Reviews written by Nicholette Tilghman

Easy to punch out, this paper-doll style book has horses, fairies, and outfits galore for your child (and you!) to create and design. Although it is probably best used by children 5 and older, my three-year-old has already spent a few hours arranging outfits for the horses, even without sticking...

A new boy moves to the neighborhood, and his outlook on what is in store is quite gloomy. When his mother sends him on a walk down the block, he is less than hopeful about meeting new friends. His frustration leads him to try something out-of-the-ordinary, but the...

In this whimsical color-theory storybook, friends little blue and little yellow get carried away while playing together. The result is chaotic for them and their families, but in the end the mystery of what happened is solved and the problem easily fixed. I enjoy this creative author's ability to make...

Unexpected, fast-paced, and taking place over the course of just a couple of days, Rip Tide, Kat Fall's sequel to Dark Life, pulled me under and held me there until I was finished and could catch a breath! I have to admit, I was not prepared...

What is it like to have a pet? This book goes through typical family pets, describing each alongside beautifully-wrought pop-up illustrations. It features unique pop-ups besides the typical style, showing movements and play of the rabbits, hamsters, and fish. I do recommend it for children older than 3, as this...

I hear a whimper. I feel a tug on my leg. Yep, my little 15-month-old wants me to read this book to her again! Close-up pictures of smiling and happy babies alongside colorful photos of landscapes and nature make this a charming book for babies to...

Oh my! How cute is your baby? This book lets you take a dive in the adorable wonderland of your darling little one. Starting from the top, the book describes the different and fun qualities of their eyes, nose, ears, tummy, legs, and toes. The drawings are perfect, with scenes...

This book has so many great attributes: song, poetry, a lyrical cadence, musical descriptions, and even words from the Swahili language. The youngest daughter of a Kenyan family, ChirChir, whose name means "born quickly," makes her way to each family member to try to help them with their daily work....

Although the only two words in the entire book are "mine" and "woof," this is a picture book my little ones enjoy flipping through. A toddler in the "that's mine" stage, a baby who likes all of his (or her, as the babies in the books could be either gender)...

I hope you didn't read the book synopsis above, and let me tell you why: It really is best to just "dive" headfirst into this, the first book of Kat Falls' dystopian series. I enjoy doing so with most fiction works, but the fact that I...

In this updated nursery rhyme/picture book, a boy ventures around his farm and learns about what each animal or insect contributes in the way of food or textiles. Folksy illustrations spread across each page, personifying the animals and showing how each item the animals produce is used. I...

My three-year-old hasn't been interested in counting much higher than 20 for quite some time. Then we "read" this book. Actually, there's not much to read throughout this colorful book, but there are lot's of things to count, and my daughter wants me to count it all! Not only that,...

This simple, straightforward fairytale is an excellent story to reaffirm in children a sense of right and wrong. Through the example of the one knight who did not follow the crowd, even though he thought it would cost him the honor of his village, the story explores the kinds of...

What a beautiful book! New author Masha D'yans did not only dazzle my 3-year-old with her first picture book, but she did so to me as well! Ruby goes on a make-believe adventure outside with her dog, Rocket, and meets some obstacles and friends along the way. The illustrations are...

Newcomer Krista Russell desires to expose children and young adults to the historical realities of the slave trade and the abolitionist movement. She skillfully weaves historical truths into her story, such as The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, difficulties in distinguishing race, the Quaker’s early involvement in abolitionist causes, and...