Tag: Children’s

Dogsbody by Diana Wynne Jones

One of the weird things about reading an author’s entire body of work from the start of their oeuvre, especially if you’ve already cherry picked parts of it as a lifelong avid reader, is that you can see the themes develop throughout the creator’s lifetime and echo back and forth through the books. Dogsbody, for …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2024/08/21/dogsbody-by-diana-wynne-jones/

That’s Not Fair by Shinsuke Yoshitake

Wit is infused into every detail of this children’s book that has just as much insight for parents as it does for their precocious kids. The young girl who grumpily exclaims the title of the book on its cover has had enough. Adults are always getting away with bossing their kids around unfairly, so she’s …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2024/08/14/thats-not-fair-by-shinsuke-yoshitake/

A Job For Penelope by Melanie Mikecz

I read a fantastic tweet recently which essentially said that getting a job you love does not mean, as the old saw says, never having to work a day in your life, but that you will in fact do far too much work, which is genuinely my plight right now. So when I picked up …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2024/07/31/a-job-for-penelope-by-melanie-mikecz/

Jackson’s Wilder Adventures, Vol. 1: Habits & Habitats by Sarah Davidson

Jackson Wilder is an adorable little boy who lives with his dad and his beloved stuffed thylacine doll, Irwin. In the manner of all imaginative kids with a constant stuffie companion, Irwin often takes on a life of his own in Jackson’s imagination, as Sarah Davidson depicts in a way that will definitely bring up …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2024/07/29/jacksons-wilder-adventures-vol-1-habits-habitats-by-sarah-davidson/

Afro Unicorn: The Land of Afronia, Vol. 1 by April Showers & Ronaldo Barata

Interestingly, it says “text by Terrance Crawford” in the credits as well, and I’m not sure exactly what that means. Credit where it’s due, tho? So this is a cute story that champions black representation in children’s fantasy, particularly of the cute anthropomorphic fantastic beast variety. Afronia is a magical land in the stars populated …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2024/07/24/afro-unicorn-the-land-of-afronia-vol-1-by-april-showers-ronaldo-barata/

Witch’s Business by Diana Wynne Jones

Also known in some markets as Wilkins’ Tooth. I’m joining my pal Emily for A Year Of Diana Wynne Jones, a project she recently started where she and other interested readers go through the entire DWJ oeuvre over the course of a year. I decided to dip in and out as books were available to …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2024/07/22/witchs-business-by-diana-wynne-jones/

Camouflage Mom by Sarah Hovorka & Elif Balta Parks

subtitled A Story About Staying Connected. Wow, this is a weird one for me to review. Coming at it from the perspective of a (theoretical) child whose parent has entered the military, I absolutely appreciate having a book like this, to console a kid who’s missing their parent and to assure them that the bond …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2024/07/02/camouflage-mom-by-sarah-hovorka-elif-balta-parks/

Bunnybirds Vol 1 by Natalie Linn

In the world of the Bunnybirds (essentially rabbits with wings,) the most important thing is to stay light-hearted so that one can fly freely with the rest of the flock. Princess Aster has been taught that heavy emotions lead to leaden wings, so she, like the rest of the Bunnybirds who live in splendid isolation …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2024/06/12/bunnybirds-vol-1-by-natalie-linn/

The Best Worst Camp Out Ever by Joe Cepeda

When I was a kid, I too loved the romance of camping outdoors. Once I actually encountered the realities of it tho, I realized that God invented air-conditioning for a reason. Indoor plumbing? A gift to be cherished. King-sized mattresses? Something to be savored and enjoyed. Ofc, I wasn’t going to discourage my own kids …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2024/05/14/the-best-worst-camp-out-ever-by-joe-cepeda/

I Am Here by Karen Kilpatrick & Tammy Do

This delightful children’s book is a wonderful reminder of the power of being present and engaged with your kids. It is, astonishingly, one of those books that does double duty as both a comfort to kids and as a nudge to their adult caretakers, handling both responsibilities with aplomb. First, tho, let’s talk about the …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2024/05/02/i-am-here-by-karen-kilpatrick-tammy-do/