Review: Tomorrow Is Waiting by Kiley Frank

Tomorrow Is Waiting
by Kiley Frank
illustrated by Aaron Meshon

Available as: hardcover, Kindle edition, ebook
Pages: 32
Publisher: Dial Books
Publication date: January 8, 2019
Suggested tags: picture book, nature, bedtime, love


From Goodreads:

"A touching, timeless book about a parent's everlasting love for their child--and all of the potential their child has within.

Tonight as you sleep
A new day stirs
Each kiss goodnight
Is a wish for tomorrow...

As a child dreams, their parent imagines everything they will someday be: independent and imaginative, kind and courageous, a listener and a leader. And each hopeful, heartfelt wish is paired with a a promise of love.

Tender and moving, Tomorrow Is Waiting is a modern celebration of the dreams we have for our children for finding their place in the world, and for how they will make it a better world. A perfect gift for baby showers, birthdays, and graduation, it's a book that will be treasured, passed down, read and loved--again, and again, and again."

I loved the colorful illustrations in this one. They depict children having outdoor adventures - hiking, playing, exploring - as well as lots of animals and environments such as forests, the arctic, under the sea, etc. The story itself includes empowering, encouraging words of overcoming obstacles. I personally like my bedtime stories a little fluffier, full of happy things, so this is a little heavy for my tastes for right before bed... But I do think it's a good read for a daytime snuggle or a storytime setting, since it encourages children and reminds them of their strength, even when faced with troubles that seem too big.


Final verdict: I liked it! I thought this book was good! I enjoyed reading it and I would probably recommend it to others.

{ My reviews are honest and my opinions are my own; 

your reading experience may vary, so give it a read and see what you think. :) }

Review: I'll Love You Till the Cows Come Home by Kathryn Cristaldi

I'll Love You Till the Cows Come Home
by Kathryn Cristaldi
illustrated by Kristyna Litten

Available as: hardcover
Pages: 32
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication date: December 18, 2018
Suggested tags: picture book, bedtime, love



From Goodreads:

"I will love you till the cows come home from a trip to Mars through skies unknown, in a rocket ship made of glass and stone… I will love you till the cows come home.

Love knows no bounds in this tender tribute to the depths of family love. For fans of Guess How Much I Love You—only funnier!

This book extends the saying, “I’ll love you till the cows come home” to the humorous extreme. Along the way there are yaks in cadillacs, sheep setting sail, frogs on big-wheeled bikes, and more, in this great read-aloud.

I’ll Love You Till the Cows Come Home is filled with warm, funny art and rhythmic, romping text, perfect for curling up with your little one at the end of the day...or anytime you want to express your love."

I don't think I can put this one into my own words any better than they did in the synopsis: it's Guess How Much I Love You but with funnies. There are lots of silly combinations of animals and activities, worded in lyrical rhymes and paired with beautiful soft illustrations. After their adventures, the animals settle down to the sleep at the end, making this not just a fun anytime read, but a good bedtime read as well. Amidst all the giggles, it will surely remind children of just how very much they are loved.


Final verdict: I liked it! I thought this book was good! I enjoyed reading it and I would probably recommend it to others.

{ My reviews are honest and my opinions are my own; 

your reading experience may vary, so give it a read and see what you think. :) }

Pea-Sized Reviews: Spencer and Vincent, the Jellyfish Brothers -&- How Do I Love Thee?

Long time no see, fellow readers! I've had some exciting things going on and have unfortunately let my blog gather some dust... but I'm dedicating myself to posting regularly again! Starting with some new picture books I had the joy of reading recently...


Spencer and Vincent, the Jellyfish Brothers
by Tony Johnston; illustrated by Emily Dove

Available as: hardcover, Kindle edition, ebook
Pages: 40
Publisher: Simon Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
Publication date: February 5, 2019
Suggested tags: picture book, sea creatures, siblings

From Goodreads:

"When two jellyfish brothers are separated at sea it takes all of the ocean’s creatures to help them reunite in this heartwarming tale of brotherly love.

Spencer and Vincent are jellyfish brothers who live together in the sea, their wet and shining home. They invented a little song which went like this:

My brother, my brother,
he’s sweet, not smelly.
I love him from down in my jelly belly.

One day a wave of superior magnitude separates them! The brothers know they have to do whatever it takes to find each other again. And they’ll need some help along the way…

Sometimes friends can really make a the difference. Spencer and Vincent is a story of adventures and the bond of family."

Really adorable tale of two jellyfish brothers who feel their love for each other down in their little jelly bellies and use the strength of their sibling connection (and the help of some ocean friends) to reunite after they are separated by "a wave of superior magnitude." Lots of great vocab in here that is repeated, and the illustrations are just too cute. I want to go swimming with these little floating blobs of love. And I can't say that any other book has ever made me want to go swimming with a jellyfish...

Final verdict: I loved it! I thought this book was great! I might buy it for myself and I would definitely recommend it to others.



How Do I Love Thee?
by Jennifer Adams; illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal

Available as: hardcover
Pages: 32
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication date: December 18, 2018
Suggested tags: picture book, poetry, retellings, love



From Goodreads:

"A gorgeous reinvention of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's famous "Sonnet 43" from the bestselling author of the BabyLit board books and the acclaimed illustrator of Over and Under the Snow.

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

Whether in soft sunlight or rain-drizzled night or winter's frost-etched breath, three children share the love and joy of friendship while exploring the wonders of nature.

Bestselling author Jennifer Adams has reimagined Elizabeth Barrett Browning's beloved "Sonnet 43," best known by its opening lines, creating a lyrical, evocative ode to the love of family and friends. Christopher Silas Neal brings the poetry to life with his beautiful, imaginative, and whimsical illustrations."

A sweet and beautifully illustrated modern retelling of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's classic poem. The simple, lyrical words show the beauty in everyday moments, and the whimsical illustrations depict kids playing in nature through the seasons and finally being welcomed home lovingly by their parents. The original poem is included at the back of the book too, to introduce to young readers who are ready for their next literary adventure. I think this is a lovely way to share a classic work of poetry with young readers, making it understandable and relatable for even the youngest listeners through the beauty of both the words and pictures.

Final verdict: I loved it! I thought this book was great! I might buy it for myself and I would definitely recommend it to others.

{ My reviews are honest and my opinions are my own; 

your reading experience may vary, so give it a read and see what you think. :) }