My Garden by Kevin Henkes

A little girl dreams about how she wants her garden to be like.

What I Thought:
What a sweet book!  As the little girl is helping her mom in their garden, she dreams of what her perfect garden would be like.  It would include a jellybean plant, morning glories that shine in the night, and invisible carrots (because she doesn't like carrots.)

It has lovely illustrations, something that has come to be expected with any Henkes book!  

What a great book showing imagination and encourages children to dream what their perfect garden would have.

Overall, a wonderful edition to any library and another home-run by Kevin Henkes.

Highly Recommended.

Want to see more?  Check it out on Amazon: My Garden by Kevin Henkes.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Chester's Masterpiece [not] by Melaine Watt

Chester the cat is back and is rotten as ever!  Melanie is ready to write a new story only to find out that Chester has hidden all her supplies!  That Chester!

Chester goes on to write his own story, with some assistance from Melanie.  He's on a ROLL, until...well, you'll just have discover that for yourself!

What I Thought:
I'm a HUGE Chester fan, and this third installment is does not disappoint!  Chester and his red marker cover just about every inch of this book and hijacks Melanie's book.  (Make sure you check out the end papers and title pages!  So creative!)

This story covers how a story is created, Chester style.  It would be a really fun story to include in lessons about writing stories.

Overall, this is a super cute book!

Recommended!

Want to see more?  Check it out on Amazon: Chester's Masterpiece by Melanie Watt.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

Minli is a young girl working with her family in the fields near the Jade River. Their family was very poor and worked very hard with little reward. Her father told Minli countless stories that her mother disapproved of. She felt they filled Minli's head with nonsense.

One day Minli decided to go find the Old Man of the Moon, a character in many of her father's stories, and attempt to change her family's fortune.

Thus begins a wonderful adventure in which Minli befriends a dragon who can't fly, encounters a young boy with a buffalo, meets the king, is saved from a vicious tiger by a set of fun-loving twins, and so much more!

But will Minli reach her goal and change her family's fortune or will her request change in order to help a friend?

What I Thought:
This book is a fantastic read aloud. The plot of the story is supplemented and moved forward with traditional stories or fables interspersed throughout the text. Whether the story is told by Minli's father or another character in the book, wonderful stories are interwoven throughout.

I loved the theme of friendship that ran throughout the book. Minli is such a sweet character who made friends wherever she roamed, and she was a wonderful friend in return.

This book is a wonderful story of adventure that I think anyone would love.

Very highly recommended.

This book was awarded a Newbery Honor in 2010. (A well deserved honor!)

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Marley Goes to School by John Grogan, illustrated by Richard Cowdrey

It's Cassie's first day of school and Marley, Cassie's yellow lab, is ready to go with her. And why wouldn't he? Marley is Cassie's best friend and he goes everywhere with her.

But when Marley doesn't get to go with Cassie to school, he just doesn't understand.

Marley digs out of the backyard and heads to school where he has a lovely good time causing lots of chaos.

What I Thought:
A rowdy good time!

I'm a fan of Marley, especially right now that I'm begging hubby to let us get a dog! Marley is such a lovable puppy who simply loves life the fullest. To his family, he's definitely a handful!

I like the illustrations, they are quite realistic and remind me of books my grandmother had at her house. Something about them make me think "classic." The page where Cassie heads off to school with her family and Marley is left watching from the backyard is heartbreaking. I literally teared up looking into Marley's sad face. But flip a couple of pages and you'll be chuckling at Marley posed as a student in a classroom!

Kids will love Marley's adventure at school!

Recommended.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Marley Goes to School by John Grogan, illustrated by Richard Cowdrey.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Here Comes the Big Mean Dust Bunny by Jan Thomas

The rhyming dust bunnies are back! This time, they encounter a BIG MEAN dust bunny who is rather grouchy. Soon, the big mean dust bunny is rhyming right along with the rest of them. Well, all of them but Bob, who keeps saying "cat" instead of a word that rhymes.

He's weird.

Anyway, they are all having fun, when a cat comes along (maybe Bob isn't so weird) and squashes the big mean dust bunny! Being nice, the rhyming dust bunnies unsquash him and gives hugs all around.

What I Thought:
I wasn't such a fan of the first book, but I don't think I got it. Everyone else enjoyed so I went into this book with an open mind.

While its not one of my favorites out there, I can definitely see why everyone else does! The dust bunnies are super cute and kids will love rhyming along with them. And who can't related to the big, mean dust bunny? I appreciate how he was mean to the rhyming dust bunnies they still help him when he's in trouble and the big mean dust bunny has a change of heart.

I do adore the illustrations with the super bright colors and the text balloons.

A super fun book that I can't wait to read aloud to the preschoolers at the library.

Recommended.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Here Comes the Big Mean Dust Bunny by Jan Thomas.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Birthday for Bear by Bonny Becker, illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton

Bear does not like birthdays,and when Mouse appears at his house ready for a birthday party, Bear is not pleased! He sends Mouse away, but we know Mouse...he doesn't give up easily!

Can Mouse win Bear over to be a fan of birthdays?

What I Thought:
A wonderful easy/first reader by Bonny Becker! If you loved A Visitor for Bear, then you'll love this one too!

This book is divided into four short chapters, perfect for the beginning reader. It's still a wonderful read aloud with a charming story and lovely ink & watercolor illustrations.

Highly Recommended.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Birthday for Bear by Bonny Becker, illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Gooney Bird and the Room Mother by Lois Lowry, illusrated by Middy Thomas

It's another fun day in Miss Pidgeon's second grade class. The principal has asked all the students to ask their parents to be a room mother (or father) for their class. Thanksgiving is coming soon and every class needs a room parent to provide cupcakes for the annual Thanksgiving pageant.

Unfortunately none of the parents of Miss Pidgeon's students are able to volunteer for the job. What are they going to do?

Gooney Bird to the rescue! As the class prepares for it's Thanksgiving performance written by Miss Pidgeon, Gooney finds a room mother and in turn receives the honor to play Sequoya in the pageant.

Everyone is excited about the room mother, and wants to know who it is...but Gooney Bird has promised she will remain incognito until the day of the pageant.


What I Thought:
I love Gooney Bird. I think she's become one of my favorite characters out there for the 1st-4th(ish) grade crowd. She's like the precursor to a lot of the popular kid characters out there like Junie B., Clementine, Roscoe Riley, etc. So much fun.

As in all of Gooney's books, Lowry tackles a topic of language arts and intertwines it into the story. This book focuses on vocabulary and dictionary skills, which is genius!

A few black and white illustrations accompany the text and adds a great visual aspect to the story.

Another great installment in the Gooney Bird series! You can see my reviews of the others here:
Gooney Bird Greene
Gooney Bird is so Absurd
Gooney the Fabulous


Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Gooney Bird and the Room Mother by Lois Lowry, illusrated by Middy Thomas.

Reviewed from a library copy.

The Dunderheads by Paul Fleischman, illustrated by David Roberts

"Never,' shrieked Miss Breakbone, "have I been asked to teach such a scraping together of fiddling, twiddling, time-squandering, doodling, dozing, don't-knowing dunderheads!"

What if this was your teacher?



Miss Breakbone was the meanest teacher. She hated kids. Her favorite part of her job was making kids cry, and when she accomplished this she gave herself a gold star. The class is amazingly talented in a variety of skills, from solving problems, to being nuts about bicycles, even making spitballs.

When Miss Breakbone confiscates Junkyard's ceramic cat he found and planned to give his mother for a present, the class decided enough was enough.

Together, and using the talents of the entire class, they devise a plan to retrieve the cat from the inside of Miss Breakbone's home. During a party.

It's a dangerous mission....will they succeed?


What I Thought:
This is a super fun book, perfect for the elementary reader! It's got a great and interesting plot full of interesting characters, along with a fair share of suspense. The color illustrations are a vital part of the book providing and are well done.

But what I like best about the book are all the kids with their interesting, not so normal talents. It shows that everyone is good at something, and everyone is unique! Plus, Miss Breakbone is kind of the classic "evil teacher" and those are just entertaining.

This one should be a hit!

Very highly recommended.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: The Dunderheads by Paul Fleischman, illustrated by David Roberts.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Can You Make a Scary Face by Jan Thomas

Can you wiggle like there's a bug on your nose? [wiggle, wiggle] WHAT? That bug went up your nose? Down your shirt? What are we going to do?

Dance of course!

Until the frog comes. Then we'll have to make a scary face!

What I Thought!
This book is a preschool storytime DREAM! We'll be reading this one SOON and doing the actions right along with it.

I love the brightly colored illustrations and can envision kids everywhere imitating the storyline and illustrations.

Recommended.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Can You Make a Scary Face by Jan Thomas
.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Mouse Was Mad by Linda Urban, illustrated by Henry Cole

Mouse was mad. Hopping mad! Hare tried to help him out by showing him the correct way to hop, but he landed in a mud puddle. Animal after animal shows Mouse the correct way to be mad...but he always lands in a mud puddle!

Finally, mouse stands really still and the other animals are impressed!

What I Thought:
A great story! I loved how mouse is showing her feelings and the other animals try to help her, but it only makes it worse. In the end, she's so mad that she stands completely still and when the other animals try to imitate her....it's so silly mouse forgets why she's mad.

A great story for preschoolers learning about feelings and a way to introduce proper anger management! We'll be reading this one soon in preschool storytime...and doing a lot of fun movement to go along with it!

Recommended.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Mouse Was Mad by Linda Urban, illustrated by Henry Cole.

Book reviewed from library copy.

Nikki & Deja by Karen English, illustrated by Laura Freeman

Nikki & Deja are best friends, and next door neighbors! They are in the same class at school, so they spend a lot of time together: doing homework, watching TV, or just watching the activity on Fulton Street. They are like sisters!

A new girl moves into the neighborhood and seems kind of stuck up, so the girls decide to start a drill club and only invite select people! Unfortunately, Nikki doesn't quite have the rhythm Deja thinks is needed, and asks her to be secretary and this hurts Nikki's feelings.

The best friends are fighting...will they make up and be best friends again?

What I Thought:
I was excited to read this book. I am always on the lookout for children's books with African American main characters, and I was very pleased with this one.

Nikki and Deja are great characters and experience an issue that is probably very common in elementary clubs...the creation of exclusive "clubs" that intentionally leave out others. Then there are feelings that are hurt, and often other exclusive "clubs" pop up in revenge.

Another great talking point is the new girl Antonia and how she appears to be stuck up. Is she truly stuck up, or maybe just scared of living in a new place? We don't really know, but readers could construct their own opinions.

This is a great book to discuss how the characters feel and then scaffold that to the readers' lives and how it would feel if it happened to them.

Nikki & Deja's relationship is a joy to experience...they are truly like sisters as they argue just like sisters.

This is the first book in a new series. Book two, Birthday Blues is currently availabe and book three, Newsy News Newsletter will be out in 2010. Perfect for young-middle elementary students, especially girls.

Recommended.


Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Nikki & Deja by Karen English, illustrated by Laura Freeman.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry, illustrated by Middy Thomas

When Gooney Bird Green steps into Mrs. Pidgeon's 2nd grade class at Watertower Elementary School, no one knows quite what to think. In her eclectic ensemble of pajamas & cowboy boots and request for sitting in the middle of the room because she likes to be in the center of attention, the class had no idea what a special asset Gooney Bird would be to that class.

The class was learning about stories. They were having a little trouble grasping the concept, and the Mrs. Pidgeon was going to model the task by having the class construct a story together. The class chose Gooney Bird to be a character because they wanted to find out more about her.

So, much to her pleasure, Gooney tells story after story each day! Stories about how she got her name, how she came to Watertown from China on a flying carpet...even stories about her cat!

What I Thought:
Lowry has done an amazing job weaving in storytelling teaching into this story through Gooney Bird and her amazing stories. She is such a fun and interesting character, readers want to find out more and more!

This would be a perfect book to read aloud to students learning about storytelling as the book will surely inspire other to create their own stories, just as Gooney Bird inspired her class to do the same.

Highly Recommended.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry, illustrated by Middy Thomas.

Reviewed from a library copy.

There are other books about Gooney Bird Green! Check out my review of Gooney Bird is So Absurd and Gooney the Fabulous.

Lousy Rotten, Stinkin' Grapes by Margie Palatini, illustrated by Barry Moser

Fox sees some grapes growing on a tree and wants some. But he is only "so high...and the grapes were so, so, so high."

What to do?

Fox comes up with plan, after plan, after plan...and acquires help from some of his friends.

Will he ever get those "lousy, rotten, stinkin' grapes??"

What I Thought:
A fun book! Fox thinks he's so clever with all his plans, and when the other animals try to offer advice (that would actually work!) he cuts them off and continues with his ideas.

The illustrations are very nice and add so much to the story. I especially loved the frustrated and exasperated looks the other animals give the fox when he ignores their suggestions.

A great book to talk about teamwork and perhaps listening to others.

Recommended.


Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Lousy Rotten, Stinkin' Grapes by Margie Palatini, illustrated by Barry Moser.

Reviewed from a library copy.

All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Marla Frazee

A young family spend a day enjoying all of what the world has to offer...the beach, a farmer's market, hanging out in the beautiful outdoors, spending time with friends and family.

What I Thought:
This is a beautiful book. The simple, yet beautiful, text matched with the amazing illustrations by Marla Frazee make this book a pure joy.

This is definitely a book to not just read, but devour as so much of the story is told through the illustrations. A wonderful book to share with your family!

Recommended.

This book was awarded a 2010 Caldecott Honor. (Two in a row for Marla Frazee!)

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Marla Frazee.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Robot Zot by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by David Shannon

Robot Zot is ready to take over the world! "Robot Zot--never fall. Robot Zot--conquer all!"

He begins with kitchen appliances and after his victories in the kitchen, heads onward to the television.

There is nothing that Robot Zot cannot overcome! Even the dog!


What I Thought:
Wow, this is a book that young boy will love! Then I foresee there will be a lot of robots being portrayed after this book is read.

Robot Zot thinks he's going to overtake the world, but in reality he is a toy robot the size of a Hot Wheel car. But it doesn't matter...in his head he's the largest thing in the universe!

The illustrations are wonderful, and what you would expect from Lane Smith. He and Jon Scieszka make the most wonderful team!

A wonderful story, one that is full of imagination and fun! A wonderful book for the preschool and early elementary crowd.

Recommended.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Robot Zot by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by David Shannon.

Reviewed from a library copy.

I'm a Turkey by Jim Arnosky

In honor Thanksgiving...a book about turkeys!

Tom the Turkey introduces readers what it is like to be a turkey, from how they communicate, fly and look.

Book includes a link to download the text in song form.

What I Thought:
A fun book! We read this book during Preschool Storytime this week and the kids seemed to enjoy it. I wish I had the forethought to download the song so we could listen to it while working on our turkey craft.

I especially loved the illustrations, they were bright and colorful; the turkeys had animated facial expressions.

Tom the turkey speaks directly to the readers, and invites them to "gobble" at the next turkey they see...it may be him!

A fun book!

Recommended.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: I'm a Turkey by Jim Arnosky.

Reviewed from a library copy.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Gobble, gobble!

Song of Middle C by Alison McGhee, illustrated by Scott Menchin

A little girl is ready for her first piano recital. She's been practicing her piece called "Dance of the Wood Elves" for a long time, and she ready to show it off!

She's not even nervous, though her brother tries make her so. But she's okay, she has on her lucky hat, her lucky shoes, even her lucky underwear.

She's ready to go.

Performing last in a recital makes a recital seem quite long.

But, she's cool as a cucumber.

Or is she?

What I Thought:
If you know someone who performs recitals, this is a great book for them. I love how the girl (who never reveals her name) is so excited for the recital and has practiced and practiced and visualizes little wood elves dancing around and is ready to go..then freezes at the recital.

Who hasn't been in a situation like that?

But, in the horror of the moment, the girl composes and though cannot remember her piece instead creates a dramatic piece using only the middle C. I love how she improvised and overcame instead of running off the stage in tears.

Which is what I probably would have done. (Or, what I have done...which is not do it at all.) This girl has a much better solution!

Great illustrations, love the lucky underwear!

Recommended.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Song of Middle C by Alison McGhee, illustrated by Scott Menchin.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Amelia Bedelia's First Day of School by Herman Parish, illustrated by Lynne Avril

Amelia Bedelia is most excited for her first day of school. As she goes about her day, she manages to misunderstand what is going on...from "hopping on the bus," to "tickling the clay," even "jumping rope!"

What I Thought:
When I saw and advertisement for this new series of Amelia Bedelia as a child, I literally jumped for joy. I loved the original Amelia Bedelia books am excited for a new set for a new generation. Though I know the original series, where Amelia is a nanny, are still quite popular.

What is so entertaining about the original books, and this one as well is how Amelia takes everything so literally. And it's so funny to see her tweet like a bird during music time when the teacher says they will "sing like birds today," or literally glue herself to the seat when the teacher says "please glue yourself to your seat."

This book is in more of a traditional picture book format where as the originals are more in a first/easy reader format with the smaller size.

The illustrations are bright and cheerful, perfect for this story.

A great book that should bring lots of giggles.

Highly recommended.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Amelia Bedelia's First Day of School by Herman Parish, illustrated by Lynne Avril.

Reviewed from a library copy.

The Tallest of Smalls by Max Lucado, illustrated by Maria Monescillo

In the land of Stiltsville, all the Too Smalls clamored for a pair of stilts each day when they were handed out at 6pm. They were handed out to those that were "cool" or "special" and not those who were different.

Ollie, a young boy with a patch on his pants, desperately wanted some stilts. After being turned down again and again, his day finally came! He received a pair of tall stilts!

However, maneuvering in the stilts prove to be a little difficult, especially when a flock of birds take residence on him and the wooden sticks. Ollie goes tumbling to the ground, embarrassed and no one runs to help him.

In the shame of the moment, a hand touches his shoulder. It's Jesus and He reminds him that it doesn't matter what others think, Ollie needs to "keep his feet on the ground" and remember that he is precious and belongs to Him.


What I Thought:
What a great story! Lucado wrote this book as a parable from his book Fearless. It has a most wonderful and important message that is relevant for all of us.

Throughout the story, I was reminded of a few different stories: You are Special by Mad Lucado, Oliver (I guess because of the main character's name--Ollie), and Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas. I thought the rhyme and rhythm of the book was very reminiscent to Seuss and the illustrations made me think of WhoVille.

This would be a wonderful read aloud (where appropriate) and a lovely gift to anyone who needs to be reminded that though the world may want to dictate who we are and what we desire, Jesus is the only one who matters.

Recommended.

Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: The Tallest of Smalls by Max Lucado, illustrated by Maria Monescillo.

Reviewed from a copy provided by the Thomas Nelson Publisher Book Review Bloggers program. This book will be donated to my local public library.

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.