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brandilarsen's reviews
46 reviews
Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen
5.0
My writer friend Karen gave this book to the baby while I was still pregnant. I read it to her the day we made our first trip to our local library.
Library Lion is an amazing introduction to the library. Michelle Knudsen imagines the answer to a question many library lovers have asked ourselves: "Wouldn't it be cool if the lion statues that guard the library also read books?" Personally, I'd be a little freaked out if the gargoyles that guard Chicago's main library came to life as those suckers are creepy, but that's not true of Michelle Knudsen's lion.
The Library Lion is sweet, charming and helpful (he even dusts!). Despite his large size, he's allowed to stay in the library as long as he follows the rules, which include "no roaring." One day, he breaks the rules to help a friend and has to deal with the consequences.
I loved this book. The illustrations are beautiful, it's set in a library and it encourages readers to think about rules and not blindly follow them like robots. I'm looking forward to reading this with my daughter for many years to come.
Library Lion is an amazing introduction to the library. Michelle Knudsen imagines the answer to a question many library lovers have asked ourselves: "Wouldn't it be cool if the lion statues that guard the library also read books?" Personally, I'd be a little freaked out if the gargoyles that guard Chicago's main library came to life as those suckers are creepy, but that's not true of Michelle Knudsen's lion.
The Library Lion is sweet, charming and helpful (he even dusts!). Despite his large size, he's allowed to stay in the library as long as he follows the rules, which include "no roaring." One day, he breaks the rules to help a friend and has to deal with the consequences.
I loved this book. The illustrations are beautiful, it's set in a library and it encourages readers to think about rules and not blindly follow them like robots. I'm looking forward to reading this with my daughter for many years to come.
The Bradbury Chronicles: The Life of Ray Bradbury by Sam Weller
Disclosure: The author was one of my favorite teachers. That said, this book gives incredible insight into the life of one America's great writers.
Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina
5.0
I just finished this book, and I am weeping. This is the book that I will give to my daughter as she grows, a book that I hope is put into the hands of all teenage girls. Girls who know so well how to break each other and so little how to protect their fragile hearts. It is a masterpiece, capturing heartbreak and friendship and change and those long moments of being a teenager when all you want is to be someone, somewhere else. I especially love how it captures hope.
Full disclosure: Meg Medina was my middle school writing teacher. In addition to being one of my favorite teachers, she's become one of my favorite writers. I still have a lot to learn from her.
Full disclosure: Meg Medina was my middle school writing teacher. In addition to being one of my favorite teachers, she's become one of my favorite writers. I still have a lot to learn from her.
Of Thee I Sing by Barack Obama, Loren Long
This is a favorite in our house. My child likes it because she can see the "grown-ups" standing beside their childhood selves, and I think that helps her imagine herself when she gets bigger.
I love it because of all of the people who are showcased and the touching approach in this father's love letter to his daughters. (Sometimes, I cry as I imagine who my child will grow up to become.)
I work at Penguin Random House, though that did not influence this review.
I love it because of all of the people who are showcased and the touching approach in this father's love letter to his daughters. (Sometimes, I cry as I imagine who my child will grow up to become.)
I work at Penguin Random House, though that did not influence this review.
Mirette on the High Wire by Emily Arnold McCully
I love this book. Love, love, love, love, love this book.
It captures our imagination and it's an inspiring tale about what you can do when you go after your dreams (with a lot of practice). I also like the secondary message of how you can inspire others with your actions. The illustrations are beautiful, and the language is perfect. I'm always so happy when my daughter chooses this book to read. (And she chooses it a lot because it's one of her favorites, too.)
I work at Penguin Random House, though that did not influence this review.
It captures our imagination and it's an inspiring tale about what you can do when you go after your dreams (with a lot of practice). I also like the secondary message of how you can inspire others with your actions. The illustrations are beautiful, and the language is perfect. I'm always so happy when my daughter chooses this book to read. (And she chooses it a lot because it's one of her favorites, too.)
I work at Penguin Random House, though that did not influence this review.