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.

The Warning (Animorphs #16) by K.A. Applegate

Title: The Warning
Series: Animorphs (book 16)
Author: K.A. Applegate
Length: 146 pages

Warning: This is a review of book 16 of the series, so watch out for spoilers of earlier books! The first book in the series is The Invasion, which I reviewed on my adult book blog here.

The Story

Jake discovers a website about yeerks. Some of the information seems pretty accurate, while some is way out there. But the most interesting part of the site is the chat room. People are chatting about yeerks, swapping information, some of them obviously yeerks in disguise, others potential allies to the Animorphs. So they decide to break into the ISP's offices to find out who the people behind those screen names are.

My Thoughts

The Animorphs books always involve the kids coming up with a plan, and some of their plans make more sense than others. Breaking into the office of an internet service provider to find out who some people in a chat room are does not strike me as a very smart plan. But other than that, I liked the plot of this book. The Animorphs face another big moral question, and those always make for the best stories in this series. There are also the usual cool fight scenes and moments of suspense.

The Animorphs series is great for elementary school kids who are striking out on their own with chapter books. Because there are so many of them, they can keep reading about the same characters and seeing them grow, like in a longer novel, but in bite-sized chunks. The reading level is probably a bit above the really early chapter books. There are lots of animal-alien fight scenes, but the violence is not gratuitous.

Chickenhare by Chris Grine

Title: Chickenhare
Author: Chris Grine
Length: 157 pages

The Story

Chickenhare is a rare animal with the ears and body of a rabbit and the feathers and legs of a chicken. He and his friend, a bearded turtle named Abe, are captured and sold to a crazy taxidermist named Klaus, who wants to stuff them. Chickenhare and Abe, with the help of their new friends Banjo and Meg, have to escape to avoid being stuffed. Along the way, they meet the Shromph, strange creatures who live in caves, and the ghost of a goat named Mr. Buttons, whose spirit can't rest until she's stopped Klaus once and for all.

My Thoughts

Chickenhare's story is a fun adventure with interesting characters. You'll be cheering for Chickenhare and Abe as they use their wits to escape from the evil Klaus, and Banjo and Meg will keep you guessing with their mysterious identities.

This book is a great introduction to graphic novels, since the text and pictures are easy to follow. It would be enjoyed by pre-teen (tween) readers, and maybe readers a bit younger than that. Scholastic rates it for ages 9-12.