PICTURE BOOK REVIEWS: The Right One for Roderic/The Most Terrible of All/Pick a Pumpkin
ABOUT THE BOOK
What happens when one little ghost wants to stand out?
All ghosts wear white sheets. That’s just what ghosts do. White sheets are good for haunting people, and they make the ghosts feel like part of one big family. But one little ghost named Roderic wants to wear something different. He tries all sorts of things: a bag, a rug, a boot. Can he find the right one for him? Find out in this colorful picture book from debut author-illustrator Violeta Noy.
REVIEW
Roderic, a young ghost, comes from a large family, so large in fact that he isn't even the first Roderic. He's tired of feeling invisible and overlooked by his relatives who all wear white sheets. So he starts looking for different ways to express himself. He tries hats and scarves and rugs, but nothing feels quite right. And after his family tells him to stick with the white sheet, he runs away hoping someone will notice his new style. But no one does. Finally with his family's help Roderic finds a place he belongs with his own unique style. The theme of finding your own voice and style is very clear in this rather cute book. Using ghosts as the main characters makes the idea of learning to stand out all the more clear, which works well for the intended audience. The illustrations are cute and work well with the tone of the story.
ABOUT THE BOOK
A monster discovers that true terribleness can come in tiny packages when he meets his neighbor's new baby.
REVIEW
Smugg the monster is shocked one day to discover that he is no longer the most terrible of all. He storms next door to find out who has taken his place. He's surprised to discover that it's the baby. He starts a terribleness contest only to find out that indeed this baby is terrible. But maybe that isn't so bad. The real winner here is the delightfully monstrous illustrations. I'll admit I didn't foresee the direction the story would take which made for a funny surprise at the end. A fun book for young readers who enjoy their monsters with a strong dose of terrible.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Pick a pumpkin from the patch. Tall and lean or short and fat. Vivid orange, ghostly white, or speckled green, might be just right.
Pairing a wonderfully rhythmic read-aloud text with expressive retro illustrations, author Patricia Toht and illustrator Jarvis capture all the excitement and familial feeling of a favorite holiday tradition. Readers will be happy to follow along with each step, from picking out the perfect specimen at the pumpkin patch (be sure to stop for cider and toffee apples) to carting it home, scooping out the insides, carving a scary face, and finally lighting a candle inside -- savoring the familiar ritual of transforming an ordinary pumpkin into a one-of-a-kind glowing jack-o'-lantern.
REVIEW
This beautifully designed book celebrates the Halloween season by taking the reader through the process of choosing a pumpkin, getting it ready for carving, and turning it into a jack-o'-lantern as well as getting ready for trick or treating. The rhymes are fun and rhythmic which makes for a great read aloud. But my favorite part of the book are the luminous illustrations. They are truly a work of art. A fun book to share at Halloween in preparation for a fabulous celebration.
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