"If I Had a Gryphon" by Vikki VanSickle & Cale Atkinson | Book Review

If I Had a Gryphon by Vikki VanSickle & Cale Atkinson

Publishing Date: February 9, 2016
Pages: 32
Publisher: Tundra Books
Links: Goodreads | Indigo | Kobo

Sam just got a hamster, but he's pretty boring. As she reads a book on mythological creatures, she dreams about what it would be like to have a unicorn, or a kraken, or a gryphon as a pet...but she quickly realizes that taking care of these fantastical beasts is probably not all it's cracked up to be.

This is a first here on In the Stacks...I've never reviewed a children's book before! The title and illustrations really hooked me in though - look at all those mythical creatures!

This book is so sweet, and I think it would be perfect for kids who love legendary creatures and animals in general. The book is told in really cute rhymes, which I think are always enjoyable for kids...heck, not just kids - I love rhymes too!

Part of what I love about this book is its message - to appreciate the things you have. We always think the grass is greener on the other side, but everything has its pros and cons, and sometimes it's just better to appreciate and cherish what you have.

Something I found interesting is that the text is bigger in some places to show emphasis, and it gets smaller when a character is whispering. I think this is such a great idea because if you're reading out loud to your child, you know exactly how to read it in a more dramatic and entertaining way for them!

I absolutely love the illustrations. They're so beautiful and I think their whimsical looks pair perfectly with the mythical creatures subject matter!

All in all, this is a great book for young kids, especially little dreamers who love fantasy and all the creatures you can possibly imagine.

*This book was sent to me by Penguin Random House Canada in exchange for an honest review.