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dwdillydally's reviews
113 reviews
A Place to Land: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Speech That Inspired a Nation by Barry Wittenstein
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
I read a batch of pictures books today, and this was my favorite. So much so, that I want to buy my own copy. It makes me to read even more...
- more from the author and the illustrator
- more about Martin Jr, Langston Hughes, Bayard Rustin, John Lewis, Shirley Chisholm, Malcolm X
The main text is lyical and poetic. The last seven pages are full of historical facts! Many of the people illustrated in the back have a paragraph biography. I appreciate this! It takes a village to sustain social justice.
More of my thoughts will be shared later.
- more from the author and the illustrator
- more about Martin Jr, Langston Hughes, Bayard Rustin, John Lewis, Shirley Chisholm, Malcolm X
The main text is lyical and poetic. The last seven pages are full of historical facts! Many of the people illustrated in the back have a paragraph biography. I appreciate this! It takes a village to sustain social justice.
More of my thoughts will be shared later.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism, Violence
Tiny Spoon vs. Little Fork by Constance Lombardo
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
4.0
Short and silly competition between a toddler's "spood" and "frok.". Contains lots of sound-effect words. The illustrations are bright and bold. Good read aloud for a group.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence
I included a minor content warning for violence because the toddler character is ominious and rowdy - stomping, yelling, and throwing the other characters. If you're looking for a toddler-character who models good behavior, skip this book.
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Blood
Moderate: Violence, Abandonment
Minor: Drug use, Kidnapping
Lone Women by Victor LaValle
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Racism, Abandonment
Minor: Cursing, Sexism, Kidnapping, Grief, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol
Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
How can such simple character illustrations be so darn expressive?! Lovely story about determination despite people who doubt you. But I have two quibbles but your mileage may vary:
1. One page has a twist that, I think, leans hard into despair, yet this twist has little to no effect 2 pages later. Why go so far as to say, "...nothing was the way it used to be," when it has so little impact on the rest of the story? I had expected some greater struggle in the following pages, when it turned out to be simple to solve. This doesn't deter me from enthusiastically recommending the book, but on rereading, it's so jarring for me that I have mention it.
2. This is inspired by the life of Mae Jemison, the first African American astronaut. While this is not meant to be a literal biography, where are photographs of Mae - either as a child or in her astronaut suit?? NONE are included with the mini-bio on the last page. A missed opportunity in an otherwise visually-stunning story.
1. One page has a twist that, I think, leans hard into despair, yet this twist has little to no effect 2 pages later. Why go so far as to say, "...nothing was the way it used to be," when it has so little impact on the rest of the story? I had expected some greater struggle in the following pages, when it turned out to be simple to solve. This doesn't deter me from enthusiastically recommending the book, but on rereading, it's so jarring for me that I have mention it.
2. This is inspired by the life of Mae Jemison, the first African American astronaut. While this is not meant to be a literal biography, where are photographs of Mae - either as a child or in her astronaut suit?? NONE are included with the mini-bio on the last page. A missed opportunity in an otherwise visually-stunning story.
A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
The illustrations make this story shine. The girl's expressions are absolutely precocious, and mom's are too relatable. The use of the color black and negative space are *chef's kiss!*
With that said, this feels like a very personal story to the author, but you're left wondering why it's personal. I wish there was an additional page or two explaining... something. It could expand on the science of moon phases, more details about the Moon Festival (an author note on the dust jacket flap only mentions "my favorite Asian holiday"), how/why folktales are created, or even a recipe for mooncakes. As this stands, it's a charming story that leaves grown-ups wanting more context.
With that said, this feels like a very personal story to the author, but you're left wondering why it's personal. I wish there was an additional page or two explaining... something. It could expand on the science of moon phases, more details about the Moon Festival (an author note on the dust jacket flap only mentions "my favorite Asian holiday"), how/why folktales are created, or even a recipe for mooncakes. As this stands, it's a charming story that leaves grown-ups wanting more context.
The Darkest Dark by Chris Hadfield, Kate Fillion
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Gorgeous. Starts out relatable - one child's fixation (imaginative space) and fear (of the dark and its shadowy critters) - and show the effects on his whole family. Ends with him working through his fear thanks to the inspiring 1969 moon landing.
Co-written by a real life astronaut, Chris Hadfield. (What's the Canadian version of an astronaut?) The last 4 pages include photos, a brief biography of Chris and Canada's space exploration program. Chris' quick message to readers is touching! "...The dark is for dreams - and morning is for making them come true."
Co-written by a real life astronaut, Chris Hadfield. (What's the Canadian version of an astronaut?) The last 4 pages include photos, a brief biography of Chris and Canada's space exploration program. Chris' quick message to readers is touching! "...The dark is for dreams - and morning is for making them come true."
Content Warnings
childhood fear, nyctophobia, monsters under the bed
Life on Mars by Jon Agee
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I found it too simple in both text and illustrations. Does not include science facts or additional information about Mars.
I do like the alien's expressions and helpfulness. Kids might like the tension of the astronaut-explorer not seeing the alien who's "right behind you!"
I do like the alien's expressions and helpfulness. Kids might like the tension of the astronaut-explorer not seeing the alien who's "right behind you!"
Oh No, Astro! by Matt Roeser
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Fun illustrations! Informative text, quirky phrases, and even offers a little tension in a simple story. Even the space facts on the last 3 pages exude character, "Astro yells some silly things. What does 'Pluto's revenge!' mean?"
Mars: Ready-to-Read Level 1 by John Wallace, Marion Dane Bauer
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.0
Lots of science facts and introduces science vocab to young kids. I like how it frames the environment on Mars, "Have you ever dreamed of visiting Mars?... Mars is a harsh planet... Still, scientists love to study Mars... they are looking for microbes, not aliens."