30 Vegbooks reviews published in 2016.
When my older daughter was three, we tried watching “Finding Nemo,” a movie beloved by many but way too scary for my daughter. My youngest is now three, and a parent of a friend of his suggested we watch “Finding…
Tags: Animated MoviesEarly ElementaryEllen DeGeneresFishJennifer KaliMarine Animals
My three-year-old son has recently become interested in Dr. Seuss’s Yertle the Turtle, which seems appropriate in this political climate. My seven-year-old has even started asking to read it. It’s Dr. Seuss, but it…
Tags: 1950s Children LiteratureDr. SeussEarly ElementaryJennifer KaliPowerPreschoolersTurtles
Putting an active spin on the Monster-In-The-Closet story, The Creepy Case Files of Margo Maloo, written and illustrated by Drew Weing, humanizes monsters and presents kids with challenging and irresistible…
Tags: Acceptance of OthersCourageDrew WeingGraphic NovelsIllustrationKristin WaldMonstersOlder Elementary
I took my kids (ages 3 and 7) to see the movie “Trolls.” I had heard that it was about happiness but didn’t know much beyond that, so I was pleasantly surprised at the animal friendly message. In the middle of it, my…
Tags: Animated MoviesEarly ElementaryFamily FilmsFamily MoviesHappinessJennifer KaliMeat-eatingMusic
My mom’s favorite movie is “The Wizard of Oz,” so I’ve seen it dozens of times, but I’ve never read the book. I was happy to come across a copy of it in the Little Free Library on my street. My seven-year-old…
Tags: Classic BooksCompassionFantasyFemale ProtagonistJennifer KaliKindnessL. Frank BaumW. W. Denslow
When I read the title Santa’s First Vegan Christmas, I thought that this was going to be a kids’ book about leaving Santa plant milk and vegan cookies under the tree. Boy was I wrong! This cute, rhyming kid’s story…
Tags: Animal Laboranimal rightsAnimals in CaptivityChristmasDiane VukovicEarly ElementaryHolidayHoliday BooksKara Maria SchunkPreschoolersRhyming BooksRobin Raven
We were excited to see this movie as a family. We’re dog people and happen to have a pug a lot like the character Mel (voiced by Bobby Moynihan) in the movie. We saw it on vacation at an awesome drive-in theater in…
Tags: Animated MoviesBobby MoynihanCatsDogsEllie KemperEric StonestreetFamily MoviesHomeless AnimalsJennifer KaliLouis C.K.Michael BeattieNew York City
As big fans of the Zita the Spacegirlseries, as well as Little Robot, our entire family was excited to receive Ben Hatke’s new graphic novel, Mighty Jack. I’d read that it was loosely based on Jack & The Beanstalk,…
Tags: AdventureAutismBen HatkeDragonsGraphic NovelsIllustrationKristin WaldOlder Elementary
Inspired by the movie that was recently released, my seven-year-old daughter and I read The BFG together. It’s a fun read and many times my daughter laughed out loud. From Roald Dahl, the author of Charlie and the…
Tags: Animals in CaptivityDepictions of Meat in BooksFemale ProtagonistJennifer KaliRead AloudRoald DahlVegan Protagonist
We took our seven-year-old to watch this delightful movie about a big friendly vegetarian giant and the entire family enjoyed it. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the live action and CGI cast bring this lovely story to…
Tags: Family MovieJennifer KaliMovies for Vegetarian KidsPortrayal of Vegetarians in FilmRoald DahlSteven Spielberg
I share my birthday (March 2) with Dr. Seuss AKA Theodor Seuss Geisel, which is pretty cool. BUT I’m envious of children’s author Nancy Furstinger who shares hers with the legendary Henry Bergh, founder of the ASPCA…
Tags: Animal WelfareAnimal Welfare Books for KidsBiographyCarolyn M. MullinHenry BerghHeroesHistoryNancy FurstingerNew York CityOlder ElementaryVincent Desjardins
Our family loves outdoor movie night screenings, and thankfully these are pretty common in our area. This weekend we went to a screening of “Open Season,” which I was excited about because I’ve been wanting to watch…
Tags: Animated MoviesAnti-HuntingAshton KutcherFamily FilmsFamily MoviesHuntingMartin Lawrence
My son, now 2.5, received this book version of Ringo Starr’s famous song for his first birthday and it has been his favorite book since. Many night this is the only book we ready before bed (again, and again…).…
Tags: Animals in CaptivityBen CortEarly ElementaryFishGood for ToddlersJennifer KaliMarine AnimalsMusicPicture BooksPreschoolersRingo StarrSea Life
I love this book! I picked it up because of the amazing animotionillustrations on almost every page that make it seem like the book is in motion, with bees flying, dogs running, a boy waving goodbye, a flower…
Tags: AnimationBeesEarly ElementaryEcosystemsElle J. McGuinnessEnvironmentGood for ToddlersIllustrationJennifer KaliPollinationPreschoolers
Raise your hand if you love New Orleans? I know I do… and so does most of America. It’s given us Mardi Gras, The Saints, Creole food, iconic vampires, and one heck of a vacation spot. It’s a place where magic, myth,…
Tags: Carolyn M. MullinEarly ElementaryEmile HenriquezHealthy ChoicesHealthy EatingHealthy LivingLashon DaleyNew OrleansVegan AuthorVegetables
Fans of Tarra and Bella will love this book. My six-year-old daughter and I loved reading it together. It tells the true story of an unlikely friendship between a baby hippo named Owen and a 130 year old giant…
Tags: Craig HatkoffInterspecies FriendshipIsabella HatkoffJennifer KaliNonfictionPaula Kahumbu
We watched “Free Willy” for our family movie night with our six-year-old daughter. I hadn’t seen this movie since it came out years ago. I was amazed at how strong the anti-captivity message is in this lovely family…
Tags: Amazon PrimeAnimals in CaptivityCaptive WildlifeEarly ElementaryFamily MoviesJennifer KaliOrcasStreaming MoviesWhalesWild Animals in Captivity
We received Achoo! Why Pollen Counts as a free review copy at our house, and my kids, age 5 and 7, could not wait to read it. I didn’t pre-read it, we simply sat down and dived right in. Though I’ve reviewed books…
Tags: AdaptationsAllergiesBearsBeesEarly ElementaryHoma WoodrumHuman BodyImmune SystemPlantsPollinationShennen BersaniSpiders
My six-year-old daughter loves this book. It is a collection of short poems designed to be read by two people, each taking a turn to read one or two lines, indicated by different colored text. It is simple enough for…
Tags: Animals as FoodBooks for Vegetarian KidsBooks that Teach EmpathyDepictions of AnimalsEarly ElementaryEarly ReadersEmpathyJennifer KaliKindnessMary Ann HobermanMichael Emberley
“Zootopia” loosely means “animal place” and in Disney’s new movie it refers to a sprawling metropolis with multiple climates/areas where mammals (both predators and prey) co-exist. Judy, as a young bunny in a farm…
Tags: DisneyEarly ElementaryFamily FilmsFemale ProtagonistHoma WoodrumInterspecies FriendshipOlder ElementaryPredatorsShakiraWild Animals
In the heart of California, in the midst of rolling hills, there is a very special place known as PAWS to us humans, and considered heaven-on-earth by dozens of elephants, tigers, and other big cats. Started by Pat…
Tags: Bob BarkerBrian DeinesCaptive WildlifeCarolyn M. MullinEarly ElementaryEd StewartElephant SanctuaryElephantsIssues Facing WildlifePat DerbyRob LaidlawWildlife Books for KidsZoos
Families and classrooms familiar with the traditional counting song “Over in the Meadow” will love trying out this creative version that can be read or sung. Author and educator Marianne Berkes has several versions…
Tags: ActivitiesAnimalsBaby AnimalsEarly ElementaryIllustrationJill DubinKristin WaldMarianne BerkesPreschoolersWild AnimalsZoos
My six-year-old daughter, a lover of horses, asked anybody and everybody for “only horse things” as Christmas gifts this year. She got shirts, books, earrings, temporary tattoos, and this really interesting board…
Here Comes Valentine Catis a grumpy cat book in the same vein as the Bad Kitty series, which is a series my six-year-old loves, though this book seems aimed at a bit younger demographic. Cat doesn’t like Valentine’s…
Tags: CatsClaudia RuedaDeborah UnderwoodDogsHoliday BooksHolidaysHumorJennifer KaliPreschoolersToleranceValentine's Day