MAY 31, 2009
Katie the Kitten Fairy by Daisy Meadows
This book introduces the Pet Fairies, fairies who help find lost pets and give them a home. In this story, Jack Frost has captured all of the Pet Fairies' pets. Rachel and Kirsty, two human girls who are friends of the fairies, help to rescue Katie Fairy's pet kitten. They are also on a mission to find all of the missing pets that Jack Frost stole. Through fairy magic and ingenuity, the girls accomplish at least part of the mission. Read more books in the series to find out if all of the animals are rescued.
This is a fun series about fairies and their adventures, and reads quickly. Recommended for readers in grades 1-3.
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MAY 30, 2009
Fat Bat and Swoop by Leo Landry
Fat Bat and Swoop (the owl), are two mischievous friends who like to pull pranks. They live near a farm, and all of the mooing by Emily the Cow keeps them awake during the day. After all, they are nocturnal animals. So, they decide to trick her. Having inadvertently gotten caught in the Farmer’s laundry on the clothesline, Swoop and Fat Bat look like ghosts. Can they scare Emily? Will Emily fall for their tricks? Read this book to find out and be surprised at the ending. A good find for an early chapter book reader. Children will chuckle at the cartoon-like illustrations. Recommended for students in grades 1-3.
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MAY 19, 2009
The Worry Tree by Marianne Musgrove
Juliet worries about everything—and she has plenty to worry about! Her two best friends are fighting over her, her little sister won’t stop annoying her, and her parents are always arguing about her dad’s clutter. To relax, Juliet sorts one of her collections, like her eraser collection or her box of used bus tickets, but what she really needs is a room she doesn’t have to share with her sister. So her dad moves his clutter out of the Room That Must Be Locked When Visitors Come, giving Juliet her own bedroom. When they strip off the wallpaper, they discover a painting of a tree with a variety of animals sitting on and around it. Juliet’s grandmother tells her that it’s called the Worry Tree and that she can tell the animals her worries. With the Worry Tree to turn to, Juliet finds it much easier to handle the difficulties she encounters. This funny, well-written book concludes with a Worry Tree that readers can use to record their own worries. Ages 7 to 10.
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MAY 9, 2009
Dodsworth in Paris by Tim Egan
A sequel to Dodsworth in New York, this is another humorous adventure of Dodsworth and his zaney duck friend. The arts and artists of Paris are portrayed in this book. Some French "manifique" vocabulary is used in a way the reader can understand and appreciate. The story starts out as a great vacation in Paris for Dodsworth and duck. However, trouble is not far from the curious, misbehaving duck friend. Adventures for readers in 1-2 grades are most appropriate with this book. A family read with preschool and kindergarten children would be appropriate, also. Read both books!
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MAY 9, 2009
Abe's Honest Words by Doreen Rappaport
The life of a memorable president of the United States is beautifully illustrated by Kadir Nelson in this picture book format. Life events are recorded by Doreen Rappaport with wonderful sayings of Lincoln on every page. It could be a book the whole family would enjoy. This book brings the reality of a man and the events of a time into our understanding so we might truly learn from history. It is most appropriate for readers in grades 1-3, however, all ages can appreciate its content and literary style.
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MAY 7, 2009
Raucous Royals by Carlyn Beccia
If you're looking for "history with a difference," dive into Raucous Royals. Author, Carlyn Beccia uses codes, gossip, old love letters, and outstanding deductive powers to interest young readers in her chosen historical personages. In each of twelve cases, she first presents a rumor about a monarch with all attendant details. Then she asks, "True or False? Upon turning the page, one finds a wealth of material giving the author's best assessment as to the rumor's truthfulness or lack thereof. Did Richard III murder his two nephews? Was Prince Dracula a real vampire? Was Henry VIII too fat to walk? Did Elizabeth I order the execution of her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots? Is it true that Louis XIV only took three baths in his lifetime? Read, as these tales and others are supported or disproved; then find out how to research a rumor. Cleverly illustrated and fast-paced, this treatment should tempt readers 10 - 14 to take a peek at royal foibles while learning that truth is sometimes much more unbelievable than fiction.
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MAY 4, 2009
Pippo the Fool by Tracey E. Fern
Being a huge architecture fan, this book instantly caught my eye. Based on the true account of Filippo Brunelleschi, when in 1420 the architect and engineer submitted his plans in response to a contest calling for design entries to build a dome on the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy. The problem is one that engineers currently cannot solve - how to support such a large dome that is so high in the air. It seems unsolvable. But Pippo submits a design of which he is confident and is overjoyed when his design is chosen, after having to build a smaller replica to prove that it will work. He is not happy when forced to work with his adversary and biggest heckler Lorenzo, knowing that he will do all the work and Lorenzo will take all the glory. Regardless, he accepts the task. Taking twelve years to complete his dream, Pippo is finally able to rid himself of the hated nickname when his dome becomes a magnificent marvel. Told in picture book format, this story is accessable to readers of all ages. A good introduction to architecture and reinforces the idea that one's ideas are only foolish until they may be realized. A more detailed account of the project is included in the back of the book.
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