Corey R. Tabor

There's often a bit of a gulf between some of the more... inspirational.... type of books teachers want for their classrooms and what I'd prefer to purchase for my general library population. So when I find a book that hits both levels, it's a happy, happy thing.

Corey R. Tabor, creator of the delightful Fox picture books and easy readers, is branching out into a new character - a snail! Soft, swirling watercolors with dabs of bright colors introduce Snail, a sweet pink creature with a blue show more slime trail and a plan - travel across the road to reach a field of lovely green cabbages. Snail slowly works across the road - nothing is going to stop him! Not a car, a group of rude ants, or a rainstorm. In fact, Snail being the kind creature he is, he invites the ants to take shelter in his shell during the rain and they have a very nice tea party.

After his little break, he's ready to tackle the road again, avoiding hungry crows, and finally makes it... only to make the depressing discovery that he's right back where he started! Does Snail have the determination to make the long journey all over again - or is there another way?

The themes of determination, resilience, and kindness resound throughout this book, as Snail makes his way towards his goal and finds some unexpected friends along the way. The soft watercolors and gentle humor make this a sweet storytime read and it has a timeless feel that will appeal to kids and adults alike.

Verdict: A nice choice for starting conversations about resilience, determination, and kindness to others as well as a fun story with delightful details to inspect. Recommended.

ISBN: 9780062878007; Published February 2020 by Balzer & Bray; Borrowed from another library in my consortium show less

In this thought experiment, the narrator describes what they would do if they were a bear for a day, and unseen commentators (the text is in colored speech bubbles, like text messages) chime in with questions and quibbles. A little more than halfway through, the narrator is revealed to be a human boy standing in front of a classroom: "And that...concludes my report on bears. Thank you." The teacher asks for "more information" and the boy's report continues in the same vein.

Essentially, the show more picture book version of the (excellent) My Presentation Today Is About the Anaconda by Bibi Dumon Tak. show less

First sentence: Simon was out playing by the pond when he found a bone. If there was a better bone in all the world, Simon hadn't seen it. But then he spotted something in the pond. It was another bone. A better bone. There was a dog holding the bone. But it was a scrawny little dog. Certainly no match for Simon.

Premise/plot: Simon is a LOVABLE dog who though he has a bone wants a BETTER bone that the pond-dog has or seems to have. Will Simon convince the pond-dog to trade bones? Will Simon show more be left with any bones by the end of the book?

My thoughts: I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this sweet, humorous picture book. Simon was incredibly lovable--and silly. Readers will inevitably be a bit brighter than Simon which makes for some amusement. I love the way this one ends.

This one reads differently than most books--literally--in how the pages are turned. I thought this was fun.

I think this would be a great read aloud for parents, of course, but also for libraries. (I'd say pre-K and Kindergarten could join in on the fun. Not sure if it would work for older grades. Though to be honest, I think readers of all ages could enjoy this one.) show less

First sentence: "I wish I were a tiger," says Fox. "Tigers are big. Tigers are fast. Tigers are sneaky. Tigers are the best." Fox has an idea.

Premise/plot: Fox the Tiger won the Theodore Seuss Geisel Award for 2019. In this I Can Read early reader, Fox has an IDEA that becomes contagious. He wants to be a tiger...so he paints on some stripes. He then goes out to face the world as a tiger...or does he? Will his paint fool anyone?

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. It was FUN. I am glad show more that Fox's idea is so contagious. I loved seeing what would happen next. (For example, the turtle decides to become a RACE CAR and paints the number 4 on his shell.) I loved the text and story. I loved the illustrations. I loved the humor--and the heart. show less