Rick and Bubba's Guide to the Almost Nearly Perfect Marriage by Rick Burgess and Bill "Bubba" Bussey

The famous duo from the wildly popular Rick and Bubba radio show has written a book giving practical marriage advice using Biblical standards while mixing in stories from their own marriages and family lives, and of course lots of laughs!

What I Thought:
I'll be honest. I didn't have high expectations for this book--and I was pleasantly surprised! I don't get to listen to Rick & Bubba's show, I don't even know much about them except that they are funny and popular.

I think they did a perfect job blending the serious topics such as dealing with the death of a child with the seeming trivial issues while making the entertaining.

This book will make you look at your marriage and you will find something you could be doing better for your spouse, laughing all the way!

Recommended for all married couples.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Rick and Bubba's Guide to the Almost Nearly Perfect Marriage by Rick Burgess and Bill "Bubba" Bussey .

Friend or Fiend with the Pain and the Great One by Judy Blume, illustrated by James Stevenson

The Pain (Jake) and the Great One (Abigail) are back in their fourth book of adventures. Through several short stories, we learn about Jake and how one little letter can make a word totally different, a fun snow day, an interesting day with family in New York, and the story of how Fluzzy the cat came to live with them.


What I Thought:
I love this series of books, and every kid that I have handed it to has liked it as well. (As far as I know anyway.)

I love how each chapter can be its own self-contained story while the playing an integral role in the book as a whole. Readers will find tidbits of the story placed in subsequent chapters that tie everything together nicely.

This is a great read-aloud for young elementary aged kids, as well as a fantastic read aloud for families.

Highly recommended.

Want to see more: Check it out on Amazon: Friend or Fiend with the Pain and the Great One by Judy Blume, illustrated by James Stevenson.

The Hair of Zoe Fleefenbacher Goes To School by Laurie Halse Anderson, illustrated by Ard Hoyt

"Zoe Fleefenbacher has one blue eye and one green eye, and bright red hair that went on...FOREVER."

Forever being an understatement. Her bright red hair is massive, and has a mind of its own, it can open cookie jars, turn on the TV, play on the computer...even multi-task!

However, Zoe's hair is not quite so welcome in first grade. Mrs. Trisk, Zoe's teacher is all about rules and wild hair is not permitted...until her hair proves just how helpful it can be!


What I Thought:
This a wildly imaginative book that is just plain fun. Being a girl who can't seem to grow her brown fine/thin hair past her shoulders; a book about a wild, thick, red hair is just plain awesome.

This story is just simply delightful and the illustrations do Zoe's wild mane absolute justice. A delightful read.

Highly recommended.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: The Hair of Zoe Feelfenbacher Goes To School by Laurie Halse Anderson, illustrated by Ard Hoyt.

Gone with the Wand by Margie Palatini illustrations by Brian Ajhar

Oh no! The fairy godmother is having a bad wand day! Nothing is going right.

In this story told by the tooth fairy, they work diligently to find the fairy godmother a new fairy occupation.

What I Thought:
I so love Margie Palatini! I read Bad Boys in college, but recently read her other books during some school-age storytimes and was simply enamored. I was so excited when this book arrived, I'd hear lots of good things about it...and was not disappointed!

I think this book has such a great premise, a story told by the tooth fairy about finding a new fairy job for the waning fairy godmother. She tries all sorts of new jobs: snow fairy, fairy dusting, sugarplum fairy...nothing works. Will she ever find a job?

The illustrations are fantastic, and enhance the story nicely. The story is fun and is sure to please kids everywhere.

Highly Recommended.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Gone with the Wand by Margie Palatini illustrations by Brian Ajhar

Being a Pig is Nice: A Child's View of Manners by Sally Lloyd-Jones, written by Dan Krall

A little girl thinks about manners when her mom reminds her to "Remember her manners" when she leaves home to go somewhere. During her journey, she contemplates what it would be like to have the manners of various animals, and even a monster!


What I Thought:
A super cute book that I am excited to give a go during an upcoming preschool storytime. The illustrations are fun and colorful and the story is definitely fun and will be a hit.

What animal would you like most to have the manners like? I think an owl...

Recommended.


Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Being a Pig is Nice: A Child's View of Manners by Sally Lloyd-Jones, illustrated by Dan Krall.