Woods in the Books Blog

Book Review: Where Happiness Begins

Book Review: Where Happiness Begins

Sundays are for Reading - Where Happiness Begins by Eva Eland Sometimes happiness may be hard to find and it might seem far away, but everyone needs happiness in their lives. In the companion to When Sadness comes to Call, Eva Eland pulls off a deceptively simple exploration of the human desire for happiness with a deft, thoughtful hand that remains age-appropriate for young readers. With its detailed illustrations, Where Happiness Begins personifies happiness as a neon-orange figure, plump and fun-loving. The illustrations that depict the search for this elusive figure is where the book shines, accompanied by simple but evocative...

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Book Review: Starbird by Sharon King-Chai

Book Review: Starbird by Sharon King-Chai

Sundays are for Reading - Starbird by Sharon King-Chai King, princesses, and a magical bird seeking out the way home… This lyrical fable, written and illustrated by Sharon King-Chai, the illustrator of Julia Donaldson’s Animalphabet, is a keeper for the home library shelf. In the story of Starbird, the Moon King captures the magnificent Starbird as a gift for his young daughter. Starbird’s song brings the little the most magnificent dreams every night. But when the princess sets Starbird free, the Moon King sets off in hot pursuit, where Starbird with the help of his animal friends hides in the night...

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Book Review: Grandpa Christmas

Book Review: Grandpa Christmas

Sundays are for Reading - Grandpa Christmas by Michael Morpurgo and Jim Field A heartfelt plea to look after our planet, Grandpa Christmas is a lovingly illustrated story with an enduring message rooted in family ties and a love for nature. Written by Michael Morpurgo and illustrated by Jim Field, this hardcover picture book is a timely home library addition for the season. Every year, Mia reads a letter with her children at Christmas. Written from Mia’s grandfather when she was a young girl, the letter expresses his wishes and hopes for our beautiful but fragile earth. Grandpa’s descriptions of his...

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Book Review: The Steadfast Tin Soldier

Book Review: The Steadfast Tin Soldier

Sundays Are For Reading - The Steadfast Tin Soldier by Hans Christian Andersen and Joohee Yoon A fresh visual spin on a classic story, Joohee Yoon’s picture book adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s tale transforms The Steadfast Tin Soldier into an illustrated piece of art rife with complexity and emotional nuance. While the toys and animals who appear in the story live in a world created by humans, the story takes place out of sight of humans. Joohee Yoon’s illustrations reflect this, taking great care over the many and varied toys that populate the playroom home of the tin soldier, his...

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