Best in Snow by April Pulley Sayre
Age Range: 3-8 years
Publisher: Beach Lane Books
Publication Date: October 11, 2016
Picture book illustrated with photographs of snow related scenes. Close-ups and distant shots clearly show details. Text rhymes. This book has sparse but descriptive words on pages for younger readers. For older knowledge seekers, detailed scientific explanations in the section called Secrets of Snow are in the rear of the book. A compilation of books to further investigate information about snow is included. My Book Eyes glided across pages, absorbing the visual imagery and soaking in the facts.
A Poem for Peter by author Andrea Davis Pinkney and illustrators Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher
Age Range: 7-10 years
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: November 1, 2016
This book is a biography about Ezra Jack Keats from his birth in Brooklyn through his children’s book career and the creation of A Snowy Day. The illustrations help tell the story of a struggling family and the rise of an author/illustrator who broke barriers in children’s books. Included in the rear of the book are Ezra’s Legacy, Keats the Collage Poet and a list of Books Written by and Illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats. An enlightening read for My Book Eyes.
I Love Snow by author Zetta Elliott and illustrator Purple Wong
Age Range: 4 – 7 years
Publisher: CreateSpace
Publication Date: August 16, 2015
This picture book celebrates joys and pitfalls of snow through children’s eyes. While youngsters love to make a snowman, sled etc. They also realize that it is difficult to see when blizzarding snow blows in faces not to mention the dirty slush that it turns into etc. In the end, the good times outweigh the bad and the children continue to love snow. My Book Eyes liked reading about children acknowledging the negative as well as the positive side of snow. The illustrations are attractive.
Little Penguins by author Cynthia Rylant and illustrator Christian Robinson
Age Range: 3-7 years
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade
Publication Date: October 25, 2016
Picture book about five penguins enjoying a day of snow. They come home with mom penguin, put on their pajamas, eat warm cookies then sleep soundly in their beds. Only one to six words are displayed on a page which makes this a fast read. Large illustrations and vibrant colors. My Book Eyes think this is a good winter bedtime story for young children. The book can also be used to identify colors and other creatures shown in this cold habitat.
Go, Shapes, Go! by Denise Fleming
Age Range: 4 – 8 years
Publisher: Beach Lane Books
Publication Date: October 7, 2014
A picture book about shapes, movement and creation. A mouse uses words such as slide, bounce, roll, slither, flip, march, leap, scoot, fly, twirl and hop to direct shapes into assuming certain positions until they form a monkey. The mouse crashes into the monkey and what a surprise My Book Eyes got when the shapes try to find their places and a different animal forms! Colors and patterns are visually stimulating. Can be used as a springboard for creating animals from shapes with children.
My Turn! by Laura Rankin
Age Range: 2 – 5 years
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Publication Date: November 8, 2016
A picture book that begins inside the front cover ends inside the back cover. Pammy and Wyatt are neighbors and best friends. Pammy is more assertive and makes sure she gets her turn when playing at the expense of Wyatt who often is cast as Pammy’s helper. When Wyatt protests and leaves her, she joins her older brother shooting hoops. When Pammy never gets her turn, she realizes how Wyatt feels. Pammy rejoins Wyatt and gives him his turn. My Book Eyes believes this lesson is well depicted in emotional illustrations and text.
Before I Leave by Jessica Bagley
Age Range: 5 – 7 years
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Publication Date: February 16, 2016
A picture book. When the cover is opened, the two main characters, Aaron the anteater and Zelda the hedgehog are pictured playing together in spring, fall and winter. The reader quickly finds out that Zelda is moving away. For one last time they play together and Zelda reveals her feelings about moving. The illustrations take advantage of the physical traits of both animals to create humor and warmth. My Book Eyes felt both characters’ sadness and happiness as well as Zelda’s strength as she adjusts to starting anew elsewhere.
my book eyes 