By Stan Berensain, Jan Berenstain.
(reviewed by Aldana Pires)
With simple descriptions and colourful pictures, the story “Old Hat, New Hat” is an easy-to-read and attention-grabbing book. The authors and illustrators Stan and Jan Berenstain, relate the experience of the Brother Bear of The Berenstain Family at a hat shop.
Astonished at the sight of new hats in the display window, Brother Bear decides to replace his old and ragged one. Decisively, he walks in the store and asks the seller to show him hats. Trying to satisfy his customer, the shop assistant presents him a wide range of them that vary in size, shape and colour; but none seems to please the young bear. Surprisingly, he finds the most perfect hat of them all… His own and old one! Very happy with his final decision, the character leaves the store.
This enjoyable story is narrated with two-word phrases that qualify the hats that the bear tries on. Most of the sentences are merely formulated with the adverb ‘too’ and the addition of an adjective. The use of simple constructions and repetition make the reading of the book easy and rhythmical for children. In this sense, the didactic purposes of the book are very explicit. Whether to be read in the classroom or at home, the story is a useful tool to introduce adjectives, expand vocabulary and to attend children’s first readings.
On balance, this laugh-provoking book with its unexpected ending will result really entertaining. Moreover, its plain narration will help to boost confidence and encourage first readings. Definitely, a must for teachers’ and parents’ bookshelves!
Aug 21, 2013
Old Hat, New Hat
Stan and Jan Berenstain
(reviewed by Nicolas Vincenti)
Simple and original, "Old Hat, New Hat" is the proposal to be revived these days. The Philippine couple, Stan and Jan Berenstain, wrote and illustrated this great book forty-three years ago, and there had not been a better moment than this one to bring back this classic to our bookshelves.
In most of The Berenstains' stories, bears represent the main characters, and this one is not the exception. An unnamed bear walks alone thinking about his old hat, when he suddenly stumbles across a new one in a shop window. He enters the hat store wondering if he could find a new headgear to replace his ragged one. He tries more than thirty brand new hats, but none of them seems to be good enough to replace his shabby piece of cloth. Finally, he happens to find a suitable one that pleases him, and guess what? It is his old hat! He happily leaves the hat store with his old hat while everyone looks at him astonishingly for the decision he has just taken.
Colourful uncluttered illustrations, basic but descriptive sentences, and a great message are the main characteristics of this wonderful story. When everything in our society revolves around consumerism, the bear will teach us a great lesson: sometimes there's nothing better than what you already have. Besides learning this old-time message (which is not such a little thing), children will be easily caught and delighted when looking the colourful pictures offered by the authors. They will also learn simple concepts of shape and size through rhymes. What else could we ask a book?
This didactic story is an excellent option for any adult who is planning to spend an amazing time with children. It definitely stands as one of the best options in the market, and its message is one that society should take into account more often. Five-star book!
(reviewed by Nicolas Vincenti)
Simple and original, "Old Hat, New Hat" is the proposal to be revived these days. The Philippine couple, Stan and Jan Berenstain, wrote and illustrated this great book forty-three years ago, and there had not been a better moment than this one to bring back this classic to our bookshelves.
In most of The Berenstains' stories, bears represent the main characters, and this one is not the exception. An unnamed bear walks alone thinking about his old hat, when he suddenly stumbles across a new one in a shop window. He enters the hat store wondering if he could find a new headgear to replace his ragged one. He tries more than thirty brand new hats, but none of them seems to be good enough to replace his shabby piece of cloth. Finally, he happens to find a suitable one that pleases him, and guess what? It is his old hat! He happily leaves the hat store with his old hat while everyone looks at him astonishingly for the decision he has just taken.
Colourful uncluttered illustrations, basic but descriptive sentences, and a great message are the main characteristics of this wonderful story. When everything in our society revolves around consumerism, the bear will teach us a great lesson: sometimes there's nothing better than what you already have. Besides learning this old-time message (which is not such a little thing), children will be easily caught and delighted when looking the colourful pictures offered by the authors. They will also learn simple concepts of shape and size through rhymes. What else could we ask a book?
This didactic story is an excellent option for any adult who is planning to spend an amazing time with children. It definitely stands as one of the best options in the market, and its message is one that society should take into account more often. Five-star book!
THE POWER OF UNION
by Trenti, Andrea
When a turnip grows, it does not always become big and strong. But this little vegetable turns into “The great, big, enormous turnip” through Alexei Tolstoy. From the beginning of this charming tale, children that are growing sweet and strong can discover that the old man in the story will not be able to pull up the turnip on his own. But who would be strong enough to help him?
After pulling and pulling again, the old man asks the old woman for help. Since they cannot pull up the vegetable, a chain of efforts begins: the old woman calls her granddaughter, the granddaughter calls the dog, the dog calls the cat and even the cat calls the mouse! They pull one another and fortunately manage to pull the turnip up at last.
Text and illustrations are used creatively to build the idea of cooperation. The pictures introduce sequences through which every character that asks for help appears in a small part of the page, while the one that is called occupies the whole of the next page. By doing so, the importance of each new link in the chain is highlighted. But in order to focus on the different size of the characters, every sequence is closed by showing them all together in that funny chain, in which the smallest pulls the biggest. In addition, the text presents a rhythmical sequence that is repeated each time a new character joins the group. This repetition lets children predict what will come next. So, the message constructed in the story is that the strength of the group is given by the teamwork and not by the size of its members
Definitely, this is a lovely story to deal with the idea of cooperation. Children can easily realize that every one’s contribution is unique, and that differences and rivalries must be set aside in order to help others. And of course, when a turnip grows, it may become big and strong, but never stronger than the power of union.
When a turnip grows, it does not always become big and strong. But this little vegetable turns into “The great, big, enormous turnip” through Alexei Tolstoy. From the beginning of this charming tale, children that are growing sweet and strong can discover that the old man in the story will not be able to pull up the turnip on his own. But who would be strong enough to help him?
After pulling and pulling again, the old man asks the old woman for help. Since they cannot pull up the vegetable, a chain of efforts begins: the old woman calls her granddaughter, the granddaughter calls the dog, the dog calls the cat and even the cat calls the mouse! They pull one another and fortunately manage to pull the turnip up at last.
Text and illustrations are used creatively to build the idea of cooperation. The pictures introduce sequences through which every character that asks for help appears in a small part of the page, while the one that is called occupies the whole of the next page. By doing so, the importance of each new link in the chain is highlighted. But in order to focus on the different size of the characters, every sequence is closed by showing them all together in that funny chain, in which the smallest pulls the biggest. In addition, the text presents a rhythmical sequence that is repeated each time a new character joins the group. This repetition lets children predict what will come next. So, the message constructed in the story is that the strength of the group is given by the teamwork and not by the size of its members
Definitely, this is a lovely story to deal with the idea of cooperation. Children can easily realize that every one’s contribution is unique, and that differences and rivalries must be set aside in order to help others. And of course, when a turnip grows, it may become big and strong, but never stronger than the power of union.
“Eat Up,Gemma”
Written by Sarah Hayes
Illustrated by Jan Ormerod
Review by Eliana Romero
Lovely and humorous, “Eat up, Gemma” is an adorable book for children that shows a whole family encourage its youngest member, baby Gemma, to eat. As usual, Sarah Hayes proposes a wonderful story with nice characters in a warm familiar atmosphere. In this occasion, she describes funny situations of a family dealing with little Gemma´s problem.
The story begins with a baby girl called Gemma who refuses to eat when she hears her mother, father and grandmother say the phrase, “Eat up, Gemma.” The baby expresses her dissatisfaction through several actions; for example, she throws her breakfast on the floor, squashes grapes one by one in the market, bangs her spoon on the table, gives her cookies to the birds and even her dinner to the dog. A Sunday morning, at church, Gemma becomes interested on a lady´s hat decorated with fruit and tries to pull a grape off it. Her elder brother, who is looking at her, has a brilliant idea. At home, he finds a plate and a bowl, turns the bowl upside down and puts it on the plate. He also takes a bunch of grapes and two bananas and puts them on the plate. It looks just like the lady´s hat. Gemma starts to eat and says, “Eat up, Gemma” and her beloved ones laugh with her.
“Eat up, Gemma” is a catching book, full of warmth and humor which are reflected on Jan Ormerod´s colourful and big illustrations of a lovely family. The writer uses simple vocabulary and also a repetitive phrase which gives rhythm to the story.
Imaginative, didactic and enjoyable, “Eat up, Gemma” is a great story. It is a highly recommended book for little kids, and an interesting option for parents who want to have a funny reading time with their children.
Illustrated by Jan Ormerod
Review by Eliana Romero
Lovely and humorous, “Eat up, Gemma” is an adorable book for children that shows a whole family encourage its youngest member, baby Gemma, to eat. As usual, Sarah Hayes proposes a wonderful story with nice characters in a warm familiar atmosphere. In this occasion, she describes funny situations of a family dealing with little Gemma´s problem.
The story begins with a baby girl called Gemma who refuses to eat when she hears her mother, father and grandmother say the phrase, “Eat up, Gemma.” The baby expresses her dissatisfaction through several actions; for example, she throws her breakfast on the floor, squashes grapes one by one in the market, bangs her spoon on the table, gives her cookies to the birds and even her dinner to the dog. A Sunday morning, at church, Gemma becomes interested on a lady´s hat decorated with fruit and tries to pull a grape off it. Her elder brother, who is looking at her, has a brilliant idea. At home, he finds a plate and a bowl, turns the bowl upside down and puts it on the plate. He also takes a bunch of grapes and two bananas and puts them on the plate. It looks just like the lady´s hat. Gemma starts to eat and says, “Eat up, Gemma” and her beloved ones laugh with her.
“Eat up, Gemma” is a catching book, full of warmth and humor which are reflected on Jan Ormerod´s colourful and big illustrations of a lovely family. The writer uses simple vocabulary and also a repetitive phrase which gives rhythm to the story.
Imaginative, didactic and enjoyable, “Eat up, Gemma” is a great story. It is a highly recommended book for little kids, and an interesting option for parents who want to have a funny reading time with their children.
“Down the road” by Celia Berridge
by Rocío Gulin
“Down the road” is a nice book that shows a girl who is going to a friend’s house with her mother. The girl is the one who narrates the story and she describes everything they see on their way down the road. This book writes about different situations that occur when someone walks along the street. It could be used to teach present continuous and possessive adjectives to foreign speakers. What’s more, it could be used to introduce vial education to children.
“Down the road” contains colorful pictures that catch children’s attention and help them to understand the plot. As regards the sentences, they are simple and short. Nevertheless, some of them are written in present continuous, making it difficult for children that are below 8 years old to understand the plot. However, this book could be used to introduce the present continuous. What’s more, some sentences contain possessive adjectives, making this story a good tool to teach them to beginner students of English.
In addition, this book teaches the importance of vial education. This can be seen when the girl says that the red light tells the cars to stop and they can cross when their light turns to green. It also teaches that, when there aren’t traffic lights, people have to stop and see if anything is coming before they cross the road.
“Down the road” is a didactic story that could be used to teach children many different topics. At the same time, children will enjoy reading it because the plot and the pictures it contains are amazing. This book is a well worth reading and I recommend it for children above 8 years old.
“Down the road” is a nice book that shows a girl who is going to a friend’s house with her mother. The girl is the one who narrates the story and she describes everything they see on their way down the road. This book writes about different situations that occur when someone walks along the street. It could be used to teach present continuous and possessive adjectives to foreign speakers. What’s more, it could be used to introduce vial education to children.
“Down the road” contains colorful pictures that catch children’s attention and help them to understand the plot. As regards the sentences, they are simple and short. Nevertheless, some of them are written in present continuous, making it difficult for children that are below 8 years old to understand the plot. However, this book could be used to introduce the present continuous. What’s more, some sentences contain possessive adjectives, making this story a good tool to teach them to beginner students of English.
In addition, this book teaches the importance of vial education. This can be seen when the girl says that the red light tells the cars to stop and they can cross when their light turns to green. It also teaches that, when there aren’t traffic lights, people have to stop and see if anything is coming before they cross the road.
“Down the road” is a didactic story that could be used to teach children many different topics. At the same time, children will enjoy reading it because the plot and the pictures it contains are amazing. This book is a well worth reading and I recommend it for children above 8 years old.
“Sitting in my box” by Dee Lillegard
by Paola Barros
“Sitting in my box” is a didactic and catchy story about a young boy who is enjoying a book called “Wild animals” while sitting alone in a cardboard box. This story was written by Dee Lillegard and illustrated with colorful and attractive drawings made by Jon Agee.
The young boy is sitting inside a cardboard box reading an animal book. While reading, he imagines that animals come one by one and invite themselves to sit in the box with him. The problem commences when the box in which all of them are sitting gets more and more crowded. Eventually, there is no more space and a flea comes along and clears all of them out of the box.
This story can be used not only for teaching vocabulary about animals but also for making students develop a bit more their imagination. The development of their imagination will help them to be creative when reading stories. Moreover, they will be able to turn any ordinary object into a scene in which all kind of amazing, curious and unexpected adventures can happen. The simple and short sentences in this story make it easy to follow, to understand and enjoyable to read for children. Another good feature of “Sitting in my box” is the fact that it is a good tool for teachers to illustrate to their students the notion of space in a certain place.
In brief, the book is highly recommendable for young students who begin the joyful journey into the reading world. Above all, I suggest not only teachers but also parents to take into account this attention-getting story for reading their students or children, respectively. The story will surely become the favorite for every young reader since they won’t get tired of reading it over and over again.
“Sitting in my box” is a didactic and catchy story about a young boy who is enjoying a book called “Wild animals” while sitting alone in a cardboard box. This story was written by Dee Lillegard and illustrated with colorful and attractive drawings made by Jon Agee.
The young boy is sitting inside a cardboard box reading an animal book. While reading, he imagines that animals come one by one and invite themselves to sit in the box with him. The problem commences when the box in which all of them are sitting gets more and more crowded. Eventually, there is no more space and a flea comes along and clears all of them out of the box.
This story can be used not only for teaching vocabulary about animals but also for making students develop a bit more their imagination. The development of their imagination will help them to be creative when reading stories. Moreover, they will be able to turn any ordinary object into a scene in which all kind of amazing, curious and unexpected adventures can happen. The simple and short sentences in this story make it easy to follow, to understand and enjoyable to read for children. Another good feature of “Sitting in my box” is the fact that it is a good tool for teachers to illustrate to their students the notion of space in a certain place.
In brief, the book is highly recommendable for young students who begin the joyful journey into the reading world. Above all, I suggest not only teachers but also parents to take into account this attention-getting story for reading their students or children, respectively. The story will surely become the favorite for every young reader since they won’t get tired of reading it over and over again.
“Sitting in My Box”
by Dee Lillegard
Illustrations by Jon Agee
Review by Laura Berenice Piceda
Funny and tender, “Sitting in My Box” is a children’s story which shows how children’s imagination can turn any daily experience into an amazing and incredible adventure. This book by Dee Lillegard tells the story of a young boy who sits inside a little box, and while he reads a book of wild animals he imagines that all of them come to visit him. Throughout the whole story, the author shows the readers the power of a child’s creativity, and the magic that can be found inside every single book.
The story begins when a giraffe knocks on the little box in which the boy is sitting and asks him to enter. Immediately after that, an elephant knocks and does the same. One by one, a big baboon, a lion and a hippopotamus appear; and join him and the rest of the animals inside the box. Then, the boy notices that all of them are standing because there’s no room to sit, but none of the animals wants to leave the box. Suddenly, a flea jumps right in the box. He bites the hippo and that starts a chain of bites that clears out the box, leaving the boy alone again with his own imagination.
Regarding the writing style, the story is really easy to read, due to the fact that sentences are simple and most of them are repeated, making the task of understanding easier for little children. The illustrations made by Jon Angee are catching, colorful and comic-like, and help the audience to follow the plot in a clear way.
“Sitting in my Box” is a funny story which will not only entertain children but also encourage them to use the power of their own imagination. They will surely love this book! It is a must for your library. Highly recommended.
Illustrations by Jon Agee
Review by Laura Berenice Piceda
Funny and tender, “Sitting in My Box” is a children’s story which shows how children’s imagination can turn any daily experience into an amazing and incredible adventure. This book by Dee Lillegard tells the story of a young boy who sits inside a little box, and while he reads a book of wild animals he imagines that all of them come to visit him. Throughout the whole story, the author shows the readers the power of a child’s creativity, and the magic that can be found inside every single book.
The story begins when a giraffe knocks on the little box in which the boy is sitting and asks him to enter. Immediately after that, an elephant knocks and does the same. One by one, a big baboon, a lion and a hippopotamus appear; and join him and the rest of the animals inside the box. Then, the boy notices that all of them are standing because there’s no room to sit, but none of the animals wants to leave the box. Suddenly, a flea jumps right in the box. He bites the hippo and that starts a chain of bites that clears out the box, leaving the boy alone again with his own imagination.
Regarding the writing style, the story is really easy to read, due to the fact that sentences are simple and most of them are repeated, making the task of understanding easier for little children. The illustrations made by Jon Angee are catching, colorful and comic-like, and help the audience to follow the plot in a clear way.
“Sitting in my Box” is a funny story which will not only entertain children but also encourage them to use the power of their own imagination. They will surely love this book! It is a must for your library. Highly recommended.
Amazing pets, do you know one?
by Garay, Lucía
Easy to read, sweet, accompanied by realistic pictures and introducing a world of complexity, the book “Amazing pets” presents a different way of seeing companion animals.
On the one hand, the author Lynda DeWitt shows kids how people have to take care of pets. On the other hand, DeWitt explains what different tame animals can do for people unable to perform daily life routines because they are deaf or blind or cannot move. Also, these animals are portrayed as helpers and friend of those who are sick or do not want to feel lonely.
Consisting on just seven pages where concise information is presented, “Amazing pets” shows readers brilliant aspects of having a pet as a companion or helper. However, how can we help pets? This unseen question is answered while the author describes the main necessities people need to pay attention when taking care of their pets. The book then goes on with the trigger question, “Did you know that sometimes pets help take care of people?” that is responded through realistic images of a dog, a cat and a monkey helping handicapped people in their daily life.
Another important aspect of this book to consider is the complexity of the world that is offered to kids when presenting people who have problems to develop their daily routines. The humanization of animals by acknowledging them the capacity to give us love and make us laugh is a way of preaching kids love for animals whether they are tame or not.
“Amazing pets” ends by saying “pets can make us laugh. They can keep us from feeling lonely” and that sentence, plus the sweet and sensible pictures, may help kids to make emotional connections with the world they live in.
To sum up, I personally recommend this book because it preaches on loving animals, it teaches kids how to take care of animals and because it offers a different reality to kids where people need others in their lives, in these case, pet animals.
Easy to read, sweet, accompanied by realistic pictures and introducing a world of complexity, the book “Amazing pets” presents a different way of seeing companion animals.
On the one hand, the author Lynda DeWitt shows kids how people have to take care of pets. On the other hand, DeWitt explains what different tame animals can do for people unable to perform daily life routines because they are deaf or blind or cannot move. Also, these animals are portrayed as helpers and friend of those who are sick or do not want to feel lonely.
Consisting on just seven pages where concise information is presented, “Amazing pets” shows readers brilliant aspects of having a pet as a companion or helper. However, how can we help pets? This unseen question is answered while the author describes the main necessities people need to pay attention when taking care of their pets. The book then goes on with the trigger question, “Did you know that sometimes pets help take care of people?” that is responded through realistic images of a dog, a cat and a monkey helping handicapped people in their daily life.
Another important aspect of this book to consider is the complexity of the world that is offered to kids when presenting people who have problems to develop their daily routines. The humanization of animals by acknowledging them the capacity to give us love and make us laugh is a way of preaching kids love for animals whether they are tame or not.
“Amazing pets” ends by saying “pets can make us laugh. They can keep us from feeling lonely” and that sentence, plus the sweet and sensible pictures, may help kids to make emotional connections with the world they live in.
To sum up, I personally recommend this book because it preaches on loving animals, it teaches kids how to take care of animals and because it offers a different reality to kids where people need others in their lives, in these case, pet animals.
PULLING UP TOGETHER
by Ana M. Mojico
“The Great Big Enormous Turnip” by Alexei Tolstoy is an invitation to experience cooperative work. Preschoolers and children attending their first years at primary school will be witness to the success of pulling up together through Helen Oxenbury’s illustrations.
The various characters of this classic Russian folktale join forces and help each other to pull a huge turnip out. An old man plants a turnip in his farm and it grows and grows till it becomes enormous. When he tries to remove the great vegetable, he realizes he is not strong enough to do so and he asks an old woman to help him. After trying desperately, she calls her granddaughter who tells a dog if he could lend her a hand, who asks a cat, who finally is assisted by a little mouse. And all of them pull and pull again. Unexpectedly, the strength of this little and weak animal is also necessary at last to pull the giant turnip out.
The Soviet writer manages to convey the idea of cooperation by means of incremental repetition and parallelism. Tolstoy presents his characters one by one always performing the same task, pulling and pulling again. Intentionally, he repeats it rhythmically as the story progresses making “The Great Big Enormous Turnip” suitable and enjoyable for little children.
The acclaimed illustrator, Helen Oxenbury, succeeds in creating a cumulative story through her detailed drawings. In every page, she presents a new character that joins the previous one and helps him to accomplish the same task. Finally, a long chain of different creatures, each one weaker and smaller than the other, is built in order to remove the great big enormous turnip. Oxenbury is able to communicate in images the moral meaning of the story.
Little children will enjoy this popular folktale and its expressive pictures while discovering that no matter how difficult a task is, even a great big enormous turnip can be pulled out if we pull up together.
“The Great Big Enormous Turnip” by Alexei Tolstoy is an invitation to experience cooperative work. Preschoolers and children attending their first years at primary school will be witness to the success of pulling up together through Helen Oxenbury’s illustrations.
The various characters of this classic Russian folktale join forces and help each other to pull a huge turnip out. An old man plants a turnip in his farm and it grows and grows till it becomes enormous. When he tries to remove the great vegetable, he realizes he is not strong enough to do so and he asks an old woman to help him. After trying desperately, she calls her granddaughter who tells a dog if he could lend her a hand, who asks a cat, who finally is assisted by a little mouse. And all of them pull and pull again. Unexpectedly, the strength of this little and weak animal is also necessary at last to pull the giant turnip out.
The Soviet writer manages to convey the idea of cooperation by means of incremental repetition and parallelism. Tolstoy presents his characters one by one always performing the same task, pulling and pulling again. Intentionally, he repeats it rhythmically as the story progresses making “The Great Big Enormous Turnip” suitable and enjoyable for little children.
The acclaimed illustrator, Helen Oxenbury, succeeds in creating a cumulative story through her detailed drawings. In every page, she presents a new character that joins the previous one and helps him to accomplish the same task. Finally, a long chain of different creatures, each one weaker and smaller than the other, is built in order to remove the great big enormous turnip. Oxenbury is able to communicate in images the moral meaning of the story.
Little children will enjoy this popular folktale and its expressive pictures while discovering that no matter how difficult a task is, even a great big enormous turnip can be pulled out if we pull up together.
Aug 20, 2013
The great, big, enormous turnip.
by Rosario García
The book “The great, big, enormous turnip” retold by Alexei Tolstoy and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, is an excellent story of cooperation, solidarity and friendship, values that are important to promote in every society. It contains simple vocabulary, repetitive sequences of actions and vivid illustrations which not only catch children’s attention but entertain. The images are so perfectly illustrated that they speak by themselves.
The story begins with an old man who plants a little turnip wishing it to grow strong. It does grow extremely big and strong but at the moment of pulling it up he realizes that he cannot do it on his own and he needs some help, so he calls an old woman. As both of them still cannot pull it up the old woman calls her granddaughter. Then, the granddaughter calls a black dog, the black dog calls a cat, the cat calls a mouse and finally all together can pull the turnip up.
Nowadays lots of values seem to be lost or forgotten as if they were something that belonged to the past. “The great, big, enormous turnip” brings back those values to stay in our minds. You must read it.
The book “The great, big, enormous turnip” retold by Alexei Tolstoy and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, is an excellent story of cooperation, solidarity and friendship, values that are important to promote in every society. It contains simple vocabulary, repetitive sequences of actions and vivid illustrations which not only catch children’s attention but entertain. The images are so perfectly illustrated that they speak by themselves.
The story begins with an old man who plants a little turnip wishing it to grow strong. It does grow extremely big and strong but at the moment of pulling it up he realizes that he cannot do it on his own and he needs some help, so he calls an old woman. As both of them still cannot pull it up the old woman calls her granddaughter. Then, the granddaughter calls a black dog, the black dog calls a cat, the cat calls a mouse and finally all together can pull the turnip up.
Nowadays lots of values seem to be lost or forgotten as if they were something that belonged to the past. “The great, big, enormous turnip” brings back those values to stay in our minds. You must read it.
DON'T CHOKE WITH THAT, Eat up, Gemma's review.
Julio Servin.
Monotonous and dull in equal measures, Eat up, GEMMA is an insufferable and tediuos story written by Sarah Hayes. The idea of the book is simple the little baby Gemma doesn't want to eat anything and throws her food everytime, everywhere. Her entire family tries unsuccessfully to feed her. But one day, while in the church, Gemma sees the hat of a woman decorated with some fruits and thinks that it’s real food and tries to eat it, that gives her big brother an idea which finally encourages Gemma to eat.
What's the problem with the story, then? First, The main issue is that Eat up, Gemma pretends to be part a family problem, part a funny situation, part a pedagogical story, but not entirely satisfying on any of these levels. Second, the boring and predictable storyline is far from convincing and makes very little effort to get any children interested. Finally, the past tense chosen to tell the story is exceedingly difficult and probably inappropriate for the comprehension of a two-years child.
But if the occasional reader of this review thinks that the 24 pages of Eat up, Gemma couldn't be more frustrating, then the artwork appears. The illustrations by Jan Ormerod are not just intantly forgettable, but beginning to fade from memory even before you turn the next page. Evidently, Jan wasn't in the mood when she drew the pictures. Eat up Gemma leaves nothing to the imagination, it's a real pity because Sarah has written excellent stories like 'This is the bear' or 'Nine Ducks Nine', both are perfectly understandable to any children.
All in all, Eat up Gemma is a story written by an experienced author in an uninspired moment of her professional career. We will probably never know why this book arrived at the bookshops. Anyway, if you, parents, are considering to spend your hard-earned money on this book, well, you should think about it twice.
Monotonous and dull in equal measures, Eat up, GEMMA is an insufferable and tediuos story written by Sarah Hayes. The idea of the book is simple the little baby Gemma doesn't want to eat anything and throws her food everytime, everywhere. Her entire family tries unsuccessfully to feed her. But one day, while in the church, Gemma sees the hat of a woman decorated with some fruits and thinks that it’s real food and tries to eat it, that gives her big brother an idea which finally encourages Gemma to eat.
What's the problem with the story, then? First, The main issue is that Eat up, Gemma pretends to be part a family problem, part a funny situation, part a pedagogical story, but not entirely satisfying on any of these levels. Second, the boring and predictable storyline is far from convincing and makes very little effort to get any children interested. Finally, the past tense chosen to tell the story is exceedingly difficult and probably inappropriate for the comprehension of a two-years child.
But if the occasional reader of this review thinks that the 24 pages of Eat up, Gemma couldn't be more frustrating, then the artwork appears. The illustrations by Jan Ormerod are not just intantly forgettable, but beginning to fade from memory even before you turn the next page. Evidently, Jan wasn't in the mood when she drew the pictures. Eat up Gemma leaves nothing to the imagination, it's a real pity because Sarah has written excellent stories like 'This is the bear' or 'Nine Ducks Nine', both are perfectly understandable to any children.
All in all, Eat up Gemma is a story written by an experienced author in an uninspired moment of her professional career. We will probably never know why this book arrived at the bookshops. Anyway, if you, parents, are considering to spend your hard-earned money on this book, well, you should think about it twice.
Old Hat New Hat
Carolina Perez Cibez
By Stan and Jan Barestain
Random House Childrens Books
Old Hat New Hat is the story of a young bear which is surprised by a new hat displayed on the window of a shop. Stan and Jan Barestain planned the whole book together and created the pictures. Their love for children allows them to write exciting as well as educational tales. They have a unique way of telling the stories they write that leave young kids eager to go on reading, learning and playing.
The different types of hats helps the young bear to decide which one to take, but also helps him to find something that he would really like. He looks and looks and tries on every single hat that there is in the store. He manages to put the shop upside down and puts the entire staff of the shop to work really hard to please him. All of this to learn the old hat he had on when he walked in is just perfect! This is a very important message for our students not always the best things for us is new.
The writers´ experience doing children´s literature is translated on the elements they use. The most recognisable one is rhyming, this makes the story much more exciting for children. This way is easier to remember the meaning and pronunciation of the adjectives used along the tale.
Children will ask their parents and teachers to read the book again and again and the best part is that you´ll never get tired to do it. The perfect combination of bright colours and a lovable main character makes another successful story for Stan and Jan´s collection.
By Stan and Jan Barestain
Random House Childrens Books
Old Hat New Hat is the story of a young bear which is surprised by a new hat displayed on the window of a shop. Stan and Jan Barestain planned the whole book together and created the pictures. Their love for children allows them to write exciting as well as educational tales. They have a unique way of telling the stories they write that leave young kids eager to go on reading, learning and playing.
The different types of hats helps the young bear to decide which one to take, but also helps him to find something that he would really like. He looks and looks and tries on every single hat that there is in the store. He manages to put the shop upside down and puts the entire staff of the shop to work really hard to please him. All of this to learn the old hat he had on when he walked in is just perfect! This is a very important message for our students not always the best things for us is new.
The writers´ experience doing children´s literature is translated on the elements they use. The most recognisable one is rhyming, this makes the story much more exciting for children. This way is easier to remember the meaning and pronunciation of the adjectives used along the tale.
Children will ask their parents and teachers to read the book again and again and the best part is that you´ll never get tired to do it. The perfect combination of bright colours and a lovable main character makes another successful story for Stan and Jan´s collection.
Eat up, Gemma
by Panzita, Mariela
Worried about how to deal with your baby’s first meals? Eat up, Gemma, by Sarah Hayes, treats this issue with humour in this simple but wonderful story about a baby who is learning how to eat.
Gemma, is a coloured skin baby girl whose entire family is trying to make her eat without any success and although her family and other people offer the girl different kinds of food, they can’t make her eat and when her mother and father are getting desperate because of this situation, a hilarious episode takes place at the church when Gemma tries to eat some fake fruit. This calls her brother’s attention who solves this problem with lots of imagination, building a hat with some fruit at home.
In this book, Sarah Hayes tries to demonstrate that children don’t see food as we adults see it. She shows trough this lovely story that imagination could be an important factor when we prepare our kids meals.
Your children will love this story in which a difficult issue as nutrition is treated in a simple and funny way. Don’t miss it!
Worried about how to deal with your baby’s first meals? Eat up, Gemma, by Sarah Hayes, treats this issue with humour in this simple but wonderful story about a baby who is learning how to eat.
Gemma, is a coloured skin baby girl whose entire family is trying to make her eat without any success and although her family and other people offer the girl different kinds of food, they can’t make her eat and when her mother and father are getting desperate because of this situation, a hilarious episode takes place at the church when Gemma tries to eat some fake fruit. This calls her brother’s attention who solves this problem with lots of imagination, building a hat with some fruit at home.
In this book, Sarah Hayes tries to demonstrate that children don’t see food as we adults see it. She shows trough this lovely story that imagination could be an important factor when we prepare our kids meals.
Your children will love this story in which a difficult issue as nutrition is treated in a simple and funny way. Don’t miss it!
“Eat up, Gemma”
How difficult is it to make children eat their food? Through Sarah Hayes’ story book “Eat up, Gemma”, readers will find many examples of this familiar situation. A baby girl named Gemma has a hard time eating her food. She constantly throws it on the floor even when her family advises her not to do that. One day, her brother has a clever idea. Can he motivate Gemma to eat up?
Gemma is a toddler who refuses to eat her breakfast. Although the entire family encourages her to eat, she chooses to throw it away. Every occasion is good for Gemma to get rid of eating. At the groceries’, the same reaction stands when a man offers her some fruits. At dinner, Gemma won’t eat a thing. It seems that Gemma prefers mashing, throwing, and sharing her food rather than eating it. No matters what kind of food: fruits, cookies or pizza, Gemma will reject it. One day, she is inspired to eat while looking at a lady’s hat. Her big brother comes across with a great and creative idea; Gemma would eat if he imitates the lady’s hat with real fruits.
“Eat up, Gemma” is a great story told through Gemma’s brother point of view. Along With the colourful pictures drawn by Jan Ormerod, even children that don’t read yet will understand the story and love it. I highly recommend this book; it is a suitable tool to show the importance of family support when encouraging eating. Parents will find “Eat up, Gemma” very useful. As Gemma’s big brother does with the fruits, the book may inspire them to use imagination and motivate children to eat.
Anahí Laprovitta
Gemma is a toddler who refuses to eat her breakfast. Although the entire family encourages her to eat, she chooses to throw it away. Every occasion is good for Gemma to get rid of eating. At the groceries’, the same reaction stands when a man offers her some fruits. At dinner, Gemma won’t eat a thing. It seems that Gemma prefers mashing, throwing, and sharing her food rather than eating it. No matters what kind of food: fruits, cookies or pizza, Gemma will reject it. One day, she is inspired to eat while looking at a lady’s hat. Her big brother comes across with a great and creative idea; Gemma would eat if he imitates the lady’s hat with real fruits.
“Eat up, Gemma” is a great story told through Gemma’s brother point of view. Along With the colourful pictures drawn by Jan Ormerod, even children that don’t read yet will understand the story and love it. I highly recommend this book; it is a suitable tool to show the importance of family support when encouraging eating. Parents will find “Eat up, Gemma” very useful. As Gemma’s big brother does with the fruits, the book may inspire them to use imagination and motivate children to eat.
Anahí Laprovitta
SO CAN I
By Allan Ahlberg and
Colin McNaughton
Walker books
Gimalsky, Marilú
So Can I is another engaging and hilarious story by the wonderful writers and illustrators Allan Ahlberg and Colin McNaughton. In this opportunity, the tale illustrates the new abilities of a girl and those of different and special pets, while the reader and listener are transported imaginatively to a magic world of fantasy.
The girl expresses, with pleasure and satisfaction, the new abilities that she can now deal with. As the girl wears glasses, it is funny to see different and surprising animals in the story wearing glasses too. However, the most hilarious things are the answers given by a crocodile, an elephant, a gorilla, a kangaroo and an octopus. Animals show the little girl and the reader that they can also do the same things.
Simple words and sentences, clear drawings and nice colours are just some of the characteristics presented in this book. A world of pure imagination will be discovered by both, children and adults, through the simplicity of this story.
So Can I is one of those stories that I would recommend to any reader to have on his/her bookshelf.
Colin McNaughton
Walker books
Gimalsky, Marilú
So Can I is another engaging and hilarious story by the wonderful writers and illustrators Allan Ahlberg and Colin McNaughton. In this opportunity, the tale illustrates the new abilities of a girl and those of different and special pets, while the reader and listener are transported imaginatively to a magic world of fantasy.
The girl expresses, with pleasure and satisfaction, the new abilities that she can now deal with. As the girl wears glasses, it is funny to see different and surprising animals in the story wearing glasses too. However, the most hilarious things are the answers given by a crocodile, an elephant, a gorilla, a kangaroo and an octopus. Animals show the little girl and the reader that they can also do the same things.
Simple words and sentences, clear drawings and nice colours are just some of the characteristics presented in this book. A world of pure imagination will be discovered by both, children and adults, through the simplicity of this story.
So Can I is one of those stories that I would recommend to any reader to have on his/her bookshelf.
HELLO, HOUSE!
by Maria Sabrina Vergara
Retold by Linda Hayward Illustrations by Lynn Musinger
“Hello, House!” retold by Linda Hayward and illustrated by Lynn Musinger is an adaptation of an old tale in which Brer Wolf and Brer Rabbit are the main characters. The Wolf´s goal is to catch the Rabbit when he returns to his home.
Brer Wolf is always thinking of how to set a trap for Brer Rabbit. Despite the fact that Brer Wolf is bigger than Brer Rabbit, the latter is much smarter than him. One day, after having a picnic Brer Rabbit´s family come back to their house and the Rabbit notices that the door is open. Immediately he begins to suspect that something strange is going on inside his house. He peeks in the window, listens at the chimney and comes forward to the door but nobody seems to be there. Afterwards, Brer Rabbit shouts out: “Hello, House!” and to his surprise, the house replies. In fact it is Brer Wolf who is falling again into his tricks. After a while, Brer Wolf comes out of the house feeling upset for being cheated, once more, by his opponent the small rabbit.
This is a classic and simple story where the main characters are represented by animals. This characteristic will call the attention to little children. It also contains humor and clear vocabulary. The repetition of some structures or words make it easier for young learners to understand the story. Besides, this tale teaches us that if you pit your wits against somebody else, these wits can have an unexpected turn against you. Last but not least, the illustrations are full of colours and introduce us to lovely characters and landscapes.
“Hello, house!” is funny, entertaining and didactic. A catching story for children to enjoy. Highly recommended.
Retold by Linda Hayward Illustrations by Lynn Musinger
“Hello, House!” retold by Linda Hayward and illustrated by Lynn Musinger is an adaptation of an old tale in which Brer Wolf and Brer Rabbit are the main characters. The Wolf´s goal is to catch the Rabbit when he returns to his home.
Brer Wolf is always thinking of how to set a trap for Brer Rabbit. Despite the fact that Brer Wolf is bigger than Brer Rabbit, the latter is much smarter than him. One day, after having a picnic Brer Rabbit´s family come back to their house and the Rabbit notices that the door is open. Immediately he begins to suspect that something strange is going on inside his house. He peeks in the window, listens at the chimney and comes forward to the door but nobody seems to be there. Afterwards, Brer Rabbit shouts out: “Hello, House!” and to his surprise, the house replies. In fact it is Brer Wolf who is falling again into his tricks. After a while, Brer Wolf comes out of the house feeling upset for being cheated, once more, by his opponent the small rabbit.
This is a classic and simple story where the main characters are represented by animals. This characteristic will call the attention to little children. It also contains humor and clear vocabulary. The repetition of some structures or words make it easier for young learners to understand the story. Besides, this tale teaches us that if you pit your wits against somebody else, these wits can have an unexpected turn against you. Last but not least, the illustrations are full of colours and introduce us to lovely characters and landscapes.
“Hello, house!” is funny, entertaining and didactic. A catching story for children to enjoy. Highly recommended.
“When the elephant walks”
By Lucía del Valle
“When the elephant walks” is an adorable story written by Keiko Kaszca who using tender images and the same structure to pass from one animal to another, makes the story attractive and easy to follow for children.
The story is about an animal chain-reaction which starts with an elephant scaring a bear. Then, the bear, which is looking for honey, scares a crocodile which swims for saving his life but, by doing this, he frightens another animal who continue with the chain. From the elephant to a mouse, fear passes through all these tender characters, finishing the story with the first one, the elephant, being scare.
Within this book, children become aware that life is like a “wheel” and everything we do, good or bad, could return to us.
I highly recommend this book. “When the elephant walks” is a very kind story with lovely characters that very young children will adore.
“When the elephant walks” is an adorable story written by Keiko Kaszca who using tender images and the same structure to pass from one animal to another, makes the story attractive and easy to follow for children.
The story is about an animal chain-reaction which starts with an elephant scaring a bear. Then, the bear, which is looking for honey, scares a crocodile which swims for saving his life but, by doing this, he frightens another animal who continue with the chain. From the elephant to a mouse, fear passes through all these tender characters, finishing the story with the first one, the elephant, being scare.
Within this book, children become aware that life is like a “wheel” and everything we do, good or bad, could return to us.
I highly recommend this book. “When the elephant walks” is a very kind story with lovely characters that very young children will adore.
HELLO, HOUSE!
by Alejandro Tachile
What would you do if after coming back from a picnic, the door of your house is open? And for your surprise, a wolf is inside your home! In “Hello, house!” by Linda Hayward, children will learn that, rather than strength, what can get you out of a hard situation is intelligence. And to depict this, the author presents Brer Rabbit and Brer Wolf. The former is the anthesis of the later and this is the key to make the story funny.
Brer Wolf is always trying to eat Brer Rabbit and his family. And although he is bigger, “Brer Rabbit is a whole lot smarter”. After several unsuccessful attempts to trick his prey, Brer Wolf hides into the family house, when they go to a picnic. They come back and find the door of the house open. To find out who is inside Brer Rabbit shouts “ Hello, house!”, Brer Wolf gets so confused that he even replies to the greeting saying:”HELLO TO YOU TOO!”. After this, Brer Rabbit chuckles and then says:” This house talks too low” ,so Brer Wolf answers:”HELLO TO YOU TOO!” in a high voice. And for every reply Brer Wolf makes, Brer Rabbit always finds something to complain about his answer. At the end ,Brer wolf realizes he has been tricked by Brer Rabbit and gets out of the house furiously.
The core of the tale is the trick that Brer Rabbit uses against Brer Wolf. Apart from giving the title to the story, the phrase `hello,house!` is the key to catch children`s attention. Since nobody would say `hello` to a house, this trick shows to children that sometimes the solution to a problem could be hidden in something completely unexpected or inusual.
The tale gives a funny vision of the idea of intelligence overcoming strength. And children will be satisfy with the end since it is impossible not not to cherish Brer Rabbit and his family while reading the tale. I definitely recommend “Hello,House” since it is a children´s book that should be in every bookcase.
What would you do if after coming back from a picnic, the door of your house is open? And for your surprise, a wolf is inside your home! In “Hello, house!” by Linda Hayward, children will learn that, rather than strength, what can get you out of a hard situation is intelligence. And to depict this, the author presents Brer Rabbit and Brer Wolf. The former is the anthesis of the later and this is the key to make the story funny.
Brer Wolf is always trying to eat Brer Rabbit and his family. And although he is bigger, “Brer Rabbit is a whole lot smarter”. After several unsuccessful attempts to trick his prey, Brer Wolf hides into the family house, when they go to a picnic. They come back and find the door of the house open. To find out who is inside Brer Rabbit shouts “ Hello, house!”, Brer Wolf gets so confused that he even replies to the greeting saying:”HELLO TO YOU TOO!”. After this, Brer Rabbit chuckles and then says:” This house talks too low” ,so Brer Wolf answers:”HELLO TO YOU TOO!” in a high voice. And for every reply Brer Wolf makes, Brer Rabbit always finds something to complain about his answer. At the end ,Brer wolf realizes he has been tricked by Brer Rabbit and gets out of the house furiously.
The core of the tale is the trick that Brer Rabbit uses against Brer Wolf. Apart from giving the title to the story, the phrase `hello,house!` is the key to catch children`s attention. Since nobody would say `hello` to a house, this trick shows to children that sometimes the solution to a problem could be hidden in something completely unexpected or inusual.
The tale gives a funny vision of the idea of intelligence overcoming strength. And children will be satisfy with the end since it is impossible not not to cherish Brer Rabbit and his family while reading the tale. I definitely recommend “Hello,House” since it is a children´s book that should be in every bookcase.
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