Huge thank you to Dart Frog Books, Thomas Nelson Children’s, Capstone, Andrews McMeel Publishing, W. W. Norton & Company, Sasquatch Books and Penguin Random House Canada for granting me access to arcs of these books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own!
Walter Does His Best
Release Date: September 7th 2021
Author: Eva Pilgrim
Rating: 5/5⭐️
Description:
What does it mean to be a good neighbor? From Central Park to Broadway to Times Square, Walter the French Bulldog is on a mission of kindness in this hilarious dog adventure story from ABC’s Good Morning America’s Eva Pilgrim.
Walter’s heart is full of kindness, but this little dog’s efforts to help his neighbors don’t go as planned. Journalist Eva Pilgrim’s charming narrative and Jessica Gibson’s vibrant illustrations make Walter Does His Best a wonderful way to introduce kids ages 4-8 to new adventures in kindness.
My Review:
This was absolutely adorable! This is the story of Walter who thinks he’s doing what is best but learns that maybe his ideas weren’t the best for everyone else but that he was trying and that’s more than okay.
The art in this was so cute and super colorful! It really captured my attention and I know kids will love this silly story about the worlds cutest Frenchie! I recommend this honestly to everyone of any age. Especially if you love Frenchies as much as I do!
5/5⭐️
A Home Under The Stars
Release Date: October 5th 2021
Author: Andy Chou Musser
Rating: 5/5⭐️
Description:
Magical and heartfelt, A Home Under the Stars explores the difficulties and anxieties that accompany moving, as well as the journey to find a sense of belonging in a new place and to call it home.
Moving from a rural house to an urban apartment, Toby feels tiny and lost in the vast, crowded city filled with unfamiliar sights and sounds. His moms try to comfort him, but their bedtime tradition of looking at the night sky together just makes Toby angry — because the city lights hide his beloved stars.
Without the stars, Toby isn’t able to sleep and in his restless state he discovers a lion wandering in a mysterious jungle that has overgrown the city at night. Only the North Star can guide the lion home. Together, boy and lion embark on an otherworldly, nocturnal journey through the city in search of the star. Along the way they befriend other lost animals, each helping Toby to name and process his feelings about moving to the city.
When, at last, Toby finds the North Star, he realizes that even if he can’t see the stars, they will always be there for him. Comforted by this thought, Toby returns from his adventure ready to make a new home in the city.
My Review:
I loved this picture book so much! It has everything that I love to see in a story— from the beautiful illustrations to the magic and the adventure we take throughout the pages. The message in here also just warmed my heart, it’s such a great way to teach kids about change and how it can be good even when everything so different seems so scary and new.
Definitely recommend this one! Especially if your child is having to go through a change of some sort. This book has such a comforting feel to it.
5/5⭐️
Melville
Release Date: October 5th 2021
Author: Paul Schmid
Rating: 5/5⭐️
Description:
Leaving his warm and loving mama behind, Melville the sea creature sets off for an adventure, and he knows just the kind of place he’s looking for. Along the way, he gets lost (briefly), encounters sharks and other big sea creatures, and floats past a pirate ship. Melville checks out a few spots, but all fall short of his dream place…until, weary from his adventures, he finds his way back to his mama—a place that is “just right.”
My Review:
What an absolutely adorable little story! We follow Melville the octopus as he sets out on a journey to find just the right place for him.
This made me feel so happy and just made me want to go give my mom a hug. I loved this one. The art is bright and colourful, the story is easy and fun to follow and the message just hits you right in the feels.
5/5⭐️
Only Ants For Andy
Release Date: October 12th 2021
Author: Jashar Awan
Rating: 5/5⭐️
Description:
I’m Andy
And I like what I like!
Andy is a very particular anteater. He has his favorite toys, his favorite song, his favorite food . . .
Ants! They’re the best!
But when Andy goes for a sleepover with his favorite friend, Sam Sloth, he’s faced with unfamiliar things to play with—and strange new foods for dinner.
Jashar Awan’s winning and gently funny story celebrates trying something new and finding out it might be more fun—and tastier—than it looks.
My Review:
Only Ants for Andy is an adorable story about an anteater who discovers that it’s okay to like what you like but that trying new things can be great too.
The art in this is fantastic, it really captures your attention and holds it. I also loved all of the little details like the car lineup behind the Sloth’s car. It just added an extra element that made this book such a joy to read.
Highly recommend this one!
5/5⭐️
Ms. Goshsquash
Release Date: October 31st 2021
Author: Lola Coleman
Rating: 4/5⭐️
Description:
What if all it took for a kid to learn to be good was a trip to the farm? Follow three best friends as they learn from their teacher and her odd pet yak why being kind is always the way to go, discover who they are, and turn into the great kids they want to become.
Have you been naughty?
Can’t help being mean?
Perhaps you’d like to know what happens to kids who make a scene.
Well take a look inside this book; I’ll show you what I mean,
for you’ll never meet another other who’s as real as she can be.
Her name was Ms. Goshsquash, and everyone knew
that if a child went bad, she’d know what to do!
At first, the people of Drost thought her to be mean.
Some said she was the meanest old woman they had ever seen.
Yet it was those same people who asked her one day
to come into town to live and to stay.
You see, Ms. Goshsquash had a way with children that nobody else had,
but only those who didn’t listen to their parents, misbehaved at school, or were just plain bad.
She spoke in rhyme and song, but if you paid attention you’d soon know
that really all she wanted was for kids to be kind as they grow.
My Review:
Ms. Goshsquash is a story about three young kids who have been bullies up to this point. They’re suddenly transported to Ms. Goshsquash’s house where she teaches them what it truly means to be kind.
I liked this one! I think it might freak out kids that are really young but I think for anyone over 5, it’s a good introduction into a discussion about kindness! The art was really cute too, it was simplistic but with stunning colours. I loved the fact that this book rhymed too!
I’d recommend this one, for sure!
4/5⭐️
The Hiking Viking
Release Date: February 1st 2022
Author: Lauren Gehl
Rating: 4/5⭐️
Description:
While the other Vikings love to holler and howl and battle and brawl, Leif prefers spending time by himself atop the beautiful fjord. But when it’s time for the Viking Games, everyone must participate. Will Leif let down his clan . . . or surprise them?
My Review:
This children’s book has some really unique art! It’s not an art style I’ve seen before so that made this a refreshing read and I think it’ll be a great book to have on your child’s shelf!
The story itself holds a great message too. You don’t have to be the strongest or the fastest, you just have to be you. You can enjoy what you like and sometimes you get to share that joy with other people.
This was a great read filled with strong messages, unique art and the viking theme was fantastic!
4/5⭐️
In The Clouds
Release Date: March 22nd 2022
Author: Elly Mackay
Rating: 4/5⭐️
Description:
A luminous journey into the sky for daydreamers and cloud enthusiasts big and small, from renowned paper-diorama artist Elly MacKay.
A bored and curious little girl wishes for a bit of sunshine on a cloudy day. But a friendly bird soon whisks her off for an adventure in the sky, where she can contemplate questions both scientific and philosophical in nature: how do clouds float? Or carry the rain? Where do they go when they disappear? Are there clouds on other planets? Do they have memories? Have they ever seen a girl like her?
This dreamy picture book from the inimitable Elly MacKay features her trademark stunning, light-infused spreads that beautifully capture the wondrousness of clouds and the power of nature to inspire and stimulate imaginations.
My Review:
This picture book has the most beautiful and intricate illustrations. They easily transport you along with the main character among the clouds in the sky. I couldn’t get enough of this!
I highly recommend this especially if your child is into art!
4/5⭐️
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