Race to Kindness Review

 Race to Kindness 

By Orion Jean

5/5

*Thank you to the author and netgalley for allowing me to read and review this masterpiece of a book.*

Wow!  Color me impressed!  I was immediately taken by this book and the mature message it shares, along with the intelligent and clever way it is written.  But now that I know the author is 11-years-old I'm even more blown away by it.  This book is, dare I say, the best execution I've ever seen of successfully teaching a principal (i.e. kindness).  Let's start at the very beginning, shall we?  (...a very good place to start.)  I love that the first page of this book is a form that children can sign that invites them to join the "race to kindness".  Physical invitations like this are, in my opinion, the best way to evoke action.  I truly think that children will take this invitation seriously as they sign their name and write the date.  The next thing I love about this book is that it rhymes.  I have heard book publishers mention that rhyming books are slowly becoming less appealing for them to publish, but as a pediatric speech therapist I understand and can attest to the value of books that rhyme.  Rhyming is a pre-literacy skill that children need to learn in their pathway to reading.  Not to mention that rhyming books are fun to read and a sure way to make a book's message memorable.  The highlight of this book for me is the fact that the author made an acronym out of the short phrase, "BE K.I.N.D.".  What better way for children to remember how to be be kind than through an acronym that they can easily memorize?  As an adult, I struggle sometimes with knowing how I can help others and the specific things I can do to show my love through service.  So, I especially appreciate that this book gives specific examples of things we can all do to "be kind".  The "D" in the acronym "K.I.N.D." was my favorite thing to read about because it encourages people to get up and to take action.  It's so easy for us, especially as adults, to reach out to the people who we know need assistance with a text that simply says, "Let me know if there's anything I can do for you."  So often we don't take the initiative to help without someone asking for it.  But this book makes it clear that there are so many ways to serve and to show kindness, and that we should do so without waiting for someone to tell us what to do.  To sum up my views on this book I'll say one thing- I wish this book wasn't categorized as "children's literature" because I think everyone, and especially adults, should read this book and learn from it's beautiful and powerful message.

Shapes and Shapes Review

Shapes and Shapes

By Ivan Brunetti

5/5

*Thank you to the author and netgalley for allowing me to read and review such a work of art.*

Okay, take it from me... this book should be added to every preschool and kindergarten's curriculum as a required book.  Kids of all ages, from toddlers to elementary-aged students, will adore this book and the way it teaches shapes.  I am a pediatric speech therapist and find that kids love to play around with shapes.  I've never known how to channel their interest in shapes until reading this book.  So, this book aimed towards young children actually taught me a thing or two, (and I'm not ashamed to admit it!)  I think this author/cartoonist is absolutely brilliant.  Not only does he teach children about less common shapes (e.g. octagons, half circles, etc.), he also introduces 3-dimensional shapes like cubes and cones.  What I love most is that Brunetti teaches how to identify shapes in everyday things- from glasses to planets to baseball diamonds... he points out that everything is a shape.  And just like the children in his book, I continued to look for shapes in everyday objects after reading.  (Sidenote: I love that he includes a mini space lesson in this book.  Kids will love to review the planets as they read those pages...because what child doesn't love space?) I also think this book will inspire children to experiment with drawing and with putting shapes together to create what they want.  It sure helped me learn how to draw a simple car by using common shapes (something I'm thrilled to know how to do as my 2-year-old constantly asks me to draw him a "caw").  Overall, I'm really excited about this book.  I'm glad it is supposed to released soon as I want to buy a copy for my own 2 children.  

Roy Is Not a Dog

Roy Is Not a Dog

By Esme Shapiro; Daniel Kaufman

5/5

*Thank you so much to the authors and netgalley for allowing me to read and review such a darling book.*

This might be one of my favorite children’s books that I have ever read, and let me tell you, I’ve read a lot of them.  I think I find this book so charming because there’s nothing else like it.  It’s completely unique and that’s rare to find in a children’s book.  I’ll admit, I’m a bit of a sucker for any book that involves a dog, but the story behind this one is just darling.  I think children of all ages will enjoy this book- while toddlers may be too young to understand the words, they’ll enjoy the whimsical illustrations and the abridged story that can be told.  I love the way the author wrote this- it’s clever and quirky and so fun to read.  Each word seems like it was perfectly chosen to make this the delightful read the author intended.  And don’t even get me started on the ending!  I adored the last page… I was surprised by the ending and how perfectly it tied everything together. This book has, perhaps, the cutest (and most important) message a children’s book can have… the message that there is always more to learn about the people around us.  We think we know someone, but we really don’t… there is always more to discover and understand.  I will 100% be pre-ordering this book and giving it to all of my friends as gifts.  In true Oprah style I’ll be throwing these books at everyone, “You get a book, you get a book, you get a book!”  I truly loved it that much.

This book is currently planned to be released on April 22, 2024.

Shine Review

Shine 

By Bruno Valasse

3/5

*Thank you to the author and netgalley for allowing me to read and review this adorable book.*

This book is perfect for any little ones that may be demonstrating some anxieties or newfound fears.  The moral is so powerful and so sweet- we all have a light within us and as we face our fears and let our shine, we’ll light the way for others, too.  I thought it was so clever to make the main character of the story a moth- a creature that fears the dark and wants to be where it’s bright and lit.  The 3 star rating is due to the fact that I felt like the book jumped to the end too quickly.  I like short children's books but it almost seems like this one could use an extra few pages in the middle to make the message even more compelling.  Nevertheless, it's the cutest concept and I’ll absolutely be looking for more from this author.  

This book is currently planned to be released on April 29, 2024.