Family Pick: My Bibi Always Remembers

My Bibi always Remembers
by Toni Buzzeo
Illustrations by Mike Wohnoutka
Disney Publishing Worldwide
2014
32 pages
ISBN: 9781423183853

Available September 2, 2014

My Bibi Always Remembers is a heartfelt homage to grandparents everywhere. Author Toni Buzzeo weaves a magical tale of an elephant family and their close relationships with one another. Captivating illustrations by Mike Wohnoutka capture not only the magnificence and majesty of the elephants but the nuances of playfulness, joy, love and belonging.

Tembo is the youngest in a family of elephants. Bibi is her grandmother and leader of her  family--in an elephant family, the oldest female is entrusted with keeping them all safe and remembering where to find food and water. Tembo is playful and forgetful, losing her way as she gets sidetracked by the sights. Each time she falls behind, Auntie or Bibi finds her. Bibi leads the family to the water where they drink and rest.

Tembo's expressions and childlike wonder for the world are palpable in each spread. Her sense of whimsy, joy, and fun are infectious and will captivate young readers and parents (and grandparents).
Repetitive phrasing calls for reading aloud and story times.

My Bibi Always Remembers would be a lovely gift for a new grandparent or grandbaby. Grandparents Day is celebrated September 7 this year, so get your copy when the book goes on sale September 2, 2014.

Highly, highly recommended for young readers and parents and grandparents everywhere.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received the F & G from the author. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)

Young Reader Pick: Mommy's Little Monster

Mommy's Little Monster
by Dawn McNiff
Kate Willis-Crowley, illustrator
Scholastic
2013
32 pages

Available March 1, 2013

Young readers will be captivated by the trolls and their creepy but funny cave decorated with jars of sludge, powdered mud milk, ear wax jam, and smelly beans.

Mommy Troll has a party to attend and it's for grown-ups only. Mrs. Hag is going to baby-sit for Little Monster but he throws a fit! He doesn't want his mommy to go away, and he doesn't want a baby-sitter. He's not a baby!

When Mrs. Hag arrives, the little monster pouts and cries, he throws his toy on the floor and hits the door with his tail. Mrs. Hag offers him warm mudmilk and a story, but he continues to cry. Left alone, he ventures into the swamproom and asks, "Does mudmilk make crying go away?" Mrs. Hag assures him that it does. She even lets him have two mugs of milk and a bedtime story. His mother never lets him have two.

The little monster falls asleep and when he wakes up, he sees his mother has come home. His mother assures him that he is her baby and that he always will be. Mommy Troll brings her baby a litttle treat when she comes home: rotten worms and the little troll is thrilled.


The trolls/monsters are beautifully illustrated and their cave will appeal to young readers with its icky elements: spiders and pond scum, snakes and worms and a bathtub that looks like a bog. Little Monster is cute in his red and white striped pajamas.

The cover is eye-catching, and what child wouldn't like to read a book about monsters?

Highly recommended for young readers.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received the F & G from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.