Tag: Children’s picture book

Citlali and the Day of the Dead: Citlali y el Día de Muertos

Citlali and the Day of the Dead: Citlali y el Día de Muertos
Author:  Berta de Llano
Illustrator: Jamie Rivera Contreras
Published: August 11, 2020
32 Pages

Reviewed By: Jessica
Date Read: September 21, 2020
Jessica’s Rating: 3 stars     

Book Description:

GRADES PK–3: This 32 page storybook follows Citlali through her Day of the Dead celebration. Readers will get a glimpse of the festivities and traditions associated with the important holiday.

CULTURAL STORYTELLING: This traditional Hispanic folktale with original illustrations, told in bold English and Spanish, captures a child’s interest while engaging them with a story that fosters reading and cultural literacy.

FEATURES: With English and Spanish translations, this storybook is a great resource for strengthening reading skills and foreign language comprehension.

Jessica’s Review:

This colorful children’s picture book talks about the real Mexican holiday Day of the Dead. This year it runs from October 31- November 2.  The story shows Citali and getting ready for Day of the Dead in school as her class is in charge of the ofrenda (offering) this year.  The Day of the Dead is where families fondly remember those who have passed away. It is a happy remembrance. 

This is Citali’s first year honoring Mama Elena and she is having the most difficult time picking an item to bring to the ofrenda to remember her. Citali wants her remembrance of Mama Elena to be a special one. 

The pictures are very colorful as is the Day of the Dead holiday. It is a very basic introduction to the holiday, though to me it does not explain much. I had to look up what the meaning of what ofrenda was, which was the purpose of the story.  I had to look up the Day of the Dead in general as I have no knowledge of the holiday.  This would be a good story for children who already have knowledge of the Day of the Dead holiday, but not an introduction to it. 

I did like that the children’s book is in both Spanish and English.  That way if a child is working on learning a second language, they do have a reference point to their original language, be it Spanish or English.  

Many thanks to the publisher for granting me a review copy via Amazon Vine.

Purchase Link:
Amazon US
Amazon UK

Children’s Picture Book Review: Coronavirus: A Book for Children

Coronavirus: A Book for Children
Authors:

Elizabeth Jenner
Kate Wilson
Nia Roberts
Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
Consultant: Graham Medley
Published:  April 13, 2020
26 Pages

Reviewed By: Jessica
Jessica’s Rating: 5 stars
Date Read: April 17, 2020

Book Description:

What is the coronavirus, and why is everyone talking about it?

Engagingly illustrated by Axel Scheffler, this approachable and timely book helps answer these questions and many more, providing children aged 5-10 and their parents with clear and accessible explanations about the coronavirus and its effects – both from a health perspective and the impact it has on a family’s day-to-day life.

With input from expert consultant Professor Graham Medley of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, as well as advice from teachers and child psychologists, this is a practical and informative resource to help explain the changes we are currently all experiencing.

Jessica’s Review:

Our lives have all been affected by the Coronavirus/COVID-19 and things are still constantly changing worldwide. Besides adults having questions, your young children might also have questions, but don’t know how to ask or how to express feelings they might be having. 

Nosy Crow publisher has released this children’s picture book for FREE.  This book is aimed for children ages 5-9, but can be helpful to those that are older as well. 

Given in simple language, this children’s book explains the Coronavirus/COVID-19, what is going on in our world with all the closures, and the process to getting a vaccine.  This book helps children to understand what they need to do (stay home, wash hands) and that eventually we WILL get through this.

The illustrations are wonderful as they showcase a variety of people (various ethnicities, disabilities, ages, and appearance). These illustrations help to show that Coronavirus/COVID-19 affects everyone.

Bravo to the publisher Nosy Crow for having this children’s book created and made FREE to everyone.  You can get your free copy at their site hereThere are several ways at the link where you can get this FREE book.

This is a children’s book that is 100% recommended especially during this time of unknown in our world.

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Children’s Book Review: On That Easter Morning

On That Easter Morning
Author: Elena Pasquali
Illustrator: Alison Jay
Published: January 24, 2020
32 Pages

Reviewed By: Jessica
Date Read: April 10, 2020
Jessica’s Rating: 5 stars

Book Description:

Rediscover the wonder of the first Easter morning…

Alison Jay has illustrated many books for children, and her beautiful paintings are instantly recognisable. In this book see the death and resurrection story of Jesus interpreted in her own unique style, using vignettes, borders and full page art to accompany a sincere retelling of the Easter story.

There are many intriguing people, animals and landscapes to look at along the way, bursting with new details to find with a young child, as you share the story of that special morning.

Jessica’s Review:

On That Easter Morning is aimed for children ages 5 and up and if I had a child that age I would buy them this book: It is a perfect picture book that explains what happened to Jesus on what would become that first Easter. 

This full color/ full page picture novel talks about Passover, Jesus and simplifies the events that led up to his crucifixion and resurrection to where a young child can understand.  It is also not graphic in the telling.  This children’s book covers more than others I have seen as it includes the Last Supper, Judas kissing Jesus’ hand, Peter denying Jesus three times, Pontius Pilate, and Mary Magdalene seeing Jesus after he has risen.

There could be a lot of words on each page, so reading it to your young child would be best. That way they can take in this Easter story by listening to you and by looking at the pictures that also tell the story.

Many thanks to the publisher Lion Children’s Book for granting me a copy to read and review.

Purchase Link:
Amazon US
**I did not see a link on Amazon UK**

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