Paper Airplanes: A Girl, a Dream, and the Sky Between 

Written and Illustrated by Jennifer Li

This book carries a beautiful message written in a lyrical, poetic style.

It begins with a little girl who has a dream and launches a paper airplane. The airplane takes off and travels around the world. She is frustrated when she loses sight of it. Then she meets a little boy who has also lost his paper plane. Together, they search and continue to meet other dreamers. They stop to plant and create dreams together.

I like the way the illustrations begin in black and white. As the theme of friendship and connection continues, more color is added. Children learn that we are stronger when dreaming and connecting with each other.

A beautiful book with an inspirational message for children of all ages.

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG TO RECEIVE NEW BOOK REVIEWS EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY.

Natasha the Party Crasher “The School’s Out Summer Bash”

Written by Eileen Rose Giadone

Illustrated by Michael Murray

Natasha La Rue is an ebullient and vivacious elementary school student who is looking forward to summer vacation in just three days. Every day her friends pick her up on the way to school; her personality always seems to make her stand out. Without warning, Natasha’s friends decide they are tired of her boisterous behavior and begin to ignore her. No matter what she does, they make her feel invisible. On the last day of school, Natasha sadly walks home alone, watching her friends celebrate. Natasha becomes more angry and hatches a plan to get even with her friends.

A celebration for the beginning of summer had been planned in the town square for that evening. Natasha buys some “get even” supplies and begins to implement her plot for revenge. What dire deed is Natasha planning and will she be successful? Will Natasha and her friends discover something new about themselves?

The illustrations in this book are a nice combination of digital art and hand drawings that use exquisite color and exaggerated facial expressions to communicate the author’s message. I would recommend this book to readers ages seven and up. The author is also a songwriter and that is evident in the way the words flow easily from line to line and page to page. Look forward to more adventures with Natasha La Rue.

If you enjoyed reading this post, please subscribe by clicking on the word Follow or by hitting the orange RSS FEED button in the upper right hand corner of this page.