Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Little Wings #1: Willa Bean's Cloud Dreams by Cecilia Galante illustrated by Kristi Valiant

Willa Bean isn't like the other cupids! She has wild red hair, a lot of freckles, and bright purple wings. She also loves finding treasures, and has a really big collection of all of her great finds. There's only one thing that Willa Bean's nervous about: school is starting soon, and she doesn't know how to fly! Will she be the only one there who can't fly?

Have cupids ever been featured in a children's series before? Maybe it's time for cupids to have a moment. They're kind of like angels (living in clouds, having wings, flying), but you won't have to address any religion questions head on. Like many young heroines in children's books, Willa Bean is plucky and determined and just a little bit feisty. In this first title, she has to deal with something that many kids could relate to: starting school and worrying that everyone else can do things that you can't. The book nicely sets up what could be lots of future adventures for Willa Bean and her friends and family. I can see it working nicely for young readers, particularly girls, who are ready to explore a new series.

Find it at Amazon.

I read an advance review copy from NetGalley courtesy of Random House.

Read it with:
The Patron Saint of Butterflies by Cecilia Galante
Little Wings #2: Be Brave, Willa Bean by Cecilia Galante
Kylie Jean, Blueberry Queen by Marci Peschke

2 comments:

  1. Hi, can i ask you something? I'm looking for children books with "scary" illustrations like wolf (or fox) eating pigs (or seven kids or Red Riding hood or birds in Chicken Little) or being pictured with a fat stomach. Any sort of help is appreciated. Thanks in advance. Great blog, by the way!

    reese

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  2. Hi Reese!
    What immediately pops to mind is Yummy by Lucy Cousins. I can't quite remember the exact illustrations, but the stories centre around food and I remember thinking "you don't see this in every children's book!" Or maybe Wolves by Emily Gravett? The Jerry Pinkney-illustrated Little Red Riding Hood doesn't show any explicit eating shots, but it does have the wolf licking its lips and baring its teeth. I hope this helps!

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