A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

Preschool

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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Explorers by Matthew Cordell

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At the book sale this past Friday I chatted with a lady about a book I was selling.  It was a wordless book that my son and I had so much fun with when he was little.  This lady shared my love of wordless books.  Today I have a Matthew Cordell book entitled Explorers. 

Explorers by Matthew Cordell

What I am Reviewing

Explorers.
Matthew Cordell
Feiwel and Friends
2-6 years, or PK-grade 1
40 pages
Picture book, wordless books, museum, friendship
Children’s activity books
Reviewed for Raincoast Books.

When a family goes to a local museum, a boy notices a homeless man sitting outside, making brightly colored origami birds. He convinces his dad to buy a bird the man makes just for him.
Once inside the museum, his little sister takes the bird and launches it into the air. Is it lost? Soon another boy helps him look, and the paper bird brings two families – and two new friends – together.

The Details

Explorers by Matthew Cordell

I adore the colours and drawings.  You can just sense the excitement and wonder in the children as they embark on their visit.  A new toy, dinosaurs, Egypt and more. 

Explorers by Matthew Cordell

The emotions!  Wow!   So clear eh?   Can you imagine talking to a little girl or boy?  Asking them what they think the boy is feeling?  Can you imagine a little child wondering about a two-headed boy?  Or talking about the shock of the lad when his sister snatched his toy?  Books can bring out amazing conversations with children if you take the time to have them. 

Explorers by Matthew Cordell

My Thoughts

I have to tell you, I love wordless books.  I do!  I find them so much fun to walk through with children as there is so much potential in where the story can go.   Matthew Cordell draws us into a story of a boy, his frustration with his sister, and his joy at finding a new friend.   OR you could read it as the excitement of the hunt, can he find his new toy that is much loved sister made a mistake with?  Same book, different twist, what twist could you make?  What about the littles in your life?

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Our World Is Relative

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Some ideas are difficult to truly understand, the Theory of Relativity is one of them. Julia Sook takes this theory and breaks it down into an easily understood scientific Fact. Our World is Relative is an excellent picture book helping readers understand Einstein’s theory easily.

Our World is Relative

What I Am Reviewing

Our World Is Relative.
Julia Sooy
Molly Walsh (illustrator)
Feiwel and Friends, an imprint of Macmillan
Received: ARC copy, trade paperback
Reviewed for Raincoast Books.
32 pages, 4-8 years,
Picture book, Math, Science,
Theory of Relativity, Albert Einstein

Size, speed, weight, direction, distance
We think of space and time as fixed and measurable.
But these measurements – our experience of space and time – they are relative.
Our world is relative.
With simple, engaging text and vibrant art imbued with light and movement, Our World Is Relative offers a child’s-eye view of time, space, and the vast role that relativity plays in comprehending our world. It’s an introduction to Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity, perfect for any curious young scientist.

Our World is Relative

The Details

Molly Walsh does a wonderful job of illustrating how easily one’s perspective influences how one sees the world. She helps young children see, along side the simple language written by Julia Sook, how relativity matters.

An inch can be small, or an inch can be large. A ruler is 12 inches, but in space can be shorter. We move through time going forward, but it can appear to be going backwards. Depending ENTIRELY on our perspective.

Everything we see around us is relative. A difficult concept perhaps for young children to understand. Through excellent illustrations and careful word usage Ms. Sook brings the Theory of Relativity to life.

Our World is Relative

My Recommendation

To be honest I find this a hard one.. Often when I look at picture books I try to think of them as bedtime or cuddle time books. I don’t see this book in that light.

However, picture books are so much more than that. I remember attending a conference where one of the speakers recommended that regardless of the age level you are teaching, go to picture books first.

Authors of picture books are forced to explain concepts in simple terms. That very requirement makes picture books an excellent resource for understanding difficult material. This picture book does it well with the Theory of Relativity. Not your normal fodder for kindergarten, but definitely worth looking at for various age levels.

On that level, this book is worth looking at. For helping students break down the concept of relativity in a way easily grasped.

Our World is Relative
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I Love You, Funny Bunny

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Are you looking for an adorable picture book to share with your littles? I love you, Funny Bunny is a sweet picture book of a parent talking with their little one about how much they are loved. This book would be so lovely to share with your youngsters, or give a parent to share with their loved ones. Let me tell you why.

I love you funny bunny

What I am Reviewing

I Love You, Funny Bunny.
Barbara Herndon
Sean Julian (illustrator)
Zonderkidz
24 pages, Jacketed Hardcover
Reviewed for BooklookBloggers.
Picture book, age 3-5,
Beginner reader, Parent, child, preschool,

I Love You, Funny Bunny tugs at the heartstrings as it celebrates the special bond between a parent and child.

Illustrated by Sean Julian, I Love You, Funny Bunny is a perfect picture book to cuddle up and share with the Funny Bunny in your life at naptime, at bedtime, or at any other time of day you and your little one need some extra snuggles. Boys and girls will have fun turning the pages to discover all the ways this parent bunny loves little Funny Bunny.

“I love you, Funny Bunny, from your whiskers to your toes.
I love the way you hop around and wiggle your cute nose.”

I love you Funny Bunny

The Details

Full colour images are enclosed within a jacketed hardcover book. The pictures are large with lots of details. Sean Julian did an excellent job at illustrating the fun that a parent bunny can have with their child.

From cuddling with a book, to making art, walks and talks hand in hand and just plain enjoying each other. It is a fantastic book to share with each other. The stunning images will give you lots to talk about as you read the rhyming lyrics.

You not only get to see bunnies going about their daily activities but also see flowers, butterflies, paint, frogs and ponds and so many other things. I loved reading books with my lad and finding all the things that captured his interest. This book has lots of illustrations and objects to do that with.

I love you Funny Bunny

Recommendation

I read this book and I think birthday parties, baby showers, grandchildren (not for me personally yet), and gifts for nieces and nephews. A lot of fun for the littles (and their parents) that surround us in our lives. Share I Love You, Funny Bunny with them won’t you?

I love you Funny Bunny
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I Can Only Imagine for Little Ones

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I Can Only Imagine for Little Ones is a board book based around off the popular song I Can Only Imagine.  The bright colourful images can only help littles who wonder what heaven might be like. 

I can Only Imagine for little ones

I can Only imagine…. can you believe that I have never listened to this song?   Not even once (until I looked it up because this book is based on it). In case you are like me see the video, if interested in the words see here. 

What do you get? 

Sumite Collina does a wonderful job of illustrating the words put together by Bart Millard and Laura Neutzling.  The beauty of the full colour images gives the reader lots of things to talk about with the little ones they are reading the book too.  Being able to point out forts, dogs, birds, the splash of the water and more… it all just adds to the story you know?

I can only imagine for little ones, sample pages

The lyrics rhyme making for an easy to read tome, the words point to how we might spend time in heaven, but the close of the book calls children to how we might spend time with God in the here and now. 

I can only imagine for little ones, rhyme

The illustrations display people from a variety of nationalities, engaged in activities that all types of children enjoy, it was good to see the mix in the people. 

My thoughts: 

I have mixed opinions about this book.  I love the colourful illustrations, the wonderment of a child, and the ease of the lyrics.

You know what I didn’t see?

I didn’t see “will we praise you”, “will we see actual streets of gold”, “will you make us all healthy again’, or any of the other things about heaven that we actually see in the bible. I know it’s hard to put it all together in a single, book, but the very much noticed the lack, not even a single mention of biblical statements about heaven. No more tears or sorrow or pain. I don’t see many rooms, gates, jewels, gold, God (or depictions thereof), no tree of life,or anything like that.  It leaves everything to the fanciful and wonderment and shows no truth. 

I get the questions that kids have, and it’s fun to wonder and dream.  It is.This board book does help children not only see a glimpse of the wonderment about heaven, but also leads them to the things of how God is with them in the here and now. I just, in the end, wanted more truth, and less wonderment. 

I can Only Imagine for little ones, book cover
I can only Imagine for little ones
Bart Millard & Laura Neutzling
Sumiti Collina (illutrator)
Tommy Nelson
Board book, 32 pages,
Faith-based, heaven, preschool
Reviewed for BookLookBloggers

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Go to Sleep, Sheep

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Go To Sleep, Sheep is a board book wonderfully illustrated by Sydney Hanson.   White. woolly sheep and mama needs them to go to bed.   Will those little sheep listen?   Will those little sheep come up with excuses?   Will mama convince her littles that it’s time to go to bed?  Join me in a bright and colourful book about bedtime routines. 

go to sleep sheep review

Sydney Hanson does a wonderful job of bringing five little sheep and their mama to life. Beautiful white coats showcased against a farm background. Our littles one get to see butterflies, cattle, horses, bunnies and a typical red barn with barnyard.  

go to sleep sheep, sample page

I couldn’t figure out who the author was, the verse is in abcb rhyme for the most part, which makes it very easy to read. The repeated refrain Go to Sleep Sheep, helps give your young children confidence as they read along. 

go to sleep sheep, verse

In many ways it’s a sweet little board book, with great images that provide talking points, each page has the young sheep coming up with new ways to stay up just a bit longer. 

go to sleep sheep, sample page

On just one page we have a short mention of God, a prayer thanking God for the day.  It’s a good way to remind children to talk with God before they go to bed. 

My thoughts

I have mixed feelings about this book.  It’s not one I would read more than once to a child, there is just not enough meat of anything in this book.  The story isn’t the most “YAY, let’s read it”.  Might children enjoy it?   Possibly.  I would have more fun pointing out the glasses on one, the necktie on another and so forth. It would be a great book to talk about colours, caring for sheep, farm life and all those wonderful things.  I’d be wanting to make up names for them and having fun with the youngsters under my care. Then I’d talk about how littles need to listen to mama and go to bed when they are told, even if they want a drink or to stay up or… God calls them to be more then what they want. 

go to sleep sheep, book cover

Go to Sleep, Sheep

Sydney Hanson (illustrator)
Tommy Nelson
Board book, 20 pages, preschool to kindergarten
Animals, sleep-time routines, faith-based
Reviewed for BookLookBloggers.

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