Library Haul (Pt.1)

I got this idea to start doing library hauls to share with you some of the books that I believe deserve a little recognition. I have to go to the library quite often because Aviva needs to read for 20 minutes every night as part of her homework. It doesn’t sound like a lot of time but it definitely feels like it is when you breeze through picture books. Since the books we check out are for (younger) children, we usually can read about 2-4 books in that time frame. If you do the math, on average, that's about 15 books during the school week. As a result you can imagine what a trip to the library looks like, if not, think about leaving with the motherload stack of books. Now I know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover -figuratively and literally- but let’s be real, not all books are created equal. I decided to help you out by doing all the work and weeding out anything less than worth your time…or your read aloud voice in my case. I have chosen these books based off of illustrations (I’m huge on this), story line, whether my children were engaged and overall enjoyability. It might be because of one of these reasons or several of them combined. Sometimes you get a beautifully aesthetic picture book with a lack luster story or vice versa. Sometimes we’ll read books that I won’t be a huge fan of but Aviva or Abby were really into them. On a good haul, out of every 10-15 books we borrow, usually 5-6 tend to have any lasting impression. If you get as excited for new books as I do then be sure to come back for other Library Haul posts in the future ;)

ON A V. SERIOUS NOTE!!!: 

[ I’ve been careful not to include too many pictures of the inside of books for copyrighted reasons. All credit goes to the wonderful artists and authors who have given us these books to enjoy. I only have good intentions here and hope to inspire others to fall in love with children’s books. I want nothing more than to offer recommendations so you too can be apart of the fun that is rediscovering imagination through reading to our kids. ]

Pearl by Molly Idle

Who doesn’t like a book about mermaids? I know as a "girl mom", the 3 of us do! The story was brief and over too soon but cute nonetheless. It tells the narrative of a young mermaid who learns the special value of her new job although at first it seemed small and insignificant.  I was instantly drawn to this book because of the art. Turns out Molly Idle started her career as a DreamWorks animator, perhaps thats what adds that special eye catching touch to her art style.

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Poor Louie by Tony Futile

Much like Molly Idle’s illustrations, Poor Louie had a familiarity to them. It also gave me instant Disney vibes. Tony Fucile worked with Pixar films like Inside Out and The Incredibles and its very apparent in his art style. A happy story with an unexpected ending, the characters and their expressions have that super visually appealing look you’d expect from Disney-Pixar films. This one would be appreciated by human parents and dog parents alike.

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King Baby by Kate Beaton

This is a book that any parent can get with. It takes the chaotic and wonderful moments that come with the demands of raising a baby and makes it all humorous. I'm laughing now because those days are behind me but if you have/had a newborn you'll be able to relate. It's colorful and the expressions throughout the book are hilariously animated, no wonder the author Kate Beaton is a Canadian comic artist.

The story ultimately takes us from King Baby to Big Boy and it is the funniest turn of the page. Love how triumphant and majestic he looks, literally LOL'd.

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Leaf by Sanda Dieckmann

For me, Leaf is the kind of book you have to do a "picture walk" through first, if not once, a few times. The little details put into the artwork of each page is remarkable. I felt the story didn't wow me as much as the illustrations did. Maybe its because the pictures were so extravagant you want more from the story itself. Or perhaps it's because it is a rather simple story but don't confuse that as a weak story, because it is the exact opposite. It has powerful themes. You be the judge for yourself and definitely give this one a read. The book is about a lost polar bear that seeks to find its way home. At first he is regarded with caution by the other animals until they decide to listen to Leaf (the bear) and  help him. 

 Just take a look for yourself, BEAUTIFUL!

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Chibi Samurai Wants a Pet by Sanae Ishida

I love a book that has little elements that might go over your kids head (esp. if they are younger like mine) but help keep you engaged in the story. Aviva loved all the trial and error pets Chibi Samurai had to go through before he found the right one. I loved the light humor throughout the book making this one enjoyable for us both. Anything with culture is also a plus, and although Aviva kept saying this book is about "China"(smh, yep I kept correcting her) it's still good to expose your children to foreign concepts like ninja's and samurai. I need to find the complimentary book about Little Kunoichi the Ninja Girl, because a kid ninja who's a girl has "badass concept" all over it.

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and that completes this library haul !

signing off

-HAPPY READING