Kid Konnection: Creston Books Part 2

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week, I'm going to share with you two more picture books from the new imprint Creston Books. You can check out my reviews for two other picture books from Creston here.

Summary: In brilliant images and an easy-to-understand text, Schwartz and Kuhn tell the story of what happens to a Jack O'Lantern after Halloween. Compost won't mean the same thing after you've seen the amazing transformation of Jack from grinning pumpkin to mold-mottled wreckage to hopeful green shoot. Part story, part science, and a whole lot of fun. -- Creston Books

ROTTEN PUMPKIN: A ROTTEN TALE IN 15 VOICES by David M. Schwartz and photos by Dwight Kuhn is truly an unusual picture book. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect when I opened the pages, but I will admit that the yucky pumpkin on the front cover had more a little concerned.

Actually, ROTTEN PUMPKIN is a fascinating look at what happens to your family's Jack O'Lantern if you let it sit on your porch after Halloween. Personally, I have left out our pumpkin a few days too long in past years and I have seen some mold appear.. but nothing like what you'll see in ROTTEN PUMPKIN!

ROTTEN PUMPKIN is not for the faint of heart and I suspect that kids will love it! It has lots of colorful photographs showing the different types of animals that feed on the pumpkin as well as the various molds that can appear as the pumpkin begins to disintegrate. In addition to the photos, there are detailed (yet easy-to-understand) descriptions of how the molds grow and how the pumpkin eventually turns into a new green shoot!

ROTTEN PUMPKINS really is an educational look at decomposition and I think teachers might appreciate this book. I can certainly see how valuable it would be in explaining some science concepts and there is even a glossary in the back of the book along with some ideas for classroom investigations.

I can't think of another book quite like ROTTEN PUMPKINS, but I do appreciate the subject matter and how it's presented. I can pretty much guarantee that this picture book will keep the kids' interest!

Summary: Richly illustrated, Kleven's latest picture book feast presents a year of everyday wonders, giving children an opportunity to snuggle up with a parent and enter into a warm, cozy world, where even the planets are tucked cozily into bed along with the shining stars. -- Creston Books

COZY LIGHT, COZY NIGHT by Elisa Kleven is a delightful book for bedtime... or anytime you want a sweet story. This picture book reinforces the idea that our everyday surroundings offer a sense of coziness. As the story travels through the various seasons, beginning with Autumn, simple objects like fuzzy boots, snowflakes, puppies and more identified as cozy.

Without a doubt, COZY LIGHT, COZY NIGHT is a beautiful book with its rhyming text and simple prose. However, the illustrations are also quite beautiful. Each page is filled with colorful pictures of the cozy objects and children basking in their coziness. I especially appreciated that different cultures, tradition and ethnic backgrounds are featured on the pages.

COZY LIGHT, COZY NIGHT is a book that's guaranteed to charm parents and children alike!

Thanks to the publisher for providing review copies of these books.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!