After reading Willow’s Bend, you too will be surprised to learn that this is Kat Michaels debut book. Children will undoubtedly sit in astonished silence, mesmerized by the brightly colored, intricately detailed glossy pages. This hardcover children’s book is easy to read and a delightful adventure for family members of all ages.
Because of the catchy, rhythmic tones used throughout this book, I found myself almost singing the words. Which, of course, brings smiles, of all shapes and sizes to the faces of children the world over. Willow抯 Bend is the story of a grumpy little frog, with four little toes that lives on a lily pad near where the willow tree grows. He is introduced to a beautiful butterfly, a playful elf, and a rambling rabbit. All interesting characters but all very different from the frog.
Believing he could only befriend those who were like him, he refuses to play with any of them. Until he meets another frog. A happy, singing frog that is on his way to the Willow Tree to meet all of his friends. Our grumpy little frog learns a valuable lesson – our unique qualities aren抰 meant to separate us, but to bring us together.
A life lesson of immense importance that is taught with love, tenderness and humor. Willow抯 Bend is a definite must have for all parents, grandparents and caregivers. Kat Michaels is a talented writer, loving mother and wife that has created a work filled with the same magic that fills her heart.
Happy Reading!
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Lars, the Little Polar Bear, who is the hero of seven other favorite LITTLE POLAR BEAR stories, appears in a story where the weather in his North Pole home is making trouble for some newfound friends. Following a very long and dark winter, Lars is happy to see some melting snow and warm weather. His parents are not. He can’t understand it as he enjoys a warm bath in melting snow, smelling flowers, and discovers a half submerged sunken sailing ship. It is there he makes a new friend in a cormorant bird named Conrad, but who goes by Conny.
Conny and Lars have some fun with playful beluga whales and even a large gray whale until a scary whaling ship comes along. Lars is clever enough to show his new playmates a place to hide in a small bay where the ship won’t go only to have it blocked by breaking ice from a glacier. Will the whales be trapped? Will Lars be able to save them? As always, a happy ending concludes the Little Polar Bear tale but gives young people reason for many questions that will hopefully lead to discussions about why the North Pole was so warm and why it isn’t good for the creatures that live there including the adorable Lars, the Little Polar Bear.
Hans de Beers creates a beautiful, amusing, and educational tale for youngsters along with his talented watercolor pictures and his heroic character, the Little Polar Bear. The delightful story of friendships will please followers of this series while it will also remind them how fragile nature is and what part we all must play in it to make things better.
Submitted Originally to Curled Up with a Good Kid’s Book by Karen Haney
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Author Char Matejovsky has partnered up with illustrator Robaire Ream to create an exceptional children’s book that teaches through rhyme and incredibly detailed images. Their focus is to educate young people about the time line of the Earth’s life. I feel the book would be most appropriate for children aged between 5 and 9.
Stones & Bones would appeal to children, classes and families interested in scientific study of history, anthropology, dinosaurs and early man. Stimulating, full-color images challenge the mind and educate at the same time as supplying a sense of comfort through the cozy, family-like scenes. They are so detailed that the more one looks at the illustrations, the more one sees.
The 32-page hard cover book does not have a slipcover, but seems to be of high quality. The pages feel thick and sturdy. It is accompanied by a CD that contains the “stones & Bones Song: The Song of the Meadowlark” performed by the Santa Rosa Children’s Chorus. The pianist was Mark Osten, the lyrics and music were created by Char Matejovsky and it was directed by Carol Menke. With this long list of contributors I came to realize how this book became such a wonderful creation. I certainly appreciated the phonetics glossary at the end of the book. Parents, grandparents and teachers are encouraged to visit the stonesandbonesbook.com website, which they will find is a valuable resource.
I encourage parents to pick up this book for their young ones – it’s never too early to learn. Without hesitation, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
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