Emotional Explorers by Maria Mercé Conangla & Jaume Soler

Emotional Explorers by Maria Mercé Conangla & Jaume Soler works to help children learn to become attuned to their emotions, and to work with them in beneficial ways. They introduce the ideas of being an ’emotional explorer’ and of ’emotional ecology’. There are five chapters, each opening with three questions that will be looked at in-depth in the chapter. Within the chapters are numerous exercises. I loved that this book looked at the inner workings of the mind like it is our inner planet, or home. This is a concept we have taught our cubs in the form of As Above, So Below. Macro and microcosms that reflect one another. It’s very clear this book was created to ideally be used in a classroom, but it would also be great for families to work through together.

***Many thanks to the Netgalley and Schiffer Publishing for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

 

 

Science Comics: The Brain by Tory Woollcott

Science Comics: The Brain by Tory Woollcott follows Fahama who is out helping her younger bratty sister sell cookies. Fahama gets kidnapped by an Evil Brain and his zombie butler when she knocks on the wrong door. He wants to remove her brain! Fahama distracts him in a bid for time so rescue can arrive by asking about the brain and its functions. The Evil Brain is happy to talk about his specialty. As Fahama learns about the brain, so does the reader. The information is pretty thorough. I even learned a few new things! There’s humour as well. I adored the Star Trek neurons! I also liked that they included umami among the flavour receptors. The writing seems more junior high and high school level, rather than elementary level. Recommended for those interested in science!

***Many thanks to the Netgalley and First Second Books for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

 

 

 

Diary of a Monster by Valeria Dávila

Diary of a Monster by Valeria Dávila is about the Black Lake Monster. It’s a picture book with (mostly) rhyming text. The book is translated, being originally from Argentina. It may rhyme better in the native language, but does well enough in English. I did feel it ended a bit abruptly, but I doubt the target audience would notice or care. This quirky little book gives a good lesson too. As different as some cultures may be from one another, in the end, we have quite a bit in common as well. The monster might live in a lake and enjoy eating bugs, and scaring people, but they also like hugs, and stories, and family. Perfect bedtime or kindergarten reading time book!

***Many thanks to the Netgalley and Chouette Publishing for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

 

 

Dive In! by Ann Eriksson

Dive In! by Ann Eriksson, is a middle-grade book all about the ocean, how it affects humans, and how we affect the ocean. Young readers can learn all about ocean conservation and why it is so important. There are suggested ways that kids could start today in helping protect the environment. I read this with my cubs and they all enjoyed it. My only qualm, as is the case with anything involving global warming, is the lack of mention that global warming and cooling are normal. Not just on a small scale either, but cycles encompassing thousands and thousands of years. Our ancestors went through a global cooling, then a global warming, with the last Ice Age, and the end of that Ice Age. Go further back and you’ll find warming periods with almost no ice caps or glaciers. Yes, humans need to be responsible custodians of the planet, but we need not bear the full brunt of blame for the current warming cycle. Anyhoo…. Recommended for classroom reading or for the youngster with a love for the ocean or interest in environmental responsibility.

***Many thanks to the Netgalley and Orca Book Publishers for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.