Candlewick Press brings joy to book-time with "No Buddy Like A Book" & "Road Trip! A Whiskers Hollow Adventure" [Review & Giveaway]

No Buddy Like a Book by poet Allan Wolf and illustrated by Brianne Farley (9781536203073 | $16.99 ($22.99 CAN) | Ages 4-8)

My thoughts:  This rollicking rhyming picture book is illustrated with a burst of imagination as the reader discovers the wealth of places, things, critters, and sites that you can enjoy when you allow your imagination to run amoke.

Lots of detail for young readers and listeners to ponder in the illustrations that will aid in the opening the mind's eye.

I found this a fun rhyme to read aloud and know it will capture the heart of youngsters to whom it is read. The young reader themselves will pick up the cadence and bounce along the pages of text and detailed pictures.

Really nice book.

About the book: Calling readers and daydreamers, word mavens and lovers of adventure! This celebration of the power of books is a rallying cry for letting imaginations soar.

We learn important stuff from books.

We learn to speak and think.

We learn why icebergs stay afloat…

and why Titanics sink.

Have you ever wanted to climb to the top of Everest with one hand behind your back? Kiss a crocodile all by yourself on the Nile River? How about learning how to bottle moonlight, or track a distant star? There are endless things to discover and whole universes to explore simply by reading a book. But books are only smears of ink without the reader’s mind to give their letters meaning and bring them to life. With a rollicking, rhyming text and delightful artwork, poet and storyteller Allan Wolf and illustrator Brianne Farley remind us that books, no matter how they may be consumed, give readers of every background an opportunity to expand their world and spark their imagination. With infectious enthusiasm, No Buddy Like a Book offers an ode to the wonders of language—written, spoken, and everything in between. Instagram & Twitter: @allanwolf100, Instagram: @briannehfarley | Twitter: @briannefarley

Road Trip! A Whiskers Hollow Adventure by Steve Light (9781536209471 | $16.99 ($22.99 CAN) | Ages 2-5)

My thoughts:  Such fun! Love the red truck and bear's gathering his friends to go on a road trip with him to search for a broken headlight replacement. He helps rabbit and mouse overcover their hesitation at taking a road trip and allows donkey to lead the way. The story is so much fun to read and shows how friends interact encouraging one another and simply having a lot of fun together.

The interaction of these Whisker's Hollow friends is really cute. Love the illustrations for their whimsey and expression. The details are plentiful though you have to look closely to thoroughly enjoy them. The dark lines sometimes seem to overpower the minute details in the pictures, though I really like the creativity of this artist.

I think kids will really love this one.

About the book: Head over to Whiskers Hollow—the whimsically detailed new world from Steve Light—and hop in with Bear and friends for a fun road trip to Elephant’s Old Junk Tree.

When Bear’s old truck needs a new headlight, there’s just one thing to do: organize a road trip to Elephant’s Old Junk Tree to find a new one. And a road trip wouldn’t be complete without friends! Bear brings along Rabbit, who wants assurances that there will be snacks; timid, cautious Mouse; and ever-positive Donkey. After a day of adventure and misadventure, will the four friends find what they need? Welcome to the charming world of Whiskers Hollow, where the inhabitants zip around on tree branches in unique vehicles and treasure can be found in the unlikeliest of places (even a mud puddle!). Steve Light’s signature intricate illustrations and lively original story will delight readers again and again.

GIVEAWAY

2 books for 1 winner

Begins March 11

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

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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's prize is provided by and shipped directly to the winner by Candlewick Press or its publicist. Chat With Vera is not responsible or lost or misdirected prizes.