Kid Critic Corner: Where young readers share their thoughts

Cress: Book Three of the Lunar Chronicles

Wonderful read.

The Gruffalo

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson is a clever and rhythmic picture book that combines humor, suspense, and imagination. The story follows a quick-thinking mouse who invents a terrifying creature—the Gruffalo—to outwit predators, only to discover the creature might be real. With playful rhyming text and memorable characters, the book encourages confidence, wit, and problem-solving.

Dear Zoo

A classic lift-the-flap picture book that delights young readers through repetition, surprise, and simple humor. The story follows a child who writes to the zoo asking for a pet, only to receive a series of unsuitable animals—each revealed by lifting a flap—until the perfect one arrives. With bold illustrations, minimal text, and an interactive format, the book encourages curiosity and participation, making it ideal for toddlers and early readers. Its simplicity, combined with tactile engagement, explains why it remains a timeless favorite in early childhood reading.