Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, Jr., Illustrated by Eric Carle

Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, Jr.
Illustrated by Eric Carle
Henry Holt and Company
Published in 2003
ISBN 0805092927
32 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Hardback)
Barnes & Noble (Hardback)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

APART OF THE GOODREADS 2011 READING CHALLENGE.

Review/Rating:

2 out of 5



Ease of Reading Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 2 out of 5
Plot: 1 out of 5

A dreaming child sees all kinds of endangered animals.

I love Eric Carle's books since they are always so cute and almost fun, even now, even though I am an adult. Though, this one of the first ones that I have read where he works with another author. However, this time, instead of Eric Carle of writing this book, Bill Martin, Jr.

This book was really too simple compared to other children's books. In order for your child to be interested in this book, I think that they will have to be under the age of five. Why? Because if they are any older, I think they will think it is as boring as I thought it was. I think the plot of showing different types of endangered animals was a very good idea, but it was poorly used to make it more interesting and less boring.

The illustrations are really very simple, but they are also kind of boring at the same time. However, I think it is creative how he can illustrate his own books with tissue paper, but it is still a little too simple for me to enjoy. The only thing that was well done for this book was how easy it was to read/see the text.

Anyways, I found this book kind of average and not really worth reading, but it is up to you if you think it is worth reading to your child. However, be warned that any child under the age of 5 might find it a little too boring. :|

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Bill Martin, Jr.
Eric Carle
Goodreads: Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, Jr., Illustrated by Eric Carle
Library Thing: Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, Jr., Illustrated by Eric Carle
Kids' Book Review: Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, Jr., Illustrated by Eric Carle

The Sissy Duckling by Harvey Fierstein, Illustrated by Henry Cole

The Sissy Duckling by Harvey Fierstein
Illustrated by Henry Cole
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Published in 2002
ISBN 0689835663
40 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM: 

Amazon (Paperback)
Barnes & Noble (Paperback)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

APART OF THE BANNED/CHALLENGED BOOKS CHALLENGE.

APART OF THE GOODREADS 2011 READING CHALLENGE.

Review/Rating:

5 out of 5



Ease of Reading Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Plot: 5 out of 5

Elmer is different from other male ducklings --- he likes to cook, clean, paint pictures, and other non-masculine things. And because of this, everyone calls him a sissy, even his own father. But will they learn that Elmer is just fine the way he is?

This book is on the ALA Banned and Challenged book list, and I kind of understand why, that is, if I was one of the narrow-minded type of person. Anyways, it has been banned/challenged because it has "gay tendencies", which I could see in some ways.

However, to me, it is just teaching people, children mostly, that it is okay to be different and not like things based on the stereotypical views of today's society. In my opinion, this book teaches a good lesson. Why? Because of the fact that no one likes being judged based on a mold that has been around for decades.

Anyways, besides liking the "don't judge people by stereotypes" lesson, I like the illustrations. They matched the words very well, and were cutely drawn and very bright. Also, the text was very easy to see and read, which is always a plus with children's books since most of them have text that's hard to see/read.

That said, this book is very good if you want to teach your kids not to judge people by stereotypes ans other unfair things.

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Harvey Fierstein
Henry Cole
Goodreads: The Sissy Duckling by Harvey Fierstein, Illustrated by Henry Cole
Library Thing: The Sissy Duckling by Harvey Fierstein, Illustrated by Henry Cole
See the World in Rainbows: The Sissy Duckling by Harvey Fierstein, Illustrated by Henry Cole

Smoky Night by Eve Bunting, Illustrated by David Diaz

Smoky Night by Eve Bunting
Illustrated by David Diaz
Harcourt Brace & Company
Published in 1994
ISBN 0152699546
40 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Hardback)
Barnes & Noble (Hardback)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

APART OF THE GOODREADS 2011 READING CHALLENGE.

Review/Rating:

3 out of 5



Ease of Reading Text: 2 out of 5
Illustrations: 2 out of 5
Plot: 5 out of 5

Riots are breaking out in the streets of Los Angeles, and it isn't any different in Daniel's neighborhood. Daniel and his neighbors learn an important lesson after two always fighting cats finally get along.

This picture book is set during an actual historical event, the 1992 Los Angeles riots. Because it uses a historical related event, the plot is very well informed and good because it teaches us and any children who read this book that we should value people and get along, no matter how different we are. Also, it teachers young children about the racial differences we had, and still have, through simple measures.

Even though the plot is very nicely done, the illustrations and how easy you can read the text isn't. The illustrations seem overdone with the textures all over the place, and I paid more attention to the textures instead of the actual drawings. Also, with most of the text, it was over textures that were hard to read black text off of.

Anyways, those were the only two things that I had a problem with in this book. It also has a wonderful lesson for everyone to learn and remember. Though, I have just a word of warning, it has the theme of racism in the book. However, it isn't really that noticeable, if the kid is really young. This is a very good book with an important lesson to learn, no matter how young the child is, but the illustrations and how well you can see/read the text is kind of hard and bleh.

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Eve Bunting
David Diaz
Goodreads: Smoky Night by Eve Bunting, Illustrated by David Diaz
Library Thing: Smoky Night by Eve Bunting, Illustrated by David Diaz
The Rookie's View: Smoky Night by Eve Bunting, Illustrated by David Diaz
Best Children's Books: Smoky Night by Eve Bunting, Illustrated by David Diaz

Traveller by Richard Adams

 

Traveller by Richard Adams

Alfred A. Knopf

Published in 1988

ISBN 0394570553

270 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Currently out of print.

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Review/Rating:

5 out of 5



The Civil War, not only a time of despair and strong emotions for men and women fighting/helping the war, but for the animals as well. As told through the eyes of Robert E. Lee's horse, Traveller, to a cat named Tom.

I love history novels or novels that are shaped around history --- like this novel and the Dear America books. :) If history fiction novels aren't your cup of tea, then I suggest not reading it. :| Though, I hope you will since I love how it is told through the point of view of Traveller, General Robert E. Lee's horse. :D

The thing I liked the most about the book is how creative the author was by telling the story and a piece a history through the eyes of an animal --- and managed to make Traveller seem human. Also, I liked how Traveller sounds like a grandpa telling a war story, forgetting some things, not getting parts accurate, changes the subject towards the end or the middle; and Tom seems kind of like the grandchild who asks questions, changes the subjects, falls asleep towards the end of it, and things like that. Another thing I like was the amount of details and the characters' personalities. :D

Some things that I didn't like were how the novel got really boring during some parts of Traveller's telling. :( It really felt like a grandpa boring me to sleep. I would have finished this book sooner if the book went into less details about pretty much all the battles. >.>" Other than this one thing, I think this book is pretty good. :P

Though, warning, it is in a Southern dialect, so it might be a little hard to read. ;)

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Richard Adams
Goodreads: Traveller by Richard Adams
Library Thing: Traveller by Richard Adams