A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

Preschool

Natalie Portman’s Fables

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I love fables.  They give a good story while teaching good life lessons.   Natalie Portman has taken three well-known fables and has rewritten them to add a respect the earth message as well.  Natalie Portman’s Fables retell the stories of three popular stories. Come, let’s learn more in this review.   Affiliate links will be used. 

Natalie Portman's Fables

What you Get

Feiwel and Friends, an imprint of Macmillan, has published this 64 page, hardcover tome I am reviewing for Raincoast books.   It has been delightfully illustrated by Janna Mattia. 

The three stories brought forth for retelling are

  • The Tortoise and the Hare
  • The Three Little Pigs
  • Country Mouse and City Mouse

Natalie Portman stays true to the story, but just adds the odd twist using a rhyming meter that is easy to read.   The intended audience is children 4-6 years old. 

Natalie Portman’s Fables, the details

Natalie Portman's Fables

I LOVE the illustrations.  They do so much to help tell the story.  You can sense the fear, see slyness, joy, sadness and happiness, observe the horrors of pollution, and just enjoy a well-illustrated book.  

The fables are written in rhyming couplets making it fairly easy to read.  Not all words were necessarily easy to pronounce, so I would suggest if you are reading with a group of children to give the book a good read-aloud first.   🙂   

The font size I think is better for sitting down with a child to read, or giving to a first or second grader to read themselves. 

I enjoyed the use of words I don’t normally see in a book intended for a young audience like thrum, meekness, braggart, squatter and pioneering.   I love introducing new words to children and having talking points in books is a most excellent thing. 

You’ll find lots of colour through, with ample use of white space when able.   Overall a well done book. 

Should you get it?

I don’t know.  The illlustrations and rhyming couplets make Natatlie Portman’s Fables an easy read, and I like how the author takes the known to add an element of newness. At times it felt too “sweet” for my tastes.  The danger was taken out of The Three Little Pigs story, which made it feel like it was kinda missing some of the point.   So it’s a bit of a mixed bag, which is part of the danger in retelling the story.   It’s good to use the old to help teach the new, but you need to be careful not to lose too much of the old as you do it.  🙂   

I got to thinking about this and thought huh, this might be an interesting concept to use with middle or high school students.  Teach about how to help the planet, then read these stories and issue a challenge to your students.  The challenge: how they might change a children’s story to include a” help the earth component”.  Wouldn’t that be an interesting writing challenge? 

For more writing challenges, visit SchoolhouseTeachers.com!

 

Superhero vs School

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First time school jitters are real!  Facing the fears of first day school blues, Superhero vs School, will help children see the potential of school instead of the alternatives. Building upon the idea of heros, villains, first day fears, and new friends. 

Superhero vs school

Learning about Superhero vs School

Ethan Long with Bloomsbury Children’s books, uses humour to help children adjust to the new reality of school. Bright images with a bit of a comic book feel fill the pages of this 32-page picture book.  Geared to young children in preschool through grade one. The imagination of a young child runs rampant throughout. 

From the cover: 

In the darkest of nights, when all else is lost, Scotty is ready to vanquish any foe. After all, that’s what a superhero does.

But this hero is about to come face-to-face with his greatest fear, his only weakness: the first day of school!

But just when Scotty thinks all hope is lost, he realizes that school is no match for a whole team of heroes – his new friends.

My review is on behalf of Raincoast Books. 

As I read this story I was thinking two things. First, the frustration of a mom trying to get a child ready for school maybe without knowing everything going on in her little man’s mind. Second, the imagination of a child is both a wonderful and sometimes scary thing. 

Young Scotty was having quite the adventure going on in his head.  School, a scary monsterous place.  The vivid illustrations of Ethan Long bring his fears to light.  

This would be a fun book to read with a group of children BEFORE they head off to school. The font is an excellent size for reading to a group. Gather them around and read them the story, stopping mid-way through to ask if they have any concerns about starting school.  Taking the time to discuss their feelings and concerns.  Then reading on and seeing what Scotty discovered… he’s not in this alone!

Should you get Ethan Long’s book?

I wish Scotty had discovered more than just friends to help him through the day.  I wish he had discovered a fun teacher, and helpful staff along the way, and realized his parent’s concern for him well-being.  My delight in Superhero vs school, Scotty wasn’t left in his fear, but instead was able to look beyond to the people around him. 

Outside In

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Sometimes you run across a book that can be read in different ways.  Outside In is one such book. Between the images, and my take on text used, I had one impression, but when I read the description, I can see another vantage point.   Books like this linger with me, perhaps this one might linger with you as well.   This is my review.

Outside In Review

What I am Reviewing

Deborah Underwood (best selling New York Times author) wrote Outside In which has been published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.  Cindy Derby used a mixture of dark dreary colours with bright pops of colour to illustrate this hardcover picture book.   Written for primary school children, at 40 pages it is a nice book to share with a lap-child or for beginning readers to pick up.  

Because of the different perspectives, you can take with Outside In, it’s an imaginative book with good nature themes. 

Reviewing on behalf of Raincoast Books. 

The Details on Outside In

Cindy Derby’s artwork has left me feeling very conflicted about which way I should read this book.  Parts feel very low and depressive, and other parts feel very bright and ready for almost anything.  At the same time nature abounds, making this tome a place of exploration and dreaming.   It makes for an intriguing look-see.

Outside In

Ooh… the colours in the leaves eh?  Juxtapositioned against the bleakness of winter.  How sad and quiet it can be in the winter, unless we look for the colour and life within it. 

Outside In

Too often that bleakness stays with us.  Bring the light in, bring nature in, rejoice in the colour and life!

The large text size makes it easy for child and adult to read easily. 

sample page outside in

Should you get it?

Outside In is such an interesting book.  Nature, colour, and emotions.  There is much to see and discuss in this picture book. 

Bring nature indoors whether with light or colour.

Don’t get stuck in a rut of quietness within. 

Laugh and Learn Bible for Little Ones

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You may recall that I just reviewed the Laugh and Learn Bible for kids, today I have the Laugh and Learn bible for little ones.   Also written by Phil Vischer this book is for your littlest one, a great way to introduce them to the things of God. 

Laugh and Learn Bible for Little Ones contained 13 lessons with fabulous illustrations to help your littlest ones learn about God.

What I am Reviewing

Phil Vischer of Veggie Tale fame as put together a board book for your littlest ones called Laugh and Learn bible for Little Ones.  13 lessons, board book style, 34 pages, and written for preschoolers.  Published by JellyTelly Press.  Bible stories with simple main points with full colour images to delight curious young ones. 

Details on Laugh & Learn Bible For Little Ones

Each story should take you about 15 minutes to go through, not including the time it takes to enjoy the beautifully crafted illustrations.   You will notice the text on the first page with the illustrated page next to it. 

Laugh and Learn Bible for Little Ones

The main lesson from the story is always highlighted on the bottom of one of the pages.  Check out all the details in the illustrations!  The bright colours and details that draw in the eye of your child. Don’t you think they help your child retell the story?

Laugh and Learn Bible for Little Ones

In the course of the text, you’ll see highlighted words that I don’t really know the significance of. I am guessing they are what Mr. Vischer thinks are significant parts of the story. The whole focus of these 13 lessons is to see God as creator, God’s great love for each person he created, and God’s guidance for our lives through his written word.

Laugh and Learn Bible for Little Ones

Should you Get it?

Yes!  🙂  Bright pictures, good stories, along with to the point lessons for littles to remember. 13 lessons from the Old and New Testament, a well-written book that your littles will have you read over and over. 

All images made using PicMonkey.  Stock photos included, resize, unique templates and more.  Affordable pricing. 

My Friend Earth

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Earth day is coming!  Can you believe it!   A day to celebrate all that is good about the earth and to think of ways to help perserve her. My Friend Earth which I am reviewing today helps youngsters see all that the earth is.  It also serves as an inspiration in caring for our world. 

My Friend Earth

What I am Reviewing

Patrician MacLachlan wrote My Friend Earth, a beautifully illustrated hardcover book with interactive elements. Francesca Sanna, illustrator, brought together vibrant colours with multiple shades of greens and browns to tell Earth’s story.  Chronicle Books produced this 44 page picture book that is written for preschool and kindergarten children.    My Friend Earth teaches children about the earth, it’s seasons, and the environment. 

Reviewed on behalf of Raincoast Books. 

The Details of My Friend Earth

sample page from My Friend Earth

Just look at those colours eh?  So bright and inviting!  The cut outs help create action and movement resulting in drawing you in to learn more.   See birds flit, fish dart, and water flow.  

my friend earth, sample page

You’ll be delighted with the antics of whales, the coursing of horses, and fierce winds that blow hard.   The seasons will come and go, showing the earth in action.

sample page My Friend Earth

The text fits within the images, flowing as the images pass. The lines aren’t poetic in nature but just fit. Easy words to read the help you delight a child with the turn of page.  What will happen next?  What might Earth do or see or cause to happen? Are there flaps to lift?  Holes to peer through?

Recommendations

Celebrate Earth day with your littles.  This delightful book is geared for them.  So much to see and talk about on each page.  I love the peek-a-boo holes.  It’s wonderful to read of the variety of animals and see the gentle change in seasons.  For all the activity that happens within the pages, this is a very calm, peaceful picture book.  Introduce your littles to the environment of the world, talk about how we can preserve it, and have a great Earth day!  My Friend Earth.

Little Juniper makes it BIG

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Aidan Cassie writes a lovely story about little Juniper.  She is so small in her family and she feels she misses so much.  Do you know any children like that?   If so, they may find a companion spirit in Little Juniper.    Little Juniper makes it BIG allows us to watch Juniper’s perspective change.

little juniper makes it big

What I am Reviewing

Little Juniper makes it BIG.
Aidan Cassie (author, illustrator)
Farrar Straus Giroux
4-8 years, 40 pages, hardcover with fly leaf
Reviewed for Raincoast Books.

Picture book, Size, Preschool, Kindergarten, self-esteem, humour, animals

What Juniper lacks in size, she makes up for in heart. And her heart is dead-set on growing up and getting taller. She’s tired of having to reach for the cookie jar or use a stepping stool for the toilet. Everything in Juniper’s world seems to be made for adults. Ugh!
Juniper is industrious, however, and builds several silly contraptions to help reach her goals. But it isn’t until she makes a fun new friend at school, Clove, who is even smaller than Juniper, that she is able to see her world from a new perspective – and appreciate all sizes, big or small.

Little Juniper makes it BIG

Details on Little Juniper makes it BIG

Little Juniper makes it BIG is a fun book that made you see Juniper’s immense frustration with being the smallest in her family.  She tried so hard to accommodate, and to work around her size, but nothing really worked.  She was getting into such a funk.   What is a little coon to do?

Little Juniper makes it BIG

Comparing herself to her classmates helps but, it really isn’t enough.  Little Juniper only sees the difficulties she has.  How must it be for Clove?  Friendship and fun help see her way through to a different perspective.

Little Juniper makes it BIG

Thoughts/Recommendations

Between the fantastic images and the lovely (and fun) story line, Little Juniper makes it BIG is sure to please your little ones.  Laugh with Clove and delight in her antics.  Be delighted when Juniper learns to look at life from a different perspective… it’s a wonderful thing!  🙂   

There is so much colour and life in the images, different things to point out and talk about.  Items such as size difference, colour, home styles and how little Juniper would feel about taking a bath.  I love detail rich picture books.  Then the book becomes about more than just the story, but about the details of life as well.

One thing I did wish it had was more involvement by the parents in Juniper’s struggles.  Helping her to see and realize her place in the world even if she was smaller than all the grown-ups in her life. 

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Special Paws the Family List

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In Special Paws the family list, children are introduced to Boston and Hunter, two real life rescue dogs. Waiting for new homes, Hunter and Boston talk through what they would like in a home to call their own.

Special Paws the family list

What I am Reviewing

Special Paws: the Family List.
Tracey Kusinitz Altman, author.
Joseba Morales, illustrator.
Inspired Forever Publishing.
38 pages, softcover, ages 4-8
Picture Book
Rescue, rescue dogs, adoption, family,
Reviewed for Ascot Media.

When a sleepy-eyed Boston awakes and finds herself in new surroundings, she is full of questions! Beside her is an engaging, friendly beagle named Hunter, who quickly becomes Boston’s friend and explains that they are in an animal shelter. As their friendship deepens and their dreams of finding their forever-homes take shape, Hunter helps Boston create a very special list of everything she is looking for in a family. Readers young and old will enjoy the playful dialogue — and maybe catch a glimpse of their own feelings toward family — as both dogs reveal what’s most important to them in a forever home.

Special Paws the family list

The details of Special Paws the family list

32 pages with vibrant colours, well suited to the visual preferences of young children and the dogs of the book.  Children will love the ease of reading. It’s not a lyrical book, but the words are suitable for ages 4-8. The size of the font makes it easy as a read-aloud book with a group of children. 

Special Paws the family list

The story is told from the vantage point of the dogs, talking through what they would like to have in a family.  This might encourage children to talk about what they want in a dog as well. 

Special Paws the family list

I thought it was excellent to actually show the pictures of the real dogs at the close of the book. Didn’t the illustrator do a great job of depicting them?

Special Paws the family list

My Thoughts/Recommendation

Special Paws the family list is a cute book taking the vantage of the dog looking for a new home.  As a child-friendly book it’s great to see the dogs finding their forever homes at the close of the story.   It’s a great book to get children thinking about what they have to offer a dog, and then what a dog has to offer them.   If you have rescued a dog, or are looking to do so, this book would be great to get your children thinking about it more. 

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