Picture Books

The Princess and the Kiss

Book cover: 'The Princess and the Kiss'
Author(s): 
Jennie Bishop
Number of pages: 
32 pages
Copyright: 
2000
Publisher: 
Warner Press
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Subject(s): 
Stories for Children
Grade / Age level: 
Grades K-2
Resource Type: 
Picture Books
Review: 
"Long ago, in a wonderful castle on a mountain of splendor, a beautiful princess was born." So begins the story of The Princess and the Kiss, a tale of a young woman's - in this case princess's - first kiss. On the day she is born, her parents present her with this special gift from God. In a secret room in a castle tower, it is kept safely hidden away under glass. When she is old enough, her parents explain the treasured value of this precious gift and warn her to not give it to just anybody. Heeding their wise advice, she is not one to be bamboozled by the many interesting suitors who vie for her hand, from Prince Peacock to Prince Romance to Prince Treasurechest. She wonders if there ever will be a young man special enough for her to give her first kiss. At last, she meets a young man who impresses her with the purity of his heart.

In this day and age of sexual amorality, the ideal of purity and saving one's first kiss for another pure heart is refreshingly beautiful, especially since both of them have saved their first kiss for each other. For my four-year-old and seven-year-old daughters, this is one of their favorite stories, quite worn out already.

Additional notes: 

originally appeared in Heart and Mind Magazine, Summer 2005 - used with permission

Reviewed by: 
Elizabeth Yank
First reviewed: 
1998-99

The Salamander Room

Author(s): 
Anne Mazer
Illustrator(s): 
Steve Johnson
Lou Fancher
Number of pages: 
12 pages
Copyright: 
1991
Publisher: 
Dragonfly Books
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Literature
Science
Grade / Age level: 
Preschool
Kindergarten
Resource Type: 
Picture Books
Review: 
The Salamander Room is a beautifully illustrated picture book that is sure to captivate the nature-loving child. Brian finds a salamander and asks his mother to keep him as a pet. Rather than saying "no" his mother asks leading questions as to where the salamander will sleep, what he will eat, where he will play and if he'll be lonely. Eager to keep his new pet, but also desiring to give him a happy home, Brian reassures his mother that he will bring moss into his room, wet leaves, boulders and insects to make the salamander happy. Brian's mother continues to question, and Brian continues to imagine bringing the out of doors--in. He says he will bring trees into his room and birds... and by the end, Brian has lifted the roof off his room in order to let in the sun and rain. In fact, so much of the salamander's home has found its way into Brian's room that the only thing recognizable about Brian's room is Brian's bed where he hopes to sleep under the stars beside his new pet salamander.
Reviewed by: 
Suzanne Temple
First reviewed: 
8-16-2007

The Saving Name of God the Son

Author(s): 
Jean Ann Sharpe
Number of pages: 
22 pages
Copyright: 
2009
Publisher: 
Bethlehem Books
Binding: 
Other
Subject(s): 
Religion
Grade / Age level: 
Preschool
Elementary
Resource Type: 
Picture Books
Review: 
Bethlehem Books has just released the first in a set of three new board books on the Blessed Trinity. This first one is about God the Son and it's gorgeous! Each page has a lovely painting by early Renaissance artist Fra Angelico, illustrating a scene from the Life of Christ. The paintings are accompanied by short, rich text that speaks of who Jesus is. It's a very quick read, just a few lines per page, but thoughtfully put together and one that can be reflected on over and over again. The series description has some interesting things to say about the intentions of the publisher for this series:
The Teaching the Language of the Faith Series presents read-aloud books that foster reflective interaction between the child listener and the adult reader. Thoughtful religious art is chosen to interrelate with words pertinent to faith understanding. Each aspect extends the meaning of the other. As children gain a familiarity with words and images relevant to Christian truth, they are prepared to enter more fully and more personally into the beauty and mystery of the Christian faith.
An "Art and Text References" segment in back includes references to the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church for each painting. These would be great for further discussion and family study. Kudos to Bethlehem Books for recognizing the great capacity of very young children for beauty and mystery! Note: Bethlehem Books has a free PDF page of suggestions for how to use this book with your child.
Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
9-28-2009

The Squire and the Scroll

Author(s): 
Jennie Bishop
Number of pages: 
36 pages
Copyright: 
2004
Publisher: 
Warner Press
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Subject(s): 
Stories for Children
Grade / Age level: 
Grades K-2
Resource Type: 
Picture Books
Review: 
With colorful, dramatic illustrations and a story to inspire children, The Squire and the Scroll is sure to be a favorite. Written as a parable set in an imaginary kingodm, a wicked dragon has stolen the Lantern of Purest Light. This is not just any ordinary light, but a "Lantern that gave freedom to all the kingdom." Who will be brave enough to bring back this precious Lantern? Although many young men try, none return, until one day a poor squire who had been taught by his parents "how to guard his pure heart by the words from a simple scroll" accompanies another daring knight.

As in the journey of Ulysses, they encounter several trials along their quest, in their case, testing the purity of their senses. Will they survive the tests or succumb to the same fate as all the other knights? In the story, children will be challenged on many levels. Will they follow the example of the squire or the knight? Will they obey their parents and listen to the wisdom of God's word or will they succumb to the enticements of the world? Will they guard their purity or squander it? Will they receive as the squire hopes "the promise of a reward from God in return for faithfully guarding his heart?"

Additional notes: 

originally appeared in Heart and Mind Magazine, Summer 2005 - used with permission

Reviewed by: 
Elizabeth Yank
First reviewed: 
1998-99

The Story About Ping

Book cover: 'The Story About Ping'
Author(s): 
Marjorie Flack
Kurt Wiese
Number of pages: 
32 pages
Copyright: 
1933
Publisher: 
Puffin Books
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Stories for Children
Grade / Age level: 
Grades K-2
Resource Type: 
Picture Books
Review: 
This charming, classic children's story tells of Ping, a young duck who lives on a boat in the Yangtzee River in China. He runs away from the boat and his family in order to avoid a spanking for returning late to the boat. He has some interesting adventures and sees many aspects of life on the Yangtzee River, but discovers that it's much happier to face the consequences in order to be back at home with his family.

This is a well-loved book in our family - particularly in the preschool set. The illustrations are beautiful, the story simple and meaningful and the lessons timeless.

Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
12-17-99

The Victory Garden Alphabet Book

Author(s): 
Jerry Pallotta
Bob Thomson
Illustrator(s): 
Edgar Stewart
Number of pages: 
32 pages
Copyright: 
1992
ISBN: 
9780881064681
Publisher: 
Charlesbridge Pub.
Subject(s): 
Gardening
Grade / Age level: 
Preschool
Elementary
Resource Type: 
Picture Books
Review: 

I found this in our library's seasonal display... copyright 1992, certainly not a new title, but my love for alphabet books and vegetables together made me decide to take a look.

Product description: Bestselling author Jerry Pallotta teams up with former Victory Garden host Bob Thomson to present 26 common and not-so-common vegetables. Learn about fiddleheads, munchkin pumpkins, sweet peas, walla wallas, and more. This informative book also includes a brief introduction to soil preparation and seed planting. 30 color illustrations.

These times of economic slump and contaminated foods from doubtful origins is seeing a huge growth in home gardening. I have seen this new trend being referred to as "Victory Gardens" all over again. This is a nice and informative book for children, most especially children whose parents want to encourage to get out there and help! The illustrations are very realistic and seem to be based on photos.

Reviewed by: 
Ana Braga-Henebry
First reviewed: 
April 16, 2009

The Weight of a Mass

A Tale of Faith
Book cover: The Weight of a Mass
Author(s): 
Josephine Nobisso
Illustrator(s): 
Katalin Szegedi
Number of pages: 
36 pages
Copyright: 
2002
ISBN: 
9780814629307
Publisher: 
Gingerbread House
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Subject(s): 
Catholic Stories
Resource Type: 
Picture Books
Supplement
Review: 

The best and most memorable lessons are taught through stories, and this gorgeous picture book will teach an unforgettable one. The Weight of a Mass is written in a fairy-tale style and enhanced by rich watercolor illustrations. It will appeal equally well to both boys and girls through countless re-readings.

Said to be based on a true event, the story unfolds as a poor, elderly woman begs for a crust of bread in a bakery. The baker scoffs at her request and demands to know what she will pay. Penniless, the woman offers to hear Mass for the giver of the bread in exchange. To prove that her offer is worthless, the baker writes "One Mass" on a slip of paper and places it on one side of a balance. As more and more delicacies are added to try to balance the scale, the slip of paper demonstrates miraculously that there is nothing on earth of greater value than the Mass.

This book is the perfect gift for a First Communicant, an adult who needs a gentle reminder of the value of their Faith, or anyone who enjoys reading to a child. Our children each have a "treasure chest" of things that they will take with them when they are grown and begin their own homes and families. I am purchasing a copy of this book for each of my children to place in their treasure chests. It deserves all of the awards that it has earned!

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
Susan Kalis
First reviewed: 
2-23-05

There's a Frog in My Throat

440 Animal Sayings a Little Bird Told Me
Author(s): 
Loreen Leedy
Pat Street
Number of pages: 
48 pages
Copyright: 
2003
Publisher: 
Holiday House
Subject(s): 
Language Arts
Grade / Age level: 
Preschool
Elementary
Resource Type: 
Supplement
Picture Books
Review: 
This is a clever, very colorful picture book with a simple purpose. It illustrates, with funny little cartoon illustrations, hundreds (440 to be exact) of common expressions in the English language that involve animals, such as: "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." "Mad as a hornet." "I have butterflies in my stomach." "You're putting the cart before the horse." A short definition of the phrase's meaning is also included. This is a fun idea for exploring our language and it's amazing just how many expressions fit into this category? I like how there's a certain connectivity between different themes and they modernized some old-fashioned clip-art for some of the illustrations. This will be enjoyed by preschoolers all the way through the elementary school years.
Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
6-27-2009

Twenty-Odd Ducks

Why, Every Punctuation Mark Counts!
Book cover: Twenty-Odd Ducks
Author(s): 
Lynne Truss
Illustrator(s): 
Bonnie Timmons
Number of pages: 
32 pages
Copyright: 
2008
ISBN: 
9780399250583
Publisher: 
G.P. Putnam's Sons
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Subject(s): 
Language Arts
Grade / Age level: 
Elementary
Resource Type: 
Picture Books
Review: 

Lynne Truss does it again, this time stressing the correct use of the hyphen, parenthesis, question and exclamation marks and also more comma use. I feel that my younger kids will have a wonderful and visual grasp of punctuation as they grow up exposed to Truss' humor and fresh approach to grammar! If you haven't enjoyed her first punctuation picture books, don't miss them: Eats, Shoots and Leaves and The Girl's like Spaghetti!

Reviewed by: 
Ana Braga-Henebry
First reviewed: 
January 22, 2009

What Bluebirds do

Author(s): 
Pamela F. Kirby
Number of pages: 
48 pages
Copyright: 
2009
ISBN: 
1590786149
Publisher: 
Boyds Mills Press
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Birds
Resource Type: 
Picture Books
Review: 

We picked a full bag of mostly new picture books from the library as we don't visit it as often as during the school year. Several new publications were examined by my review team – our children. Some were bold, creative, large and colorful. Fiction, informational, biographies: we read many different books over a number of days. In my mind as I hear their comments and listen or watch their reading enjoyment I run my own elimination process.

A simple, quiet, gentle book was the clear winner this time, beating all of its "louder" competitors: What Bluebirds Do, by Pamela Kirby. It won all of our hearts with the true photographic story of a pair of bluebirds in the backyard of the author's house. Beautiful photography, a list of resources, and a careful description of the bluebirds' life are combined into the most delightful nature-book we have come across in a while!

Reviewed by: 
Ana Braga-Henebry
First reviewed: 
July 30, 2009

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