Sandra Magsamen

First sentence: Your smile is so sweet, it makes our days. You brighten our world in so many ways. You fill our lives with lots of love.

Premise/plot: This board book for the very young features felt on every spread. The message is syrupy sweet. That could be a VERY good thing--depending on your mood. The text is super simple, predictably sweet. The illustrations are bright....and there's felt.

My thoughts: I'm conflicted between thinking this would be great for the youngest of the young because of the simplicity of the book and it's super-sweet (though not terribly exciting narrative). In some ways, this one screams out bedtime book. But then there's the felt. Is it meant to be interactive? Is it meant for an audience that is old enough to be manipulating it, experiencing the different tactiles?… (more)

First sentence: Texas is filled with fantastic and beautiful things to see and do. Just follow the A,B, C's, there is an amazing adventure waiting for you! A is for armadillo. Watch as it waddles and makes its ways. B is for bluebonnet. Our state flower will brighten every day. C is for cowboys who ride horses and herd cattle across the land. D is for dude ranches where awesome outdoor adventures are on hand. E is for El Paso's great river raft race on the Rio Grande each year. F is for football. The Dallas Cowboys are a team to root for and cheer!

Premise/plot: What you see is what you get. Mostly. An alphabet book. Each alphabet letter is paired--for better or worse--with something associated with Texas (supposedly).

My thoughts: This one is written in rhyme--or attempted rhyme. The rhythm is sometimes (often) lacking. I think I would rather it almost be simpler without the extra additions or descriptions. Like "G is for Galveston." Granted, an alphabet poem will never be natural and flowing. Expecting an alphabet poem to act against its nature is not fair.

The word choices vary in quality. Like "J is for jumping." It elaborates...jumping in waves. But any state with a coast can have waves to jump in. Nothing particularly "Texan" about that. And "I for incredible" was also on the weaker end. (But they can't all be N is for NASA. OR T is for tacos.)

The "deal-breaker" for me, personally, was V IS FOR VIOLINS. Yes, it elaborates this is for Austin Philharmonic. But chances are classical music isn't the first, most dominate, association when it comes to Texas and the music scene. It seems like F should be for FIDDLES. (Because if you're gonna play in Texas, you gotta have a fiddle in the band.)

Overall, this one reads like the author has never really been to Texas.… (more)