Powerfully affirmative books on a vast range of qualities.
The true test of whether a new children’s book hits the mark is the kids’ call for repeat reads. Using this standard, and I might add with two bilingual (English/French) grandchildren aged 5 and 7, the author and illustrator of both “Land of AND” and “Land of OR” have themselves two winners by enthusiastic acclaim.
The unprompted requests to have these handsomely large volumes read to them over and over again, announces a list of compelling reasons why these gorgeous tomes will become classics with a wide age range of tiny citizens.
Youngsters are so alive in their sensory life, so that any book placed in front of them, particularly at this point in time with the plethora of media devices competing for their eyes, must have a certain magic to attract them, and added value mystique to do it a second time, then repeat curtain calls thereafter.
The illustrations by Toby Allen in both books, are at once powerful, playful, original, and likeable, quite a recipe for succeeding with a progressively hipper and more discerning audience. My grandson and granddaughter both love the illustrations, so this is a remarkable feat in and of itself.
Much as in a dramatic feature film or memorable documentary, the most successful offerings place unforgettable characters in front of us, and we simply must return to them over and over.
In “Land of AND”, we meet alluring characters such as “The Guide”, “The Kid”, “Yabbut”, “Handi”, and so many more, then in “Land of OR”, a very different cast arrives in the forms of “Happy”, Patience”, “Timid”, “Playful”, “Grateful”, “Strong”, and my personal favourite “Skittish”.
Author Katie Mullaly is a self‐confessed lover of rhyme, rhythm, and reason, and if I could make copies of her to place in every school under the sun, we would have a much kinder, more serendipitous populace.
These are powerfully affirmative books on a vast range of qualities, and just like the very best entertainers in the world; if they make it look easy on stage, you know a ton of work has gone into their performance.
So it is with Katie Mullaly and Toby Allen, I feel the love and professionalism these two artists invest in these important works, and all I can say in the end is: encore, encore, encore.
Gregory B. Gallagher is an award‐winning filmmaker, travel writer, and one of the original Canadian writers of the Sesame Street TV Show. He lives on an island in French Canada with his wife, artist Linda Hart.
A definite 5-star book to set kids up for success!!
I LOVE this book for kids as early as elementary school age and beyond. A book about making good choices, but really laid out and explained in a fun and adventurous way! For example, the author does a fantastic job of not just writing a general teach/preach type of lesson on making good choices, but instead breaks down the process of making a choice into fun little parts – like the concept of finding ALL of your options (the best might not be so obvious), understanding the if/then effect of each, and then, how your options and ultimate choice will impact others, not just you. Such a fun way for kids to understand how to make solid, smart, good choices in life. A definite 5-star book to help set kids up for success!
Great Information of Decision-Making
First, I ordered this used, but I don’t think it had ever even been read before, so the quality is fantastic. Second, I really like the idea. It directs kids through decision-making including considering lots of ideas and thinking of how other people might be affected by your decisions.
Such great books!!
These books are all so creative and helpful! I’m using them in my therapy practice and my clients are getting lots of insight. Definitely recommend!!
Fun art, terrific message
I have bought all her books for my nephews and neice, I like best that she uses emotionally healthy vocabulary and the kids get it. Its not necessary to dumb down this topic. The art is terrific as well. I live in Utah and my nephew wants to visit the canyons and arches! I love it!
Love this!
Love this! This author is amazing and demonstrates learning choices in a creative way. The characters are so fun and it’s just an incredible book.
I love the message of this book
I love the message of this book. I bought it for my niece (in her mid twenties) who was going thru some life decisions. It made her smile and breath deep. I am purchasing for others this year for Christmas. Its a perfect message for all ages!
A Rare Find
I met Katie this weekend and bought all 3 of her books. I love this book on teaching to make great choices. Katie has a great talent for writing for all ages. I look forward to her next book.
Gorgeous illustrations, meaningful lesson!
The “Land of…” series of books is nothing short of spectacular. Navigating difficult decisions is a lifelong journey for all of us, and this book highlights how we can approach decision making from a place of thoughtfulness and consciousness of others. Wonderful book for any child (or adult) to read! Makes a wonderful gift!!
Essential
Beautiful, engaging and teaches young kids about choices – and how to make good ones. A must-have for every child’s bookshelf and every classroom with young children.
Must Have
Excellent choice. Love the books. Got it for my grandson of course had to read first. LOL. But really really happy I purchase all three books. I highly recommended it.
I loved this book.
I loved this book by Katie Mullaly who has masterfully woven lessons about choices while leading children through a vast and grand adventure in the “Land of OR”. The lyrical story combined with stunning illustrations, will surely lead young readers on an exploration of rich and vibrant emotions as luminous colors play with magnificent dancing hues in a way that they have never before experienced. I love this book and especially love the spirit in which it was created … as a vessel in which children can find clarity to strengthen and enrich their lives. “Land of OR” is sure to inspire children everywhere to make good decisions about themselves as they find their place in the world and are encouraged to value themselves.
Must Read
This is a must read for kids as well as adults!! I purchased the book as a present for my daughters and now the series has become an obsession. They love to read the story and talk about how it helps with any difficult situations they are dealing with at school. The comparisons to Dr Suess are spot on. I hope Katie writes books with this subject matter for a long time. It is a great tool to use to start a healthy dialogue with your children.
The graphics by Toby are amazing. I’m not sure if he has “Easter eggs” hidden in the pages, but if not my children love to imagine he does. The attention to detail is just so visually stunning. Thank you!!!!
Love it!
I love this book! Katie has come up with a charming way of conveying important messages to children at a young age. And Toby’s illustrations are colorful and eye-catching. An important message for “kids” of all ages! I look forward to future installments.
LAND OF OR – What a beautiful find.
Not only is the message in this first book by Katie Mullaly extraordinary but the colorful illustrations by Toby Allen are stunning. My grandson is still too young for the message but his mother reads it to him and he in enchanted by the illustrations.
Fun, entertaining
Clever, fun, entertaining, visually magical with a wonderful message for all ages! Katie Mullaly is a modern day genius. Her work reminds me of a combination of Dr. Seuss and Dr. Wayne Dyer. The rhymes are so amazing and the message will move any reader no matter how young or old. I have two teenage boys who absolutely love the book and we have purchased several for all the young children in our lives. The artwork is stunning. I have fallen in love with each of the characters and the fact that there are maps in the front and back of the book makes it interactive and fun. I can’t recommend this book enough!
Love This Book!
This story will help all those who read it understand the importance of making good choices. The beautiful illustrations and entertaining rhymes will draw you in as you travel along with some amazing characters. It is a “must have” for your book collection.
After reading this book you will want to check out Mullaly’s second in the series: “The Land of And”. Great start to a fun series of reading and learning.
I’ll buy this for every child in my life.
The Land of OR is wonderful on so many levels. Besides the brilliant rhyming story line and gorgeous illustrations, I’m really impressed with the message it sends to kids about how to make good choices in life. I am looking forward to the author’s future books in this series, I hear The Land of AND is next. The characters are fun and the pages are beautiful to gaze at; you don’t hurry through this book with your kids, they enjoy the pictures too much! And the Yabbut is such a cute critter!
I love the message.
A message all parents want to give to their children. The “Land of OR” is a unique book in that it allows the reader to consider in a hypothetical journey the real life journey they will take. It shares with the reader the considerations every parent wants their child to give to the choices they will make in life. I love the message.
Entertaining and Educational
The Land of OR is a delightful and beautifully illustrated story about traveling through a strange and magical land filled with a cast of colorful characters. This would be enough, but what sets this book apart from other children’s books is the original and fun way it provides useful tools that children and adults alike can, or should! use when making choices.
Further adding to the originality of this book’s theme, author Katie Mullaly has also created a companion website that expands on the ideas presented in the book, including a Travel Guide, and more information about the various characters, and they are characters!
I highly recommend this as a primer for introducing important concepts, in an easy to understand way, to children of all ages—and for those adults who need a good review. You know who you are!
Looking forward to more.
As a children’s sports coach, I found this book to be so well focused on the intended audience. Kids love rhymes and cool characters. This book taps into both. As the child is drawn in on the journey, they will learn some valuable lessons along the way. Loved it!
He thought it was great and said that every kid in elementary school should read it for the message.
A modern day Dr. Seuss with a contemporary twist and an important message for kids. I bought this book for the child of a friend, but had my 16-year-old son read it first. Even though he’s well beyond the age bracket for it, he thought it was great and said that every kid in elementary school should read it for the message. I loved it because it reminds me of the books I read as a kid. I look forward to more from this author-illustrator team.
A definite 5-star book to set kids up for success!!
I LOVE this book for kids as early as elementary school age and beyond. A book about making good choices, but really laid out and explained in a fun and adventurous way! For example, the author does a fantastic job of not just writing a general teach/preach type of lesson on making good choices, but instead breaks down the process of making a choice into fun little parts – like the concept of finding ALL of your options (the best might not be so obvious), understanding the if/then effect of each, and then, how your options and ultimate choice will impact others, not just you. Such a fun way for kids to understand how to make solid, smart, good choices in life. A definite 5-star book to help set kids up for success!
We can all benefit from a journey through the canyons of the Land of OR.
Decisions decisions! Often driven by fear into hasty ones, or clogged in the ooze of indecision, we have our scattered sheets of pros and cons. Oh, for the surety of easily made ones. We can all benefit from a journey through the canyons of the Land of OR, where we learn to choose like never before. The rhythmic flow, the bright, bold colors, and creative creatures make this book a fun and fundamental learning experience. Good foundations can be set and carried through a lifetime. Sometime or other, we all wrestle with the decision process. So gather up all your options and head out today, and keep your eyes open for those pesky Yabbuts along the way.
We LOVE this book and this Author.
A while back we told you about “Land of And” and today, we have to tell you about “Land of Or!” Katie Mullaly, the author, was so sweet and sent us a copy of both books – and we are now fans – BIG fans of this author. Thanks for the books Katie! I am thrilled that she also recently told us she is working on the next book……
Why we LOVE this book and this Author:
- Creativity abounds in the story
- Fun for the whole family – adults and children alike
- Stunning illustrations
- Teaches an underlying principal
“Land of OR” is sure to inspire children everywhere to make good decisions.
I loved this book by Katie Mullaly who has masterfully woven lessons about choices while leading children through a vast and grand adventure in the “Land of OR”. The lyrical story combined with stunning illustrations, will surely lead young readers on an exploration of rich and vibrant emotions as luminous colors play with magnificent dancing hues in a way that they have never before experienced. I love this book and especially love the spirit in which it was created … as a vessel in which children can find clarity to strengthen and enrich their lives. “Land of OR” is sure to inspire children everywhere to make good decisions about themselves as they find their place in the world and are encouraged to value themselves
The Land of OR is a piece of literary art.
The Land of OR is a piece of literary art, both in its message and illustrations. Katie Mullaly does a wonderful job of teaching how to make good choices while weaving the tale into a rhyming masterpiece. My children loved the message and the graphics. Toby Allen is a brilliant artist who has created characters that kids love. We are all looking forward to the second book in the series!
I loved the concept of this book.
I loved the concept of this book. As a librarian and a father I have read a lot of picture books and have never come across anything quite like it. It teaches children the process of decision making in a fun way with beautiful illustrations. I think we’ve all dealt with our own Yabbuts many times in our own lives!
A very unique and enjoyable read for the whole family.
Making a good decision is hard, but, in the Land of OR, one can embark on a journey to find the right choice. Led by the Guide, children follow mythical creatures rendered in beautiful, southwest-style illustrations. The scenery resembles canyons and the desert, and the creatures are vibrant shades of blue, turquoise, pink and purple. Children will be instantly drawn to the colorful characters and the snappy, rhyming story.
Children begin with the Guide who has them gather their Options, curious little creatures who represent the answer to the questions we are asking. The obvious ones—sneaky guys who stand big and tall—aren’t always the best option. Tiny other Options flit into the illustrations, ready to join the party. Next, head to the canyon for decision-making time before being headed off by the Yabbut. As his name implies, the great and mysterious Yabbut whispers in children’s ears and says that there is always an excuse to not journey through the canyon to find a good decision. Adults will chuckle at the name and nod along, since we are all familiar with the sneaking, clever Yabbut.
After a long course through the Canyon of WHY and crossing the stream of IF THEN, we enter the Gully of Others, where final options are selected and decisions can then easily be made.
The cute storyline will keep the attention of grade-school readers. The clever directions spelled out throughout about this important life skill will make it a valuable teaching tool for parents. And it’s so much easier to talk about big decisions when following such adorable little characters. The illustrations are especially charming, bringing the wide-open desert and canyons to life. A very unique and enjoyable read for the whole family, and a valuable reminder to all of us to make good decisions and avoid the dreaded Yabbut.
