Rhoda’s Rock Hunt was a delightful surprise for me! Rhoda’s experiences–both her fascination with rocks and her delight in finding them–mirror my own experience as a child on vacation during summers in northern Minnesota. I wish Rhoda’s Rock Hunt had been around eight years ago when my daughter was constantly adding to the LOADS of rocks in … Continue reading
Simply, phenomenal! Hensel & Gretel: Ninja Chicks is my favorite in this picture book series so far! In this version of the Hansel & Gretel fairy tale, Mama has been taken by the evil fox at large in their community. Hensel & Gretel see the sign advertising the Three Pigs Dojo “Get Empowered, Not Devoured” (read … Continue reading
The WEIRD! series relates a common bullying situation from three different perspectives: WEIRD! is from the viewpoint of the bully’s target(Luisa); DARE! is from that of the bystander(Jayla); and TOUGH! is from the perspective of the bully, herself(Sam). The bully situation, itself, is absolutely believable. Sam continually calls Jayla names and puts down how she … Continue reading
Llama Llama, Bully Goat by Anna Dewdney This is an excellent addition to Dewdney’s successful Llama, Llama series. Baby llama has grown up with his readers, make him an excellent character to model successful anti-bully strategies for young readers. This installment of the series is exactly on point for young readers pre-school through 2nd Grade … Continue reading
Zarafa is the fascinating true story of a singular giraffe. In 1827 the King of Egypt, in an effort to improve political relations, sent a giraffe to King Charles X of France as a gift. This is the story of that giraffe’s journey. Zarafa was captured at the age of 2 in North Africa. Too … Continue reading
What originally attracted me to this book in the library was the illustration on the cover. It reminded me of my all-time favorite comic Calvin & Hobbes by Bill Watterson. Wilfred actually has quite a bit in common stylistically with illustrative aspects of Watterson’s work. This is the story of Wilfred–a big, hairy monster– and … Continue reading
I Feel Better is admittedly a bizarre nonfiction addition to anyone’s reading list. It is compelling in both content and format. It is–as the title suggests–a compendium of past medical cures used from Ancient Times up through the 20th Century. The format of the book is the genius of its appeal: (1) it … Continue reading
Frustrated and annoyed by the public opinions and descriptions of her father, Mark Twain’s daughter, 13-year-old Susy Clemens, decided that she would right the situation by writing her own biography of her father. In this wonderful picture book Barbara Kerley offers some basic information about Mark Twain, but cleverly incorporates exerpts from Susy’s biography of … Continue reading
Mo Willems’ new spin on the classic Goldilocks and the Three Bears does not disappoint! I was so excited to receive my copy in the mail I read it right away, laughing all the way through it! When my 3rd & 4th Grader saw it they begged to have it added to our bedtime reading … Continue reading
SENSATIONAL! During a recent trip to the library my 3rd & 4th Grader came running up to me holding Tuesday. “Have you read this book, Mom?” they asked “No, I don’t think I have,” I said. “You HAVE to read this book!” They promptly added it to the top of the pile of books I … Continue reading
