116 Vegbooks reviews by Kristin Wald.
This straightforward telling of Wangari Maathai: The Woman Who Planted Millions of Trees by Franck Prévot, is accompanied by colorful and beautiful illustrations by Aurélia Fronty that help set the tone of hope and…
Tags: ActivismAurélia FrontyBiographyEnvironmentFemale ProtagonistFranck PrévotHuman RightsKristin WaldNobel Peace PrizeSocial Justice
A gorgeous and detailed new book from Dawn Publications makes sure that we know it’s not only “still waters” that run deep — prairies have a lot going on beneath the surface as well! The Prairie That Nature Built…
Tags: AnimalsBirdsCathy MorrisonEarly ElementaryEcosystemsKristin WaldMarybeth LorbieckiNatureNature Booksnature books for kidsPrairie DogsPrairiesPreschoolers
What more can be said about Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone? The obsessively beloved first book of the seven book series has been dissected and read and re-read since it first burst onto the Young Adult…
Tags: Animals in CaptivityBullyingCaptive WildlifeDepictions of Meat in BooksEmpathyFantasyJ.K. RowlingKristin WaldMagicOlder ElementarySeriesWizards
Proving that bears are much more than inspiration for cuddly stuffed animals to fall asleep with, Wild About Bears,a beautiful nonfiction children’s book by Jeannie Brett, sets out to educate readers about the eight…
Tags: BearsBrown BearsEarly ElementaryIllustrationJeannie BrettKristin WaldNonfictionPolar Bears
For any child who has compared herself to an older sibling or cousin and felt letdown, there is Prickly Rose. As a follow-up to Sitka Rose, a tall-tale about an adventurous young woman in rhyming verse, Prickly…
Tags: Early ElementaryJudy LoveKristin WaldPicture BookPreschoolersShelley GillTall Tales
Catching the Wild Waiyuuzee is filled with energy and joy and wonderful imagination. Author Rita Williams-Garcia, widely known for her Young Adult novels, creates a story that is great fun to read, and children will…
Tags: AdventureEarly ElementaryFemale ProtagonistHairIllustrationKristin WaldMike ReedPreschoolersRita Williams-Garcia
Using rhythmic and staccato lines, Susan VanHecke’s Under the Freedom Tree tells a true story from the Civil War that may be new to many children and their parents. Three southern slaves, Frank, James, and Shepard,…
Tags: Black History MonthCivil WarEarly ElementaryHistoryKristin WaldLondon LaddPicture BooksSlaverySusan VanHecke
What the world needs now is hugs — taken from one person only to pass it on or return it in an improved state. The wonderful picture book The Runaway Hug, written by Nick Bland and illustrated with luscious drawings…
Tags: Early ElementaryFamiliesFreya BlackwoodGood for ToddlersKristin WaldLoveNick BlandPreschoolers
Food, fun, games, and culture fill the three episodes on Mama Doni’s latest DVD, “Jewish Holiday Party.” While it will seem overly simple to families who have always been steeped in traditional holiday celebrations,…
Tags: Early ElementaryHanukkahHoliday MoviesHolidaysJewish CultureJudaismMama DoniMusicOlder ElementaryPassoverPreschoolersShabbat
Many children go through an adoration and admiration of horses when they are young. With paint-by-number kits and young adult novels and films based on kids and horses, there’s no shortage of material to keep the…
Tags: Allison MilionisAnimal RescueAnimal SanctuariesHorsesKaren Tweedy-HolmesKristin WaldOlder ElementaryPhotographySanctuaries
With summer quickly becoming a memory, families may want to find ways to hang on to the beachy fun of hazy days before they fade completely. Recess Monkey’s latest offering, “Desert Island Disc,” will keep kids and…
Tags: BeachEarly ElementaryGood for ToddlersKristin WaldMusicOlder ElementaryPreschoolersRecess Monkey
The repetition throughout Someone’s Sleepyhas an almost hypnotic effect on children ready for bed. This calming, rhythmic book comes with a bedtime ritual embedded in the story; reading the story and drawing…
Tags: BedtimeDan AndreasenDeborah Lee RoseGood for ToddlersKristin WaldPicture BooksPreschoolers
There are so many interesting kids books in the world that our contributors don’t often double up on a title — but in this case, two received review copies of Jimmy the Joey.First, read Kristin’s review, which…
Tags: Animal RescueCarolyn M. MullinConservationDeborah Lee RoseEarly ElementaryKoalasKristin WaldNonfictionPhotographyPreschoolersSusan KellyWildlifeWildlife Rehabilitation
The idea of a teenager writing about her summer away from home is nothing new. But this story of a girl getting her first summer job on a lush island far from home has a few twists and turns that will surprise even…
Tags: Caelyn AB WilliamsFossilsKati GreenKristin WaldMysteryNatureOlder Elementary
Pigmares: Porcine Poems of the Silver Screen, written and illustrated by Doug Cushman, is the perfect blend of silly and classic horror. With characters like Pigzilla, Pig Kong, and even Dr. Hogwell and Mr. Pigg,…
Tags: Doug CushmanEarly ElementaryHalloweenKristin WaldOlder ElementaryPigsRhymeRhyming BooksSilly Books
We had so much fun reading through a review copy of Presidential Pets by Julie Moberg. Initially, because of the caricaturish drawing style, I didn’t think my kids would like it; they are much more into more…
Tags: Abraham LincolnCompanion AnimalsDogsIllustrationJeff Albrecht StudiosJulie MobergKristin WaldOlder ElementaryPresidentPresident TaylorWashington D.C.White House
Sometimes, with all the news articles and blog posts and television shows dealing with problems our kids have, we forget how to look at the issues from a child’s perspective. We forget that these “adult” problems are…
Tags: BullyingEarly ReadersHealthy ChoicesHealthy LivingKristin WaldPreschoolersStuart J. Murphy
Everyone loves baby animals. Even the most jaded adult will admit to succumbing to warm fuzzies when faced with kittens and puppies. Suzi Eszterhas, an award-winning wildlife photographer, has a new series from…
Tags: Animal FamiliesBaby AnimalsBig CatsCheetahsEarly ElementaryGood for ToddlersGorillasGreat ApesKristin WaldMother's DayMothersNatural HistoryNonfictionOlder ElementaryPhotographyPreschoolersPrimatesSuzi Eszterhas
Some stories can be told and retold ad infinitum, and they will continue to entertain and delight – or terrify. The Giant Book of Giants has managed to stuff six such stories centered on giants into one book that…
Tags: Depictions of Meat in BooksEarly ElementaryFolk TalesGiantsKristin WaldMark RobertsonOlder ElementarySaviour Pirotta
Considering the many directions children are pushed towards and pulled from, it’s important to remember what a bad day feels like to a child. Cassandra’s Angel, written by Gina Otto, serves as a reminder to adults of…
Tags: AngelsConfidenceEarly ElementaryEncouragementGina OttoIllustrationKristin WaldPreschoolersSelf-AcceptanceTrudy Joost