Small Monster, Big Monster by Allan Sanders

We're going to start this week with some silly fun! Today's read is a board book for the youngest readers out there and centers around monsters. Silly monsters. And opposites since these monsters also want to bring along some learning goodness, by the looks it. I find the characters on the cover eye-catching and imagine that this could be an enjoyable read.

Let's take a deep breathe and see where these monster lead us!

SMALL MONSTER, BIG MONSTER

A Seriously silly Book of Opposites

by Allan Sanders

Phaidon Press

Board Book

20 pages

ages 0 to 3

COMING AUGUST 13st!!!

Welcome to a wildly entertaining monster world, where everyday situations turn into hilarious lessons in opposites.

Monster gets ON the bus. Passengers get OFF! Refrigerator is EMPTY. Monster is FULL!
From a big monster who wants to play with small humans, to a monster who sleeps all day and plays all night, these silly and surprising creatures make learning opposites outrageously fun! 
Filled with laugh-out-loud scenarios, Small Monster, Big Monster supports early learners in building vocabulary and understanding opposites in the world around them. Simple text, irresistible characters, and clever twists invite children to make intuitive connections between words and ideas while giggling at every turn. Vibrant, eye-catching illustrations, printed in neon inks, bring the concept of opposites to life, packing each page with new visual details to notice.

Fresh, funny, and full of character, Small Monster, Big Monster is an exuberant introduction to opposites for curious little learners.

GOODREADS    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Monsterly mayhem turns learning about opposites into silly fun.

Meant for the youngest readers out there, this board book hits the realm of monsters with tons of humor and imagination. The background settings are familiar, showing a bus in the city, a normal kitchen, and other places young readers can recognize from their daily lives. Monsters and humans then show what two words (opposites) visually mean. For example, a monster enters the back door of a bus, while the people escape through the front windows and doors. Each word is presented in a three word sentence, keeping the text very simple, and each sentence is placed on one side of the two-page spread. For example, one side depicts loud while the other shows quiet. So, it's clear which term fits to the illustration.

Smiles and giggles are guaranteed, especially for monster fans. Each scene is brightly colored and holds a simple, playful style. The monsters might scare the people in the illustrations, but each one packs humor for listeners/readers. Not only are the monsters silly, but the presented moments are giggle-worthy. It's a cute read which is sure to delight the entire way through.

And here he is...

Allan Sanders is an illustrator and artist who lives by the sea in Brighton, UK. He has illustrated several Children’s books including On the Move, My Amazing Body, Outer Space, The Animal World, The Book of Perfectly Perilous Math, and most recently The Alphabet of Alphabets and A Number of Numbers for Wide Eyed Editions. He likes diagrams, limited palettes, screen printing, comic books, handwritten type, and wonky perspectives.

Sweet English-Mandarin Bedtime Stories by Marie Chow

As the mother of a bilingual family, I have a soft spot for bilingual kidlit. Add that I've been dabbling in learning Mandarin (it's a slow dabble), today's series caught my attention. These two books should read as gentle bedtime stories with just enough of a twist to lure young readers in. I reviewed another work from this author a few weeks ago (Here), so I already am pretty sure the tales will flow wonderfully well. Also, I'm curious to see how she handles the two languages.

So, let's take a peek at both of them and see.

BECAUSE DRAGONS LOVE MILK

by Marie Chow

Illustrated by Miki Tharp

Picture Book

English   /  Mandarin 

28 pages

ages 2 to 5

A slightly different take on the traditional bedtime story. See how Tycho's father helps to soothe the monsters in his room... bilingual translation makes the book read smoothly in either Mandarin (with traditional Chinese characters) or English.

GOODREADS    /     AMAZON

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TO THE MOON

by Marie Chow

Illustrated by Miki Tharp

Picture Book

English   /   Mandarin

26 pages

ages 2 to 5

A young girl plans all the adventures she plans on having on her day off: from going to the moon to exploring the tropical forests. Her mother encourages her daughter's adventurous spirit by providing helpful suggestions as to what type of equipment will be necessary for each of her adventures.

GOODREADS   /     AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

With a sense of playfulness and parent-child warmth, these reads present lovely tales in both Mandarin and English offering language goodness, too.

Both books are wonderful bedtime reads. To The Moon presents a little girl, who is tying to decide what she wants to do for the weekend, and each of her ideas is huge (like going to the moon). Her mother considers various things which the little girl might need on her imaginative adventure, which makes the girl hesitate just enough that she comes up with another fantastic idea. Because Dragons Love Milk revolves around a little boy's fear of monsters under his bed, With each one he mentions, the father thinks of ways to placate the monster. Each book offers a hint of fantasy while sticking to familiar themes for the intended age group and radiating family warmth and a dab of humor. The stories flow very well with very natural dialogue. I'm especially impressed with how the parents interact with their children. They take them seriously and engage in a way that shows care, understanding, playfulness, and wisdom. It's more natural than in many picture books I've run across.

These stories are short and sweet. The author understands her craft and brings in what is needed at a steady pacing without adding more than necessary. Yet, the stories don't feel clipped, either, and offer well-rounded bedtime reads. Especially impatient or tired listeners will enjoy this aspect. Add the nice illustrations, which makes the moments and situations clear while offering enjoyable scenes, and these make ideal read-alouds.

Then, there's the language aspect. These are written in English and Mandarin. The English text is presented first. Right below flows the Mandarin. So, it can be read seamlessly in either language. Also, placing one right below the other offers easy comparison for language learners. The author adds a note at the end of each book explaining that the languages are, of course, not direct translations. Rather, both flow with the naturalness of the corresponding language. At the end of both books is a glossary of certain terms and definitions to assist language learners. To The Moon adds a couple pages of terms with pronunciation keys and images (like a tree is illustrated, presented in English and Mandarin and also with the Mandarin pronunciation), which I also found helpful for learners.

It's a nice pair of books, and I hope there will be more to join them in the future. 

And here she is...

Marie Chow is a former teacher, education evaluator, and engineer. A lifelong student, she has degrees in degrees in chemical engineering, teaching, an MFA in writing, and a doctorate in educational leadership. Her writing focuses on bilingual and English-only children's books that feature mixed families, as well as literary and contemporary fiction focused on Asian and Asian American characters.
You can reach her at career.student.productions@gmail.com

Adventure in the City of Stories by Emma Otheguy

Today's read heads into the realm of adventure and time travel. In other words, I'm hoping for some historical goodness as well as excitement and tension. It's the second in the Cousins in the Time of Magic series, and nope, I didn't read the first one. But when has that ever stopped me from diving in? I'm hoping that this works pretty well as a standalone, since I'm getting the impression that each book follows a separate adventure. Another fun aspect to this read is that it is also available in Spanish. That should make my bilingual readers out there smile. 

I really don't know too much more about this one but hope it offers great characters and a grabbing tale. And maybe, a dusting of magic, too.

So, off we go!

ADVENTURE IN THE CITY OF STORIES

Cousins in the Time of Magic #2

by Emma Otheguy

Illustrated by Poly Bernatene

Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Middle Grade Historical Fantasy

224 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING JULY 21st!!!

When stolen artifacts magically appear in their aunt’s closet, cousins Jorge, Camila, and Siggy travel back in time to 1930 New York City to clear her name before history is irreparably altered in this companion to the “spellbinding” (School Library Journal, starred review) Cousins in the Time of Magic.

Cousins Jorge, Camila, and Siggy never imagined that dusty old puppets and a mysterious book would launch them into a time-traveling adventure. But when they discover their aunt has treasures belonging to Pura Belpré, the trailblazing Latina librarian and storyteller, they’re transported back to 1930s New York City. Their mission? Race against time to return Pura’s puppets and a signed first edition of her book, proving their aunt isn’t a thief.

The past is full of danger, though. A powerful woman will stop at nothing to steal the book, the cousins’ nosy neighbor is snooping around, and the hardship of the Great Depression is all around them. Luckily Jorge, Camila, and Siggy meet Antonia, a fierce Puerto Rican girl fighting injustice against her community.

The cousins will need courage, quick thinking, and a little help from history to protect Pura Belpré’s legacy, clear their aunt’s name, and make it back home. Can they pull it off before time runs out?

GOODREADS    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Adventure weaves with historical goodness, Latin immigration, and time travel to create a rich tale.

Camila can't believe that she of all people has been scolded and publicly announced for bringing forbidden books to school, when she simply tried to give the new girl (and her new friend) some of her own favorite books written in Spanish. To make it up to her friend, she borrows another one of her aunt's books in Spanish as well as two hand puppets, but underway to her friend's house, a school bully intercepts her. As luck would have it, the book and puppets have been declared as missing from the New York library...and the bully recognizes them from the news. To keep her aunt from being accused of theft, her and her cousins head back in time through her aunt's magical portal to return the objects to the library, but nothing goes as planned.

Note: This is the second book in the series. I did not read the first one before diving into this tale, but that wasn't a problem since the author adds important background information quickly as necessary.

This is a fast-paced read with tension and excitement the entire way through. It grabs right away and keeps things exciting the whole way through. Even the characters are introduced in interesting ways and have vibrant personalities. Then, there are the historical elements, and these are very well done. The author brings across the 1930 era with little known figures and events, and it's very clear she's done her research. But she never alienates the reader, either, keeping everything very natural and familiar at the same rime. It creates a smooth shift which lets the plot take control without the slightest hiccup. At the end of the book, there is more detailed information about several aspects surrounding the historical time frame. So, there's lots of goodness in these pages on that end, too.

Adventure fans who enjoy historical dives will want to take a look at this read.

And here they are...

Emma Otheguy is the author of several books for young readers, including the picture books A Sled for Gabo and Martina Has Too Many Tías, the bilingual picture book Martí’s Song for Freedom, and the middle grade novels Sofía Acosta Makes a Scene, Cousins in the Time of Magic, Silver Meadows Summer, and, with Adam Gidwitz, The Madre de Aguas of Cuba, part of the Unicorn Rescue Society series. Visit her at EmmaOtheguy.com.

Poly Bernatene was born in 1972 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and has been drawing ever since. He graduated from Buenos Aires’s art school, where he developed a great interest in managing different techniques in his work. He has worked in advertisement, animation, and comics. During the last fifteen years, he has established an exciting career as a professional illustrator, having published more than sixty children’s books in eleven countries.

Tracking Bigfoot by Nico Waters

Not every child develops skills at the same rate, and today's read fills the hole for those middle graders, who still need more word practice. It's part of a series of four books aimed at middle grade readers, but these books are much shorter (this one ranks in with only 42 pages). The reading level also sticks to the 2nd grade so readers can build their vocabulary and grammar. At the same time, this series promises to hold the tension and excitement middle graders enjoy with characters their age. I'm curious to see how all of this works out.

So, let's open it up and take a look!

TRACKING BIGFOOT

Cryptid Hunt #2

by Nico Waters

Illustrated by Phil Dragash

Stone Arch Books

Middle Grade Myth  /  Mystery

76 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING AUGUST 1st!!!

Eleven-year-old Sam likes putting puzzles together, eating sweets, and spending time with his abuela. When Sam’s parents ask him to go on a hiking trip in Washington, he wants to stay with Abuela instead. But then he sees a Bigfoot magazine on the bus. The more he learns about the mysterious cryptid, the more fascinated he becomes. He decides to go on the hiking trip after all. He has one goal—to find Bigfoot. Will he track down the big, hairy creature? Or will he find something else? 

With an intriguing story perfect for students in grades 4–6 and text at an achievable 2nd grade level, this book in the Cryptid Hunt series will draw in reluctant and striving readers who need support and practice to improve reading proficiency.

GOODREADS    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

When a summer hiking trip turns into a search for Bigfoot, unexpected things can happen.

Sam isn't crazy about heading to Washington with his parents for a 5-day hiking trip, but when he learns that they will be near the stomping grounds of Bigfoot, his excitement soars. With all gear packed and a walkie-talkie from his dad just in case there isn't phone service, he heads out onto the trails. Of course, it's all about looking for clues, but every one he finds quickly reveals itself to be something else. His hope wanes, especially when he keeps crossing paths with two kids his age who want him to join their bird watching group. But then, the unexpected appears.

This is a quick-paced read, which invites in with a sympathetic main character as well as tension and mystery. Sam is introduced as a kid, who feels a little left-out since none of his friends ride his school bus and no one else seems to want to sit with him. But other than that, his life is fine, and he especially adores is abuela. In other words, he's an average kid. When he learns about Bigfoot, it's easy to feel his excitement and wonder if he'll really find the mythical creature during the trip. To add tension, he finds possible clues and even runs into to a few dangerous situations. After all, nature is not always tame. There is a hint of imagination built in, but most of the tale stays grounded in reality. It's a fun read, which keeps the reader in the pages until the end.

This book is designed for those middle grade readers, who still need more practice with their basic skills, and is written at a 2nd grade level. The sentences and chapters are kept short, and the font and spacing create room for easy reading. But at the same time, the text does push just a bit with occasional longer sentences and vocabulary building. At the beginning of the read, there is a quick glossary with the definition of a few more difficult terms. At the end, there are several questions for writing exercises, discussions, and reading comprehension. Reluctant readers can enjoy a tense story with characters their age, while building their reading skills at a pace which comfortably nurtures their level.

And here she is...

Nico Waters wrote her first book as a class assignment in elementary school and has loved writing ever since. She lives with her husband in sunny California. And despite her allergies, she hopes to have a cute dog someday.

The Solarball Slip-Up by Bryan Patrick Avery

Have any of you heard about or seen the 1960's cartoon The Jetsons? I've seen a few episodes over the years and always have enjoyed their glimpse into the future. When I read the blurb on today's read, it reminded me a bit of this earlier cartoon. Today's read jets into the future and appears to be the first in a new series for beginning readers. It should center around the members of a family, so I'm expecting lots of sibling and friendship goodness. I am a bit surprised to see it holds only 32 pages...and that's by no means a bad thing, especially for reluctant readers. I'm hoping for some imagination, humor, and family heart.

So, let's open it up and see what it's about!

THE SOLARBALL SLIP-UP

by Bryan Patrick Avery

Illustrated by Vincent Batignole

Picture Window Books

Children's Science Fiction

Beginning Reader

32 pages

ages 5 to 8

COMING AUGUST 1st!!!

When his dad forgets his CubeKey at home, Charlie Cosmos sets out to deliver it to him at work. Along the way, Charlie tests out a new solarball with his friends and loses track of his dad’s device. Will Charlie find the CubeKey in time or will his solarball slip-up land him in hot water? Young readers will find out in this fun and funny sci-fi adventure! With easy-to-read text and art that pops off the page, every early chapter book in The Cosmos Family series takes readers on a joyous journey into the future.

GOODREADS     /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Life in the future might hold high-tech gadgets and even some surprises, but family and friendship never change.

Charlie Cosmos' father has forgotten his CubeKey at home but desperately needs it for a big meeting within the next hour. Charlie promises him mother to get it to his father but runs into a friend along the way, who wants him to try out a new solarball. Of course, Charlie doesn't want to let his father down, so he makes sure he plays for only a few minutes. Although Charlie reaches his father's office with a little time to spare, he realizes the CubeKey is no longer in his pocket and must have gotten lost during the short game.

This is a bright and bold book with tons of energy. The illustrations pop on each page and bring this futuristic world to life while letting Charlie, his family, and his friends gain visual personality. This works very well to balance with the text, especially for beginning readers. The text is very fitting for those readers, who are mostly sure of their words but need more practice. The font and spacing are on the larger side for easy reading. There are several, short chapters to help breakdown things and keep it light. Add the short page length, and it's a read even reluctant readers can enjoy.

There's never a boring moment in Charlie's adventure, and readers will have no problem connecting with him, since the problem is a very familiar one that can happen to anyone. His desire to play with his friend is understandable, and the trouble it causes isn't overly surprising yet still grabs. There's enough tension to have readers wondering if he'll get things worked out, and the ending rounds everything off nicely. With such a short page length, the plot flies by very quick, and some readers might find this a bit too fast since the entire world is new. To help buffer this, the author includes a quick description of unfamiliar terms at the beginning of the book. These are brief and leave a lot of room to the imagination.

At the end of the book, there are several questions to open up to discussion and check reading comprehension. Classrooms and homeschoolers will appreciate this aspect as well.

And here he is...

Bryan Patrick Avery discovered his love of reading and writing at an early age when he received his first Bobbsey Twins Mystery. He writes picture books, chapter books, middle grade, and graphic novels. His middle grade story, “The Magic Day Mystery,” was published in 2020 in Super Puzzletastic Mysteries, an anthology from Harpercollins and the Mystery Writers of America. His debut picture book, The Freeman Field Photograph was published in 2020. Bryan lives in northern California with his family.