Book review: This is a Dog, by Ross Collins

Collins, Ross. This is a Dog. Nosy Crow, 2020. Unpaged. $16.99. ISBN 9781536212006. Ages 4-6. P8Q8

A scruffy dog takes over the pages of what would have been a traditional children’s picture dictionary introducing the animals of the world. Using a crayon to mark through the animals’ names and gradually taking over each illustrated spread, the dog quickly makes himself the focus of the book, until the other animals turn and chase the him across the book’s pages. 

Verdict: Illustrations of the scruffy dog remind me of Louis Darling’s illustrations of Beverly Cleary’s Ribsy, with the same square muzzle and impish humor.  I could not tell if this was an intentional homage or merely the result of the author choosing the same breed of dog as a model.  The subversive dog demonstrates photobombing, sprawling, romping, and even peeing (on the giraffe’s leg) in his bid to become the focus of the book.  Much of the humor comes from the other animals’ expressions as the dog takes over their space in the spotlight.  The humor will appeal to both young children and adult readers over the many times it will be requested.  Highly recommended for home, preschool and public libraries.

October 2020 review by Jane Cothron.

Book review: The Same But Different Too, by Karl Newson, illustrated by Kate Hindley

Newson, Karl. The Same But Different Too. Illustrated by Kate Hindley. Nosy Crow, 2019. $16.99. ISBN 9781536212013. Unpaged. Ages 3-6. P7 Q7

Children often think that they have to be the same as their friends to be accepted. Follow several racially diverse children as they compare themselves with various animals to see how their preferences are the same or differ.  Includes comparison words such as above and below, fast and slow. The last page has one of the characters sleeping with all the animals that are in the book. This adorable picture book can be used to compare and contrast and to start a conversation about individuality. The oversized illustrations with great facial expressions are done in pencil and colored digitally.

Verdict: Exploring all the ways we are the same and different helps children develop connections with others and celebrate their individuality. This sweet picture book will help children realize that it is okay to be the same and different from others. The large font and oversized illustrations make this a great read-aloud. I highly recommend this book.

April 2020 review by Tami Harris.

Book review: I’m In Charge!, by Jeanne Willis, illustrated by Jarvis

Willis, Jeanne. I’m In Charge! Illustrated by Jarvis. Nosy Crow/Candlewick Press, 2018. Unpaged. $16.99. ISBN 978-1536202595. Ages 2-6. P7 Q8

Little Rhino runs around telling all the animals that he is in charge, being sort of a bully. He says he makes the rules and he doesn’t want to share. But things happen that change his mind. The colors and simple illustrations are fabulous-very simple yet effective artwork. The words are ones that are best said aloud at story time with great volume as little rhino shouts a lot. The lesson is lightly given at the end.

VERDICT: This was mostly fun for the artwork and joy of reading it aloud. Very young children will enjoy this book. It gives a reason to chat about why being a bully isn’t a good thing.

January 2020 review by Lynne Wright.

Book review: The Princess and the Giant, by Caryl Hart, illustrated by Sarah Warburton

Hart, Caryl. The Princess and the Giant. Illustrated by Sarah Warburton. Nosy Crow, 2015. $16.99. ISBN 9780763680077. Unpaged. Ages 3-7. P8Q8.

A grouchy giant makes such a ruckus that the people down the beanstalk can’t sleep at night. Princess Sophie gets tired of the situation, and gets ideas from fairy tales about how to soothe the giant so he’ll be quiet. Sophie is practical- she wears boots and fills a backpack with supplies for her missions- she makes him porridge, gives him teddy bears to sleep with, brings him a comfortable mattress, and finally, reads him bedtime stories. After that, the giant can sleep and he and Sophie, who teaches him to read, are fast friends. Children will enjoy the rhyming text, the references to the traditional story, and the new and detailed twists.

VERDICT: I’m looking forward to reading this one for storytime one day soon- I’m sure it will be popular. Of course, it would make a great bedtime story too.

September 2018 review by Carol Schramm.

Book review: Little Red Riding Hood, by Ed Bryan

Bryan, Ed. Little Red Riding Hood. Nosy Crow, 2015. Unpaged. $9.99  ISBN: 0763693316. Gr.PreK-2. P6 Q6

A fun adaptation of the classic story, with a bit of a twist at the end (yes, Grandma is safe.)

Verdict: The bright illustrations are fun and help to engage the reader/listener (it would be a good read-aloud.)  It would be an interesting classroom experience to compare and contrast all the versions of this tale.

March 2018 review by N.H.S. students, edited and compiled by Liz Fox.

Book review: The New Friend, by Alex Scheffler

Scheffler, Axel. The New Friend. (Pip and Posy series) Nosy Crow, an imprint of Candlewick Press, 2017. $12.99. ISBN 9780763693398. 32 pages. Ages 3-6. P7 Q7

Pip and Posy are friends who go to the beach. While they are at the beach, Posy takes a nap and Pip notices a boy next to them. Posy feels left out when Pip and Zac become friends. The story models phrases that will help children enter into play, such as, “I’m Zac, would you like to play with me?” The book shares how Posy feels when she feels like she has lost her friend. Children can relate to the feelings and also gain vocabulary on how to enter play with peers. The text is simple and easy for young children to read. This book is in the Pip and Posy series.

Verdict: I can see this story being used in a kindergarten class to teach children how to enter into play with others. Parents can also use this book to help their young children navigate friendships.

June 2017 review by Tami Harris.

Book review: Fairy Felicity’s Moonlight Adventure, by Alison Murray

Murray, Alison. Fairy Felicity’s Moonlight Adventure. Nosy Crow/Candlewick Press, 2016. $15.99. ISBN 9780763689452. 24 pages. Age 3-7. P9 Q10

Fairy Felicity receives a letter. She follows a snail to find out where the letter will lead her. Along the way, she meets different insects: a moth, butterfly, bee, and dragon fly which circle foxgloves, roses, daisies, and ivy. This leads her to her surprise. Each page has a silver, glitter line that can be touched as she tracks the snail trail through the story. Each page inspires curiosity as to where the snail is leading Felicity. This picture book has beautiful, colorful, and tactile illustrations.

Verdict: I smiled at the end of the book. The book is full of fairies, nature, imagination and curiosity. This book is good for discussion and prediction as to what the surprise will be. I highly recommend the book. A must have for an elementary school library or personal book collection.

December 2016 review by Tami Harris.