Tag: Briony May Smith

Five-​Word Reviews: The Boy and the Elephant; The River Is My Ocean; Thank You; Tiny Jenny; We Are Definitely Human

On By Only Picture BooksIn Picture Book Reviews2 Comments

I’ve been reading so many picture books lately, and I can’t resist sharing some of my favorites! So, here are five mini-​reviews, each in just five words – because sometimes, that’s all you need to capture the magic.

Author: Freya Blackwood
Illustrator: Freya Blackwood
Random House Studio
27 August 2024
40 pages

Ryan’s five-​word review: Urban chaos. Serene sanctuary found.

4.25 out of 5 pachyderm pals

Author: Rio Cortez
Illustrator: Ashleigh Corrin
Denene Millner Books/​Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
27 August 2024
32 pages

Ryan’s five-​word review: Hudson’s diasporic flow, intergenerational bond. 

4.25 out of 5 mermaids

Author: Jarvis
Illustrator: Jarvis
Candlewick
6 August 2024
32 pages

Ryan’s five-​word review: Deeply appreciated visual feast. Uplifting.

4.25 out of 5 collage moons

Anne Schwartz Books
6 June 2024
48 pages

Ryan’s five-​word review: Mischief-​maker finds true belonging. Enchanting.

4 out of 5 whimsical wrens

Author: X. Fang
Illustrator: X. Fang
Tundra Books
6 August 2024
48 pages

Ryan’s five-​word review: Aliens crash. Kindness blooms. Laughter!

4.5 out of 5 unexpected visitors