#NetGalley Book Review: A Tangle of Brungles by Shobha Viswanath

This has great images and a fun, if nonsensical story.
A Tangle of Brungles
by Shobha Viswanath and Culpeo Fox (Illustrator)

File Size: 22942 KB
Print Length: 34 pages
Publisher: Karadi Tales (August 28, 2018)
Publication Date: December 1, 2019
Language: English
ASIN: B0821CCYL1
Genre: Educational, Illustrated, Middle Grade, Picture Book
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

To conjure up the charming Mr. Brungles, a coven of witches stir up the Great Brungle Brew. For this they toss in a parliament of owls, a cloud of bats, and a quiver of cobras, among many others. Do they succeed? The book is a hilarious twist on collective nouns.

Review:
One of the coven of witches decides she is ready to marry and she has chosen the handsome Mr. Brungle as her mate. Now, with a multitude of collective nouns -- lounge of lizards, mischief of mice, a quiver of cobras are just a few. The Great Brungle Breww comes together but will Mr. Brungle appear and cooperate in the plan?

I totally loved the idea of the collective nouns. Who knew that multiple cats are a clowder? As fun as the plurals are, the placement is random and the story pretty nonsensical. I think the effort of the collective nouns gets a little lost in the presentation. I will say that the illustrations are stunning in color and rendering. I suggest checking the Look Inside feature to see if it gets your interest or would be suitable as a fun teaching tool.

Source: NetGalley 2019-20 (Selected in December but received 2020.) This qualifies for my 2020NetGalley and 2020Alphabet goals.

#NetGalley Book Review: Birds of a Feather by Vanita Oelschlager, Robin Hegan (Illustrator)

This is a fun, engaging learning tool.
Birds of a Feather
by Vanita Oelschlager, Robin Hegan (Illustrator).

Age Range: 5 - 8 years
Grade Level: Kindergarten - 3
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Vanita Books (April 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0980016282
Genre: Children, Illustrated, Kindergarten - 3
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Children are innately curious about words, especially phrases that make them laugh ("Ants in your pants!"), sound silly ("Barking up the wrong tree" or "Goosebumps") or trigger images that tickle a child's sense of the absurd ("Like a bull in a china shop"). Birds of a Feather introduces children to the magic of idioms words that separately have one meaning, but together take on something entirely different. Birds of a Feather introduces idioms with outlandish illustrations of what the words describe literally. The reader then has to guess the "real" meaning of the phrases (which is upside down in the corner of each spread). At the end of the book, the reader is invited to learn more about these figures of speech.

Review:
As adults we have heard idioms all our lives but you can well imagine that a child might wonder what is meant by “ants in his pants” or “bull in a china shop”. And what are “goosebumps” or a “wild goose chase”?

This book covers sixteen or so well-known idioms. The book states the idiom with a whimsical, interpretive and engaging illustration. The meaning of the idiom, and an example using it in a sentence, is shown upside down on the bottom of the page. Some images, like “barking up a tree” and “raining cats and dogs” are perfectly fitting. Other illustrations did not fit as well in my view, even though they were all fun.

I love words and the meaning of words, so I was naturally drawn to this. I have also read and enjoyed two other books by Vanita Oelschlager. I found the tone and intent of the work delightful and think it would be wonderful to use with children.

Source: 2019 NetGalley. This qualifies for my 2019NetGalley goal.

#NetGalley Book Review: The Fairy in the Kettle Gets Magical by Pauline Tait

This lively tale of magical fairy dust makes a good story for children.

The Fairy in the Kettle Gets Magical
by Pauline Tait

Series: The Fairy in the Kettle (Book 3)
Paperback: 30 pages
Publisher: Silverwood Books (May 7, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1781328110
Genre: Children, Illustrated
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

"They could remember its warm amber glow shimmering and sparkling as it danced through the air, twisting and turning as it went."
When Leona was woken early one morning, she knew something had to be wrong. But as she rushed to meet the elders, nothing could prepare her for what she was about to hear. Life in Fairy Glen was about to change...the words fairy dust were echoing in the air!

Review:
Leona and her friends are called early one morning to meet the fairy elders. The elders tell a story of the history of their Glen and then announce that they need the help of all the fairies on an important search. The elders had hidden something important but have forgotten the hiding place. The young people are happy to be helpful and have a good time working together on the mission.

Although this isn’t particularly exciting for adults, I think children will enjoy the imaginative but light story. I liked the Lenora's kettle and the easy flowing story. The illustrations are bright and lively and fit with the description of the glowing fairy dust. The joint mission gives a good message of working together to solve a problem. I recommend this as a nice story for daytime or sweet dream bedtime.

Source: NetGalley 2019. This qualifies for 2019NetGalley goal.

Book Review: Kalico Jack by Mike Nahorniak

This is a fun little read with a positive message.

Kalico Jack
by Mike Nahorniak

File Size: 3653 KB
Print Length: 34 pages
Publisher: First Edition Design Publishing (October 6, 2016)
ASIN: B01M8F0RSM
Genre: Children
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Kalico Jack is a little different from the other Jack Rabbits so much so that he is he is constantly ridiculed. As he gets old enough, Kalico Jack decides to embark on a journey to find where he fits in. This adventure takes him across the western part of the United States where he makes many friends and eventually figures out what his special purpose is.

Mike Nahorniak was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He is a self-taught artist who has enjoyed the adventure of living in various locations across the Western half of the United States. Some of his most famous paintings include, "Time," "Where the Antelope Play," and "Montana Moose."
He is retired from the Air Force where he served for 27 years. Mike is married with three children.

Review:

Kalico Jack is a jack rabbit with a difference – his fur is multicolored with orange and black stripes and splotches on white. Add to that two different eye colors and Kalico Jack was repeatedly made fun of by other rabbits. When he gets old enough, Kalico Jack decides to take travel west from his home in Chicago hoping to find a place where he fits in.

The story follows Kalico Jack as he passes through St. Louis and journeys west all the way to the coast Along the way he makes friends with bullfrogs, cows, wolves, various desert creatures, Big Foot and even a Martian (near Area 51 apparently). He checks out several national parks and, as he nears Devil’s Tower, he makes a surprising discovery. He decides he must return to the city to use his newly found skills to help others. That isn't easy and he faces a fearsome enemy. He knows he still has lots to learn, but now he feels he has a purpose.

The story is cute and imaginative, if a bit wacky. The images are beautiful and fun and I am sure that a print version would be a delight for children. There is obviously a message regarding being different and finding a way to accept one’s differences and make them an asset. I enjoyed the story and think it would be a fun read with a young person who likes adventure.

I received this title through NetGalley. This qualifies for 2017 TBR Challenge, NetGalley Challenge and “K” on Alphabet Challenge.