Bookalicious Reviews by Bre Bass

  Printz Honor book In this Printz Honor book by Elana Arnold, entitled Damsel, we have a pro-feminist view on the classic fairy tale story.  It starts with a prince out to slay a dragon in order to save a damsel.  This girl has no memory, is given a name and he takes her home to be his queen. At first, he is charming, but soon his true character comes out as he belittles her and threatens what little happiness she is able to find.  In one part, a lynx is being trained and the trainer states that fear and respect should go hand in hand.  We can see the parallel to what the queen in waiting was going through.  This was at the core of what made this fantasy go wrong for me. I can see right away this is not going to be a feel-good romance.  There is not a way to “fix” this.  He treats her as a helpless child and property, which I know is historically accurate, but I was hoping to see her strength from the beginning.  It took a while, but it does...

Coretta Scott King Honor Book    This book is going to be BIG!  I chose Big by Vashti Harrison because it is a Corretta Scott King Honor Book that caught my attention when I glanced at the pictures.  It is hard to find a book that can teach youngsters empathy for others, encourage them to be proud of who they are and keep them turning the pages. This is a triple threat!    The story begins with an infant that eats her food like a big girl and continues to grow. It was all good, “until it wasn’t,” the book says.  A drawing depicts her squashing someone, getting stuck in the playground and throughout the pages there are comments being made that she hears and internalizes.  Her smile isn’t as big because she feels uncomfortable in her own skin. Although others try to help, nothing works.  Not until she makes a decision.    Through the pictures we can imagine her feelings, no wonder, it’s illustrations won the Caldecot....