Paul LinnetRecensioni

A spooky witch enchants a bunch of pumpkins to be her servants and most of them are named things like "Icky" and "Ooze" but one is named Christopher. All the other pumpkins decorate with spiderwebs and cook rotten rat pizza for dinner but Christopher decorates with pastel balloons and bakes pink cupcakes. The witch says he needs to be spooky and has to scare someone or she will kick him out so he scares HER with cute pink things.

This book rules! I love that nothing “happens” to Christopher to make him different, he just is that way even though he was made exactly the same as the other pumpkins. And he’s just unabashedly himself. I especially liked that he doesn’t actually get “acceptance” in the end, he just has fun scaring the witch away by being himself, because he is self-aware enough to know that who he is is scary to her, but never considers changing.

This would be a good book to read aloud or have in a classroom library. A sock goes on a journey to find his matching pair so he can go out an play but he ends up making friends with a banana instead!

Another disappointing children’s read featuring a great premise poorly treated. Story lacks rhythm, pacing, entertainment and ending is very unsatisfying. Great idea but where’s the actual writing talent or author enthusiasm?? Returning!

Taking a moment all kids can identify with, this book twists a giggle worthy tale which might even throw in a silly gasp.

Alan is having tons of fun with his friends, so when the first signs having to wee slide in, he's reluctant to leave the excitement. Luckily, his friends understand the dire situation and head out to help him search for a bathroom. But things don't go as planned, especially as the distractions mount and the toilet possibilities fade away.

Alan and his friends are a fun group, and this radiates off the pages from the very start. They support each other and have one another's backs no matter what. This warmth along with the determination not to leave a friend alone with his problem make it a lovely read, which holds that special something even when the silliness ensues.

The 'I-need-to-pee-dance' in the very first pages already hits a very familiar chord, which kids (and adults) quickly identify with. Alan's search for a bathroom hits a sympathetic note as he first battles his own decision to search out a bathroom or play, and then becomes dire when a toilet isn't as easy to find as hoped. It's a situation everyone finds themselves in and an inner-battle situation especially kids known too well. But this search soon hits ridiculous and quirky humor, and that's what makes this a book to love too. Kids will shake their heads, laugh and wonder at Alan's attempts, while still knowing full well what type of situation he's in.

The illustrations are vibrant and lively, yet hold a geometrical simplicity. This is a playful tale, and that hits every page. This is an imaginative group of friends who invites to fun the entire way through. And it will have young listeners coming back again and again.

I received an ARC and despite my raised eyebrows, enjoyed the fun and message very much.

Silliness spews as an adorable snail searches for his place in life.

Norman is a slug, but he wishes he was a snail. The search for a perfect shell brings him across the most interesting possibilities, and the results. . .well, things don't quite turn out the way anyone thought they would.

The cover on this one is an eye-catcher and lures kids (and parents) attention right away, not only thanks to the glittery foil, but a doughnut as a shell is simply fantastic. The story itself begins with the reasoning why Norman needs a doughnut for a shell. On the first spread, he encounters a pyramid of lovely snails. After the encounter ends in clumsy disaster—at first, it wasn't clear what exactly happened, which caused a bit of a stumble until some thinking and flipping between those first two pages finally let enlightenment strike—the fun begins. Either way, Norman hooks from the get-go. He's super cute, super sweet and the type of slug to cuddle and snuggle. . .if one doesn't mind slime.

Words are kept at the minimum to let the story flow. It's concise and to the point, letting the tale and illustrations take lead. Young readers will fall into the story immediately and bounce from situation to situation without the slightest bit of pause. It's great for those who adore silliness and, especially, those with a short attention span—a real plus for younger listeners. Giggles are guaranteed, and there's even a moment of suspense. The ending will either leave a reader thinking, dreaming or simply saying 'huh' and wondering what just hit them. It's a book younger listeners will adore, while older ones will either enjoy it, or shake their heads and toss it to the side. It's an original tale, which hits or doesn't.

The illustrations are like a candy store rainbow. Every page invites with bright colors and whimsical depictions. These are what brings this book to life and make Norman a slug to love.

Summed up, this is a book young listeners are sure to enjoy. Older listeners/readers, however, could fall either way. It's quirky and ridiculous, and doesn't follow the usual story flow. With all of the fun, it does pull kids into thought without them ever realizing it, and might inspire them to adopt a slug of their own.

Today we got the list and box of books to be read for Children's book day next March. Since they arrived just before lunch, I decided I would read the six picture books during my break so that I didn't feel so daunted by having to read 14 books in as many weeks.
This one happened to be on top, so I read it first.
I wanted to like it, but it just seemed really stupid to me. I know sometimes kids love stupid, but I can't see the appeal here. Had it been a lesson to young people to eat their 5 a day, I could see the point. As it was, I wasn't invested in the characters at all. The villain wasn't dynamically villainous and the hero not terribly heroic. I wouldn't choose this for Story Time at the library and I certainly wouldn't buy it for any future grandchildren.