Recently Reviewed Books
Winter Solstice
The Shortest Day – Celebrating the Winter Solstice by Wendy Pfeffer, illustrated by Jesse Reisch Why does it get dark earlier at night in Winter than in Summer? What is Solstice? Pfeffer addresses these questions and others in this colorful book about the Winter Solstice. In the Northern Hemisphere, near December 21, the sun reaches…
Keeker and the Sneaky Pony
Keeker and the Sneaky Pony by Hadley Higginson, illustrated by Maja Andersen This is a good book for readers who are ready to move beyond the beginning reader books, but who feel a little intimidated by longer chapter books. Keeker is an eight-year-old girl who desperately wants a pony. She has taken riding lessons, been…
Henry and Mudge and the Long Weekend
Henry and Mudge and the Long Weekend by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Sucie Stevenson One morning in February, Henry woke up and looked out of his window and found wet yuck. It was one of those gray days that isn’t Winter (with snow and exciting outdoor fun), but really isn’t anything else either. What to…
Ella Sets the Stage
Picture book heroes come in all shapes, colors, sizes, and species. Some are headstrong and rush ahead despite warnings. Some are frightened, but face their fears. Some are cats, or dogs, or purple aliens. My family found a shy, yet strong hero in a young elephant. In Ella Sets the Stage by Carmela and Steven…
Row Row Row Your Boat
Songs like Row, Row, Row Your Boat, the ABC song, and The Itsy Bitsy Spider are among the first songs that young children learn. When my son was turning two, he loved all forms of music and rhythms. This was one of his favorite books – perhaps because he could sing along with it.…
The Big Orange Splot
What happens when a seagull carrying a can of bright orange paint flies over very neat and orderly street and drops the can of paint on someone’s house? The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Manus Pinkwater can be simply a fun picture book, or it could have a few messages about expressing yourself and following…
Tuesdays at the Castle
I try to avoid princess books unless the young royal in question is a very strong character who takes matters into her own hands. Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George has a main character who is strong, creative, quirky, and, oh yes – a princess. Princess Celie is the youngest child of King…
Kiss Good Night
Bedtime often is hard for young children. Maybe it has something to do with being alone and away from their trusted grownup. Saying goodnight, and actually staying in bed to fall asleep, was difficult for my children when they were preschooolers. Kiss Good Night by Amy Hest (illustrated by Anita Jeram) was a bedtime favorite. …
Bookmarks
This morning I realized that I was using a scrap of a paper towel as a bookmark. The scrap does work in the sense that it marks my place in the text. But, somehow, it started to bother me. So, I made bookmarks. And I would like to share them with you – to say…
Gooseberry Park
I first came across Cynthia Rylant’s writing through the Henry and Mudge books when my children were learning to read. When they were ready for longer books, we found several books by Cynthia Rylant that seemed safe, yet still new and interesting, to my blossoming readers. Gooseberry Park by Cynthia Rylant was a favorite for…
Duck in the Truck
Every now and then the students in my son’s class at school read to the children in the preschool program. When my son learns about this early enough to plan, he brings in a favorite book to read to the younger children: Duck in the Truck by Jez Alborough. Readers meet Duck through rhyming text…
Meet Mr. and Mrs. Green
Meet Mr. and Mrs. Green by Keith Baker I stumbled upon Mr. and Mrs. Green when my children were learning to read. These alligators are fun, quirky characters presented through mini stories (3 per book) and colorful illustrations. Mrs. Green suggests that they go camping. They plan what to bring – Mrs. Green says they…