Teacher/Book Reviewer
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Hi, my name is Donna O'Donnell Figurski.
I love children's books,
all kinds.
BUT, I especially love picture books.
I love to read them.
I love to write them.
AND now . . .
I love to review them.
I have authored the column, TEACHER'S PETS on
SmartWriters.com since 2002.
My reviews have a different twist than do most book reviews I read. I work with a team of elementary-aged school children, called KIDDLE CRITers, who review books with me. We meet about once a month after school to read and discuss newly published children's picture books. The KIDDLE CRITers team consists of about seven to fifteen children ranging in ages from 6 to 12 years old. They are enthusiastic critics and one section of my online review, called FROM the MOUTHS of KIDDLE CRITers, includes the insightful and sometimes hilarious comments by the children.
Donna O'Donnell Figurski
Author, Educator and Book Reviewer
Since I am also a first grade teacher, I design lessons for teachers to use with the books I review. This section is called, TEACHER TALK. I also suggest additional books, as well as two or three websites, which teachers may use to compliment the reviewed book. Of course, there is also my review.
The complete review can be found at SMARTWRITERS.com. Look for TEACHER'S PETS in the sidebar under FOR EDUCATORS. See you there.
Donna
P.S.
If you would like to have your book considered for review by the KIDDLE CRITers review team, please contact me at
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
Although I cannot promise that every book will be reviewed, I will try my best to feature as many books as possible.
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Rrrribbet!
Rrrribbet!
Rrrribbet!
Just hopping by to tell you that the new Teacher's Pets Frog
logo was created by my friend, Sheryl Lloyd.
OK! so I'm not hopping --
just sitting here absorbing these good books and you can too. There's
plenty of good reading where these came from. Keep on scrolling to find
a lot of "ribbetting" tales.
Hoppy Reading!
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| Surround me with books and I'm happy. |
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Did I say that I loved children's books?
I do!
If you look behind me, you will see part of my library. I own more than 2,000 books. AND . . . yes, I have read almost all of them, many, many times.
If you look closely, you will see some of my favorite books from some of my favorite friends.
Let's see . . . there's the GUINNESS RECORD BREAKERS by Karen Romano Young on the floor next to me. If you want to find out about the biggest bubble gum bubble or the tallest sand castle, just open the pages of Karen's book and have fun.
Buried under OLIVIA by Ian Falconer and WHERE DOES THE TRAIL LEAD by Burton Albert and illustrated by Brian Pinkney is my friend, Linda Taylor's book, called THE LETTUCE LEAF BIRTHDAY LETTER. Julie Durrell illustrated the book and the pictures are gorgeous. I love this story about a misunderstanding on Goose's birthday. Shortly after the book was published, Linda visited my classroom. She brought silk lettuce leaves for each of my students. The students gave Linda a gift, too. To Linda's surprise the children had been practicing her story for weeks as a play -- complete with costumes, scenery, and props. It was a great day! I'll never forget it. I don't think the students will either.
Can you tell which book I am reading? I'll give you a hint. She's not a crayon. Yep! It's an Amber Brown book written by Paula Danziger, illustrated by Tony Ross. This book is called GET READY FOR SECOND GRADE, AMBER BROWN and it's just perfect for my first grade students. I love all of Paula's books, and I own a lot . . . not all of them, but those shelves behind me are sagging in the "D" section. Now, Paula is writing books for early readers. My class loves them. I love them. AND . . . Paula, Dear, I love you for it. |
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| SOME of MY FAVORITE BOOKS |
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Rosie and Buttercup
Written by Chieri Uegaki
Illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch
Publisher: Kids Can Press
ISBN-10: 1553379977
Ages: 3 to 7
Review and lesson plans by
Donna O'Donnell Figurski
It’s as old as time. It’s happened to me and I’m sure it’s happened to you . . . unless, of course, you are an only child. Sibling rivalry rears its ugly head in almost all families. Oh, Rosie, no doubt, loved her little sister, Buttercup. She couldn’t wait for her to be born. She couldn’t wait to have her as a playmate. She wrote songs for her and played the silly sock game with her. But, as Buttercup grew older, Rosie’s sisterly loved waned. She grew tired of Buttercup’s demands, her noise, her “stuff” strewn all over the room. Sometimes Rosie just wanted to be alone. Rosie was furious when Buttercup almost freed Eenie and Meenie, Rosie’s prize crickets, from their cage. What was Buttercup thinking? So, it was no surprise when Rosie decided to give her little sister, Buttercup away. Wouldn’t you?
But Rosie didn’t expect a funny squeezy feeling to fill her chest as she left Buttercup with Oxford, the babysitter, who lived down the street. And that squeezy feeling just wouldn’t go away . . . no matter how hard Rosie tried to squeeze it out. Rosie didn’t expect to miss Buttercup, but she did! The talcum powder scent reminded her of her pesky little sister. So did the silly socks hanging out of the dresser drawer. Rosie knew what she had to do. She filled her pillowcase with her sun-dried dandelion puffs and set Eeenie and Meenie’s cage on top of Buttercup’s stroller and trudged off to Oxford’s house. She had to get Buttercup back even if it meant giving away her favorite things in the entire world. Rosie hoped that her treasures would be a good trade for her little sister.
Well, I never gave my sisters away, nor my brothers for that matter, but I can relate to how Rosie felt. Little siblings can be pests sometimes. But, if you can wait . . . long enough for them to grow up, you may just have a friend for life . . . and you won’t have to give away your stash of sun-dried dandelion puffs.
FROM the MOUTHS of KIDDLE CRITers: a critique group
“Rosie liked it when she was an only child,” said Timmy.
“But, when Rosie first knew she was going to get a baby sister named Buttercup, she was very excited,” said Mikaela.
Jewel nodded. “Rosie was happy at first,” she said.
“She liked having a sister,” Timmy said, “Until . . .”
“ . . . Until Buttercup started to copy everything that Rosie said,” interrupted Mikaela.
“Rosie was annoyed,” said Timmy. “I don’t know if Rosie realized that Buttercup was copying her or just trying to get on her nerves.”
“Buttercup wasn’t old enough to realize that copying someone isn’t a very nice thing,” said Jewel. “But Rosie didn’t know that.”
“Rosie used to like Buttercup,’ said Mikaela, “but she got tired of her and gave her away.”
“ . . . To Oxford,” explained Timmy.
“Rosie knew it was wrong to get rid of her little sister so she could have her parents and all of her things to herself,” said Jewel.
Mikaela nodded. “I think Rosie was feeling jealous because Buttercup got more attention,” she said.
“But, it was wrong,” said Callie.
“She shouldn’t have done that,” insisted Jewel. “Rosie is like me,” she continued. “Buttercup is like my sister.
Buttercup sounds like a pain, but she’s really sweet.”
“When Rosie gave her sister away, she got a little tingle in her chest,” said Callie.
“ . . . A squeezy thing,” said Abby. “But I don’t think it was very little because if she were using her arms to stop it, it wouldn’t be that little.”
“And, Buttercup probably felt sad to never see her sister again or her mom or dad . . . only this Oxford dude,” said Jewel. “It would be really upsetting for a little kid like that to be abandoned.”
“I wouldn’t give my baby sister away . . . even if I had a sister . . . which I don’t because I’m an only child,” said Abby.
“If I gave my little sister away, my parents would get M-A-D,” said Jewel. “They would make me apologize to my sister and they would make me apologize to them and to the person I gave her to. Then I would be grounded,” she said. “ But I would miss her. I would miss her, indeed!”
“I would miss her too,” said Abby who is Jewel’s little sister’s friend.
Lawrence looked thoughtful then said. “When my sister went to camp, I missed her . . . in two days.”
“Soon, Rosie kind of missed her little sister, too,” said Mikaela.
“She started to miss somebody to play with,” said Jewel.
Mikaela nodded. “She wanted to sing songs to her. She wanted to play the sock game,” she said.
“And she didn’t want the puffy feeling to come back,” said Abby.
“So, I think Rosie changed her mind because she felt kind of lonely. The house was kind of empty. She felt sad. She had nobody to play with,” said Mikaela. “At first she was very happy because Buttercup wasn’t there, but if you really think about it . . . well, she probably missed the crying and the annoying stuff,” she said.
“I think Rosie felt sad that she gave away Buttercup,” mused Callie.
“So Rosie traded her favorite things (to Oxford), her crickets and sun-dried dandelion puffs because she loved her sister more than anything,” said Abby.
Mikaela agreed. “She actually loved those things, but she loved Buttercup better. Rosie could always get new crickets or dandelion puff balls,” Mikaela said. “But she could never get a new sister.”
(Note: “Rosie and Buttercup is a book for brothers and sisters who fight,” suggests Jewel.)
TEACHER TALK
FLOWER/ANIMAL MATCH: Language Arts/Science
Flowers are pretty. They smell pretty. They look pretty. They even have pretty names. Many newborn babies are named after flowers. There are cartoon characters named after flowers. Remember Petunia? She’s Porky Pig’s girlfriend. Book characters are named after flowers, too. Everyone knows Chrysanthemum, the little mouse in Kevin Henke’s book by the same title. Then there are names like Pansy and Lily and Violet and even Blossom. There are Rose and Daisy and Poppy and Peony. See how many flower names you can find. Then try the activity below for some very “flowerful” fun.
- Brainstorm as many flower names as you can think of. Record on chart paper. (See list below.)
- Brainstorm as many animal names as you can think of. Record on chart paper.
- Hang charts in room for easy viewing.
- Next give each child a pre-made book with ten pages. (4.5” x 6”) Use manila paper for the inside pages and construction paper for the covers)
- Have children choose ten flower names and ten animal names from each chart and write their choices on paper. Use the same beginning letters.
- Examples:
- Blossom Bunny Daisy Duck Jasmine Jackrabbit
- Lily Lion Poppy Piglet
- After their work has been checked for accuracy, they may write their choices in their books. (One flower/animal combination per page)
- Last, they may illustrate their books.
Flower Names:
Angelica, Aster, Blossom, Chrysanthemum, Cynara, Dahlia, Daisy, Daphne, Gay, Ginger, Holly, Hyacinth, Iris, Jasmine, Lily, Marguerite, Narcissus, Peony, Petunia, Poppy, Rosa, Rose, Scarlet, Sienna, Tansy, Veronica, Violet
(More names can be found at the following site:
Baby Name Rant: Flowers and Plants
FLOWER WORD SCRAMBLE: Language Arts/Science/Math
- Cut out one-inch squares of construction paper.
- With a black marker print one letter from Buttercup and Rosie’s name on each square.
- Then make teams of children. Place 2, 3, or 4 children on each team.
- Give each team a set of letter squares.
- Children use the letter squares to make new words. Each word is scored by how many letters are in the word. (See example below.)
- Set a timer for approximately five minutes.
- The team with the either the most words or the highest score wins.
Ex.: B U T T E R C U P R O S I E
(C P B T E S R U U E R O T I)
Toe 3 Prose 5
Race 4 Cute 4
Butter 6 Bus 3
SUGGESTED WEBSITES:
(Although I examined these websites and found them to be very helpful, please use them at your own discretion.)
It's My Life; Sibling Rivalry Attention and Approval
Sibling Rivalry
Illinois Early Project: Helping Siblings Get Along
SUGGESTED BOOKS:
I'd Rather Have an Iguana by Heidi Stetson Mario
Vera's Baby Sister by Vera Rosenberry
Good As Goldie by Margie Palatini (Author)
Fine As We Are by Algy Craig Hall (Author)
The Tale of Pip and Squeak by Kate Duke
How To be A Baby . . . By Me, The Big Sister by Sally Lloyd-Jones and Sue Heap
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Seeing Red: The Planet Mars
Written by Nancy Loewen
Illustrated by Jeff Yesh
Publisher: Picture Window Books
ISBN: 978-1-4048-3953-3
Ages: 7-12
Seeing red, makes me think of strawberry licorice, a fire engine racing down the street, a ladybug, a plump, juicy tomato, and, of course, Mars. Mars the fourth planet from the sun is called the “red” planet. And there’s a good reason for that. Its soil contains the reddish metal called iron. Mars can be seen in the night sky from Earth with the naked eye. It’s our neighbor.
Mar’s landscape is similar to that of Earth. It has rolling hills, canyons, and mountains. It has north and south poles and they are cold, really cold. But, then most of the planet, Mars, is cold. It is pretty far from the sun, you know. Its temperature can be as cold as minus eighty degrees. Brrr! I’m not packing my swimsuit for a vacation there anytime soon. And even if I did, it would be a pretty lonely time. Scientists believe there is no life on Mars—at least they haven’t found any yet. So, all those stories you might have heard about aliens or Martians . . . well don’t believe them.
But, you can believe the cold, hard facts that you read in Seeing Red The Planet Mars written by Nancy Loewen and illustrated by Jeff Yesh. You can believe that Mars has many dust storms and that it is a very bright light in the night sky. You can believe that two moons, called Deimos and Phobos orbit Mars. You can believe that a Martian day is just thirty-seven minutes longer than an Earth day, but a Martian year is nearly twice as long as an Earth year. Go ahead believe!
And if you ever hear about Marslings or Earthtians . . . well, that’s a different story. Keep an open mind and ask any of Mrs. Figurski’s Kiddles.
This review can also be seen on: Smartwriters .
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A Day With No Crayons
Written by Elizabeth Rusch,
Illustrated by Chad Cameron
Publisher: Rising Moon
ISBN: 0873589106
Ages: 4-8
What do wild watermelon, tropical rain forest, dandelion, and neon carrot have in common?
Think pink . . . and green and yellow and orange. Think colors! When I think of colors, I think of fruit and vegetables. I think of the hundreds of color strips in the paint store. I think of bundles of yarn balls nestled on craft store shelves. And . . . I think of crayons.
The thought of crayons hurtles me back to memories of being six again. I think of the little yellow box filled with eight crayon colors, standing so tall. I remember their warm, waxy smell, and the soft and shiny feel of those slender sticks of magic. And, when I tug at the edges of my mind, I can uncover the utter disbelief of a day with no crayons. Truly unbearable! So, it’s not hard to understand Liza’s despair when her mother takes away her bucket of crayons . . . all because she drew a beautiful mural on her bedroom wall. Imagine!
But, Liza was not thwarted for long. Color was the essence of her being, and she soon realized that her world was as colorful as her crayons.
As Liza wandered through her neighborhood, she discovered the hues of brilliant orange tiger lilies, deep purple blackberries, laser-yellow dandelions, jungle-green blades of grass. Somehow each color smears itself on her pant legs, making them a rainbow delight. Hmmm!
Liza also discovered that a muddy, brown stick and an old, red brick could color her world, too. She used gray-green pebbles to make an ocean and pink rhododendron petals to create a glowing sunset.
As Liza crawled into bed that night, she surrounded herself with even more color . . . outrageous orchid and magic maize pillows. Her pink and blue blanket on her purple bed, her red skis and striped scarf and black and white soccer ball all flooded Liza’s world with color. What a world of color Liza discovered the day her mother took her crayons away!
Look for a complete review of this book at SmartWriters .
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Farmer Cap
Written by Jill Kalz
Illustrated by Sahin Erkocak
Publisher: Picture Window Books
ISBN: -13: 9781404831391
Ages: 5 to 7
Farmer Cap . . . to say he is a little strange, a little off-center, and a lot eccentric is being kind. He is like no farmer I have ever met. Of course, you can count on half a hand the number of farmers I know. But, I’ve read the Farmer in the Dell and he seemed kind of normal, except, of course, for letting the cheese stand alone, but that is a whole other issue.
Actually, Farmer Cap’s weirdness is what makes him stand out among farmers. It’s what makes him so funny and so interesting and so, so lovable. While other farmers plant corn and tomatoes, green beans and potatoes, or pumpkins and watermelon, Farmer Cap plants Popsicles and spaghetti. Now if he could only grow chocolate chip cookie-dough ice cream or malted-crunch chocolate bars . . . YUM!
What I love about Farmer Cap is not his green flip-flops or the funny feather poking out of his cap, his knobby knees, or his silly grin, but his innovative, curious, quirky mind . . . and his strength. I love his strength and his confidence--his belief in himself. When all his farmer friends looked on with skepticism and doubt, Farmer Cap stood his ground! He didn’t let his fellow farmers dissuade him. He didn’t let his fellow farmers discourage him or stand in his way. Farmer Cap had conviction! Farmer Cap reminds me of two other characters, named Suki and Monique, whose books are also reviewed in my column called, Teacher’s Pets. (See below) Farmer Cap also reminds me of a character named, Kanona Prattsby, (my book, not yet published) who with her gumption, strength, and determination changes a whole town to make it a brighter and more fun place to live. She and Farmer Cap would make a great couple. Put their minds together and who knows what to expect. They just could make the world a nicer place.
Farmer Cap, Suki, and Monique (and hopefully someday Kanona) are gifts to young readers. They shout be yourself. Stand up for what you believe. Don’t be afraid to think for yourself. Be strong!
And so, hats off to you--I mean . . . Caps off to you, Farmer Cap! And if you ever feel like growing jelly beans or chocolate mint cookies or sour cream/onion potato chips or grape soda pop, or piping hot buttered popcorn, or . . . well, you get the message . . . call me!
Look for a complete review of this book at SmartWriters .
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A Little Peace
Written by Barbara Kerley
Publisher: National Geographic Children's Book
ISBN-13: 978-1426300868
$16.95
Ages: all ages
Peace—a simple word that packs a lot of wallop. For me peace is a comfortable place, a quiet space, the absence of car motors, the hum of air conditioners, or the whir of the refrigerator. Peace is being curled up by the fireplace with a good book or lying in the sand at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, California. Peace is feeling the warmth of the sun or marveling at the millions of stars twinkling in the night sky of Taos, New Mexico. Peace is stilling my mind.
For many war-torn countries, peace is an illusion, a memory of times gone by. Fighter planes fill their skies, landmines explode with an unexpected step, bombs whistle by night or day. The heart can’t find peace when the mind is filled with fear. In the mid sixties, Jackie De Shannon sang “What the World Needs Now.” She sang of love. She could have been singing of peace. And, the world does need peace! It saddens and horrifies me to know of all the children born under the bomb, who have never known peace in their lives.
Peace, so hard to achieve and so illusive can start with just a smile, a nod, a wave of the hand, says Barbara Kerley in her new book entitled, A Little Peace. Signs of peace can be found anywhere . . . in the marketplace, at the beach, at school or at play. The pictures from around the world . . . Albuquerque, New Mexico, Fengdu, China, and Kabul, Afghanistan were some of the more touching photos depicting peace. My favorite was the four-year-old girl with face uplifted in song from a neighbor state of Ohio.
Give a smile. Get a smile. Wave a wave. Reach out and spread a little PEACE!
Look for a complete review of this book at Smartwriters
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Fix-It Duck (Board book)
Written and illustrated by Jez Alborough
Publisher: Kane/Miller Book Publishers
ISBN-13: 978-1933605302
$7.99
Ages: 1-8
Fix-It Duck is no ordinary duck. He means well, but whenever he is near—LOOK OUT! Bad luck seems to follow this duck. When a drop of water falls into Duck’s tea—that’s bad luck. When Sheep’s window won’t close—that’s bad luck. Sheep’s jeep’s flat tire is bad luck, too. But, when Sheep’s house rolls into the pond, that’s the toughest luck of all.
Fix-It Duck doesn’t seem to mind, though. He’s oblivious of the havoc he leaves in his wake. He’s a jolly guy and only wants to be of help to his pals. But a friend like Fix-It Duck can be a little hard on a friendship. Sheep, Goat, and Frog sit on the shore of the pond looking devastated as Fix-It Duck, with hammer in one hand and tool kit in the other, plunges into the water to fix Sheep’s upended, soggy mobile home, which is mobile no more! Thanks to Fix-It Duck!
With a simple drip of water in a teacup, a lot of duck bad luck, some funny rhyme and a brilliant palette, Jez Alborough created a very funny book. And though I love Fix-It Duck, if I ever see him heading to my house, I am going to pull my blinds and lock my door tight. Sorry Fix-It Duck! I’m calling Handy Andy, my favorite fixer-upper.
Look for a complete review of this book at Smartwriters
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GORILLAS
Written by Meish Goldish
Publisher: Bearport Publishing Company
ISBN 13: 978-1-59716-369-9
ISBN 10: 1-59716-369-4
$23.96
Ages: 6-12
When I think of gorillas, I think of wild, jungle beasts. My guess is that most folks do, too. Gorillas are massive animals. Some males stand as high as six feet and weigh as much as six hundred pounds. That’s a lot of gorilla! Though gorillas are intimidatingly huge and look rather fierce, most gorillas are peaceful, non-aggressive animals, unless provoked, of course.
They live in the lowland rain forests or mountain cloud forests of central Africa. Gorillas live in family groupings much like humans and they are very social creatures. In Meish Goldish’s book, entitled Gorillas, you can learn so many facts. He tells how Diane Fossey, an American zoologist, studied gorillas for nearly eighteen years. She went right into the jungle and did just what the gorillas did. She scratched her head, beat her chest, made their sounds and even ate the same foods they ate . . . like leaves and twigs. Gorillas also eat rotten wood and small animals, but I bet that Fossey didn’t go that far. I know I wouldn’t . . . even in the name of science. But, she did gain their confidence, which allowed her to study these giant mammals.
Goldish tells how Binti Jua, a gorilla who lives in the Brookfield Zoo in Illinois, saved a three-year old child who fell into her cage. He tells how Bongo, a Columbus Ohio Zoo gorilla, grieved when his partner, Bridgette, died and how he cared for their young son, making the infant’s bed of hay each night. Goldish also writes about how Koko, a gorilla who lives in the San Francisco Zoo, learned sign language using (ASL) American Sign Language. She can sign more than 1,000 words and understands more than 2,000 words.
Say no more, Meish Goldish has convinced me that gorillas are intelligent, sensitive, and caring animals. But, he also frightened me. No, not of six hundred pounds of gorilla, but that the gorilla species has become endangered. There are only about 740 gorillas alive today. Now, that’s a scary thought! Poachers encroach upon gorilla habitats and capture and kill them for their meat, called bushmeat, and they use their body parts for souvenirs. That’s an even scarier thought.
You can see these gentle beasts in their natural habitat in the Bwindi Forest National Park in Uganda by booking one of their many safaris. If you can’t go in person, then click on Gorillas to view a video by Tanya Petersen to see gorillas doing what gorillas do. Me? I’ll be going to the Erie Zoo in a few weeks and heading straight to the gorilla exhibit to see Samantha—the Queen of the Zoo.
This review can also be seen on: SmartWriters
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LOVE THE BABY
written by Steven L. Layne
illustrated by Ard Hoyt
Publisher: Pelican Publishing Company, Inc.
ISBN: 1-58980-392-
$15.95
Ages: 0-5
“Help me love the baby!” “Help me love the baby!” Everybody said it. Mama said it. Papa said it. Even Nana said it. Can you believe Nana said it too? Little Rabbit was happy when Baby came home from the hospital. Who wouldn’t be? Little babies are pretty exciting, especially when you’ve waited for nine months for that little brother or sister to arrive. Most children think - instant playmate! But when Baby came home from the hospital on that day that the flowers were blooming, Little Rabbit realized that the Baby was no playmate – no playmate at all! He couldn’t do anything - unless you counted crying. He did that plenty well. And, if that wasn’t bad enough, Mama and Papa and Nana, yes, even Nana, gave Baby all of their attention. So what would you expect? How could Little Rabbit love the baby? Jealousy abounded! Frustration swelled! Anger overwhelmed! His world turned upside down when his new baby brother arrived.
I’m the oldest of four younger siblings, so I am an expert on sibling rivalry. My world turned upside down four times, so I understand exactly how Little Rabbit was feeling. You would think I would have gotten used to it, but I didn’t – well . . . not until the last baby arrived. I was a lot older too, already thirteen, when my youngest sister, Sanner, came home from the hospital. I think my maternal instincts were in place by then and I loved having her around – still do! I think Little Rabbit’s tender instincts were aroused when late one night no one heard Baby crying – but he did. When he tiptoed into Baby’s room and tummy-tickled him just like Mama had tummy-tickled him when he was a baby, and when he sang the scrub-a-dub song to Baby and Baby sang along, and when Little Rabbit read his very favorite book to Baby and Baby fell softly to sleep, Little Rabbit knew he didn’t have to pretend anymore. Little Rabbit knew that he really did love the Baby! And what’s more – he knew Baby loved him, too.
Look for a complete review of this book at Smartwriters.com
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GRANDPA FOR SALE
written by Dotti Enderle and Vicki Sansum
illustrated by T. Kyle Gentry
Publisher: Flashlight Press
ISBN-13 9780972922586
ISBN-10 097292258X
$15.95
Ages 4-8
For five hundred dollars, Lizzie imagined the exquisite tree house she could buy. For one thousand dollars, she could buy a small boat with her own name engraved on both the front and the sides. Imagine -- the S. S. Lizzie!
As Mrs. Bradley Larchmont the Third raised her offer to buy Lizzie’s Grandpa, who was sleeping peacefully and unaware (or maybe not so unaware) on the old Louis XVI settee in Oldman’s Antique Store, Lizzie’s mind went crazy -- a new Lavender Dream Bedroom Set for five thousand dollars, her very own ice cream shop, with every flavor ever made, with chocolate chips, and sprinkles and hot fudge for ten thousand dollars. It was mighty tempting, but Lizzie said, “No Deal!”
As Mrs. Larchmont raised the money for Lizzie’s Grandpa, her offers became more and more difficult for Lizzie to refuse. Lizzie was torn as she imagined all she could buy with that money. But when, through gritted teeth, Mrs. Larchmont said her final offer was fifty thousand dollars, Lizzie dug in her heels and insisted that Grandpa was not for sale. After all, what fun would a tree house, a boat, or even an amusement park be without Grandpa there to enjoy it with her. I have to agree with Lizzie. There is no amount of money to replace a grandpa.
I remember when I was in college; I lived with my grandparents in McKeesport, Pennsylvania for two months, while I waited for a dorm room to open up. Although the commute was fifteen miles to Pittsburgh every day -- each way, via walking, bus, train, and then more walking, I loved it! It was a great time! Living with my grandparents was the best! My grandpa, I called him Poppy, treated me like a princess. (So did my Gram!) There is nothing like a grandpa . . . and I have to say it again, “There is no amount of money to replace a grandpa,” . . . or a Poppy either.
In Grandpa For Sale written by authors, Dotti Enderle and Vicki Sansum and illustrated by T. Kyle Gentry, Mrs. Larchmont certainly figured out that Lizzie’s Grandpa was not for sale, but I can’t help but wonder if she ever realized that money cannot buy everything. It can’t buy health or friends. It can’t buy which way the wind blows, or when the sun shines. And as Paul McCartney and John Lennon and the Beatles sang so many years ago, “Money can't buy me love!” But the even greater music in Grandpa For Sale was the sound of the cash register on the last page when Lizzie pushed the big red button– Ding! NO SALE!
HEY, did I see a twinkle in Grandpa’s eye?
Look for a complete review of this book at Smartwriters.com
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Harriet Tubman Hero of the Underground Railroad
written by Lori Mortensen
illustrated by Frances Moore
Picture Window Books
978-1-4048-3103-2
$17.95
Ages 5-9
Everyone loves a hero! Someone to look up to! Someone who can do
superhuman things! Someone who accomplishes deeds that you wish you
could!
Superman was a hero, a comic book hero, created by Siegel and Schuster
in 1938. Mighty Mouse came on the scene only four years later, in 1942,
with the imagination of I. Klein. Mighty Mouse’s refrain, "Here I come
to save the day," brought hope to many a distressed cartoon character.
As a child I loved Nancy Drew. She was my hero. I couldn’t get enough
of her. She was self-confident. She was feisty. She was courageous and
brave and honest and independent and strong. She wandered haunted
mansions and traveled deep, dark tunnels to find truth; and I read
every book I could l lay hand to. Rosa Parks was a hero in 1955. She
changed the way our country viewed black people. Her refusal to give up
her seat on a bus resulted in a Supreme Court ruling, which said that
segregation on buses was unconstitutional.
Harriet Tubman was a hero, too, and Lori Mortensen and Frances Moore
give readers a glimpse into her world as they depict the timeline of
Harriet Tubman’s life in their very touching, yet poignant book titled,
Harriet Tubman Hero of the Underground Railroad.
Imagine being whipped because a baby in your care cried! Imagine
yourself as the caregiver and you, only five years old. Imagine life as
virtually a prisoner, without bars, living on a plantation in the Deep
South! Harriet Tubman didn’t have to imagine. That was her reality!
That was her life. But when Harriet was about thirty years old, she
escaped from her life of slavery - on the Underground Railroad.
You might imagine that Harriet would be happy enough to be free of the
South, but she couldn’t forget the horrors of life as a slave. She also
couldn’t forget her family, still enslaved by the masters of the great
plantation. So Harriet returned to the south nineteen times more to
lead 300 slaves to freedom, including members of her family.
Yes, Harriet was a hero. She was a super woman. She “came to save the
day” for many black people. She was strong and brave and courageous as
she traipsed through the darkness of night, mile after mile, leading -
guiding her passengers (slaves) to freedom on the Underground Railroad.
She paved the way for Rosa Parks, too. Yes, Harriet Tubman is a hero,
but she is not only a hero of the Underground Railroad, she is a hero
for all people all over the world. She made a difference!
Look for a complete review of this book at Smartwriters.com
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IF YOU WERE A CONJUNCTION
written by Nancy Loewen
illustrated by Sara Gray
Picture Window Books
1-4048-2385-9
$25.26
Ages 7-10
Conjunctions may seem like pretty insignificant words. You can’t get an
image of them like you can with other words, like . . . baby OR teddy
bear OR a warm summer day at the beach, BUT conjunctions play a very
important role in our language.
They NOT ONLY join single words together, like . . . liver AND onions,
BUT ALSO connect two sentences together. They join clauses, too,
BECAUSE it sometimes makes a sentence sound better. NEITHER nouns NOR
verbs could ever take the place of a conjunction, ALTHOUGH I’m sure
they would like to. Conjunctions are like glue. They hold thoughts in
sentences together.
You might think conjunctions are mighty helpful words AND you would be
right. Though they are usually pretty small words, they are busy words
with very long names -- Connector, Coordinating, Correlative,
Subordinating. BUT, don’t let their names scare you. Just pick up If You Were A Conjunction
written by Nancy Loewen and illustrated by Sara Gray. Ms. Loewen, with
her fun sentences AND Ms. Gray, with her silly illustrations will make
learning conjunctions fun.
Look for a complete review of this book at SmartWriters.com.
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WHO LIKES THE SNOW?
written by Etta Kaner
illustrated by Marie Lafrance
Kids Can Press
ISBN: 978-1-55337-842-6
ISBN: 1-55337-842-3
$14.95
Ages 4 – 7
Snow tumbling from the sky
Flakes big and small.
I wonder why they’re whirling by?
I wonder where they’ll fall?
Snow flakes, snowballs, snow angels, snow forts and snowmen, or to be politically correct snow people, make up the wonderful world of snow. When snow falls, it can turn the most drab looking neighborhood into a magical place – a winter wonderland. But what is snow? Fluffy white stuff that tumbles out of the sky . . . Yes! Slippery, "slidey" stuff that blankets the ground and makes it hard to walk . . . Yes! But, it’s oh so much fun for children to play in. Oh so much fun for them to toss in the air and feel its wetness, its coldness on their faces, to feel it melt on their tongues. Snow can light up a night or it can turn the world silent, as flakes gently glide to the ground. It can rage - only as a blizzard can rage - and shut your world down.
Who likes the snow? That’s a good question. It can be answered in so many ways. Children like it. Skiers and snowboarders like it. Sometimes I like it, too, as I watch the flakes drift, swirl, dance through the air as they make their way from cloud to earth. As long as I can stay toasty warm behind double-paned windows with a fire dancing in the hearth behind me, then I like it. Some folks are not so fond of snow, and why would they be, as they inch along the highway at ten miles an hour or as they rub their aching backs after shoveling pounds of the heavy white stuff from their walks and driveways. That’s no fun.
WHO LIKES THE SNOW, written by Etta Kaner and illustrated by Marie LaFrance, examines all good reasons to like snow, but Ms. Kaner adds an extra dimension to her story by asking the “I wonder” questions. Questions that children everywhere are always wondering about. I wonder why it snows? I wonder what a snowflake looks like? I wonder where the snow goes when it melts? These are just some of the questions that are answered in this book. Lift the flap to find the answers to all kinds of snow mysteries and maybe you can think up a few “I wonder” questions of your own. Go ahead try it. On the next snowfall, sprawl out in the snow, sweep your arms and legs back and forth and create your own personal snow angel. Then let your mind drift to the wonders of snow.
This review can also be seen on: SmartWriters
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| Tudley Didn't Know |
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TUDLEY DIDN’T KNOW
written and illustrated by John Himmelman
Sylvan Dell Publishing
ISBN: 0976494361
$15.95
Ages 3 – 8
Peter Pan believed he could fly. The Little Engine believed that she could pull the toy train over the mountain. Many people believe in a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow and some folks believe in fairies. (If you believe in fairies, then clap your hands. I’m clapping and I hear a lot of other clapping hands, too.) Believe!
Tudley believed! Well not in fairies or the pot of gold, but he did believe in himself . . . or was he just naïve? Either way, his belief or his naiveté opened a whole new world to him.
Sometimes if you think you can’t do something – you can’t. BUT, put a positive spin on it, and you may find you can do just about anything you set your mind to. Tudley didn’t know that turtles couldn’t fly or hop or sing or make their tails glow. It never crossed his mind. And so he did fly and hop and sing and he made his tail glow, too, though his turtle friends shook their heads in amazement and disbelief.
Tudley made a lot of interesting friends – ones you might think a turtle wouldn’t have . . . I mean if a turtle really does have friends. There was a hummingbird, I have a particular fondness for hummingbirds, and so I was glad to see her in the story. There was a firefly and a tadpole and a frog, and even a katydid. Tudley helped them all when they found themselves in trouble. So it was no wonder that when Tudley found his world suddenly turned upside down, literally upside down, as he was trapped on top of a rock pile and didn’t know what to do, his friends were there to help him. Tudley knew how to help his friends, but he was at a loss to help himself, until his friends showed him how. He just had to believe in himself . . . and that’s what Tudley does best.
This review can also be seen on: SmartWriters
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| Palapalooza |
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PALAPALOOZA
written by Daphne Skinner
illustrated by Jerry Smath
Kane Press
ISBN: 1-57565-163-7
$4.99
Ages 5 - 7
You’re a pal! or What a pal! – two great sayings – comforting sounds. Having a pal IS a comfort. It means having a special friend -- someone that really likes you. It means not being alone, though there’s nothing wrong with being alone, and I even enjoy it at times. But, for most Kiddles there is safety and comfort when being with a pal. It means being one of the gang, the group. It means having someone to do something with. It doesn’t matter what . . . climb a tree, swing on a vine, read a book together. It doesn’t matter what; it’s the “being” together part that feels good.
The kids in Palapalooza, written by Daphne Skinner and illustrated by Jerry Smath, knew that, too. They liked being together, but when January came around and all the holiday fun was over, it got boring. So, Carter and his friends decided to find something to perk up their days. They tried to invent a new holiday. They tried Pet Awareness Day and that was great fun . . . until it wasn’t – when the pets did not cooperate. Slobfest had great potential, too – eating with your hands, wearing dirty clothes, sleeping to noon, yep, great potential . . . until the moms brought it to a halt before it even began. Chocolate Fest! Now that’s my kind of holiday, but you can just imagine what went wrong there.
So, when Eva thought up Friendship Day – a day to honor her friends, Carter, Denzel, Meg, and George agreed. What a great idea to celebrate “Friendship” each year. Those friends really stayed connected. High Schools celebrate friendship with reunions every few years and I go to mine as often as I can, but wouldn’t it be fun to have grade school reunions, too -- or how about nursery school reunions? Can you imagine seeing your four year old friends all grown up and, well . . . acting like grown ups?
Friends are like your favorite childhood teddy bear. They may get old and raggedy, a little worn around the edges, but they are always there to love. My best friend and I met in Colorado just last month. It was like I had seen her yesterday, and we acted it, too – all giggly and talky, talky, talky. So, I’m all for a holiday called Friendship Day, and I think we should celebrate it every month.
“Where should we meet next month, Trish?”
This review can also be seen on: SmartWriters
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Camilla Chameleon
written by Colleen Sydor
illustrated by Pascale Constantin |
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CAMILLA CHAMELEON
written by Colleen Sydor
illustrated by Pascale Constantin
Kids Can Press
ISBN: 1553374827
$16.95
Ages 4 – 8
Cream of Tomato Soup, Cream of Broccoli Soup. . . Yum! Yum! M-a-a-a-ay-b-e Cream of Leek Soup, BUT, come on! Cream of Chameleon Soup or Cream of Pterodactyl Soup? You’ve got to be kidding. That’s a stretch . . . a playful stretch, a delightful stretch, a weird and wacky stretch. Yes, Camilla Chameleon written by Colleen Sydor and illustrated by Pascale Constantin is a fanciful stretch all the way to Camilla’s long . . . very, long hopscotch-playing tongue to her favorite soft drink, Fizzy Fizzy Make Ya Dizzy Rootin’ Tootin’ Root Beer.
What Kiddle wouldn’t give their best lucky marble or their favorite hairclip or cherry lip gloss . . . or anything, for that matter to have Camilla’s characteristics . . . even for a day? I know I would have loved to be Camilla when my Mom called me to clean my brother’s room. YUCK! “Hmm, where’d Donna go?” my mother’d ask. “She was here a moment ago.” “Ha! Still am, Mom!” and I’d stifle a giggle. OR being Camilla would have been really cool on the nights my Dad announced we were having Stew, Bugs, and Onions for dinner. Double YUCK! We never did, but he always threatened. I wonder what kind of bugs he was going to cook. Poor bugs! Poor me!
Anyway, this book should be a warning to any Kiddle whose mother is going to have a baby. Beware! Keep an eye on the soup cans and . . . maybe add a little influence, if you can. Check the corner store. Look on the bottom shelf way, way in the back and maybe, just maybe, you might find Cream of Teddy Bear Soup or Cream of Kitty Soup or Cream of Whatever Soup. But, if you EVER find Cream of Frog Soup, please let me know. That’s my favorite. You can even see a collection of my favorite frogs at my website under tag label Phrogs FROGS Phrogs index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=18&Itemid=16
This review can also be seen on: SmartWriters
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Water Beds
Sleeping in the Ocean |
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WATER BEDS SLEEPING in the OCEAN
written by Gail Langer Karwoski
illustrated by Conne McLennan
Sylvan Dell Publishing
ISBN: 0-9764943-1-0
$15.95
Ages 3-8
Water Beds - Sleeping in the Ocean, written by Gail Langer Karwoski and illustrated by Connie McLennan is a bedtime story. It’s a scientific book filled with information about the sea and how animals sleep in the depths of the ocean. It’s a book that children will love to hear over and over again, and it’s a book that parents will love to read, as they lull their “little person” to sleep on the gentle waves of his dreams.
The ocean is a magical place – an underwater world so unknown to most people that it almost seems surreal. Yes, we play at its shore and we ride upon its waves on surfboards or motorboats. We skim across its blue surface on water skis and even dive below flipping our flippers pretending to be fish. But not many really experience the depths of the ocean – the beauty of the ocean far below the reaches of the sun. It is home to thousands and thousands of species of fish and plant life. Fish with names like Lanternfish, John Dory, and the Clown Anemonefish. Plants called kelp, there are whole forests of kelp, and phytoplankton and algae, which thrive in the oceans and are a crucial source of food for ocean creatures.
The ocean is a wild and peaceful habitat. It can be brutal with waves reaching a deadly force of more than 65 feet and speeds of 500 mph. It can be gentle and calming with its rhythmic ebb and flow as its waves lap against the shore. It can be downright serene if you don a wet suit and oxygen tank and flip off the side of a boat and push your life into the life of the ocean. The child in Water Beds does just that. He pushes his life into that of the ocean and he rocks gently in the tide, like a jug handle . . . just like the Northern fur seals. He bobs like a buoy next to walruses as they snooze in the briny sea. He floats with dolphins and glides next to orcas and yet he never leaves his bed. Then soon he is drifting on the gentle waves of his dreams – oh such sweet, peaceful dreams . . . and he sleeps in his own special way . . . in his own special bed.
NOTE: For full effect this book is best read in a warm, cozy, undulating, waterbed, but if you don’t have easy access to a waterbed – just pretend.
This review can also be seen on: SmartWriters
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| Cinco de Mayo |
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CINCO DE MAYO
written by Marc Tyler Nobleman
pictures by a variety of contributors
Compass Point Books: Let’s See Series
ISBN: 0-7565-0768-5
$14.95
Ages 6-9
The whole world has one – each year it comes around again and again and again. In Poland they call it Piàtego Maja. In Germany it is known as Fünfter Mai. The French say Cinquième de Mai and the Italians say Cinque di Maggio. Here in the United States, we call it the Fifth of May. For many countries it is just another day, but in Mexico, it’s called Cinco de Mayo and it’s a very important day in their history books. Marc Tyler Nobleman provides us with a glimpse into this festive holiday in his book entitled, none other than, CINCO de MAYO.
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the battle of Puebla in 1862. The Mexican Army was small with little experience and few weapons, but they showed their true colors, green, white, and red, and their bravery when they defeated the French in an attempt to save their country from invasion.
Now Mexicans all over Mexico, and even those living in the United States, join in the festivities of Cinco de Mayo. Dancers twirl in vibrant native costumes. Mariachi bands stroll the Zócalos, (the town squares), playing their guitars, violins, and trumpets with sounds of mambo, cha-cha, and salsa. They croon love ballads and folk ballads. Children delight in watching or marching in parades. It’s a time for all to enjoy the festivities and foods such as tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. It’s a time for all Mexicans to remember what it means to be Mexican. It’s a time for people to shout, “VIVA MEXICO!”
Reviewer’s Note:
Puebla holds a very special place in my heart, so it was really fun to review this book. In the summer of 2004, I was awarded a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Grant to study in Puebla, Mexico. For five weeks I was immersed in Mexican culture and language. I visited pyramids and historical archaeological ruins and I lived among the Mexican people and loved every minute of it. Before I learned of the grant, I had never heard of Puebla, but now, I can’t wait to go back. “VIVA MEXICO!”
This review can also be seen on: SmartWriters
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| JOSÉ! Born To Dance |
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JOSÉ! Born To Dance
written by Susanna Reich
illustrated by Raúl Colón
Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
ISBN: 0-689-86576-7
$16.95
Ages 5-8
José Limón was born to dance and like the CHIC recording of the late 1970s, DANCE, DANCE, DANCE, José did! Of course, Limón, born in Mexico in 1908 wasn't dancing the latest disco craze nor was he swaying to the more recent country song by Lee Ann Womack, I HOPE YOU DANCE. His dream wasn't realized until many years later when dance, dance, dance, became José's life, love, and passion.
As a child José dreamt of bullfighting. He dreamt of drawing and painting. His spirits soared as his fingers flew over the keys of his piano, yet his dreams remained out of reach and wanting. As a young man José left his childhood home in Los Angeles and set off for New York City, a city of hope and opportunity. He was filled with dreams of becoming a great artist. But night after day José scooped ashes and he hauled garbage and day after night he wandered museums studying the masters, Manet, Renoir, and Picasso, and he wondered what he could offer and again his dreams went unfulfilled. Then, José found himself at a dance concert and the fire in his soul was unleashed as he watched the dancers twirl on the stage, twisting and leaping through the air. José's passion for dance was unleashed, too and he went on to become one of the twentieth centuries greatest dancers and choreographers. Still today, José Limón's dream lives on in the dance studio that he founded, The José Limón Institute, located in New York City, which welcomes other dancers with dreams and passions of their own . . . yet to be fulfilled.
This review can also be seen on: SmartWriters
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| The Only One Club |
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THE ONLY ONE CLUB
written by Jane Naliboff
illustrated by Jeff Hopkins
Flashlight Press
ISBN: 0-972-92253-9
$15.95
Ages 4-8
It’s scary feeling different . . . not monster scary, or falling out of bed scary. Not darn! I forgot my homework scary either. Feeling different can set you apart . . . maybe the rest of the kids won’t like you kind-of-scary or they’ll make fun of you kind-of-scary. But in The Only One Club, Jennifer uses her “different-ness” to her advantage and soon all of her classmates are looking for ways to show how they are different, too.
Together, author, Jane Nabiloff and illustrator, Jeff Hopkins provide a fun and comical vehicle for young readers to realize and acknowledge the differences of others, while they are encouraged to examine their own differences. Look at Niki and Nina. They are the “only” identical twins in Jennifer’s first grade . . . and no one has a gazillion freckles like Jonah McBride! Then, don’t forget Steven Whittier and his humongous teeth! Now, who can match that? Each of us is different, each in his or her own way, and so, in so many aspects, we all belong to an “only one club.” So, take a look at your own self and join a club, even if it is an Only One Club.
This review can also be seen on: SmartWriters
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| Flusi, the Sock Monster |
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FLUSI, the SOCK MONSTER
written and illustrated by Bine Brändle
Kane/Miller Book Publishers
ISBN: 1-929132-69-7
$15.95
Ages 5-6
Kiddles love monsters – any kind of monsters. Well, maybe they don’t exactly love them, but they are fascinated by them. There are the creepy monsters that hide under the bed and the scary ones in the closet. The best monsters are the ones that slip and slither across the wall in the moonlight. My mother tried to pass them off as the shadows of my drapes blowing in the wind. Yeah right, MOM!!!!
German born author/illustrator, Bine Brändle, creates not only with her words, but also with her illustrations, a very special monster in her new book, FLUSI, the Sock Monster. Flusi, a fuzzy, blue fur ball, is just about the cutest monster I know. Every KIDDLE, both boy and girl, should have a monster like Flusi. Hey, they probably already do!
This review can also be seen on: SmartWriters
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| CARLA'S SANDWICH |
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CARLA’S SANDWICH
written by Debbie Herman
illustrated by Shelia Bailey
Flashlight Press
ISBN: 0972922520
$15.95
Ages 4-8
Whole wheat, rye, croissant, wrap, toast, bagel – all yummy sandwich covers. Turkey, peanut butter, jelly, liverwurst, cow’s tongue – all yummy sandwich fillings. Uhh . . . well, maybe not cow’s tongue – I’ll pass on that. But there are endless combinations and varieties of sandwiches to fulfill just about anyone’s desire.
In CARLA’S SANDWICH, author, Debbie Herman dreams up sandwiches all green and slimy and some with yellow and white stuff oozing from their sides and Carla just loves them all. BUT, did you notice not a sandwich could be found with onions? Could it be that Ms. Herman is not an onion fan?
Illustrator, Sheila Bailey must have had a ball painting the variety of sandwiches. I particularly liked the sardine and mustard one with sunflower seeds, though I would probably “hold” the sardines if it were my sandwich.
Together Debbie Herman and Sheila Bailey created not only weird sandwiches, but an original and fun book, which will certainly have children experimenting with all kinds of sandwich ingredients . . . Let’s see, how about gummy worms and popcorn covered with marshmallow fluff and stuffed into a pita bread? YUM! Check out your local school lunchroom for more sandwich varieties after teachers read this book to their classes.
This review can also be seen on: SmartWriters
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| No Money? No Problem! |
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NO MONEY? NO PROBLEM!
written by Lori Haskins
illustrated by John Nez
Kane Press
ISBN: 1575651416
Ages 4-8
$4.99
Don’t you just hate it when you don’t have enough money to buy what you want? You know -- that dress with the pink and orange umbrellas in the store window downtown, or the complete set of square marbles, the one-of-a-kind, kind, or maybe it’s the dyed-purple alligator purse that you have been dying for. Okay . . . so maybe you never wanted a dyed-purple alligator purse. Well, neither did I, but you know what I mean.
When Amy saw Super Cowboy Dinosaurs From Space 1, she had to have it, no matter what the cost. Unfortunately, the cost was prohibitive, but Amy’s ideas were not. Amy solved her problem of not having enough money in a very creative way and she had a lot of fun doing it.
Lori Haskins and John Nez combined their talents to produce NO MONEY? NO PROBLEM! in their new SOCIAL STUDIES CONNECTS book, which also “connects” to math. It sort of takes you back to the “old” days when money could be just about anything . . . a chicken, a sack of flour, or helping to raise the barn. So, the next time you find yourself with NO MONEY, just think of something that you have that someone else just might be dying for. Then barter away! Hmmm . . . anyone have an old, sneaker?
This review can also be seen on: SmartWriters
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| Circle Unbroken |
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CIRCLE UNBROKEN
written by Margaret Theis Raven
illustrated by E. B. Lewis
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
ISBN: 0-374-31289-3
$16.00
Ages 6-9
Life goes on and on and on like a circle unbroken. Traditions pass from family to family, from generation to generation. Traditions that define what a family or a culture is, are invaluable and must be treasured and cherished. Margot Theis Raven’s new book, CIRCLE UNBROKEN demonstrates this concept as she weaves and intertwines a story of how a young boy was stolen from his village in Africa and brought to the New World . . . a world that for many showed promise, but for this young boy brought only the loss of his freedom. “But long night after long day, he (the boy) sewed baskets in the old way . . . preserving the traditions and memories of those who were plucked from their homes and villages in Africa and thrust into slavery in America. As years and years have passed, the tradition of the sweetgrass baskets is still being weaved in South Carolina and the Georgia Lowcountry . . . proof that the tradition remains alive.
E. B. Lewis’ life-like illustrations nearly draw you into the book and set you on the pages of this history-filled story. I could almost feel the ripples of the water as the old-timey grandfather straddled his canoe and told his tales of long, long ago.
This review can also be seen on: SmartWriters
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| Big Week for Little Mouse |
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BIG WEEK for LITTLE MOUSE
written by Eugenie Fernandes
illustrated by Kim Fernandes
KIDS CAN PRESS
ISBN: 1-55337-665-X
Ages: 2-5
$14.95
Birthdays come and birthdays go,
Some come fast and some come slow.
Birthdays are a time of fun . . .
For you, for me, for everyone.
Little Mouse can hardly wait.
For her it’s time to celebrate.
. . . and celebrate she did, but not before she finished her chores. Preparing for her birthday party was lots of work. Little Mouse had to mop and scrub and pick flowers and hang up balloons. Yes, it was a busy week for Little Mouse.
Then award winning mother/daughter, author/illustrator team, Eugenie and Kim Fernandes combine rhyming words, antonyms, and days of the week with colorful 3D illustrations, which makes Big Week for Little Mouse chock-full of skills for the creative teacher. It’s brimming with fun for young readers, too. Kiddles love word-play and this book offers such fun, which will have not only Kiddles, but parents and teachers rattling off all kinds of words. Try it . . . it’s fun.
This review can also be seen on: SmartWriters
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| Paul Needs Specs |
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PAUL NEEDS SPECS
written by Bernard Cohen
illustrated by Geoff Kelly
Kane/Miller Book Publisher
ISBN: 192913261
$15.95
Ages 5-9
Paul asked, “Has the world gone fuzzy, . . .?” What a scary feeling to have your world blur in front of your eyes, especially when you are a child no bigger than Paul. The world hadn’t gone fuzzy or blurry or misty or foggy . . . well not really. But, Paul’s eyesight did. Author, Bernard Cohen takes us on a trip to the eye doctor. What a strange place that is! Paul tries many different lenses. Some make him see fat and some make him see tall and I wonder if some do nothing at all. Then Goeff Kelly adds his zany, very psychedelic illustrations, which will make readers howl. This book should definitely allay the fears of any child who needs to get glasses. PAUL NEEDS SPECS is a real eye-opener.
This review can also be seen on: SmartWriters
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| Myrtle |
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MYRTLE
written by Tracey Campbell Pearson
illustrated by Tracey Campbell Pearson
Farrar Straus and Giroux
ISBN: 0-374-35157-0
Ages: 3-6
$15.00
There are bullies everywhere, but don’t you hate it when you find them in your own back yard? Once at the grocery store checkout as I waited patiently, grasping a bunch of broccoli, a woman pushed her overflowing cart right in front of me. Every day on my 20 mile commute to school, there are cars that bully their way into the line exiting the highway. Can’t they see the 50 cars waiting, patiently? HOW RUDE! That’s what Myrtle would say and I fully agree with her. “RUDE! RUDE! RUDE!” These are the bullies in my back yard.
When Frances moved in, Myrtle found a bully in her back yard, too. Frances was downright mean and Myrtle was downright scared. Snakes and monsters and mean songs would scare me, too. No one deserves to be bullied. So, when Aunt Tizzy told Myrtle of the nasty lions she met in Africa and their mean lion roars, Myrtle got to thinking. She grabbed her brother’s hand and set off to face her fears. She felt bigger! She felt stronger! And, she was ready to stand up for herself . . . a very liberating feeling! I think I’ll take a lesson from Myrtle. Just wait . . . the next time someone tries to push her overflowing grocery cart in front of me, I’ll just bop her on the head . . . with my broccoli. Well . . . maybe not.
Tracey Campbell Pearson hit on a very timely topic . . . one that visits and revisits children in every age and at every stage. It seems, unfortunately, that there will always be bullies. I remember them when I was a child. Definitely, not fun! Ms. Pearson’s whimsical illustrations add a welcome lightness to a serious problem. Young readers will gain confidence as Myrtle did, as they realize that they are not alone in the “BULLY” world and they CAN do something about it.
This review can also be seen on: SmartWriters
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| Whose House? |
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WHOSE HOUSE
Written by Barbara Seuling
Illustrated by Kay Chorao
Gulliver Books Harcourt Children’s Books
ISBN: 0-15-216347-6
Ages: 3-7
$16.00
Houses come in so many colors and sizes and shapes. Some are tall and skinny and rise high into the sky. Some are kind of fat and have acres of land around them. That’s called s-p-r-a-w-l-i-n-g. Some are in big buildings called apartments and some are tiny, little cottages or bungalows. Houses are made of wood, brick, stone, or mud, and some are even made of ice. There are castles and palaces and mansions. There are igloos, and houses made of grass, which have thatched roofs. I’ve seen purple houses and bright yellow and green houses. Once, I even saw a pink house with blue shutters. That was pretty scary unless, of course, pink and blue are your favorite colors. So, with so many different kinds of houses, how can you ever choose which house is exactly right for you?
Well, you could try them out just like the young boy in WHOSE HOUSE did. On his journey to find just the right house, he visited a beaver’s lodge and a bee’s hive. They weren’t right for him. He tried out a hollow log, too, but he learned that that was better for a frog. This rhyming picture book written by Barbara Seuling and illustrated by Kay Chorao will have young readers testing out all kinds of houses . . . until they find the one just right for them. And . . . maybe . . . just maybe, it’s the one they are already living in.
This review can also be seen on: SmartWriters
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OUT AND ABOUT AT THE SUPERMARKET
Written by Kitty Shea
Illustrated by Becky Shipe
Picture Window Books
ISBN: 1-4048-0295-9W
Ages: 4-9
$17.95
This is a selection of non-fiction titles from Picture Window Books. Featured is OUT AND ABOUT AT THE SUPERMARKET by Kitty Shea, illustrated by Becky Shipe.
Kiddles love to learn facts. They love to spout them off in the least expected places. It makes them sound so smart and . . . oh so worldly. You’ve heard of name-droppers, well you can just think of them as fact-droppers. This sample of Picture Window Books will have KIDDLES dropping facts all over the place.
In Snack Time Around the World they may drop a fact about lumpia or merienda. In Think, Think, Think Learning About Your Brain, you may overhear them talking about something wrinkled and gray. Don’t worry. They’re not talking about you -- even if you are wrinkled and gray. They’re describing their brain, complete with cerebellum, cerebrum, and brain stem.
And anyone knows that in Do Ducks Live in the Desert? – that -- they DON’T! But, if you listen carefully, you might be able to find out where musk oxen, or periwinkles, or markhors live. What’s a markhor, anyway? Well, you may think that none of this really matters, but don’t let a KIDDLE hear you say that, especially after they have read Matter See It, Touch It, Taste It, Smell It. They’ll probably tell you that the universe is made up of billions of atoms and molecules. And . . . you know what, they’ll be right. So anytime you hear a fact–dropper, listen up! You are sure to learn something.
This review can also be seen on: SmartWriters
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| The Giant Jelly Bean Jar |
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THE GIANT JELLY BEAN JAR
written by Marcie Aboff
illustrated by Paige Billin-Frye
Dutton Children's Books
ISBN: 0525472363
$13.99
Ages 5-8
Beans! Beans! Beans! There are lima beans, coffee beans, kidney beans and refried beans. I love them all! But my favorite kinds of beans are jelly beans – and every flavor, too. Cherry, grape, lemon-lime, licorice . . . YUM! Double yum for strawberry and banana.
I bet Marcie Aboff loves jelly beans, too. After all, she did write The Giant Jelly Bean Jar. But I wonder if she really likes pizza jelly beans. I mean, whoever heard of pizza jelly beans? Next she’ll probably think of spinach or olive, or liver jelly beans. Arrrghhh!
I bet Marcie loves contests, too. Well, who doesn’t? Everyone loves to be a winner. Look at Ben. He really wanted to win that giant jelly bean jar. So every week Ben and his sister, Jill, went to Jo-Jo’s Jelly Bean Shop to try to guess the jelly bean riddle. Can you imagine having a whole jar of jelly beans all to yourself? Mmmm!
Then illustrator, Paige Billin-Frye dabs her color onto the pages to make those jelly beans look so yummy and so inviting. Who can help but want to eat them all up?
I think that Marcie and Paige took riddles and contests and jelly beans and rolled them all up into one delicious book. It makes me hungry just looking at it . . . not only for jelly beans, but for the good reading, too.
This review can also be seen on: SmartWriters
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| Blueberry Mouse |
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BLUEBERRY MOUSE
written by Alice Low
illustrated by David Michael Friend
Mondo Publishing
ISBN: 1-59336-111-4
$15.95
Ages 3--7
I’ve heard of a greenhouse, the Whitehouse, and even a house of cards. I’ve heard of a townhouse. I live in one. But, who ever heard of a blueberry house? Well, Blueberry Mouse, of course! Blueberry Mouse, written by Alice Low and illustrated by David Michael Friend, tells of a mouse as sweet as she can be. And, why not? She nibbles the whole day long . . . on sweet, juicy blueberries inside her blueberry house.
Blueberry Mouse’s house is made of blueberry pie and everything inside is made of . . . you guessed it . . . blueberries. Blueberry Mouse nibbles her blueberry table and blueberry cups. Her blanket and bedclothes and even her bed are not spared when Blueberry Mouse gets hungry. It is no wonder Blueberry Mouse is a lovely shade of blueberry. And it sounds like a lovely existence, too, until Blueberry Mouse begins to nibble her window and wall and her floor and her door. That’s when the roof comes crumbling down.
You might think Blueberry Mouse a rather foolish mouse for eating so many blueberries. But, did you know that many scientists believe that blueberries are a “super” food containing high contents of antioxidants, which help to prevent aging and many common diseases? So maybe Blueberry Mouse and her creator, Alice Low, are onto something. Now, I’m going to scoop up a big dish of blueberry ice cream, dribble warm blueberry sauce over it, and put a cherr. . . I mean a blueberry on top. It’s important to stay healthy, you know. (grin)
This review can also be seen on: SmartWriters
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BEAVERS
by Margaret Hall
Capstone Press Pebble Books
ISBN: 0-7368-2063-9W
$11.95
Grades PreK-2
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COYOTES
by Patricia J. Murphy
Capstone Press Pebble Books
ISBN: 0-7368-2072-8W
$11.95
Grades PreK-2
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