Category: Children

Children is the broader term for infants, toddlers and tweens. These posts are about children of all ages.

The Natural Tolls of Digging Holes, playfully weird STEM for 4 and up

Moles Present The Natural Tolls of Digging Holes ironically reminds us of Dirt. That book was a vertical, poetic, look at something that we see every day. The art was varied and the whispy text showed how the tiny things that live in dirt can be a world unto itself. The Natural Tolls of Digging Holes takes that same spirit, has a more animated form of illustration, adds simpler text that rhymes and opens up its world to anyplace that you might see that’s been dug. This is an illustrated book that feeds curious young minds, softly teaches them and gets them to think while they’re smiling.

Moles Present The Natural Tolls of Digging Holes is silly on the surface, but makes ages 4-8 think about what’s under our feet.
STEm by any other name

Sharing A Smile, illustrated comfort pandemic food for masks and more

When I lived in Japan I saw civilians wearing masks in public for the first time. Sure, the pollution wasn’t great, but I just couldn’t get comfortable with wearing them. Fast forward to today and manufacturers have made quality, comfortable masks that you can purchase as many stores. Unfortunately, this was due to the worldwide pivot that everyone had to make due to COVID. Sharing A Smile is an illustrated book that looks at a neighborhood during this through a young girl’s eyes. It’s a sweet book that has a very calming vibe for early through middle elementary school students. However, is this just a COVID book, or does it have legs to push to a more universal and timeless appeal?

Sharing A Smile is a glass half full look at how one little girl and her grandfather handle the pandemic’s impact on their neighbors.
What difference can one girl and her grandfather do doing a pandemic?

Thanks A Ton!, teaches ‘thanks’ as only Hello!Lucky can

When we last saw the Hello!Lucky team, they were up and at ‘em with Go Get ‘Em Tiger. In Thanks A Ton! their bright, maniacally happy presentation is back with a cadre of animals and the goal of getting kids to laugh and say ‘thank you. If you haven’t seen a Hello!Lucky book or any of their graphic artwork it’s unmistakable.

It’s a book for children, keep telling yourself that

Week 7 of Camp Warner Bros. goes old school with cars and Tom & Jerry

When I told our oldest son that Tom & Jerry Movie: The Fast & The Furry was the film this week I cast a wayward eye his direction. He’s 10 and I didn’t think that kids that age had even heard of Tom & Jerry. He returned a wayward eye towards me and said, “I’m down with old-school cartoons dad”. Your kids younger than that will be completely down with it too. Plus there’s a cool box craft that allows your kids to create and sit in their own ‘fast car’ as they watch the film.

A classic box car, plus a cool cat and mouse to boot

Exquisite, a picture book on Gwendolyn Brooks that lives up to its name

The cover and thickness of Exquisite might turn off some audiences. The subtitle of the book is The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks. Many elementary aged kids we know don’t like poetry. This is also a thick illustrated book, implying that there’s a lot to read about poetry and an author that they might not have heard of. It’s worth having young audiences hang in there for Exquisite. While it is a book about a poet, Gwendolyn Brooks, the text in it doesn’t rhyme and isn’t boring. The book is thick, but the pages use the words sparingly on some of them. The result is a gorgeous book that will entertain readers aged five an up.

Exquisite, a picture book that’s equal parts art, education and entertainment

Star Wars A Merry Sithmas Pop-Up Book, rises to the season

It’s natural to be scared of one thing or another. Let’s be clear, it’s not that I was scared of Star Wars A Merry Sithmas Pop-Up Book; it’s just that I was hesitant to get started on it because I thought I wouldn’t be able to finish the book in a way that’s presentable. Any Star Wars fan knows that once you open the packaging or break the seal its collectible value plummets. That’s where this book is utterly, thankfully different. “Daddy, can we do the pop-up book”, asked the 10 year-old. It’s when he asked that question I knew it was time, for better or worse to get the tape, read the directions and jump into the book.

This pop-up craft book is easy and fun to do, it’s a holiday keepsake for generations

Nancy’s Genius Plan, clever premise, wrong format

Nancy who? Nancy Drew? Is this shorthand for Fancy Nancy? Nancy’s Genius Plan is a new board book staring Nancy. She’s the distinctively drawn character with the brillo-esque hair, polka dot skirt and sly grin. Her best friend is Sluggo, a buzz cut boy who could easily be confused for a know-nothing hooligan. Nancy was introduced in the 1930’s and had an almost constant presence in the now metaphorical comic strip page since then.  In 2018 Nancy did take a two-month break for a slight modernization. The comic strip is funny, filled with dry observations and humor that appeals to kids and adults. Nancy’s Genius Plan has the same DNA, but it doesn’t take off in the board book.

It’s a board book, but too advanced or dated for intended audiences

Sulwe, a story on darkness and light that teaches all

Sulwe is a children’s illustrated book about color. It’s color from the perspective of darkness and a young girl named Sulwe that looks nothing like her family. She’s the color of midnight, while her mother, father and sister all have lighter hues. Sulwe’s skin tone is affecting her personality, ability to make friends and her morale. How she deals with this and overcomes it will resonate with any pre-k through mid-elementary school student.

Sulwe is an illustrated book that’s about acceptance, exclusion, prejudice, hope and love. Kids 4 and up will love the art and embrace the message.
Sulwe and its reach goes past where you think it would, 4 and up will love it and the art
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