Two Reviews: Happy International Day of Friendship

​What a worthy day to celebrate! And, because friendship is so worth celebrating, I bring you another two-fer:

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​TITLE: TO THE SEA
AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Cale Atkinson
PUBLISHER: Disney-Hyperion/2015
OPENING LINES: This is Tim. One day after school…Tim met Sam. Sam lived in the sea but took a wrong turn and got stuck here.

​As book jacket says, “It’s not every day you meet a new friend,” and it’s certainly not every day that your new friend is a big blue whale that turns up outside of school. But that’s how Tim and Sam meet. And what do good friends do? They help each other. So Tim tries to come up with a plan to return Sam to the sea. In the process, Tim and Sam discover the bonds of friendship that tie them together. I fell in love with this book from the first time I saw its cover. 

The color palette is striking, and there’s even a surprise under the jacket (one of my favorite things about picture books!). The bright orange end papers carry through to the title page lettering, which contrasts with the dark blue background. Then I read the text—more love! When I read the line, “Sometimes Tim felt no one noticed him either,” I probably said, “Aw!” out loud right there in the book store. I knew I had to have this book for my bookshelf because I would want to read it over and over, and I was not wrong. I’m sure you can  guess this book has a happy ending, but you still might be surprised by the last page. That’s a recipe for a perfect ending. In fact, the whole story shouts “perfect picture book” to me. Run (or pedal or swim) to your library or bookstore and read this touching book.

Read this review on Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.
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​TITLE: WE DON’T EAT OUR CLASSMATES
AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Ryan T. Higgins
PUBLISHER: Disney-Hyperion/2018
OPENING LINES: Penelope Rex was nervous. It’s not every day a little T. rex starts school.

​If the title and cover don’t scream, “Read me!” then the first page will. I can’t stop talking about this book. It’s brilliant! 

First, Higgins takes on two timeless themes (first day of school jitters and making friends) and turns them on their heads by introducing a T-rex main character (complete with pink overalls). Then he has the main character (Penelope) meet with an unexpected problem—her classmates are CHILDREN! (and children are delicious). Hilariousness ensues. And just when you think you know where the story is heading…a twist!. Perhaps some may not appreciate the humor in this book, but I was in stitches. For those hesitant to read this to their little one, Penelope does provide a “no children were harmed in the making of this book” disclaimer on the title page, so give it a chance! Oh, and did I mention there are adorable end papers and a surprise under the book jacket? My favorite! Try not to peek until after you read it once through, and you’ll appreciate it even more.

Read this review on Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.