Dreaming of Mocha

by An Swerts

illustrations by Eline Van Lindenhuizen

age range: 4 years old and up

Clavis Books

Florence wants a dog so bad... Any dog. It doesn't matter if it is fat, or thin. Quite or wild. Florence would love to have a dog to play and take care of. Mom and dad don't think it is a good idea, so Florence dreams of finding a homeless dog. And the way sometimes happens, her dreams come true. One afternoon a sloppy dog appears in her own garden! His name is Mocha, and it is love at first sight...
At first Florence tries to hide Mocha in her bedroom, but mom finds out in no time. After that she boycotts her parents' posters in search for Mocha's owner. She changes the phone number, and even draws eyeglasses and a mustache in Mocha's picture in order to disguise him. But despite all her efforts Leon appears one day at Florence's door looking for his dog, and he is nothing like her imagined he would be. He is not a despicable person who frightens Mocha away. He is actually a sweet old man happy to find his dog, and Mocha evidently loves him. What is Florence suppose to do now?

Loving story which crushes your heart, but finally leaves you with a big smile in your face. Florence is like any other kid, and her feelings are the main theme in this book. She goes from hopeful to happy, and from nervous to sad, and even confused and guilty.
The illustrations are gorgeous, with an ideal balance between white and color, and focused in all those feelings and in Florence and Mocha relationship. Dreaming of Mocha is a book made for read and reread. 

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

I will always be happy to see you

by Ellen DeLange & Jenny Meilihove

age range: up to 4 or 5 years old

Clavis Books

It doesn't matter how much trouble the little doggy gets into, the girl is always happy to see him. Very cute story to let little kids know about their parents' unconditional love, while reading the dog's monkeyshines. Bright and beautiful pictures. An excellent bedtime story to go to sleep feeling loved.

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

Me and my cat

by Michael Dahl

age range: 2 to 5 years old

Capstone Young Readers

Having a pet is wonderful, and cats make awesome pets. However, it is important to know that cats and kids not always enjoy the same things. While lying in the sun together is fun for both of them, go into the pool isn't something a kitty usually enjoys.

The book explains in a very simple way the differences between the things kids and cats like to do, highlighting the importance to be considerate and respectful with your cat. With pretty illustrations, the book makes a great resource to build responsibility toward pets. It also counts with a companion book, Me and my dog, that I expect to read soon. 

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

Madeline Finn and the library dog

text and illustrations by Lisa Papp

age range: 3 years old and up

Peachtree Publishers

Madeline Finn doesn't like to read. And reading aloud is even worse. She just hates it. Many times she can't figure out the words in the page, or they just get stuck in her mouth when she tries to say them. Madeline would like to earn a star at school for being a star-reader, but she only gets keep-on-trying stickers, plus some giggles from her classmates when she makes a mistake.

One day when she visits the library she is offered to read a book to Bonnie, a big, white, flurry dog. Bonnie is a great listener. She doesn't giggle, she is patient when Madeline Finn's words come out all wrong, and she doesn't mind about slow reading. After many Saturdays reading to Bonnie, Madeline Finn is ready to try at school. It's difficult at the beginning, but she takes a deep breath and just pretends to be reading to Bonnie.

Beautiful, beautiful, book about being patient and keep on trying when we fail in doing something. Madeline's dislike for reading is nothing more than her anger for not being able to do it right. She is being too hard on herself, and that only make things more difficult. But Madeline learns from Bonnie to be patient and forgiving. The illustrations are marvelous. There is something so calm and vivid at the same time in them. Highly recommended.

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

Presidential pets

The weird, wacky, little, big, scary, strange

animals that have lived in the White House.

by Julia Moberg

illustrated by Jeff Albrecht Studios

age range: 6 to 10 years old

Perfect read for the presidential year. Many different animals have lived in the White House, and not only dogs, cats and goldfish, but also elephants, horses, ponies, alligators, cows, bears, a foul-mouthed (or foul-beaked?) parrot, sheep, tigers, silkworm, and more. Each president is introduced with his pet or pets with a short poem, and then other interesting facts are provided about the pet, and the president's term.

I enjoyed the book, it is interesting and amusing. I would not recommend to read it from cover to cover in one seat, since it might weaken the effect, and become repetitive, but a couple of presidents a day sounds like a good approach. The illustrations are very humorous too. Great non-fiction option to get kids interested in social studies topics.

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