Chanticleer Book Reviews

Tag: Animal Stories

  • The Adventures of Mrs. Crockess and Ivy: No Pockets? No Problem! by Julia Kolouch and illustrated by Petros Bouloubasis – Picture Books, Children’s Humorous Books, Animal Stories

     

    The Adventures of Mrs. Crockess and Ivy: No Pockets? No Problem! by Julia Kolouch, illustrated by Petros Bouloubasis, is a wacky tale of innovative solutions to one of life’s greatest struggles: pockets!

    A joyful lesson in problem-solving and independence, this is the perfect story for young readers who want to do things all by themselves. They’ll want to hear it over and over again—and then learn how to read it on their own.

    The adored Briggs’ family dog, Mrs. Crockess, is a snuggly reading partner to Mrs. Briggs, an extra hand (or paw) in the kitchen to Mr. Briggs, and a rock n’ roll bandmate, slushy enjoyer, and flower-picker to her best friend, little Ivy Briggs. Together, Ivy and Mrs. Crockess are a force to be reckoned with.

    When a string on Ivy’s guitar breaks in the middle of their jam session, they have to rush to the music store so they can keep rocking out. But—oh no! Mrs. Crockess lacks an essential item for their mission: a pocket!

    Without a pocket, she can’t hold her money, her keys, her phone, her map, her bone, or her lip balm. The best friends put their noggins together to come up with a creative solution to the pocket problem. But when that idea falls through, they need another… and another … and another … and another! They only have until the music store closes to come up with the perfect solution.

    Tag along with lovable Ivy and fantastic Mrs. Crockess as they learn to solve big problems with lots of love, silliness, and patience for each other.

    Packed with Petros Bouloubasis’s colorful illustrations and goofy details, No Pockets? No Problem! will make kids laugh out loud and ask important questions like: “Why does a dog need lip balm?” “What kind of word is “Phwump’?” and, “How in the world does a dog play the drums?”

    Inspired by stories imagined by her 3-year-old niece, No Pockets? No Problem! by Julia Kolouch will have kids and adults alike wondering what in the world Ivy and Mrs. Crockess will do next.

     

  • SISTER BUTTERFLY A Children’s Book: An Illustrated Story With Songs About Inclusion, Belonging, and Compassion by Mike Mirabella, illustrated by Amy O’Hanlon – Picture Books, Animal Stories, Inclusion & Friendship

     

    Sister Butterfly from Mike Mirabella’s Carla Stories shares the crucial message that communication comes in many forms. Even for those who struggle to be understood, connection is always possible.

    Told through song lyrics and charming illustrations, a young girl with Down Syndrome on a walk through a verdant garden. Eventually, they encounter a group of other kids, who come to see the flightless blue butterfly she has found.

    True to its title, this book creates a lyrical parallel between the little girl and the butterfly.

    Both the girl and the butterfly use unique ways to interact with the world that make them easy to be overlooked. The butterfly must walk on the ground and is only found because the girl searches a quiet corner of the garden. In turn, her “secret world is hidden in the silence of her eyes.” When the other kids take an interest in what she has found, they find she’s happy to show them her special butterfly friend.

    Illustrator Amy O’Hanlon’s pastel drawings perfectly match the tone and meaning of the heartfelt lyrics.

    Double-page spreads of a vibrant garden fill this book. The characters are largely rendered in soft hues, with their eyes and the world around them standing out in a rainbow of brilliant color. A matching shade of blue emphasizes the bond between the little girl and the butterfly, standing out brightly among the greenery. The beautiful composition of shapes and colors on each page makes Sister Butterfly a treat to read.

    Sister Butterfly contains the poetic lyrics of a song of the same name, written by author and musician Mike Mirabella about his daughter Carla, who like the little girl in the book, also lived with Down Syndrome. This provides him with a unique insight into the little girl’s special world.

    The book comes with a download of a recording of Sister Butterfly, as well as sheet music for anyone– child or adult– who wants to learn the song themselves. The format of this book would make it easy for young children to try singing along and contains a bonus song, I Am So Like You, also by Mike Mirabella.

    With its touching message of empathy, gorgeous illustrations, and an invitation to explore its inspired music, Sister Butterfly makes for an excellent read that can be enjoyed by both the young and the young at heart.

    5 Stars! Best Book Chanticleer Book Reviews

  • THE TRUE ADVENTURES Of MILTON GINSBERG by Carolyn Russo Kinne, Illustrated by Libi Holder – Picture Books, Children’s Adventure Books, Animal Stories

     

    Carolyn Russo Kinne’s children’s story, The True Adventures of Milton Ginsberg, follows the journey of a delightful little kitten from Washington to British Columbia, Canada and back.

    Milton is the bright star of this story, even with his harrowing beginning as a stray with his mother and brother. While the humans’ storyline feels beyond Milton’s understanding, both the tense and tender moments make this beautifully illustrated story memorable!

    The upbeat tone Milton narrates in is one of this story’s treasures.

    This cat truly has nine lives as he faces each step of his adventure with luck. Pair that with his humble beginnings, and children will fall in love with Milton as he describes how his mother finds him and his brother a forever home with two humans, Dave and Nancy.

    The tension builds when Dave and Nancy decide to move to British Columbia. They try and find homes for all three cats, but the people who take them on are only able to accept two. Milton’s family decide he is the adventurous one, and take him north. It’s a touching moment as Milton says goodbye to his mother and brother.

    Milton’s indomitable spirit captures Dave and Nancy’s heart just as much as the reader’s.

    Excited at first to be a traveling cat, Milton quickly discovers drives are long, bumpy, and boring. He can’t wait to get out of the car when they stop for supplies. Out gallivanting, he’s shocked to find the car has left while he was away. But he is one lucky cat, and when his people return calling his name, Milton runs to them and the story proceeds north.

    After a disastrous time in British Columbia, the family winds their way back to the continental US to create a home. This is where Milton can grow into the wonderful, mischievous cat he was always meant to be.

    Libi Holder’s beautiful illustrations will delight children and adults alike as they meld with Kinne’s story to paint the highs and lows of Milton’s adventures.

    Holder’s soft representations of nature, our hero Milton, and his own hero will hold the interest of young readers and provide a sense of satisfaction to the story. A second set of illustrations spread throughout the book, drawn by Carolyn Russo Kinne’s own daughter, Rose, adds an engaging generational feature to this children’s tale.

    Readers will love following Milton on his adventures as he and his family navigate growing up and finding their place in the world. This enchanting story will warm your heart and endear Milton to you as another admirable animal character in the canon of children’s literature. As fun companions to the story itself, Kinne includes activity pages at the end of the book, complete with discussion questions, a maze, and more!

    Carolyn Russo Kinne’s The True Adventures of Milton Ginsberg will have readers ready to write their own adventures about always landing on your feet and being surrounded by those who love and care about you.

     

  • ISLAND MOON by Ruth Amanda – Picture Books, Animal Stories, Children’s Mystery & Wonder Books

     

    Ruth Amanda’s Island Moon is a magical moment captured in a poem.

    The narrator lives on an island where the moon sings of fairies and the magic of the night. While out on a nighttime walk, the narrator breathes in the island scents and hears the waves kissing the shore. In the froth of the waves, and in the moon’s magical light reflecting on the water, the narrator sees the fairies dancing.

    While describing all the animals active during nighttime, the narrator sees a tired sea turtle coming ashore to lay eggs. The moon blesses the creature, calling in the tide to aid the exhausted turtle back home to the sea. The songs of the night birds and the rays of the moon’s light follow the narrator back to bed and into their dreams.

    The rhyming of the poem and illustrations are truly beautiful. In a few short lines and pages, you are transported to a tranquil night on the island of Barbados.

    Many readers will find comfort in the perfectly captured quiet peacefulness of night. Ruth Amanda herself calls the island of Barbados home and draws inspiration for her writing every day, even carrying around a notebook for when an idea strikes.

    The lively illustrations are also by Ruth Amanda, and her creativity shines throughout them.

    Readers will see all the active nighttime animals going about lives, from the curious green lizards climbing on the window blinds to the tired sea turtle coming ashore to lay her eggs.

    At the end of the story, Ruth includes a fact sheet about Barbados and the animals from the story, giving context to the story and teaching readers about her home island.

    Whether it is read as a bedtime story or on a lazy afternoon, young and old alike will adore Ruth Amanda’s Island Moon.

     

  • FENIX And The FIREWORK FLIERS by Once Upon a Dance – Picture Books, Dancing, Animal Stories

     

    Join Fenix the firefly for the Solstice Celebration, where the animal who most captured the Spirit of the Season will be announced! Once Upon a Dance presents another delightful tale of movement and courage in Fenix and the Firework Fliers.

    While Fenix is too small to be a member of the Firework Fliers, he’s excited to cheer on his best friend Bolt who is going to be the highest point in the firework finale! His cheering inspires Bolt to do his best as a new recruit. But trouble looms when the butterflies bring Bolt’s favorite drink, nectar, despite Fenix cautioning him that it may be possible to have too much of a good thing.

    As in all Once Upon a Dance books, there are suggestions for movement activities that can be done while reading!

    Ballerina Konora returns to help guide readers through the literal motion of the story. These steps include simple movements like stretching up to show the sunrise, and ways to embody the different animals like snakes, frogs, and rabbits that Fenix encounters as he tries to save the Firework Fliers Finale.

    Fenix shows us that even the smallest among us can make a difference.

    Filled with excellent guides that will get readers up and dancing, Fenix and the Firework Fliers takes us on a dangerous adventure, watching for predators as Fenix works to save the day. An inspiring book on movement and stepping up to help your friends!

    Note: Fenix’s gender is never explicitly mentioned, so it would be totally reasonable to refer to the brave firefly as she as well! The book will be available March 1, 2024!

     

    5 Stars! Best Book Chanticleer Book Reviews

  • LUCKY At BAT by Alisse Lee Goldenberg and Joseph Goldenberg – Sports Fiction, Children’s Fiction, Animal Fiction

     

    Alisse Lee and Joseph Goldenberg, a mother and son team, knock their new middle-grade novel, Lucky at Bat, out of the park.

    This story follows ten-year-old Jack and his pet rats. Baseball is a major theme, and with Joseph as illustrator, Lucky and Gus Gus come to life. Their mutual friendship and support raise them up against the forces that would try to bring them down.

    When Gus Gus and Lucky arrive in Jack’s life, he is thrilled to have pets and wants to share his life and passions with them. One of those passions is baseball, and Lucky finds something appealing about the game. When Jack’s little league team begins playing, he invites both his pets, but only Lucky goes.

    When the team meets Lucky, they make him their mascot, and turn around their losing record.

    Lucky cheers them on from his pet carrier in the dugout, but when Danny, the pitcher for their rival team notices, he thinks Jack’s team is cheating. In a desperate act to save the Devil Rays, Danny attacks him, shattering Lucky’s confidence in himself and tarnishing his love of baseball.

    Gus Gus steps up to the plate to help his brother, and to get some of those extra snacks Lucky is always talking about. Lucky is hurt, though, both physically and psychologically. His wounds heal, but his heart doesn’t, and Lucky sits out game after game. Gus Gus has his work cut out for him if he’s ever going to get Lucky back in the game, but with help from Jack and the entire Bulldog team, Lucky rekindles his love of baseball, and enjoys the team’s success with his brother at his side.

    The Goldenbergs create a strong hero in Jack, who navigates the trials of bullying and animal cruelty. These two themes frame an endearing tale of one boy’s love of baseball, and one rat’s love of his boy and the game.

    Lucky at Bat provides hope by the dugout-full. It inspires kids to dream big and shows them how to win an argument without raising a fist. This is a feel-good story about a couple of rats and a team of kids who have a winning spirit that will win your heart.

     

    5 Stars! Best Book Chanticleer Book Reviews