Tag: Bettina Braskó

Grandpappy’s Corner: Little Aiden: A Big Kid Book for Toddlers by Albert and Anna Choi, Bettina Braskó (Illustrator): Aiden’s a “Big Kid” Now (well, bigger)

A quick note before I dive in—from 2/6-2/8 (11:59 PST), this book is available for free for Kindle. Now’s as good a time as any to pick it up!


Grandpappy's Corner Logo with the Cover of Little Aiden: A Big Kid Book for Toddlers by Albert and Anna Choi, Bettina Braskó

Little Aiden: A Big Kid Book for Toddlers

by Albert and Anna Choi, Bettina Braskó (Illustrator)

DETAILS:
Series: Little Aiden 
Publisher: Mytogo Publishing
Publication Date: January 7, 2025
Format: eBook
Length: 45 pg.
Read Date: January 6, 2025

What’s Little Aiden About?

Aiden’s grown up a bit since we last saw him, and he’s working out how to be independent. Sometimes with great results, sometimes with unfortunate ones (and some of those are cute from the perspective of the reader, while frustrating for the Chois in the moment, I’m sure).

There’s a lot for the young reader/read-to person to identify with—perhaps a mildly mischievous inspiration, too (not that most toddlers need it).

Let’s Talk about the Art for a Minute

Braskó’s work is the star of the show. Particularly in the depiction of Aiden’s Teddy. I don’t know if that’s all Braskó or if the Chois give direction for Teddy—even if they split credit for it, it’s Braskó’s execution that sells it. I think that Teddy’s background antics are going to be the main appeal of this book/series (aside from the all-important bonding with the young reader/read-to).

As for the main action? Aiden’s as cute as you want, the illustrations are bright and whimsical—the affection between the family is clear. I have a pretty good idea what this little moppet is like from this book alone.

How is it to Read Aloud?

It’s full of short, declarative sentences. No flair, no goofy words or rhymes—it’s a piece of cake on that front. I think the text serves well as a launching pad for discussions about the scene depicted and how it’s like their life.

It’d also be good for early readers to use to read to a younger sibling (I think).

What did the Little Critter think of It?

N/A—my phone screen is the only reader I have at the moment that can handle the color, and it’s too small for us to use. But it’s the kind of thing he’d dig for sure.

So, what did I think about Little Aiden?

It reminded me of I Am a Big Brother by Caroline Jayne Church, in that it’s not so much a story or a book to teach about something/render a lesson. It’s just a look at the life of someone going through something the reader can identify with—having a younger sibling in Church’s book, going through this stage of life in this case. I think seeing that commonality with others is an important thing. It’s also good to see that bigger people care enough about this stage of life to make books about it—it’s not all about big kids/adults or creatures having adventures or all about the cute baby stuff.

And there are some younger types who need to see early on that people who may have different ethnic backgrounds have similar experiences.

That’s probably a little deeper than people need to think about a picture book, though (or is it?). So let’s go with this—it’s a cute read with fun pictures. At the end of the day, that’s enough for the audience.

Like the other two books in this series, I recommend it.

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Grandpappy’s Corner: Little Aiden – A Love Book for Toddlers by Albert and Anna Choi, Bettina Braskó (Illustrator): Will Make You Say, “Awwww.”

I’m posting about the two books (so far) in the Little Aiden series today, which is turning into a bigger challenge than I expected. The two books are pretty similar in terms of style, quality, etc. So, yeah, the second post might sound a lot like the first—occasionally I’m just going to copy and paste. Sorry about that. But they should be different enough to justify your time as well as mine.


Little Aiden - A Love Book for Toddlers

Little Aiden – A Love Book for Toddlers

by Albert and Anna Choi, Bettina Braskó (Illustrator)

DETAILS:
Series: Little Aiden 
Publisher: Mytogo Publishing
Publication Date: May 22, 2023
Format: eBook
Length: 41 pg.
Read Date: June 10, 2023

What’s Little Aiden – A Love Book for Toddlers About?

This book is basically someone* narrating a day in Aiden’s life (or a bunch of activities over a few days), assuring him of their love in all the things he’s up to—when he’s being brave, when he’s being calm, when he’s sad, anxious, scared, and so on. All throughout the day and with a promise that this love will continue.

*Presumably his mother, given the art—although you could make the case that it’s from the point of view of the dad seeing both of them. It really doesn’t matter.

Let’s Talk about the Art for a Minute

The art is as adorable and eye-catching here as it was in the other Little Aiden book. Fantastic expressions, great background illustrations, etc. These are going to be very fun for a toddler—and whoever is reading with the toddler—to stop and talk about.

Braskó’s use of Aiden’s teddy bear is fantastic, once I saw what she did on the “Brave” illustration I had to go back through the whole book just looking for what was going on with the bear. (adding the rest of the toys to the mix on the “Confident” page was great, too)

I like her use of the first Little Aiden book here—that was such a nice touch. I wonder how many toddlers will notice?

Be sure to check out some of the samples on Braskó’s website.

How is it to Read Aloud?

I don’t mean this in a bad way—but this isn’t going to do much for the adult reader. It’s a simple and repetitive text. You don’t get to do any fun rhymes, tongue twisters, silly voices, or goofy noises (well, maybe a couple). And it’s okay, because it’s not that kind of book.

It’s the kind of book that’s intentionally repetitive—this is how you can help the child learn. It’s written simply for the same reason. Short and clear sentences that make it easy to grasp the point.

It’s also the kind of book that’s easy to stop reading to discuss—what Aiden is doing, the art, what his Teddy Bear is doing (alongside or in contrast to Aiden), or whatever. And that’s where the engagement for the adult reader is going to come in.

And, hey, some of the pages serve as a good reminder to the adult that it’s okay for the toddler to be frustrated and angry—because it’s really easy for parents/caretakers to forget that sometimes. It’s good for us to vocalize that.

So, what did I think about Little Aiden – A Love Book for Toddlers?

This is just so sweet. There’s some fun to be had (primarily from Braskó’s art, because the text is earnest), but it’s largely warm and sweet reminders of a parent’s affections.

It just made me melt, it’ll likely do the same for you.

It’ll be a great springboard for a parent/grandparent/caregiver to use to talk about all the different ways and times they love the toddler they’re reading with—and who can’t use something like that?

Another heartily recommended book from this series.


4 Stars

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Grandpappy’s Corner: Little Aiden – A Feelings Book for Toddlers by Albert and Anna Choi, Bettina Braskó (Illustrator): Nothing Less than Feelings

I’m posting about the two books (so far) in the Little Aiden series today, which is turning into a bigger challenge than I expected. The two books are pretty similar in terms of style, quality, etc. So, yeah, the second post might sound a lot like the first—occasionally I’m just going to copy and paste. Sorry about that. But they should be different enough to justify your time as well as mine.


Little Aiden - A Feelings Book for Toddlers

Little Aiden – A Feelings Book for Toddlers

by Albert and Anna Choi, Bettina Braskó (Illustrator)

DETAILS:
Series: Little Aiden 
Publisher: Mytogo Publishing
Publication Date: December 17, 2022
Format: eBook
Length: 41 pg.
Read Date: June 10, 2023

What’s Little Aiden – A Feelings Book for Toddlers About?

There’s one simple point to this book:

It is okay to have feelings.

It’s the first sentence and that sentiment is repeated fourteen times over the book as we follow Aiden through a bunch of scenarios where he’s feeling things that kids can identify with. Scared, tired, happy, playful, silly, helpless, and more.

Let’s Talk about the Art for a Minute

Little Aiden’s expressions are clearit’s a piece of cake to tell what he’s feeling, even for a little one just trying to put words to facial expressions.

But I think Braskó’s real strength is in the rest of the illustrationswhat’s Aiden’s body doing with the feeling? What’s going on around him? Is there a mess? Does he have toys? How’s he interacting with his environment? Those really help fill out the ideas of the book.

These are going to be very fun for a toddlerand whoever is reading with the toddlerto stop and talk about. “He’s sure a messy eater, isn’t he? What’s that on the floor there next to his sippy cup? What’s that on his face?”

The illustration that goes with embarrassed is probably my favorite (and that probably says something about my maturity level).

Be sure to check out some of the samples on Braskó’s website.

How is it to Read Aloud?

I don’t mean this in a bad waybut this isn’t going to do much for the adult reader. It’s a simple and repetitive text. You don’t get to do any fun rhymes, tongue twisters, silly voices, or goofy noises (well, maybe a couple). And that’s okay, because it’s not that kind of book.

It’s the kind of book that’s intentionally repetitivethis is how you can help the child learn. It’s written simply for the same reason. Short and clear sentences that make it easy to grasp the point.

It’s also the kind of book that’s easy to stop reading to discussthe feeling in question, the art, or whatever. And that’s where the engagement for the adult reader is going to come in.

And, hey, some of the pages serve as a good reminder to the adult that it’s okay for the toddler to be frustrated and angrybecause it’s really easy for parents/caretakers to forget that sometimes. It’s good for us to vocalize that.

So, what did I think about Little Aiden – A Feelings Book for Toddlers?

Feelings can be scarysometimes a toddler isn’t sure why they’re having the emotional reaction they are, sometimes a toddler can see the adults around them reacting to the toddler’s emotions in a way that can be frightening or off-putting, sometimes a toddler doesn’t like the way an emotion makes them feel. It doesn’t do much good to assure the toddler that it doesn’t get much better sometimes as an adult.

But what you can assure them of is that it’s okay to feel things. The Chois have given toddlers a handy and helpful book to tell them this. As they read and re-read it with someone they trust they can examine these feelings and get the reminderor get the lessonthat it’s okay to feel emotions.

How to react to those emotions is a talk for a different timebut for now, it’s about being okay with having and feeling them.

I heartily recommend this book.


4 Stars

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