Gordon explores the topic of anger and how to handle it with preschoolers. This picture book features a preschooler named Josh who loses his sweet temperament rapidly when he becomes angry. So, when he wants to eat cake instead of lunch, go off alone to play with his friends or demands a pet, he becomes furious. His mom, dad, and older sister suggest ways to control it. He could pretend it to be a giant fireball to be thrown away, count to four or breathe deeply. Will Josh be able to practice these techniques to control his bad temper?
Larin has done a good job of providing age-appropriate colorful illustrations to help toddlers and preschoolers understand the lessons of the tale. Recommended for children ages two through five.
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I’m delighted to participate once again. It’s been my pleasure and honor to review a book for this event since its inception seven years ago. This year I would like to present a beautiful picture book.
FAMILY VS. FRIENDS
SUMO JOE
Written by Mia Wenjen
Illustrated by Nat Iwata
What a fun and informative rhyming picture book! Sumo Joe, the protagonist, faces two dilemmas. He loves and fiercely protects his little sister, Aikido Jo. Sumo Jo also wants to practice sumo with his friends. When Jo decides that she wants to enter the sacred ring prohibited to females, he faces conflict. Should he allow his sister to step inside and compete?
The illustrations are charming and the text simple and fun to read for young children. This book becomes more than a picture book because it teaches readers about Japanese culture including the ancient rituals of sumo wrestling and aikido. The characters are diverse and empathetic.
I particularly enjoyed how the author explained the moves and the vocabulary associated with martial arts and ancient rituals. Readers may be able to imitate the basic moves, if interested in learning more. The book is a good choice to enhance a multicultural classroom library or home school unit on Asian culture.
I was gifted a copy of this book from the author to read and review in preparation for Multicultural Children’s Book Day.
Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2020 (1/31/20) is in its 7th year! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen; two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those book into the hands of young readers and educators.
Seven years in, MCBD’s mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves continues.
MCBD 2020 is honored to have the following Medallion Sponsors on board
We’d like to also give a shout-out to MCBD’s impressive CoHost Team who not only hosts the book review link-up on celebration day, but who also works tirelessly to spread the word of this event. View our CoHosts HERE.
Lucky’s Adventures in Winter Wonderland (Lucky’s Adventures)
Written by Elizabeth Macey
Illustrated by Jenn Kocsmiersky
Lucky Charms is an adopted rescue dog who happily lives with her human family and a cat named Hershey Kisses. She is excited to wake up to a snowstorm. Lucky promptly goes out to play with her neighborhood dog friends. They go ice-skating and skiing. The day ends with barbecuing hot dogs. That night Lucky reflects on how fortunate she is to have such a comfortable life with a loving family and so many dog friends. She figures out a way to help less fortunate dogs and rallies her neighborhood dog friends to assist her.
Children will love seeing these dogs take on human characteristics and do the activities they love participating in themselves. The illustrations consist mostly of two-page spreads featuring many vivid drawings of adorable dog breeds. Macey includes a list of suggestions for her readers to get involved in animal rescue. I would recommend this picture book especially for elementary school readers, but it has appeal for a reader of any age.
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The Adventures of Pookie Presents: Mission Fat Hearts
Written and illustrated by Rebecca Yee
Playful pups Pookie and his new sibling Thor are sleeping comfortably in the living room. Kisa, a Christmas Elf, secretly leaves a note on their beds. It tells them to go to the Christmas tree. Kisa surprises them by jumping out. She urges them to go on a secret mission. Santa’s mission is for them to perform an act of kindness on each day of December until Christmas. Their reward will be to see smiles on those who receive their gifts. Pookie and Thor accept their secret mission with enthusiasm. Readers are urged to become co-conspirators and perform the same deeds.
This picture book spreads the true message of Christmas. Children are taught to give joy and happiness to others. Examples of deeds include giving hugs and giving thanks, donations, crafts, caroling, and visiting those who can’t leave home. The book could easily become a new tradition that families could share together. The secret mission might also be carried out by classrooms and community organizations. My only suggestion to improve the book would be to include illustrations with the tasks. The illustrations disappear as the pages of the book unfold. A bit more color would sustain more interest with the youngest readers.
The Christmas season may have passed for this year, but this book is also a good way to spread the message of love for Valentine’s Day.
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The Queen Who Banished Bugs, A Tale of Bees, Butterflies, Ants, and Other Pollinators
Written by Ferris Kelly Robinson
Illustrated by Mary Ferris Kelly
King Claude and Queen Libertine rule the kingdom of Dunce. The queen is overbearing and obstinate. King Claude spends his days trying to appease her. One day a bee lands on her heel. The queen immediately kills it. That does not appease her anger. Queen Libertine banishes every insect in the kingdom. That effectively destroys the food chain. Pollination ceases and crops die. The animals in the kingdom have no food.
The king becomes desperate. He decides to defy the queen. Claude plants a tiny seed that grows into milkweed. Other types of flowers follow. Pollinators return to the kingdom. The king tutors his queen on the importance of pollinators to ensure the food supply of their kingdom.
The author provides an explanation of how pollination works at the end of the tale. Robinson adds a link to resources for learning more about the subject.
This story is written in rhyme. The illustrator provides line drawings with color interspersed throughout the story. I would consider this book more of an early chapter book than a picture book. While it could be a read-aloud for younger children, it will appeal more to readers in the five to eight age range or as a beginning reader.
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Days of Miracle and Wonder: 25 of the Most Incredible Sporting Victories
Written by Dave Tomlinson
The author covers virtually every sport. Tomlinson explores stories of athletes who “choked” when at the brink of victory and others who succeeded in pulling themselves or their team out of the depths against improbable odds.
There have been many near victories in every sport. Jordan Spieth’s last-minute mishap in 2016 in Augusta or the Boston Bruin’s inability to pull off a win against Philadelphia in the final game of the NHL playoffs. On the other hand, some teams have been able to physically and emotionally overcome huge obstacles like the Buffalo Bills come back from a 21-0 score to defeat the New England Patriots football team in a 2011 Wild Card game. In tennis, the 1984 French Open was thought to be a no-brainer for John McEnroe who had won 39 straight matches. Ivan Lendl decided this would be his year. After two straight losses, McEnroe appeared to be on the path to victory. Then McEnroe let his temper get the best of him. That proved to be just enough to tip the balance. McEnroe’s concentration and physical game deteriorated, allowing Lendl to take control and eventually win the match.
Sports fans enjoy the physical game, but also appreciate the mental and emotional talents of the players. This book explores the motivations and personalities behind the sports. I recommend the book for sports aficionados from age eight to eighty-eight.
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Kai comes from a magical family. His father is a panda from
a warrior family focusing on strength and bravery. Kai’s mother is a unicorn
from a family entrusted with maintaining peace and balance. Today he is excited
and nervous. Five-year-old Kai will begin school.
Kai stuffs Bobo, his blanket into his backpack. Bobo gives
him courage and the strength to be a brave adventurer. Mrs. Kathy introduces
him to the other children. When a handicapped fox walks into the room and
falls, Kai does not join in the laughter of the other children. He decides to
cheer him up. Kai will soon learn that the children have fears like his own.
What does Kai find out about himself? Can Kai translate what he learns to the
wider community in which he lives?
The illustrations remind me of Manga-style cartoons. The text is a combination of dialogue and character thoughts. I would recommend this book to parents of children beginning nursery school or kindergarten. Children a little bit older can use the discussion questions at the end to explore mindfulness concepts and read the text independently.
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The author shares her story about the antics of her Great
Dane, Milly. Her devoted pet is faithful and funny. She is sometimes a bit
naughty. For example, she chews things and tears the cushions. Milly hides in
the closet and gets tangled in the curtains. Like her owner, Milly enjoys
watching television and getting her picture taken. Above all, Milly is a
faithful and true companion.
Most pet owners will find themselves identifying with Milly. This colorful picture book contains short rhymes appropriate for preschoolers and elementary school readers, but any age pet lover will enjoy it.
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How to Save Money: 25 Step by Step Tips on How to Save
Money by Cutting Unnecessary Expenses…
Written by Money Mastery Teacher
This book consists of a compendium of ways one can save money each day. There is little new information but rather a set of common-sense moves that anyone can easily implement. I believe this book will be useful to the person who finds it difficult to save and is living from paycheck to paycheck.
If one begins by saving ten percent of salary income, a
foundation can be set. The reader is urged to shop around for the best bank
account, avoid unhealthy vices, economize on Christmas gifts, shop online, make
lists to prevent overspending, walk instead of ride to work, bring lunch from
home, and grow some of your own food.
I am not sure if the author is an individual or a group of financial consultants as the term Money Master Teacher is unclear to me. These tips can be useful. For those who need constant reminders not to overspend, this book might be a good investment.
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Rad Girl Revolution: The Children’s Book for Little
Girls with Big Dreams
Written by Sharita Manickam
Photo Illustrations by Jennifer Elliot Bruno
RAD stands for Rise Above Doubt. This book empowers young
girls to aspire to whatever they wish to be. The photographs of girls that
range from preschool to preteen ages portray global multicultural images. They
include children with disabilities. The message is loud and clear. Career goals
should not be inhibited by gender, race or ethnicity.
Images scan girls succeeding in sports, entertainment, archaeology, medicine, law enforcement, civil service, farming, politics, and the arts. No page contains more than four lines of rhyming text which make the book an easy read. This picture book works as a bedtime story, read-aloud, or classroom discussion book.
Having a couple of the girls raise their fist at the beginning of the book is the only part I felt not completely in sync with the message. Recommended for preschoolers through middle-school age readers.
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February 2, 2020
bamauthor
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Barbara Ann Mojica's BLOG 
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