Oma Finds A Miracle

Author: Patrick "Packy" Mader
Illustrator: Andrew Holmquist



story - 5
illustration - 3
overall kid rating - 4
overall mom rating - 4
what does it teach - creative problem solving, importance of working together & paying attention
length - 32 pages
audience - 4 & up

The illustrations in the book weren't outstanding, but the story was good. It helped my children realize that it's good to pay attention to the things around us, it's good to work together as a family to help care for each other and for those that depend on us, in this case animals. It also teaches that sometimes you need to do a little creative thinking for problem solving. My children were concerned about the calf and kept asking what they would do and what would happen next. It's not a book that I would run out and buy, but we enjoyed it and we may check it out of the library again.

Chicks and Salsa

Author: Aaron Reynolds
Illustrator: Paulette Bogan

story - 3
illustration - 5
overall kid rating - 4
overall mom rating -4
what does it teach - it's okay to break away from the same-old-same-old and try something new
length - 32 pages
audience - 2 and up

My two older children really enjoyed this book because these animals are doing something that the children know animals shouldn't be doing. They laughed when they saw the illustrations and when they saw how the animals were getting certain items, like chips for the salsa. There isn't really a moral to the story. It's just a fun book which also can help children realize that it's okay to try some new foods. Something different than the same old thing they always eat. Also, on the hardcover edition (I don't know about the paperback) there are recipes in the back for Hog Wild Nachos, Quackamole and Rooster's Roasted Salsa. We're excited to try these recipes!