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Review: It's Take Your Dog To Work Day!

6/21/2019

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​Dogs are often called “man’s best friend,” but I would argue they can be man’s, woman’s, child’s, or even a fox’s best friend. Brian Lies has created a beautiful book about the bond between two best friends—a fox who brought his dog to work with him every day.
Picture

​TITLE
: THE ROUGH PATCH
AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Brian Lies
PUBLISHER: Green Willow Books/2018
OPENING LINES:
Evan and his dog did everything together. 
They played games and enjoyed sweet treats.
They shared music and adventure.
They were together all through the day, and through all the seasons.
But what they loved the most was working in Evan’s magnificent garden.
This was a tough read, but so worth it. Brian Lies has created a touching story about the bond between best friends, and how, after a great loss, one can work through grief and recover. Lies’ artwork in acrylics, oils, and colored pencils, beautifully capture a world of sunshine, fluffy clouds, and meticulously-tended garden—a metaphor for the happy life of Evan and his dog. But when “the unthinkable happen[s]” Evan, reacts to his loss by destroying his garden and letting spiky and prickly weeds grow. What was once a place of beauty becomes a dark and lonely one. But, life finds a way, even in the darkest of times. Through his garden, Evan finds hope and purpose and a way to heal and move on. I can’t recommend this book enough (just be sure to have a few tissues nearby). Well done, Brian Lies!
 
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REVIEW: Happy World Environment Day!

6/5/2019

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​I’m all for protecting the environment and so are the characters in this book (well, eventually): 
​
​TITLE: DANDY
AUTHOR: Ame Dyckman
ILLUSTRATOR: Charles Santoso
PUBLISHER: Little, Brown and Company/2019
OPENING LINES:

Daddy spied something scary on his perfect lawn. 
He ran for his clippers…
But he was too late.
“Hi, Daddy!”
“Sweetie!” Daddy said. “That’s a weed!”
“A flower,” Sweetie said. “Her name is Charlotte. She’s my best friend.”
Picture
​Daddy, in this case a lion, takes his lawn very seriously. So when he spies a dandelion growing in the middle of his yard, he knows what he has to do. Unfortunately for Daddy, his adorable lion cub daughter Sweetie, has other plans. What’s a lawn-perfectionist dad to do? Ame Dyckman’s spare text and Charles Santoso’s hilarious illustrations tackle the age-old battle between parent and child: Is a dandelion a pesky weed or a beautiful flower? This book has it all: A perfect title, a jacket cover that depicts the book’s theme, a surprise-under-the-jacket case cover that puts a spotlight on the book’s co-star (the dandelion), front end papers that set the scene, just-right text to tell the story, hilarious illustrations that relate story beyond the words, a story and ending with humor and heart, back end papers that show changed main characters and supporting characters, and even a funny author note, as only Ame Dyckman can write. Plus lions, giraffes, hippos, bears, monkeys, tractors, mad scientists, pirates, and dandelions! Whew! This book is a winner for adult and child!
 
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    About Heather

    Heather is a busy wife and mom of five rambunctious children and one lovable pup They all provide lots of distractions, but oodles of inspiration.  Sometimes the pictures and ideas in her head turn into her own children's stories, but she always makes time to read other people's books. Sometimes she reviews them here.

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  • Books
    • Paisley's Big Birthday
  • About
    • Meet Heather
    • Press Kit
  • Appearances
  • Resources
    • For Writers
    • For Educators & Readers
  • Ramblings & Reviews
  • Contact