The goal of this book is to look at emotions and how they might represent in life, or in this case in the life of a starfish.  It is a very simple book.  Ollie feels fine, he feels afraid, etc.  But rarely do they give a reason for this feeling.  The reader is to infer from the pictures, but as a book designed for the youngest, I think the wording on the reason needs to be there. 

 I like the idea of this story.  After hearing his friend talk about all the fun he has with his grandpa, he decides to get him one too.  After a visit to a nursing home, Ned adopts a grandfather.  In general I like this idea, but Ned sees it as a way to get money and presents.  He soon learns that grandpas are for many wonderful things.  But he misses his opportunity to say good buy while trying to learn to whistle.  This book was just too sad for me.  It was lovely, but sad. 

 This is a pretty cute story.  I do wish the pages were not so packed with words, but overall the book works. 

 More books like this are needed.  Books that say it’s okay to not like something.  This book says don’t hug me, wait for me to hug you, and for some kids this is really needed. 

 This book works quite well and once the reader gets the cadence down it flows pretty smoothly.  I like the message a lot, and it reminds me of Oh the Places You’ll Go.  It says try new things and I like that message a lot. 

 Sometimes kids need to see how different the world can be than what they grew up in.  I think this book does a really great job of that.  Of showing another culture where students don’t have as much but are willing to share everything they had.  I did think the story was a little long, but it was wonderful. 

 I’m giving this an “interesting”.  I like the way the book was put together, and the activities inside.  I even like how the meaning of the proverb is found, even if I have never heard that proverb before. 

 Lovely.  This biography is well done. 

 I was not expecting this.  I was expecting something about it being okay for a boy to wear a leotard, and instead got a little boy who wants to dance free and naked.  No big message here, just a fun story to share with others. 

 I love reading about women I never knew existed.  Mary Anning is just such a person.  I didn’t know there was a “Mother of Paleontology”.  I hope this book gets this wonderful historical fiction more attention from modern kids.