Me Tall, You Small by Lilli L'Arronge

We received this book from the publisher in exchange for a review.

Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Illustrations: ⭐⭐⭐

Me Tall, You Small is a series of playful vignettes in the daily life of a pair of weasels, parent and child. Whether they are having a bubble bath, kicking a soccer ball, or eating ice cream together, simple paired phrases showcase their loving—and amusingly realistic—relationship. After a fall: You boo-boo. Me bandage. At bedtime: Me tired. You wired.

A Sweet Book Showing a Parents Unconditional Love

I expected we would be reading a book about opposites, but what we got instead was a heartwarming book about the love between a parent and a child. Especially nice is the message that a parent has unconditional love, and the little annoyances of having a small child who sometimes doesn't get with the program are indeed little, especially compared to the love that a parent feels.

I am normally put off by books that are almost entirely made up of bad grammar, even if it is for fun, but I don't really feel that way about Me Tall, You Small. The word play is catchy, sweet, and just a lot of fun.  The illustrations are simple but ones that will appeal to small children.

Evelyn's Reaction

Loved it!  Listened attentively, pointed to several of the pictures with a nice wide smile, and wanted an immediate reread.

Me Tall, You Small

by Lilli L'Arronge

Expected Publication: March 14, 2017

Recommended Age: 2-6

Pages: 40

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Porcupette Finds a Family by Vanita Oelschlager

We received this book from the publisher for review.

Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Illustration:🟃 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Porcupette Finds a Family, is a story about how a baby porcupine (called a porcupette) finds a new family after losing his mother. He wants to have an attachment to the bear family he finds, but is afraid his "bear" mother and "bear" brother and sister will leave him too. This causes him to act out his fears in

ways that jeopardize acceptance from his adopted family. However, with the understanding and help of Mother Bear, Porcupette finally accepts that he is truly loved and wanted despite, or maybe because of, his differences.

Amazing, BUT For a Very Specific Target Audience

On my first pass through I wasn't sure about how I felt about Porcupette Finds a Family by Vanita Oelschlager, but as someone who worked with children within the foster care system for years, I have to say that Porcupette is a realistic character for a child who is hurting and who misbehaves to either test people's boundaries or to push people away before they have a chance to hurt them first.

A child losing their parent and feeling the uncertainty of the world around them is not your average subject matter in children's literature, and it is in no way sugar coated in Porcupette Finds a Family.  This is exactly what children who are experiencing this in their own lives need as well do the people who love them, as a valuable tool to open up meaningful conversation and to help children understand what their feelings are about.

I recommend this book to children with abandonment issues, and the adult's caring for those children, simultaneously, not separately.  I also recommend this book to children and the parents of those children who are closely involved with a child who is dealing with abandonment issues.  It can be used as a wonderful teaching tool for those children as well, in order to help them understand what the other child may be feeling.  It also would be a smart move for any counselor to have this one ready and available on their bookshelf.

Porcupette Finds a Family

by Vanita Oelschlager

Illustrated by Mike Blanc

Published: 2010

Pages: 44

Our Source: Publisher

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Mama Bird Papa Bird by Wanda Obermeier

The publisher swapped me this book for my review. 

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Discover the deeper meaning of family as Mama Bird and Papa Bird provide questions that will have young children eager for answers.

Mama Bird Papa Bird has really good illustrations, and the the story shows the caring side of this bird family.  I thought that it was weird that the mommy and daddy bird don't realize what is happening to them when they are having a baby.  Aren't birds suppose to know these things?  It's called instinct, right?
I still had fun reading about the love of this bird family and I thought that the ending was super cute, but I have read other bird books that have told a better nature story.

Mama Bird Papa Bird

Wanda Obermeier

Illustrated by Faith Thomas
Source: Publisher

Published: September 2014

Pages: 32