Dodsworth in Tokyo

Dodsworth in Tokyo
Written and illustrated by Tim Egan

My rating: ★★★★

ISBN: 978-0547877457
Publisher: HMH Books
Date of publication: April 16, 2013
Age: Grades 1 - 4
Genre: Educational

Themes: travel, Tokyo, Japan, traditions, behavior, friendship, ducks

Dodsworth is nervous. Sometimes Duck can be a little out of control. But Dodsworth's duck companion is surprisingly well-behaved during their visit to Tokyo...although he does fall into the koi pond at the Imperial Palace and becomes the center of attention at a Sanja Festival. What will Dodsworth do about his friend?

So I picked this book out on a whim while browsing the library. It's the fifth in a series of Dodworth's travels (New York City and London and other such places) and I'm saddened to learn it's the last! Yes, this book was fantastic in that it can tell an engaging story while also thoroughly educating a young reader about Tokyo customs and destinations. It's fabulous! I do wish Egan would keep writing about even more cities—especially such foreign ones like Tokyo where the customs would be so different.

As for the writing, illustrations, and such...they're not the most exciting I've seen, but still good. The illustrations are rather understated and the sentences are pretty simple. It definitely higher level early reader (four chapters, lots of words on a page). Really, I enjoyed it for its educational elements and touches of humor (Duck doesn't know how to fly or swim—makes for some funny situations). I'd recommend it, especially for the travel-loving family! I will be reading the other four books, and crossing my fingers for more.

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Peep and Egg: I'm Not Hatching

Peep and Egg: I'm Not Hatching
Written by Laura Gehl, illustrated by Joyce Wan

My rating: ★★★

ISBN: 978-0374301217
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Date of publication: February 9, 2016
Age: 2 - 6 years

Themes: chicks, eggs, fear, persuasion, sibling relationship

Egg is not hatching. No way. No how. It is too scary out there. Peep wants Egg to hatch so they can do fun things together, like watch the sunrise, splash in puddles, and play hide-and-seek. But Egg doesn't want to deal with bugs, getting wet, and the dark. Will Peep be able to convince Egg to crack?

I thought this would be fun to read what with it being spring and Easter just around the corner. And certainly, this book fits the bill and would be a fine addition to a storytime or themed readaloud. But really, it was just okay. I felt that the excuses to not hatch became too many, and too whiny. It became a little tedious and overly predictable. Very repetitious. Which, yes, that can be good for young readers, but it might get a little long if reading aloud to a storytime audience. The illustrations are bright, bold, and simple. And they definitely add to the text. I enjoyed them in all their Hello-Kitty-esque glory.

Overall, it's just okay. It's nice to have this time of year, but I won't miss it. See what you think for yourself.

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Treat

Treat
Written and illustrated by Mary Sullivan

My rating: ★★★½

ISBN: 978-0544472709
Publisher: HMH Books
Date of publication: March 1, 2016
Age: 3 - 6 years

Themes: dogs, pets, food, graphic novel format

There's a new dog in town and he is focused on finding a treat, no matter the cost. But endless tricks and futile searching (you can't eat Grandma’s dentures!) can be pretty exhausting. Just when he’s about to give up hope...what’s this? TREAT!

Told entirely with one word—"treat," of course—this makes for a great companion to Sullivan's first book, Ball (which I haven't read, but with this book, I'm thinking I've got a pretty good idea how it goes). The different emotions expressed through typography and illustration make it extra fun to read, especially if you read it aloud; it'd be perfect for storytime. It definitely captures the voice of a dog's one-track mind!

So, while I would recommend it for dog-lovers and storytimers, I didn't particularly enjoy it myself. The illustrations aren't my favorite (I'm not personally fond of the style, but to each their own, of course) and the dream sequence was weird...but hey. I imagine there will be plenty of other fans of this book.

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Duck Duck Dinosaur

Duck Duck Dinosaur
Written by Kallie George, illustrated by Oriol Vidal

My rating: ★★★★½

ISBN: 978-0062353085
Publisher: HarperCollins
Date of publication: February 9, 2016
Age: 3 - 7 years

Themes: family relationships, sibling rivalry, love, dinosaurs, ducks

Three eggs in a nest begin to wiggle and wobble, until CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! It’s a duck...duck...DINOSAUR! Meet Feather, Flap, and Spike. They’re three unlikely siblings who each want to stand out. But together, they make the biggest splash!

So I've recently become quite the fan of Kallie George, what with all the Magical Animal Adoption Agency books I've been reading (book 1 & book 2), and I was pretty dang excited to see this new picture book from her. It did not disappoint! It was downright ADORABLE. George expertly captured the competitive sibling relationship and ever loving mother. Combined with the action-packed illustrations of the cute family...the book is just excellent.

It also makes for a super awesome readaloud; all the different character voices--especially Spike's lines!--are so fun. It's perfect for storytime. A touch of humor, a lot of cuteness, and altogether a great book. The half-star off is my small observation that it felt a bit formulaic (not as memorable) but really, I'd still use it.

A definite pick-up for storytime and a recommendation to try it out. Readalikes include Wolfie the Bunny and Mother Bruce.

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