Wednesday, November 30, 2016

FARWAY FOX by Jolene Thompson / Book Review #picturebookmonth



By: Jolene Thompson
Illustrated by: Justin Thompson
Published by: HMH Books For Young Readers
Released on: September 6th, 2016
Ages: 4 & up
Rating: 4 Owlets - We Enjoyed It!
Purchase from: Amazon | B&N
Add it to Goodreads
A copy of this book was provided by the the publisher in exchange for my honest review

As Fox wanders through a strange landscape, he cannot help but be reminded—at every corner—of the streams, the trees, and the family he once knew. Fox would like nothing more than to return to his home, but it seems the cityscape has built up around him.


Follow Fox as he looks for a way back home to the wild green land where every fox belongs. Back matter shows readers the creative ways humans are helping to mitigate habitat encroachment in our towns and cities.


Beautiful illustrations, and a great story. Farway Fox follows the story of a fox who's been separated from his family by construction and urban growth. During his journey to find them, he discovers that buildings and roadways have replaced areas where his family once roamed freely. His journey back to his family takes him through these all these areas. While all may seem lost, he finds a wildlife underpass which leads him safely back to his waiting family. 

This book is a great segway to talking to young kids about the importance of taking care of wildlife, and preserving their habitats. While many areas are booming with urban growth, and are seeing the decline of wildlife areas, there are still many ways we can protect the animals that live there. Like with wildlife underpasses, like the one featured in this story, that allows safe passages for wildlife to travel freely between their woodland homes, and new places. This book is great for elementary school age children who are studying wildlife, and their habitats. 


THE BOSS BABY / THE BOSSIER BABY by Marla Frazee / Book Review #picturebookmonth

We're finishing off the month long celebration of children's picture book reviews with two books, one of which is soon to be out in movie theaters! 



Written and Illustrated by: Marla Frazee
Published by: Beach Lane Books
Released on: November 1st, 2016 (paperback edition)
Ages: 4 & up
Rating: 3 Owlets 
Purchase from: Simon & SchusterAmazon | B&N
Add it to Goodreads
A copy of this book was received from the publisher in exchange for my honest review

From the moment the baby arrived, it was obvious that he was the boss.

The boss baby is used to getting his way—drinks made to order 24/7, a private jet, and meetings around the clock. But when his demands aren’t getting proper responses, he has to go to new lengths to achieve the attention he deserves.

Marla Frazee brings her signature wit and humor—along with adorable illustrations—to a book that explores the effect of one family’s very unusual new arrival.


A good laugh out loud picture book for first time parents, Frazee does a great job at capturing the demanding, not so glamorous, and sometimes comical side of being a first time parent.  

From the moment The Boss Baby arrives, he has the minions, aka, parents, wrapped around his finger. No matter what time of day or night he needs something, they are there to help him. He is definitely one demanding boss. At least he looks cute while being the boss.


Written and Illustrated by: Marla Frazee
Published by: Beach Lane Books
Released on: November 1st, 2016 
Ages: 4 & up
Rating: 4 owlets - We Enjoyed It
Purchase fromAmazon | B&N
Add it to Goodreads
A copy of this book was received from the publisher in exchange for my honest review

Two-time Caldecott Honor recipient Marla Frazee’s Boss Baby is back—but this time there’s a new baby sister CEO in town!

Change is in the air—the Boss Baby’s staff has stopped taking his direction! It seems that there is a new CEO in town; from the moment she comes home, Boss Baby’s little sister is extremely loud and is demanding all sorts of corporate perks he never got. Can the Boss Baby and his staff get used to the new corporate structure?


What happens when a even bossier baby is welcomed into boss baby's home? Boss baby realizes not only is the new boss baby bossier than he is, she's getting all the attention. What's a boss baby to do? Luckily there is more to being bossier and looking cute with this new baby. 


Picking up not long after The Boss Baby ends, Frazee does a great job at capturing the range of emotions kids feel when a new baby/sibling is welcome into their family. Filled with the right amount of humor and sweetness, we really enjoyed this book even more so than the first one. 


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 ~