The Best Breakfast

In The Best Breakfast, written by Mona Hodgson, Peck wants to fix a perfect breakfast for all his animal friends. He fixes seed pancakes because they are his favorite food for breakfast. Most of his friends bring their favorite foods with them: Pokey brings cactus candy; Hoppy brings grass salad; and Speedy brings lizard soup. Hunter doesn’t bring anything but his appetite. Peck doesn’t like the foods his friends bring, but he puts everything on the table for everyone to share. When it’s time to eat, each of his friends (except Hunter), eat only the food they have brought with them. Peck is disappointed because no one wants to share his food.

But, Hunter says, “We don’t always like the same things.”

Pokeys says, “God says it’s what’s in our hearts that matters.”

And, Speedy adds, “Peck, your kind heart brought us all together.”

Peck then decides breakfast was just right after all!

The illustrations, by Milena Jahier, are done mostly in shades of brown and are rather soft and blurry around the edges.

What I Like: The text is simple, and the message is a good one.

What I Dislike: The only things I don’t really like are the illustrations. Although they are well-done, they’re not bright, clear and colorful, which I believe would be more appropriate for a children’s book, especially one for this age group.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 4-8.

Publisher Info: Zonderkidz, 2008; ISBN: 031071740X; Paperback, $3.99.

Buy now at ChristianBook $2.99!

Or buy at Amazon.com $3.99.

Special Info: This book is part of the Zonderkidz I Can Read series. It is a Level 1 book, which according to the publisher means it has “simple sentences for eager new readers.” Read our reviews of other books in this series.

Visit the author’s website. Read our reviews of other books written by Mona Hodgson. Read our reviews of other books illustrated by Milena Jahier.



Labels

Thank You, God, for Rain

Thank You, God, for Rain was written by Mona Hodgson and illustrated by Milena Jahier as a Level 1 book in Zonderkidz “I Can Read!” series. In it desert creatures prepare for a summer storm, each gathering their own way to carry the rain. Every other page repeats the stanza of Flash! Kaboom! A summer storm is on its way.” This builds confidence in early readers as they progress in the story. Once all the critters have collected their rain, they join together to fill their new pool. A swim party begins with all praising God for the summer storm.

The illustrations are soft and hazy, reflective of a hot day in the desert. Parents will find Psalm 9:1 quoted on the copyright page: “I will be glad and full of joy because of you. Most High God, I will sing praise to you.”

What I Like: I like the creative twist at the end. I believed the animals were gathering drinking water; a swim party offers a fun close to the book. The text is large and clear, perfect for beginning readers.

What I Dislike: It just didn’t strike a chord with me. The illustrations are nondescript, almost blurry. The Christian content seemed an afterthought rather than the point of the story.

Overall Rating: Ho-hum.

Age Appeal: 4-8

Publisher Info: Zonderkidz, 2008; ISBN: 9870310717416; Paperback; $3.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $2.99!
Or buy it from Amazon.com for $3.99.

Special Info: See our reviews of other books in this series.