Showing posts with label hmhco. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hmhco. Show all posts

Friday, April 18, 2014

Double Book Review: Wild About Bears & Petey and Pru and the Hullabaloo


Since it's been awhile, I'm popping on the PBJs today to post a double book review. I was lucky enough to get the above books signed by the author/illustrator Jeannie Brett and author Ammi-Joan Paquette. Both books are visually beautiful and offer layers of interest and depth for readers.


Wild About Bears is a non-fiction picture book giving an overview of the eight bear species. The artwork is captivating and lush, and the facts are so intriguing. This is a true family book, and I can see us returning to it for years to come. Visit Jeannie's website for loads of information and bonus materials. 


 If you recall, I reviewed Mustache Baby last year, illustrated by Joy Ang. I instantly recognized her bold, expressive style on the cover of Petey and Pru and the Hullabaloo, written by Ammi-Joan Paquette.


True to picture-book form, this book is a fine marriage of words and images. Ammi-Joan has written a big, bold, hilarious tale full of big, bold, hilarious words.


 I love that my near 3 year old walks around saying hullabaloo after reading this book (and knows EXACTLY what it means). The endpapers smartly include definitions - I know I needed to reference it for the word 'defenestration'.


Everything is done with fun and mischief so you might not even realize that you've been hornswoggled into learning a few new words. Thanks, Ammi-Joan!



Thursday, August 15, 2013

Book Review: Mustache Baby


 I'm totally smitten with Mustache Baby. My 2yo and 4.5yo are equally taken with this spectacularly illustrated and hilarious picture book by Bridget Heos and Joy Ang.
The premise is so ridiculous that I dare kids not to need to pick it up and read more. But then the character design, double-meanings, and future of Billy's mustache keep you going.
The illustrations totally knock my socks off - they delivered ultra-cool, stylized characters with tons of emotion and lush details. The turns of phrase and parallels to normal kid life are smart enough to give your older readers motivation to read it again and again. And, it's just funny. And pssst... if the book designer is out there reading this - bravo. From cover to cover, this book is beyond well-designed.