Welcome to our Kids Book Review Library Haul post! This is my mostly-weekly series where I give you quick and snappy reviews of our favorites from our weekly library haul. We read a LOT of children’s books from the library and I like to keep things positive too, so books that I thought were terrible don’t usually make it into the list… unless I just really want to rant about it for a while. That has happened too! Let us know in the comments which books were winners in YOUR library haul!

#1. Giggle, Giggle, Quack by Doreen Cronin

Giggle, Giggle, Quack is a story about some farm animals that get up to mischief when the farmer goes on vacation and leaves somebody else in charge. He warns his brother to ‘Watch out for the duck’, but the duck gets the better of him anyways.
Giggle, Giggle Quack is a board book with lots of funny-ridiculous quirks that most kids find hilarious. What kind of farm animals write notes and eat pizza? Farmer Brown’s animals, that’s who. It was cute enough, as farm books go, and an easy read.

We liked it: 3 out of 5 stars

#2. Bubble Trouble by Margaret Mahy

When Mabel blows a bubble that scoops up her baby brother, the entire town rushes into a panic, following his journey through the sky and brainstorming ideas to get him back safely.

This book was definitely the star of our library haul. The entire thing is written in the most lilting, perfect rhymes a la Dr. Suess, but with a VERY impressive vocabulary. There are a few made up words, but a very impressive collection of actual words that fit into the story and the rhymes. Cavil, nefarious, groveling… you get the idea. You guys, I had to look up one of the words. That NEVER happens with little kids books, but it thrills my soul. My kids loved it too, lest you think my adoration is tainted by my love of vocabulary. It was Sophia’s second choice to the (TERRIBLE) Barbie book that she chose, loved, and wanted to read at least once every. single. day.

We all loved it: 5 out of 5 stars

#3. Cold Snap by Eileen Spinelli

The town of Toby Mills is experiencing the coldest snap anybody has seen in a very long town. The icicle on the statue of General Toby is growing daily, and there’s no end in sight. The inhabitants of Toby Mills are having to get more and more creative just to stay warm, and everybody is wondering… When will the cold snap break?

Cold Snap was a particularly fun book to read since it hasn’t gotten cold here yet. The idea of snow and cold snaps is still firmly lodged in that nostalgic part of my brain, and the wondrous, magical part of my kids’ brains. I know… give us until January, y’all.

We really liked it: 4 out of 5 stars

#4. Hilda Must Be Dancing by Karma Wilson

Hilda is a hippo who loves to dance, but when she dances the ground shakes, trees lose their leaves, and the other animals clutch their heads and groan. They try to convince her to take up different hobbies, but nothing makes Hilda feel quite as good as dancing. They’re at an impasse until one day Hilda discovers something new…

This was a cute picture book story about doing what you love and solving problems. Hilda’s perseverance and creativity go a long way towards helping her find the perfect solution. Plus, it rhymes. Have I mentioned that my kids are really into rhyming books lately? To be fair, I enjoy them a great deal myself, but they really do love them.

We really liked it: 4 out of 5 stars.