Very Christmas

by Simone Mets

cover illustration Jana Pivkova

age range: 5 years old and up

What a wonderful Christmas Story! 

This is the blurb from the book's webpage:

"When Santa’s workshop is destroyed by a ferocious storm, even the richest man in the world is stumped for a way to save Christmas.  Just when everyone seems to give up all hope, the unstumpable Ava Buttons, together with her friends, discover a way to make Christmas wishes come true.  Motivated by a desire to help others, Ava converts even her naughtiest friend, Rowdy Meyers, from an enthusiastic getter to a champion giver."  

It is a fact. Santa workshop is destroyed, all the presents are lost, and all the "Dear Santa" letters returned to the senders. Not even the richest man in the city with all his money can fix this. Christmas is not coming this year. 

Ava and her friends are incredibly sad. There must be something they can do to save Christmas. But what? Reading the returned letters, Ava realized that she can fulfill one of the wishes giving one of her toys. What if each of them do the same? Would they be able to fulfill all the wishes? They can at least try. The outcome is exceptional. The pile of presents is huge, but more important the good feeling of give to other is gigantic. So gigantic it also reaches Rowdy, the most self-interested kid at school. 

Focused in how it is more important and comforting to give than receive, this story is funny and heartwarming. It left you smiling and hopeful. It is also funny, with lovely characters, and an interesting layout. All of this without giving away Santa's identity secret. 

As you can see the cover is beautiful. This is not exactly a picture book, but more of a short story. Although there are some small illustration, these are particularly details, not full page pictures. I decide to label it for kids 5 years old and up thinking in the amount of text, and specially the amount of time it needs to be read, that probably it is too much for a toddler. 

Great story! Give it a try. 

I received this copy from the author through 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.

The Gargoyle in the Dump

by John Bellaris

Short story.

Age range: middle grade

I wasn't familiar with Mr. Bellaris's work, and I enjoyed this short story very much. It tells the story of three brothers, Michael, David and Fonsy, who one summer find an old gargoyle in a nearby dump. The gargoyle happens to be magic, and starts talking to them. The kids decide to bring it home, where a few adventures take place. The most interesting part is when the gargoyle dreams about the things it has seen, and the kids are able to see the images of when the gargoyle was ripped out from the St. Denis Basilica in Paris during the French Revolution, at the same time that the bodies of many monarchs were removed from the crypt too.
Only a few pages but totally enjoyable.


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



    

Basilica of Saint Denis gargoyles. Images source.