Written & Illustrated by Laura Ljungkvist
Far and away the most creative counting book I have read in years. What appears, on the surface, to be a simplistic, yet engaging story that follows Laura Ljungkvist’s one line artwork through a day, across cities and forests, to a peaceful home at the end of the day, is really so much more. On each page there are several counting questions that encourage the reader to explore even closer Ljungkvist’s illustrations that are already begging to be scrutinized. An incredibly engaging and unique book for young counters.
Viking
New York, NY
ISBN # 0-670-06049-6
$16.99
2006
16 pages
Ages 3 & Up
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Tools
Written & Illustrated By Taro Miura
Whether you are discussing occupations with a classroom of Preschoolers or just have a child that loves tools, this is a fascinating book. Taro Miura’s book introduces children to the different tools that a variety of professions use. From a mechanic to a barber to a gardener, this book covers a wide range of occupations and a detailed number of instruments. This book can be read as an encyclopedia of tools and jobs, or it can be a game. Miura’s layout allows the reader to see the tools before the job, thus turning the book into a puzzle of sorts. This is certainly a creative look at the tools of the trade!
Published by Chronicle Books
San Francisco, CA
ISBN # 978-0-8118-5519-8
$15.95
2006
22 pages
Whether you are discussing occupations with a classroom of Preschoolers or just have a child that loves tools, this is a fascinating book. Taro Miura’s book introduces children to the different tools that a variety of professions use. From a mechanic to a barber to a gardener, this book covers a wide range of occupations and a detailed number of instruments. This book can be read as an encyclopedia of tools and jobs, or it can be a game. Miura’s layout allows the reader to see the tools before the job, thus turning the book into a puzzle of sorts. This is certainly a creative look at the tools of the trade!
Published by Chronicle Books
San Francisco, CA
ISBN # 978-0-8118-5519-8
$15.95
2006
22 pages
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Rex
Written by Ursula Dubosarsky
Illustrated by David Mackintosh
Meet Rex, the class pet. Everyday one of the students gets to take him home & journal about what they did with Rex. This amusing story is told by a young girl getting ready to have her turn at taking home the class lizard. As she recounts the various adventures her classmates have had with Rex, it is the hilarious child-like drawings created by David Mackintosh that bring to life the imaginations of the children. This book will leave your child or students imagining what they would do if Rex came to visit.
Roaring Brook Press
New Milford, Connecticut
2006
ISBN 978-1-59643-186-7
$16.95
17 pages
Illustrated by David Mackintosh
Meet Rex, the class pet. Everyday one of the students gets to take him home & journal about what they did with Rex. This amusing story is told by a young girl getting ready to have her turn at taking home the class lizard. As she recounts the various adventures her classmates have had with Rex, it is the hilarious child-like drawings created by David Mackintosh that bring to life the imaginations of the children. This book will leave your child or students imagining what they would do if Rex came to visit.
Roaring Brook Press
New Milford, Connecticut
2006
ISBN 978-1-59643-186-7
$16.95
17 pages
Jurassic Poop: What Dinosaurs (And Others) Left Behind
Written by: Jacob Berkowitz
Illustrated by: Steve Mack
This has to be the most exhaustive book on poop ever written. Given the preoccupation of 8-12 year olds on this topic, it is a genius way to draw them in to the world of science and history. Jacob Berkowitz has compiled a funny and incredibly informative number of facts and stories about poop. When his hilarious presentation of these scientific facts is combined with Steve Mack’s amusing pictures it creates a book sure to captivate its intended audience.
Kids Can Press Ltd.
Toronto, ON
2006
ISBN 1-55337-860-1
$14.95
40 pages
Ages 8-12
NF Science
Illustrated by: Steve Mack
This has to be the most exhaustive book on poop ever written. Given the preoccupation of 8-12 year olds on this topic, it is a genius way to draw them in to the world of science and history. Jacob Berkowitz has compiled a funny and incredibly informative number of facts and stories about poop. When his hilarious presentation of these scientific facts is combined with Steve Mack’s amusing pictures it creates a book sure to captivate its intended audience.
Kids Can Press Ltd.
Toronto, ON
2006
ISBN 1-55337-860-1
$14.95
40 pages
Ages 8-12
NF Science
Moose & Hildy: Pig Pickin'
Written by Stephanie Greene
Illustrated by Joe Mathieu
This is a fast moving, amusing mini-chapter book about misconceptions & friendship. Hildy, a pig, is thrilled to learn that she has been invited to be part of a pig picking. Thinking she is going to be in a beauty pageant, she takes her best dresses and her best friend, Moose, down to the County Fair. Amusing events follows when Moose realizes the true intent of the occasion and attempts to find a way to save his friend.
Marshall Cavendish Children’s Books
New York
October 2006
ISBN 0-7614-5324-5
$ 14.99
6-9 year olds
64 pages
Illustrated by Joe Mathieu
This is a fast moving, amusing mini-chapter book about misconceptions & friendship. Hildy, a pig, is thrilled to learn that she has been invited to be part of a pig picking. Thinking she is going to be in a beauty pageant, she takes her best dresses and her best friend, Moose, down to the County Fair. Amusing events follows when Moose realizes the true intent of the occasion and attempts to find a way to save his friend.
Marshall Cavendish Children’s Books
New York
October 2006
ISBN 0-7614-5324-5
$ 14.99
6-9 year olds
64 pages
Thelonius Monster's Sky-High Fly Pie
Written by Judy Sierra
Illustrated by Edward Koren
It’s not everyday you read a piece of poetry that involves dumpster diving, hungry monsters, and a pie that flies away. Children will love this hilariously disgusting story about Thelonius Monster’s baking experiment. Edward Koren’s simple black, white, and green drawings of hairy monsters and tons of flies cleverly draw your attention to the winged stars of the poem, while Judy Sierra’s language and rhythm combine to create a laugh-out-loud poem.
Alfred A. Knopf
New York
2006
ISBN 0-375-83218-1
$16.95
17 pages
Illustrated by Edward Koren
It’s not everyday you read a piece of poetry that involves dumpster diving, hungry monsters, and a pie that flies away. Children will love this hilariously disgusting story about Thelonius Monster’s baking experiment. Edward Koren’s simple black, white, and green drawings of hairy monsters and tons of flies cleverly draw your attention to the winged stars of the poem, while Judy Sierra’s language and rhythm combine to create a laugh-out-loud poem.
Alfred A. Knopf
New York
2006
ISBN 0-375-83218-1
$16.95
17 pages
Max's ABC
Written and Illustrated by Rosemary Wells
Rosemary Wells has back brought lovable Max & Ruby in her new ABC book. Unlike your ordinary ABC book with page after page of random alphabetical items, Max’s ABC tells an amusing story as it marches through the alphabet. It begins when Max’s ants escape from his ant farm, which leads to a series of comical events. This book can be used as a tool to talk about the ABCs with children or it can just be read cover to cover as a funny story about Max & his sister.
Penguin Group
New York
2006
ISBN 0-670-06074-7
$15.99
18 pages
Ages 2 and up
Rosemary Wells has back brought lovable Max & Ruby in her new ABC book. Unlike your ordinary ABC book with page after page of random alphabetical items, Max’s ABC tells an amusing story as it marches through the alphabet. It begins when Max’s ants escape from his ant farm, which leads to a series of comical events. This book can be used as a tool to talk about the ABCs with children or it can just be read cover to cover as a funny story about Max & his sister.
Penguin Group
New York
2006
ISBN 0-670-06074-7
$15.99
18 pages
Ages 2 and up
Sunday, September 03, 2006
The Sound of Colors
Story & Illustrations By Jimmy Liao
English Text Adapted by Sarah L. Thomson
This book, orginally written and published in Taiwan, is a haunting tale of a blind girl in search of the colors and light that she has lost. Using her imagination, she transports herself and the reader from her subway ride to various magical places. Liao's colorful, detailed, and entrancing pictures captivate you as you travel up and down the subway line to fruit filled forests, to a world under the sea, to flying amongst the clouds. I was left with a mixture of sorrow and wonder at the imagination created from this young girl's search. It truly is a Journey of the Imagination.
Little, Brown & Company
New York, NY
ISBN 0-316-93992-7
Original Work Published in 2001
Adapted Text Copyright 2006
40 pages
English Text Adapted by Sarah L. Thomson
This book, orginally written and published in Taiwan, is a haunting tale of a blind girl in search of the colors and light that she has lost. Using her imagination, she transports herself and the reader from her subway ride to various magical places. Liao's colorful, detailed, and entrancing pictures captivate you as you travel up and down the subway line to fruit filled forests, to a world under the sea, to flying amongst the clouds. I was left with a mixture of sorrow and wonder at the imagination created from this young girl's search. It truly is a Journey of the Imagination.
Little, Brown & Company
New York, NY
ISBN 0-316-93992-7
Original Work Published in 2001
Adapted Text Copyright 2006
40 pages
Friday, September 01, 2006
Wemberly Worried
by Kevin Henkes
Kevin Henkes has many fabulous books for children, but this is one of my favorites. It is the endearing story of little Wemberly who worries about absolutely everything. However, her worrying reaches a new height as she gets ready to go to school for the first time. This is a great book for parents to read with their child right before the start of Preschool or Kindergarten or for teachers to read on the first day of school as a way of initiating a discussion about the fears your child(ren) may have about their a new school. It is a delightful read about childhood, worries, and new friends.
Greenwillow Books
Hong Kong, China
ISBN 0-688-17027-7
$15.95
2000
36 pages
Kevin Henkes has many fabulous books for children, but this is one of my favorites. It is the endearing story of little Wemberly who worries about absolutely everything. However, her worrying reaches a new height as she gets ready to go to school for the first time. This is a great book for parents to read with their child right before the start of Preschool or Kindergarten or for teachers to read on the first day of school as a way of initiating a discussion about the fears your child(ren) may have about their a new school. It is a delightful read about childhood, worries, and new friends.
Greenwillow Books
Hong Kong, China
ISBN 0-688-17027-7
$15.95
2000
36 pages
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Dancing in the Wings
Written by Debbie Allen
Pictures by Kadir Nelson
In some ways this is the familiar story of a spunky girl who, despite obstacles, finds the courage to believe in herself & make her dreams come true. I know that this sounds like a story that you have heard before, but Sassy, the main character, gives this old story line a fresh, fun spin with her snappy dialogue & energy that makes this version worth the read. This book will especially hit home for any girl who was ever the tallest in her class & felt like her towering height & big feet would always make her stand out.
Published by Puffin Books
New York, NY
2000
ISBN 0-14-250141-7
$6.99
31 pages
Pictures by Kadir Nelson
In some ways this is the familiar story of a spunky girl who, despite obstacles, finds the courage to believe in herself & make her dreams come true. I know that this sounds like a story that you have heard before, but Sassy, the main character, gives this old story line a fresh, fun spin with her snappy dialogue & energy that makes this version worth the read. This book will especially hit home for any girl who was ever the tallest in her class & felt like her towering height & big feet would always make her stand out.
Published by Puffin Books
New York, NY
2000
ISBN 0-14-250141-7
$6.99
31 pages
When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer
Words By Walt Whitman
Pictures by Loren Long
Everything about this book is captivating. Walt Whitman tells the story of a young boy, fascinated by outer space, who goes with his parents to hear an Astronomer speak. It quietly describes the difference between the imagination & fascination that children hold for the world's wonders and the academic approach to understanding on which adults often focus. The poetic language and dreamy pictures vividly show this little boy's fascination with the images & charts of Astronomy, but when he is dragged away to the lecture hall he begins to dose off with his toy rocket in hand. He wanders outside and stares up at the brilliant star filled sky with true appreciation for its awesomeness. Walt Whitman's few, but carefully chosen words & Loren Long's breathtaking illustrations blend together to create an inspiring story about childhood & imagination.
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
New York, NY
2004
ISBN 0-689-86397-7
$16.95
32 Pages
Pictures by Loren Long
Everything about this book is captivating. Walt Whitman tells the story of a young boy, fascinated by outer space, who goes with his parents to hear an Astronomer speak. It quietly describes the difference between the imagination & fascination that children hold for the world's wonders and the academic approach to understanding on which adults often focus. The poetic language and dreamy pictures vividly show this little boy's fascination with the images & charts of Astronomy, but when he is dragged away to the lecture hall he begins to dose off with his toy rocket in hand. He wanders outside and stares up at the brilliant star filled sky with true appreciation for its awesomeness. Walt Whitman's few, but carefully chosen words & Loren Long's breathtaking illustrations blend together to create an inspiring story about childhood & imagination.
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
New York, NY
2004
ISBN 0-689-86397-7
$16.95
32 Pages
The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs
As told to by Jon Scieszka
Illustrated by Lane Smith
This book, published in 1989, is by no means a recent work, however it is far and away my favorite remake of a fairy tale ever written. Everyone thinks that they know the story of the three little pigs....they build their houses out of various materials and the big bad wolf comes and blows them all away. However, Jon Scieszka & Lane Smith offer a different version of the story; one told by the big bad wolf himself, otherwise known as "A. Wolf." The wolf claims that he is not huge and horrible, but rather it is a merely a misunderstanding involving "a sneeze and a cup of sugar." The wolf's voice, as portrayed by Jon Scieszka, will having you & your children rolling on the floor. Lane Smith's detailed pictures only add to the amusement. If you take the time to study the pictures, you will find everything from the wolf's cake ingredients, to the portraits on the walls, to the portrayal of the media all add great comedy to this rendition. This duo has taken great effort to set the story straight & it was well worth it!
Published by Scholastic, Inc.
New York, NY
1989
ISBN 0-590-44357-7
28 pages
Illustrated by Lane Smith
This book, published in 1989, is by no means a recent work, however it is far and away my favorite remake of a fairy tale ever written. Everyone thinks that they know the story of the three little pigs....they build their houses out of various materials and the big bad wolf comes and blows them all away. However, Jon Scieszka & Lane Smith offer a different version of the story; one told by the big bad wolf himself, otherwise known as "A. Wolf." The wolf claims that he is not huge and horrible, but rather it is a merely a misunderstanding involving "a sneeze and a cup of sugar." The wolf's voice, as portrayed by Jon Scieszka, will having you & your children rolling on the floor. Lane Smith's detailed pictures only add to the amusement. If you take the time to study the pictures, you will find everything from the wolf's cake ingredients, to the portraits on the walls, to the portrayal of the media all add great comedy to this rendition. This duo has taken great effort to set the story straight & it was well worth it!
Published by Scholastic, Inc.
New York, NY
1989
ISBN 0-590-44357-7
28 pages
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Dear Readers,
Hi! I'm Erin. I have a degree in Early Childhood Education & have worked with young children for the past six years. Children's Literature was my favorite course in college & I have a great passion for teaching reading & sharing children's books with those around me. While picking books for the children I work with I have learned that finding a really good children's book can sometime be a challenge. Among the thousands of books out there I have discovered some favorites, but I am in constant search of more books worthy of sharing with children.
In this blog I will share my opinions on what books are the real treasures and what books can be passed over in order to help you find the best children's literature to share with your children or classroom. Along with posting these critiques on this blog, they will also be submitted to other book reviewing sources. I hope that wherever you read them you find them helpful.
Happy Reading,
Erin
In this blog I will share my opinions on what books are the real treasures and what books can be passed over in order to help you find the best children's literature to share with your children or classroom. Along with posting these critiques on this blog, they will also be submitted to other book reviewing sources. I hope that wherever you read them you find them helpful.
Happy Reading,
Erin
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)