🌟REVIEW: "Good Morning, Superman!" by Michael Dahl (Superheroes, Childrens Fiction)

Good Morning, Superman! by Michael Dahl
	Publisher: Capstone Series: DC Super Heroes Other Books In Series: Bedtime for Batman Genre: Picture Book, Childrens Fiction Publication Date: January 1st 2017 (Affiliate links)
Description from Publisher:
Ages 4-7 DC Super Heroes Look, up in the sky! It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s the . . . SUN! When morning comes, a young boy must prepare for his day, faster than a speeding bullet. Follow along as he leaps tall buildings (jumps out of bed) in a single bound, dons his heroic uniform (his clothes), and faces his greatest weakness (Kryptonite-colored toothpaste). Then it’s up, up, and away to daycare! The perfect companion to the bestselling author Michael Dahl's BEDTIME FOR BATMAN, this official DC Comics picture book will have Superman fans young and old delighting in their morning routines. Includes a morning routine checklist.
My Rating:
My Musings:
As a fan of the other superhero book by Michael Dahl, "Bedtime for Batman", I was excited to see this on NetGalley. And I wasn't at all disappointed! For those unfamiliar, this series of books is a wonderfully illustrated juxtaposition of a kid's life and a superhero's life. In this case, we have Superman, in all of his glory, waking up for a day of making the world a better place. :) The text is elegantly simple, captioning each scene. The art is colorful and entirely appropriate for a child's superhero book. My favorite part of this is that Superman (and the child) accept help from others. It's a great reminder to little ones that being even superheroes need a little help every now and then. It also includes a checklist at the back of morning routines that would make this a nice tool for parents to encourage kids to do things like brush their teeth... and get a hug & kiss on their way out the door. :)
I received a digital ARC from the publisher for an honest, unbiased review. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is my 100% own.

About Michael Dahl
Michael Dahl is the prolific author of the bestselling Goodnight Baseball picture book and more than 200 other books for children and young adults. He has won the AEP Distinguished Achievement Award three times for his nonfiction, a Teacher's Choice award from Learning magazine, and a Seal of Excellence from the Creative Child Awards. And he has won awards for his board books for the earliest learners, Duck Goes Potty and Bear Says "Thank You!" Dahl has written and edited numerous graphic novels for younger readers, authored the Library of Doom adventure series, the Dragonblood books, Trollhunters, and the Hocus Pocus Hotel mystery/comedy series. Dahl has spoken at schools, libraries, and conferences across the US and the UK, including ALA, AASL, IRA, and Renaissance Learning. He currently lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota in a haunted house.

🎄REVIEW: "A Pirate's Twelve Days of Christmas" by Philip Yates & Sebastia Serra (Picture Book)

A PIRATE'S TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS by Philip Yates Illustrated by Sebastia Serra

Publisher: Sterling Children's Books Genre: Childrens Fiction, Picture Book Publication Date: October 2nd 2012

(Affiliate links)

Other Books by Philip Yates or Sebastia Serra

Description from Publisher:

On the first day of Christmas, a gift was sent to me . . . a parrot in a palm tree! Ahoy mateys--Christmas is coming and even pirates celebrate the holiday! This follow-up to the hugely popular A Pirate's Night Before Christmas offers a witty re-imagining of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”—with a sly buccaneer twist. A brave cabin boy receives marvelously mysterious gifts for each of the 12 days he is left alone to guard the pirate ship: 12 cannons blastin', 9 mermaids singin', 6 Jolly Rogers, and so on—but who are they from? With impeccable rhythm and a lively sense of fun, Philip Yates and Sebastià Serra create a delightful world all their own.

My Rating:

My Musings:

Every year, I do a Christmas book advent, wrapping holiday books from last year again, as well as some new non-holiday books and some new holiday treasures. Last year, I discovered A Pirate's Night Before Christmas and, enjoying that (check out my review), I bought this one by the same authors. This has a little story and is then the song we all know and love to sing along with, but pirate-y. You will not be able to stop yourself from singing along to this one, which makes it really fun to read. By halfway through this, my son was singing out "5 chests of GOLD!" and "a parrot in a palm tree," while dancing in place. By the second reading the next night, he was singing the last 5 gifts each time. The illustrations in this are colorful, whimsical, and just perfect for the text. If your kiddo (or you) enjoy Christmas, singing, and pirates, this is a fantastic addition to your library of Christmas books, which is also nice because the focus isn't the bearded man in red. :)

My Source: I bought this one after buying and loving The Pirate's Night Before Christmas. My opinion is my 100% own.

🎄REVIEW: "The Day Santa Stopped Believing in Harold" by Maureen Fergus and Cale Atkinson (Childrens Fiction, Picture Book)

THE DAY SANTA STOPPED BELIEVING IN HAROLD by Maureen Fergus Illustrated by Cale Atkinson
	Publisher: Tundra Books Genre: Childrens Fiction, Picture Book Publication Date: October 11th 2016 (Affiliate links)
Other Books by Maureen Fergus
Other Books Illustrated by Cale Atkinson
Description from Publisher:
Santa has a problem. This kid? Harold? Santa doesn't think he's real. He WANTS to believe in Harold--after all, Harold is one of the most magical parts of Christmas. Getting Harold's letters, eating the cookies he leaves out, feeding his carrots to the reindeer... what would Christmas be without that? But Santa's just not sure. Some of his friends are telling him they think Harold's not real. And the Harold that sat on his knee last Christmas looked AWFULLY different. Santa comes up with a plan to find out once and for all if Harold really exists... with hilarious consequences.
My Rating:
My Musings:
Every year, I do a "Countdown to Christmas" with individually-wrapped books for my son. It's a mix of secondhand books, books from years before re-wrapped, and a few new ones. This book, The Day Santa Stopped Believing in Harold, will absolutely be one of this year's new ones! It is such a cute idea - using the feelings kids have when they start to doubt the magic of Father Christmas and flipping it around. Within just a few pages, I was filled with mirth at this wonderful story. "For one thing, I think his mom writes his Christmas letter." Seriously, how adorable is this? And this: "You're looking for reasons not to believe in Harold instead of just accepting him as one of the best, most magical parts of Christmas." This book just makes my Santa-loving heart happy. About halfway through, the reindeer suggest that Santa find proof. Then, we see that Harold is questioning the existence of Santa as well and also decides that he needs proof. Also within the first couple of pages, I fell in love with the art style and illustrations. I am a big fan of color in children's picture books and this book has rich colors that are gorgeous. It didn't escape my notice that Harold is either biracial or has a stepfather or adoptive father - the details aren't relevant, so it isn't explained - which I also thought was a sweet representation of other types of normal families. :) Anyone who loves the magic of Christmas and Santa Claus will also love this book, especially if they're children are beginning to question that magic. Definitely a great addition to your Christmas library!
My Source: I received a digital ARC from the publisher for an honest, unbiased review. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is my 100% own. This book has since been purchased (with no discount) since I loved it so much! :)

About the Author: Maureen Fergus
I was born in Regina, Saskatchewan and grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba. When I was sixteen my family moved east; while there, I received an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Western Ontario and a Master of Business Administration from McGill University. Upon gradutating, I moved back to Winnipeg to embark upon my business career. I have worked in the aerospace, biopharmaceutical and financial services industries. I have also taught at the college level. When I was growing up, the idea of becoming a fiction writer never even crossed my mind. Then, six weeks after our first daughter was born, my husband Nick suggested that I give it a try. Thinking that it might be a good way to keep my brain stimulated in between diaper changes, I decided to do so. And you know what? That first time I reached my fingers toward the keyboard to write a story it felt as though I was slipping my hands into a pair of gloves that had been waiting for me my whole life. It was the first step on the long, challenging path that led to my becoming a published author. These days, life is busy. I went back to work in the business world as the part-time Managing Director of a Financial Services company five years ago when my youngest child started grade one, so two days a week I live in the fast-paced corporate world, three days a week (plus whatever other time I can manage!) I work on my writing. In between, I shop for groceries, make lunches, do laundry, clean the house, coach soccer, run twelve miles a week, study karate and hang out with my husband, our three kids and the family dog!
About the Illustrator: Cale Atkinson
Cale Atkinson is an illustrator/writer/animator currently residing in Kelowna Canada. Believing in tea more than sleep, Cale is constantly working on numerous projects. His work can be found in children’s books, animated shorts, television, and games. Companies Cale has worked with include Disney Hyperion, Tundra, Owl Books, Grosset & Dunlap, Scholastic, Pearson, and Marvel.
Giveaway/Excerpt