Chanticleer Book Reviews

Tag: Illustrated

  • A PLACE CALLED HOME by Nora G. Ho, Illustrated by Marlon at GetYourBookIllustrations – Picture Books, Children’s Animal Stories, Children’s Cat Stories

     

    A Place Called Home, a kitten leaves his barn to adventure around the redwood forest, looking for somewhere he belongs among the diverse wildlife.

    The pond’s singing frogs and leaping trout draw his interest, but kitten certainly wouldn’t fit in underwater. He gets nervous in the woods, so vast around him, but also decides against a bunny burrow because it’s not nearly big enough. After intruding on a skunk’s dumpster and a bear’s cave, kitten finds his way back to the farm. Even the friendly pigs are too muddy for his fur.

    His journey returns to the barn with his mama and siblings, where kitten finds home waiting for him.

    Ho’s writing creates an easy and educational read-along for young children.

    Each line fits into a simple rhyming scheme. Frequent use of synonyms makes this book an effective introduction to new vocabulary, with a glossary in the back for less familiar words like ‘furrow’. Onomatopoeia words like “ribbit” and “oink” create an engaging and multisensory world of imagination for the readers.

    A Place Called Home teaches kids about the living habits of different species, from burrowing bunnies to slimy slugs. The book ends with further rhymes about each animal, along with a message on respecting wild creatures and the importance of the Redwood trees. Children interested in nature will share in the kitten’s curiosity throughout his journey.

    The art by Marlon at GetYourBookIllustrations gives vibrant personality to both the places kitten goes and the animals he meets.

    Landscapes stretch wide around the little kitten, each with its own visual identity. Pastel blue waters ripple around the frogs, titanic Redwoods reach far above the edge of the page, a skunk guards the colorful contents of its dumpster.  The imposing stones of the bear’s cave give way to a familiar green farm and finally the warm-lit wood and hay of the barn.

    Marlon depicts each animal with realistic shapes in motion, stylized enough to show their reactions to kitten. With his black fur, kitten pops against the bright colors of the background, highlighting the attention to detail in his dynamic feline mannerisms—the fuzzy attitude that any cat lover will recognize.

    An educational romp through nature and comforting bedtime story, Nora G. Ho’s A Place Called Home will be loved by any young reader.

     

  • RALPHY’S RULES For FEELINGS by Talar Herculian Coursey and Riley Herculian Coursey, illustrated by Meri Andreasyan – Picture Books, Children’s Educational Books, Children’s Emotion Books

     

    A gentle and thoughtful picture book, Ralphy’s Rules for Feelings by Talar Herculian Coursey and her son Riley Herculian Coursey, illustrated by Meri Andreasyan, helps young children understand and manage their emotions.

    Ralphy the cheerful school bus-driving dog takes along Jackson Johnson, a wise and compassionate “Furrapist” (furry therapist) for the first day of school. As children board, Jackson gently encourages them to name their feelings and reminds them that all emotions are welcome.

    Jackson introduces a creative way for the children to embrace their feelings as normal while taking some control over how they start their year.

    Some of the kids are scared, some sad, some tired, and others nervous or embarrassed—only one of them hops onto the bus excited. Instead of telling the children to push aside their negative emotions, Jackson tells them it’s okay to feel that way and that they can sit their feelings down next to them. Once they get to school, they can choose to take the feeling with them or leave it on the seat.

    Ralphy’s Rules for Feelings teaches children how to recognize their own emotions and the thoughts behind them.

    One of the kids feels sad because she misses her mom, but through Jackson’s gentle guidance shifts her focus to the fun she’ll have jumping rope with her friends at school.

    The idea that you can feel your feelings but don’t have to be controlled by them is both powerful and comforting to children in a world that often tells them to simply behave or stop crying.

    Ralphy’s Rules for Feelings nails this concept, reassuring kids that it’s okay to first acknowledge their emotions, then study them, and finally decide on how they want to change them. In capturing this insightful message, the book proves to be more than just a story but a practical tool for emotional regulation.

    Meri Andreasyan’s, gentle yet vivid illustrations render Jackson’s lessons both playful and soothing.

    The characters’ facial expressions capture their feelings without needing lots of extra words, making this book especially welcoming to young children.

    Parents, teachers, and counselors can use Ralphy’s Rules for Feelings as a springboard for conversations about difficult emotions, particularly with children who are starting school, navigating change, or dealing with anxiety.

    Ralphy’s Rules for Feelings by Talar Herculian Coursey and Riley Herculian Coursey guides kids through its memorable strategies with age-appropriate language and a kind, encouraging tone.

    An essential read in every home, classroom, and library, Ralphy’s tale will also help adults talk to children in a more thoughtful way. This friendly and concise lesson in an essential life skill comes highly recommended for ages 3–8 and any adult who wants to teach emotional intelligence in a clear and joyful way.

     

  • LILY’S MYSTERIOUS ODYSSEY by Anne Lacourrege, Illustrated by Joshua Wichterich – Picture Books, Children’s Adventure Books, Children’s History Books

     

    Lily’s Mysterious Odyssey by Anne Lacourrege, illustrated by Joshua Wichterich, follows a young girl named Lily through her dreaming nautical adventure.

    Homes hold onto the history of their families. With only herself to play with in her family’s old house, Lily comes across a hidden chest of antique keepsakes, unaffected by generations of storms and floods across the New Orleans coastal area. Lily and her parents soon find even more items hidden away that paint the history of 1800s sailor Captain Harry and his family.

    That night, Lily dreams of Captain Harry’s daughter, Anne, who invites Lily to see her father’s ship. Lily’s mysterious odyssey truly begins as the ship sets sail with Lily still on board. She soon finds herself on an journey to Greece, where she learns about Greek culture and its similarities to her home when a Mediterranean cyclone hits.

    Joshua Wichterich’s watercolor illustrations, especially the beautiful landscapes of Greece, add an enchanting and lively feel to the story.

    His artistic style has a nostalgic quality to it that will appeal to older siblings and parents of young readers as well as the young readers too.

    Anne Lacourrege’s literary voyage encourages readers both to dive into the history of their own surroundings and learn about other cultures.

    Embracing the differences and similarities between ourselves and others builds compassion and is an important lesson for children. Readers will grow curious about what life was like a few hundred years ago, and what it’s like in other parts of the world.

    Anne Lacourrege ends Lily’s Mysterious Odyssey, “One never knows what stories lie in the heart of old homes if the wall could actually talk,” leaving readers with an invitation to seek out the stories that are all around us.

     

  • MIRACLE On The MOUNTAIN: An Appalachian Christmas by Gail Heath, illustrated by Barabash Sviatoslav – Children’s Books, Holidays & Miracles, Picture Books

     

    Gail Heath’s Miracle on the Mountain: An Appalachian Christmas shares a message of love and redemption through the heart-warming tale of Granny, a faithful, disciplined, and generous Appalachian woman.

    On a blustery winter day, Granny starts down her home’s snowy, mountain landscape to attend Christmas Eve service in the village. When her dog, Shep, wanders off, Granny runs into Pete. The young man uses firewood collecting as an excuse to not attend service, hiding a deeper motive beneath.

    Granny asks after his grandfather, who is in the midst of a long recovery after being attacked by a boar. Pete is forlorn, casting aspersions at Granny’s message that a miracle may yet happen, especially on this of all nights. Sensing his loss of faith, Granny offers Pete a few cups of her warm chicory as she regales the miracle on the mountain she witnessed ten years ago that made her a true believer.

    In Granny’s tale, a cantankerous man named Luster appears one spring on Granny’s mountain. He lives in a ramshackle cabin with his dog and complains any time Granny makes noise. Following the guidance of her upbringing, Granny campaigns to sweat out Luster’s gruffness with kindness and prayer, but to no avail. By winter, Granny has left it up to the Lord to thaw the man’s misery.

    On Christmas Eve, a snowy night much like the one ten years later, Granny feels the Lord encouraging her to visit her solitary neighbor.

    She walks through the storm with a fresh loaf of bread to wish Luster a merry Christmas, which earns her his hottest bout of temper yet. The grinch refuses any of Granny’s warmth, and she reconciles that she can do no more, deciding Luster has no heart to be touched.

    Later that night a tragedy befalls the village. Granny offers her warm home and hot chicory to a sheriff and his volunteers searching for a lost child. She seeks out Luster once again, hoping he would lend his mass and strength to the search effort, but his shack is empty. Luster’s hound, Shep, bounds through the snow and coaxes Granny to follow him. Together, they brave the wintery weather, and Granny encounters a miracle beyond her imagination.

    What makes Miracle on the Mountain: An Appalachian Christmas special is its simplicity alongside the sharpness of Heath’s writing craft.

    With lively characters in Granny and Luster and dialogue that stays true the spirit of Appalachian character, the reader gets everything they need to feel Granny’s message in their hearts.

    The artwork from Barabash Sviatoslav creates an immersive Christmas atmosphere through detailed backgrounds that place readers firmly in the heart of an Appalachian winter. Each scene radiates warmth despite the mountain chill, inviting readers to step into Granny’s world of snow-covered cabins and frosted landscapes. The characters are portrayed with dynamic energy, their active poses drawing readers directly into the unfolding story and making them feel part of each scene’s emotional moment.

    Miracle on the Mountain: An Appalachian Christmas by Gail Health expresses the spirit of Christmas through a fresh perspective.

    Its message isn’t confined to one set of beliefs. Friendship, understanding, and sacrifice may be protected by people in ways we don’t always understand, but even at times when we’ve given up hope a surprise may just remind us that miracles do happen, sometimes where we least expect.

     

  • THE PROBLEM With SCIENCE FAIRS, CICADAS, And SEWERS: Lorelei the Lorelei Book 2 by Kristen J. Anderson, Illustrated by Audrey Suau – Children’s Friendship Books, Picture Books, Children’s Self-Respect & Determination Books

     

    Lorelei, the charismatic and outspoken seven-year-old, leaps at the chance to save her school’s science fair from disaster in Lorelei the Lorelei: The Problem with Science Fairs, Cicadas, and Sewers, second book in Kristen J Anderson’s Lorelei the Lorelei series.

    Beyond excited for the science fair, Lorelei prepares a project with a mission. She hopes to change people’s perception about cicadas, which most consider a gross nuisance of a bug. On the day of the science fair, during a trip to the restroom, Lorelei encounters a plumbing catastrophe.

    With the help of her family and friends, Lorelei put a plan in motion to protect the school fair, while learning valuable lessons about sportsmanship, classroom behavior, and empathy. She may be silly and likeable, but some of her quirks can get her into trouble too!

    Even when she gets into trouble, Lorelei is always and unapologetically herself.

    Readers see Lorelei express her emotions, usually with loud and sudden enthusiasm. In the lead up to the science fair, Lorelei feels excitement, nervousness, disappointment, and even a moment of frustration towards her class rival. The supportive adults in Lorelei’s life, from her grandma and grandpa “Bumpa” to her teachers and school administrators, help to steer Lorelei in the right directions whenever she responds inappropriately to a situation.

    As Lorelei says herself, she is only a kid and learns about emotions and social skills every day.

    Lorelei the Lorelei: The Problem with Science Fairs, Cicadas, and Sewers is a story that will get kids excited about science projects and will make older readers nostalgic for exciting days at school, whether a science fair, a special assembly, or even a short field trip.

    Excellent for beginner chapter book readers, Kristen J Anderson’s Lorelei the Lorelei series is a must-read for young inquisitive minds.

     

  • VALLEY Of The GIANT SNAKES: Adventure Ace Book One by Mac Bell, Illustrated by Andrew Vanderbilt – Children’s Books, Action & Adventure, Picture Books

     

    After crash-landing his jet, young Ace must embark on an epic adventure through the treacherous Valley of Giant Snakes in this fun tale about imagination by Mac Bell and illustrated by Andrew Vanderbilt.

    Valley of the Giant Snakes, the first installment of the Adventure Ace series, takes readers journeying with Ace through a vast and fantastical wilderness.

    Ace encounters a humongous moth gliding overhead, casting an ominous shadow on this unknown world. He weaves his way through a forest of colossal mushrooms as he walks to a mountain in the distance.

    A pair of mysterious eyes glow inside a tunnel, and a giant snake blocks Ace’s path when he backs away. Ace has only his ingenuity to make it past the beast.

    Andy Vanderbilt’s illustrations hearken back to the adventure cartoons of the 70s and 80s, with a fresh look for the modern day.

    Just as you can see the influence of cartoons like Jonny Quest in the story’s action, you can see it in the strong color blocking and dynamic linework.

    Valley of the Giant Snakes delivers its action with a lightness and sense of adventure perfectly fit for young children.

    Adventure Ace will take 5-8 year olds through a land as exciting as it is imaginative. Young readers will enjoy challenging themselves with a few new words, and those who aren’t reading yet will find themselves captivated by the images as they listen to the story.

    Just like any great adventure, the story finishes with a surprising twist!

    Valley of the Giant Snakes by Mac Bell, illustrated by Andrew Vanderbilt, is a promising opener for the Adventure Ace series. Exciting, fearless, and always using his imagination, Ace encourages his young fans to come up with adventures of their own.

     

  • LITTLEST MANO At BEDTIME by Anita Dromey, Illustrated by Taranggana – Picture Books, Children’s Animal Stories, Children’s Bedtime Books

     

    In Littlest Mano at Bedtime by Anita Dromey, illustrated by Taranggana, Mano wants to keep grazing and playing in the hills when his mamma calls him to come down to the shore.

    The rest of the goats wait for Mano, who only comes when his mamma asks him to lead the group. But Mano trips in the evening darkness and loses his chance to lead the procession. Once he and all the other goats reach the ocean, he promises not to make them wait so long next time.

    Littlest Mano at Bedtime is a great evening book for children learning to read.

    Dromey writes in a consistent rhyming scheme, making the rhythm easy to grasp and read along with.

    This story teaches the importance of listening and cooperating with others, and does so with a soft hand fitting for very young readers.

    Mano’s mother speaks gently even as he insists on staying in the hills. She comforts him when he trips and keeps the other young goats from giving him too hard a time. Mano learns to temper his love for playing in the hills with the practical wisdom of his mom, who encourages him to try leading the herd again in the future.

    Lintang Pandu, through her art studio Taranggana, colors vibrant and soothing landscapes through which the goats walk.

    Her softly-shaded colors match the comforting tone of the story perfectly. Backgrounds start with the warm pastel tones of sunset highlighting Mano’s favorite verdant hills. As evening falls, the illustrations incorporate cool colors that fill the sea and night sky.

    Along with its effectiveness as a bedtime book, Littlest Mano at Bedtime introduces young readers to a herd of uniquely-colored goats, giving children plenty to hold their attention.

    With its nursery-rhyme writing and adorable goat characters, Littlest Mano at Bedtime will help children practice their reading skills and, like Mano, wind down for sleep.

     

  • BELLA BROWN—Grandma’s Missing Butterfly Locket by J.W. Zarek, Illustrated by Anastasia at GetYourBookIllustrations – Children’s Animal Stories, Picture Books, Children’s Butterfly Books

    In Bella Brown—Grandma’s Missing Butterfly Locket by J.W. Zarek, Bella and Grandma Yetta recall the various beautiful places they’ve visited to see the variety of butterflies around the world—and those same places where Yetta may have lost her locket.

    Over the phone, Bella imagines botanical gardens, temples, and natural places from China and Japan to Colombia and the Ozarks. Bella thinks about the butterfly locket in each location but can’t quite remember where it could be before she and her mom head to the local butterfly garden. Bella promises to draw a butterfly for Yetta, even if she can’t help her find out what happened to her locket.

    Grandma Yetta surprises Bella at the garden, and the two share a sweet moment as grandmother and granddaughter among their beloved butterflies.

    Zarek’s writing balances evocative description and ease of reading for young kids.

    Through an emphasis on motion and popping, colorful key words, the writing style embodies a childlike energy. Vivid sensory descriptions give a strong sense of place to each new location, working well with the illustrations to guide readers along Bella’s memorable journey.

    Different colors code the dialogue of Bella and Yetta, making it easy for young readers to follow along with their over-the-phone conversation.

    Illustrator Anastasia’s pastel coloring flows from page to page, matching Bella’s fantastical wandering through her memories.

    The myriad locations blend in and out of Bella’s room as if the reader’s stepping into them alongside her. A familiar blue and pink color scheme gives way to unique palettes for each new scene, with plants and butterflies alike shown in their beautiful variety. Those butterflies—illustrations of various real-world species—flock across entire page spreads to conjure the wonder of seeing them in person.

    The characters’ designs are as vibrant and playful as the butterflies they visit. They’re accompanied on their travels by Pip the Domovoi, an adorable little creature tucked away in the details of the illustrations.

    Across these destinations, Bella and Grandma Yetta bring up fun facts about the butterflies they see.

    Kids learn the cultural connotations of a visiting a white butterfly in Japan, and strange bits of biology about the migrating Monarchs. This book emphasizes the joy in sharing curiosity and appreciation of the natural world with your loved ones.

    Any young readers with an interest in butterflies will adore Bella Brown—Grandma’s Missing Butterfly Locket.

     

  • I USED To BE SHY A Children’s Book: An Illustrated Story With Songs About Inclusion, Belonging, and Compassion by Mike Mirabella and Lenny Lipton, illustrated by Amy O’Hanlon – Children’s Books, Picture Books, Inclusion & Friendship

     

    Little Peeps 1st Place Best in Category Blue and Gold Badge ImageIn I Used to Be Shy, from the Carla Stories by Mike Mirabella and Lenny Lipton, Carla meets a nervous boy with physical disabilities at Camp Allbelong. Through their friendship, Carla helps him become confident enough to join in the camp games in this compassionate illustrated story about inclusion told through song.

    We begin with Carla’s bright yellow light contrasting with the boy’s deep, lonely blue representation. As their friendship grows, those two colors begin to mix, becoming a vibrant green that paints the heartwarming, pastoral scenes of Camp Allbelong. When the boy joins his peers in the center of these illustrations, his blue color takes on a new tone that reflects the expansive sky in the background.

    Amy O’Hanlon’s delightful illustrations show how one friendship can bloom to become a garden full of many relationships.

    As Mirabella notes, children with disabilities, such as his and Lipton’s own two daughters, are often left out of social activities. The story’s message of making space for everyone shows through Carla, who befriends the boy and encourages him to open up to the other children. As a result, we can see how quickly his mood changes to excitement and friendliness. With the compassion of his fellow campers and accommodations made by the staff, he even joins games like kickball that could otherwise prove difficult for someone who needs crutches to walk.

    I Used to Be Shy encourages readers to sing along with the playful lyrics by Lenny Lipton, composer of the classic Puff the Magic Dragon, as they follow this meaningful story of acceptance.

    Written as a duet, this song is shown in easy-to-read colored text that reflects the characters’ emerging friendship, with each singer trading verses, then as alternating lines as the two characters connect with one another. Mirabella & Lipton’s lyrics create a back-and-forth rhyming scheme which makes this song particularly fun to sing with old or new friends. Sheet music in the back of the book provides readers with a way to learn this song– as well as a bonus song called “Little Brown Pony” using instruments.

    I Used to Be Shy is a sweet tale about opening up to those around you and finding friendships that extend well beyond words alone. Inspired by the daughters of Mirabella & Lipton, this book is for any child who might share the boy’s shyness. A must-read showing how wonderful it is when we all belong.

    5 Stars! Best Book Chanticleer Book Reviews

  • 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