My Snake Blake by Randy Siegel illustrated by Sergei Bloch Picture book * * * * Stars (Great!) A little boy receives a pet snake for his birthday. Blake the snake is long and green and perfectly mannered – also, he can write (with his body), cook, and answer any homework question. He is the best of pets and the best of friends. Charming and funny story, with messy, hurried illustrations in black, white, red, … Read more
Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett illustrated by Jon Klassen Picture book * * * * Stars (Great!) One day, Annabelle finds a box of yarn that never runs out. She knits herself a sweater, and then one for her dog, and when her yarn supply continues to grow she gradually clothes the whole town (including people, animals, trees, buildings). The formerly black and white town becomes a colorful place. Then a fashion-conscious archduke – having … Read more
Look Up! Bird-Watching in Your Own Backyard by Annette LeBlanc Cate Nonfiction Picture book * * * * Stars (Great!) Annette LeBlanc Cate is an enthusiastic amateur bird-watcher who shares her passion for our feathered friends with a young audience in this introduction to bird-watching. Using goofy cartoon birds (who have something to say about EVERYTHING) she explains how to find and identify birds, how field guides work, how birds are classified, and much, much … Read more
For the Birds: The Life of Roger Tory Peterson by Peggy Thomas Biography Nonfiction Picture book * * * * Stars (Great!) Most kids will not be familiar with Roger Tory Peterson – I didn’t learn about him until I took an ornithology class in college, but Peggy Thomas really brings this artist, naturalist, and bird-lover to life – his passion for birds is clear throughout this eye-catchingly illustrated children’s biography. He used a system … Read more
What to Do If an Elephant Stands on Your Foot by Michelle Robinson Picture Book * * * Stars (Pretty good) There’s no hope for this young explorer – she does everything wrong! After startling the elephant when it stands on her foot, she proceeds to stir up all of the other animals. Only the monkeys can save her. The narrator is always one step behind the explorer, who can’t seem to help herself. “DO … Read more
Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper Juvenile Fiction Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) Can you imagine being one of the smartest kids in school and not being able to speak? Melody is a bright, humorous eleven-year-old who just wants to fit in and be with other kids her age. But because she is in a wheelchair and cannot speak, she has been in a Special Education class, until now. … Read more
The Beetle Book by Steve Jenkins Juvenile Non-fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Beetles Insects Juvenile Nonfiction This book will whet young appetites for beetles – learning about them, at least. With over 350,000 different species, readers are sure to encounter some of them in their lifetimes. Steve Jenkins presents almost 80 beetles in this introduction to beetle types, morphology, adaptations, and life cycles. You will come away amazed at all of the different … Read more
Oh So Tiny Bunny by David Kirk Picture book * * * Stars (Pretty good) Oh So Tiny Bunny is a very small bunny who knows how to dream BIG. In his dreams he is a MEGA bunny and his world is filled with appropriately super-sized bun accoutrements (enormous fields of lettuce, and clover and carrots the size of trees). No other bunnies, though, so he is lonely until a bunny friend wakes him gently … Read more
Monsters Love Colors by Mike Austin Picture Book * * * Stars (Pretty good) Monsters love colors AND really busy pages with scribbles and onomatopoeia! Starting out with the three primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) the monsters enthusiastically mix their favorite colors to make new ones (orange, green, purple, and RAINBOW), giving the new colors to smaller, gray monsters who don’t have any of their own. Rainbow deviates a bit from the formula, since … Read more
The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy Fantasy Tween * * * * Stars (Great!) Four Princes Charming team up to save Cinderella from the clutches of the evil witch, Zaubera in this funny fairytale mashup. Zaubera has also kidnapped all of the kingdom’s bards as a publicity stunt (she wants people to know her NAME), and they must also be rescued. Unfortunately, all of the princes (except Liam) are pretty inept … Read more