64. Hope is a Hop

Hope is a Hop. Katrina Moore. Illustrated by Melissa Iwai. 2023. [March] 40 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Hope is a light you turn on in the dark,
an up before sunrise--start of a spark.
Hope is a whisper you say to your heart.
It's a hoe and a hole and a heap in your cart.
Hope is a seed that is too small to spy,
deep in the dirt that's deserted and dry.

Premise/plot: Eva is a little gardener; she's giving it her all. But sometimes things don't go exactly according to plan. Sometimes disappointment leads to new joys, however. Such is the case in Hope is a Hop.

My thoughts: I found this rhyming picture book super sweet and adorable. I loved the unfolding story. The illustrations complement the text so well. Yes, Eva's rabbit started out a pest, but, it was hard to stay mad at the rabbit after the 'big reveal.' The ending of this one is so sweet and precious. I absolutely loved the artwork.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Make & Play Easter

Make and Play Easter. Joey Chou. Nosy Crow. 2018. 26 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Easter is such a wonderful time of year!

Premise/plot: Make and Play Easter is a novely book for preschoolers. It includes sixteen pages of press out pieces to assemble and play with. Included are four children, bunnies, ducks, chickens, and sheep. (Also two enormously out-of-proportion-with-the-rest-of-the-set butterflies.) In addition to the press-out play pieces, it suggest seven Easter-themed activities that parents and children can do together. The activities range from simple--singing "Hot Cross Buns"--to more complex activities like making cupcakes and cookies or decorating Easter eggs.

My thoughts: This is a secular Easter book. For better or worse. For those looking to keep Easter focused on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, it is a distraction at best. There are plenty of people who would enjoy the book, however. Easter is both a sacred holiday and a secular one. Much like Christmas.

I enjoyed the two Make and Play books on Christmas more than this one.

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Ten Little Easter Eggs

Ten Little Easter Eggs. By Lily Karr. 2009. February 2009. Scholastic. 8 pages.

Let's go on an Easter egg hunt!
1 little,
2 little,
3 little Easter eggs.

If you're looking for an Easter book that is heavy on glitter and light on about everything else, then Ten Little Easter Eggs might be the one for you. Not that I'm always anti-glitter. Well, now that I think about it, I can't think of a bookish situation that demands glitter. But I have seen worse. I can't think of which picture book it was exactly. But trust me, it was bad. But I digress.

This board book is all about the Easter egg hunt. And counting up eggs. How many eggs will they find?

It's a simple book. A colorful book. A sparkly book. A decidedly cutesy book.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

Clifford's First Easter

Clifford's First Easter. Norman Bridwell. 2010. February 2010. Scholastic. 14 pages.

Hi! I'm Emily Elizabeth and this is my puppy Clifford.
This is Clifford's first Easter and flowers are blooming everywhere.
Who is hiding in the garden?

Don't hate me, but, I don't like Clifford. I have never really liked Clifford. (I think it's the illustrations mainly that I have never cared for.) So maybe it won't be a big surprise that I wasn't really a fan of Clifford's First Easter. It is a book with flaps. Or perhaps I should say with flaps! (I thought there were a few too many flaps.)

If you have a little one that loves Clifford--either the books or the TV show--then pick this one up. It would be a fine choice for your little one! And I suppose there could be Easter books with more gimmick than this one. (At least this one doesn't have glitter!)

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

Here Comes Easter!

Here Comes Easter. Caroline Jayne Church. 2010. February 2010. Scholastic. 14 pages.

An Easter egg hunt is so much fun!
Five eggs to find,
can you spot one?

This is an interactive board book. Little ones are encouraged to help the little girl and her cat "spot" the Easter eggs hidden within. There are a few touch-and-feel elements to this one. I was surprised (happily, of course!) because the book doesn't say that it's a touch-and-feel book! (The Easter basket, in one of the spreads, for example. And the yellow towel in the bathroom).

I really enjoyed the illustrations. I thought they were very sweet! I love the little girl with red hair. And pig tails! So very sweet!

© Becky Laney of Young Readers