Early Book Review: Bean The Stretchy Dragon: A Sally & Bean Adventure by Ari Stocrate

Bean The Stretchy Dragon: A Sally & Bean Adventure by Ari Stocrate is a children's graphic novel currently scheduled for release on September 19 2023. Meet Bean—a stretchy, cheerful dragon who lives with a grumpy witch named Sally. Whether she’s solo or with Sally, from burying bones to meeting new friends, in this debut graphic novel Bean finds herself an adventure no matter where she goes. A dash of sweet, a pinch of spooky, and plenty of humor.

Bean The Stretchy Dragon is a book that reminds me of classic easy readers with the bold illustrations and large, limited text. I have somehow missed seeing the Webcomic of Sally & Bean, so I had no idea of what to expect, I just thought the cover art was cute. Once I started reading I was glad that the cover drew me in. I thought the art was consistent and cute through out, and I loved the cryptozoological explanations of the critters living in the swamp with Sally and Bean. Some of the pages, with the arrows and descriptions, reminded me of the Scaredy Squirrel books in the very best ways.  I though the book was fun to read and to look at and I think there are many readers, of all ages, that will also enjoy the read. 

Book Review: Diary of the Cat Named Carrot by Erin Merryn

Diary of the Cat Named Carrot by Erin Merryn is a nonfiction book for all ages. Bailey was certainly no ordinary cat—an orange tabby who gained fans around the world when his humanlike antics went viral. Sadly, when 14-year-old Bailey died, his family grieved their loss. They’d never find a cat quite like him—or would they? Then along came Carrot, an orange tabby kitten born as a stray, who appeared just as Erin Merryn and her young girls Abby, Hannah, and baby Claire were mending their broken hearts. Written in the voice of Carrot, follow her remarkable journey from shelter cat to top Instagram celebrity feline. Much like Bailey did, she loves spending time with her human family: making mischief with her girl gang; going joyriding in a pint-sized pink Barbie Jeep; doing arts-and-crafts projects; modeling a pink tutu and flowery headband; enjoying a spa day complete with fluffy robe and cucumber eye treatments; celebrating Christmas, Easter, and every holiday in between.

Diary of the Cat Named Carrot is a lovely story about welcoming a new kitten into a family that is missing their late cat. I thought that it was neat to have the story from Carrot's perspective, and the pictures did a great job of documenting the family's journey together and how much Carrot (and the kids) grew. It is a quick, mostly happy read, formatted to be blog like- so it matches what fans of Carrot would already be used to. The pictures are fun, and while some of the text got to be a little to long for me, this book still works well and would be a nice read for any cat fan. It might also be a good book choice to start a discussion about getting a cat with children.  

Early Book Review: Life in the Sloth Lane: Slow Down and Smell the Hibiscus by Lucy Cooke

Life in the Sloth Lane: Slow Down and Smell the Hibiscus by Lucy Cooke is currently scheduled for release on April 17 2018. This book is exactly what the title suggested, pictures of sloths to help those looking through the pages to slow down and enjoy. Photos of a variety of adorable sloths illustrate a mindfulness book that reminds us to slow down and appreciate the small things.

Life in the Sloth Lane: Slow Down and Smell the Hibiscus is full of photographs featuring sloths. Two toed sloths, three toed sloths, baby sloths, sloths holding flowers,sloths that seem to be smiling, and sloths looking right at the camera so it looks like they are looking you in the eye. Interspersed with these delightful images are quotes meant to encourage and support mindfulness and some factual information about sloths. The book is soothing, full of cuteness, and I learned some things about sloths along the way. Unless you are one of those people that do not find sloths cute or fascinating in some way, you will want to read this book, or at least take a moment and slowly flip through the pages. 

Book Review: Hedgehog Wisdom: Little Reasons to Smile by Carolyn Parker

Hedgehog Wisdom: Little Reasons to Smile by Carolyn Parker is based on the popular Huffy Hedgehogs Instagram. The book is filled with pictures of the most adorable prickly pets as they dress up, chow down, and make you laugh out loud, all while promoting positive thinking and good vibes. Though spiny, huffy, and timid, these little pincushion creatures are too sweet for words, and will win your heart in no time!

Hedgehog Wisdom: Little Reasons to Smile is a fun and sweet little book that offers simple but true advise about happiness, mindfulness, and being yourself along with pictures of Hodge Huffington and Marshmallow Fluff the hedgehogs in the middle of various poses and activities. Humor and sincere goodwill flow through out he book and made me aww more than once. The result is cute, fun, and sweet. It is enough to lift the heart after a rough day (or week) and is worth glancing through when you need a smile or moment of cute.