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librarybonanza
Age: Preschool - Kindergarten
A feline version of There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
A feline version of There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
Age: Infant - preschool
Bold colors, ample white space, with a simple story and a peek-a-boo at the end. An activity for older kids is to follow a dotted line along the pages, representing the path of the egg.
Bold colors, ample white space, with a simple story and a peek-a-boo at the end. An activity for older kids is to follow a dotted line along the pages, representing the path of the egg.
Age: 1st-3rd grade
Tough Issue: Depression
"Vanessa's sister, Virginia, is in a "wolfish" mood -- growling, howling and acting very strange. It's a funk so fierce, the whole household feels topsy-turvy. Vanessa tries everything she can think of to cheer her up, but nothing seems to work. Then Virginia tells Vanessa about an imaginary, perfect place called Bloomsberry. Armed with an idea, Vanessa begins to paint Bloomsberry on the bedroom walls, transforming them into a beautiful garden complete with a ladder and swing 'so that what was down could climb up'" (Goodreads feature review).
A finely crafted tale that addresses a family member in a spell of depression, yet addresses it in such a way that readers/listeners of any background can commiserate with a "down-and-out" day. The artwork ties in perfectly with the moods of this tale as Vanessa tries to patiently help her sister.
Tough Issue: Depression
"Vanessa's sister, Virginia, is in a "wolfish" mood -- growling, howling and acting very strange. It's a funk so fierce, the whole household feels topsy-turvy. Vanessa tries everything she can think of to cheer her up, but nothing seems to work. Then Virginia tells Vanessa about an imaginary, perfect place called Bloomsberry. Armed with an idea, Vanessa begins to paint Bloomsberry on the bedroom walls, transforming them into a beautiful garden complete with a ladder and swing 'so that what was down could climb up'" (Goodreads feature review).
A finely crafted tale that addresses a family member in a spell of depression, yet addresses it in such a way that readers/listeners of any background can commiserate with a "down-and-out" day. The artwork ties in perfectly with the moods of this tale as Vanessa tries to patiently help her sister.
Age: Preschool - 1st grade
"While out foraging for interesting things, Vernon the toad finds a new friend - a small blue bird who is curiously silent. Vernon shows Bird the river and the forest and some of his other favorite things, but Bird says nothing. Vernon introduces Bird to his friends, Skunk and Porcupine, but Bird still says nothing. "Bird is shy," says Vernon, "but also a very good listener." Vernon worries that Bird is silent because he misses his home, so the two set off on a journey to help find a home for Bird" (Goodreads feature review).
A genuine and heartfelt friendship. There is no real reason for Vernon to befriend the silent bird nor is there a reason to find him a place where he can feel happy. But he does anyways. Adorable and great for storytime.
"While out foraging for interesting things, Vernon the toad finds a new friend - a small blue bird who is curiously silent. Vernon shows Bird the river and the forest and some of his other favorite things, but Bird says nothing. Vernon introduces Bird to his friends, Skunk and Porcupine, but Bird still says nothing. "Bird is shy," says Vernon, "but also a very good listener." Vernon worries that Bird is silent because he misses his home, so the two set off on a journey to help find a home for Bird" (Goodreads feature review).
A genuine and heartfelt friendship. There is no real reason for Vernon to befriend the silent bird nor is there a reason to find him a place where he can feel happy. But he does anyways. Adorable and great for storytime.
Age: K-2nd grade
Even the cover of this picture book is hilarious! Black really hit it on the nose this time with the perfect introduction of a bored girl, trumped by an even more bored potato who thinks children are particularly boring. Well, the little girl will have none of that, going to great lengths to prove the potato wrong, performing tricks and using her imagination. Little does she know that she's been relieved of her boredom--all she needed was a disgruntled potato!
Even the cover of this picture book is hilarious! Black really hit it on the nose this time with the perfect introduction of a bored girl, trumped by an even more bored potato who thinks children are particularly boring. Well, the little girl will have none of that, going to great lengths to prove the potato wrong, performing tricks and using her imagination. Little does she know that she's been relieved of her boredom--all she needed was a disgruntled potato!
Age: K-2nd grade
Familiar Experience: Being ignored, wanting attention
A unique look at a regular, plain girl that gets fed up with being ignored and stomped on. However, the story introduces too many characters and concepts, letting the story fall a little flat.
Familiar Experience: Being ignored, wanting attention
A unique look at a regular, plain girl that gets fed up with being ignored and stomped on. However, the story introduces too many characters and concepts, letting the story fall a little flat.
Age: K-2nd grade
A lovely contribution to children's literature for the topic it discusses: hoarding material objects. For some reason, though, it didn't garner my instant admiration. The storyline is great and well developed, but the writing style was a bit boring. Perhaps, also, the artwork doesn't make the excessive objects look gaudy enough. I believe the artwork is influenced by the 1970s and uses duller hues with lots of contrasting colors.
Librarians beware: There is a lift-a-flap that spans two pages, crossing the spine.
A lovely contribution to children's literature for the topic it discusses: hoarding material objects. For some reason, though, it didn't garner my instant admiration. The storyline is great and well developed, but the writing style was a bit boring. Perhaps, also, the artwork doesn't make the excessive objects look gaudy enough. I believe the artwork is influenced by the 1970s and uses duller hues with lots of contrasting colors.
Librarians beware: There is a lift-a-flap that spans two pages, crossing the spine.
Age: Preschool-Kindergarten
A simple story about Ida, the never distracted book reader, and her lover Alfonso. In an attempt to catch her eye, Alfonso bakes Ida a cake with a most unusual process, including butter from the sun, flour from the stars, and salt from the sea. Against a simple white background, these small yet intricate, folk-art pictures are sure to stand out amidst other picture books. I suppose the story might be hard to accept for kids because some of the ingredients/baking steps are real (apples from an apple tree) some are plausible but unlikely (cutting the apple up with his sword, set them in the water of a fountain), and some are creative but unreal (butter from the sun, flour from the stars).
"This story is a celebration of the imagination and should spark discussions about solving problems creatively" (School Library Journal).
A simple story about Ida, the never distracted book reader, and her lover Alfonso. In an attempt to catch her eye, Alfonso bakes Ida a cake with a most unusual process, including butter from the sun, flour from the stars, and salt from the sea. Against a simple white background, these small yet intricate, folk-art pictures are sure to stand out amidst other picture books. I suppose the story might be hard to accept for kids because some of the ingredients/baking steps are real (apples from an apple tree) some are plausible but unlikely (cutting the apple up with his sword, set them in the water of a fountain), and some are creative but unreal (butter from the sun, flour from the stars).
"This story is a celebration of the imagination and should spark discussions about solving problems creatively" (School Library Journal).
Age: 1st-2nd grade
The cold, bitter wind is howling outside and a cozy family spends time together at the puzzle table. When all of the sudden, Pauline declares "Let's have a lemonade stand!" Although her parents are wary, Pauline and her little brother, John-John buy their supplies, make their lemonade, and set up shop. Pauline and John-John think up countless ways to draw people in to buying cold lemonade on a cold day.
A perfectly constructed story that occasionally brings in counting concepts with money. This is its greatest achievement because it doesn't seem too didactic that a child looses interest. Another great feature of this book is the visual presentation of counting. For example, when the lemonade is all gone, the siblings count up their money. Pauline draws the amount of cups sold with the corresponding amount of quarters underneath it. While the story focuses on quarters, Jenkins provides a cute and effective description of the other US coins.
The cold, bitter wind is howling outside and a cozy family spends time together at the puzzle table. When all of the sudden, Pauline declares "Let's have a lemonade stand!" Although her parents are wary, Pauline and her little brother, John-John buy their supplies, make their lemonade, and set up shop. Pauline and John-John think up countless ways to draw people in to buying cold lemonade on a cold day.
A perfectly constructed story that occasionally brings in counting concepts with money. This is its greatest achievement because it doesn't seem too didactic that a child looses interest. Another great feature of this book is the visual presentation of counting. For example, when the lemonade is all gone, the siblings count up their money. Pauline draws the amount of cups sold with the corresponding amount of quarters underneath it. While the story focuses on quarters, Jenkins provides a cute and effective description of the other US coins.
Age: K-2nd grade
Toy: Stuffed Animal
A great funny, fast-paced read for any child that's lost their "special one and only" toy. After Bridget gets money from the Tooth Fairy, she heads off to the toy store with her mom. On her way spizooming through the store, her beloved Captain Cat falls out of her bag. Now Bridget's on the quest to find her dear friend.
While the story is fun and humorous and cute, the artwork amplifies the moods of excitement, despair, and action. For example, when Bridget receives her money from the Tooth Fairy she goes to the "best store in the whole world." The following two page spread is the most exciting picture of a toy store, bursting with color, practically exploding out of the pages, with toys scattering the insides, and children rushing to get in.
Toy: Stuffed Animal
A great funny, fast-paced read for any child that's lost their "special one and only" toy. After Bridget gets money from the Tooth Fairy, she heads off to the toy store with her mom. On her way spizooming through the store, her beloved Captain Cat falls out of her bag. Now Bridget's on the quest to find her dear friend.
While the story is fun and humorous and cute, the artwork amplifies the moods of excitement, despair, and action. For example, when Bridget receives her money from the Tooth Fairy she goes to the "best store in the whole world." The following two page spread is the most exciting picture of a toy store, bursting with color, practically exploding out of the pages, with toys scattering the insides, and children rushing to get in.