I cannot help myself. Picture books are fun. They are easy and help me think, “Well by George the III, I just accomplished something!” And these three books are ones that I accomplished.
Packs: Strength in Numbers by Hannah Salyer (Rating 4) The book starts off with a simple poem like sentence about the connections of together; then BOOM! Sayler starts with examples of animals and their connections to the theme. By the end of our story, we go back to the simple line of text and slowly fade to a stop. An afterwards gives a little more about the animals. The unique illustrations are both boldly and softly colored at the same time give a cool feeling to our eyes reading. All that is needed with the details are there wrapping things up. Aimed at a younger audience, most ages can enjoy this picture book.
Share Some Kindness, Bring Some Light by Apryl Stott (Rating 4) What we have here is the theme of the year: a sweet story about true friendship. This comes from our two friends learning the meaning of a special saying. The illustrations are delightful. They are colorful, clean, strong, and detailed as needed. A lot is Share Some Kindness, Bring Some Light being said by them without any words. But what our young girl and bear say to each other also says a lot. If I have one issue, it is the story almost feels as if it is a sequel or we have stepped into the middle of the story. I think a second read is in order (if for enjoyment of the art alone).
Nothing like a bad Christmas cookie to sour the day. Unless it is a bad Christmas story. I am sorry, Nancy Brigham, but Macaroon Mouse the Christmas Eve Adventure is a stinker (Rating 2). It is saccharine, obvious and too familiar. It sounds like every other story (mistaken identity, a mouse doing something slightly naughty, missing father, and Santa saving the day). And the action, text, and story itself is stiff (nobody likes a stiff mouse). However, Mary McSweeney’s illustrations are classic in their style. In this case, the familiar look is not as off-putting, but at the same time, this does not freshen up the contents. However, I know that due to the sweet ending (and the church mouse nods), there will be several people giving this book for a “little something” to the young child in their lives.
The nice thing about these books is if you read them, you too can say you accomplished something and might just find a gift for the special child in your life.