Pink, Pony, and Sparkles . . . Without even opening the book, the cover alone is a natural draw for any little girl. Susan Jeffers is both author and illustrator for My Chincoteague Pony and it's a winner! It's a true story, well, "several true stories", as Jeffers tells us, about a little girl who is horse crazy (I can relate - I was horse crazy at this age, too) and wants to buy one of the famous Chincoteague ponies. She works hard to save up money and attends the annual auction held on Chincoteague Island in Virginia. What happens there? Does she get her pony? You'll have to read the book to find out! Jeffers' illustrations are beautiful. There seems to be a tinge of pink on every page. The best one is the full spread towards the end where pony and girl are eye to eye. No text on these pages because no words are needed. Look for this one in Picture Books under Jeffers.
Umami By Jacob Grant New York: Viking, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, 2024. Picture Book. Umami is a little penguin who is sick of eating the same thing everyday, cold fish --ugh! She becomes determined to find new foods and flavors, so Umami begins a journey across the sea in search of something different to eat. She reaches a place with a plethora of delicious options, and tries bitter, sweet, sour, and foods with umami (just like her name!) among others. Umami decides to bring all these delicious new flavors back for the other penguins to try in a feast. But, will the other penguins enjoy this new experience? Filled with charm and humor, Umami is a diverse romp through a universal experience --am I willing to try something new? What will it be like? The idea of trying new foods and flavors make it especially relatable, and the appealing illustrations will have many readers ready to hop out on a culinary adventure. A humorous and sweet ending, caps off this delig...
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