Front Page View

The English Roses

September 22, 2016

Video review.

Message

Don't hate people who seem too perfect because they might have tragic backstories.

The Fall of Freddie the Leaf

September 22, 2016

Unrealistic metaphor that does more harm than good.

It's not bad because the message is bad, but because it fails at getting that message across and what it does get across is just upsetting.

Message

People die but life goes on.

Small Rain: Verses From The Bible

September 22, 2016

Bible Bible Bible.

It's just a bunch of verses from the Bible, with some kind of maudlin, Precious Moments-style illustrations.

Message

Be polite.

Pierre in Love

September 22, 2016

Contrived story, ends before it gets realistic.

Two separate people have loved each other from a distance and never actually had a conversation, but they're in love. Hopefully it works out at the end. It doesn't really say.

Message

If you love somebody, tell them.

Pierre Pidgeon

September 22, 2016

No pigeons. I feel cheated.

So it's a really long, meandering story that doesn't go anywhere.

Message

None. Just descriptive.

The Wild Birthday Cake

September 22, 2016

Not as interesting as it sounds.

Takes a long time to get to its point. The point is weird. It's not a bad message; it's just a weird message.

Message

Only special people can keep wild animals as pets.

The Adventures of the Dish and the Spoon

September 22, 2016

Tries to be funny and fails.

It kind of seems like trying to capitalize on the popularity of “The Stinky Cheese Man,” but it really doesn't live up to that.

Message

Don't spend beyond your means. Or, don't rob banks. Not clear.

The Alphabet from A to Y With Bonus Letter Z!

September 22, 2016

High quality for an alphabet book.

Given Steve Martin's ability to write, most of them are actually really good rhymes and have good meter, which is hard to find in standard children's books. I was amused.

Message

Teaching the alphabet.

An Ambush of Tigers

September 22, 2016

Pretty pictures and well-written.

I wanted to hate this book, I really did. But I can't fault it for being well-written poetry with good rhymes, or for having great illustrations.

Message

None.