A New Spin on an old Cliche'

Millie Fleur's Poison Garden by Christy Mandin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden

By:  Christy Mandin

Orchard Books 2024

Jacket/ Marketing Synopsis:  

Everything in Garden Glen was exactly the same.  That is, until Millie Fleur La Fay came to town.   With a curious collection of peculiar plants, Millie Fleur creates her unusual garden.  

She thinks its marvelous.  The townspeople call it poison.  

Can Millie Fleur find kindred spirits who appraise everything h er garden has to offer?  

Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden reminds us all to celebrate what makes us wonderfully weird!  

Vid:

 About the Author

Christy Mandin is the author and illustrator of multiple picture books.   She’s grown many interesting plants in her garden over the years but, so far, none with teeth or tentacles.  She currently lives in Georgia with her husband and four children.  Visit Christy online at christymandin.com

Concepts/Lessons

Be yourself and find your tribe.  You are allowed to like what you like and there are others out there who will like it and like you for who you are.

Review:

The Art 

I’m always impressed by any one who can write a full story and draw the illustrations to it.  But like most A/I  books lot of the story is told through pictures.   Signs and body language do a lot of work in this story and it does slow down the reading when the little listener can’t read.  But the art is rich in detail and captivating so even the kiddos who can't read the words find a lot of fun in exploring Millie's garden.

  

My favorite spread is the one featuring the neighbors verses the Fleur’s family.  It shows that is supported by her mom and pet frog.  As a mom it's exhausting how much media is kid against their own parent(s).  So it's great to see something Mom supports her child against society for a change.  

What I Loved

 The solution to the problem.  I enjoy that Millie gets supports from her mother at the start.  But I love how instead of someone having to come to her rescue - like in other stories like this - Millie opened her garden to her class and her school and they showed themselves to be quality people.  They were scared and curious  but they weren’t mean and nasty.  

Millie even embraces the term “poison garden” because it’s good marketing and that thrills me.  

I love the names of the plants - again telling story heavy in illustration. I think the “Yaga Bush” is my favorite ^^

What I Liked:

The names of the plants. The support from her mother!  Though it could have been a bit stronger, I still like that her mother wasn’t apologizing for the town, or taking their side.  She encouraged her daughter to be herself and do what she does as long as it’s making her happy and I support that message.  

Dislikes: 

A bit on the nose - Tim Burton - cliche’.  But it wouldn’t be so for young readers are aren’t familiar with those properties.  Just as a parent reading it I’m like blah.  Been there done that.

However the solution was a unique one.  And I did enjoy that change of pace.  

Conclusion:  

   A bit cliche’ but human hammers trying to bang in new nails is a tale as old as civilization.  I love the solution of this story and I think it’s an important lesson for kiddos to take in - that they are allowed to like what they like

If you’re interested in this book please use my Amazon Associates Link to the give it try: 

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The Magic of Nostalgia

TinkerBell: The Magical Story by Parragon Books
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 TinkerBell

Story Adapted by Renee Tawa

2009  Disney Enterprises Inc

Jacket/ Marketing Synopsis: The story of Tinker Bell comes to life in this pixie-dusted set! Follow along with the story as you discover how Tinker Bell found her talent and how the fairies prepare to bring seasons to the mainland. Readers can relive the magic of the movie again and again with this 32-page storybook and CD package--a great value!

Concepts/Lessons:  Don’t let bullies tell you who you are.  Never let anyone tell you that you are not special in your own way.

Review:

The Art:  The art is pretty close the movies.  If because it does done by the Disney Storyboard Artists.  So a team of people worked on this.  

What I Loved

 Loved this story.  I love that there is more to Tinker Bell than being a pretty fairy - the wing-woman to Peter Pan.  I love that Tinker Bell’s talent is work with tools and I think this could be used to encourage little girls to take an interest in STEAM talents, or at least to accept that you can be pretty and still work with tools.

I also loved the take away.  TinkerBell is bulled by Vidia, a fast flying fairy who thinks she’s better than everyone else.  TinkerBell is two days old when Vidia makes her feel bad about herself and her Talent.  Tink goes off to try and learn a new nature talent so that she can befriend Vidia and go to the mainland. 

This is an an awesome message for little girls.  Some chicks just are not your friend, and listening to them will do nothing but get you into deeper and deeper trouble.  

Think eventually learns that her special talent really is just as cool as everyone else’s.  She realizes that in trying to be friends with the bully she was bulling her real friends.  She corrects her additude and rewarded with a chance to do her own special mission on the mainland after all.

What I Liked

These books adapted from movies are usually very hard to read.  They either change too much, or they don’t say enough.  Sometimes the wording is hard to get out or POV is weird.  

This one actually reads pretty smoothly.  It really doesn’t need all the bell whistles that have been added.  My daughter is genuinely charmed by the characters and the story - both in the movie and in the read along book.

Dislikes: 

They seriously over use some of the special affects.  Makes it hard to suggest this as a bedtime story.  More like a keep the kid awake because they’ve missed nap time and it’s almost bedtime kind of story.

Also, how come Iridessa’s page?  It was like the funniest part of the movie and the sun fairy doesn’t even get a page.  Bah.

Lessons to Take away

If you find yourself with a job adapting a movie into a picture book this a good one to study.   This PB kept the charm and plot of the movie, is easy for parents to read, and charming for little ears stay involved in the story to the end.

If you’re interested in this book please use my Amazon Associates Link to the give it try: 

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    I'm Porsche   

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Writing Complicated Concepts for Kids with

The Lion's Share: A Tale of Halving Cake and Eatting It, Too

Written and  Illustrated by Matthew McElligott

 

Published:  Bloombury

Year: 2012

Ages: 4-8

The Story Summery 

   When a very small ant is invited to the lion's dinner party, she knows to be on her best behavior.  It true is an honor to dine with the king of the jungle!  

    Unfortunately, other partygoers don't share her good manners, gobbling up all the dessert before the king has had a taste.  The ant's solution?  Bake a brand-new cake for the king.  But when the other boastful guests turn her kind gesture into a contest, the number of cakes multiplies at an alarming rate.  Exactly how many cakes are fit for a king?  

    The Illustration:

The illustration of the book tell the story almost without the words!  They work great with helping older kids catch a clue about the division and multiplication occurring before their eyes.  Besides that, the illustration are crisp, bold, and show off the different personalities of the animals perfectly. 

Matthew EcElligott is the double-talking author of many half-baked books for children, including Even Aliens Need Snacks, Even Monsters Need Haircuts, Absolutely Not, and two Backbeard the Pirate Adventures.  He sleeps on half a double bed and puts half-and-half in his double espresso.  He loves cake but doesn't like to share, even with an elephant.  To find out more about Mathew, visit his Website at  www.mattmcelligott.com.  

  

 What I Liked  
 I liked how  Matthew was able to introduce the vocabulary of fractions to my little one.  It have us the ability to talk about halves, wholes, and sharing outside of bedtime.  It also got us to try different flavors of cake =^^=.  Be warned, reading this story over and over (which your kid will want to do) will make you want cake!  

What I  Loved

As a parent who has had to read this book multiple times, I appreciate the way Matthew gives each animal different personality just with the use of speech.  Each animal talks a little differently.  This allows the parent to "preform" the book rather than just read it over and over.  

What I might have changed

The only thing about this story that I would change is the king's reaction to the rudeness of his guests.  Of course they punish themselves by trying to show off for the king.  But a little more reaction from him would give some weight to the ant's grad gesture of baking a cake for him, and to her being the only to successfully fulfill her promise to him.  Though ultimately the story isn't about the king and it works without this.  It's just odd that he doesn't react in any way to any of the drama happening at his party.  

Bedtime Breakdown

As mentioned my daughter super loves this story.  My husband attempts to explain the complicated maths to her, but she's only three so she just likes hearing him talk.  The story is fun to read and the illustration lend even more energy to the story.   

Recommendations

Highly recommended for kiddos of all Elementary ages! 

        If you like this book please show Matthew EcElligott  some love by checking this book out from your local library or purchase it your favorite bookstore.

      

If you enjoyed this review please subscribe to leave a comment here, or leave a comment on Twitter @PB&JellyPhish or Facebook at P. B. Yeary.  

    I'm Porsche  and 

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Reading List

Even Aliens Need Snacks

 Even Monsters Need Haircuts

Absolutely Not

Backbeard the Pirate Adventures

            

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The Magic of Great Illustration

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Mother of Sharks

By: Melissa Cristina Marquez

Illustrated by Devin Elle Kurtz

Penguin Workshop: 2023

As the sun sets over another gorgeous day at the la Playita del Condado in Puerto Rico, Meli doesn’t want to go home.  She loves the ocean more than anything and the with only five minutes left at the beach, she knows exactly where her last stop should be: the tidal pools, While looking into t he pools, she meets a crab, Jaiba, who takes her on a dreamlike underwater adventure, teaches her about the impotence of shark conservation, and reveals Meli’s ultimate Destiney: to become the MOTHER OF SHAKES.  Blending the autobiographical with the fantastical, Forbes 30 Under 30  Honoree and globally renowned shark scientist Melissa Cristina Marquez shares her incredible story not only to dispel myths about these misunderstood creatures but also to pave the way for Latinas in STEM.  Paired with Devin Elle Kurtz’s beautiful illustrations, this picture book is an irresistible journey through the wonders of the ocean and above all, a railing cry for marine conservation.  

Vid:

 

 About the Author

Melissa Cristina Marquez is a fiercely proud Hispanic marine biologist, wildlife educator, professional speaker, and presenter.  She has given two TEDx talks on sharks and female scientists, and her work has been highlighted in NPR, Allure, Disney+, BB, Nationa Geographic, Good Morning America, and more.  In 2021, Melissa was featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30: Science list and the InStyle Badass 50 Women list.  Melissa holds a BA in marine ecology and conservation from New College of Florida and a MS in marine biology from Victoria University.  Born in Puerto Rico and raised inMexico, Melissa aims to bring attention to the importance of diversity and inclusion with her writing.  

The Illustrator: 

Devin Elle Kurtz lives in San Diego, California, with her dog, Kira and her thirty-three houseplants.  She’s been painting in photoshop since the age of two when her artist mom first offered her a tablet pen.  This is her debut picot book as an illustrator!  Visit her online at devinellekurtz.com

The Art 

There is no information on the copyright page about how Kurtz created this breathtaking works of art but every page is pure magic. From the sparkle on the ocean to the colors of the young protagonist’s hair, every page is alive with rich vibrant colors.  Even the TED talk spread where little POV character watches her future self give a speech - the room is mostly dark but what life there is shines from the speaker and highlights the onlooking character with warm, caring red tones.  My favorite spread is where the two characters meet face to face.  Each looking in the eyes of the future.  Such a sweet moment highlighted in passionate purples and red colors.  I also love the very last page which sticks with me, as the little girl looks a lot my own own daughter.  And you can clearly see the sea swimming in her eyes.  Gorgeous.  

What I Loved

-The art is hands down my favorite part about this book.  It’s enchanting, enriching, and breathtaking.  It really sets the tone for the theme of hope and inspiration.

About the story I loved the beginning when I believed I was on my way to a fanatical fantasy adventure.   

The message of inspiring Latina children as well as girls of any race especially girls of color to go into the sciences.  Just because there are no faces like yours in the room just yet doesn’t main that you can’t be the first.  Its beautiful to imagine yourself in the role you’d like to someone occupy, and powerful to see that little girl does eventually achieve her dreams.  Being able to see yourself in a role is the first step to making it a reality and books help with that mission.

What I Liked

I liked the message of conversation.  I am a big STEAM fan and shark conservation is important, as protecting apex predators means protecting their prey and habitats such as the corals and the ice bergs.

What I Disliked

I’m not a fan of how the story changes on me.  I enjoyed the idea of it being a fantasy with these gorgeous illustrations I was all set up to be swept away into a dreamy world.

Instead I was brought down into the harsh reality of dying corals and sharks drowning in fishermen’s nets.  And it wasn’t just me.  I saw my daughter’s interest in the story drop instantly when we saw it wasn’t the fairy tail the first pages led us towards.

Lessons to Take away

Conservations books are good and important, but to be successful and likable from beginning to end don’t just right to the dark side.  I think are a number of ways this book could have transitioned into the dark tales of conversation and kept the uplifting inspiration of the story.  

Perhaps it could have leaned into a fanatical story were the coral was dying and no magic could fix it. But a hero comes and changes start to happen, and that hero is …you or something.  

Conclusion:  

This story was lovely, but the change of direction left me somewhat cold.  

I loved the message and the themes, but execution through me out.

I’m sure this is a charming and pernicious book to the author, and probably to a lot of little girls who hope to be scientists someday.  

But little girl, who is only four, but is also showing interest in marine biology wasn’t totally interested because the book seemed to personal to someone else.  (My words not hers)

Here words are “But sharks are bad guys though.”  Which we had a conversation about, but the book did not dispel.  

Perhaps then the book was doing too much?  Inspiring STEM in young girls, makes sharks something to be protected not fears, and take us on whimsical, undersea adventure?

Maybe when she’s older I’ll try this one again.  She loves mermaids and I’d love for her to get into real marine wildlife.  Ion the meantime this one wasn’t one of my favorite stories, but I did love the illustrations.  

 

If you’re interested in this book please use my Amazon Associates Link to the give it try Mother of Sharks.  

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