Author/Illustrator: Holly Hobbie
Year: 2005
Reading Level: 4-8
Series: Toot and Puddle
Plot Summary: Toot goes off to visit Borneo (of course) leaving Puddle with Cousin Opal for company. Toot sends a few postcards about his exotic adventures but winds up coming home soon with the Violet Virus and he turns a rather unhealthy shade of purple. It's up to Puddle and Opal to find a cure for this rare disease--and it happens to be right in their own backyard.
My Rating: A-. I'll admit that I expected more from this book after hearing so much about the series. The artwork is extremely lovely, but the story seemed a little lacking to me. Maybe I'm just picky though... Also there was a random inclusion of the Internet when Opal does research online. It seemed so very out of place in Woodcock Pocket.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Place Called Kindergarten
Author: Jessica Harper
Illustrator: G. Brian Karas
Year: 2006
Reading Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: Tommy lives on a farm and he visits the animals in the barn every morning, until one day he doesn't show up. The animals wonder where he could be all day until Tommy appears in the afternoon to tell them he's been to kindergarten. Tommy is full of new facts and stories and even sings a song for the animals.
My Rating: B+. This is a nice, gentle positive endorsement for the kindergarten experience. The illustrations are soft and soothing, and it all turns out quite rosily in the end. That said, I'm sure this same story could be told in a more interesting fashion...but I guess then it might not be so gentle and soothing?
Illustrator: G. Brian Karas
Year: 2006
Reading Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: Tommy lives on a farm and he visits the animals in the barn every morning, until one day he doesn't show up. The animals wonder where he could be all day until Tommy appears in the afternoon to tell them he's been to kindergarten. Tommy is full of new facts and stories and even sings a song for the animals.
My Rating: B+. This is a nice, gentle positive endorsement for the kindergarten experience. The illustrations are soft and soothing, and it all turns out quite rosily in the end. That said, I'm sure this same story could be told in a more interesting fashion...but I guess then it might not be so gentle and soothing?
Owen's Marshmallow Peep
Author/Illustrator: Kevin Henkes
Year: 2002
Reading Level: 3-6
Plot Summary: It's Easter and Owen has a lovely Easter basket full of goodies. One by one he gets out his favorite treats--jelly beans, a chocolate bunny--and eats them up. But when he gets to his yellow marshmallow chick, Owen just can't bring himself to eat it. Instead he plays with it all day and then puts it safely on his shelf at night.
My Rating: A-. I enjoyed this book. It was cute and had such cute little pictures. It's a good one for younger readers with lots of white space and simple, repetitive language. On the other hand...it's a book about Peeps! How random is that?
Year: 2002
Reading Level: 3-6
Plot Summary: It's Easter and Owen has a lovely Easter basket full of goodies. One by one he gets out his favorite treats--jelly beans, a chocolate bunny--and eats them up. But when he gets to his yellow marshmallow chick, Owen just can't bring himself to eat it. Instead he plays with it all day and then puts it safely on his shelf at night.
My Rating: A-. I enjoyed this book. It was cute and had such cute little pictures. It's a good one for younger readers with lots of white space and simple, repetitive language. On the other hand...it's a book about Peeps! How random is that?
Burger Boy
Author: Alan Durant
Illustrator: Mei Matsuka
Year: 2005
Reading Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: Benny loves hamburgers. They're all he ever wants to eat and finally he eats so many he...turns into a burger boy. Naturally everybody except his Mother want to eat him so Benny goes on the run, chased by dogs and other boys alike. In the end he eats vegetables and turns back into a real boy...until he eats too many carrots.
My Rating: B+. This was another kind of strange book. I really liked the colors, and it was well written. But it was kind of strange when other boys were salivating over the idea of eating Benny and started chasing him. I don't know how I feel about semi-cannibalism in picture books.
Illustrator: Mei Matsuka
Year: 2005
Reading Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: Benny loves hamburgers. They're all he ever wants to eat and finally he eats so many he...turns into a burger boy. Naturally everybody except his Mother want to eat him so Benny goes on the run, chased by dogs and other boys alike. In the end he eats vegetables and turns back into a real boy...until he eats too many carrots.
My Rating: B+. This was another kind of strange book. I really liked the colors, and it was well written. But it was kind of strange when other boys were salivating over the idea of eating Benny and started chasing him. I don't know how I feel about semi-cannibalism in picture books.
The Terrible Underpants
Author/Illustrator: Kaz Cooke
Year: 2003
Reading Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: This kind of strange book is about a girl, Wanda-Linda, who goes to put on her underpants only to realize they're all hanging on the line to dry. Her parents tell her she needs to wear her "terrible underpants" that are faded, stained and baggy. Through the rest of the book Wanda-Linda's terrible underpants seem to be seen by everyone--including a news crew. Her final solution? Why, take them off of course!
My Rating: B. Strange book. The art is kind of wacky and not to my taste..the story didn't really interest me. My real question is: why does she still have this terrible pair of underwear and why do her parents actually support her wearing them?
Year: 2003
Reading Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: This kind of strange book is about a girl, Wanda-Linda, who goes to put on her underpants only to realize they're all hanging on the line to dry. Her parents tell her she needs to wear her "terrible underpants" that are faded, stained and baggy. Through the rest of the book Wanda-Linda's terrible underpants seem to be seen by everyone--including a news crew. Her final solution? Why, take them off of course!
My Rating: B. Strange book. The art is kind of wacky and not to my taste..the story didn't really interest me. My real question is: why does she still have this terrible pair of underwear and why do her parents actually support her wearing them?
Meggie Moon
Author: Elizabeth Baguley
Illustrator: Gregoire Mabire
Year: 2005
Reading Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: Digger and Tiger are best friends and they love to hang out in the junkyard, all day every day. One day someone new comes to their favorite place and, even worse, it's a girl. Meggie Moon plays differently in the junkyard--she builds things like rockets and carts. Soon all three of them play together all day every day but what happens when Meggie Moon goes away?
My Rating: A-. This was a cute little story and the illustrations are quite delightful also. My one complaint is just that the story ends rather abruptly and almost a little over the top. I know part of the book is about imagining things, but the last page seemed a little unnecessary.
Illustrator: Gregoire Mabire
Year: 2005
Reading Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: Digger and Tiger are best friends and they love to hang out in the junkyard, all day every day. One day someone new comes to their favorite place and, even worse, it's a girl. Meggie Moon plays differently in the junkyard--she builds things like rockets and carts. Soon all three of them play together all day every day but what happens when Meggie Moon goes away?
My Rating: A-. This was a cute little story and the illustrations are quite delightful also. My one complaint is just that the story ends rather abruptly and almost a little over the top. I know part of the book is about imagining things, but the last page seemed a little unnecessary.
Once Upon a Banana
Author: Jennifer Armstrong
Illustrator: David Small
Year: 2006
Reading Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: This wordless book follows a street performers attempt to catch his wayward monkey. As the monkey sets off, antics and accidents ensue as one person tumbles into another. In the end, however, everyone winds up happy and everyone gets a banana.
My Rating: B+. This was a fun book, and the illustrations have a lot of style. My one complaint is that sometimes the action sequences could be hard to follow.
Illustrator: David Small
Year: 2006
Reading Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: This wordless book follows a street performers attempt to catch his wayward monkey. As the monkey sets off, antics and accidents ensue as one person tumbles into another. In the end, however, everyone winds up happy and everyone gets a banana.
My Rating: B+. This was a fun book, and the illustrations have a lot of style. My one complaint is that sometimes the action sequences could be hard to follow.
Never Take a Shark to the Dentist (and Other Things Not to Do)
Author: Judi Barrett
Illustrator: John Nickle
Year: 2008
Reading Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: This book is a series of warnings of things not to do for certain animals. There is no real plot to string it a lot, it's just a series of silly things and that's the only point. One of my favorites was to never give a moth a sweater--I actually had to think for a few seconds about what the problem was.
My Rating:A-. Like I said, the "premise" for this book is completely silly, although I think it might be at least somewhat educational as far as why such and such would be a bad idea. The illustrations are great though, very fun and over the top.
Illustrator: John Nickle
Year: 2008
Reading Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: This book is a series of warnings of things not to do for certain animals. There is no real plot to string it a lot, it's just a series of silly things and that's the only point. One of my favorites was to never give a moth a sweater--I actually had to think for a few seconds about what the problem was.
My Rating:A-. Like I said, the "premise" for this book is completely silly, although I think it might be at least somewhat educational as far as why such and such would be a bad idea. The illustrations are great though, very fun and over the top.
Good Night, Sweet Butterflies
Author: Dawn Bentley
Illustrator: Heather Cahoon
Year: 2003
Reading Level: 3-6
Plot Summary: This colorful book is perfect for nighttime. Nine butterflies search for a place to sleep for the night and they each find a place on a colorful page. Each page highlights a different color and in the end all the colors and butterflies come together under the moon.
My Rating: A-. This is a pretty book and it's fun to look at. The illustrations are better than the text (not that the text is bad), although I think I might like them better on a bigger page. The strong colors might be less overwhelming that way.
Illustrator: Heather Cahoon
Year: 2003
Reading Level: 3-6
Plot Summary: This colorful book is perfect for nighttime. Nine butterflies search for a place to sleep for the night and they each find a place on a colorful page. Each page highlights a different color and in the end all the colors and butterflies come together under the moon.
My Rating: A-. This is a pretty book and it's fun to look at. The illustrations are better than the text (not that the text is bad), although I think I might like them better on a bigger page. The strong colors might be less overwhelming that way.
The City of Ember
Author: Jeanne DuPrau
Year: 2003
Genre: Sci-Fi
Reading Level: Intermediate
Series: Books of Ember
Plot Summary: In the city of Ember, times are getting hard. The lights are flickering and supplies are running out. Lina Mayfleet is twelve years old and just started a job as a messenger while her friend Doon Harrow starts working in the depths of the city in the Pipeworks. When Lina finds a mysterious message, she and Doon slowly realize it's a message from the city's founders--the Builders--and it tells them how to leave the city for somewhere better. Unfortunately Ember's mayor isn't going to let them shake things up and Lina and Doon have to rely on each other to solve the mystery.
Award: 2006 Mark Twain Award
Movie Version: City of Ember
My Rating: A-. I really enjoyed this book. I don't know exactly how she did it, but DuPrau totally evokes the suffocating atmosphere of this underground city on the brink of desperation. The characters may be a little bit flat (or maybe just standard) but they don't detract from the story. I do think her writing got a little clunky when trying to describe things that Lina and Doon had never seen, like a boat and candles. But overall, it was a good read.
Year: 2003
Genre: Sci-Fi
Reading Level: Intermediate
Series: Books of Ember
Plot Summary: In the city of Ember, times are getting hard. The lights are flickering and supplies are running out. Lina Mayfleet is twelve years old and just started a job as a messenger while her friend Doon Harrow starts working in the depths of the city in the Pipeworks. When Lina finds a mysterious message, she and Doon slowly realize it's a message from the city's founders--the Builders--and it tells them how to leave the city for somewhere better. Unfortunately Ember's mayor isn't going to let them shake things up and Lina and Doon have to rely on each other to solve the mystery.
Award: 2006 Mark Twain Award
Movie Version: City of Ember
My Rating: A-. I really enjoyed this book. I don't know exactly how she did it, but DuPrau totally evokes the suffocating atmosphere of this underground city on the brink of desperation. The characters may be a little bit flat (or maybe just standard) but they don't detract from the story. I do think her writing got a little clunky when trying to describe things that Lina and Doon had never seen, like a boat and candles. But overall, it was a good read.
Friday, December 5, 2008
I Ain't Gonna Paint No More
Author: Karen Beaumont
Illustrator: David Catrow
Year: 2005
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: A little boy loves to paint...everything. He paints the walls, the ceiling and, of course, himself until his mother catches him and puts all of his paints away and puts him in the tub. After his bath while his mother is out, the boy sneaks out his paints again. He starts with just his arm but he can't resist painting himself all over and soon paint is everywhere.
Red Flags: Another book that might give kids some rather colorful ideas. Also it's written with deliberate bad grammar.
My Rating: B+. I have decided that I don't really like reading books (picture books especially) about kids misbehaving. It's just kind of stressful...I mean come on, his mom has to clean up a huge mess! But whatever, I guess I just missed the point of this book.
Illustrator: David Catrow
Year: 2005
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: A little boy loves to paint...everything. He paints the walls, the ceiling and, of course, himself until his mother catches him and puts all of his paints away and puts him in the tub. After his bath while his mother is out, the boy sneaks out his paints again. He starts with just his arm but he can't resist painting himself all over and soon paint is everywhere.
Red Flags: Another book that might give kids some rather colorful ideas. Also it's written with deliberate bad grammar.
My Rating: B+. I have decided that I don't really like reading books (picture books especially) about kids misbehaving. It's just kind of stressful...I mean come on, his mom has to clean up a huge mess! But whatever, I guess I just missed the point of this book.
I Will Never Not Eat a Tomato
Author/Illustrator: Lauren Child
Year: 2000
Age Level: 4-8
Series: Charlie and Lola
Plot Summary: Charlie is charge of making Lola's dinner for a night, but he runs into trouble with Lola's picky eating habits. Luckily Charlie knows how to use Lola's imagination to his advantage. He invents clever names for peas and carrots, telling her food comes from underwater markets and different planets. Soon he has Lola eating all the food she swore she didn't like.
My Rating: A. I wanted to read one of the original Charlie and Lola books to compare it with the post-TV show books, just to see if/how they differed. I liked that this one had a more handmade feel to it. It was simpler but still clever. I was a little disappointed that it had used Mom instead of Mum though.
Year: 2000
Age Level: 4-8
Series: Charlie and Lola
Plot Summary: Charlie is charge of making Lola's dinner for a night, but he runs into trouble with Lola's picky eating habits. Luckily Charlie knows how to use Lola's imagination to his advantage. He invents clever names for peas and carrots, telling her food comes from underwater markets and different planets. Soon he has Lola eating all the food she swore she didn't like.
My Rating: A. I wanted to read one of the original Charlie and Lola books to compare it with the post-TV show books, just to see if/how they differed. I liked that this one had a more handmade feel to it. It was simpler but still clever. I was a little disappointed that it had used Mom instead of Mum though.
Olivia Saves the Circus
Author/Illustrator: Ian Falconer
Year: 2001
Age Level: 4-8
Series: Olivia
Plot Summary: Olivia wakes up and puts on her boring school uniform (and jazzes it up with accessories of course) and heads off to school. In her class she tells about her trip to the circus. Of course, none of the performers are there and so Olivia must perform all the acts herself. Is it true? Olivia thinks it is.
My Rating: B. I expected more from this book, after hearing about Olivia for so long. As it was, I didn't really like the character (such a diva) and the story wasn't really interesting either.
Year: 2001
Age Level: 4-8
Series: Olivia
Plot Summary: Olivia wakes up and puts on her boring school uniform (and jazzes it up with accessories of course) and heads off to school. In her class she tells about her trip to the circus. Of course, none of the performers are there and so Olivia must perform all the acts herself. Is it true? Olivia thinks it is.
My Rating: B. I expected more from this book, after hearing about Olivia for so long. As it was, I didn't really like the character (such a diva) and the story wasn't really interesting either.
My Friend is Sad
Author/Illustrator: Mo Willems
Year: 2007
Age Level: 2-7
Series: Elephant and Piggie
Plot Summary: One day Piggie discovers that Elephant is very sad. He sits and sighs, and Piggie wonders how she can cheer him up. She tries dressing up as many things--a robot, a clown and a cowboy--but nothing is working. Finally Piggie confesses that she can't cheer him up, and realizes what would really cheer up Elephant is a friend.
My Rating: A. The expressions in this book are so delightful and the story is so cute. I can't think of any kid who would not love this book.
Year: 2007
Age Level: 2-7
Series: Elephant and Piggie
Plot Summary: One day Piggie discovers that Elephant is very sad. He sits and sighs, and Piggie wonders how she can cheer him up. She tries dressing up as many things--a robot, a clown and a cowboy--but nothing is working. Finally Piggie confesses that she can't cheer him up, and realizes what would really cheer up Elephant is a friend.
My Rating: A. The expressions in this book are so delightful and the story is so cute. I can't think of any kid who would not love this book.
Today I Will Fly!
Author/Illustrator: Mo Willems
Year: 2007
Age Level: 4-8
Series: Elephant and Piggie
Plot Summary: Piggie announces her determination to fly, but Elephant (Gerald) is more than a little skeptical. Piggie tries a few different methods, and at one points succeeds...she thinks. Finally Piggie figures out what she needs to fly--help. And in the end fly she does.
My Rating: A-. So cute! The illustrations are so simple and crisp and charming. The vocabulary is really simple and would be great for younger readers.
Year: 2007
Age Level: 4-8
Series: Elephant and Piggie
Plot Summary: Piggie announces her determination to fly, but Elephant (Gerald) is more than a little skeptical. Piggie tries a few different methods, and at one points succeeds...she thinks. Finally Piggie figures out what she needs to fly--help. And in the end fly she does.
My Rating: A-. So cute! The illustrations are so simple and crisp and charming. The vocabulary is really simple and would be great for younger readers.
How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon?
Author: Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Mark Teague
Year: 2003
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: This book is a series of questions that begins with "What if a dinosaur/catches the flu?/Does he whimper and whine/in between each atchoo?". Each question deals with bad behavior, like knocking over juice or spitting out pills. In the end it's resolved that dinosaurs would get rest and listen to the doctor.
My Rating: A-. This was a fun book and a fun idea. I liked that each page had a different dinosaur and the name was included (subtly) in the illustrations.
Illustrator: Mark Teague
Year: 2003
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: This book is a series of questions that begins with "What if a dinosaur/catches the flu?/Does he whimper and whine/in between each atchoo?". Each question deals with bad behavior, like knocking over juice or spitting out pills. In the end it's resolved that dinosaurs would get rest and listen to the doctor.
My Rating: A-. This was a fun book and a fun idea. I liked that each page had a different dinosaur and the name was included (subtly) in the illustrations.
The Widow's Broom
Author/Illustrator: Chris van Allsburg
Year: 1992
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: While en route, a witch's broom dies and she falls into the widow Shaw's garden. The widow puts the witch into bed, where she quickly heals and then is picked up by another witch and leaves the broom behind. The broom still has some magic left and starts doing chores for the widow, but unfortunately the neighbors don't like the idea of a magic broom.
My Rating: A. This book is gorgeous. I've read a good handful of van Allsburg books and I think these are some of his best illustrations. The story is good too, and it has a nice twist. It's easy to follow but clever and well written.
Year: 1992
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: While en route, a witch's broom dies and she falls into the widow Shaw's garden. The widow puts the witch into bed, where she quickly heals and then is picked up by another witch and leaves the broom behind. The broom still has some magic left and starts doing chores for the widow, but unfortunately the neighbors don't like the idea of a magic broom.
My Rating: A. This book is gorgeous. I've read a good handful of van Allsburg books and I think these are some of his best illustrations. The story is good too, and it has a nice twist. It's easy to follow but clever and well written.
The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales
Author: Jon Scieszka
Illustrator: Lane Smith
Year: 1992
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: A collection of twisted fairly tales (or "fairly stupid tales") ranging from "The Ugly Duckling" to "The Gingerbread Man." Lane Smith's unique illustrations are well matched to the, shall we say, unusual stories. Besides the unusual stories, pages are out of order, text spills all over and characters go outside of their own stories.
My Rating: A-. Very funny, and the illustrations are crazy. My favorite story was about the ugly duckling and it was hilarrrrious. I think this book would be more fun for boys, but who knows. Maybe I'm stereotyping.
Illustrator: Lane Smith
Year: 1992
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: A collection of twisted fairly tales (or "fairly stupid tales") ranging from "The Ugly Duckling" to "The Gingerbread Man." Lane Smith's unique illustrations are well matched to the, shall we say, unusual stories. Besides the unusual stories, pages are out of order, text spills all over and characters go outside of their own stories.
My Rating: A-. Very funny, and the illustrations are crazy. My favorite story was about the ugly duckling and it was hilarrrrious. I think this book would be more fun for boys, but who knows. Maybe I'm stereotyping.
Earthquake
Author: Milly Lee
Illustrator: Yangsook Choi
Year: 2001
Age Level: 5-8
Plot Summary: This story is based on 1906 earthquake in San Francisco. Based on the memories of Lee's mother, the family is jolted in the evening by an earthquake. Immediately they pack their vital belongings and flee for safety. The rest of the book follows their escape to safety.
My Rating: B-. I had no idea this book took place in San Francisco until I read the note at the end of the book. It didn't really provide a lot of context or details. The illustrations were all right but a little bit muddy.
Illustrator: Yangsook Choi
Year: 2001
Age Level: 5-8
Plot Summary: This story is based on 1906 earthquake in San Francisco. Based on the memories of Lee's mother, the family is jolted in the evening by an earthquake. Immediately they pack their vital belongings and flee for safety. The rest of the book follows their escape to safety.
My Rating: B-. I had no idea this book took place in San Francisco until I read the note at the end of the book. It didn't really provide a lot of context or details. The illustrations were all right but a little bit muddy.
Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born
Author: Jamie Lee Curtis
Illustrator: Laura Cornell
Year: 1996
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: Instead of wanting a regular bedtime story, a little girl wants her parents to tell her (again) about the night she was born. The book is a series of "Tell me again..." statements, about their trip to the hospital and seeing her for the first time. At first you don't realize that the daughter was adopted, and really, that fact isn't discussed much at all.
My Rating:A-. This is a nice book. The illustrations are probably the most fun--there are lots of little details in the background that are amusing for kids and their parents. I think the whole topic of adoption was pretty rushed and little bit forced, but I guess the focus wasn't supposed to be on the how's and why's of it.
Illustrator: Laura Cornell
Year: 1996
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: Instead of wanting a regular bedtime story, a little girl wants her parents to tell her (again) about the night she was born. The book is a series of "Tell me again..." statements, about their trip to the hospital and seeing her for the first time. At first you don't realize that the daughter was adopted, and really, that fact isn't discussed much at all.
My Rating:A-. This is a nice book. The illustrations are probably the most fun--there are lots of little details in the background that are amusing for kids and their parents. I think the whole topic of adoption was pretty rushed and little bit forced, but I guess the focus wasn't supposed to be on the how's and why's of it.
Millions of Cats
Author/Illustrator: Wanda Gag
Year: 1928
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: And old man and his wife are lonely but they get the idea that having a cat would be nice. So the old man sets out to find a cat, but he winds up finding millions of cat. He has a little trouble picking just one and so in the end all of the cats follow him home, leaving a wasteland behind them. The old man and his wife can't keep all the cats, so what are they going to do?
Red flags: Cat deaths.
My Rating: A. This is a great, really well done book. The pictures and text are nicely designed and integrated. The language is lively and appropriately repetitive.
Year: 1928
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: And old man and his wife are lonely but they get the idea that having a cat would be nice. So the old man sets out to find a cat, but he winds up finding millions of cat. He has a little trouble picking just one and so in the end all of the cats follow him home, leaving a wasteland behind them. The old man and his wife can't keep all the cats, so what are they going to do?
Red flags: Cat deaths.
My Rating: A. This is a great, really well done book. The pictures and text are nicely designed and integrated. The language is lively and appropriately repetitive.
Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready for Bed?
Author/Illustrator: Barney Saltzberg
Year: 2005
Age Level: 2-7
Plot Summary: It's time for Cornelius's bedtime and his Mom asks him a series of questions. Has he put his toys away? Yes...in the fridge. Did he feed his fish? Yes...a handful of cookies. Eventually Cornelius is tucked into bed and all he wants then is a hug.
Red flags: kid antics--the kind you wouldn't want to give your kids ideas about doing. Unless you want cookies in your fish tank that is.
My Rating: B+. This was a fun book. Lively, and just right for younger kids. But again...is this something you want to give kids ideas about?
Year: 2005
Age Level: 2-7
Plot Summary: It's time for Cornelius's bedtime and his Mom asks him a series of questions. Has he put his toys away? Yes...in the fridge. Did he feed his fish? Yes...a handful of cookies. Eventually Cornelius is tucked into bed and all he wants then is a hug.
Red flags: kid antics--the kind you wouldn't want to give your kids ideas about doing. Unless you want cookies in your fish tank that is.
My Rating: B+. This was a fun book. Lively, and just right for younger kids. But again...is this something you want to give kids ideas about?
The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies
Author/Illustrator: Beatrix Potter
Year: 1909
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: Benjamin Bunny and his little bunny family are out trying to find food. Peter Rabbit doesn't have any spare cabbages so they head to the infamous Mr. MacGregor's compost heap to find vegetables. Unfortunately the bunnies eat so much lettuce they fall right to sleep, and when Mr. MacGregor finds them, he has the idea to have bunny for dinner...
Red flags: Mr. MacGregor talks about chopping off bunny heads.
My Rating:A-. How can you not love Beatrix Potter? They're so cute and the stories are charming and funny.
Year: 1909
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: Benjamin Bunny and his little bunny family are out trying to find food. Peter Rabbit doesn't have any spare cabbages so they head to the infamous Mr. MacGregor's compost heap to find vegetables. Unfortunately the bunnies eat so much lettuce they fall right to sleep, and when Mr. MacGregor finds them, he has the idea to have bunny for dinner...
Red flags: Mr. MacGregor talks about chopping off bunny heads.
My Rating:A-. How can you not love Beatrix Potter? They're so cute and the stories are charming and funny.
Outside Over There
Author/Illustrator: Maurice Sendak
Year: 1985
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: Ida's father is away and she's in charge of watching her baby sister. Ida isn't so interested in babysitting her sister. When the baby is stolen out of their cottage by goblins, however, Ida feels bound to fetch her back again.
My Rating: A-. This is definitely a quirky story, and not one that I think every parent or child would like. The art is lovely though, and the story is a good one--just unusual. I think the baby-napping element would scare some kids.
Year: 1985
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: Ida's father is away and she's in charge of watching her baby sister. Ida isn't so interested in babysitting her sister. When the baby is stolen out of their cottage by goblins, however, Ida feels bound to fetch her back again.
My Rating: A-. This is definitely a quirky story, and not one that I think every parent or child would like. The art is lovely though, and the story is a good one--just unusual. I think the baby-napping element would scare some kids.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Forever
Author: Judy Blume
Year: 1977
Genre: Novel/Romance
Reading Level: Young Adult
Plot Summary: Katherine meets Michael at a New Year's Eve party and the sparks start to fly. Basically they start dating and then they have sex and have sex a whole lot more and plan to be together forever (hence the title). Unfortunately then Kath goes to a tennis camp for the summer and realizes maybe she doesn't want to be with Michael forever. The end.
Red Flags: Lots of detailed sex. Strong language. People smoking "grass." Teen drinking. Oh did I mention all the sex?
My Rating: B-. I'm having a hard time rating this book. Judy Blume is known for her frank depictions of teenage life, but this was not my teenage life at all. So in that way, it doesn't appeal to me and I don't relate to it at all. Other people may feel differently. As for the writing, I think it was all right, but not her best. And I have to wonder: at what point is detail *too* much detail?
Year: 1977
Genre: Novel/Romance
Reading Level: Young Adult
Plot Summary: Katherine meets Michael at a New Year's Eve party and the sparks start to fly. Basically they start dating and then they have sex and have sex a whole lot more and plan to be together forever (hence the title). Unfortunately then Kath goes to a tennis camp for the summer and realizes maybe she doesn't want to be with Michael forever. The end.
Red Flags: Lots of detailed sex. Strong language. People smoking "grass." Teen drinking. Oh did I mention all the sex?
My Rating: B-. I'm having a hard time rating this book. Judy Blume is known for her frank depictions of teenage life, but this was not my teenage life at all. So in that way, it doesn't appeal to me and I don't relate to it at all. Other people may feel differently. As for the writing, I think it was all right, but not her best. And I have to wonder: at what point is detail *too* much detail?
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
The Adventures of Captain Underpants
Author/Illustrator: Dav Pilkey
Year: 1997
Genre: Comedy
Reading Level: Intermediate
Series: The Captain Underpants series
Plot Summary: George and Harold are best friends and the resident pranksters at their elementary school. George and Harold are also notorious for their comic book series featuring their underwear clad hero, Captain Underpants. When they get into deep trouble with Principal Krupp for their pranks, they have to figure out some way of getting out of it. Their solution involves hypnosis, and the consequences are completely unexpected.
Red Flag/s: Boyish antics and rubber dog poo.
My Rating: A-. I will admit that I don't think I fully appreciated this book because I'm not a boy and I'm not 10. That said, I can definitely see why that audience would love this book. It's funny and silly and fun to read. So, for the audience it's intended for, I think it's very good. Just not so much my genre of choice.
Year: 1997
Genre: Comedy
Reading Level: Intermediate
Series: The Captain Underpants series
Plot Summary: George and Harold are best friends and the resident pranksters at their elementary school. George and Harold are also notorious for their comic book series featuring their underwear clad hero, Captain Underpants. When they get into deep trouble with Principal Krupp for their pranks, they have to figure out some way of getting out of it. Their solution involves hypnosis, and the consequences are completely unexpected.
Red Flag/s: Boyish antics and rubber dog poo.
My Rating: A-. I will admit that I don't think I fully appreciated this book because I'm not a boy and I'm not 10. That said, I can definitely see why that audience would love this book. It's funny and silly and fun to read. So, for the audience it's intended for, I think it's very good. Just not so much my genre of choice.
Black? White? Day? Night?
Author/Illustrator: Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Year: 2006
Reading Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: This book is a series of opposites, represented with both words and pictures. Each page starts with a word and small picture, mostly covered with a flap. When the flap is lifted, the opposite word is shown, along with an illustration that incorporates the smaller image. It is really quite a delightful experience.
Award/s: ALA Notable Children's Book
My Rating: A. This is a fun book. I think it would be fun to read with a kid and see what they think will be under the flap--not just the word but how it's shown.
Year: 2006
Reading Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: This book is a series of opposites, represented with both words and pictures. Each page starts with a word and small picture, mostly covered with a flap. When the flap is lifted, the opposite word is shown, along with an illustration that incorporates the smaller image. It is really quite a delightful experience.
Award/s: ALA Notable Children's Book
My Rating: A. This is a fun book. I think it would be fun to read with a kid and see what they think will be under the flap--not just the word but how it's shown.
Runaways, Vol. 1 (Hardcover)
Author: Brian K. Vaughan
Illustrators: Adrian Alphona, Takeshi Miyazawa
Year: 2006
Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy
Reading Level: Young Adult
Series: Runaways ongoing title
Plot Summary: 5 teenagers and one tween discover their normal parents are really a group of super villains (called The Pride) working to overthrow the whole world. Confused, they run away and try to figure out how they can bring their parents to justice. Along the way, they discover unique abilities of their own as they go on the run, fight a hot vampire and, finally, confront their parents.
Red Flag/s: Character death, some language, action, teenage delinquency
Award/s: Eisner, Harvey
My Rating: B+. This started out more interesting than it ended up being. Midway through the characters started turning into cliches, and the story dragged a bit. The art and writing are both pretty solid, but neither are really fantastic. I got kind of tired of Vaughan sneaking in little bits of political agendas. Also, why were Gert's legs so very very short? Even more importantly, why did the raptor have a nose ring?
Illustrators: Adrian Alphona, Takeshi Miyazawa
Year: 2006
Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy
Reading Level: Young Adult
Series: Runaways ongoing title
Plot Summary: 5 teenagers and one tween discover their normal parents are really a group of super villains (called The Pride) working to overthrow the whole world. Confused, they run away and try to figure out how they can bring their parents to justice. Along the way, they discover unique abilities of their own as they go on the run, fight a hot vampire and, finally, confront their parents.
Red Flag/s: Character death, some language, action, teenage delinquency
Award/s: Eisner, Harvey
My Rating: B+. This started out more interesting than it ended up being. Midway through the characters started turning into cliches, and the story dragged a bit. The art and writing are both pretty solid, but neither are really fantastic. I got kind of tired of Vaughan sneaking in little bits of political agendas. Also, why were Gert's legs so very very short? Even more importantly, why did the raptor have a nose ring?
Monday, December 1, 2008
Flotsam
Author/Illustrator: David Wiesner
Year: 2006
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: This wordless book begins with a boy on the beach. He's clearly interested in the local wildlife and even brought his microscope to the beach. When he finds an old camera that washes up on shore he can't resist getting the pictures developed. But that wasn't just an ordinary camera and its pictures are most certainly not ordinary either.
Award/s: Caldecott Medal
My Rating: A+. Definitely my favorite Wiesner book. The illustrations in this one are so well done and have such beautiful colors. And did I mention they're crazy and AWESOME? And even though it's wordless, the story is so clear. At the same time, it's easy and fun to make up the little details like the boy's name.
Year: 2006
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: This wordless book begins with a boy on the beach. He's clearly interested in the local wildlife and even brought his microscope to the beach. When he finds an old camera that washes up on shore he can't resist getting the pictures developed. But that wasn't just an ordinary camera and its pictures are most certainly not ordinary either.
Award/s: Caldecott Medal
My Rating: A+. Definitely my favorite Wiesner book. The illustrations in this one are so well done and have such beautiful colors. And did I mention they're crazy and AWESOME? And even though it's wordless, the story is so clear. At the same time, it's easy and fun to make up the little details like the boy's name.
The Three Pigs
Author/Illustrator: David Wiesner
Year: 2001
Reading Age: 4-8
Plot Summary: In this unexpected take on the story of the three little pigs, the real excitement happens when the first pig gets blown out of his own story. The puzzled wolf continues in the original story, despite the pig's disappearance. After the other two pigs escape, they continue to explore their in-between land and find their ways into other stories as well.
Award/s: Caldecott Medal
My Rating: A-. This book was so much more interesting than I thought it would be. The cover always looked kind of boring and very pig-ish so I never opened it. But really it's so different and quirky and neat. Probably my favorite part was seeing the art styles change depending on the context.
Year: 2001
Reading Age: 4-8
Plot Summary: In this unexpected take on the story of the three little pigs, the real excitement happens when the first pig gets blown out of his own story. The puzzled wolf continues in the original story, despite the pig's disappearance. After the other two pigs escape, they continue to explore their in-between land and find their ways into other stories as well.
Award/s: Caldecott Medal
My Rating: A-. This book was so much more interesting than I thought it would be. The cover always looked kind of boring and very pig-ish so I never opened it. But really it's so different and quirky and neat. Probably my favorite part was seeing the art styles change depending on the context.
But Excuse Me That is My Book
Author: Lauren Child
Year: 2006
Age Level: 4-8
Series: Charlie and Lola
Plot Summary: Lola is desperate to get to the library so she can check out her favorite book about bugs--again. Tragedy strikes when they arrive only to find that Beetles, Bugs and Butterflies is in the hands of another little girl. Charlie eventually convinces Lola that there are lots of other interesting books at the library (go, Charlie!).
My Rating: B+. Charlie and Lola are so cute. I will say that I kind of think the characters and the illustrations work better as a show. I like hearing their little British voices and the illustrations seem to work better when they move. But you know...I still like them.
Year: 2006
Age Level: 4-8
Series: Charlie and Lola
Plot Summary: Lola is desperate to get to the library so she can check out her favorite book about bugs--again. Tragedy strikes when they arrive only to find that Beetles, Bugs and Butterflies is in the hands of another little girl. Charlie eventually convinces Lola that there are lots of other interesting books at the library (go, Charlie!).
My Rating: B+. Charlie and Lola are so cute. I will say that I kind of think the characters and the illustrations work better as a show. I like hearing their little British voices and the illustrations seem to work better when they move. But you know...I still like them.
Snow is my Favorite and my Best
Author/Illustrator: Lauren Child
Year: 2006
Reading Age: 4-8
Series: Charlie and Lola
Plot Summary: Charlie has this little sister Lola...she is small and very funny. (I love that intro) Lola gets extremely excited when they have a snowfall and they spend the day outside reveling in the white stuff. Unfortunately it melts the next day and Lola bemoans the sudden lack of snow, which is her favorite and her best. Luckily Charlie is around to put snow in perspective and show Lola that a variety of weather is best.
My Rating: B+. I love this show so I thought I would love the books. And I did like this book, but I felt a little jipped when I was looking through the front pages and saw that the text and illustrations are from an episode. Still...Charlie and Lola!
Year: 2006
Reading Age: 4-8
Series: Charlie and Lola
Plot Summary: Charlie has this little sister Lola...she is small and very funny. (I love that intro) Lola gets extremely excited when they have a snowfall and they spend the day outside reveling in the white stuff. Unfortunately it melts the next day and Lola bemoans the sudden lack of snow, which is her favorite and her best. Luckily Charlie is around to put snow in perspective and show Lola that a variety of weather is best.
My Rating: B+. I love this show so I thought I would love the books. And I did like this book, but I felt a little jipped when I was looking through the front pages and saw that the text and illustrations are from an episode. Still...Charlie and Lola!
Encyclopedia Prehistorica: Dinosaurs
Authors/Illustrators: Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart
Year: 2005
Age Level: 4-12
Plot Summary: What could have been a kind of dry book on dinosaurs is turned into a visual spectacular with the addition of more than 30 pop ups. The book also includes facts on different dinosaur species and a brief overview of the history of paleontology. Younger readers will enjoy the book for the impressive images (especially the t-rex head) while older readers will also enjoy the dinosaurs facts.
My Rating: A-. Who would not have fun with this book? Honestly, I could have cared less about what the words were--I was really just reading it for the dinosaur pop ups. My one complaint is how (kind of necessarily) the text is a little shoehorned in, squeezing in between all the pop ups. Also, some of the pop ups are *so* intricate it's almost hard to visualize the dinosaur, with all the different paper joints and such. Still...definitely worth a read. Or a look.
Year: 2005
Age Level: 4-12
Plot Summary: What could have been a kind of dry book on dinosaurs is turned into a visual spectacular with the addition of more than 30 pop ups. The book also includes facts on different dinosaur species and a brief overview of the history of paleontology. Younger readers will enjoy the book for the impressive images (especially the t-rex head) while older readers will also enjoy the dinosaurs facts.
My Rating: A-. Who would not have fun with this book? Honestly, I could have cared less about what the words were--I was really just reading it for the dinosaur pop ups. My one complaint is how (kind of necessarily) the text is a little shoehorned in, squeezing in between all the pop ups. Also, some of the pop ups are *so* intricate it's almost hard to visualize the dinosaur, with all the different paper joints and such. Still...definitely worth a read. Or a look.
How to Find Flower Fairies
Author/Illustrator: Cicely Mary Barker
Paper Engineer: Richard Ferguson
Year: 2007
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: This is a handy guide to fairies and where to find them. Five different habitats are explained--the wayside, gardens, forest floors, tree tops and marshes--with plenty of tricks and tips to finding fairies. Oh, and did I mention its a pop-up book?
My Rating: A+. This book is so much fun! I know I would have been in complete awe of it as a wee thing. But really, it's so much fun to look at it. Besides the elaborate pop-up on each page, there are little miniature books on each page and plenty of flaps to look under. Also, even though the pop-ups are elaborate and beautiful, they don't seem as delicate as those in a Robert Sabuda book. This may be my favorite pop-up book.
Paper Engineer: Richard Ferguson
Year: 2007
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: This is a handy guide to fairies and where to find them. Five different habitats are explained--the wayside, gardens, forest floors, tree tops and marshes--with plenty of tricks and tips to finding fairies. Oh, and did I mention its a pop-up book?
My Rating: A+. This book is so much fun! I know I would have been in complete awe of it as a wee thing. But really, it's so much fun to look at it. Besides the elaborate pop-up on each page, there are little miniature books on each page and plenty of flaps to look under. Also, even though the pop-ups are elaborate and beautiful, they don't seem as delicate as those in a Robert Sabuda book. This may be my favorite pop-up book.
The Seven Dwarfs
Author/Illustrator: Etienne Delessert
Year: 2001
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: This unique version of the Grimm Brothers' Snow White tale focuses on the seven dwarfs. It also tells the story as a flashback, after the dwarfs have gathered at the castle for Snow White's wedding. Narrated by one of the dwarfs, this book offers a different, quirkier perspective on a familar story.
My Rating: C+. This book was weird and the illustrations were weird and it was all weird. Really, I don't know why a kid would pick this book up and read it. The illustrations were strange and there was too much text and it was boring. Fail!
Year: 2001
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: This unique version of the Grimm Brothers' Snow White tale focuses on the seven dwarfs. It also tells the story as a flashback, after the dwarfs have gathered at the castle for Snow White's wedding. Narrated by one of the dwarfs, this book offers a different, quirkier perspective on a familar story.
My Rating: C+. This book was weird and the illustrations were weird and it was all weird. Really, I don't know why a kid would pick this book up and read it. The illustrations were strange and there was too much text and it was boring. Fail!
Bee-Bim Bop!
Author: Linda Sue Park
Illustrator: Ho Baek Lee
Year: 2005
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: A little girl is very excited about having the Korean dish bee-bim bop for dinner. She helps with buying the groceries and putting the meal together. In the end, she and her family eat bee-bim bop together.
My Rating: A-. This was fun to read. Very simple but lively and entertaining. My favorite part was the instructions for making bee-bim bop...it made me want to go to the grocery story and make it myself.
Illustrator: Ho Baek Lee
Year: 2005
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: A little girl is very excited about having the Korean dish bee-bim bop for dinner. She helps with buying the groceries and putting the meal together. In the end, she and her family eat bee-bim bop together.
My Rating: A-. This was fun to read. Very simple but lively and entertaining. My favorite part was the instructions for making bee-bim bop...it made me want to go to the grocery story and make it myself.
The Ugly Vegetables
Author/Illustrator: Grace Lin
Year: 1999
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: A little girl watches her neighbors plant beautiful flower gardens and is confused when her mother's garden is full of only strange, ugly plants. She wishes that her mother would plant a flower garden but her mother insists their plants are "better than flowers." Finally the vegetables are harvested and made into a delicious soup that they share with all their neighbors.
My Rating: A. This was a good, unique story with a good execution. It was simply told and easy to follow but also fun to read with a good resolution.
Year: 1999
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: A little girl watches her neighbors plant beautiful flower gardens and is confused when her mother's garden is full of only strange, ugly plants. She wishes that her mother would plant a flower garden but her mother insists their plants are "better than flowers." Finally the vegetables are harvested and made into a delicious soup that they share with all their neighbors.
My Rating: A. This was a good, unique story with a good execution. It was simply told and easy to follow but also fun to read with a good resolution.
Pizza for the Queen
Author: Nancy Castaldo
Illustrator: Melisande Potter
Year: 2005:
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: It's 1889 and Raffaele Esposito makes the best pizza in Naples, Italy. One day Queen Margherita asks him to make a pizza for her and Raffaele can't decide which kind she would like best. In then end he creates the Margherita pizza in this factual story.
My Rating: B. This book made me want a good pizza really badly. Besides that, it was just okay. The illustrations did the job, and the text was all right. The font was kind of harder to read though, and it had kind of jumbled effect overall.
Illustrator: Melisande Potter
Year: 2005:
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: It's 1889 and Raffaele Esposito makes the best pizza in Naples, Italy. One day Queen Margherita asks him to make a pizza for her and Raffaele can't decide which kind she would like best. In then end he creates the Margherita pizza in this factual story.
My Rating: B. This book made me want a good pizza really badly. Besides that, it was just okay. The illustrations did the job, and the text was all right. The font was kind of harder to read though, and it had kind of jumbled effect overall.
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