Snow Kid by Jessie Sima

SNOW KID

by Jessie Sima

Simon & Schuster

Picture Book

56 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING SEPTEMBER 16th!!!

From the New York Times bestselling creator of Not Quite Narwhal, Jessie Sima, comes a heart-melting wintery picture book about a snow kid finding out what it means to be themself!

Meet Twig, the snow kid! Like all snow kids, Twig was made from many snowflakes, twigs, stones, a crisp orange carrot, and a very fine hat. What a wonderful thing it is to be Twig! Except…could they still be Twig if a strong breeze blows away their hat? As Twig chases after the hat, more things keep changing, and they keep growing and moving and talking. Is there still a way to go back to being Twig?

Maybe not. But maybe there’s more than one way to be a snow person, and it can be fun to walk and talk and grow and change. Twig can find snow people like them even as they’re still learning how to become Twig, and that’s a wonderful thing!

PUBLISHER     /     GOODREADS

MY TIDBITS

Winter thoughts take life with an adorable snow kid.

This is a read about a group of children, who build a snow kid and name it Twig. Twig like the name, but first when a hat blows away, does Twig realize it can move. The adventure leads through all sorts of scenes, characters, and surprises with tons to discover along the way. 

The snowscapes invite to wintery dreams and those first days in the snow. Snow Kid is a kind character with tons to discover, which adds a bit of innocent fun. As adventure leads Snow Kid through one gentle surprise after the next...and the hat floats away, it's hard not to wonder how everything will turn out. The sense of community, friendship and fun swirls everything together to create a wholesome tale to snuggle up with on colder days.

The illustrations invite in and give off an atmosphere of discovery and joy. The text flows well and fits the age group nicely. While this makes a lovely read-aloud, it is a little on the longer side and allows the scenes to unfold with time for emotions. So, it's a more patient read. 

For those, who are winter dreaming, it's a lovely read with a touch of fairy tale like magic.

And here is the author...

Jessie Sima is the author and illustrator of bestselling picture books, including Not Quite Narwhal; Love, Z; Hardly Haunted; and more. They grew up in a small town in southern New Jersey and now write and draw in a creaky house in New York state. When not making books, Jessie can be found reading graphic novels, watching scary movies, and playing outside with dogs. You can visit them online at JessieSima.com. 

Happy Book Birthday, Hardly Haunted by Jessie Sima!

 Yesterday, this book hit the world, and what a cute book it is! Although it, obviously, works great for Halloween....after reading it, I see it as a year around enjoyment. But then, Jessie Sima hasn't disappointed me, yet. 

Ready for a little spookiness with tons of heart?

HARDLY HAUNTED

by Jessie Sima

Simon & Schuster

Picture Book

48 pages

ages 4 to 8

From the bestselling creator of Not Quite Narwhal comes a delightfully spooky story about an old house who wants to be a home…even if her new family isn’t what she expected.

House has a problem.

She’s a little spooky. She’s a little cobwebby. Oh, no! What if she’s haunted?

She’s not sure, but…her hinges creak. Her pipes bang. And on windy days, the branches scritch-scratch at her windows. She tries to hold her breath and be as still as possible. If she’s on her best behavior, maybe a family will move in.

How will House ever find a family that doesn’t mind being haunted?

GOODREADS   /  BOOK DEPOSITORY   /  KOBO  /   AMAZON   /  B&N

MY TIDBITS

While the cover tends to spookiness...and the title makes suspicions of chills run high...this is a book full of heart.

A house has stood empty and alone for many, many years despite the for sale sign in the front yard. Knowing that it comes across as spooky, the house does its best to give a normal...although dirty and worn...impression. No matter how hard it tries, there are things beyond its control to make it appear eerie again. By the looks of it, the house will be lonely as long as it stands.

This is such a cute book! The house is hard not to feel sorry for as it only wants to have company. It is a run-down house, but that doesn't mean it's creepy or bad. It's a situation many listeners will connect with and if they're like me, wish they could give the house a hug. Or even move in themselves. It's hard not to hold your breath as the house gives its all to become less spooky, and a sigh comes when it doesn't work. In other words, this house captivates the reader and brings across the various emotions masterfully.

Each page only holds a line or two of text, and this swoops right along with the illustrations. Sound effects weave in as well and allow the eerie sounds to top off the atmosphere. Still, it's easy to read and makes a wonderful read-aloud. Readers, who have a fairly good handle on words, can tackle this one on their own as well.

The illustrations are well done and let the personality of the house shine. There are enough details to keep listeners/readers involved and give something to gaze at when flipping through on their own. The visual creepy and dirty aspects of the house play along with the text to create a balance between both.

And there is the wonderful, warming message at the end, which leaves the reader/listener with a smile. 

And here she is...

Jessie Sima is an author/illustrator living and working in New York City. They grew up in a small town in southern New Jersey, unaware that they were a storyteller. Once they figured it out, they told their family and friends, who took it quite well. They are the author of Not Quite Narwhal; Harriet Gets Carried Away; Love, Z; Snow Pony and the Seven Miniature Ponies; Spencer’s New Pet; Jules vs. the Ocean; and Hardly Haunted. You can visit them at JessieSima.com.

Happy Book Birthday, Jules vs. The Ocean by Jessie Sima

JULES VS. THE OCEAN

by Jessie Sima

Simon & Schuster

Picture Book

48 pages

ages 4 to 8

From the creator of Not Quite Narwhal comes a story about a young girl determined to impress her older sister by building elaborate sandcastles, even if that means standing up to the ocean and its smash-happy waves!

Jules is going to build the biggest, the fanciest, and the most excellent sandcastle. Her sister will be so impressed.

But the ocean has other plans.

Jules keeps building bigger, fancier, and more excellent castles, and waves keep smashing them.

And when the ocean takes her bucket, that is the final straw.

Jules is going to take a stand!

From beloved storyteller Jessie Sima comes the tongue-in-cheek story of the sand, the sea, and sisterhood—told with her signature warmth, timeless humor, and delightfully playful illustrations.

    

MY TIDBITS

Determination mixed with tons of sand makes this a cute and inspiring summer read for young beach lovers, who are ready to take on the sea.

Jules is going to impress her older sister. She's going to build the most amazing sandcastle ever. If the ocean would stop messing things up for her with its frustrating waves. Splashes and splats hammer at Jules' enthusiasm until it's her against the ocean. And either might win.

Any one who has tried to build a sand castle as a child will immediately find themselves in Jules' flip-flops. Her desire to impress her older sister...a very pure one...already makes her easy to cheer for. It's hard not to root for her as she gives her best, time and again. And defeat despite best intentions and hard work is something young listeners can relate to. The ending pulls through with a lovely and encouraging message. Plus, there's a tiny jab of humor built in.

Sun and fun radiate from every page and bring beach fun to life in these bright illustrations. Young listeners will wish they could hit the sand themselves and enjoy gazing at each page. The expressive text and font makes it a fun read-aloud, and the wording is very fitting to the age group.

It's a summer read beach fans and sand dreamers are sure to enjoy.



And here she is...

Jessie Sima is an author/illustrator living and working in New York City. She grew up in a small town in southern New Jersey, unaware that she was a story teller. Once she figured it out, she told her family and friends. They took it quite well. She is the author of Not Quite Narwhal, Harriet Gets Carried Away, and Love, Z. You can visit her at JessieSima.com

Review: Spencer's New Pet by Jessie Sima

SPENCER'S NEW PET

by Jessie Sima

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Picture Book

46 pages

ages 4 to 7

From the creator of Not Quite Narwhal comes a classic tale of a boy and his dog—except in this unique story, one of them is a balloon!

When Spencer gets a new pet, he’s excited to do all the things that pets do—taking walks in the park, going to the vet, and attending parties together.

There’s just one hitch: Spencer’s new pet is a balloon.

And that means No. Sharp. Objects.

No drooling dogs at the park. No prickly porcupines at the vet. And absolutely no pinning tails on any donkeys!

Spencer’s New Pet is a story of pure fun about a boy, his dog, and a friendship that endures life’s sharpest...and most unexpected twists. 

 MY TIDBITS

This is a picture book without words, and without much color. But it's exactly this which leads young viewers to dive into a world of imagination and get lost in a very unique story.

Spencer is a young boy who receives a animal balloon, one that he treasures very much. But this balloon is also about to take him on the most amazing adventure.

I've always been mesmerized by black and white pictures which incorporate just enough color to bring details to life. Sima has down a terrific job at using this technique to paint out an adventure, and illustrate how important Spencer's new pet is to him. Any child who has seen or received a animal balloon will sympathize with Spencer's adoration. The way he handles the 'pet' does go beyond natural, but it's exactly this which lets imagination take flight.

The tale is broken down into three sections, each one depicting Spencer and his 'pet' in a exciting situation. Some moments will make gazers smile. Others will draw a sigh. It's a captivating tale, which allows emotions to flow. The last chapter, however, does take a bit of a stranger turn. I'm not sure all young viewers will be comfortable with the ending and recommend that caretakers pay attention to how it might effect more sensitive children. If nothing else, it does off tons of food for thought and discussion. By no means, is it a bad ending....just takes an extraordinary twist.


And here she is...
Jessie Sima is an author/illustrator living and working in New York City. She grew up in a small town in southern New Jersey, unaware that she was a story teller. Once she figured it out, she told her family and friends. They took it quite well. She is the author of Not Quite Narwhal, Harriet Gets Carried Away, and Love, Z. You can visit her at JessieSima.com

Review: Snow Pony and the Seven Miniature Ponies by Christian Trimmer, Illustrated by Jessie Sima

SNOW PONY AND THE SEVEN MINIATURE PONIES

by Christian Trimmer

Illustrated by Jessie Sima

Simon & Schuster

Picture Book

ages 4 to 7

48 pages

COMING...

TOMORROW
AUGUST 21st, 2018!!!

From Christian Trimmer and bestselling illustrator Jessie Sima comes an adorable and imaginative twist on the tale of Snow White…with lots more ponies!

Sweet Snow Pony is loved by all for her beautiful coat as white as snow and her mane as black as ebony. Children come to her farm from all over just to have her braid their hair and teach them line dancing.

But not everyone loves Snow Pony. Jealous Queenie hatches an evil plan to make Snow Pony run away from the stable by planting a trail of apples into the woods and before long Snow Pony is lost! Full of delicious apples but all alone in the woods, Snow Pony stumbles upon the home of seven miniature ponies. The mini-ponies couldn’t be cuter, especially with Snow Pony’s braids, but they don’t have quite the same moves as the kids back on the farm.

Will her new friends help her find her way home? Or will the evil Queenie get her way?

MY TIDBITS

With sweet ponies and giggles sliding constantly into the story, this is a cute retelling of Snow White.

Snow Pony has a coat of white and a mane of black—a beautiful pony. But Queenie, another pony in the stall, is jealous and leads Snow Pony deep into the forest with a trail of apples. But Snow Pony mustn't fear because she runs into a stable with seven miniature ponies, who take her in. Still, Snow Pony has left friends behind and would like to return to her stall.

This is a story to make horse and pony lovers' hearts pitter-patter. There are wonderful ponies on each and every page, and the seven miniature ones are simply fuzzy and sweet. While the original story isn't hard to find in the plot, there are many new elements which make this a refreshing tale with little surprises along the way. What really catches the eye, however, are the goofy comments sprinkled in. The author and illustrator added a spice of humor, keeping the tale very light hearted. These jokes won't only make young listeners smile but also the older, adult readers will chuckle a few times. The last page with the villain's demise does take a slight morbid twist, one that only adults will understand, but the author and illustrator glide it off on the very last page to a nicer, happier ending. 

The illustrations are bright, cheerful and add just as much fun as the text itself. Young listeners are sure to enjoy flipping through the tale all on their own and enjoying the cute ponies and their antics again and again.

This is a fun retelling, which packs a lot of humor. Some will enjoy the quirkiness and throw-in statements, others might find them a little much. But pony lovers will find their heart's desire and want to join the stall.

And here they are...

The Author...
Christian Trimmer is a children's book editor and writer. He is the author of Simon's New Bed, Mimi and Shu in I'll Race You!, Teddy's Favorite Toy, and Snow Pony and the Seven Miniature Ponies. He lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his partner. Learn more about him, his books and lots of other things at ChristianTrimmer.com.

The Illustrator...

Jessie Sima is an author/illustrator living and working in New York City. She grew up in a small town in Southern New Jersey, unaware that she was a storyteller. Once she figured it out, she told her family and friends. They took it quite well. She is the author of Not Quite Narwahl and Harriet Gets Carried Away. You can visit her at JessieSima.com.