Review: Hello, Puddle!

Hello stranger! I know, I know, I’ve been rubbish at keeping up with my blog lately. Last week I had a good excuse – I caught covid (for the second time, despite being triple-vaxxed, *sigh*) and was out of action with fever, coughing and co. But I’m also well aware that it’s the second half of March and I’ve published a grand total of 4 blog posts this year (including this one). So what’s going on??

All I can say is it’s a combination of lack of discipline and an increase in discipline. Confused yet? I think the lack of discipline is pretty much self-explanatory: I simply haven’t been disciplined enough to sit down every week (or even every 2 weeks) and write a post.

But I’ve also been more disciplined with myself this year in cutting back distractions and getting on with the actual work of writing. If I’m not careful I can spend days or weeks doing every possible writing-related thing – reading newsletters, watching webinars, reading picture books and craft books, connecting with other creatives on Twitter… and blogging! All of these things are fun and fulfilling and valuable for my writing career. But none of them will get the stories written and revised, without which I have no chance of being published.

While I can’t guarantee I’ll return to blogging every week (or even consistently every other week), I will try to get better than I have been recently (pinkie promise!). And today I’m happy to emerge from my blogging hiatus to review a lovely book that’s perfect to celebrate the start of spring: Hello, Puddle! by Anita Sanchez and Luisa Uribe.

Title: Hello, Puddle!
Author: Anita Sanchez
Illustrator: Luisa Uribe
Age: 4-7

This fascinating non-fiction picture book focuses on one puddle throughout the year as a young girl watches the many different life forms that make use of it. Tadpoles hatch and grow in the puddle, plants take root by it, while various animals drink from it, eat from it and use the mud around it to build their homes.

Each spread contains a short piece of lyrical text, which can easily be read on it’s own, as well as more in-depth information about the various forms of life that visit the puddle.

Kids can learn so much from this book about ecosystems and nature and the changing seasons (I learnt some things from it myself!)

The delightful illustrations, which vary in palette as the year progresses, make each page feel fresh and exciting, even though the same location is shown throughout.

Extensive back matter includes an author’s note, tips for wildlife enthusiasts, information about the animals shown in the book and more.

Every school, library and home needs a copy of this beautiful book!

Hello, Puddle! was released on 8th March 2022. Many thanks to Edelweiss+ and Clarion Books for a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

You can get hold of a copy by clicking one of the links below!

Bookshop.org
IndieBound
B&N
Book Depository
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk

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