Adorable, life-lesson teaching children's picture books from Candlewick [Review & Giveaway - USA/CANADA]

Sometimes, All I Need Is Me by Juliana Perdomo

My thoughts:  A lovely book that endorses the individual's social needs and times when the individual doesn't actually need to socially interact with others. This is a truth that needs to be shared more frequently. Humans need "alone" time to wind down, relax, rest, and come to terms with their own inner being without the intrusion of all the activities of the beehive of life that surrounds.

So if your child likes to sit and play in a corner, perhaps that is all they need at the moment. And sometimes if your child is enveloped in the continual activities, people, and noises of life, they may need a break away from it all to be themselves. They need to discover that they can be alone, they can depend on themselves alone, and they can find that they are good to be with just themselves alone.

This sweet book shows the child at peace with being and interacting with all that is around her in the world, but it also shows that she is quite at peace with just her own self and being by herself.

A good book.

About the book: Gentle themes of resiliency, mindfulness, and self-care are brought home in this sweet and soulful picture book with charmingly graphic illustrations and a poetic text.

I love listening to music, especially samba!
It feels like my heart follows the beat.

Meet a young girl who loves her cozy home. It smells like cinnamon tea and feels like warm pajamas. But even when she’s away from home, and everything is different, she finds a way to become her own home, where she feels calm. At night, when it’s too dark and her feet are cold, her room can be a little scary. But she creates her own light when she closes her eyes and thinks of the sun. With friendliness and charm, Juliana Perdomo, in her debut as author-illustrator, shows young readers how to find comfort and confidence within. Her heartwarming picture book reassures children that sometimes, everything we need—courage, joy, peace, and love—is already inside us.

 

Tisha and the Blossom by Wendy Meddour & illustrated by Daniel Egnéus 

My thoughts:  This delightful book could almost be a chastisement to adults for all the "hurry up" they cast into a child's life. True, children procrastinate, piddle-along, meander in steps and thoughts and true they need to be encouraged to "hurry up" from time to time.

But we see in little Tisha's day that it is a constant hurry up she hears from the adults in her life. She sees so much about her that she is missing out on because of the rush of activity.

So when she gets home she finally asks for some "slow down."

This story is a gentle and lovely reminder that though we do need to hurry in life, we also need to slow down and delight in the loveliness around us.

About the book: Tisha and Mommy are always having to hurry up. What would happen if they slowed down? A gentle, gorgeously illustrated story of mindfulness—and sharing the small moments.

Tisha was catching a blossom in her backyard.

“Hurry up,” cried Mommy. “You’ll be late for school.”

Tisha has spent the entire day rushing. She has to hustle for the bus in the morning, though she wants to stop and listen to the sounds around her. She has to quickly put her crayons away at school, though she’s not finished with her drawing. She even has to speed through recess so she doesn’t miss lunch. So when Mommy picks her up, Tisha asks if they can please “have a little slowdown.” What if they walked instead of taking the bus? What if they counted cars and seagulls, umbrellas and hats? What if they simply sat on a bench in the sunshine and gave names to the pigeons in the park? From the creators of Grandpa’s Top Threes comes a beautifully illustrated, tenderly told story about taking the time to experience the world around us, listen to one another, and enjoy the little things in life. 

The Boy with Flowers in His Hair by Jarvis

My thoughts:  This is a gentle, teaching book that encourages compassion and understanding for someone who is going through a difficult time. It is actually helpful to adults to understand how to explain the "seasons of life" to a child and how they can be helpful and understanding.

Similar to an allegory, the flowers in the boy's hair depict the joyful, happy season of life. During such a season there is loveliness and outgoing sharing of this happy time.

When the flowers disappear, spiky stems remain and they are not pretty. They are prickly and fearful to be around. And the other children shy away from this unloveliness.

And then..... another child shows understanding, caring, and coping mechanisms.

An excellent book!

About the book: Jarvis offers a moving tale of friendship, kindness, and acceptance, softly touching on the subjects of illness or hardship in a way that young children can understand.

Everyone likes David, the boy with flowers in his hair. He’s sweet and gentle, just like his colorful petals. David and his best friend have a great time together, finding the good puddles, making up songs, and running away from the bees. But one day David comes to school wearing a hat, and he is quiet. When he takes off the hat, his bright petals flutter down like butterflies. Now, where his flowers were looks twiggy and prickly, causing the other children to stay away. But David’s best friend has an idea—a way to help David get his color back, wielding paintbrushes and plenty of love. Sensitively told and simply illustrated, Jarvis’s story invites even the youngest children to talk about difficult subjects in an age-appropriate way—and feel inspired to support others when they face trying times. 

GIVEAWAY

2 winners, each 3 books

Begins August 26

Ends September 21 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT

Open to USA & CANADA addresses only

Canadian winner must provide phone number

No P.O. Boxes

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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