Tito the Magician
By Guido van Genechten
Age
Range: 3 - 6 years
Grade
Level: Preschool and up
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Clavis (August 9, 2016)
ISBN-10: 1605372560
ISBN-13: 978-1605372563
Publisher’s
Blurb:
Manu, the magician at Circus
Rondo, is fantastic. With a little magic powder, a wand, and a few words, he
can pull amazing things out of his top hat. Tito, the little clown, would love
to do that kind of magic. But when he tries with his own little brown hat, the
magic doesn’t work at all. Maybe it’s because he’s uncertain and shy. What
would happen if Tito were to ask Manu to show him how the trick really works?
An endearing picture book about magic and daring, for children aged 3 years and
up.
My Thoughts:
This book didn’t wow me. The
illustrations were cute, but the only real message seems to be, “If you believe
in yourself, things will work out.” Manu doesn’t exactly explain to Tito how
the trick works, so all we’re left with is “Believe.” That’s great, but how are
kids going to apply that, since, honestly, belief alone won’t make you great at
anything. It seems somehow incomplete.
On a Journey
By Guido van Genechten
Age Range: 4 - 7 years
Grade Level: Preschool - 3
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Clavis (March 15, 2016)
ISBN-10: 1605372765
ISBN-13: 978-1605372761
Publisher’s Blurb:
A heartwarming picture book about traveling together, sharing new
experiences, and letting yourself be amazed by the world around you. For ages 4
and up.
My Thoughts:
This simple story follows two animals on a long, long, roadtrip. Yes,
someone does ask “Are we there yet?” The underlying message is to enjoy the
journey—it’s not all about the destination, and travel can teach you things you
didn’t expect.
The illustrations are cute and the story is just the right level of
complexity for small child
Cleo
By Sassafras De Bruyn
Age Range: 5 and up
Grade Level: Kindergarten and up
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Clavis (May 10, 2016)
ISBN-10: 1605372633
ISBN-13: 978-1605372631
Publisher’s Blurb:
Cleo is sad. She always has to hurry. To the bus. To school. She often
feels lonely. But one day she’ll go far away, to a place where she defeats sea
monsters and where clouds taste like whipped cream. Only her cat will come with
her. But suddenly there is a boy…
A touching story about a girl who isn’t as alone as she thought she was. For
daydreamers aged 5 and up.
My Thoughts:
The beautiful illustrations really carry this story of a little girl and
her imaginative adventures. The narrative is lyrical and lovely also. My
biggest qualm about this book is the script font, which will prevent new
readers from reading it to themselves.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARCs.
The Spinfords
By AnnMarie Martin
Publisher: Black Bed Sheet Books; 1st edition
(April 3, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0692685197
ISBN-13: 978-0692685198
Publisher’s Blurb:
What's the one thing in the world that
scares kids the most? Being different.
But not Salvatore.
You see, Salvatore's webs are different. Much to his family's disappointment.
Because this family of circus-performing spiders has built their act off
tradition. Webs are circles, period.
But not Salvatore's.
And over his father's squashed body is he going to let him perform with them.
It would ruin all they worked for since Grandpa Sebastian Spinford started
their show back in 1934. But Salvatore knows better. He knows the crowd is
craving something new and fresh. And with his grandfather's help, he's going to
prove it.
Salvatore's story
will give children of all ages the confidence to be themselves, no matter what.
My Thoughts:
Another story about someone with
out-of-the-box thinking, this one doesn’t really break any new ground or offer
any startling new insights. The illustrations are cute. The font choice could
be a little tricky, and using reverse type (white on black) could be hard on
the eyes for some.
Biggest quibble: It says Salvatore has
to create a “one-dimensional” circular web. One dimension is a line. I believe
the author means two-dimensional—height and length, or length and width if you
prefer. Where was the editor on that one?
The message that not all art has to be
representational is fine, but, again, nothing new.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC.
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