#Review: Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena #Multicultural #AtoZBlogChallenge #L

Summary:
Every Sunday after church, CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town. But today, CJ wonders why they don't own a car like his friend Colby. Why doesn’t he have an iPod like the boys on the bus? How come they always have to get off in the dirty part of town? Each question is met with an encouraging answer from grandma, who helps him see the beauty—and fun—in their routine and the world around them.
 
This energetic ride through a bustling city highlights the wonderful perspective only grandparent and grandchild can share

My review:
Last Stop On Market Street is one of those beautiful books that seem to make a lasting impression. I immediately wanted to read this book over from my first reading. I wanted to catch those little tidbits that sometimes you miss from a first read.

I could relate having to ride a bus and wondering, like CJ, why I did not have another means and why I did not have certain things. However, the Grandmother in the book was very wise and saw things in such a different way that me, the reader, saw through her eyes too. The author made you feel like you were traveling along with them and participating in the environment. 

Nearing the end of the book, I felt saddened because it seemed like these two had circumstances beyond them. However, the twist was surprising and lovely too. Of course, I will not spoil it but only encourage you to purchase a copy for yourself.

The illustrations are bold and colorful. Again, I was immersed into the book because of the writing but the illustrations as well. They were real and I loved them!

This book is by far the 5 stars I will give it.  Don't believe me? Then let the awards this book one stand for its testament.

Winner of the 2016 Newbery Medal
A 2016 Caldecott Honor Book
A 2016 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book
A New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Book of 2015
A Wall Street Journal Best Children's Book of 2015

Disclosure: I was gifted this book by a friend and was honored that she had the book signed for me by the author. This reader is grateful!
~M.M. aka Naila Moon

Review: Alexander and the Wind Up Mouse by Leo Lionni #Caldecottt

Summary: Everyone loves Willy the wind-up mouse, while Alexander the real mouse is chased away with brooms and mousetraps. Wouldn't it be wonderful to be loved and cuddled, thinks Alexander, and he wishes he could be a wind-up mouse too. 

My review:
It is not uncommon that we human beings want to be like someone else or even someone else altogether. We envy Hollywood stars and celebrities of all kinds. Sometimes we even want to be another family member because we think their life is better.
That is what happens with Alexander, an ordinary mouse. He thinks being a wind-up mouse would be so much better but his in the end, just as he begins to change, he realizes that his friendship with WIlly is grander than his own. In a nutshell, this book is first about enjoying who you really are and also about friendship. I enjoyed the story line of this book and thought it was a cute way for the author to show friendship can mean everything.

This book was also a Caldecott medal winner which means it is great literature for children. That is a win for me. I am only saddened that this author is no longer here with us as he wrote many great books for children of which a few were winners. This book should be on every child's shelf.

5 stars!

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book for my own collections. ~Naila Moon

Where to find the author:
Amazon

#Review: Journey by Aaron Becker #atozchallenge, #Kidsbooks, #Caldecottt

Summary:

A lonely girl draws a magic door on her bedroom wall and through it escapes into a world where wonder, adventure, and danger abound. Red marker in hand, she creates a boat, a balloon, and a flying carpet that carry her on a spectacular journey toward an uncertain destiny. When she is captured by a sinister emperor, only an act of tremendous courage and kindness can set her free. Can it also lead her home and to her heart’s desire?

My review:

This book is one of the most incredible, truly picture book, I have ever seen. The colorful drawings are bright and absolutely gorgeous. The bit of red that comes from the girl's marker helps the viewer to keep abreast of the story line which is clear and concise.

I enjoyed following along with this girl's journey as she finds new discoveries, peril, and finally friendship. I was breathless as she moved from page to page.

This book was a Caldecott Honor book for 2014 and to me it is well deserved. This is a must for any book shelf no matter what the age.

This gets 5 stars from me without any reservations.

Disclosure: I won a copy of this book. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Naila Moon

Where to find the author:

 Amazon
Goodreads

#Review: Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin/ Illustrated by Betsy Lewin #Kidsbooks, #OddityOdysseyReadingChallenge, #Caldecott

Summary:
Farmer Brown has a problem. His cows like to type. All day long he hears:
Click, clack, moo. 
Click, clack, moo. 
Click, clack, moo.
But Farmer Brown's problems REALLY begin when his cows start leaving him notes...Come join the fun as a bunch of literate cows turn Farmer Brown's farm upside-down!

My review:
I know that any kid or adult that reads this book is going to love it. The absurdity of cows typing notes to Farmer Brown is enough to make any child laugh out loud, but when other animals get in on the action...oh, what is a farmer to do?

As I read I could hear each of the farm animals and the click, clack of the typewriter too. Close your eyes and just imagine it. Funny for sure!

The colors used on the pages were certainly ones you would see on a farm. The illustrations were large, some-what cartoon-ish, and exaggerated, which added to the humor of the book overall.

Even though I did not get a CD with this book, you can now purchase one with it in a package deal, Without a doubt that would be an awesome thing to have as kids can read along and hear all the sounds around the barnyard.

If the writing and illustrations are not enough, just the fact that the book is a Caldecott winner should seal the deal.

Simply read the book, this is a "click-clack" good time and one you don't want to miss.
5 stars!

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book for my own collections. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Naila Moon

Where to find the author:

Goodreads

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Amazon