Candlewick Picture Book Feast for ages 3 to 7 [4-Book Giveaway - USA/CANADA]

One Mean Ant by Arthur Yorinks & illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier (Ages 3-7)

My thoughts: Not only is this one very mean, disagreeable ant he also seems to have a "foul mouth" though it is moderated and has a "lash out at everything" personality. The take-away from this book seems to be that sometimes folks are mean because they are hurting. Kind folks help hurting folks. But that seems a marginal "take-away."

I simply don't care for the book, and for the ant. The ending leaves one wondering if ant and fly are going to be eaten/killed by the deadly looking spider into whose web they are headed.


About the book: Was there ever an ant as mean as this mean ant? Not likely. This ant is so mean that leaves fall off trees when he walks by. This ant is so mean that grapes shrivel when he looks at them. But when this mean ant finds himself lost in the desert and meets a fly that defies explanation . . . well, nothing is the same again. With this first in a planned trilogy, celebrated picture book creators Arthur Yorinks and Sergio Ruzzier team up for a hilariously slapstick tale that will make a raucous read-aloud for any storytime.

The Blunders: A Counting Catastrophe! by Christina Soontornvat & illustrated by Colin Jack (Ages 3-7)

My thoughts: This is a cute book,  but the kids seem to lack a sense of math "how to" and that is disturbing to me. The family name is "Blunder" which is what the kiddies seem to be doing over and over. Making mistakes in various ways around the house. So the kids blunder through just how many of them there are.

A good choice for checking out at the library and for a quick read. Not memorable.

About the book: It’s not even lunchtime, and already the ten Blunder children have messed up the laundry, the bathtub, and taking care of the animals. They are driving their mother up the wall. So she sends them out to play with just two rules: keep track of one another and make sure everyone is home by sunset. As the day draws to an end, each Blunder tries counting the others — forward and backward, in English and Spanish, and even by twos and three — but comes up with only nine. Uh-oh! Will their mother forgive the biggest blunder of all? Inspired by a common folktale, Christina Soontornvat shares a humorous story about ten kids who just can’t get things right, while Colin Jack’s adorable artwork lets readers in on the joke that each child is forgetting to count him- or herself.

Dandelion’s Dream by Yoko Tanaka (Ages 3-7)

My thoughts:  The illustrations in this wordless book are breathtaking. Using a simple pallet of blacks, grey, yellow, and white the artist takes the imaginative reader into a field of dandelions where we embark on a fantasy in Dandelion's Dream.

Dandelion dreams of roaming and so he lifts off on his floating, traveling journey as a dreamer enjoying his fantasies. He dreams of lifting, floating, flying. He dreams of fields, cities, seas. And his dream takes him back to his place of being and he is transformed into the fluffy seed "flower" that is the dandelion and then the real journey begins.

Delightfully beautiful with lots of art crafted on the pages for thoughtful perusal.

I recommend this book.

About the book: In a meadow filled with dandelion buds just about to flower, one dandelion blooms into a real lion. Roots and leaves unfurl into four tiny paws and a long tail with a fluffy yellow tuft. What a great, wide world there is to explore when you have paws instead of roots: there are fast trains to ride, regal ships to sail, and cities with lights as bright as Dandelion’s field in full bloom. But will a real lion ever be content to go back to being a rooted dandelion? Yoko Tanaka’s exquisite illustrations take us on an adventure where even the smallest seeds contain cosmic dreams.

Dot Unplugged by  from Candlewick Entertainment (Ages 4-6)

My thoughts: Definitely a kiddie book for today's family that is totally plugged in to an assortment of tech devices. The devices constantly consume them. However, they have to "power down" when the power actually goes down.

So they have to think about how they can entertain themselves and keep busy without power and technology.

National Day of Unplugging was March 6-7 so we missed it. But you and your family can have your own day to unplug your devices and rediscover each other, yourself, and your world.

Good idea and cute presentation.

About the book: It’s pouring rain, and the power’s gone out at Dot’s house. Should they take it as a challenge to honor the National Day of Unplugging? Playing outside is out of the question, and so is using the many devices Dot is accustomed to. But what might the basement hold? Dot, her friend Hal, Mom, Dad, and Scratch find lots of exciting stuff, including an old spinner game. It turns out it’s super fun to watch Dad do charades, Mom speed-sculpt from clay, Hal tweet-sing a song, and Dot hunt for something surprising. Their improvised game keeps them so entertained, they just might decide to stay unplugged a bit longer!

GIVEAWAY

2 Winners, Each Win 4 Books

Begins March 7

Ends April 5 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA & CANADA Addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclosure: I received complimentary copies of these books to facilitate a review or spotlight. Any opinions are mine, alone. Winners' prizes are provided and shipped directly to the winner by Candlewick Press or its publicist.