Review on Bookalicious

Today, I'm reviewing EXCLAMATION MARK by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld over on Bookalicious.  You should go check it out (hint hint, puppy dog eyes, etc)

From the bestselling creators of Duck! Rabbit!, an exciting tale of self-discovery!

He stood out here.

He stood out there.

He tried everything to be more like them.

It's not easy being seen. Especially when you're NOT like everyone else. Especially when what sets you apart is YOU.

Sometimes we squish ourselves to fit in. We shrink. Twist. Bend. Until -- ! -- a friend shows the way to endless possibilities.

In this bold and highly visual book, an emphatic but misplaced exclamation point learns that being different can be very exciting! Period.

Review: Spoon by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

I just wanted to give a little "shout-out" to SPOON by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Scott Magoon.  It's such a cute little book!

Much like the duo's CHOPSTICKS, SPOON tells the tale of a utensil that feels out of place.  Spoon doesn't do all the fun things like Fork, Knife or even Chopsticks gets to do.  It isn't until he talks to his mom that he realizes what a wonderful life he has (like when he gets to dive headfirst into a bowl of ice cream---who doesn't want to do that?)

I love the ending though, I think its the best part.  Spoon climbs in bed with his parents, and they "spoon"! 

I think its a great way to show kids, again, that differences make you special. 

(Here is my review of CHOPSTICKS)

Review: Chopsticks by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

I picked up Chopsticks ( by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Scott Magoon) over Christmas break because I saw it on the Nerdy Book Club "Nerdies" nomination list for "Best Picture Book".  While it wasn't in the Top 5, I think its still a great story!

 

Image and summary from Goodreads:

Meet Chopsticks! They've been best friends forever. But one day, this inseparable pair comes to a fork in the road. And for the very first time, they have to figure out how to function apart. From New York Times best-selling author Amy Krouse Rosenthal and rising artistic talent Scott Magoon, this witty and inventive tale celebrates both independence and the unbreakable bonds of friendship.

Like I said, I thought this was a pretty cute book.  It teaches kids that its ok to be best friends and do everything together, but that you also need to be on your own some too.  The best part is that it's done in a cute, non-preachy way (ie---"You gotta go out on your own and be your own person.")

I thought of a couple kids I've known throughout the years when I read this book---those who just couldn't function on their own without their best friend by their side---and I wish they had a book like this (if it was a kid from years ago) or would read this and reflect. 

Most children have the idea of what chopsticks are, and that they are a pair (they go together).  It was really interesting to me to see what Ms. Rosenthal came up with for the single stick to do on his own.  I think if I read this to a class, I'd have them brainstorm what could be something that a single chopstick could do, or besides using them to eat with, what could you use a pair of chopsticks for?  

All in all, a super cute book and I'm glad I picked it up.