Three great books to add to your library

Today I have two three new children’s books to review. First, A Dog Named Cat by Anne Tolle and illustrated by Ricka Kinra is a story about a dog who is chosen by his family for the boy, Tad. He is given the name Cat, after Tad’s baby sibling called him a cat. The family, thinking it was funny, called the dog Cat. He soon loves his life with his new family but he will met various animals which will lead him to question why he is called Cat when he is clearly not a cat. He is determined to change his name but how to tell his family? Until one day when he does something which causes Tad to change it for him. Ms. Toole writes a wonderful story in prose which children will love the story and the rhymes makes it fun to listen to. This story is a great way to introduce children to poetry in a fun and relatable way. I highly recommend A Dog named Cat for any school or family library. 

Second, If you were me and lived in…Poland by Carole P. Roman, illustrated by Kelsea Wierenga, introduces readers to the Central European country. From the first official kingdom in 1025, we learn that Poland was the first European country to have a constitution which was written on May 3, 1791 and only second in the world after the United States. The book discusses the capital of Warsaw and everyday life in Poland. From the grocery store items to traditional foods to famous tourist attractions, readers get a sense of what life can be like in Poland. This book is another great addition to this amazing series. As usual, the book also introduces famous Polish individuals and gives a vocabulary list at the end. I highly recommend If you were me and lived in…Poland as well as the many other titles in this series.

Third, If you were me and lived in…Viking Europe by Carole P. Roman, illustrated by Mateya Arkova, takes the reader on a historical trip to 870 AD, Northern Europe and the world of the Vikings. The book introduces some of the common knowledge and misconceptions about the Vikings. Vikings were known to travel and plunder but they were experiences explorers, settlers and traders. The book introduces life in this world as the different classes from the elite to the slaves. From their diet to their homes and everyday life and the special occasion and festivals, this book introduces a world of ages past. I highly recommend If you were me and lived in…Viking Europe.

A Dog named Cat by Anne Toole,

If you were me and lived in…Poland

and

If you were me and lived in…Viking Europe

 by Carole P. Roman

are all available through Amazon and Barnes and Noble

The Frog that lost his croak: a lesson in being a part of the world around you

The Frog that lost His Croak by Anne Toole is a lesson in the difference of a part of the world and trying to be the world. “A little frog that loved his croak night and day/Was very sad when his croak suddenly went away./While waiting and hope for his croak to return/What valuable lessons did the little frog learn?”

A frog loved his croak. He thought it was the best croak around and he boasted about it. The other frogs were mad. Until one day, his croak was gone. He talks to his parents who tell him to rest and his croak would be back. The other frogs now made fun of him for losing his croak. As he waits for his croak to return, he finally is able to hear the other sounds around the pond: the birds, the insects. He realized that it’s not all about his. There are a lot of beautiful songs in the world and his croak is simply one of them. The book is told in prose and I love poetry. It’s a great lesson about being a part of the beautiful world instead of trying to be its center. Written for children between the ages of 4-7, the story presents such an important way that captures their imagination. I highly recommend this book for family and school libraries. 

The Frog that lost his croak

is available on Amazon

in hardback for $18.95

and

in paperback for $15.95