MG Chapter Book Review

 

I had the privilege of reading and reviewing PETER LITTLE WING by Regan Macaulay, illustrated by Gordon Bagshaw.  It is an amazing novel, and one I cannot recommend enough for your middle grade readers, whether children or students. Below is my review.

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TITLE: PETER LITTLE WING

AUTHOR: Regan W.H. Macaulay

ILLUSTRATOR: Gordon Bagshaw

PUBLISHER: Pandamonium Publishing House

PUBLISHED: 2023

ISBN: 978-1-989506-65-3

 

PETER LITTLE WING is a chapter book for middle grade readers. It is the story of Peter, a kiwi, and his band of misfit friends who set out on an adventure to locate the ingredients needed to cure Peter’s grandfather, Nandy Enzo, who is very ill. The journey takes them through many ups and downs, all the while solidifying their bonds of friendship in the multitude of stories that twist and turn throughout their adventure.

 

Peter recruits his closest friends from the National Aquarium where they live in captivity—Onion, a little blue penguin with an inner ear disturbance; Tim, a tuatara with Generalized Anxiety Disorder; and Rangi, a kea with clipped wings. Along the way, they meet Pō, a Green and Golden Bell frog; and Andrew, a possum daring death on a bridge. Together, the band of six friends work to listen for “The Deep Understanding” to solve the riddles of the needed ingredients and attempt to find them. But will they? And, if so, will they be able to make it back to the aquarium in time to save Nandy Enzo?

 

Sprinkled throughout the entire book are tidbits of information for kids (and adults) to learn about the unique animals of New Zealand as well as the interesting language and slang of this island country. Macaulay uses fun language (definitions can be found in a glossary at the end of the book) and beautiful imagery (“mosses, mulch, and shrub clusters formed a patchwork forest quilt”) throughout which really paint a picture of the characters and setting.

 

While this story is animal based, the stories of these friends very similarly mimic that of humans in many ways making it very relatable for kids…from the relationships amongst family, to living with and accepting other’s ailments, our desire to belong, and the passing down of family stories from generation to generation, interwoven over time.

 

The fact that this is Ms. Macaulay’s first MG chapter book is remarkable. She weaves a terrific story using wonderful language to create vivid images and set the scenes very well, ultimately creating a book that is difficult to put down. I highly recommend it and believe readers will also love it.

 

Gordon Bagshaw’s illustrations help bring the story and friends to life, adding an important part of the world in which these friends are weaving their stories.

 

The story of this group of misfit friends on a mission to help a friend and encounter the adventure of a lifetime through the “middle of nowhere” is excellent. Macaulay uses these relatable animals to teach subtle lessons about how to treat others in such a way that readers will find themselves rooting for the characters without realizing they are also learning valuable life lessons. There are so many surprising twists and turns on the adventure beyond the “Walls of Shadows,” all the while demonstrating the bonds of friendship and ultimate importance of treating others the way one wants to be treated. Well done!

 

 

 

*** Disclaimer: I received a PDF copy of this book free of charge in exchange for my truthful review. This review consists of my honest opinions, not influenced in any way by the author. I did not receive any monetary compensation nor any other incentive for my review.***

 

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Purchase information can be found on Regan's website at Regan W.H. Macaulay

 

5 Star Review!!

I am so excited to share the newest, and 5 Star, review for ALPHABET ZOO! Thank you, Carmen Tenorio!

 

Reviewed by Carmen Tenorio for Readers' Favorite

Alphabet Zoo by Karin Larson is a read-along alphabet concept book that uses the zoo to teach the alphabet to young readers. The author features a letter from A to Z along with an animal name that begins with it, together with details of a special trait or characteristic associated with the animal. Mostly written in harmonious rhyme, the book uses large fonts and shows the alphabet letters in bold uppercase, with the rest of the following words in lowercase. The book also features fun, cartoon-like, and colorful illustrations by C.E. Dale to complement the text. There is an animal trivia section at the end where questions are posed and answers are provided with fascinating facts to further broaden the reader's understanding of animals.

Alphabet Zoo is a great book, especially for beginning readers who continually need practice and reinforcement to memorize and read the alphabet. Karin Larson uses amusing and descriptive rhymes and informative sentences that characterize and differentiate one animal from another. There are usually only around two lines of words per page, which makes the material easy to read and not overwhelming. The simple yet colorful illustrations by C.E. Dale will not only appeal to this reading age group but serve as creative and memorable picture clues. The additional trivia is educational and delightful as it reveals more information about the various animals. It's a resource for learning as much as entertaining, with animated language and eye-catching drawings that will make shared or solo reading time enjoyable for kids. 

 

New Book Review

I am delighted to share the first review of my newest picture book, ALPHABET ZOO, by award-winning children's book author, Donna McDine. Donna's review reads...

Alphabet Zoo is beautifully illustrated by C.E. Dale. Children’s author, Karin Larson takes the reader and their young muses on a whimsical tale through the alphabet, from A to Z. The habitat of each animal is captured perfectly through the written word and illustrations. The “what comes next question” will continually be had before turning each page and the discovery of what animal that correlates to each letter of the alphabet is fun for all ages. Alphabet Zoo is a true delight and inspires thought provoking imagination. Bravo!

Thank you, Donna. Much appreciated! 

For more information, visit my website at www.karinlarson.com.

Book Contract

I am excited to announce I've recently signed a contract for my third children's picture book, ALPHABET ZOO.  I am excited to work with the 4RV family once again and can't wait to see my story come to life as the illustrator brings his/her vision to the creative process.

Check back for updates as we get closer to publication and the release date.