Age: 3 – 9 years (due to the captivating artwork)
Media: small watercolor brush strokes

Jerry Pinkney’s award-winning artistic prowess lays hands upon the classic Grimm Brothers folktale. Standing out from other versions, Pinkey’s two page watercolor artwork provide children with an early exposure to finely crafted art. His quick watercolor brush strokes give fascinating movement and vibrant life to the familiar characters and cold winter setting.
Although his artistry receives most of the acclaim, it is Pinkney’s writing that helps exemplify his art. This rendition remains true to the original tale but adds on a more contemporary and less severe ending. Little Red is eaten up by the wolf, but a suspicious woodcutter saves her and her grandmother in the end. Even the writer’s language blends contemporary with historical, freeing it of colloquialisms and allowing it to be passed between generations. Although there isn’t much room for children to participate, the forward moving plot and anticipation towards the ending captivate a child’s interest. Due to the unique artwork and popularity of this Grimm folktale, this story should be a first purchase for libraries.

I feel pretty good about reading this in 10 days on my tropical honeymoon.

Age: Preschool-Kindergarten
Toys: Stuffed Animals

A delightfully fun bedtime story about a one Miss Anna Banana who finally decides to go to sleep after staying up past "lights out." With the gentle urging of her stuffed animals tribe, Anna Banana puts down her book and turns out the lights only to be woken up by the antics of her stuffed animals.

The humor is light and perfectly applied without any awkwardness. I can't wait to read more about Anna Banana and her friends!

An entire spread featuring Beats by Dre! A mystery song that doesn't really need to be a mystery at all because it is unrecognizable and devoid of rhythm! Talentless schmucks that would be nothing without the help of Sophia Grace and Rosie! With no planning involved whatsoever, Sophia Grace and Rosie simple tell their classmates to do a grand performance and everything works out. Such sublime optimism of two child authors. It's cute when they are your kids but not as a mass produced book. File this under Barbie fluff.

Age: Kindergarten-2nd grade
Fairytale: Fractured Little Red Riding Hood
Sports: Martial Arts (none was specified)

Sure, there was some choppiness with a few rhymes but the overall fluidity of this story is fantastic. Our frenemy The Big Bad Wolf cannot catch the 3 Little Pigs, nor anything else for that matter. All his prey seem to have learned martial arts! Well, there's only one way to fight fire--with fire! The Big Bad Wolf trains and trains and is finally ready to get something good to eat when Little Red appears not to be so defenseless. Another fun celebration of martial arts and fairy tales with Schwarts and Santat.

Age: Preschool-2nd grade
Family: Older sister, baby brother

A thoughtful, sweet book that can serve as bibliotherapy for older siblings. Hazel is waiting in anticipation for her baby brother, Edgar, to be born. When he finally comes home, he's pretty boring and can't even speak. Like a pillow, or a watermelon. So Hazel goes back to waiting. When Edgar finally speaks his first word, "NO!," it doesn't turn out to be sweet but rather tiresome. Until his second word finally arrives.

Most books about newborn siblings tend to focus on the arrival and not much more, so this is a nice addition to the shelves. Although Hazel shows frustration and boredom with Edgar, she is also excited for Edgar's milestones and is relatively patient with him. Sometimes there are sibling books that focus too much on relating to the listener and their characters turn into mean, jealous spazzes. Luckily, Vernick avoided this and has created a delightful addition to a very relatable situation.

An exploratory book with a satisfying ending. Her obsession with how she smelled to others was a common theme.

Age: Middle School-High School

"A horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive."

There were some fabulous fantastical elements to this novel that were extra enjoyable to read including the concept of time loops (an open passageway allowing someone to pass between a world frozen in time and the present day), and the unique peculiars (or superpowers) that these children had--much more unique than you typical superpowers. I would be inclined to read further into the series to see how they are used! I enjoyed the plot and the movement was fast so that I didn't have to dwell too long on something I didn't like. But with the good comes the bad. Emma's character was unpleasantly one-dimensional and her rapidly developed love for Jacob was unbelievable (projection of the grandpa onto Jacob, I guess, but still...). While I LOVED the use of real, vintage photography, it was used so often that plot points started to feel forced and there was a lot of 'splainin.

Overall, an enjoyable read with creative ideas but accompanied with clunky writing.

Age: Preschool-Kindergarten

Just your typical school story. There are a lot of story asides that might allow the reading time to be extended as kids explore the pages.

Age: Preschool-1st grade

Octopus and Buddy are great friends. Buddy is always grateful for what Octopus provides but sometimes he tricks Buddy.

"I made you a nice warm bath."
"Thank you, Octopus."
"of egg salad."
"Gross! No thank you, Octopus."

Kids will be rolling on the floor with the humor in this book that plays on our expectations.