librarydreams's reviews
651 reviews

Lenny the Lobster Can't Stay for Dinner: ...or Can He? You Decide! by Finn Buckley, Michael Buckley

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adventurous dark funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Very clever, but may put kids off eating lobster.
Everybody's Favorite Book by Mike Allegra

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

I have a feeling that this book will be a hit at story time! I love how it continuously changes itself on the futile quest to be everyone's favorite.
Madeline Finn and the Library Dog by Lisa Papp

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emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A very sweet "learning to read" story, perfect for kids about to participate in a Read to a Dog program. I appreciate that Madeline is never shamed for her reading difficulties, only encouraged to keep trying. She's also never pressured by the adults in the story to do something she doesn't want to do.
Stegosaurus Would Not Make a Good Pirate by Thomas Kingsley Troupe

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informative fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Educational, but not particularly charming, engaging, or entertaining.
The Greatest Adventure by Tony Piedra

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adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

You can tell that Piedra worked for Pixar, because this could be the next Pixar short. The illustration style is also very Disney-esque. The adventure of imagination between grandfather and grandson is very sweet.
Don't Call Me Bear! by Aaron Blabey

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funny informative lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Blabey has another winner! Funny and informative with an impeccable rhyme scheme.
Cock-A-Doodle-Poo! by Steve Smallman

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lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

Kids will always laugh at poop, but there are stronger poop books out there. The rhyme scheme is also uneven and difficult to read.
Books That Drive Kids Crazy!: This Book Is Red by Beck Stanton, Matt Stanton

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fast-paced

2.5

Maybe this would have been a different experience if I read it to a child, but, as an adult reading on my own, this didn't work for me. It simply wasn't funny and the illustrations weren't anything to write home about.
The Important Thing about Margaret Wise Brown by Mac Barnett

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funny informative lighthearted relaxing sad medium-paced

5.0

This book is incredible. The only fault I can find is that the actual biographical information on Brown is very sparse. But the text is constructed in such a playful and thoughtful way, that I barely noticed. Barnett is not afraid of poking a little fun as himself, and I love it! The illustrations are stunning, soft and beautiful! There are some lovely moments of metafiction throughout.
Follow Me by Tricia Tusa

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reflective relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Sweet, but lackluster story. I loved the colors in the illustrations.