differences – BookBunnies

Caramel reviews My Friend John by Arleen McCarthy

Today Caramel is talking to Sprinkles about a brand new book, My Friend John by Arleen McCarthy, which just came out on Friday November 8.

The book bunnies received this book from the publisher as a review copy.

Caramel reviews My Friend John by Arleen McCarthy. — Caramel reviews *My Friend John* by Arleen McCarthy.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, here we are again, this time to talk about this book about a boy named John. So maybe start by telling us a bit about it?

Caramel: Sure. In this book the main character is a girl.

S: Wait, the girl is named John?

C: No. Wait, I am getting there. The girl is in class one day when the teacher announces that there is going to be a new kid, named John. At lunch the main character invites John over to sit with her, and he says thank you. Later the kid John makes a noise and shakes, then goes back to normal.

S: What kind of noise?

C: i think that he says something like “tak”.

S: So maybe something that does not mean anything to the other people? Maybe something in a different language?

C: No, it is not quite that. Later John doesn’t come to school because in class this same kind of thing happens, too, and the rest of the class makes fun of him.

S: Oh, I see. He is not really in control when he is making the sounds and shaking, right?

C: Yes, in fact I was going to get to that. Later the teacher tells her that John has Tourette Syndrome, and that is why he made those noises and started to shake.

S: I see. Of course the other kids did not know about Tourette Syndrome so they just ended up making fun of him and making him feel bad.

C: Yes, but eventually the girl who is the main character understands this and later tells the class that the reason John did not come to school is because they made fun of him.

S: I see. I guess it is normal for most children not to know about this syndrome, but they did not need to make fun of someone just because they are behaving differently or unexpectedly.

C: Yeah, I agree.

Caramel is reading My Friend John by Arleen McCarthy. — Caramel is reading *My Friend John* by Arleen McCarthy.

S: Did you know about Tourette Syndrome before reading this book?

C: Yes, a little.

S: Same here. I knew of the syndrome but I do not think I have met someone with a severe case of it. I can imagine it can be surprising to children if they have never seen someone with it, but that is no reason to make fun of the person.

C: Yes, I suppose that is true; sometimes little bunnies can be cruel. But not me, right?

S: Right, not you. I know you are always trying to be kind, and you always want to help and include other bunnies. But I think it is in all of us to want to push away different people because we might be afraid. Many bunnies want to be with bunnies like themselves. It probably feels more comfortable. But we must choose to be kind whenever we can. And to know that many bunnies are different from one another, and differences do not have to separate us. I am happy that you consciously choose to be kind whenever you can. You only tease Marshmallow and me.

C: Yes, I do.

S: We usually can handle it! Anyways, so what did you think about this book overall? I feel like there is always room for a new book about being kind.

C: Yeah, agreed. This is a good book. And I learned about Tourette syndrome and you know I always like to learn new things.

S: I know! So maybe this is a good time to wrap things up. Can you give me a description of the book in three to five words?

C: Positive and full of color. That is exactly five words, right?

S: Yes, that is perfect, thank you! And now what would you like to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel appreciated reading My Friend John by Arleen McCarthy and learning about ways we can support friends with differences. — Caramel appreciated reading *My Friend John* by Arleen McCarthy and learning about ways we can support friends with differences.

Caramel reviews I Lived Inside a Whale by Xin Li

For his first review for the new season, Caramel chose a beautiful picture book, I Lived Inside A Whale by Xin Li, first published in 2024 and promptly awarded the Barnes & Noble Children’s & YA Book Award. As always, Sprinkles is asking questions and taking notes.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, we are back! You found a neat book to talk about today. Tell us a bit about I Lived Inside a Whale.

Caramel: It is about a girl; we don’t know her name. But she finds the world too noisy. And so she makes a boat and goes into the ocean and finds a great blue whale and starts to live inside it.

S: Wait, so she wants to be alone and so she gets herself swallowed up by a whale?

C: Yes, kind of. But it is not a violent swallowing. She learns that the heart of a whale is huge so the inside of the whale must be large enough for her to live on her own. So she goes into one.

S: That is kind of fantastical.

C: Yes. Like in a fantasy, you mean, right?

S: Yes. I mean it is not really believable.

C: Sprinkles, this is just a story. So weird things happen. But the point is she finds peace and quiet inside the whale. Until a boy comes in.

S: Wait, so the whale swallows another child, whole?

C: Yes. And the boy is not very quiet at first. But he listens to the girl and leaves her be for a bit so when she feels comfortable she can talk to him.

S: I see. This seeking out a quiet place reminds me of a book you reviewed before.

C: Which one are you thinking of?

S: I was thinking of Albert’s Quiet Quest.

C: Oh, yes. It has been a long time since then, but you are right. The boy in that story also wanted to be in a quiet place to read, and his home and his friends were all too loud.

Caramel is reading I Lived Inside a Whale by Xin Li. — Caramel is reading *I Lived Inside a Whale* by Xin Li.

S: So what do you think the main point of this book is?

C: I don’t know, but I think one of the points is about how some bunnies want to be quiet and want space for themselves, and we should give them that space.

S: Yes, I can see how you would get that from how the little boy understands the little girl’s need for quiet and then how the two of them end up getting along so well.

C: Yes. And she tells stories, many many stories. So maybe when she has the space and quiet to think and so on, she can also speak up and say important and interesting things.

S: I can see that. So we should provide space for everyone to have a chance to contribute, for them to tell their stories.

C: Yes.

S: That is so sweet, Caramel! I also loved the color scheme and the drawings in this book. What did you think?

C: I liked it too. There is a lot of color. It is a very colorful book.

S: I think a lot of little bunnies could read this with their big bunnies and they would enjoy it a lot.

C: Yep, I agree. Maybe we can read it together.

S: Would be nice Caramel! So let us wrap this up then. What would you like to tell our readers?

C: The book bunnies are back! Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel loved reading I Lived Inside a Whale by Xin Li and recommends it to all young bunnies who need a bit of quiet sometimes. — Caramel loved reading *I Lived Inside a Whale* by Xin Li and recommends it to all young bunnies who need a bit of quiet sometimes.

Caramel reviews Ricky, The Rock That Couldn’t Roll by Mr. Jay and Erin Wozniak

Today Caramel reviews a cute picture book from 2017, Ricky, The Rock That Couldn’t Roll, written by Mr. Jay (Jay Miletsky) and illustrated by Erin Wozniak. As usual, Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

Caramel reviews Ricky, The Rock That Couldn't Roll, written by Mr. Jay and illustrated by Erin Wozniak. — Caramel reviews *Ricky, The Rock That Couldn’t Roll*, written by Mr. Jay and illustrated by Erin Wozniak.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, tell me a bit about this book.

Caramel: This book is about a rock named Ricky and about friendship.

S: Wait, now we are naming rocks?

C: No. This book is naming them. The book has a lot of talking rocks.

S: I see. So there are these talking rocks and one is called Ricky.

C: Yes. Unfortunately for Ricky, Ricky is different from his friends.

S: In what way?

C: Well, as the book title says, he can’t roll! He is flat on one side. All his friends are round. So they can all roll, but Ricky can’t.

S: I see. How does this make Ricky feel?

C: Sad because he feels left out.

S: I can understand that. If all your friends were ice skating, and you could not skate, it would not be too fun.

C: Exactly. But Ricky has really good friends. And they try to help him. They come up with many many ideas. Most of them fail, of course. They try to wrap him up with balloons and such, and that fails miserably.

S: But at least they are trying to help. I see now why you said the book is about friendship. Good friends help one another.

C: Yep. And in the end they succeed!

S: Okay, so let us not totally spoil the fun of reading the book, but that means that in the end Ricky will be happy, right?

C: Yup.

Caramel is reading Ricky, The Rock That Couldn't Roll, written by Mr. Jay and illustrated by Erin Wozniak. — Caramel is reading *Ricky, The Rock That Couldn’t Roll*, written by Mr. Jay and illustrated by Erin Wozniak.

S: So then I am assuming you liked this book?

C: Yes. It made me happy.

S: I can understand why. You like books with happy endings.

C: Yes.

S: What you told me about the book reminded me of another book you reviewed a while back: The Missing Piece Meets the Big O by Shel Silverstein. Do you remember that book?

C: Yes. And you are right, there are some similarities. There too there is a thing, called the Missing Piece, that wants to roll on its own but cannot. But there, the Missing Piece eventually figures out that by trying, it can smooth out its rough pointy corner and become rounder so it can roll. It does this more or less on its own. That book is not really about friendship. It is more about perseverance.

S: You are very wise Caramel. And that is a big word for a little bunny your age! But there is perseverance in this book, too. Ricky and his friends do not give up. They try and fail over and over again, but they do not give up, until they eventually solve the problem.

C: That is true.

S: But I can see how this book is more about friendship. So if you were to describe the book using three to five words, how would you do it?

C: Cute story about friends helping friends.

S: That works! So let us wrap this review up then. What do you want to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel appreciated reading Ricky, The Rock That Couldn't Roll, written by Mr. Jay and illustrated by Erin Wozniak, and recommends it to other young bunnies who can't always do everything their friends can do. — Caramel appreciated reading *Ricky, The Rock That Couldn’t Roll*, written by Mr. Jay and illustrated by Erin Wozniak, and recommends it to other young bunnies who can’t always do everything their friends can do.

Caramel reviews Elbert in the Air by Monica Wesolowska and Jerome Pumphrey

Today Caramel reviews a sweet picture book published in 2023 titled Elbert in the Air, written by Monica Wesolowska and illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey. As always, Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

The book bunnies received this book as a review copy.

Caramel reviews Elbert in the Air, written by Monica Wesolowska and illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey. — Caramel reviews *Elbert in the Air*, written by Monica Wesolowska and illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, here we are, once again talking about a brand new picture book. What can you tell us about Elbert in the Air?

Caramel: This book is about Elbert, who is a kid who floats. Quite literally. I mean he can float in the air, and he could do so since the time he was a baby.

S: So like a balloon?

C: Kind of.

S: That is interesting. Can he control it?

C: Not really. He can only go up it seems like. He can’t go down. It is really sad actually. How would he get food? I mean, his mom gives him things, but she has to climb a tree and so on to reach him.

S: You are right Caramel. Floating like a balloon sounds fun at first, but I guess it can be lonely.

C: It could be cool if you could control it.

S: I agree Caramel. So do we know why Elbert floats?

C: Nope. He just does.

S: Okay, so what happens in the book?

C: He keeps flying and people are scared of him. They keep telling his mom how to control him and bring him down.

S: What does the mom do?

C: She does not do any of the things they tell her to. She says, “if Elbert was born to float, you should let him.”

S: I see. Do you think she is doing the right thing?

C: Yes.

S: She is not judging her child and trying to make him fit into other people’s expectations.

C: Yes, exactly. So I think she is doing the right thing.

S: But Elbert will be lonely if he is the only one floating.

C: Well, at some point he has regular friends while they can reach him, but then he flies up higher and regular folks cannot reach him. So for a while he is really lonely.

S: But at least he knows his mom is supporting him.

C: Yes.

S: Still it could be lonely…

C: Yes. I am sure it would be, but he does eventually find others who can float, and — wait, is that a spoiler?

S: Hmm, maybe.

C: Okay, I will say no more.

Caramel is reading Elbert in the Air, written by Monica Wesolowska and illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey. — Caramel is reading *Elbert in the Air*, written by Monica Wesolowska and illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey.

S: Alright, so let us look at the book in other ways. What did you think of the illustrations?

C: I thought they were good. There are a lot of pale blue, orange, brown, black, red, white, and so on.

S: Somewhat muted and calming colors mostly?

C: Yes. Except the red and the orange. But those are fun colors too.

S: So you liked the colors! What was your favorite part of the book?

C: Well, I cannot tell, because it is at the end, and I do not want to spoil things any more than I did already.

S: That’s fair. Okay Caramel, so if you were to summarize this book in three words, what would you say?

C: Colorful, floating, and happy.

S: I like those!

C: Actually, maybe I’d say adventurous, too.

S: Alright, then. I think those are good words to summarize the book. Let us wrap up our review then. What would you like to tell our readers Caramel?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel enjoyed reading Elbert in the Air by Monica Wesolowska and Jerome Pumphrey, and recommends it to all the little bunnies all over the world. — Caramel enjoyed reading *Elbert in the Air* by Monica Wesolowska and Jerome Pumphrey, and recommends it to all the little bunnies all over the world.