the lion's deceit by mpho otukile

Title: The Lion's Deceit
Author: Mpho Otukile

Illustrator: S.B. Bow
Pages: 16
Rating: 5/5
Recommended Age: 3-5

Source: Won from LibraryThing

Summary:

The Lion's Deceit is about a lazy lion who goes against his real nature by tricking other animals so he can get some food without hunting. Will the lion get away with his plot?

My Two Cents:

My little cousins (Azim and Aqil) and I love it! I read it last night with them for bedtime stories. Funny thing was, I don't think my mom ever read about animals to me when I was little. What I ever remember is Cinderella and few other princesses and fairy tales. Since my two cousins are boys, this book is perfect for them. It's a great story with a valuable lesson for children to put some efforts to gain something we want to the children. The lion's action to lie his sickness to the rest of the animals in the jungle so that he can get his prey for food regularly. This is totally not a lion's nature as he should hunt and as a result it was ultimately discovered by other animals.

With beautiful colours and fine illustrations, this book is totally enlightening and very entertaining to be shared with little kids as well as adults and parents. Kids will enjoy reading and learn a great thing of putting effort and know that every actions we take will lead to different consequences.

Some illustrations from the book;

About the Author

Mpho Otukile comes from Botswana, in the Southern part of Africa where she grew up listening to stories told by the village elders at night while sitting around an open fire. As much as she was entertained, these stories also instilled some moral lessons about life. The author now lives in Winnipeg, Canada and is writing these stories to pass them to her daughter and other children.

For more info, visit http://www.villagelifebooks.com

a winter solstice celebration by didi lemay

Title: A Winter Solstice Celebration
Author: DiDi LeMay
Pages: 56
Rating: 4.5/5
Recommended Age: 7-12

Summary (Goodreads):

What adventures are waiting for Miya as she walks to the forest to feed the animals?

An angry squirrel, a gentle crow, and an intimidating owl are just some of the interesting characters Miya meets in the forest. The animals are concerned about the environmental impact the humans have on their forest. It's up to Miya to deliver this message to the villagers.

But can she be convincing enough?

While reading this beautifully illustrated story, children will be silently rooting for Miya as she tries to support her new animal friends. They will be so captivated by Miya's adventures, young readers will not realize they are learning lessons in helping others, standing up for their beliefs, conquering their fears, and caring for the environment.

My Thought:

First of all, when I've been contacted to review a children book, I was a little hesitating because of what if I'm not capable of reviewing or giving an opinion of a children book. But then I thought, I was once a kid myself, so I think I would know what a good book I will enjoy when I read when I was a kid.

Reading at the synopsis of the book, I was intrigued. Environmental impact is quite a big issue and I don't think I can explain very well to any kids or even little cousins that I have. Miya, the main character of the book, is very anxious and sensitive little girl. She cared about the animals and always try to help them by bringing food near at forest for every winter. However, once, when she met a squirrel, being angry at her and demanded her to leave. She wondered why she's not unwelcome to the forest anymore and once she found out with the help of an owl, she felt like she had to help them. She don't want to be a bad person and being disliked by the animals that she loves. A gentle crow encouraged her to be brave and being confident, as she wanted to change the perspective of the animals towards the human and likewise. Through her adventure, Miya got an idea how she could bring peace by bringing the village community and the forest dwellers. A new celebration of winter solstice as a new a tradition among the villagers.

I want to be like Miya. She believes in herself and try to make a change even if it is just a single and simple act of kindness. She will make children believes that with a little help and good action to help others, it will give a good impact through one's heart.

All in all, A Winter Solstice Celebration is a very informative, helps us to understand the environmental impact issues, how human and animals need each other and how environment are important to all the creatures in the world. Respect the mother nature too. Other than that, it teaches children how to be tolerable, be brave and confident of themselves, make peace and respect each other.

The story is very interesting, it has the ability to capture little kid's attention with colorful pictures and it's easy to understand the whole story. The ending also satisfying and I believe the children will satisfy how Miya and the animals like each other again.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Author DiDi Lemay for an exchange of fair review. Receiving a copy in no way will ever reflected my review and these are my honest review.

Note: The review also take part in Cym Lowell Book Review Party Wednesday.