Anna G.
Loved when my mother would read this to me as a child. Now, I enjoy reading it with my own children. Books about a mother's unrelenting love are always so, so good.
Loved when my mother would read this to me as a child. Now, I enjoy reading it with my own children. Books about a mother's unrelenting love are always so, so good.
Didn't like it as much as The Mitten, or Hedgie's Surprise, or some of Brett's other works, but this one was entertaining, had good basic Spanish exposure, and the illustrations are 5 stars, as always with Jan Brett.
Didn't like it as much as The Mitten, or Hedgie's Surprise, or some of Brett's other works, but this one was entertaining, had good basic Spanish exposure, and the illustrations are 5 stars, as always with Jan Brett.
Pinduli has strong visual appeal, with expressive, well-executed illustrations and moments of humor that are genuinely amusing. The story’s premise—animals learning a lesson after being unkind—is clear, and the twist involving Pinduli’s disguise is meant to be playful and lighthearted.
However, the narrative leans heavily on a spiritual element involving a “bad spirit” or omen coming to set things right, even though this is later revealed to be a misunderstanding. While the explanation resolves the plot, the framing still introduces ideas of evil spirits and supernatural fear that I personally prefer to avoid in children’s books. For families who are cautious about exposing young children to those concepts, this aspect may be off-putting.
Overall, while the artwork and humor have merit, the underlying spiritual framing significantly limited this book’s appeal for our family. It may work fine for readers who are comfortable with those themes, but it wasn’t a good fit for us, which ultimately impacts the rating.
Pinduli has strong visual appeal, with expressive, well-executed illustrations and moments of humor that are genuinely amusing. The story’s premise—animals learning a lesson after being unkind—is clear, and the twist involving Pinduli’s disguise is meant to be playful and lighthearted.
However, the narrative leans heavily on a spiritual element involving a “bad spirit” or omen coming to set things right, even though this is later revealed to be a misunderstanding. While the explanation resolves the plot, the framing still introduces ideas of evil spirits and supernatural fear that I personally prefer to avoid in children’s books. For families who are cautious about exposing young children to those concepts, this aspect may be off-putting.
Overall, while the artwork and humor have merit, the underlying spiritual framing significantly limited this book’s appeal for our family. It may work fine for readers who are comfortable with those themes, but it wasn’t a good fit for us, which ultimately impacts the rating.
Added to listBest Early Readerswith 14 books.
Added to listBest Family Read-Aloudswith 18 books.
Dance at Grandpa’s is a charming and wholesome picture book that feels especially well suited for toddlers and young children. The story is warm, simple, and inviting, capturing the joy of family gatherings while gently introducing children to the rhythms of everyday life in earlier times. It offers a lovely window into the past—showing how families lived, celebrated, and spent time together—without feeling distant or heavy.
The tone is reassuring and affectionate, making it an easy and comforting read-aloud. Overall, this is a timeless book that supports an appreciation for family, tradition, and history in a way that feels natural and accessible for very young readers. A wonderful choice for early childhood and shared reading.
Dance at Grandpa’s is a charming and wholesome picture book that feels especially well suited for toddlers and young children. The story is warm, simple, and inviting, capturing the joy of family gatherings while gently introducing children to the rhythms of everyday life in earlier times. It offers a lovely window into the past—showing how families lived, celebrated, and spent time together—without feeling distant or heavy.
The tone is reassuring and affectionate, making it an easy and comforting read-aloud. Overall, this is a timeless book that supports an appreciation for family, tradition, and history in a way that feels natural and accessible for very young readers. A wonderful choice for early childhood and shared reading.
Chipmunk Song is a gentle and informative story with a creative premise, told from the perspective of a child imagining himself as a chipmunk. The idea is appealing, and the narrative weaves in natural details in a way that feels thoughtful rather than instructional. The illustrations are also beautifully done and atmospheric.
However, the execution was confusing for a younger listener. Because the boy is illustrated at the same scale as the chipmunks, the distinction between imagination and reality isn’t always clear. For very literal children, this can be unsettling rather than whimsical—my 3.5-year-old struggled to understand what was happening and even became worried that the boy had been buried or trapped underground. The abstract nature of the concept didn’t translate well at this age.
Overall, this is a strong book in concept and artistry, but it seems better suited for children around five and older who can grasp the imaginative leap and allegorical framing. While it didn’t work well for a toddler audience, it would likely shine with slightly older children who can appreciate the perspective shift and underlying idea.
Chipmunk Song is a gentle and informative story with a creative premise, told from the perspective of a child imagining himself as a chipmunk. The idea is appealing, and the narrative weaves in natural details in a way that feels thoughtful rather than instructional. The illustrations are also beautifully done and atmospheric.
However, the execution was confusing for a younger listener. Because the boy is illustrated at the same scale as the chipmunks, the distinction between imagination and reality isn’t always clear. For very literal children, this can be unsettling rather than whimsical—my 3.5-year-old struggled to understand what was happening and even became worried that the boy had been buried or trapped underground. The abstract nature of the concept didn’t translate well at this age.
Overall, this is a strong book in concept and artistry, but it seems better suited for children around five and older who can grasp the imaginative leap and allegorical framing. While it didn’t work well for a toddler audience, it would likely shine with slightly older children who can appreciate the perspective shift and underlying idea.
Added to listLiterary Nature Studywith 2 books.
Added to listEarly Childhood Bookswith 19 books.
Night Gliders is a beautifully crafted picture book that blends lyrical storytelling with exceptionally strong illustrations. The artwork brings the nighttime world of flying squirrels to life with warmth and movement, while the poetic text is rhythmic and engaging for young listeners, making it a pleasure to read aloud. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the book offers gentle, accurate insights into flying squirrels, making it an excellent and natural fit for a science study without feeling instructional. Overall, this is a standout picture book that balances art, language, and learning remarkably well, earning its place as both a read-aloud favorite and an educational companion. Can't wait to read more of Joanne Ryder's books.
Night Gliders is a beautifully crafted picture book that blends lyrical storytelling with exceptionally strong illustrations. The artwork brings the nighttime world of flying squirrels to life with warmth and movement, while the poetic text is rhythmic and engaging for young listeners, making it a pleasure to read aloud. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the book offers gentle, accurate insights into flying squirrels, making it an excellent and natural fit for a science study without feeling instructional. Overall, this is a standout picture book that balances art, language, and learning remarkably well, earning its place as both a read-aloud favorite and an educational companion. Can't wait to read more of Joanne Ryder's books.
My children ages 3–8 LOVE this book. There is SO MUCH to look at! We've borrowed it from the library multiple times. They love exploring all the pages and pictures and learning about things they've never seen before. This has promoted so much discussion in our family and I look forward to adding it to our family collection.
My children ages 3–8 LOVE this book. There is SO MUCH to look at! We've borrowed it from the library multiple times. They love exploring all the pages and pictures and learning about things they've never seen before. This has promoted so much discussion in our family and I look forward to adding it to our family collection.
Added to listBest Family Read-Aloudswith 18 books.
A classic picture book that explores big emotions—anger, imagination, and the pull of home—through a symbolic narrative. Maurice Sendak’s iconic illustrations expand and contract with Max’s emotional journey, and the wild things themselves are memorable in their mix of menace and warmth. That said, the book’s moody tone and abstract storytelling don’t resonate equally with all children, and some may find the imagery unsettling or the resolution too quiet and subtle. Overall, it’s an artistically significant and thoughtful book that works best with adult guidance and discussion, even if it isn’t a universal favorite.
A classic picture book that explores big emotions—anger, imagination, and the pull of home—through a symbolic narrative. Maurice Sendak’s iconic illustrations expand and contract with Max’s emotional journey, and the wild things themselves are memorable in their mix of menace and warmth. That said, the book’s moody tone and abstract storytelling don’t resonate equally with all children, and some may find the imagery unsettling or the resolution too quiet and subtle. Overall, it’s an artistically significant and thoughtful book that works best with adult guidance and discussion, even if it isn’t a universal favorite.
Our favorite bedtime book. Perfect for young toddlers.
Our favorite bedtime book. Perfect for young toddlers.
Added to listOwnedwith 20 books.
10 Reasons to Love a Bear has attractive, engaging artwork and presents factual information about bears in a way that is visually appealing. The illustrations are the clear strength of the book and work especially well for very young children who enjoy looking at animals and bold imagery.
However, alongside the facts, there is a strong emphasis on animal endangerment and a recurring undertone of human guilt and responsibility for these issues. While conservation is an important topic, the framing here feels heavy for a children’s board book, and the message comes through more strongly than I would prefer for this age group.
That said, as a board book, it functions well for babies and toddlers who are not yet reading. Used primarily as a visual book—something to flip through, point at, and talk about—it works much better, since the text and underlying message are unlikely to register with very young children.
Overall, this is a visually nice book with interesting facts, but the messaging limits its appeal for me. Best suited for casual, image-focused use with babies rather than intentional read-aloud time.
10 Reasons to Love a Bear has attractive, engaging artwork and presents factual information about bears in a way that is visually appealing. The illustrations are the clear strength of the book and work especially well for very young children who enjoy looking at animals and bold imagery.
However, alongside the facts, there is a strong emphasis on animal endangerment and a recurring undertone of human guilt and responsibility for these issues. While conservation is an important topic, the framing here feels heavy for a children’s board book, and the message comes through more strongly than I would prefer for this age group.
That said, as a board book, it functions well for babies and toddlers who are not yet reading. Used primarily as a visual book—something to flip through, point at, and talk about—it works much better, since the text and underlying message are unlikely to register with very young children.
Overall, this is a visually nice book with interesting facts, but the messaging limits its appeal for me. Best suited for casual, image-focused use with babies rather than intentional read-aloud time.
Mole and the Baby Bird is a gentle, quietly emotional picture book about care, responsibility, and learning when to let go. Mole’s instinct to help a fallen baby bird is tender and relatable, and the story does a good job showing how love can sometimes mean accepting uncomfortable truths rather than fixing everything.
The illustrations are soft and expressive, and the pacing allows young readers to sit with Mole’s feelings of concern, hope, and eventual understanding. The emotional arc is thoughtful without being heavy-handed, making it accessible for children while still offering something meaningful for adults reading aloud.
Overall, this is a sweet, contemplative book with a valuable lesson about compassion and boundaries. A solid choice, especially for shared reading and gentle discussion, even if it doesn’t quite rise to a standout favorite.
Mole and the Baby Bird is a gentle, quietly emotional picture book about care, responsibility, and learning when to let go. Mole’s instinct to help a fallen baby bird is tender and relatable, and the story does a good job showing how love can sometimes mean accepting uncomfortable truths rather than fixing everything.
The illustrations are soft and expressive, and the pacing allows young readers to sit with Mole’s feelings of concern, hope, and eventual understanding. The emotional arc is thoughtful without being heavy-handed, making it accessible for children while still offering something meaningful for adults reading aloud.
Overall, this is a sweet, contemplative book with a valuable lesson about compassion and boundaries. A solid choice, especially for shared reading and gentle discussion, even if it doesn’t quite rise to a standout favorite.
Added to listBest Early Readerswith 12 books.
