Spaceheadz by Jon Scieszka, illustrations by Francesco Sedita

It's the first day at a new school for Michael K. when he is put into a group two very strange kids.  One had eaten half his pencil, the other told him they were from another planet.

Um-kay.

Michael K. just wants to get away from them, but throughout the day the two stick by his side, tell him all about SPCHDZ and why they need to recruit 3.14 million people or else the planet will be turned off.

What's up with these kids?  Could they really be aliens from outer space?

What I Thought:
Oh, Jon Scieszka.  Just when I think I can't enjoy your work any more, you come out with a gem like this!  It's a fun, and wacky book that I have no doubt that many kids will eat up and ask for more. 

One of my favorite sections of this book is the chapter where the hamster tries to explain what's happening....in hamster.

A fantastic book that you don't want to miss!

Highly recommended.

Want to see more?  Check out Spaceheadz by Jon Scieszka, illustrations by Francesco Sedita.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Book two is out now!  I can't wait to read that!

Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin, illustrated by James Dean

Pete the Cat loves his white shoes.  So much...he sings a song!  But what happens when he steps in a pile of strawberries?  Will his day be ruined?  Goodness no!

What I Thought:
I was introduced to this book by Judy Freeman at a workshop I attended.  And SO FUN!  This just might be one of my new favorite picture books.  I cannot wait to read it to a group of kids very soon! 

Trust me...this will be a favorite of any kids in your life!

Very highly recommended.

Want to see more?  Check it out on Amazon: Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin, illustrated by James Dean.

Reviewed from a personal copy.

Crunch by Leslie Connor

It's crunchtime and Dewey Marris is right in the middle.  There is a gas shortage and with his parents stranded hours away, it is up to him and his siblings to keep life running as smoothly as possible for his 5 year old twin brother and sister.  While his older sister keeps the home running, Dewey keeps the family's bicycle repair business, the Marriss Bike Barn, going.

Since there is no fuel available Dewey and his brother Vince are busy with the booming business.  While the duo try hard not to become overwhelmed, when parts go missing and it appears they are being robbed a little at a time, the kids make hard decisions.  

What I Thought:
An entertaining read!  It didn't take long for me to get involved in Dewey's story, Connor did a great job peaking my interest in the first pages.  I was interested in how the family would function during the gas shortage and while mom & dad were stranded hours away. 

This book also made me wonder what I would do if a gas shortage like this ever happened.  (I wasn't around for the one in the 1970's.)  In this book, people are riding their bicycles down the highway, which is an interesting concept. 

Overall, a good book with some interesting characters. 

Recommended.

Want to see more?  Check it out on Amazon: Crunch by Leslie Connor.

Reviewed from a library copy.

The Pirate of Kindergarten by George Ella Lyon, illustrated by Lynne Avril

Ginny loves reading and school.  But sometimes simple tasks for other kids like navigating the chairs at reading circle or cutting out paper rabbits prove to be a challenge for Ginny.  She has double vision, which makes things difficult for her.  When this is discovered at a school Vision Screening Day, Ginny goes to the eye doctor for glasses and an eye patch...making her Ginny the Kindergarten Pirate!


What I Thought:
This is an important book as it tackles a common problem for lots of young children.  Through the illustrations, readers get a sense of what Ginny sees.  The illustrations depicting what Ginny is viewing is drawn in doubles, just like her double vision.  We also get to experience visiting the eye doctor and how the problem is fixed.

This is a great story for kids who are experiencing vision problems, and for children who have friends with problems too!  It will help them understand what their friend is experiencing.

Recommended.

(Edited to Add...)  This book won a Schneider Award in 2011. 

Want to see more?  Check it out on Amazon: The Pirate of Kindergarten by George Ella Lyon, illustrated by Lynne Avril.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Bink & Gollie by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee, illustrated by Tony Fucile

Bink and Gollie are best friends, but two very different personalities!  Both love fun and through three short stories and illustrations we get a glimpse of life with this pair. 


What I Thought:
This is a keeper!  What a fun book.  It's a collection of three short cohesive stories that are simply wonderful and Fucile's illustrations take them to the next level!  He did an exemplary job portraying Bink and Gollie's different personalities in the perfect way.

My favorite story was the second one where Gollie went on an adventure to the Andes mountains...through a book!  When she reached the top, Bink joined her for a sandwich snack.

I really hope that we see more of Bink and Gollie in the near future.

Very highly recommended...I promise you will love it! 

(Edited to add...) This book is the 2011 Geisert Medal Award winner. 

Want to see more?  Check it out on Amazon: Bink & Gollie by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee, illustrated by Tony Fucile.

Reviewed from a library copy.

One Crazy Summer by Rita Garcia-Williams

It's the summer of 1968 and three sisters, Delphine, Vonetta and Fern, are off to Oakland California from Brooklyn New York to visit their mother who abandoned them many years ago.  The girls are excited about visiting California and have grand ideas of all sorts of adventures.  They are also anxious about seeing the mother that left them so many years ago.

How surprised they are when the mother they meet is not the one they imagined...one who would dote on them and care for them as most mothers would, but instead the complete opposite!  Their mother shows up late to the airport, doesn't ever cook for them , doesn't give hugs, and won't even refer to Fern by her name!

The girls are send to eat breakfast at a local center run by the Black Panthers and then stay for their summer camp. 

It's an interesting summer for sure, and one that will change their lives forever.

What I Thought:
This book is getting lots of Newbery buzz, so I wanted to check it out!  And wow, it's a great read!  I enjoyed the voice of Delphine and at times wanted to reach out and give her a big old hug!  Delphine has had to serve as a mother figure to her sisters for years, and she is understandably angry when her mother shows no interest of stepping into that role.  Throughout the book we grasp a better sense  of what makes their mother "tick" and wonder if they will ever come to an understanding.

The cultural and historical aspect of this book is wonderful.  Personally, I do not know much about the Black Panthers and that movement, and this book has peaked my interest in this time of history.  What a great book to include as a supplement to any unit about the 1960's!

This is a wonderful book, and I would not be surprised if it had a shiny Newbery medal attached to its cover soon!

Very highly recommended. 

(Edited to add...) This book is the 2011 Coretta Scott King Author Medal winner and a 2011 Newbery Honor winner. 

Want to see more?  Check it out on Amazon: One Crazy Summer by Rita Garcia-Williams.

Reviewed from a library copy.

I Miss You Mouse by Greg Foley

When Bear receives a not from Bear saying that Bear misses Mouse, Mouse goes out to look for Bear to tell him something.  Will Mouse find Bear? 

What I Thought:
I love Greg Foley's books! The nice stories with the sweet illustrations are perfect for any toddler/preschooler in your life!

This particular title is a "lift the flap book" which makes the book interactive for its young readers as Mouse searches for Bear in a tree, behind a rock, and even in a strawberry patch as Mouse meets friends all along the way.

A fantastic book, but I will say that if I had realized it was a "lift the flap" book I probably would have passed on it for the public library because the flaps won't last very long in this setting!  However, it's one to definitely look into for personal collections.

Recommended.

Want to see more?  Check it out on Amazon:  I Miss You Mouse by Greg Foley. 

Reviewed from a library copy.

Let's Count Goats by Mem Fox, illustrated by Jan Thomas

It's time to count goats in this fun and unique counting books.  Can you count the little goats, the pilot goats or the rowdy goats?  I know you can!

What I Thought:
Wow, this unique counting book is sure to be a hit with the preschool crowd!  Which, honestly...anyone could have foreshadowed with Mem Fox's wonderful way with stories designed specifically for this group and Jan Thomas' fun and colorful illustrations.

We are introduced to goats doing human tasks (take notice to how the goats have taken bites out of all sorts of things...beach umbrellas, luggage, airplanes...), and then count from 1 to 10 in the process.  It's like they sneak it into the story!  Very well done. 

I can't wait to read this one at storytime soon!

Recommended.

Want to see more?  Check it out on Amazon:  Let's Count Goats by Mem Fox, illustrated by Jan Thomas.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters by Barack Obama, illustrated by Loren Long

In this touching letter to his daughters, President Obama tell his girls about the traits they have and hopes they have, using examples from inspiring people from America's history: Helen Keller, Jackie Robinson, Jane Addams, Georgia O'Keefe, and many more.


What I Thought:
While President Obama's text is outstanding, the real winner of this book is Loren Long's illustrations.  These beautiful illustrations take the book to an entirely new, wonderful level.   I love how long included the President's daughters on each page, along with the inspirational person as a child.  With each page, the group grows. 

This is a wonderful book for any child in your life, and what a great introductory book for studying some of these important people in our nation's history.

I would not be surprised to see this book in the running for some literary awards.

Want to see more?  Check it out on Amazon: Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters by Barack Obama, illustrated by Loren Long

Reviewed from a library copy.

Check out this video featuring Loren Long discussing the book. (Click here, it will take to the video posted on Amazon's website.)

Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Anna Dewdney

Our favorite llama is back with some holiday drama!  The countdown to Christmas is on...and there is lots of activity.  Will the little Llama handle it all in stride?

What I Thought:
You can never go wrong with Llama Llama!  I love all of the books about this adorable character, and this one is no exception.

What I like most about these books are the bright and colorful illustrations.  I enjoy exploring each one!

Give this one to a child for a holiday gift I'm sure they will enjoy all year long!   I'm looking forward to reading this during an upcoming holiday story time!

Highly recommended. 

Want to see more?  Check it out on Amazon: Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Anna Dewdney.

Reviewed from a library copy.