A Guinea Pig Pride & Prejudice

Title: A Guinea Pig Pride & Prejudice
Authors: Jane Austen (original) and Alex Goodwin (adaptation)
Format: Picture Book (text-heavy)
Length: 51 pages

The Story

This is a condensation of Pride and Prejudice, seemingly using text right from the original book, accompanied by pictures of guinea pigs playing the various roles. The photos are complete with beautifully designed sets and adorable tiny guinea pig outfits.

My Thoughts

I'm not entirely sure what age range this book is good for. It is quite wordy for a picture book, and the words are not easy for a modern-day child to understand, being taken from the original novel. There are lots of sentences like "To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love; and very lively hopes of Mr. Bingley's heart were entertained." Very flowery.

On the other hand, the pictures are adorable! So while I can't really say whether this will encourage a child's interest in "the classics", they might like it just for the guinea pigs. :)

The Insomniacs by Karina Wolf

Title: The Insomniacs
Author: Karina Wolf
Illustrators: The Brothers Hilts
Format: Picture Book
Length: 29 pages

The Story

The Insomniacs used to live during the day like most people, but then Mrs. Insomniac gets a new job 12 time zones over. Suddenly the whole family is up all night and always nodding off during the day. They try to find some way of getting back to their old schedule, but finally end up learning from the nocturnal creatures around them.

My Thoughts

The illustrations are what really made this book for me. The art is in a dark, kind of weird/creepy style that reminds me of Tim Burton. The story is unique, while having a common message of accepting yourself for who you are. I feel like this would make a good bedtime story.

That Is NOT a Good Idea! by Mo Willems

Title: That Is NOT a Good Idea!
Author: Mo Willems
Format: Picture Book
Length: 42 pages

The Story

A fox invites a goose to dinner. She goes along, with every page leading closer and closer to danger. All along, a chorus of baby geese warn that that is NOT a good idea!!

My Thoughts

This is book is the perfect storytime book! I read it during my brief time in an elementary school library, and the grade 1-2 classes loved it. The tension builds throughout the story, towards the conclusion everyone can see coming,  but as in every good story not everything is as it seems.

If you've read any of Mo Willems' books you already know that he's amazing. This book is no exception!

2016 I Love Picture Books Challenge

Since starting this separate book blog for reviewing children's books, I've had a bit of trouble really getting it going. This is partly because I've had trouble finding time to write reviews, but also partly because I haven't been reading enough kids' books! So, to motivate myself to find some great new kids' books to read and review, I'm joining the I Love Picture Books Reading Challenge.

My goal is to read and review 20 picture books in 2016. I'll list them below as I read them.

1. That Is Not a Good Idea! by Mo Willems
2. Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! by Mo Willems
3. Small Saul by Ashley Spires
4. Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? by Dr. Seuss
5. The Insomniacs by Karina Wolf
6. A Guinea Pig Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin and Alex Goodwin
7. The Good Little Book by Kyo Maclear
8. Sensational Sisters: A Story of Two Sisters with Sensory Processing Disorder by Samantha Sandiland
9. Squirmy Wormy: How I Learned to Help Myself by Lynda Farrington Wilson
10. Xander's Panda Party by Linda Sue Park
11. The Lump of Coal by Lemony Snicket

The Hork-Bajir Chronicles by K.A. Applegate

Title: The Hork-Bajir Chronicles
Series: Animorphs (book 22.5)
Author: K.A. Applegate
Length: 206 pages

The Story

This book is a sort of prequel to the Animorphs series, much like The Andalite Chronicles. It is the story of how the Yeerks came to the Hork-Bajir home world in search of hosts they could use to fight the Andalites. The main characters are Dak Hamee, a Hork-Bajir seer who is more intelligent than the rest of his species, Aldrea, a young Andalite girl, and Esplin 9466, a Yeerk who will do anything to gain more power.

When the Yeerks attack, Aldrea calls to her people for help, but the Andalites send too little too late, leaving the gentle Hork-Bajir to desperately defend themselves.

My Thoughts

Readers of the Animorphs series already know how things end for the Hork-Bajir. In the present day when the main series takes place, the Hork-Bajir are used as hosts for the Yeerks. This makes the story sad to read, since we know all along they aren't going to be successful. It's also sad because we see a darker side of the Andalites, who are supposed to be the good guys. K.A. Applegate is great at showing that moral issues aren't always black and white. Still, the story ends on a hopeful note, with a promising future for the new free Hork-Bajir.

If you're reading the main series, don't skip this book! There's lots of backstory on the Hork-Bajir, the Andalites, and the Yeerks. Events of this book are also mentioned in the next Animorphs book (#23 - The Pretender).

From Anna by Jean Little

Title: From Anna
Author: Jean Little
Length: 205 pages

The Story

Anna doesn't fit in with her family, or at school. She's clumsy, can't read, and can't knit or do other household chores. Her siblings nickname her Awkward Anna, and her teachers constantly scold her. The story begins in Germany, just before World War II, and the Solden family is worried about the changes happening to their country. When the opportunity arises, the family moves to Toronto.

When the Soldens arrive in Canada, Anna soon learns the reason for her clumsiness, and with the help of a friendly doctor, a caring teacher, and great new friends, she begins to learn that she can have a better life than she'd ever imagined.

My Thoughts

I couldn't put this book down, and read it in a single day. I felt so sad for Anna right from the beginning, and then so happy for her as her life improved. This is a really heartwarming story. It has a main character who has a disability, and addresses the issue of bullying.

From Anna is a middle grade novel, so it's aimed at ages 8-12. However, the story is a good one for any age group.

Binky the Space Cat by Ashley Spires

Title: Binky the Space Cat
Author: Ashley Spires
Length: 64 pages

The Story

Binky is a pet cat who orders a space cat kit so that he'll be able to go into outer space (outside the house) to protect his humans from aliens (bugs). He believes that the house is a space station, and that he needs a space suit or rocket ship to go outside. He gets to work building himself a rocket ship, while he continues to protect his family from the aliens and keep the alien spies from discovering his secret identity.

My Thoughts

This is a fun story about what your house cat might really be thinking. The simple illustrations and funny writing make for an engaging read. It's a short graphic novel, so it's a pretty quick read, too. I like the way Binky tries to make sense of his world, and how he's always trying to protect his family.

Binky the Space Cat is aimed at readers aged 7 to 10. I think its fun story and simple format could make it a good choice for reluctant readers in that age group.