight, bright white paper, the back of each page blank.

2. This coloring book is amazing when you use colored pencils, but you can also complete these pictures with markers, or even crayons, each will allow some of the details of the fur and/or feathers to come through the color. The paper is only medium weight so I place my clipboard under the picture I am coloring to prevent unwanted indentations to the next page when using colored pencils.

3. All the markers that I tested do bleed through the pages but can also be used, I just place a sheet of paper under the page I am coloring to protect the next image.

4. All the images are centered and bordered on each page, and leave  between the image and the binding, this gives you plenty of space to remove one page from this book or cut the binding off for classes or coloring groups. Just use a large school sized paper cutter or take it to an office supply store to have the binding removed.

5. Each of these mesmerizing animal portraits is drawn with the fur and/or feather patterns of the animal detailed within the animal so it is easy to create the texture of fur or feathers when coloring, just use colored pencils and color in the direction of the fur to create realistic works of art.
3740701
Anthony Ant Goes To France is an imaginative book. It is targeted for children, but  it appeals to readers of all ages. My young nephew really enjoys looking at the colorful pictures.  Every last word in one sentence rhymes with the last word in the next sentence, which gives this book a poetic quality making it easy to read. I would love to visit France someday.  Julie Bettendorf makes me believe that an ant and a lady bug could enjoy the beauty of France. This book is like a guide book for tourists interested in visiting France.  I would love to visit the beautiful flower garden.  I would love to tour the Louvre and walk inside Notre Dame Cathedral.  I would also love to walk down the Champs Elysees to see people walking their dogs.  Anthony Ant Goes To France is a very enjoyable book.