Review: Callaloo: The Legend of The Golden Coqui

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If you haven’t heard of the series, Callaloo, it’s definitely a name that you will want to get familiar with. Beyond the fact that it features gorgeous illustrations and promotes positive diversity, there is definitely something magical about this series that I feel will excite and engage your young reader.

Callaloo: The Legend of The Golden Coqui, the second book in the series, takes the young reader on a fun adventure in search behind the legend of this golden coqui. We are introduced to Winston and Mariscol, who come across a frog that captured their interest. Upon further inquiry, the legend behind the frog was that his beautiful voice was once adorned until an evil spell was casted upon him banishing him forever to the rainforest. With there being only one person who could break the spell, they both take the readers on a journey from New York to Puerto Rico, uncovering clues that try to help them to find answers to free the golden coqui. 

I really enjoyed this book and see great things for the series. In the context of stories that have introduced elements of the Spanish culture, this has such a great appeal like Dora. Geared towards the age range of 3-7, not only does it give them a fun story to follow but it introduces them another language by incorporating Spanish within the story allowing the reader to learn different words and phrases. Don’t worry, as an accompaniment, there is a glossary that you can follow along in the back as you read the book to help you learn their meanings. The characters are lovable and the beautiful pictures are engaging and will catch their interest. If you are looking for a book that will spark their imagination as well as learn at the same time, I’d recommend reading this book. 

Review: The Memory Chair by Susan White

Book Available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble

About the Book

Thirteen-year-old Betony has always hated going to her cranky great-grandmother’s house. It’s old, stuffy and boring, and the woodstove in the kitchen is always burning too hot.

One day Betony sits on her Gram’s favorite chair. She is suddenly transported into the past and experiences her gram’s life as if it were in her own memory.

At first Betony is excited and curious, and even learns to cook and quilt. But she soon realizes she is uncovering a terrible, shameful family secret.

Review

Who doesn’t have stories that are rooted with special memories of Grandma? The Memory Chair by Susan White was one of those stories that your love of the book grew more as the book continued.  A quick but fulfilling read left such a warm spot in the heart because it brought back so many memories that I’ve shared with my own grandma. Not only was it a nice story but a refreshing one for the young reader to learn and appreciate how precious life is with your family and the memories that bind them for generations. 

Betony was such an enjoyable character to read. I know many kids her age may look at visiting their great-grandparents as a chore rather than something fun but the author I thought created a nice plot to bridge that concept. After one day sleeping in her Gram’s chair, she starts getting memories of her life as if it were her own. Watching that curiosity be the catalyst for their blossoming relationship from grudging to visit to want to spend time and learn about her life made a very special read. 

The beautiful friendship that develops and the appreciation for the special time spent I think will inspire young people to want to learn about their family’s past. Betony learns so much about life, tolerance and the meaning of how precious time is. Despite this being for a young reader, I think anyone can read and appreciate the beauty of the story.  It has such a great message that I would recommend getting a copy. 

Reviewed by Michelle Bowles

Review: Nalah Goes to Mad Mouse City by Anne Sawyer-Aitch

Book Summary

The adventures of Nalah continue! One day Nalah finds herself bored and lonesome because all of her imaginary friends have gone away on vacation. But wait – not all. Mad Tooth, the little mouse who lives in her sock drawer, is still busy munching away on her knee-highs. When she finds out why Nalah is sad, she offers to take her down through the sock drawer into a mouse metropolis. The result is a tale of wild dancing, cousins and mice, taffy and a sock monster.

Review

What child hasn’t had an imaginary friend? What a fun story about a young girl named Nalah. As a result of her friends leaving on a trip and her parents not wanting her around to help while planning a party, she decided she would create a cave where no one would find her. You never know who can be around. Feeling like someone was watching her, Mad Tooth Mouth, invites her to go to Mad House City where your young reader will experience a fun filled adventure that will make them has just as much fun. 

Upon first glance of the book, I was a bit uncertain about whether or not I was going to like it. The book doesn’t grasp you initially, mainly because we are used to a certain type of design when reading a children’s book. Once I finished reading, it was that uniqueness that played a role along with the fun story that made it such a great experience. The color s are vibrant and the way the design of the characters and pictures leap off the page that enable and engaging experience. Overall I thought the book was a fun read and would recommend.

Reviewed by Michelle Bowles

Series: The Adventures of Nalah (Book 2)
Paperback: 44 pages
Publisher: Magic Lantern Press

Review: Squishy Face and The Moon by Jennifer Oneal Gunn

Book Summary

Squishy face is a little girl in a big world, which often frightens her. Luckily, she has Big Mama to guide her and show her the way. In this book, Big Mama teaches little Squishy Face about the moon.

Review

Who would think the moon would be scary? Meet Squishy face, a young girl, who one night her mom discovers is afraid of the moon. Just like any mom wanting to makes this better, she decides to tell her a story that piques her interest about the moon. he young reader wil follow her journey as she learns to conquer her fears and gains a new understanding of what the moon does. This was such a wonderful incorporation of an engaging story along with an introduction to the moon cycles and science. The message that gets presented is brought to a level where a child can relate and enjoy. I would not only recommend as a story to be read but also as a teaching tool as well.

Reviewed by Michelle Bowles

Review: Fribbet the Frog and the Tadpoles: Captain No Beard by Carole P. Roman

Summary

Fribbet's gone missing! The crew searches for the excitable frog and finally find him troubled and crying in the stern. Fribbet is very upset, and it's up to Captain No Beard and the crew to find out what's wrong.

Fribbet the Frog and the Tadpoles is another great voyage into problem solving and friendship, as well as an adventurous trip into the imagination.

Join the Captain No Beard and his friends as they learn the value of sharing our troubles with others and that help is always there when we need it.

Review

Filled with beautiful illustrations that complement the book, Fribbet The Frog and the Tadpole brings a few good lessons to the young reader that make it easier for them to understand. For many families that are expecting a child, especially when there is only one, it can be difficult to adjust. For many, children retreat and feel a bit of sadness and uncertainty. Well, that is what happens to Fribbet but he doesn’t understand that is what’s happening. Through an imaginative and creative way, the story is brought to life sharing some great lessons on expressing your feelings, family and the value of having wonderful friends that support you.  

Reviewed by Michelle Bowles

Review: When I Grow Up I Want To Be...a Veterinarian!: Sofia's Dream Comes True! by Wigu Publishing

Summary

Sofia wants to care for all the animals in the world. But Mom does not think Sofia is ready for the responsibility of even one pet. Ready or not, when a hungry and sick-looking cat appears at the family's back doorstep, Sofia takes action. When Sofia is found feeding the cat, Mom gives in and agrees that a trip to the vet will tell them if the cat is healthy and not someone's lost pet. As the veterinarian introduces Sofia and readers to the important and wide-ranging work of animal doctors, Sofia learns how she might help all kinds of animals, including a little stray cat!

Review

If you have a child that says they want to be a veterinarian or have a passion for animals, than this is a book that I would encourage them to read. When I Grow Up I Want To Be a Veterinarian, is a great lesson for kids to learn how to take care of a pet. Sofia, just like any kid wants to have a pet of her own but her mother doesn’t think she is ready. Just like Sofia, many children want a pet but don’t understand that there are responsibilities attached that they may not be ready to commit to doing. When Sofia is surprised by a cat that turns up on her doorstep, she knows that it is meant to be and jumps right in caregiver mode. Upon seeing Sofia feed her new friend, her mother decides to give in but notices that the cat doesn’t look that well. Convincing Sofia the importance of seeing a Vet, the reader is taken on a fun experience with Sofia to learn generally what a Vet does and the different types of animals that get treated. Informative, accompanied by beautiful illustrations and real photographs of animals that will keep the young reader engaged. Overall, this was another good book in this series. 

Reviewed by Michelle Bowles

Pages: 60
Publisher: Wigu Publishing (December 9, 2014)