BEA'S BOOK NOOK "I can't imagine a man really enjoying a book and reading it only once." C. S. Lewis “If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.” ― Oscar Wilde

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Bea Reviews Chu's Day by Neil Gaiman and Illustrated by Adam Rex

Publisher: HarperFestival
Format Read: Board book
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: June 24, 2014
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

(modified) Blurb from goodreads:

A New York Times bestselling picture book from Newbery Medal winning author Neil Gaiman and acclaimed illustrator Adam Rex now available, by popular request, as a board book.

Chu is a little panda with a big sneeze. When Chu sneezes, bad things happen. But as Chu and his parents visit the library, the diner, and the circus, will anyone hear Chu when he starts to feel a familiar tickle in his nose?

Chu's Day is a story that shows how even the smallest child can make big things happen.

Bea's Thoughts:

Chu is an adorable young panda with a big problem - his sneezes are humongous and disastrous. He can level buildings with his sneezes. His parents worry about his sneezes (though not enough to give him antihistamines or keep him away from environments that might cause him to sneeze) and are constantly asking him, "Are you going to sneeze?" He does a pretty good job of holding in his sneezes but as we all know, sneezes HAVE to come out. Naturally, it happens when his parents are busy and fail to realize what's happening. When it happens, Chu seems pretty darned pleased with himself with the havoc his sneeze creates.

The story itself is fairly pointless though I've seen some reviews that proclaim children will feel empowered by the story, or awed by his destructive capabilities (probably true). The artwork however is FANTASTIC. Bright and cheerful but not obnoxious, the details are exquisite with little surprises tucked here and there. Readers will find something new every time they look. Children and adults both will enjoy the pictures and probably have a favorite one. Both the pictures and the story lend themselves to predicting what will happen.

"Chu's Day" is cute and funny and will delight its readers.

7 comments:

  1. I didn't know Neil Gaiman also wrote for children :)

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  2. I think my 4 year old would love this one. The idea of leveling a building with a sneeze would seriously crack him up and I love good artwork in a kids book. Thanks for the review! I'll definitely have to look out for this one.

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  3. It's a great story idea, even if it does come across a little pointless in the execution. And judging by the cover, the artwork is adorable. I think I'll see if the library has it, just for fun. I don't have a little one in my life at this point, but I do love a good picture book!

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    Replies
    1. The artwork is adorable and the highlight of the book.

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    I am going to highly recommend this site!

    ReplyDelete

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