Tuesday, February 7, 2012

A Celebration of Love: Book Review #2: Plant A Kiss by Amy Krouse Rosenthal


Illustrated by: Peter H. Reynolds
Released on: December 27th, 2011
Source: book from publisher to review
Ages: infant+
4 stars: We Really Enjoyed It
Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

Little Miss planted a kiss . . .

One small act of love blooms into something bigger and more dazzling than Little Miss could have ever imagined in this epic journey about life, kindness, and giving. -quoted from Goodreads

This adorably illustrated story shares a powerful message with kids about sharing. I loved the simple rhyming words, and cute illustrations that were featured on each page. This is a book that will be a big hit for young children. It's great to have at home and in preschool settings.

Book Review: The Boy on CINNAMON STREET by Phoebe Stone


Published by: Scholastic Inc.
Released on: February 1st, 2012
Source: book from publisher to review
Age: 10 & up
4 stars: I Enjoyed It
Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A story about a wounded girl and the boy who won't give up on her.7th grader Louise should be the captain of her school's gymnastics team - but she isn't. She's fun and cute and should have lots of friends - but she doesn't. And there's a dreamy boy who has a crush on her - but somehow they never connect. Louise has everything going for her - so what is it that's holding her back?Phoebe Stone tells the winning story of the spring when 7th grader Louise Terrace wakes up, finds the courage to confront the painful family secret she's hiding from - and finally get the boy. - quoted from Goodreads

This is the story about a girl who used to be someone different. Who used to feel alive, loved gymnastics, being with her friends and writing poetry. It's a story about a girl who dealt with something so traumatic it changed her completely. This is the story about a boy who loves this broken girl and will do anything to make her feel whole again. This is a poignant story about love, forgiveness and finding the strength to move on.

If being in 7th grade wasn't already hard enough, think of how hard it would be if you moved schools, stopped talking to all your friends, quit gymnastics (even though you were the star on the team), moved in with her Grandparents and completely shut yourself off from the world around you. This happens to Louise, a once bright young girl who's only way to cope with something so horrible she locks it deep inside herself and pushes everyone and everything else away. Luckily for her, her best friend Henderson, his sister and her Grandparent's are in her life and no matter what never wavier on their love for her. Louise is a character I laughed with, cried with and wanted to give her a big ole mom hug and tell her she would get through this and be an even stronger person that she is now.

Phoebe Stone's prose is poetic, and hauntingly beautiful. She takes some serious, realistic subject matters and introduces them in a way that young readers will be able to relate to them. I loved the way she allowed me to get to know Louise through her interactions with those around her. Little by little Phoebe peeled back the layers of Louise and what her mind was shielding from herself and me as a reader, until one beautiful Spring morning Louise confronts everything she's kept locked up. Phoebe does such a brilliant job at creating moments that will rip your heart out with moments of humor, love and unbreakable friendship that will leave you sighing.

My favorite element to this story is Henderson, Louise's childhood best friend and romantic interest in this story. He is a rock for Louise and though he has his adorable moments of being nerdy, and down right funny, he is an deniable warrior in Louise's life. I love all the little things he does for her through out the story. It's hard not to love a character like him. The Boy on CINNAMON STREET is a story that will pull at your heart strings, make you laugh, and having you wiping your tears. It's a moving story about the power of love, learning to let go and finding the strength to carry on.
I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~ Anna Quindlen

Good children's literature appeals not only to
the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child.
~ Anonymous ~