by Elise Gravel

age range: 4 to 6 years old

Tundra Books

The toad is part of the Disgusting critters Series. It is a non-fiction picture book about all you want to know about toads: how are they related to frogs, where they live and what they eat, the different kind of toads that exist, what are those bumps in their skin, tadpoles, and more. It also brings to the reader attention the fact that toads are useful for we human since they eat pests, and the fact that pollution is putting their existence at risk. 

This is the first book in the series we have read, and we really enjoyed it. It is not easy to find non-fiction picture books addressed to this age range, which are not boring or too difficult. In this case the text is accessible, with clear and concise facts shown in a funny way. The illustrations are a great accompaniment without distracting the attention from the text.

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Occasionally, I will pick up a book that I have never heard of because I like the cover and the title. That’s what I did with this book and look where it got me? SUCKED INTO YET ANOTHER SERIES. Curse all the cute kid books. They’re always sucking me in with their adorableness and I am left to deal with the consequences.

Reasons to read this book

• It features a talking alien cat nicknamed Pockets. This reminds me of that time when I was in third grade and wrote a story about an alien family whose dog started talking (but that’s beside the point.)
• Archie is 8 years 8 months 8 days old and his life is about to change. He is going to find out that his dad is not just any taxi driver; his dad is a space taxi driver. His dad travels across galaxies (and gets to use wormholes) to pick up his customers.
• An adorable father son relationship
• Aliens, outerspace, crime fighting cats!!!!!!
• Also cuteness.

I need to get my hands on book 2 soon...

Rats! Who would have known that I’d be reading a book geared for children about rats? I didn’t. Debbie is quite the cute rat with her pink tail, long skinny arms and long whiskers. Her pictures are quite adorable. The accompany text is captivating and informational and the font style changes on some of the pages, shouting out to you and drawing you in, with big bold lettering and brighter colors. The story provided some great information about rats in a humorous manner, sometimes comparing items so you the reader can better grasp the concept and other times providing the information in a playful attitude. I think children will love to hear this entertaining story as they see the cute illustrations and learn interesting facts at the same time. I will be looking for other children’s books by Elise Gravel and I will definitely be reading this one when I am out in the classrooms teaching.

I received this book in exchange for an honest opinion from NetGalley and Random House of Canada Limited.