by Douglas Quinn
Member since:
October 5, 2007

CRASH! by Mayra Calvani (Children's Picture Book) Review by Douglas Quinn

June 29, 2008 04:35 PM EDT
views: 106 | rating: 10/10 (33 votes) | comments: 44

Each person commenting on this book review will be entered in a drawing to win a copy of the book. With the permission of the author, Mayra Calvani, Douglas Quinn will ship free his review copy to the winner.  

Crash!

by Mayra Calvani

A Children's Picture Book-Ages 3-6

Guardian Angel Publishing, 2008

Softcover paperback

ISBN 978-1-933090-54-2

**** Story

**** Illustrations

Giving a child the right to name his pet

Review by Douglas Quinn, Author of Blue Heron Marsh, etal

and Donna Higgins Colson, Professional Artist

With rights come responsibilities. Conversely, with responsibilities come rights. Crash! is a story that shows a child that if he or she is going to take on the responsibility of a new puppy, then he or she should have the right to name the pet. Fortunately, the parents respect this right and, while offering suggestions, allow the child to feel his way through the naming process on his own. Ultimately, by observing the new puppy, the child comes up with the perfect name that suits his new pal.

The illustrations are delightful. The red and green cover works well with eye-catching primary colors throughout the book. Composition and use of space are skillfully cropped and the space is nicely broken up with diagonals, creating motion with enough details to generate interest. The boy and the dog are well drawn in appropriate proportions for the target audience and support the story line. We were impressed how skillfully the illustrations were done by this young artist.

We enjoyed Crash! and recommend it for the targeted 3 to 6 read-to age range.
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Comments: 44

Rhetta A. Jun 29, 2008, 6:04pm EDT
It sounds like a lovely book with a good message.
Vivian P. Jun 29, 2008, 6:56pm EDT
sounds like an adorable book
my grand daughter name my Jack Russel
A. F. Stewart Jun 30, 2008, 10:11am EDT
It sounds like it would be an enjoyable book.
Brenda W. Jul 13, 2008, 11:39am EDT
I love the cover art. Good review. This sounds like a great children's book.
April H. Jul 13, 2008, 12:05pm EDT
This is a very nice review. Thanks
This sounds like a book my twin granddaughters will love. Thanks for the review.
George T. Jul 13, 2008, 12:20pm EDT
Sounds like a great book that children will love. There's no better way to get a child's attention than by presenting them with a picture book about a boy and his dog.
Larry P. Jul 13, 2008, 2:40pm EDT
Sounds like a great book . Great review .
Connie C. Jul 13, 2008, 3:38pm EDT
My Grandkids would love this book. Great Review. I think there should be more book reviews for childrens books than they are
Connie C. Jul 13, 2008, 3:42pm EDT
I will post this information in the Monday Edition of Today On Gather. Congratulations
Jan S. Jul 13, 2008, 4:43pm EDT
Looks like a wonderful book with a worthwhile message. The illustration is cute, too.
Jeanette(Nettie) R. Jul 13, 2008, 5:49pm EDT
Sounds like a cute story! The cover I very appealing even to me. Getting children interested in books is very important and this looks very attractive!
Renee (Pres of Baby James Foundation) ~. Jul 13, 2008, 9:06pm EDT
Sounds like a wonderful book, James would love it in his collection
♠~Dnbuster~♠ ~. Jul 13, 2008, 9:14pm EDT
oh this sounds like a book i could read to my kiddos.
we are intoducing resposibilities and rewards to them.
Would be a great cute assistance !
hugs- DN
Shannon W Jul 13, 2008, 9:20pm EDT
That sounds like an adorable book and one that kids in that age range need to read. I have two in that age range and they'd love to have the chance to name their own pet. We are planning to get a cat soon and they'll have a say in the naming process.
Wanda H. Jul 13, 2008, 9:30pm EDT
Great review of what promises to be a terrific book to use as a read-to. I know my newest granddaughter, Janae', would love to read this with her mom or dad.
Wanda H. Jul 13, 2008, 9:32pm EDT
By the way, what a great way to encourage readers and comments. Using the book as a prize is a terrific idea. Extends the life of the book and brings out people who might not otherwise read and comment on a review. Great idea, Doug.
Monica H. Jul 13, 2008, 10:14pm EDT
Thank you for the review of the book. My kids are 4 and 2 so this would be one that would suit both of them. My daughter has been recently asking if she could have a puppy. I am not ready to go there just yet. It seems there is alot to take care of now with two toddlers. We are still thinking about it.
Marsha S. Jul 13, 2008, 11:59pm EDT
Looks like a great book. I have 2 granddaughters that will be 3 and 4 next month and they would love it.
J F. Jul 14, 2008, 8:30am EDT
It sounds like a great little book that would be nice for my friend's little 5 year old that wants a puppy. I child sit here and we read alot.
Rae M. Jul 14, 2008, 8:36am EDT
It sounds like an adorable book. My son would love this.
Douglas Quinn Jul 14, 2008, 9:01am EDT
Thanks to all who have commented so far. Again, a reminder that I'm holding open the drawing for a free copy of Mayra Calvani's book through the 20th of July (Sunday). Monday morning will draw a name out of the proverbial hat and notigy the winner both with a comment here and personally by Gather mail.

Best,
Douglas Quinn
www.douglasquinn.com
Patricia G. Jul 14, 2008, 9:14am EDT
What an interesting premise. Having many pets through the years, dogs, cats and horses, I know what a difficult experience it can be to find the perfect name for that perfect animal. For a child, I imagine it might be that much harder.

What I loved about your review was that you took into consideration the detailing of the artwork that is so important to children's books.

Good work.

Patricia A. Guthrie
www.patriciaanneguthrie.com
Shawn M. Jul 14, 2008, 10:47am EDT
Sounds like good book for kids
Melinda ~choosing happiness~ S. Jul 14, 2008, 11:04am EDT
Looks like a cute book! Nice review!
Bridget ♥ Jul 14, 2008, 11:29am EDT
Sounds like a wonderful book. My 4 year old daughter would really enjoy this one!
Bethany C. Jul 14, 2008, 1:57pm EDT
It is good how you mentioned the artwork and the space being broken up, creating motion making it something that would hold a child's interest. Those are some of the most important things for a child that age, as I can attest to from experience.
My children are grown, but my baby sister has a three-year-old and a four-year-old. Actually, their eight-year-old sister was asking me recently if I had any 'kid books' at my house. I didn't and had to make her up a story.
Anyway, good review!
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Jul 14, 2008, 2:07pm EDT
Thanks, this couldn't have come at a better time. My grand children are coming for a visit and I have started purchasing different children's books from recomendations here on Gather and even a couple that are authored by members. I'll be sure to add this one to the list.
Valerie Roars Jul 14, 2008, 2:19pm EDT
Looks like a cute book :)
Jennifer N. Jul 14, 2008, 2:47pm EDT
Oh, this sounds so cute. We have a zoo of animals here, some of which were named by Gideon. I think this would e a great one for him to aid him in the naming process for the next critter that might come along.
Cheryl R. Jul 14, 2008, 2:59pm EDT
A good review, Douglas. It sounds like a very appropriate book for the age group.
Marge H. Jul 14, 2008, 4:49pm EDT
I just love the cover art. This sounds like a great book to share with a child to teach responsibility and love for pets.
Heather ~of the Whippets~ M. Jul 15, 2008, 12:29am EDT
It sounds like a very cute book!
Christine Zibas Jul 15, 2008, 12:38am EDT
Ironically enough we are just arguing in my family now about the name of our next dog (we don't have the dog yet...still looking). Everyone has a different take on it. What an interesting take on a topic for a children's book.

I have to agree with everyone else. There should be more reviews with all the parents here on Gather.
April H. Jul 15, 2008, 10:37am EDT
Sounds like a great book! Thanks for reviewing it!
Jane C. Jul 15, 2008, 10:55am EDT
wonderful! sounds like a book my granddaughter would like. hint, hint!
ISABEL Y. Jul 16, 2008, 10:31pm EDT
Lovely book. I would love to have this book in our clinic's waiting area for our little patients to enjoy as they wait after taking their Allergy shots.
Ashley B. Jul 17, 2008, 10:40am EDT
Sounds nice. My cousin would love this.
Jordan Is happy Jul 17, 2008, 1:54pm EDT
my baby sis would love it. she likes to be read to.
Jordan Is happy Jul 17, 2008, 2:02pm EDT
SmileyCentral.com SmileyCentral.com 's SmileyCentral.com
♥Tabitha Cowan♥ Jul 18, 2008, 7:20pm EDT
My kids would love this book. They know what it's like to try to find just the right name for a pet, so they could relate, and they always love reading.
Rae M. Jul 20, 2008, 7:43pm EDT
Just commenting one more time!!
Connie C. Jul 21, 2008, 6:40pm EDT
I anounced the winner in the Tuesday edition of Today On Gather.

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