Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak

Age Range: 3 – 7 years
Grade Level: Preschool – 2
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
On-Sale Date: August 16, 2016

Synopsis (from Amazon)
As trees sway in the cool breeze, blue jays head south, and leaves change their colors, everyone knows–autumn is on its way!

Join a young girl as she takes a walk through forest and town, greeting all the signs of the coming season. In a series of conversations with every flower and creature and gust of wind, she says good-bye to summer and welcomes autumn.

Reflection
It’s the last morning of the summer and a little girl decides to take a walk through her neighborhood.  This book starts off with the girl standing on her front porch saying, “Hello, late summer morning.”  She then starts walking and greeting different things in nature as she passes them: trees, foxes, blue jays, walking sticks, butterflies and more.  Each animal or plant she says hello to responds to her by providing an explanation of what it is doing to prepare for the coming autumn season.

For example, when she encounters some beavers and chipmunks, they greet her and let her know they are busy making nests and dens to hibernate in.  The flowers respond by saying they are leaning into the sun, enjoying the last summer rays.  As the girl continues her walk, she starts handing out flowers to people as she passes them on the street.  Finally, she makes it back home later in the evening when all of the animals she saw earlier are now cozy and sleeping.  The last page shows the girl sitting on her front porch saying, “Hello autumn”.

The kids and I really enjoyed this book for several reasons.  First, summer is my absolute favorite season and I look forward to welcoming it every year.  It often saddens me when it’s time to say goodbye to summer because I love warm weather so much.  However, reading this book has given me a new perspective.  It taught me to relish each season. Don’t say goodbye to summer; say hello to autumn!

Other things we liked about this book are:

• the use of color – the book starts out using hues of green to represent summer, then slowly changes over to hues of red, brown, yellow and orange for autumn
• the simplicity of the text used throughout – minimal text is used on each page which is perfect for younger readers
• the diversity of the characters featured in the book – as the girl is walking she passes an array of diverse people while handing them flowers
• how well it captured the changing of the seasons via the illustrations – falling leaves, thunder, wind, rain
• it teaches children how different animals and plants in nature prepare for the autumn season

Although this is a children’s book, I think it has a deeper lesson for adults too.  The lesson: Each season is a season. Seasons differ and there are many things to look forward to if we would choose to do so.  We should live each season and each day with passion and purpose and welcome each one as it arrives.

Other themes covered in this book: experiencing change, showing kindness to nature and other people, and seasons.  The perfect story time book to read with your little readers on the last day of summer (or in any season)!  After reading the book, take a walk through your neighborhood and notice the different animals or plants you see and the sounds in nature that you hear.

About the Author
Kenard Pak has experienced changing seasons in his life as well.  Starting out as an artist with DreamWorks and Disney, Mr. Pak has also illustrated children’s books such as Have You Heard the Nesting Bird? by Rita Gray and The Dinner That Cooked Itself by J.C. Hsyu.  He now lives in San Francisco with his wife and their three cats.

Website | Twitter

Your turn:  What is your favorite season of the year?  Do you have any traditions to say goodbye to one season and welcome another season?  Feel free to share in the comments.

City Shapes by Diana Murray, illustrated by Bryan Collier

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
On-Sale Date: June 21, 2016
Format: Hardcover
Age Range: 3 – 7 years old
Pages: 40

Synopsis (from Amazon)
From shimmering skyscrapers to fluttering kites to twinkling stars high in the sky, everyday scenes become extraordinary as a young girl walks through her neighborhood noticing exciting new shapes at every turn. Far more than a simple concept book, City Shapes is an explosion of life. Diana Murray’s richly crafted yet playful verse encourages readers to discover shapes in the most surprising places, and Bryan Collier’s dynamic collages add even more layers to each scene in this ode to city living.

Reflection
Shapes can be found all around us. If you look closely, you’ll be surprised at how many you can find.

This adorable book takes readers on a colorful journey through the streets of New York City with a little African-American girl in search of different shapes. She encounters rectangles, triangles, circles, ovals, diamonds, and stars in various places throughout the city.

On the opening page, you see a pigeon flying through a bright cityscape exploring the scenery…shape after shape.  The little girl featured in the book walks through the city during the day and travels by bus exploring different shapes: sunglasses worn by an on-duty police officer, the wheels of a taxi, and rectangular shaped skyscrapers.  In the end you see the pigeon flying through the sky once again, but this time its enjoying the view of the night cityscape as it returns to its circle-shaped nest.  I liked how the author and illustrator made a connection between the girl and pigeon.  Each one had their own views of the city from different vantage points.  In the end, they both go back to their homes to rest for the evening.

The kids and I really enjoyed this book!  My kids love rhyming books so this one was a delight to read aloud with them.  Also, the watercolor illustrations are so bright, cheerful, and detailed.  The kids liked pointing out the different shapes in each picture.

This book inspired us to go on our own shape hunt in our neighborhood.  I think learning to spot shapes outside in nature and the environment is more than just a fun game for kids. Activities such as this can give children a sense that they know something important, making it highly likely that their shape-hunting skills will continue long after the “hunt” is over.

Overall, I think this book captures the essence of New York City one shape at a time very well.  A fun and colorful book for teaching children about shapes, exploring their surroundings/environment, and being observant.

Author & Illustrator Notes
Illustrator Bryan Collier tells readers that he modeled the little girl featured in this book after his own daughter.  Author Diana Murray was born in Ukraine, but she immigrated to New York City at the age of two.  Her inspiration to write this book was based on her experiences of walking through Midtown Manhattan on her own.

Connect with Diana Murray!

Website | Twitter

Connect with Bryan Collier!

Website

Your turn: Are you looking forward to reading this book with your little readers?  Feel free to share in the comments.

Miles & Mia A to Z by Michaela Alexander
Pages: 40
Recommended for children ages: birth to 7 years old

Synopsis
Miles & Mia A to Z is an educational, picture book that teaches children different letters of the alphabet in a fun way. Featuring rhyming text and colorful original illustrations, Miles & Mia A to Z is sure to delight children of all ages as well as parents.

Reflection
I first learned about this book from my favorite social media platform, Instagram.  I literally could not wait for it to be released so I could read it with my kids and share it with my readers!  Now that I finally received my copy in the mail I can tell you all about it.

First off, let me acknowledge the author and illustrator of this book for penning an alphabet book that features Black children.  Although I read a variety of different books with my kids, I get the most enjoyment from seeing their eyes light up when they see characters in books that they can relate to who look like them.

When I showed this book to the kids for the first time they both looked at the book cover and said, “That’s me!”  That truly made my heart sing and actually tear up a little bit because I’m so happy they have the opportunity to see diverse characters being represented in children’s books.  That’s something I never had growing up as a child.

Miles & Mia A to Z is such a a fun and adorable rhyming book!  Not only does it teach children the letters of the alphabet, but it also incorporates additional learning and some great vocabulary words for little readers like: guava, hummingbird, sushi, and zephyrosaurus.  The illustrations are so lively and colorful and show Miles & Mia experiencing a variety of things from sailing on a pirate ship to traveling to the planet Neptune in outer space.

I also appreciate the fact that this book was shipped in such high quality and durable packaging.  The customer service and attention to detail are impeccable!  We received a personal signed copy addressed to both of my children and some cute little Miles & Mia stickers that my kids adore!  I love it when companies take the initiative to go the extra mile for their customers and add their own personal touch.

I think this book is a definite must have alphabet book for your child’s home library, especially for little readers from diverse backgrounds.  To me, there is something so magical about a child seeing themselves being represented in books which in turns helps them to establish a lifelong love of reading.  Pick this one up for your little bookworms!  Order your copy here!

About Miles & Mia

Born out of a love of stories, young Miles & Mia are the inspiration for the Miles & Mia collective of tales, based on their adventures of growing up in London, UK.

Meet Miles, a smart six year-old that loves to play football and being outdoors. Miles says that running around at the football match means he is helping himself to grow healthy and strong. When he is not kicking a ball about, Miles loves geography and learning about the history of the world. Every country is his favorite, he says, and he hopes he can visit many places and write about them when he grows up.

Miles’ partner-in-adventure is his little sister, Mia. Four years old and full of energy, which is definitely needed as it helps keep her on her, dancing toes at ballet club. Mia also loves to sing and draw and made sure that she wore her favorite black and white stripy tights in every Miles & Mia adventure as they make her dance and run faster, she says!

Together, this close sibling duo along with their Pomeranian dog Major, spend their time giggling and taking on the world as they make new friends, discover and learn new things and occasionally get into a little hot water.

Keeping this vibrant tribe ticking along like clockwork is mommy Michaela. Michaela makes sure Miles & Mia mind their ps and qs, but most importantly that they look after each other and are kind to people. Every day is an adventure for young Miles & Mia and they would love you to join them on their journey.

Connect with Miles & Mia!
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Your turn: Are you looking forward to reading this book with your little ones?  If you’ve already read, did your kids enjoy it?  Feel free to share in the comments.