Tomorrow I’ll Be Brave by Jessica Hische

Recommended Ages: 3-7

Synopsis
Tomorrow I’ll be all the things I tried to be today:
Adventurous, Strong, Smart, Curious, Creative, Confident, & Brave.
And if I wasn’t one of them, I know that it’s OK.

Journey through a world filled with positive and beautifully hand-lettered words of widsom, inspiration, and motivation. As this book reminds readers, tomorrow is another day, full of endless opportunities–all you have to do is decide to make the day yours.

Reflection
As a parent, I’m always mindful to ensure I’m setting good examples for my kids while also teaching them valuable life lessons that will benefit them in their adult lives.  Like many parents and caregivers, I want my children to grow up and lead successful lives.  While there are many things that lead to success and happiness, I believe one of the most powerful things is courage.

During the average person’s lifetime, they will likely experience successes, failures, rejections, and many unexpected turns.  That’s why I think it’s important to instill courage in children from a young age and continuously expose them to safe opportunities where they can practice being brave in real life scenarios.

For example, my daughter sometimes gets anxious if she’s picked up a bit later than usual at school.  This is especially true at the start of any new school year or after an extended break from school.  It usually takes her about a week or two to get back into the school routine after being at home during school breaks.  If she’s picked up late she will cry non-stop until either myself or my husband arrives.  Whenever this happens, my husband and I reassure her that one of us will always be there to pick her up from school.  We also read lots of books about anxiety, having courage, and being brave like Tomorrow I’ll Be Brave.  It’s the perfect book to read to give kids the courage to keep going, to find a different way, and of course the courage to try and be brave in the first place.

This book teaches kids that bravery isn’t about something magical that happens inside us to make us ‘not scared’. It’s about something magical that happens inside us to make us push through fear, self-doubt, anxiety, and do the things that feel hard or risky or frightening. Sometimes, being brave only has to happen for seconds at a time – just long enough to be brave enough.  This book also reminded me about one of the most important parts of being brave: knowing that somewhere inside of you, ‘brave’ will be there when you need it, whether you feel it or not.

There is also a fantastic overall message that rings loud and clear in this book:

Tomorrow I’ll be all the things I tried to be today…and if I wasn’t one of them, I know that it’s okay.

Children get the reassurance that if they haven’t been any of the things they hoped to be today, there is always tomorrow, which is full of endless opportunities.  I think that messages give children space for imperfection which is a great growth staple.

In summary, there are so many great things I enjoyed about this book:

• It teaches children they are strong, that they can cope, and that they are not as fragile as they might sometimes feel.
• There are wonderful vocabulary words like: adventurous, curious, confident, brave
• Kids understand brave is about doing what’s best for them
• Encourages children’s sense of adventure

Check this one out if you’re looking for a picture book to help have a discussion about bravery and courage with your little readers.

About the Author
Jessica Hische grew up in Pennsylvania. She currently lives in San Francisco, where she works as a letterer, illustrator, type designer, and relentless procrastiworker. Clients include Wes Anderson, Dave Eggers, The New York Times, Tiffany & Co., OXFAM America, McSweeney’s, American Express, Target, Victoria’s Secret, Chronicle Books, Nike, and Samsung.

Adrian Simcox Does NOT Have a Horse by Marcy Campbell, illustrated by Corinna Luyken

Synopsis
Adrian Simcox tells anyone who will listen that he has a horse–the best and most beautiful horse anywhere.  But Chloe does NOT believe him. Adrian Simcox lives in a tiny house. Where would he keep a horse? He has holes in his shoes. How would he pay for a horse?

The more Adrian talks about his horse, the angrier Chloe gets. But when she calls him out at school and even complains about him to her mom, Chloe doesn’t get the vindication she craves. She gets something far more important.

Written with tenderness and poignancy and gorgeously illustrated, this book will show readers that kindness is always rewarding, understanding is sweeter than judgment, and friendship is the best gift one can give.

Reflection
At first glance, one might think this is just a book about a boy and his horse.  But once you open it up and start reading, you are introduced to so much more!

First, little readers are introduced to Adrian Simcox sitting all by himself (probably daydreaming again) at the lunch table in the school cafeteria.  Off to the side you see a crowd of other diverse kids all sitting together having their own group conversations.  Right off the bat, you can tell Adrian is a loner who probably doesn’t have many friends.

Next, you find out Adrian has a horse that he loves dearly and will tell just about anyone who will listen how beautiful his horse is.  “It has a white coat and golden mane and the biggest, brownest eyes of any horse, anywhere…”

Everyone at school is convinced Adrian has a horse EXCEPT for Chloe.  She’s not buying Adrian’s story for one minute.  She know’s her friend Kelsey’s cousin has a horse and that horses are super expensive to take care of.  Besides, Adrian lives in small house, he gets free lunch at school and he has holes in his shoes so there’s NO WAY he could possibly have a horse, right?

After being sick and tired of hearing Adrian brag about his horse, Chloe can’t take it anymore.  One day at recess she yells out loud so everyone can hear, “He’s lying! Adrian Simcox does NOT have a horse!”

Shortly after, little readers meet the real star of this book, Chloe’s mother.  It’s through her subtle, yet powerful action of showing her daughter Chloe to stop being so judgmental that finally makes Chloe start to see Adrian in a different light.  Chloe’s mothers’ simple action at the end of the book tie in beautifully with a quote from Chloe’s teacher mentioned earlier in the book:

We must try to be understanding.  We have to be patient.

I love this book for so many reasons:

• The gorgeous illustrations by illustrator Corinna Luyken will take your breath away!  (Look closely so you won’t miss the sightings of Adrian’s horse!)
• The contrasts between Chloe and Adrian (Adrian’s messy desk, his run down neighborhood, holey shoes)
• It has some wonderful messages of kindness, empathy, feelings, and friendship woven into it
• It teaches children not to judge others based on things they have or don’t have
• Adrian’s vivid imagination and his creative ability to see things in a different way
• The way Chloe’s mom subtly shows her daughter about true kindness, respect and acceptance without saying a word.  It’s so beautiful to see how Chloe figured everything out on her own and realized her mistakes.

I think this is such a great book to read during the back to school season (or anytime of the year).  Messages of kindness ring out loud and clear.  Don’t miss this one!

About the Author

Marcy Campbell lives in Ohio with her family and menagerie of rescued pets. Her writing for adults has been published widely in journals and magazines, including Salon. She grew up on a farm filled with cows, chickens, cats, and dogs, but she never had a horse. Adrian Simcox Does NOT Have a Horse is her debut picture book. You can visit her at www.marcycampbell.com.

About the Illustrator
Corinna Luyken grew up in different cities along the West Coast, and after studying at Middlebury College, she settled in Washington State, where she draws inspiration from nature, her family, and the human form. Her debut picture book, The Book of Mistakes, received four starred reviews and has been praised by Entertainment Weekly, The Wall Street Journal, Nerdy Book Club, and more.

Disclaimer: I was provided a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher as part of the Llama Llama blog tour.  As always, all opinions expressed are my own.

Llama Llama Loves to Read by Anna Dewdney, illustrated by Reed Duncan

Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 40
Age Range: 3 – 5
Grade Level: Preschool – Kindergarten

Synopsis
Anna Dewdney’s Bestselling Llama Llama series continues with Llama learning to read!

Llama Llama learns at school. 
Counting, writing, reading, rules. 
Friends and school — there’s nothing better. 
Llama learning all the letters!

Anna Dewdney’s beloved Llama Llama is growing up and learning to read! Throughout the school day,the teacher helps Llama Llama and the other children practice their letters, shows word cards, reads stories, and brings them to the library where they can all choose a favorite book. By the end of the day, Llama Llama is recognizing words and can’t wait to show Mama Llama that he’s becoming a reader!

Reflection
It was a sad day for book lovers of all ages when the inspiring author of the beloved Llama Llama series, Anna Dewdney, passed away nearly two years ago from brain cancer. Anna was a champion of children’s literacy and learning who was probably best known for her Llama Llama series.  Llama Llama books are centered around a precocious young Llama navigating his way through childhood.  Undoubtedly, that series has touched many lives and helped put countless kids to sleep over the years. Thankfully Llama Llama’s story is not quite over yet.

Of course it goes without saying, I love the overall concept behind this book – literacy and reading.  Just like all of the of the other Llama Llama books we’ve read, Llama Llama Loves to Read has a relevant theme, lilting rhythms, and great illustrations.  This book is sure to inspire a love of reading in every preschool and kindergarten mind that is blessed to hear/read the rhythmic story about Llama’s reading adventure.

In true Anna Dewdney style, this book is written in fun, catchy rhymes.  It starts with a simple life problem and proceeds to solve it, with lessons learned along the way.  In this book, Llama Llama is faced with the problem of not being able to read some harder words.  He learns to do his best and take his time to sound words out.  In the end, he’s so proud of his newfound reading skills and can’t wait to tell his mother all about it.

My kids and I are so happy Anna Dewdney and Llama Llama will continue to live on through this book and the remaining ones yet to be released. Check out Llama Llama Loves to Read if you want to inspire little people to love reading and conversing about literature.

Your turn: What is your favorite Llama Llama book?  Have you read this book with your little readers yet?  Feel free to share in the comments.

Disclaimer: I was provided with an advanced review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Front Desk by Kelly Yang

Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 304
Age Range: 8-12
Grade Level: 3-7

Synopsis
Mia Tang has a lot of secrets.

Number 1: She lives in a motel, not a big house. Every day, while her immigrant parents clean the rooms, ten-year-old Mia manages the front desk of the Calivista Motel and tends to its guests.

Number 2: Her parents hide immigrants. And if the mean motel owner, Mr. Yao, finds out they’ve been letting them stay in the empty rooms for free, the Tangs will be doomed.

Number 3: She wants to be a writer. But how can she when her mom thinks she should stick to math because English is not her first language?

It will take all of Mia’s courage, kindness, and hard work to get through this year. Will she be able to hold on to her job, help the immigrants and guests, escape Mr. Yao, and go for her dreams?

Reflection
I will never know exactly feels like to be an immigrant who was not born in the United States. It’s simply not a part of my story. However, I do know what it’s like to be a Black person and at times feel discriminated against because of the color of my skin, the texture of my hair or my full lips. I guess that may feel what like to be an immigrant although they are not exactly the same thing.

I think Front Desk is an amazing middle-grade book that wholeheartedly deserves a five star rating, let me tell you why.

First of all, it’s loosely based on the author’s life, the daughter of first generation Chinese immigrants. The author lived this tale so the writing is gripping and very authentic based on some of her own life experiences.

Second, it outlines the struggles and hardships many immigrants have to face daily. The book is set in the 1990’s timeframe so I found myself relating to it on so many levels. Having an immigrant-born Jamaican mother, my sister and I were often teased and heard terms like “fresh off the boat” even though we were both born in the US. My heart ached for little Mia and her family at times. But then my heart sang to see how they overcame any roadblocks that were in their way.

Lastly, I loved all of the themes and lessons this book provides to readers: perseverance, racism, social justice, teamwork, hard work, gratitude, family, friendship and so much more. I honestly can’t say enough good things about this one!

I walked away from this book feeling so full and blessed which was unexpected. I felt like I took my kids on an amazing read-aloud journey to experience what it feels like to live in an immigrants’ shoes. If you woke up this morning, have food to eat, and clothes to wear give thanks and be grateful.

Kudos to author Kelly Yang for penning such wonderful and powerful debut novel! Front Desk publishes May 29, 2018. An absolute must-read for 2018!

Your turn: Do you plan to read this book when it comes out?  Feel free to share in the comments.