Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Happy Halloween!


Wishing everyone a Happy Halloween! 
We hope you have a fabulous day and fun & safe evening.

Thursday, October 26, 2017

MOUSE'S FIRST HALLOWEEN by Lauren Thompson / Book Review


By: Lauren Thompson
Illustrated by: Buket Erdogan
Published by: Little Simon / Simon & Schuster 
Released on: September 1st, 2000
Ages: 3 & up
Purchase from: Amazon | B&N
Add it to Goodreads
Rating: 3 Owlets
Source: read at the library 

One spooky night in the fall, Mouse creeps out and hears bats flying
Flit! Flit! Flit! and apples dropping Plop! Plop! Plop! and children singing "TRICK OR TREAT!" 

What could it be?

A fun, interactive, easy to read Halloween story. Kids will love joining little mouse as he ventures out on his first Halloween night. With so many things happening, what could little mouse run into? From the howling of the wind, to the plopping of apples falling from the tree, and the fluttering of bats, each turn of the page reveals a new site and sound. Kids will guessing what each sound will reveal on the next page. 

Bright colorful, really cute illustrations, and an engaging story, make this book one spooktacular Halloween read. Perfect for story time and reading aloud, this book was a hit with the kindergarten class I recently read this too. Don't worry, there's nothing to be scared off in this book. With engagement on each picture, kids will love predicting what the little mouse is about to see. Definitely recommend picking up this fun read. 

** This book is also available in a board book version, out by Little Simon. Though I've not personally read the board book, I can only imagine how cute the board book is, as this book is a cute read. 

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

OTTER LOVES HALLOWEEN by Sam Garton / Book Review #OtterLovesHalloween



Written and Illustrated by: Sam Garton
Published by: Balzer + Bray
Released on: July 21st, 2015
Ages: 4 & up
Purchase from: Harper CollinsAmazon | B&N
Add it to Goodreads
Rating: 5 Owlets
Source: read at the library 

Get in the Halloween spirit with Otter—the irrepressible picture book character from I Am Otter and Otter in Space, sure to be adored by fans of Llama Llama.
Halloween is Otter's favorite holiday. It's also a very busy time for her and Teddy. With so much to do, it's a good thing she's a Halloween expert!
With Otter's winning voice and Sam Garton's classic yet fresh artwork, Otter Loves Halloween! is sure to be a holiday favorite.
Really cute Halloween story. In preparing for Halloween, Otter uses her imagination when it comes to decorating her house, and making the perfect costume. But what will Otter be? There are so many choices to make. Things seems to be going great, until Otter gets scared with some of the costume choices. It's definitely scary for her at first when the trick or treaters come. Thankfully she's got her otter keeper to help her understand that trick or treating and dressing up is a lot of fun.

Great for story time, and reading out loud, or by one's self, I'd definitely recommend adding this book to your Halloween lists. We love Otter, and her stories. Not only are her stories fun, the illustrations are simply adorable! We love the little details in each picture. 

This book is great for a class/group story time! I recently read this adorable book during a story time at a local elementary school, and the kindergarten class loved it. It was engaging, and easy for them to follow along. They loved seeing all that Otter does to get ready for Halloween. This book is definitely worth picking up and reading. 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN MITTENS by Lola M. Schaefer / Book Review #HappyHalloweenMittens


By: Lola M. Schaefer
Illustrated by: Susan Kathleen Hartung
Published by: Harper Collins
Released on: 7/27/2010
Ages: 4 & up
Series: My First I Can Read!
Purchase from: The Publisher | Amazon | B&N
Add it to Goodreads
Rating: 3 Owlets - It's A Good Read
Source: read at the school library

Mittens the kitten wants to help Nick get ready for Halloween. But when Mittens tries to paint spooky faces, put up spooky cobwebs, and make orange cookies, he makes a mess instead! Halloween activities take center stage in this sweet beginning reader about Mittens.
This My First I Can Read Book is perfect for shared reading with toddlers and very young children. Basic language, word repetition, and whimsical illustrations make this book just right for the emergent reader.
It's Halloween and Mittens wants to help Nick get ready for it. Only problem is, when ever she tries to help him, she ends up making a bigger mess. Whether making cookies, or carving pumpkins, things don't turn out quite like she tries to make them. That is, until the decorating. Thanks to Mittens, Nick has a really cool Halloween decoration hanging up outside.

This is a great earlier reader. With easy to read words, repetition and cute illustrations, early readers will enjoy reading about Mittens, and the fun that's had at Halloween. It also makes a great read out loud for story time or one on one reading. 

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

HERBERT'S FIRST HALLOWEEN by Cynthia Rylant / Book Review #HerbertsFirstHalloween


By: Cynthia Rylant
Illustrated by: Steven Henry
Published by: Chronicle Books
Released on: August 1st, 2017
Ages: 2 & up
Purchase from: The PublisherAmazon | B&N
Add it to Goodreads
Rating: 5 Owlets
* A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review

Herbert is deeply doubtful about his first Halloween—but with a little help from his dad and a special tiger costume, Herbert might just find confidence on Halloween night. 

Together, father and son practice roaring, carve a pumpkin, and venture out in search of candy. And by the end of the night, Herbert finds his doubts have melted away. A sweet introduction to Halloween and to being brave, this book is sure to delight the youngest of trick-or-treaters.

A first Halloween must read! Halloween can be a little scary, especially if it's a child's first time experiencing trick or treating, dressing up etc. Herbert's First Halloween takes those worries, and fears, and puts them into an adorable story, with equally adorable illustrations. 

Herbert is unsure about what to except his first Halloween. He's a little anxious. Thanks to his dad's fun loving ways, Herbert realizes Halloween can be really fun and exciting. With the help of his dad, Herbert experiences carving his first pumpkin, making his first (adorable tiger) costume and even practices pretending to be a tiger. He even has fun dressing up with his dad to go trick or treating. Herbert has so much fun, he forgets that he's worried. He even knows what he's going to dress up as next Halloween.

This book is such an adorable story. With it's easy to read, and comprehend words, and down right cute illustrations, this book will help ease kids into the Halloween festivities and shows them what it's all about. A lot fun! I love that the dad's role in helping Herbert ease into Halloween traditions. Definitely worth picking up this cute story!

RUNNY BABBIT RETURNS by Shel Silverstein / Book Spotlight #RunnyBabbitReturns


Check it out Shel Silverstein fans! Harper Collins Childrens Books will be publishing Runny Babbit Returns! This never before published collection of spooky poems by Shel Silverstein is sure to be a hit with fans. Check out this sneak peak:


Per the Official Press Release we received from Harper Collins:

CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN WITH SHEL SILVERSTEIN AND RUNNY BABBIT RETURNS! HarperCollins Children’s Books to Publish RUNNY BABBIT RETURNS, a Never- Before-Published Collection of Spoonerism Poems by Shel Silverstein!





ABOUT THE BOOK



New York, NY (February 8, 2017) – Today HarperCollins Children’s Books announced the publication of Runny Babbit Returns, a never-before-published book of spoonerism poems by the legendary Shel Silverstein and follow-up to the 2005 publication, Runny Babbit. Antonia Markiet, Senior Executive Editor at HarperCollins, acquired U.S. and Canada rights, and publication is scheduled for September 19, 2017.

Runny Babbit Returns takes us back to the green woods of Runny Babbit with 41 never-before-published poems and drawings. Compiled from completed but unpublished works in the Silverstein archive, this next installment encompasses beloved themes such as friendship, kindness, family, and, of course, food. The first Runny Babbit is a charming and witty collection of spoonerisms written and illustrated by Silverstein before his death and his first book published posthumously, in 2005. Filled with creative words and phrases with letters or syllables swapped (bunny rabbit becomes Runny Babbit), this poetry book follows the warm, insightful, and laugh-out-loud adventures of an endearing cast of characters. Maurice Sendak said of Runny Babbit, “I wish I had done this book!” 

Runny Babbit has sold over 770,000 copies and spent 39 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. This companion book, Runny Babbit Returns, features extraordinarily imaginative poems that embody Silverstein’s iconic humor and style, with tongue-twisting wordplay and uproarious characters. New and old readers alike won’t want to miss their chance to revisit their favorite Runny and meet even more of his woodland friends.

“We’re delighted to continue the legacy of the extraordinary Shel Silverstein, a household name for over fifty years,” said Suzanne Murphy, President and Publisher of HarperCollins Children’s Books. “This never-before-published collection of poems and drawings will be cherished by readers of all ages and is a wonderful companion book to follow Runny Babbit.”

Generations have grown up with the works of Shel Silverstein, known not only as a poet and illustrator but also for his work as a cartoonist, playwright, performer, recording artist, and Grammy Award–winning songwriter. Silverstein’s children’s books have sold more than 39 million copies in the U.S. alone and have been translated into 46 foreign languages. He has encouraged children to dream and dare to imagine the impossible with his exceptional poetry and unforgettable characters. 


ABOUT SHEL SILVERSTEIN

Shel Silverstein is the author of Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back; A Giraffe and a Half; The Giving Tree; Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros?; Don’t Bump the Glump!Where the Sidewalk EndsThe Missing PieceA Light in the AtticThe Missing Piece Meets the Big OFalling UpRunny Babbit; and Every Thing On It.  He was a cartoonist, playwright, poet, performer, recording artist, and Grammy-winning/Oscar-nominated songwriter. Shel Silverstein’s children’s books have sold more than 39 million copies in the U.S. alone and have been translated into 46 foreign languages. You can learn more about Shel and his books by visitingwww.shelsilverstein.com.

ABOUT HARPERCOLLINS CHILDREN’S BOOKS

HarperCollins Children’s Books is one of the leading publishers of children’s and teen books. Respected worldwide for its tradition of publishing quality, award-winning books for young readers, HarperCollins is home to many timeless treasures and bestsellers such as Charlotte’s Web, Goodnight Moon, Where the Sidewalk Ends, Where the Wild Things Are, The Graveyard Book and series including The Chronicles of Narnia, Ramona, Warriors, Pete the Cat, Fancy Nancy, Divergent, and The Selection. Consistently at the forefront of digital innovation, HarperCollins Children’s Books delights readers through engaging storytelling in all formats, including e-books and apps. HarperCollins Children’s Books is a division of HarperCollins Publishers, which is the second largest consumer book publisher in the world, has operations in 18 countries, and is a subsidiary of News Corp (NASDAQ: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV). You can visit HarperCollins Children’s Books at www.harpercollinschildrens.com and www.epicreads.com and HarperCollins Publishers at corporate.HC.com.

Monday, October 23, 2017

TOTO THE DOG-GONE AMAZING STORY OF THE WIZARD OF OZ By Michael Morpurgo / Book Spotlight


Think you know the story of The Wizard of Oz? Think again! New, from the storyteller who gave readers War Horse, author Michael Morpurgo, has a brand new release out for young readers. Featuring over 250 illustrations, TOTO THE DOG-GONE AMAZING STORY OF THE WIZARD OZ, is a surprising new, and fun twist on the classic, The Wizard of Oz. If you're looking for a fun Halloween read, add this book to your list! 

INSIDE SNEAK PEAK



Thank you to Harper Collins, I've got a sneak peak into the book. Trust me, this is one book you'll want to pick up. It made our list of Halloween recommendations. The great thing about this book, is it also makes a great read through out the year. This is definitely a Wizard of Oz book for a whole new generation of fans. The illustrations match the story perfectly. 



ABOUT THE BOOK

By: Michael Morpurgo
Illustrated by: Emma Chichester Clark 
Published by: Harper Collins
Released on: September 12, 2017
Ages: 8 & up
Purchase from: Amazon | B&N
Add it to Goodreads

I was there,” Papa Toto said, and those magic words sent shivers down my spine. It was going to be the Wizard story. “Dorothy and me were both there.”

We were all silent, waiting, waiting. Then Papa Toto began…

When a twister descends on their Kansas farm, Toto and his owner Dorothy hide in the house – only to be plucked into the air and whisked away! Coming down with a crash in the mysterious land of Oz, the pair meet a series of extraordinary characters: a scarecrow who believes he has no brains, a tin man without a heart, and a cowardly lion who may not be as cowardly as he thinks he is.

But Toto and Dorothy are desperate to return home – after all, home is home, and home is best! So, they set off with their new friends on a journey down the yellow brick road to find the only person who might be able to help them: the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. On the way, all of them will learn that what they think they are missing might have been there, all along…

Beautifully illustrated throughout, this is an unforgettable retelling of a classic story, and a must for every bookshelf.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR



MICHAEL MORPURGO OBE is one of Britain’s best-loved writers for children. He has written over 100 books and won many prizes, including the Smarties Prize, the Blue Peter Book Award and the Whitbread Award. His recent bestselling novels include Pinocchio, Listen to the Moon and An Eagle in the Snow.

His novel War Horse has been successfully adapted as a West End and Broadway theatre play and a major film by Steven Spielberg. A former Children’s Laureate, Michael is also the co-founder, with his wife Clare, of the charity Farms for City Children.

October Middle Grade Must Reads


Happy Marvelous Middle Grade Monday! Fall has kicked off to a great start with the variety of middle grade and and children's book releases. With the end of October creeping up on us, I thought I'd make a list of a few titles I'd recommend checking out before the month is over. 


  1. The Dreadful Tale of Propser Redding by Alexandra Bracken
  2. Snow & Rose by Emily Winfield Martin
  3. The Apprentice Witch by James Nicol
  4. The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell
  5. The Mistress of all Evil: A Tales of the Dark Fairy 
  6. The Empty Grave by Jonathan Stroud
  7. Beanstalker and Other Hilarious Scary Tales by Kiersten White 
  8. Stick Dog Craves Candy by Tom Watson
  9. Lock & Key: The Initiation / The Downward Spiral by Ridley Pearson
  10. Coco: A Story About Music, Shoes and Family by Diana Lopez

Also worth checking out, and recently reviewed on the blog;
Have some favorite Halloween reads? We'd love to hear your recommendations. Please leave us a comment below!

Thursday, October 19, 2017

THE SILVER MASK (Magisterium Series Book #4) By Holly Black & Cassandra Clare #TheSilverMask #MagisteriumSeries


By: Holly Black & Cassandra Clare
Published by: Scholastic 
Released on: October 10th, 2017
Series: Magisterium Series #4
Purchase from: Amazon | B&N | The Book Depository 
Add it to Goodreads
Rating: 5 Owlets
Source: purchased book
Reviewed by: Emm

Callum Hunt's life has fallen apart.

His friend is gone. The spy has escaped. His secret is out.
He is facing an existence behind bars, banished from the rest of the magical community for what he is - for what he might become.

But a shocking revelation has promised freedom - at a cost. Will he stay strong, and faithful to his friends and teachers? Or take the risk, and destroy everything he's ever loved?

This fourth year at the Magisterium will be unlike anything else that has gone before . . . 

It goes without saying that we here at Mundie Kids have been huge fans of Cassandra Clare and Holly Black from TMI and Spiderwick days. Those who follow Cassie and Holly will know they are good friends so when we heard they were writing a book series together we knew it would be a match made in heaven. And what a wonderful Middle Grade book series Magisterium is! The series follows Callum Hunt as he enters the Magisterium, a school for Mages, the magic wielding people of the world. Over the past 3 books we have gotten to know Callum and his friends Aaron and Tamara. We have gotten to know the Magical world they live in and how one of the most evil Mage in history is closely tied to Callum.

Book 4 The Silver Mask starts off about 6 months after the end of the last book. With Callum in the magical jail for his involvement at the end of book 3 (no spoilers I promise) he is having a hard time coming to terms with what has happened and how the magical world has blamed him.  I really love Callum and how he is portrayed in these books. A typical young teenage boy with all the insecurities and uncertainties of life. He doesn’t think very highly of himself but as the book progresses we see him really coming into his own, not relying on others and now making decisions for himself. The burdens placed on him and how he is given roles he really didn’t ask for or likes having, do test his resolve.  I do love how Callum is portrayed and how he has grown through this series but in particular The Silver Mask. I think it teaches it’s reader that in times when you don’t know who to trust, make sure you love and trust yourself first.

In The Silver Mask there is a lot of discussion about our soul and how your soul effects you in the Mage world. How a soul can be taken away piece by piece to save another person or someone can take a part of your soul as well. I really enjoyed this part of the story and how it tests the characters, Callum in particular.  This is an interesting spin on the whole good and evil plot we see in many books. I love how it makes the characters and the reader really think about what is worth the sacrifice to save the ones you love.

In spite of it being a Middle Grade book it is an extremely smart and clever story that people of all ages (including this 41yr old Mom) will enjoy.

We Love Instagram Book Features + Check Us Out on IG!


I love talking about books, as much as I love featuring them on social media. Did you know Mundie Kids also has an Instagram account? There you'll also find a variety of book features, that aren't always featured here on the blog. Each of the pictures shared in this post are all from our MKs Instagram account. 


In some cases, you'll see books linked back to reviews here on the blog, and other times, like today, you'll see a picture of a variety of books (picked above) we highly recommend picking up this Fall. I'm working on making the time to write reviews for these books still. They're perfect reads for Halloween. 


  
Be sure to follow us on Instragam! If you're on there too, please let us know. We'd love to check out your account too.


Don't miss out! If you're ever interested in the monthly OwlCrateJr book box subscription, I've been sharing our pictures for that as well, but only on Instagram. This month's box arrived yesterday, so I've not yet shared all it's contents. We don't want to spoil anyone yet. I'll be sharing pictures of our unboxing next week. My daughter LOVES these boxes.

*All images are property of Mundie Kids and may not be used without permission.

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

THE ROAD HOME by Katie Cotton / Book Review #TheRoadHome


By: Katie Cotton
Illustrated by: Sarah Jacoby
Published by: Abrams
Released on: March 7, 2017 
Ages: 4 & up
Purchase from: AbramsAmazon | B&N 
Add it to Goodreads
Rating: 4 Owlets 
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review

Fierce and tender, this beautifully illustrated picture book depicts the journeys of woodland animals as they seek the safety of home in a wild, unpredictable world. Birds risk the elements to fly south for the winter. Rabbits flee wolves to find warm, safe havens in the burrows. Wolves race the threat of hunger before seeking their dens. All are parents teaching their young the ways of survival in a dangerous world. In the end, each pair of animals finds the comfort of home in each other, reinforcing the depth of the bond between parent and child. With soft and stunning art, this book is a giftable meditation on the fierce beauty of life and the love we find as we seek the way home.

A lyerical story that magically captures the changes in nature's seasons, and the journeys animals take to get prepare for those changes. Whether soaring over valleys, running through snow covered mountains, nestling down in a field of flowers, or hiding in the woods, this story takes readers of a journey through nature, and it's changing seasons with a beautiful message about finding home.

The warm earth tone color scheme, and vivid illustrations, are a perfect match for the story's heartfelt story about the journey home. With a constant reminder that, "This road is hard, this road is long, but we not alone. For you are here, and I'm with you, and so this road is home." The message about love, and seeking the way home, is one younger readers will understand and older readers will treasure it's deeper meaning. This is a book we really enjoyed and one we definitely recommend picking up. It's a perfect read for this fall, and all year long. 

Take a Look Inside:





We really enjoyed these illustrations. They really add a lot to the overall feel to the story. 

GOODBYE SUMMER, HELLO AUTUMN by Kenard Pak / Book Review #GoodbyeSummerHelloAutumn


Written & Illustrated by: Kenard Pak
Published by: Henry Holt
Released on: August 16th, 2016
Ages: 4 & up
Purchase from: The Publisher | Amazon | B&N 
Add it to Goodreads
Rating: 4.5 Owlets - We Really Enjoyed It
Source: purchased book 

As trees sway in the cool breeze, blue jays head south, and leaves change their colors, everyone knows autumn is on its way! 
Join a young girl as she takes a walk through forest and town, greeting all the signs of the coming season. In a series of conversations with every flower and creature and gust of wind, she says good-bye to summer and welcomes autumn.

I absolutely love the changing seasons from summer into fall. GOODBYE SUMMER, HELLO AUTUMN captures some of the things I love about the changing of the seasons, perfectly. Both in story telling, and vivid fall colored illustrations, Pak helps readers understand the changing of the warm summer days, into the chilly shorter fall days. 

Joining the young girl on her walk from her house, through the woods and country, and into her small town, and back again, readers see how nature prepares itself for the change from summer to autumn. As the girl welcomes the changes, she's greeted by nature, who tells her of each change. From the fox getting ready to hibernate, to the last of the summer flowers, to the chilly wind, everything has a purpose. 

With bright colorful changes on the trees, flowers and leaves, to the animals and bugs making preparations for cooler weather, readers see how everything gets ready for fall. This is a delightful story with charming illustrations. I love the diverse characters featured in this book, and all the details featured in each of the pages of this book. This book is perfect for curling up with on a cooler fall day.

Check out a few of the images from the book (image source, the author)




Monday, October 16, 2017

BLACK MOON RISING (The Library Series: #2) By D.J. MacHale / Blog Tour: Book Review #BlackMoonRising


By: D.J. MacHale
Published by: Random House
Released on: October 3, 2017
Series: The Library Series #2
Ages: 8 & up
Purchase from: The PublisherAmazon | B&N
Add it to Goodreads
Rating: 4.5 Owlets
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review

The next fast-paced, thrilling adventure from bestselling author D. J. MacHale! Check out a book and fall under its spell . . . literally.
 
Marcus is an agent of the Library—a place filled with tales that don’t have an ending. Mysteries that won’t be solved until Marcus and his friends Theo and Lu step in to finish them. Before it’s too late.
 
Because mysterious accidents are disturbing a middle school in Massachusetts. Windows shatter for no reason. Bleachers collapse at a pep rally. Most of the students think they’re just having a string of bad luck, but Marcus suspects something a lot more dangerous. Something like witchcraft. When the black moon rises, this story must come to an end . . . one way or another.
A fun, thrilling, action packed adventure. Marcus, Theo and Lu are back! This time there's another story that needs to be finished, or else something worse than what happened in book 1, will be unleashed. 

Black Moon Rising thrusts middle grader readers right back into the heart of a thrilling, awesome storyline. Told from multiple points of views, including that of the story itself (my favorite), this book is full of humor, wit, charm, magic, danger, and of course friendship. Wait, did I mention there are witches, wolves and ravens too? This book was such a great read, we couldn't put it down! 

Marcus, Theo and Lu are what friendship in middle grade books is all about. Just like the first book, this fabulous trio of friends makes you wish you had your own group of awesome, diverse friends, who make fighting frightening things seem fun. These three have a solid friendship, and I absolutely love watching them work together to solve the mystery, and foil the evil plan. Being an agent of the Library is no easy thing for Marcus. It's a complicated job to give a book an ending that needs it, in order to stop horrible things from happening. His friends play a huge role in helping him out. 

MacHale knows how to engage his readers. His writing is fun, engaging, and down right entertaining.  Though it's part of The Library series, this book can definitely be read on it's own. I recommend picking up the first book so that some things mentioned that previously happened, make a little bit more sense.

Perfect to read around Halloween (and off course through out the entire year), this story has a wicked twist, and plenty of fun that will keep readers hooked till the very end! D.J. MacHale's The Library series makes reading fun! I only wish I had, had this book when I was younger. 

ABOUT THE FIRST BOOK IN THE SERIES



By: D.J. MacHale
Published by: Random House
Released on: September 6, 2016
SeriesThe Library Series #1
Ages: 8 & up
Purchase fromThe Publisher
Add it to Goodreads

Enter the Library, where no one knows how the stories end . . . and finding out will be terrifying.

There’s a place beyond this world, beyond the land of the living, where ghosts go to write their unfinished stories—stories that ended too soon. It’s a place for unexplained phenomena: mysteries that have never been solved, spirits that have never been laid to rest. And there’s only one way in or out.


It’s called the Library, and you can get there with a special key. But beware! Don’t start a story you can’t finish. Because in thislibrary, the stories you can’t finish just might finish you.

Marcus O’Mara is a 13 year old guy at a crossroads. He constantly finds himself in trouble at school, with his friends, and with his adoptive parents. Marcus doesn’t believe things can get any worse for him…until they get worse.

Much worse.

He begins seeing strange and impossible visions; gets thrown into paranormal danger and is haunted by a mysterious ghost with a singular goal: to give him a key.

It’s a key that opens the door to a mysterious library. When that door opens, the incredible adventure for Marcus and his friends begins as they learn the truth about Marcus’ past and uncover the strange world of unfinished stories that are found on the shelves of the Library.


NIGHT SHIFT by Debi Gliori / Book Review #NightShift



Written & Illustrated by: Debi Gliori
Published by: Razorbill
To Be Released on: September 5th, 2017
Ages: 6 & up
Purchase from: PenguinAmazon | B&N
Add it to Goodreads
Source: e-arc from publisher in exchange for my honest review 

From beloved author and illustrator Debi Gliori (No Matter What) comes Night Shift, a groundbreaking lushly illustrated picture book based on Gliori's own personal history with depression.

Fighting dragons is one way of fighting depression. This book is another. 


Through stunning black and white illustration and deceptively simple text, author and illustrator Debi Gliori provides a fascinating and absorbing portrait of depression and hope in Night Shift, a moving picture book about a young girl haunted by dragons. The young girl battles the dragons using 'night skills': skills that give her both the ability to survive inside her own darkness and the knowledge that nothing--not even long, dark nights filled with monsters--will last forever. 


Drawn from Gliori's own experiences and struggles with depression, the book concludes with a moving author's note explaining how depression has affected her and how she continues to cope. Gliori hopes that by sharing her own experience she can help others who suffer from depression, and to find that subtle shift that will show the way out. 


A brave and powerful book, give Night Shift to dragon fighters young and old, and any reader who needs to know they're not alone.


A powerful picture book that not only gives a face to a silent killer that far too many of us deal with, both young and old, this book is also one of hope. Debi Gliori gives a face to something that sometimes kids and even adults, don't understand they're battling, and why they're feeling a certain way. This book is a brave reminder that they're not alone, and that they can conquer their 'dragon', depression and anxiety.  

With striking illustrations, and few words, Gliori's book is a powerful in it's message. She boldly illustrates the nameless feelings that plague so many kids and adults. I for one, absolutely loved the way this book was written and illustrated. I hope that this book will aid readers in helping them understand what depression and anxiety is, and that they aren't alone in their battles. My hope is that in picking this book up, it will help someone voice the unspoken feelings they have had kept locked up, feeling alone in their own battles, not able to voice what they've been feeling inside. 


I highly recommend this book for anyone who may be struggling to put a face and name to what they're feeling, but don't know how to. 


PRAISE FOR THE BOOK

“It is healing to know the words—or have images—to describe hazy but crushing feelings. The words and images can also help others empathize. Whether we need understanding, or to understand, Debi Gliori has given us all a powerful, and beautiful, gift with Night Shift.”
—Jay Asher, author of Thirteen Reasons Why and Piper, his first graphic novel, which he coauthored
"With exquisite brevity, Debi Gliori articulates the struggle of living with depression, in stunning black and white illustrations, punctuated by a single burst of the dragon of depression's fire. The spread where 'something shifted' and the depression lifts, is moving beyond words."  
—Cressida Cowell, author and illustrator of the How to Train Your Dragon series

ABOUT THE AUTHOR / ILLUSTRATOR

Debi Gliori lives in Scotland. Debi is well known for both her picture books and her novels for children and has been shortlisted for all the major prizes, including the Kate Greenaway Award (twice) and the Scottish Arts Council Award. Debi was the Shetland Islands' first Children's Writer-in-Residence. She has written and illustrated No Matter What, The Trouble With Dragons, Stormy Weather, The Scariest Thing of All, What's the Time, Mr Wolf?, Dragon Loves Penguin and, most recently, Alfie in the Bath and Alfie in the Garden as well as the popular Pure Dead fiction series for older readers.

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 ~