The measly virus

by Emma Vincent

Illustrated by Laura Watson

This is such a good book! The message is clear and shown in a funny, playful way. The illustrations are colorful and attractive. The measly virus is nice enough to don't be frightening, but ugly enough to don't look cute.

I've heard so many times my kids being explained how by being vaccinated they can avoid getting badly sick,  but the social aspect of vaccination is rarely addressed. In this story kids can learn about measles, how you catch it, how bad you feel when you are sick with this disease, AND how by getting vaccinated you not only keep yourself healthy, but help to protect people who is too weak or too young to receive the vaccine. It's a wonderful way of being generous and responsible. Kids can be superheroes!

THE MEASLY VIRUS is dedicated to Riley Hughes, a baby who passed away at the beginning of this year after catching Pertussis. Part of the proceeds from this book sales are donated in Hughes memory to Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation to support research on Pertussis disease, and promote vaccination. 

Visit Emma Vincent at her website.

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

"Well, I must endure the presence of a few caterpillars if I wish to become acquainted with the butterflies."

The Little Prince

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

My house is falling apart.

by Rachel Schade

Illustrated by Barbara Laney

My house is always falling apart, so the title of this book immediately caught my attention.  This is a funny story written in rhyming verse. The illustrations are amusing, and the style is really interesting, since it's not the typical illustration of a typical picture book.  I found them in absolute concordance with the text. I liked to know they were made by the author's grandmother.

So many loopy things happen in this house! No wonder why this little girl is going crazy! My 2 years old son's verdict: "It was funny!" And I'm not surprised. Little ones really enjoy stories where common objects are personified, engaged in weird chit chat, and being silly.

Great option for a "giggling" moment!

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

You can visit and contact Rachel in her facebook and Instagram profiles.

Lilliput

by Sam Gayton

Illustrated by Alice Ratteree

Since he came back to London after his travels, Gulliver only has been ridiculed and laughed at. Nobody believes his stories about small people and talking horses. He needs a proof. That's why Gulliver comes back to Lilliput and kidnaps Lilly, who would be the proof he needs. Now they live in an attic in London while Gulliver writes a book about his travels, and Lilly tries endlessly to escape and come back to Lilliput.

This is the start point for Lilliput, a very well written fantastic story about friendship, perseverance and hope.

The book proved to be a page turner. The tension in the last chapters is amazing. I don't want to spoil the story, so I'm not giving any details here, but everything came perfectly together at the end. It would do a great movie.

I also loved the pictures. Ratteree is such a talented illustrator! They really helped to build the sense of time and space.There are many illustrations in the book, and I wish there were even more!

I'm glad this author entered my radar range.

Age suggestion: 10 to 12 years old. (I've seen it recommended for the 8 to 10 age range, but I would say some parts are kind of "intense", so I decided to pull the range a little up)

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

The Lion and the Mouse

Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

Pinkney's wordless version of Aaesop's falbe The lion and the mouse is incredibly beautiful!

This fable is well known by all of us. The lion decides to spare the mouse's life after she perturbed him when he was napping. This favor will be returned when the lion is caught in a trap and the mouse frees him.

It's a beautiful story where the tiny mouse and the king of the animals show to be equally vulnerable when  in danger, and equally great in kindness.

The illustrations are magnificent and impressive. The message is definitively well expressed through the pages.

I'm really interested in take a look at other Pinkney's works.

Age range: 4 to 99 years old!

I don't want to be a frog.

By Dev Petty

Illustrated by Mike Boldt

This frog would rather be something cute and warm like a pig or a cat. Being a frog is to wet and slimy. His father will patiently explain once and again why he can't be a bunny... or an owl...

But of course the little frog will find out by himself the advantages of being a frog. For example not being part of some frightening individual's food chain!

Funny story with two adorable characters. It is completely written in dialog form, and speech bubbles are used. The pictures are attractive, colorful without being strident. 

Age range: 4 to 7 years old.

Sidewalk Flowers

Review:

by JonArno Lawson

and Sydney Smith

Sidewalk Flowers in a wordless story, and I don't think is a good idea to put it into too many words here. But I wanted to bring this book into your attention because it really worth a try. This story is a tribute to the small gestures that make big differences.