PICTURE BOOK REVIEWS: Noni the Pony counts to a million by Alison Lester & This Book is My Best Friend by Robin Robinson
REVIEW
This Australian import follows Noni, a pony, as she counts from 1 to 10, then dozens, hundreds, thousands, and a million. She begins by standing under one tree watching two friends dance by the sea. She gathers companions as she moves from one activity to another, ending up sleeping under millions of stars. The rhyming text flows smoothly from spread to spread as Noni meets other animals on her journey. Not only is this a cute book about counting, but it's an adorable introduction to a variety of animals. Noni, with her big eyes, and her friends are appealing companions on this journey of numbers.
REVIEW
"I'm going to be a robot when I grow up!" Sunny tells Aarush when they both try to check out the same book from the library. Sunny wants Aarush to understand that this book is her best friend from the moment she read the first word, robot. Aarush then explains to Sunny that the book can't be her best friend, because it's his best friend, all the way to the final word, mouse, his favorite animal. The two kids go back and forth trying to convince the other to let go of the book. The discussion turns to loneliness and the challenge of making friends, and slowly Sunny and Aarush realize that one can have more than one best friend. As a librarian and book lover, I fell in love with this book immediately. I loved how the two kids connected with the same book and through the book they connected to each other. The book also made me smile at how determined the kids are to persuade the other to chose a different book. Not only is this book a tender ode to the power of a good book to comfort, engage, and excite a reader, but the ability of a good book to connect people. The digital illustrations use strong lines to create bright, attractive pictures. A winning book for young readers just learning to value of a good book and a good friend. A new favorite for me that I look forward to sharing with many young readers.
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