Francis, the Little Fox
Véronique Boisjoly
Kids Can Press
Pub Date   Sep 1 2013
My thoughts: A children’s picture book that has
wonderful illustrations, frame-worthy even with not much of a story to
accompany them. The book takes us through one laundry-day in Francis’s life and
I was waiting for something to happen as I turned the pages and reached the end
of the book. This is exactly something I might end up telling my kids as I fall
asleep while I am trying to get them to sleep. So, while the artwork is
something I loved, I did not find much of a story in this book (maybe lessons
in resourcefulness and teaming up with someone whom you do not truly like to
help others in need)

Rating: C for the story, B+ for the artwork

Reread Level: 1.5/5

Reading Level: 4 to 8 years

Loula Is Leaving for Africa
Anne Villeneuve
Kids Can Press
Pub Date: Sep 1 2013
My thoughts: Delightful and sweet is how I
would describe this story, and equally whimsical and adorably perfect
illustrations accompany this story. Loula has just had enough of it all – the
terrible triplets – her brothers (of course!) – and so she decides she is
leaving for Africa. Africa is after all the perfect place to get away from her
troubles – far enough and with snakes (that her brothers don’t like) and
piranhas (that would take care of gobbling them up if they did venture behind
her!).  She bids goodbye to her parents
(who are busy with their own work and  I
am guessing have an inkling of their little girl’s wonderful personality to
indulge her in leaving for Africa).

So she steps out on an adventure to Africa with Gilbert,
their faithful chauffeur. As they wander Africa together using the most
powerful travel tool – their imaginations – readers can enjoy this journey
themselves through the words, the illustrations, and their own imaginations.

It reminds me of all the make-believe games kids have always
and will continue forever to play – which are for me, the best of games!

Rating: A

Reading Level:

Reread Level: 4.5/5

Disclaimer: Thanks to
NetGalley for a eARC of the books.These are my honest
opinions of the books.

 Linking these books to What are you Reading? From Picture Books to YA at Teach Mentor Texts and

What are you reading? @Book Journey