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wolfiegrrrl's reviews
241 reviews
Classmates Vol. 1: Dou kyu sei by Asumiko Nakamura
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is a cute story about a budding first love... as long as you focus solely on Kusakabe and Sajou. I love how awkward they are as they figure out what they feel for each other and how to approach this relationship. They aren't perfect, but they're trying and it's extremely sweet. I just really wish they didn't have to deal with a child predator butting into their relationship. Being a teenager is already rough enough without being taken advantage of by an authority figure you are forced to spend time with every day, especially when that behavior is excused by practically everyone around you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Pedophilia
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content
Sunset Bridge by Emilie Richards
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.
I didn't stop reading because of any serious flaw in the book. It just wasn't catching my interest. As this is the third (and so far final) book in the Happiness Key series and I haven't read the first two, I know I'm missing a lot of context regarding the characters' relationships and that may be why I wasn't feeling super invested in what was happening. Going in blind, the writing comes across as dull to me.
One thing that did make me feel wary was the way "the Indian wife" was written in the story. She is the only character who speaks differently than the others. The white characters don't even have inflection or turns of phrase that are unique to them, yet this Indian character comes out speaking like she doesn't know English very well. And yes, I am aware that there are people who speak like that! But when all of the white people speak like the author writes (as though they are carbon copies) when that just isn't true to reality, it seems like a deliberate choice by the author to make this character different in such a... stereotypical way? It's mainly giving me "shallow surface level inclusion for the sake of ~diversity~ uwu" vibes and I am primed to be suspicious of this. This may be a too-quick judgment on my part, so take it with a grain of salt as always.
One thing that did make me feel wary was the way "the Indian wife" was written in the story. She is the only character who speaks differently than the others. The white characters don't even have inflection or turns of phrase that are unique to them, yet this Indian character comes out speaking like she doesn't know English very well. And yes, I am aware that there are people who speak like that! But when all of the white people speak like the author writes (as though they are carbon copies) when that just isn't true to reality, it seems like a deliberate choice by the author to make this character different in such a... stereotypical way? It's mainly giving me "shallow surface level inclusion for the sake of ~diversity~ uwu" vibes and I am primed to be suspicious of this. This may be a too-quick judgment on my part, so take it with a grain of salt as always.
Elmo Visits the Dentist by P.J. Shaw
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
This is a fun short story that teaches kids about what going to the dentist is like by using the Big Bad Wolf as a stand-in for readers who might be nervous and offering them support in the form of Elmo's friendship. What I like about this is the impression it gives off that, if someone as tough as the Big Bad Wolf can be brave enough to go to the dentist, so can a child.
The Greedy Gremlin by Tracey West
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
The Branches Book reprint of the Pixie Tricks series seems to have made an effort to diversify the cast, at least in character design, but I have yet to see those changes expressed in the text. What is clear in the text is a personality rewrite for Violet and Leon.
Violet has been rewritten to be a "nicer" character from the start and that becomes more obvious when she is immediately honest with Leon and doesn't drag her feet through the adventure as much as she did in the original Little Apple series. Plus, she and Leon aren't as sassy to each other in this Branches Book, though they do still butt heads. They feel less like real children with real flaws and more like they've been scrubbed clean in order to be "good behavior models" for their audience. They may be less relatable as people, but the kids I'm reading these books with still really enjoy the way they're written, so that's what counts.
It is really interesting to see the modern updates to the pop culture references, though! It's wild how much has changed in just two decades! Video game outlets are a thing of the past, and Treasure Island and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz don't seem as culturally relevant as they were when I was growing up with the series.
Violet has been rewritten to be a "nicer" character from the start and that becomes more obvious when she is immediately honest with Leon and doesn't drag her feet through the adventure as much as she did in the original Little Apple series. Plus, she and Leon aren't as sassy to each other in this Branches Book, though they do still butt heads. They feel less like real children with real flaws and more like they've been scrubbed clean in order to be "good behavior models" for their audience. They may be less relatable as people, but the kids I'm reading these books with still really enjoy the way they're written, so that's what counts.
It is really interesting to see the modern updates to the pop culture references, though! It's wild how much has changed in just two decades! Video game outlets are a thing of the past, and Treasure Island and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz don't seem as culturally relevant as they were when I was growing up with the series.
The Greedy Gremlin by Tracey West
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I really like the introduction of family in this book. As cousins who live together, Violet and Leon have a "reluctant sibling" relationship dynamic that feels very believable. It's clear that they have a lot they still need to learn about each other and this adventure seems to be a fantastic gateway to further development.
Jolt is a fun character and I love the cameos from other escaped pixies in Thea Kliros' interior illustrations! They're always such a joy to see.
Jolt is a fun character and I love the cameos from other escaped pixies in Thea Kliros' interior illustrations! They're always such a joy to see.
Curious George Roller Coaster by Monica Pérez, H.A. Rey
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
A cute story designed to show how you can use objects of different sizes to measure length, height, and distance.
Pete the Cat: Too Cool for School by James Dean, Kimberly Dean
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
The message to "just be yourself" is a classic and subsequently pretty predictable from the opening lines, but the preschooler I read this to was giggling the entire time Pete the Cat was dressing up in his increasingly more ridiculous outfit for school, so that seems like a success to me.
A Pet for Pete by James Dean, Kimberly Dean
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Pete the Cat teaches time management and setting realistic expectations for yourself.
An ABC For You and Me by Margaret Tempest
informative
fast-paced
4.0
A cute ABC book filled with adorable animals living their best lives.
Summer Days and Nights by Wong Herbert Yee
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
3.0
A nice, easy read with cozy illustrations and simple rhymes that work great for encouraging young readers to practice letter sounds.