Book Review: Horrible Bear

HORRIBLE BEAR by Ame Dyckman tells the humorous, but powerful story of accidents, mistakes, and apologies.

Written for young children, this adorable picture book focuses on a young girl who becomes upset when a bear accidentally breaks her kite. She ultimately realizes the impact of her anger and the need for empathy and compassion.

Illustrator Zachariah OHora’s use of large, solid blocks of color while still paying attention to facial details make this picture book particularly compelling.

Librarians will find the social/emotional themes to be spot-on for early primary grade learners. Teachers will find many opportunities for classroom connections.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.amedyckman.com/
To learn more about the illustrator, go to http://www.zohora.com/.

Published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Hachette on April 5, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Behind the Canvas

BEHIND THE CANVAS by Alexander Vance is an engaging mystery that weaves together art history with a fantasy adventure.

As an art lover, Claudia enjoys examining the paintings at the local art museum. However she’s confused and amazed when a boy seems to disappear and reappear in an oil painting. Trapped for hundreds of years in the alternative world inside paintings, Pim hopes Claudia can help him escape the spell of an evil witch.

Filled with references to famous artists and works of art, this fantasy mystery will be popular among youth who enjoy art history. Humorous footnotes from a fictional art book will be useful for youth lacking knowledge of European art. Librarians will want to feature this novel along with other art-focused middle grade titles. Build a display that incorporates works of art and artists described in the book along with art history books.

Even youth without an art background will enjoy the fantasy elements along with the themes of friendship, trust, and loyalty.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.alexandervance.com/.

Published by Feiwel & Friends, a imprint of Macmillan on February 23, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Behind the Canvas

BEHIND THE CANVAS by Alexander Vance is an engaging mystery that weaves together art history with a fantasy adventure.

As an art lover, Claudia enjoys examining the paintings at the local art museum. However she’s confused and amazed when a boy seems to disappear and reappear in an oil painting. Trapped for hundreds of years in the alternative world inside paintings, Pim hopes Claudia can help him escape the spell of an evil witch.

Filled with references to famous artists and works of art, this fantasy mystery will be popular among youth who enjoy art history. Humorous footnotes from a fictional art book will be useful for youth lacking knowledge of European art. Librarians will want to feature this novel along with other art-focused middle grade titles. Build a display that incorporates works of art and artists described in the book along with art history books.

Even youth without an art background will enjoy the fantasy elements along with the themes of friendship, trust, and loyalty.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.alexandervance.com/.

Published by Feiwel & Friends, a imprint of Macmillan on February 23, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.