Two Fun New Picture Books

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Disclosure: Penguin Random House Books gave me a copy of this book free of charge for this review. All opinions in my review are my own and I did not receive any other compensation.  As in all my reviews I am providing links for your ease, but receive no compensation.

Are you looking for some fun books to read aloud or have your children read to themselves? Here are two new ones that are perfect!! Now I will say that you may not want to read them at bedtime, because they had us laughing so much I think it got Hazel a little restless and not really ready to fall asleep (Sorry, Steve). The first book is a reimagined version of Hansel and Gretel, it is Hensel and Gretel Ninja Chicks by Corey Rosen Schwartz and Rebecca J. Gomez and illustrated by Dan Santat. From the name you can tell this book involves chickens!!

 In this rhyming version, Hensel and Gretel's mother is missing and their father is all distressed so the chicks take matters into their own hands. They learn the art of ninjutsu. While they are practicing and learning their father goes missing, so they try to find him. They leave a trail of crumbs so they can find their way home, but the crumbs go missing and they are lost until they find a cornbread house. Well inside the house is the fox with their parents and other birds. Hensel goes in and is quickly captured and put into a cage with her father. However she came prepared and picks the lock. Meanwhile Gretel fights the fox and the two save the birds. 

This is such a fun version of the story with the kids as the heroes. I love it!! It empowers the kids to try harder and be braver. Plus the rhyming and chickens being ninjas is just so funny. 

Our second book is A Dark, Dark Cave by Eric Hoffman and illustrated by Corey R. Tabor.  Now I will admit I almost did not read this one to Hazel before bed since I was afraid it would scare her, but I am so glad I did. Two kids are exploring a dark, dark cave when they see something ahead and it is...their father telling them to be quieter since the baby is sleeping. The reader realizes the dark, dark cave is in their imagination. The kids are under a blanket fort with toys to be props like a toy bat and their pets. Having to be quieter they change the blanket into a barn and go for a horse ride. 

Talk about building imaginations. This book is great and fun. Hazel and I were laughing when we realized how scared she was getting and they were just playing. She loved this conclusion. It shows how fun some simple things around the house and an imagination can be. Where is your imagination taking you today?