tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73941839397324327162024-02-20T01:23:21.736-08:002009 by 2010Sallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00331454639215500941noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7394183939732432716.post-88337144315424845132009-06-04T16:04:00.002-07:002009-06-04T16:05:22.943-07:00Louisa by Yona Zeldia McDonough, illustrated by Bethannekkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08856922326201947721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7394183939732432716.post-17424969694389635712009-06-04T16:04:00.001-07:002009-06-04T16:04:32.088-07:00Goodbye Season by Marian Halekkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08856922326201947721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7394183939732432716.post-81208621739401847652009-06-04T16:03:00.002-07:002009-06-04T16:04:03.519-07:00Spellbinder by Helen Stringerkkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08856922326201947721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7394183939732432716.post-72813423934582088622009-06-04T16:03:00.001-07:002009-06-04T16:03:39.968-07:00Trouble Gum by Mathew Cordellkkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08856922326201947721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7394183939732432716.post-52773010232894108642009-06-04T16:02:00.000-07:002009-06-04T16:03:13.908-07:00World of Water by Beatrice Hollyer, with a foreword bykkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08856922326201947721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7394183939732432716.post-2580676676526467862009-06-04T16:01:00.002-07:002009-06-04T16:02:24.307-07:00Jeremy Draws a Monster by Peter McCartykkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08856922326201947721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7394183939732432716.post-13036901847632264652009-06-04T16:01:00.001-07:002009-06-04T16:01:47.178-07:00Witch's Journal by Keith McGowankkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08856922326201947721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7394183939732432716.post-2324038445691960042009-06-04T15:55:00.000-07:002009-06-04T15:56:26.741-07:00Sweetheart of Prosper County, Jill Alexanderkkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08856922326201947721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7394183939732432716.post-10571468926809605452009-05-18T15:42:00.000-07:002009-05-18T15:46:41.032-07:00Good Luck Bear by Greg FoleyThe theme for this picture book could very well be, don't let anyone discourage you. When Mouse tells Bear that four leaf clovers are lucky, he is determined to find one. Along the ways his friends give him plenty of reasons to give up. Bear and Mouse do triumph in the end, with a special twist. The simple drawings accompany perfectly the text. Most kids will delight in the ending again and again.Librarian Love 2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/07107555531009692486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7394183939732432716.post-72077424993241328752009-05-18T15:27:00.000-07:002009-05-18T15:32:07.826-07:00Little Chick by Amy Hest; illustrations by Anita JeramLittle Chick is lucky to have such a wise, patient and loving aunt. Little Chick, like all young children, wants something, and wants it right now. Told in three stories, Little Chick is frustrated by his carrot not growing, impatient with his kite not flying and disappointed that he cannot put a star in his pocket. His Old Auntie comes each time with words of advice and time to spend. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Jeram</span> shows the chickens feelings and expressions by posing them just so. The chickens remain chickens, an extremely nice touch.Librarian Love 2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/07107555531009692486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7394183939732432716.post-28554092136814962782009-05-18T15:15:00.000-07:002009-05-18T15:20:14.448-07:00Bertie: Just Like Daddy by Marcus PfisterBertie the young hippo wants to do all the things his daddy does: drink coffee, shave, shop and cook. Daddy always tells him he can when he gets older. Daddy also finds clever ways to give Bertie a way to take part in all their activities (i.e. he can't cook yet but he can taste). A great father and son story. Children will see themselves as Bertie as the try to fit into the grown up world. Not sure why each spread has the same flowered background but it is not distracting.Librarian Love 2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/07107555531009692486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7394183939732432716.post-9024509626619570842009-05-18T14:54:00.001-07:002009-05-18T15:01:45.912-07:00No More Blanket for Lambkin by Bernette Ford and Sam WilliamsLambkin loves her blanket. It is small, soft, and rather dirty. When Ducky comes to play and suggests playing laundry day, Lambkin doesn't really want to let go of blanket. All goes relatively well. Blanket is clean, but not quite the same after the washing. Ducky makes blanket into a doll and all is well. A nice concept book. Not the first on the subject but a good addition. The illustrations are soft colors well suited for young listeners.Librarian Love 2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/07107555531009692486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7394183939732432716.post-11864850765385818972009-05-18T14:04:00.000-07:002009-05-18T14:48:43.333-07:00Bee and Me by Elle McGuinness"Gallop" and "Swing" by Seder were clever uses of the new Animotion techniques. This book is using the same technology to tell an environmental story, just not very well. The storyline is dull, the rhyme is blah, and the Animotion does nothing to add to the story. Kids will enjoy the new technology, but the story will be lost to the wow factor.Librarian Love 2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/07107555531009692486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7394183939732432716.post-88941943697504351522009-05-13T14:44:00.000-07:002009-05-13T14:50:20.300-07:00Celestine, Drama Queen by Penny IvesCelestine was hard to ignore, from the moment she was born she was destined to be a star. She only ate pink food and thought tiaras a necessary accoutrement for school. When her teacher announces there will be a school play, Celestine cannot wait to shine in front of everyone. But even the greatest divas of all get stage fright. So even though she forgets her only line, she thrills the audience with a jazzy dance. I hope to see more of Celestine. She is just like so many of the children we already know. She's a princess, she's a diva, she is a superstar.Librarian Love 2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/07107555531009692486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7394183939732432716.post-37895661692860965432009-05-13T14:37:00.001-07:002009-05-13T14:41:29.850-07:00No! by David McPhailNo is the only word in this nearly wordless book. Said three times, it follows a young boy as he sets off in the city to mail a letter. Along the way he sees multiple acts of war: bombs, tanks, soldiers. He eventually meets a bully leaning on the mailbox and the young boy tells him, no and no! On the way home he sees acts of peace and people rebuilding together. It might be a book about war, it might be a book about bullies but I think it is really a book about children standing up for what they think is right and wrong in the world.Librarian Love 2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/07107555531009692486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7394183939732432716.post-29945907995321860282009-05-13T14:23:00.000-07:002009-05-13T14:30:25.967-07:00Tsunami! by Dimiko Kajikawa; illustrated by Ed Young<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ojiisan</span> is the oldest and wealthiest man in his village. He lives on the mountainside with views of the village below and the vast ocean beyond. On the day of the yearly rice festival, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ojiisan</span> thinks something doesn't feel right so he stays at home with his grandson. An small earthquake hits but it is not enough to stop the festivities. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Ojiisan</span> knows something is about to happen. Soon the ocean receded and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ojiisan</span> knows a tsunami will be coming. The only way to warn the villagers is to light his entire rice crop on fire. The villagers coming running to help put out the fire and all are saved. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Ojiisan</span> lost his entire wealth to save all 400 villagers. The story is well told and creates suspense. Ed Young's cut paper illustrations are, as always, exquisite. A great addition to folk and fairytale collections.Librarian Love 2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/07107555531009692486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7394183939732432716.post-74703170999962610802009-05-13T14:12:00.000-07:002009-05-13T14:17:20.842-07:00Always in Trouble by Corinne Demas; illustrated by Noah Z. JonesToby is a very naughty dog. He digs in the garbage, he runs into the road, and he eats baked goods. Toby's family has had enough and Toby is sent to dog training school. Toby becomes the star of the class and responds to every command. But he is still naughty. He pees on the rug, he messes up the laundry and he digs in the garden. The family decides to send him back to school. A week later Toby is nearly perfect. He takes out the garbage, folds the laundry and bakes his own treats. I think the question I have and all the children reading the story will have is, what happened during the week Toby was away? The author doesn't tell us, and I think that's the real story here. Too bad it's missing.Librarian Love 2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/07107555531009692486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7394183939732432716.post-55838011494226732772009-05-13T14:03:00.000-07:002009-05-13T14:08:13.993-07:00Super Duck by Jez AlboroughIt is hard to be Duck's friend. Nothing ever goes right and his friends always end up in the mud or in the mess. In this installment, Goat wants to fly his new kite with Sheep and Frog. And who comes along to save the day. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Superduck</span>. It all goes wrong as each time Duck tries to help the situation gets worse and worse. Frog ends up flying through the air and does end up saving his friend Frog. If you've followed Duck's other adventures, the exasperation from his friends will make sense.Librarian Love 2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/07107555531009692486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7394183939732432716.post-35931336011086508922009-05-13T13:44:00.000-07:002009-05-13T13:47:43.776-07:00Funny Farm by Mark TeagueEdward is a city dog who likes to visit his relatives on the farm. Edward is shown how to do the daily chores, and occasionally he likes to help. The story is scant, but as usual, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Teague's</span> illustrations are superb. A quick read that children will enjoy because of the detail given to the animals and antics on each page.Librarian Love 2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/07107555531009692486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7394183939732432716.post-32612575295207651202009-05-13T13:39:00.000-07:002009-05-13T13:42:37.981-07:00Princess Bess Gets Dressed by Margery Cuyler; illustrated by Heather MaionePrincess Bess must change her clothes for every new activity throughout her day. She couldn't possibly wear the same gown for breakfast as she does for painting. And the pantaloons she wears while climbing a tree will just not do for the ball. But what Bess likes to wear best is her underwear and nothing else. So underneath all the laces and pearls, she is a regular kid after all.Librarian Love 2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/07107555531009692486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7394183939732432716.post-21712890624758368802009-04-28T13:53:00.001-07:002009-04-28T14:04:02.654-07:00Eleanor, Quiet No More: the Life of Eleanor Roosevelt by Doreen Rappaport; illustrated by Gary KellyA nearly impossible task to sum up the life of a true heroine in a picture book for children, but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Rappaport</span> has done a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">superb</span> job. By using Roosevelt's own words alongside brief descriptions of her life, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Rappaport</span> guides the reader through her early childhood, education, marriage to FDR, teaching and political careers. There is certainly enough information for a student to use the book for a project, but more importantly, the books reads like a story. It is engaging and stands up to several readings. There is end matter that leads those interested to other sources for additional information. Another excellent picture book biography by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Rappaport</span>.Librarian Love 2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/07107555531009692486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7394183939732432716.post-51691542280414105442009-04-28T13:31:00.000-07:002009-04-28T13:38:14.572-07:00Seymour and Henry by Kim LewisSeymour and Henry are duck brothers who never want to stop playing. Mommy duck tells them it is time to go home, but Seymour and Henry are not done playing. Instead the run off to chase each other and play hide and seek. But when it starts raining they want their Mommy again and have to run home to find her. The difference with this book than so many others like it, is that the ducks are not scared when it starts to rain and mommy isn't around. Instead they simply retrace their steps back home. While hard to give cloth stuffed ducks facial expressions, the ducks' actions speak for their feelings.Librarian Love 2.0http://www.blogger.com/profile/07107555531009692486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7394183939732432716.post-77088418475882250302009-04-25T18:20:00.001-07:002009-04-25T18:37:22.275-07:00Along for the Ride by Sarah DessenDessen, S. (2009). Along for the Ride. Viking: New York. ISBN 978-0-670-01194-0<br /><br />Another Sarah Dessen that delivers. Auden finds herself spending the summer with her recently divorced Dad whose new wife has just had a baby. Auden is prepared to dislike her annoying new step-mother and sister and spend the summer preparing for college in the fall; after all, if she's anything like her mother, she'll be the best at everything she does. But while Auden wants to show disdain for everyone around her, she begrudgingly starts to make friends and even meet a few boys. It's too bad the first two she meets are brothers: Jake, the player and Eli, the one who has suffered a secret loss. But it's Eli she's drawn to, and they soon realize they are both insomniacs and are spending evenings together drinking coffee and exploring the night. Good things don't last forever as somone is bound to screw up and it does. Can they overcome their past to make their love work? A fun novel perfect for summer reading. Ages 12 and up.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7394183939732432716.post-42539390695205532522009-04-25T17:35:00.000-07:002009-04-25T17:41:18.193-07:00Fire by Kristin CashoreCashore, Kristin. (2009). Fire. Dial Books: New York. $16.99 ISBN 978-0-8037-3461-6<br /><br />Part human/part monster, Fire is the unusual beauty who has the power to control the minds of everyone around her. She lives in the Dells, but in King City the ruling King Nash is battling enemies from all fronts who want to overtake his throne. Because Fire is the last remaining human monster alive, her life is frequently in danger. For protection, she depends on Archer, her devoted lover and childhood friend. But as war beckons, they leave for King City in hopes of fighting to help the King retain his power. Treachery is everywhere, and Fire must choose who she should trust, not only with her life, but her love as well. Intricate plots, dazzling imagery, and fantastical characters make this companion novel to the popular <em>Graceling</em> a magical good vs. evil novel difficult to put down. Ages 14 and up.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7394183939732432716.post-88756886277354755702009-04-25T16:21:00.000-07:002009-04-25T16:24:45.221-07:00Marcel in the Real World by Francisco X. StorkStork, Francisco. (2009). Marcelo in the Real World. Arthur A. Levine Books: New York. $17.99 ISBN 0-545-05474-5<br /><br />Seventeen-year-old Marcelo hears music in his head—“internal music” or IM has he refers to it. This music is a result of his Asperger Syndrome, a form of autism, which is the reason he is able to attend Paterson, a private school for kids with disabilities. Marcelo is comfortable there and is looking forward to spending the summer working in the school stables. However, Marcello’s father feels it is time for Marcelo to spend some time in the “real” world and makes a deal with him: If Marcello spends the summer working at his father's law firm, he will allow him to finish out his senior year at Paterson. At the firm, Marcello meets the beautiful Jasmine and Wendell, a son of another partner at the firm, who introduce him to real world feelings: jealousy, competition, anger, and desire. However while researching a case, Marcelo stumbles upon a photo of girl with a half a face that leads him into an investigation that will change his life forever. Poignant and thought-provoking, this book is for older readers 14 and older.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0