Al Capone Shines My Shoes by Gennifer Choldenko

Moose is back, along with the whole Alcatraz gang! Moose's family lives on Alcatraz where his father is an officer at Alcatraz prison. When we last left Moose in Al Capone Shines Does My Shorts, his special needs sister Natlie had just been accepted into the Esther P. Marinoff School...perhaps with some pull from prisoner Al Capone!

Now, Natalie is doing well in school, but it seems Al Capone wants a favor in return.

What I Thought:
A very strong historical fiction novel. This book is set in 1935 when Alacatraz was a busy prison filled with mobsters that remained in the headlines. Choldenko once again does a fantastic job bringing her readers into Moose's world and what it was like to grow up on this island.

There is a lot more interaction in this book with the inmates, as Moose gets to meet Capone and some of the other inmates as they are working on the island. Baseball is still plays a vital role in the story and there's even a little romance!

I don't know if Choldenko plans to continue Moose's story, but I sure hope she does!

Book also includes an author's note regarding her research and her characters.

Highly recommended, but make sure that you have read Al Capone Does My Shorts first!

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Al Capone Shines My Shoes by Gennifer Choldenko.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Roscoe Riley Rules #6: Never Walk in Shoes that Talk by Katerine Applegate, illustrated by Brian Biggs

The newest fad in town are Walkie-Talkies, shoes that have function allowing its wearers to communicate with others who are wearing the shoes.

Sounds neat right? EVERYONE in Roscoe's class wants a pair, unfortunately there are limited pairs available. Which makes them even more desired!

Two kids in Roscoe's class scores some, and though Roscoe asks her parents nicely, no luck. Well, that is until some show up in the mail! Roscoe is suddenly one of the most popular kids in class.

But Roscoe's best friend feels left out, and Roscoe helps to destroy his "Ruff and Tuff" shoes, since Roscoe's father says he has "Destructo Feet."

Can you figure out how Roscoe landed in time out?

What I Thought:
Super fun book! It reminded me of the many fads that found its way to my school as a child...slap bracelets, paint splattered jeans, crimped hair...

This is a story that everyone can relate to in one way or another!

This is another solid story in the Roscoe Riley series.

Highly recommended!

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Roscoe Riley Rules #6: Never Walk in Shoes that Talk by Katerine Applegate, illustrated by Brian Biggs.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Day is Done by Peter Yarrow, illustrated by Melissa Sweet

This book takes the text of Peter Yarrow's song "Day is Done" and provides beautiful illustrations featuring woodland animals and a little boy with his father.

The book contains a CD with the song, as well as two other songs written by Peter Yarrow.

What I Thought:
What a sweet book! I love how the text of book is a song, and even more so...the text is so poignant. Focusing on relationships and taking care of our environment, the book helps us see what is really important.

The illustrations are lovely cartoon-like featuring lots of animals (father/son relationships) and are done with bright colors.

A great book to share.

Recommended.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Day is Done by Peter Yarrow, illustrated by Melissa Sweet.

Reviewed from a publisher review copy.

The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney

In this wordless retelling of the the fable The Lion & the Mouse with Pinkney's amazing illustrations.

The mouse accidentally stumbles onto a lion who spares his life. When the lion is captured by poachers, the mouse returns the favor by chewing through the rope and setting him free.


What I Thought:
I'm calling it now. This book should be in the running for the Caldecott. The illustrations are simply wonderful. If the stunning cover does not take your breathe away, you won't need to go past the endpapers!

Pinkney did a simply amazing job telling the story through his illustrations while adding plenty of additional details. The story is set in the African Serengeti and readers can spend lots of time on each page exploring the landscape and searching out animals placed throughout.

One of my favorite aspects of the book is how Pinkney gave such emotional expressions to the lion and the mouse. The attention to detail shows that Pinkney's work is nothing short of pure genius.

Run, don't walk to your nearest library or bookseller to get your hands on this work today! You won't be sorry!

The book also includes an illustrator's note that explains the fable further and why Pinkney chose the geographic setting of the African Serengeti, as well as why he chose this fable to retell.

Very highly recommended, for all ages!


Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney.

Reviewed from a library copy, but this is one on my "to buy" list!

The Monsterologist: A Memoir in Rhyme ghostwriten by Bobbi Katz, illustrated by Adam McCauley

In this book, a monsterologist presents their findings to the reader on a plethora of monsters in the form of correspondence in verse.

What I Thought:
This book isn't my cup of tea, but I'm not so into monsters! However, if you know someone who is...they'll love it! This book reminds me a lot of the Dragonology books that have been so popular without all the manipulatives.

This book covers monsters like werewolves, Medusa, the yeti, trolls, even the Kraken. Each of the monsters is presented in a poem, but also like a letter or other type of correspondence. The illustrations are well done, and very appropriate for this book.

Recommended, especially for kids that enjoy reading about monsters.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: The Monsterologist: A Memoir in Rhyme ghostwriten by Bobbi Katz, illustrated by Adam McCauley.

Reviewed from a publisher review copy.

Chicken Dance by Tammi Sauer, illustrated by Dan Santat

There's a talent show tonight at the farm and the prize is tickets to the Elvis Poultry concert. All the animals are excited and really want to win these tickets! Chickens Marge and Lola want especially want to win and immediately begin thinking of what to do.

As the chickens try their hand at several different activities (and failing at each one of them), the ducks discouraged them every step of the way.

That night, as each of the animals perform their talent, the chickens become more nervous as they don't have anything prepared! They just "wing it," coming up with the next big dance craze.

And who was watching the whole time?? You'll have to read it to find out!

What I Thought:
This is a super cute book! Kids will love it for the dancing chickens and the idea of chickens dancing, bowling, and even swimming! Adult will like it, especially those who enjoy anything dealing with "Elvis" as the "King" is brought to life in chicken form!

The illustrations are great, make sure you check out the endpapers as they are really cute!

A great read. Pair it up with Doreen Cronin's Thump, Quack, Moo for a fun farmyard talent show storytime.

Recommended.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Chicken Dance by Tammi Sauer, illustrated by Dan Santat.

Reviewed from a publisher review copy.

How to Potty Train Your Monster by Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by Mike Moon

In this "training guide" to teach monsters how to use the potties in ten easy steps.

For instance, monsters are not ready to potty train until they are 7 feet tall and and at least 200 years old. Needless to say, they will need a special BIG potty! Also, they need lots of encouragement and patience from their parents.

What I Thought:
What an adorable book, perfect for the potty training crowd! I love how DiPucchio took the basic potty training tips that most parents follow and make them fun by adding the monster twist. The monsters are silly and quite funny and I would imagine that kids will giggle their way right to the potty!

I love the illustrations that portray the monsters in bright and bold colors. The "Warning" boxes about potty training monsters add another special touch to the book.

Give this book to any parent or child who is going through the potty training process and just wait for the giggles!

Recommended.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: How to Potty Train Your Monster by Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by Mike Moon.

Reviewed from a library copy.