Hīznobyūtī by Claude Ponti

Hīznobyūtī is an ‘ugly duckling’ reweaving by French children’s author Claude Ponti. When he is hatched, Hīznobyūtī didn’t look like his family at all. He had a tiny trunk instead of a snout. They said ‘he’s no beauty’ enough times that Hīznobyūtī thought it was his name. As he grew older, he realised he didn’t look like the others in his family. He tried different things to blend in. He created masks to hide his face, but it didn’t work. He always felt underfoot, or in the way, even when going out of his way to be alone and quiet. Hīznobyūtī finally decided to live under the sink, away from everyone, and they forgot about him. He was alone, save for Martin Clock. Eventually, he created a cozy home for himself underground. After a time, he and Martin leave to go explore, meeting all manner of folk, and helping those in need. His travels led him back to the beginning, where he found finally found acceptance. Most importantly, Hīznobyūtī learned that he was good enough in himself, and he needed no one else’s approval to be happy.

This is translated from French, and recalled to my mind The Little Prince. There’s definitely a great deal of cultural influence that cannot be directly translated. There’s a harshness in how Hīznobyūtī’s family treated him, acting as if he weren’t even part of the family. Yet, despite that, he persevered and learned that his own approval was all he needed. There are themes of resilience and going with the flow. In the end, all worked out for Hīznobyūtī! It is a marvelous glimpse into how a different culture perceives things as well, and this can be a great talking point with children if you are working with cultural awareness. I find that a great skill to pass on from a young age. My cubs loved this book, and the lessons offered. Great addition to any bookshelf!

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

 

 

Simon and the Big, Bad, Angry Beasts by Ian De Haes

Simon and the Big, Bad, Angry Beasts is about learning to temper your anger, and work with it, rather than let it rage out of control. Simon is a (rather bratty) kid who loses his temper on day after his father puts him in time out for scrawling on the walls. He temper tantrums, and the next thing he knows, there’s a great ram pounding the door with him. As Simon’s anger gets more out of control, his beastly companion changes, eventually becoming a fearsome dragon! It is then that Simon realises no-one wants to be around him any more. He tried to shout the anger away, but that only makes it worse. Finally, Simon settle down and quiets his mind. The dragon turns into a flock of butterflies. Now that he’s learns to manage his anger, his friends come back and he finds happiness.

Full of beautiful artwork, this is a perfect book for teaching children about dealing with anger, and cultivating mindfulness. At the back are some suggestions and guidelines for helping parents work with their kids using this book. I read this with my cubs, and they all loved it. It’s a great teaching tool!

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

 

 

Spring into Action by Pat Brigandi

Brigandi’s Spring into Action is all about working together and taking care of the environment. Mrs Brink’s class us going to be cleaning a yard on Baker St for Clean Up Day, turning it into a garden for others to enjoy. Everyone seems excited. Everyone but Max. The little blue triceratops has a fear of bugs. The next day, he shows up wearing his ‘bug suit’. (It looks like a beekeeper’s outfit) Each of his friends tried to get him to come help, but there were always bugs. Finally, Max sees a bunny who looks scared if all the people in the lot. He decides to make sure the bunny has a safe place to hide when visitors come.

This is a cute story about accepting the limitations of others and not ridiculing them for it. Max’s friends never bully him because he is terrified of bugs. They are protective of him, and in the end he gets to help his own way. These are lessons children need to be getting because let’s face it… more often than not kids are right assholes to one another. My cubs and I loved the artwork too. And, bonus Dinosaurs!!

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

 

 

The Rabbit and the Shadow by Melanie Rutten

The Rabbit and the Shadow is, in part, a coming of age story. An orphaned baby bunny is adopted by a Stag, who raised him with love. One day the Rabbit fell in a deep hole. An angry soldier happened by and pulled Rabbit up. Together they travel, til they meet a Cat, who has lost a ball. They help Cat, and he joins the troop. The group decides that they are going to be brave and travel to the volcano. Along the way, Rabbit finds an Egg, that he brings with him, taking care of it. All the while, a mysterious Shadow follows them. What does the Shadow want? And can the group prove to themselves they each are brave? And lastly, will they discover what family truly means?

This is a cute coming of age story, with themes of facing your fears, and what defines family. Much of the story is Rabbit’s, but there are a few times when it shifts back to Stag, and you see how sad he is, worrying over his adopted child though he knows there are things Rabbit must learn on his own. Most of my cubs really enjoyed it. The art style wasn’t my personal favourite, but I thought the lessons were great ones.

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Eerdman’s Publishing for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.