I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I didn't really like this book. The drawings are just strange. The story was only okay.

The grammar Nazi in me wants to IMPLORE you to either check your grammar or get an editor. I get that poetry has its own guidelines, but there are rules.

Honestly, I just wasn't a fan of this book. I love reading "sing-songy" or Seussian-style books aloud, but there were parts where the rhythm was off. It got repetitive- two "justs" in a single line, what a place to expand vocabulary.

It comes off as preachy rather than a fun story. In fact, I have to question if it was a story. What exactly was the plot? Because all I read was a description of two characters, one visits the other followed by a bunch of dialogue about how you HAVE to grow up. Show don't tell is a cliche in literature for a reason.

I most likely won't be handing this title out to the kids in my circle. I don't see them enjoying it.

I received a copy of Eli the Snazzleraffer Growing Up by Robert Agnello via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Funny story, my son loved it. Nice lesson about not being afraid to grow up. Nice bright and well done illustrations. Very unique

I received this arc from Netgalley for an honest review. This picture book about friendship would be a great read aloud as it has a Dr. Seuss feel to it. Simple pencil illustrations are included.

In a word...fun. I would gladly use this book as a read aloud or choice read in the classroom or at home.

My favorite line from the book: I want to see Aaron before he turns into a tree. Aaron is an acorn. Aaron is shy and he is told he comes off as rude. I remember telling my grandson to speak when a grownup talks to him instead of hiding behind me. I told him people like little guys who respond. He understood and became the toddler charmer to adults. Aaron the acorn’s relationship with Snazzleraffer helps him understand just how useful he is as he grows. Aaron does grows into a mighty oak and at the “Never the end” you see the Snazzleraffer hanging on one of Aaron’s branch’s.
Comforting story of growing up and friendship.
This is the sequel to Eli the Snazzleraffer.

I enjoyed the story and loved the rhyming writing style. I think this is one the little ones will like. Can't wait to see it in color.

I received an electronic ARC from On the Lamb Productions from NetGalley.
A delightful rhyming book about friendship changes and growing up. Eli the Snazzleraffer is a unique character. He's round and pointy and has sharp thorns on his toes. The narrator introduces him and describes him to begin the story. He decides to visit his friend Aaron the Acorn to spend time together before he becomes an oak tree. Aaron is shy and afraid to grow up. Eli offers words of wisdom about changes and growing and becoming who you're meant to be.
The illustrations are simple but draw the reader in. A younger reader can see the scene and add their own imaginative details.
The rhymes flow well to tell the story.

A big thank you to NetGalley and On the Lamb Productions/Independent book publishers for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is a children's book. Thus cover is very cute and engaging. But the inner graphics while well done are in black and white. Why? Color would have made the characters pop. The story wasn't bad. It did have some English oddities, and some of the rhyming seemed very forced. But the story has value. I rate this a 2.5. I think color graphics would have made it more engaging for children.

This one just wasn't for me. The illustrations were cute although the Snazzleraffer's teeth were alarmingly sharp and might frighten some children. I found the rhyming to be a bit forced at times which was distracting and pulled my focus away from the story line. At the beginning of the story there are several pages about how Snazzleraffers never fall out of trees and how sad it would be if they did but I didn't understand the relevance of these pages. Aaron the acorn was sad about growing up because he wouldn't be able to run and play anymore which really IS sad - especially if you're a child reading this book that might have some trepidation about growing up. Having his friends around him as he grew was nice but was still sad because he couldn't play like he used to.

This ARC was glitchy and I couldn't even open it to review. I tried multiple times to download, but I couldn't get it to work. If there is another format other than PDF you would like me to review, please contact me at tifne13@hotmail.com.