Hooray for Summer - Children's Book Review

Title: Hooray for Summer!

Author/Illustrator: Kazuo Iwamura

Publisher: NorthSouth

Publication Date: April 1, 2010

Length: 32 Pages

Grade Level: Preschool - Kindergarten

About the Author
Kazuo Iwamura was born in Tokyo. Japan. He is one of the most famous picture book artists in Japan. His work has won many awards. He lives in Tochigi, where he founded the Museum for Picture Book Illustrations.

Outdoor Summer Fun
Children love to play outdoors in the summer. Three squirrel siblings are playing outdoors when a sudden thunderstorm interrupts their fun. There is no time to run home, so they find shelter in a cave.

The squirrels discover they are not alone in the cave. A mouse brother and sister are also hiding from the storm. Soon a rabbit joins them.  

They are all very frightened of the thunder, lightning, and rain. Everyone trembles with fear. 

At last, the storm is over and the sky grows brighter. All the animals in the cave rush outside to play with their new "Summer Storm Friends". 

My Thoughts
I can personally relate to this story because I have been caught outside in several sudden Texas thunderstorms. This can be a frightening experience for people of all ages.

Little Molly Mouse was so frightened that she called out for her mother. The author did a good job illustrating the emotion of fear but he also provided safe shelter and the reassurance of the other animals.

Children will probably remember times when they were frightened just like little Molly. This story could lead to discussions on what to do when you are afraid.

The story had a happy ending when the storm passed over and the new friends went back outside to play. The illustrations are very expressive and add value to the story.

This book was first published in Japan in 1986. This is a timeless story that children of many generations will read and enjoy.

MY RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5

Thank you to NetGalley for a wonderful reading experience.

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Children's Book Review: The Wild Texas Stampede by Margaret McManis

Wild Texas Stampede!, The

After her father leaves for Austin, Texas, Ima Hogg is left in charge of their unique farm and taking care of her mischievous little brother.


Author: Margaret McManis
Illustrator: Bruce Dupree

Publisher: Pelican Publishing Company

Date: September 1, 2008





About the Author
Margaret McManis, a former children's librarian, serves as a guest lecturer at schools, museums, libraries, and bookstores. She has written two other books for children; Ima and the Great Ostrich Race and Ole! Cinco de Mayo.

Ima Minds Her Little Brother
Ima Hogg's father was a 19th century governor of Texas. He had to travel to Austin for the election, so he left Ima in charge of "minding" her little brother, Tom. They lived on a ranch with many exotic and unusual animals.

Ima took her responsibility very seriously and was determined to keep her brother in line while her father was away. Tom liked to "bother the buffaloes, outrage the ostriches, and panic the pachyderms."

Ima was at her wit's end when Tom caused the animals to stampede and put their safety in danger. She knew she had to do something to get Tom to leave the animals alone.

Ima came up with a "sticky" plan that would keep Tom away from the animals and out of danger.

My Thoughts
This is a historical fiction story based on the lives of a real Texas governor and his family. The author included a page at the end of the book that tells about the real Governor James Stephen Hogg and his delightful family that included Ima and her four brothers. Since their mother died when Ima was thirteen, she was often left in charge of her younger siblings.

Ima's father knew that he could trust her to take care of Tom while he was away. Ima was up to the task. Her little brother was "all boy", but Ima came up with an ingenious idea to keep him out of trouble until their father returned.

Children will notice the loving care that Ima gave her brother...even when she was angry with him! The antics with the animals will have children laughing out loud. Can you imagine a stampede of buffaloes, ostriches and elephants?

The full-page color illustrations complimented the text and added a great deal to the enjoyment of this book.

This book makes Texas history fun and will have children begging to learn more about Ima Hogg and her family.  The book is perfect for read-aloud to young children or independent reading for more advanced readers. Highly recommended!

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I checked out a print copy of this book from my local public library.

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Children's Book Review: Wonderfully Made by Joyce Meyer

Wonderfully Made (Everyday Zoo)

Author: Joyce Meyer

Publisher: Zonderkidz

Date: May 7, 2013

Series: Everyday Zoo


About The Author
Joyce Meyer is one of the world's leading practical Bible teachers. A #1 New York Times bestselling author, she has written more than ninety inspirational books. Joyce's Enjoying Everyday Life radio and television programs are broadcast around the world, and she travels extensively conducting conferences.

Do I Have A Special Talent?
Haley Hippo is excited to learn about the Everyday Zoo's First Annual Talent Show.

Haley's excitement turns to discouragement when she learns that all her friends have unique talents but she can't think of a single thing to do for the talent show.

Haley thinks that God forgot to give her a talent. She tries to do the same talents as her friends, but nothing seems to work. Haley is so disheartened that she believes that she is terrible at everything!

Haley's friends convince her that she DOES have a special talent and she is very grateful that God blessed her with talent and some very good friends.

My Thoughts
Joyce Meyer has been writing inspirational books for adults for many years. This is the third book in her "Everyday Zoo Series" for children.

This book has an important message for children. We all have special talents. The story emphasizes the importance of discovering and appreciating our unique individual talent instead of comparing our abilities to others.

The animal characters in this book are delightful and the color illustrations add value to the text. Children will identify with Haley and her striving to find her own special talent.

This story has a very joyful ending. God has given us all special talents that we can share with others!

Recommended for children of all ages.

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I received a complimentary digital copy of this book to read and review from the publisher via NetGalley.

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Kindle Books For Kids: The Snake Who Wanted To Be A Horse by Valerie Harmon

The Snake Who Wanted to Be a Horse (Wants To Be)

Author: Valerie Harmon
Illustrator: Carol Stevens

Publisher: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Date: February 10, 2013



About The Author And Illustrator
The concept for the WantsToBe Series (and this is book #1 in that series) came about when the illustrator, Carol Stevens, told bedtime stories to her youngest son. He'd pick two animals and she'd make up a story about them, ending with a mashup of the two animals. He loved those stories and they turned out so hilarious that Stevens wanted to share the story with more children.

She approached author Valerie Harmon, and together they are writing and illustrating stories about animals who imaginatively solve their problem with lots of hard work and sacrifice.

A Snake and a Horse
A colorful snake is not happy with his life. He has a tender tummy and he hates to crawl on rough and rocky roads.

One day the snake meets a friendly horse. The snake thinks that if he could become a horse, he could travel across the dirt and stones without any pain. The horse tells the snake that he needs to eat grass, neigh and gallop if he wants to be a horse. It is very hard for the snake to change but he is very determined to be a horse.

The snake is just about to give up when something magical happens! He does not exactly change into a horse, but he is much closer than he was before. The snake's hard work and determination pays off and he lives happily ever after as a "Snorse".

My Thoughts
This is a very imaginative story about a snake and a horse. Kids always love to read about these animals and I believe this story will be very popular with young readers.

The color illustrations are excellent and add a great deal of value to the text. I read this ebook on my Kindle Fire. The illustrations filled half the screen on my ereader. I would love to see this book formatted so that the illustrations fill the entire screen. 

The determination of the snake and the encouragement of the horse are great examples for young readers. I look forward to reading more books in the "WantsToBe" Series. Highly Recommended!

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I received a digital copy of this book during a free promotion on Amazon.Com. Please check the current price before purchasing.

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