Children's Book Reviews: Tanglewood Press

           

I received all the following from netgalley.com and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. After speaking with the publisher I also received Night of the White Deer and the other two books in physical format to better view these picture books. I appreciate their generosity but 

Title: Is a Worry Worrying You?

Author:Freida Wolff and Harriet May Savitz

Illustrator: Maria LeTourneau

Publisher: Tanglewood 

Publication Date: April 15, 2005

Description:

Suppose, just suppose, one hundred elephants come to tea and you discover you don't have any tea bags.
Uh, oh. What will you do with a herd of thirsty elephants?
Now that's a worry!
But you can get rid of that worry by offering the elephants lemonade instead.

Adults think of childhood as a carefree time, but the truth is that children worry, and worry a lot, especially in our highly pressurized era. This book addresses children's worries with humor and imagination, as hilarious scenarios teach kids the use of perspective and the art of creative problem-solving.

My Review:

I decided to talk about this first because it was my favorite of the selections I received from Tanglewood. It was so amazing to find a story that talks about the fact that children are just smaller versions of adults. They have feelings, stress, and they worry just like everyone. 

I think was a great story for saying that the worries are normal but it was full of creative, over the top scenarios to say that their worries could be worse and with the help of family and friends we can overcome these worries and live happily.

I think what really set this apart was the art style. It reminded me a lot of something Tim Burton would enjoy and that makes it something I really enjoyed. It was a little darker and used muted colors but I think that is what sets this children's story apart and makes it worth picking up. Great story and excellent art makes this a can miss read.

My Star Rating:

5 out of 5

Read this if your child enjoys:

       

Next we have:

Title: Yes, Let's

Author: Galen Goodwin Longstreth

Illustrator: Maris Wicks

Publisher: Tanglewood 

Publication Date: April 9, 2013

Description:

Let's get into the station wagon, roll those windows down,
Let's sing out loud and wave to cows as we drive out of town.
Let's park the car beneath the trees and trade our shoes for boots,
Let's set the timer, all say "Cheese!" then head into the woods.

In this cute book about a family's camping trip, the simple, rhyming text is enhanced by comical illustrations that bring wit and energy to every page. Packaged in a smaller size for little hands and easy to pack up, this book would be a perfect read-aloud during the car ride, along with a great way to recap a trip at the end. The illustrations inside the front cover serve as a reminder of things to pack, and the story inspires activities to plan. There is even a space in the back to paste a picture of the reader's own family trip. This little book serves as a loving tribute to family togetherness.

My Review:

This is one of the books the publisher sent me a physical copy of for review and I was not at all expecting such a beautifully published book! Seriously, very lovely.

The story is absolutely one of the most fun stories I have read in a children's book this year. Absolutely loved the comical sing-song lyrical passages and the art style is as bright and cheery as this lovely little family going out on an adventure. I think that this story is a great illustration of how fun it can be to go out and just enjoy being a family.

It doesn't necessarily need to be a road trip but even if it is just camping out on the living room floor those are memories your kids will have forever and be able to look back on and enjoy and I think this story illustrates how special spending time together can be.

My Star Rating:

4 out of 5

Read this if your children enjoy:

    

Another great selection:

Title: The Kissing Hand

Author: Audrey Penn

Illustrator: Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak

Publisher: Tanglewood

Publication Date: May 15, 2006

Description:

School is starting in the forest, but Chester Raccoon does not want to go. To help ease Chester's fears, Mrs. Raccoon shares a family secret called the Kissing Hand to give him the reassurance of her love any time his world feels a little scary. Since its first publication in 1993, this heartwarming book has become a children's classic that has touched the lives of millions of children and their parents, especially at times of separation, whether starting school, entering daycare, or going to camp. It is widely used by kindergarten teachers on the first day of school. Stickers at the back will help children and their parents keep their Kissing Hand alive.

My Review:

I could see why this became a well loved bestseller. This was a heart warming read about children starting school for the first time and dealing with being scared about wanting something to calm those jitters and fears. Chester's mom decides to share the family secret of "the kissing hand" where Chester can take the kiss and her love with him even when he is scared.

In the description it says that is often used in kindergarten to help easy the fear of the first day and I could see it being absolutely perfect for that. 

Tanglewood has published other books about Chester and I really want to pick some up especially if they were as good as this one.

I would recommend this for both parents and children to ease their fears about the separation that begins to occur as your children start to grow up. 

My Star Rating:

4 out of 5

Read this if you children enjoyed:

  

Next we have another great release:

Title: Night of the White Deer

Author: Jack Bushnell

Illustrator: Miguel Co

Publisher: Tanglewood

Publication Date: September 18, 2012

Description:

The boy had heard the old stories about a mysterious white deer that appeared among the fields of corn. Some said she had been formed from a star that fell to the earth; others said she had risen up from some tanks of spilt milk. But to the young boy, it seemed that’s all she was, the stuff of stories — until one night when she appears on his farm, standing in the field, her coat a sparkling white. During this magical nighttime encounter, the deer leads the boy into the skies on a flight through the lights of the aurora, among the countless other creatures living in its glistening colors. But the boy will discover more the next day, when he tells his family about his experience. This modern folk tale inspires young readers to see the magic that comes from the twinkles of the nighttime sky.

My Review:

I have some pretty mixed feelings about this particular book. First, the illustrations and the publication of this book are absolutely lovely. This is another title I received a physical copy of and I absolutely love the look and feel of it. 

I will say that the story if also very well written and there is a lot to enjoy about it. There is a magical deer that that fly through the woods and a young boy gets to experience the deer in all of it's wonder but as soon as he goes home and tell his family they laugh at him. All except his dad who tells the boy about his experience. 

I will say that I liked the folk tale elements of the story and I, as an adult reader easily understood and followed the plot. However, I think this might be a little difficult for children. It is suggested for 4-8 and if you plan to pick this up I would suggest it for the higher ages of that range.

My Star Rating:

3.5 out of 5

Read this if your children enjoyed:

All Books from Tanglewood can be purchased on their website @:

http://www.tanglewoodbooks.com/picture.html

Or on amazon.com