Plastic Soup

by Judith Koppens & Andy Engel

illustrations by Nynke Mare Talsma

age range: 4+ years old

Clavis Publishing

A group of friends are super excited about a beach day, but they get very disappointed when plastic grocery bags start getting tangled in their bodies when they go for a swim. When they look around they see that there is not only plastic bags, but bottles, plastic containers, and more. Hedgehog has read about it. All the plastic we throw away ends in the oceans. They have an idea. They don't want to throw away all the plastic bags they have brought to the beach. They decide to make kites with them.

I liked this story. It is true that it is simple compared with the complex plastic problem we have, but this is a picture book for little kids, and I think that the first step of feeling we can do something is essential. At the end there is also a plan/suggestion to paint your own cotton bag to use it for groceries, and never again use the plastic ones again. A nice and purposeful summer activity.
The illustrations are also cute, colorful. I kind of feel like going to the ocean. :)

I received this book from Clavis Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Animals do, too!

by Etta Kaner

illustrations by Marilyn Faucher

age range: 4 years old and up

Kids Can Press

Kids love to pretend they are animals, and roar, walk on four legs, or move they arms like flying. For this reason I find the idea of this book incredibly interesting. Animals sometimes "act like kids", since they also dance, play tag or leapfrog, have piggyback rides. For each of these examples there is an explanation for this behavior. Grey Tree Frogs, for example, blow bubbles to build a nest on trees above water where they lay their eggs, allowing the tadpole to fall into the water when they hatch.

The illustrations are colorful and bright, and help to compare kids and animals doing the same activity. I liked that the kids are shown in different spaces, like a park, beach or their home, and accompanied by their family and friends. Each animal is also portrayed in its environment and surrounded by their own. Beautiful picture book. 

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The year of the garden

by Andrea Cheng

illustrated by Patrice Barton

age range: 6 to 9 years old

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

The year of the garden is a prequel to The year of the book and the Anna Wang Series. In this novel Anna meets Laura who, like her, has just moved into the neighborhood. They like each other right away, but sometimes it is not that easy to be friends. Even being the same age and prospect of attending the same school at the end of the summer is not always enough. They like to do different things, and have different personalities. Sometimes the different cultural background plays its part too. But they learn to focus in what they have in common, and the importance to know more about each other to better understand their interests, fears and dreams. Making a garden and saving a little bunny prove to be amazing plans to do together. 

This short novel was a pleasure to read. The story is sweet, with lovely characters. It not only is funny, but it has simple facts about seeds, flowers, soil, bunnies, Chinese food and festivities, soccer, and specially friendship, and how some difficulties don't mean it is impossible. Friendship is something we build while growing in the process. And it's worth it. There are many cute illustrations along the pages, which make the layout of the book beautiful. Looking forward to read the rest of the series!

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Animal planet strange, unusual, gross and cool animals

by Charles Ghigna

age range: 7 years old and up

Animal Planet
Time Inc. Books

Have you ever seen a vampire squid? Did you know that the proboscis monkeys are born with blue faces? Would you like to take a close look at a water dragon's eye? This book contains a huge amount of interesting things to read and learn about a wide range of animals. It is diveded in four parts, Strange, Unusual, Gross and Cool, although many animals are all these things at the same time! And the pictures are wonderful and abundant.

I found this book surprisingly absorbing. It is all a curious kid would enjoy. The facts are punctual and concrete. The text accessible for the age range. To make the content more clear some animals are joined according to one feature, like "Venomous Creatures" or "Newly Discovered Cratures", while some other are portrayed individually for a deeper view, as in chapter such as "Thorny Dragon" or "Blue-footed booby". And again, the photography is amazing. A strange, unusual, gross and cool addition for the non fiction shelf!

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Whose poop is that?

by Darrin Lunde

illustrated by Kelsey Oseid

age: 4 to 7 years old

Charlesbridge

Although it might sound like an accusation, the title is actually a scientific inquiry. Using seven different animals as example, the author shows how many things we can learn from observing and studying (in the case of scientists) poop. In poop we can find bits of bones, feathers, fur, and twigs. Poop also has different appearance, shape, color depending on the animal and its diet. Sometimes something that looks like poop could be vomit, since this is another way animals waste undigested food. A list of facts at the end of the books adds some more interesting information like the importance of poop for the environment, and how it is used to build a nest, mark territory, or spread seeds. 

This topic is very interesting for kids. We all know kids love "gross stuff". The information is presented in a funny and concise way. The pictures illustrate well the differences between the different "samples" without being gross, and without distracting the attention from the nutritional and digestive facts being discussed. And the animals are cute. I really think this non fiction picture book will be a win.

By the way... I never thought I would write a review with the word "poop" so many times in it... 

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The branch

by Mireille Messier

illustrated by Pierre Pratt

age range: 3 years old and up

Kids Can Press

It wasn't just a branch. It was her ship, a castle, her throne, her spy base. That's why when the branch falls during a heavy storm, the girl doesn't want to let it go. She wants to keep it for ever. Mom doesn't like the idea. Thankfully Mr. Frank, her next door neighbor, sees the branch's potential. Her branch can become something great after all. Together they work for a long time on the branch until it is ready to be again a ship, a castle, a throne, a spy base.

I liked many things about this story. I liked all the imagination involved in the girl's (screen free) games, and the love she has for those memories. I liked all the talk about potential, finding a new purpose for the branch, transform it in something great, new but still her branch. I liked the beautiful relationship that grows between her and Mr. Frank. I find cute and important to recognize what elderly people has to give to little kids. They have the time and knowledge to share, and this story, like others I have read recently such as Harry and Walter and Maggie McGillicuddy's eye for trouble, make a point of it. The illustrations are colorful and bright, and in them the branch never looks like just a branch. 

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The toad

by Elise Gravel

age range: 4 to 6 years old

Tundra Books

The toad is part of the Disgusting critters Series. It is a non-fiction picture book about all you want to know about toads: how are they related to frogs, where they live and what they eat, the different kind of toads that exist, what are those bumps in their skin, tadpoles, and more. It also brings to the reader attention the fact that toads are useful for we human since they eat pests, and the fact that pollution is putting their existence at risk. 

This is the first book in the series we have read, and we really enjoyed it. It is not easy to find non-fiction picture books addressed to this age range, which are not boring or too difficult. In this case the text is accessible, with clear and concise facts shown in a funny way. The illustrations are a great accompaniment without distracting the attention from the text.

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Oliver saves the nature center

by Andrew Kranichfeld

illustrated by Sally Tobin

age range: 9 to 12 years old

Great read for Earth Day!

Oliver is an environmental educator at a nature center. Today he is planning to work at the pond. When he is walking on the wooded path, he hears someone talking to him. He can't see anyone near, and imagine his surprise when he discovers a big red and black painted turtle is the one talking to him!

The turtle is seeking for Oliver's help to save the nature center and her habitat. She explains to Oliver how the garbage, the cars, and other hazards are affecting the animals and the environment. She also asks Oliver to fix the greenhouse, abandoned long time ago.

Lots of people joins Oliver in the hard, but worthy work, of saving the nature center, and the results are amazing.

The story is entertaining and brings up many environmental issues. It's written in a easy to understand way, and includes a good amount of beautiful illustrations. At the end you will find activities, such as crosswords,  word search and jumble letters, plus a list of questions meant to encourage critical thinking. A cute leprechaun is also hidden in the pictures, waiting to be discovered by the reader.

I received this copy from the author in exchange of a honest review.