Children's Book Review: The Big Honey Hunt by Stan and Jan Berenstain

I've read a huge number of the Berenstain books...like well over 20 of them. But I had never read the very first one. The one that started it all. So after some searching I was able to find a copy and happily dug right in.

The bears are all out of honey. Mother Bear sends out Small Bear and Father Bear to buy more honey but Father Bear decides to hunt for the honey.

The first thing that stands out is the different artwork. The bears look slightly different from what I and millions of other children grew up reading and are familiar with. It is rougher but has some of the elements that are recognizable in what they ultimately would become. Also the names are different as most of us know the bears as Mama Bear, Papa Bear, Brother Bear and Sister Bear. There was no Sister Bear and Brother Bear was called Small Bear.

The rhyming and the story were great and there were moments that had me chuckling. There wasn't a major moral lesson like I'm used to. It was just a cute story.

I enjoyed it a lot and would read it again for sure.

4 out of 5 stars

Children's Book Review: Malala:Activist for Girls Education by Raphaële Frier Illustrated by Aurelia Fronty

When I saw this on *Netgalley I had to request it. I remember watching Malala on The Daily Show
with Jon Stewart. To say that this girl (now a woman) is an inspiration does not even begin to express it. 

The book goes into details about Malala's life and her activism for girls and her fight against the Taliban. It doesn't hold back and even tells of her being shot 3 times.

I enjoyed this book. It is not for younger children as it is information heavy and some may find parts too upsetting. But this is perfect for older children. It is a great introduction to Malala's life. 

The illustrations in this are incredible. Like stare at each page for several minutes incredible. I also love that at the end of the book the author included real photographs of Malala. I loved the ones showing her with her family as the love is obvious in her family. This is one that I will read again.

4 out of 5 stars.


* I recieved a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Children's Book Review: Animals in the Wild: The Wolf by Renne

When I saw this book on *Netgalley I just had to request to read it. In my family we love wolves and
a non-fiction picture book about wolves just called to me.

This informative picture book gives details about wolves and even mentions things like how they are portrayed as the "big bad" in fairy tales. 

The star of this picture book is definitely the drawings. A gorgeous palate and beautifully drawn wolves give a almost tranquil feel. My favorite of all the drawings was a pack of wolves with a gorgeous blue snowy background with their snouts raised high howling.  I also appreciated how at the end there were drawings of relatives to the wolf including dogs and foxes. 

I really enjoyed this and hope this turns into a series of books (foxes please!). I would gladly read the other books!

5 out of 5 stars



*I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.