Kiddie's Corner #7: How Big Is Your Brave, Plastic Soup, Pups On The Run & Alya and the Three Cats

How Big Is Your Brave by Ruth Soukup

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  5th May 2020

Description:
New York Times bestselling author Ruth Soukup’s mission is to empower children everywhere to dream big and live a life they LOVE. How Big Is Your Brave? encourages readers to face their fears and overcome obstacles in order to follow their dreams and reach their goals.

In this inspiring story, a young bunny named Zippy dreams of traveling to outer space. When the opportunity to attend space camp arrives, she worries she might not be capable enough to compete with the other kids. But Zippy’s desire to build her own rocket is bigger than her fear of failing, and through hard work and creativity she ends up making her big dreams come true.

My Thoughts: 

This was a lovely story! The illustrations were beautiful and eye-catching and the story had wonderful themes. It teaches a few life lessons about being brave, choosing how to react to situations and perseverance when pursuing your dreams.
There's a good amount of text but the wording is probably too advanced for early readers. I'd say this book would be good for 6/7-year-olds.

Plastic Soup by Judith Koppens, Andy Engel

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  28th July 2020

Description:

The animal friends are spending the day at the beach. Frog jumps in the water and comes up with a torn plastic bag on his head. Fox thinks Frog looks like a sea monster! But the plastic bag isn’t the only thing that floats in the water. Why is there so much plastic in the sea?

A simple story to introduce children to water pollution and little changes that can make a big difference. For children ages 5 and up.

My Thoughts: 

This was a sweet and simple story aimed at educating children on plastic pollution in our oceans and why it's important to reduce plastic use and to recycle. I loved that it covers such an important topic but does it in a way that entertains and educates without preaching.
The book contains a valuable lesson for all ages but is probably aimed at 3-7 year olds.

Pups on the Run! by Hannah Beene Hurdle

Rating: ⭐⭐

Release Date:  1st October 2020

Description:

Kids will love this fun picture book about the adventures of two runaway dogs! When Hazel and Kaya discover the open gate, they are ready for an adventure. They wander, and tumble, and play all day. As the sun begins to go down, the pups head home.

But which way is home? They soon realize they are lost. And it’s getting darker, and scarier!

Finally, they begin to recognize sights and smells and sounds. The tired pups retrace their steps and find their way home.

My Thoughts: 
This book is a story about a couple of dogs escaping their yard and larking around before getting lost and having to find their way home. However, it's pointless. There's no "lesson" to learn, the story isn't that entertaining, and it's as basic as a kid's book can get. The illustrations are pretty cute and the vocabulary is simple enough for early readers so I'd recommend for 3-5 year olds.


Alya and the Three Cats by Amina Hachimi Alaoui

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  16th June 2020

Description:

The arrival of a new baby seen by three adorable cats

Maryam and Sami have three cats: Pasha the black angora cat—proud as a pasha really!—Minouche the grey tabby cat found in the street and Amir the playful Siamese. One day Maryam’s belly starts to get bigger and something starts to stir in it. Maryam disappears for a few days and comes back home with something that screams and demands a lot of attention. Their three cats are very confused. What’s going on?


My Thoughts: 

I really liked the illustrations in this one! The story was an adorable tale of how each cat found their home with Maryam and their confusion with the arrival of a baby. It shows that pets are family and even with a new arrival there is enough love to go around.
It'd be a good read to help prepare a child for the impending arrival of a sibling as the anxiety and questions the cats have would directly translate.
Probably good for 3-6 year olds.

*All books were review copies received via NetGalley *