Lonely Bird's Dream by Ruth Whiting
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| ISBN: 9781536226195 |
My thoughts: Ruth Whiting, author/illustrator of the Lonely Bird stories, has out-shone herself in Lonely Bird's Dream. It is even more enjoyable and lovely than the first of Lonely Bird's stories (click for my review).
As this lonely bit of a paper bird imaginatively and quite by his lonesome self dreams of how to acquire his ability to fly and be as real birds, he does his research and discovery, designs or records his plan to accomplish his task, and assembles his materials. He then creates and tests.
Along the way he is befriended and given an assist to help him along his dream plan. A sweet story of inquisitiveness, creativity, achievement, failure, assistance, and contentment. I recommend.
About the book: Longing to fly, a near-wingless paper bird puts her creativity to work in this visually stunning follow-up to Lonely Bird.
One night, Lonely Bird has a dream.
She wakes with the memory of riding the wind.
There must be a way.
If Lonely Bird is a bird, why doesn’t she have feathers and wings like the birds she sees through the windows of her home? Why can’t she fly? A curious and inventive soul, Lonely Bird studies drawings of old-fashioned flying machines, conducts delicate experiments with feathers, and constructs her own little marvels as she pursues her elusive goal. Will the inevitable bumps and perils along the way ground her for good, or will she rise up to try again? In Lonely Bird’s second adventure, author-illustrator Ruth Whiting launches her artistic heroine on a tenacious exploration of identity, set in an enchanting miniature world that may just exist on the edge of our own.
Aisha's Colors by Nabila Adani
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| ISBN: 9781536235401 |
My thoughts: This beautiful and colorful story focuses on young Aisha as he and his parents travel for their vacation trip to see his grandmother. He is wishful and discontent because his friends are vacationing in snowy or beachy places so much different from his family's trip to see a relative. A trip often taken with nothing new and different to experience.
As they travel Aisha speaks of a different friend's place to visit and what they'll experience and then Aisha realizes that he, too, will experience much the same colorful and visual joy as his friends.
But in the end he realizes that his most joyful (noted as the joyful color yellow) place is at the side of his Grandmother. The story is about an Indonesian family but could apply to a family anywhere.
A lovely story of joy in family.
About the book: Why can’t Aisha go on colorful, faraway vacations like her friends? A bighearted, universal story about living in the moment and seeing the beauty on your own doorstep.
Every year on vacation, Aisha and her parents take the same trip from their home in Jakarta to Grandma’s village in the countryside. This year, Aisha wants to see something different! Like the crunchy white snow her friend Jennie will explore (sort of like that white frozen treat Aisha enjoys on the road). Or the blue swimming pool that Dismas is floating in (almost as blue as the sparkling sea that Aisha can see out her window). And those tropical fish her neighbor saw at the aquarium—were they like the rainbow kites Aisha sees soaring in the sky? In both words and light, airy illustrations, first-time author Nabila Adani brings home an appreciation of the simple beauties around us—and the special warmth of family that welcomes you with open arms.
Eli and the Uncles by Jehan Madhani & illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh
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| ISBN: 9781536228113 |
My thoughts: This is an unusual story where a bunch of uncles (assuming they are all one family) are taking care of young Eli who has been left in the care of the Uncles by his mother. An unusual story of an unusual care group.
The story points out the varied beard styles of the assorted uncles and how they are all different in personality as well as appearance.
The story is repetitive and ends rather abruptly with a sleepy Eli and his Mom driving off at end of day. The story is that of an Arabic culture but can embrace any other culture or people group equally as well.
About the book: Young Eli gets to spend a whole day with his eight adoring uncles—each one bigger and taller than the last, and each with an outsized personality to match, from Aman the dancer to Riz the joke teller. Even better, every one of the uncles sports his own unique set of whiskers! Short or long, curly or straight, bristly or soft, whatever the style or texture, every especially elegant beard is a sight to behold (and a sleepy-time aid for Eli as he says his good-nights one by one). With delightful warmth and whimsy, author Jehan Madhani and award-winning illustrator Rashin Kheiriyeh present a hilarious, hirsute countdown to bedtime that will have young readers and listeners dreaming of woolly beards instead of woolly sheep.
Pavlo Gets the Grumps by Natalia Shaloshvili
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| ISBN: 9781536235548 |
My thoughts: A pouty, grumpy kitten is down in the dumps and mama cat tries to sooth Pavlo out of the grumps. The illustrations are cute and capture the grumpy emotions of Pavlo.
This is such a cheerful book of pulling someone despairing in the grumps (or depression) out of those dark, grumpy feelings and getting out and about and finding the joy in being and doing.
A sweet, good book.
About the book: For those days when everything feels blah, a picture-book-shaped hug offered with humor and tenderness by a gifted Ukrainian artist.
Pavlo does not feel like going to the park. Not today. He does not want to go swimming. He even says no to the movies. What’s going on, Pavlo?
Pavlo has the grumps. Though Mama suggests one fun activity after another, Pavlo doesn’t want to do any of them. Can anything cheer him up on this down day? Capturing a range of emotions through nuanced expressions and a simple text, Natalia Shaloshvili’s comforting picture book looks at familiar childhood feelings, suggesting that grumpy days, sadness, and even anger happen to everyone. But that’s OK—good friends and family will love you anyway. And who knows what might happen if you decide to give that big slide a try after all?
GIVEAWAY
2 books: Lonely Bird's Dream & Eli & the Uncles
Begins January 8
Ends February 7 @ 12:01 a.m. EST
Open to USA addresses only.
DISCLOSURE: I received complimentary copies of books to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Secret word: Dream - Winner's prize books are provided and sent directly to the winner by Candlewick Press or its publicist. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.
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