Tag: Susan Kantor

Hooray for Sunny Days! (Susan Kantor)

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Hello, friends! Our book today is Hooray for Sunny Days!, written by Susan Kantor and illustrated by Katya Longhi, a cheerful board book ode to summer.

The adorable woodland pals of Kantor & Longhi’s previous two titles (Here Comes Fall! and Hooray for Snowy Days!) are back to enjoy the distinctive sights, sounds, tastes, and activities that come with lazy summer days. Running barefoot, buzzy bees, swimming in the pond, and ice-cold lemonade – there are plenty of ways to celebrate the hottest months of the year. And best of all, they can be enjoyed with friends and loved ones as you celebrate the season together.

Delightful. Kantor and Longhi continue their series of seasonal board books with another enjoyable offering, one that celebrates both the natural and manmade pleasures of the summer season. Kantor’s jaunty rhyming text salutes picnics and pie with as much fanfare as bees, crickets, and fireflies, which is a nice touch, as summer is often a perfect time for kids to learn about, and show appreciation for, the environment. Longhi’s illustrations are cute and festive, and I especially liked the incorporation of vivid colors through summer accessories, as it adds a lot to the visuals without detracting from the nature-based color palette. The length is perfect for a quick read, and JJ loved it. Another great title from this series, and we recommend it – Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Hooray for Snowy Days! (Susan Kantor)

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Hello, friends! Our book today is Hooray for Snowy Days!, written by Susan Kantor and illustrated by Katya Longhi, a sweet and wintery board book from the creators of Here Comes Fall!

When snow days arrive, there’s plenty to celebrate: hats, mittens, and sturdy boots; going sledding, making snowmen and snow angels; sipping delicious hot cocoa and going for a sleigh ride. But best of all is sharing all these snow day activities with the ones closest to us!

Another sweet and simple yet thoroughly charming board book from Kantor and Longhi, starring the same cast of woodland friends from Here Comes Fall! Once again, there’s nothing here that breaks the mold: a cast of cuddly forest critters scamper through a snowy landscape and partake in festive seasonal activities. And again, this basic premise is done very well by the author and illustrator: Kantor’s rhyming text is bouncy, well-metered and enjoyable to read aloud, and Longhi’s illustrations are cheerful, warm, and undeniably sweet. No holidays are alluded to in this one, making this a nice nondenominational wintertime tale for very small bookworms. It’s a great length for a quick read, and JJ loved the artwork and snowy-day activities. Overall, a simple and familiar subject covered with obvious affection and joy, and absolutely work a look. Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Here Comes Fall! (Susan Kantor)

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Hello, friends! Our book today is Here Comes Fall!, written by Susan Kantor and illustrated by Katya Longhi, a sweet celebration of fall fun.

A group of adorable forest friends celebrate the arrival of fall, and all the fun that comes along with it. They rejoice in the red and gold of the autumn leaves, the cooler weather, and the crisp air. Donning their cozy sweaters, they gather together to pick apples and carve pumpkins, and jump in crunchy leaf piles. And of course, fall brings cool nights with frosty windows, perfect for enjoying moonlit skies or cozying inside with friends and family.

Generic yet sweet. This colorful board book of autumnal themes doesn’t have anything particularly groundbreaking to offer, but what it does, it does very well. The text is simple and easy to read, yet does a good job of capturing the sensations and excitements of fall weather and activities. The illustrations are very cute, and all of the wide-eyed animal pals are endearing and cuddly-looking. Allusions to autumn holidays are scant; only Halloween is referenced, but is not mentioned by name. The length is great for a quick read through, and JJ enjoyed the cute animals and fall themes. Overall, a sweet little book whose approachable style makes up for lack of substance; if you’re looking for a simple fall board book, this one will do the trick – Baby Bookworm approved.

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

What Is Soft? (Susan Kantor)

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Hello, friends! Our book today is What Is Soft?, written by Susan Kantor and illustrated by Erin Barker, a charming examination at the ways the world can be soft for the littlest bookworms.

Soft can be a cloud, or a kitten, or a precious little lamb. It can be a whisper, or a feather, or a snuggly woolen sweater. There are lots of ways that things can be soft: quiet, or gentle, or cozy, or light. But the very best soft is when, all snuggled into your soft bed, the ones who love you give you a soft kiss good night.

Darling and sweet. Gently flowing rhyming text encourages a tranquil read-aloud, leading to an affectionate nighttime scene, making this for a great calm-down or bedtime book for little ones. The illustrations are just adorable, and feature a diverse cast of children and adults exploring the softness in the world around them. It’s a tender, quiet little book that creates a snug sense of calm, and we really enjoyed it. The length is just fine for even the smallest of readers, and we can definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a story to help busy bodies wind down. Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)