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All You Need for a Snowman

November 12, 2016

But-- what-- I don't--

Either the narrator is an idiot or a compulsive liar. I'm not sure which. On the plus side, the illustrations are interesting to look at. The children are very charmingly ambiguously racial.

Message

None.

The All-I'll-Ever-Want Christmas Doll

November 12, 2016

Greed bad. Sharing good.

It's a pretty heavy-handed message against greed. Playing with people is more fun than playing with objects. The message is true, but it's just very annoyingly presented.

Message

Greed is bad.

Always and Forever

November 12, 2016

Always remember the good times.

It's a really good depiction of what it's like to lose someone. There's nothing religious to it, nothing existential, just a very relatable depiction of the pain you feel when someone dies.

Message

You don't have to forget those who died in order to live your life. You can keep the memory of them alive.

Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse

November 12, 2016

It's better to be hated than to be trapped forever in an immortal, immobile body.

It's got a very clear message of "the grass is always greener on the other side". Leo Lionni's illustrations made of collages and patterns are really nice to look at, but the story isn't really very interesting or better than books like The Velveteen Rabbit.

Message

It always feels like other people have a better life than you, but that's not true.

Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti

November 12, 2016

On the plus side, we got a moon out of it.

It's very common in fables and myths, that idea of a set number of people with specific talents that all come in handy in a very contrived situation. It happens in The Seven Simeons, and it happens in The Five Chinese Brothers.

Message

None.

All the World

November 12, 2016

Poetic poem is poetic.

It's cute. It's got an inclusive message without being over the top, which is pretty nice.

Message

We're all in this together. Or, look at the world from different perspectives.

A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever

November 12, 2016

Camp! Grandparents! Fun!

It's nothing too deep, but it's still a good message. The art is fun to look at and interesting to the eye, with word balloons to read and lots of color. It's a pretty realistic portrayal of two boys hanging out together and the kinds of things they would say.

Message

It's fun to play with your friends.

Alphabatics

November 12, 2016

Intro to ASCII art.

It think rather than a book, it might be better as a series of posters. It's more like an art installation than a book. The artistic transformation is nice. I'm glad I read it, but I don't need to read it again. Check it out from the library.

Message

None.

1 is One

November 12, 2016

Not as good as the game “3 in Three”. That game rocks.

It's not a bad book, but it's boring and very dated. It's not that common for modern children to have experienced sheep in a meadow, or gourds drying. Or writing on a slate.

Message

None.

A Children's Book About Being Bullied

November 12, 2016

Don't let the bullies grind you down.

It's not bad advice. It's certainly not saying to appease the bully, which could get people in a lot of trouble. It's just that sometimes kids might need more help than just this book. It makes it sound like solving the problem is easy.

Message

How to stop being bullied.