Reed, Lynn Rowe TITLE: Shark kiss, octopus hug RATING: NR
PUBLISHER: Balzar + Bray, 2014 PRICE: $14.99
ISBN: 9780062203205 INT. LEV: K
ILLUSTRATOR: Kevin Cornell PAGES: <29>
Charlie the shark and Olivia the octopus were best friends and they played together all the time. But Charlie liked
watching the people on the beach hug each other and he wanted a hug. Olivia watched the people kiss each other
and she wanted a kiss. They tried inviting people for hugs and kisses but all ran away. They tried bribing them but they
ran away. They tried an eating contest but the food was not liked. So Olivia wrapped her tentacles around Charlie
and hugged him and he puckered up and kissed her. They were happy.
This story has no value nor purpose. I am not recommending to spend money on this book.
REVIEWER: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
Reid, Barbara TITLE: Picture a Tree RATING: R PUBLISHER: Albert Whitman & Com., 2011 PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780807565261 INTEREST LEVEL: Pre-K-2nd ILLUSTRATOR: same PAGES: 25
How do you picture trees? Is it with a mountain scape, by a river bed, or in front of a skyscraper? There are many ways to picture a tree. In this book the author explores the many ways we picture trees. In winter, spring, summer, or fall trees are contently changing therefore our picture of them is changing as well. The art is done in Barbara Reid Plasticine style and very well illustrated. I think this book would be great to plan a science lesson around.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Rosenstiehl, Agnes TITLE: Silly Lilly in what will I be today? RATING: NR
PUBLISHER: Toon Books, 2014 PRICE: $NP
ISBN: 9781614791560 INT LEV: K-1
ILLUSTRATOR: same PAGESjob: 31
Each day Silly Lilly is a different character doing different actions or has a different acting out as such.
Written is a comic style it is colorful and cute.
This is not a story that has any plot or meaning. It is a series of pictures with the child doing an action. No beginning,
middle, or ending. Not a book I recommend to purchase.
REVIEWER: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
Rosenstiehl, Anes TITLE: Silly Lilly & the Four Seasons RATING: R PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press, 2008 PRICE: $4.99
ISBN: 9781935179238 INTEREST LEVEL: Pre-K-2nd ILLUSTRATOR: NA PAGES: 32
This is from Toon into Reading. This is rated at a level 1 in complexity. These comics are filled with short sentences and repetition. There are 1 to 2 panels per page. This book is filled with 5 small seasonal stories about a young girl. Lilly is filled with curiosity in every season and introduces new words and phrase to our young readers. This is a great action filled read with lots of language modeling and vocabulary building.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Samworth, Kate TITLE: Aviary Wonders Inc. RATING: NR PUBLISHER: Clarion, 2014 PRICE: $17.99
This is a beautifully illustrated piece of ecological satire written as a picture book, and looking desperately for an audience. Samworth has imagined a dark future time when birds have declined due to a loss of habitat and composed a fictional company’s catalog for assembling artisan-designed parts into manufactured living birds, with instructions on caring for them. Chief among the parts are bit of Moas, Carolina parakeets, and other avian species, that are extinct in our time. The ecological message will likely be lost on the picture book set, who may also be troubled at the legless, beakless, bare-winged bird bodies on a couple of the early pages. The catalog’s lettering is reminiscent of the Victorian era rather than appearing futuristic. Meanwhile the bright colors of wings, beaks, tails, collars, wattles and crests, seem derived from bits of oriental carpet (“New ! Ottoman and Persian designs), and only serve to make the birds cartoonish and less lifelike. Nothing in the book addresses how the birds are supposed find food and shelter if they choose to leave their owners, but it is made clear that the birds do not reproduce. There is therefore little to cause the reader (child? adult? teen?) to sympathize with the plight of real birds and their dwindling habitat now.
REVIEWER: Carol Blix, Cathlamet Public Library
Sattler, Jennifer TITLE: Uh-Oh, Dodo! RATING: R PUBLISHER: Boyds Mills, 2013 PRICE: $15.95
ISBN: 9781590789292 INTEREST LEVEL: Pre-K-2nd ILLUSTRATOR: same PAGES: 29
Dodo is a very funny word and can get your kids laughing. Dodo has an adventure with his mother he tries many new things on this adventure but somehow never seems to do it right. He keeps trying and eventually reaches the top o the mountain. The illustrations are very well done and child friendly. I really liked this book.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Scarry, Richard TITLE: Cars and trucks and things that go RATING: A PUBLISHER: Golden Books (Random House), 1974 PRICE: $15.99
ISBN: 9780307157850 INTEREST LEVEL: Gr K-2 ILLUSTRATOR: author PAGES: 69
A reprint of one of Scarry’s titles with the typical busy pages, showing every possible vehicle with wheels (and many impossible ones: toothbrush car, pickle car) filled with his usual population of cats, dogs, mice, and other critter characters. The pig family is trying to get to a picnic site, and narrowly escapes many humorous near-accidents – including a giant spouting food truck pile-up on the way home. Children can spend hours perusing the endless details.
REVIEWER: Carol Blix, Cathlamet Public Library
Scarry, Richard TITLE: Best nursery tales ever RATING: A
PUBLISHER: A Golden Book, 1975, 2014 PRICE: $15.99
ISBN: 9780385375337 INT. LEV: GrK-2
ILLUSTRATOR: same PAGES: 69
Once again Richard Scarry’s book of nursery tales had to be reprinted. It is classic. Parents love to read the tales and kids
love the characters. This book is a must have for every home. Beginning with “Little Red Riding Hood” and “The Gingerbread
Man” and “The Three Little Pigs” are first in the book. Every child should know these stories by heart and enjoy the cute
illustrations. This is a great book for a parent gift.
REVIEWER: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
Nominated to the YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults list in 2013, this book is both fascinating and educational. The fourteen-year-old protagonist, Sophie, splits her time between her father’s home in the United States during the school and her mother’s bonobo sanctuary in the Congo during the summers. Schrefer uses vivid imagery to create the sense of despair shared by humans and animals alike. As Sophie is being driven to her mother’s sanctuary, she sees a bonobo that is near death. She uses her notebook money to purchase the bonobo, a faux pas that embroils her in the trade of a protected animal. Beyond the political ramifications of this transaction, Sophie finds herself stuck in Kinshasa in the middle of a coup. Her mother is releasing rehabilitated bonobos outside of Mbandaka when soldiers invade the Kinshasa compound and slaughter everyone they can find. Sophie manages to escape by hiding in the bonobo cage. At the earliest opportunity, Sophie leads her rescued bonobo and a small band of other bonobos to her mother’s encampment miles away. Schrefer does a remarkable job of telling a story of survival and affection in a setting that is unrelentingly harsh. Readers are immersed in the political upheaval of Congo and the graft that was part of living there while also developing an appreciation for a fascinating ape that is not nearly as well known as some of the others like chimpanzees and orangutans. This book is eagerly devoured by animal lovers, but the writing is so spectacular that it will engage a wide variety of readers.
REVIEWER: Jodi Kruse, R. A. Long High School, http://krusereviews.wordpress.com
Searles, Rachel TITLE: The Lost Planet RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Fiewel and Friends, 2014 PRICE: $15.99
ISBN: 9781250038791 INTEREST LEVEL: 4th-8th
ILLUSTRATOR: NA PAGES: 372
This action-packed story leads you on a thrill ride of ups and downs then twists and turns. Just when you think the ride is over, another adventure begins. The further into this story I got, the more I liked it. The characters are likeable, but the suspense keeps you wondering who to trust. Our main character, Chase, wakes up in a strange place with amnesia that leaves him with no idea of who or what he is. His vulnerable emotions of being alone and confused keep you rooting for him throughout the story. The science fiction aspect of it is not overwhelming in technological terms, but gives simple coherent explanations that our older students will easily grasp. I will review this book with kids as a great choice.
Reviewer: Rhonda Lowe, Castle Rock Elementary
Shakespeare, William; Fellowes, J. TITLE: Romeo and Juliet RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Random House, 2013 PRICE: $7.99
ISBN: 9780385743679 INTEREST LEVEL: 7-12
ILLUSTRATOR: NA PAGES: 214
Another Romeo and Juliet? That was my first reaction to this book, however this also has an adaptation by Julian Fellowes of Gosford Park and Downton Abbey fame. And the introduction allayed my fears by acknowledging the trap of yet another treatment of this classic. Mr. Fellowes says as much himself, but then gives an excerpt of a crucial scene in Shakespeare language and “his” language. I would venture to say, it works. Nothing earthshattering, many of the same words, but a little more accessible. Fellowes’ treatment is for film, so it includes the film direction and there is “more to see”- at the end, for example, there is direction that Juliet climbs into a book and kisses Romeo as they float off, freed from earthly tragedy forever. It is a very visual treatment with his modernized text. But the Shakespeare version is true to the original, complete with vocabulary footnotes and act and scene labels throughout. My plays are often dog-eared and worn, so I’m happy to have another copy for my library. Reviewer: Lisa Sudar, Mark Morris High School
Sheinkin, Steve TITLE: The Port Chicago 50 RATING: R
This is the story of the massive explosion at Port Chicago (in San Francisco!), in July of 1944. It was WWII and there was segregation in our military, leaving the loading of bombs and ammunition onto ships to all Negro units. They were not trained and their white officers placed wagers on their daily production. It was a recipe for disaster and the disaster happened in a massive explosion that left only pieces of men and ships. After the explosion, when the men were ordered to head out to the new loading spot, they stopped and refused to go. In all, 50 men stood their ground asking for better conditions and training. They were all Court Martialed under the charge of mutiny. This book does an excellent job of portraying the inequities of a society that would serve German POW’s at a lunch counter in the midwest, but not a Black enlisted man. It chronicles Thurgood Marshall’s rise through the NAACP, and provides photos of primary source documents from the trial as well as direct quotes. Though the men were eventually freed from prison and allowed to serve on ships beside whites, the charge of mutiny was never removed from their record and affected them the rest of their lives. I knew very little about this incident but Sheinkin did an excellent job presenting facts and telling the story of these brave men who preceded Rosa Parks and ML King.
Reviewer: Lisa Sudar, Mark Morris High School
Sidman, Joyee TITLE: What the heart knows RATING: A
PUBLISHER: Houghton Mifflin, 2013 PRICE: $16.99
ISBN: 9780544106161 INTEREST LEVEL: 9-12
ILLUSTRATOR : Pamela Zagarenski PAGES: 65
This little book is really just a poetry book, but its subtitle: Chants, charms and blessings serves to turn on the educator in the public system. I like that the author explains what a chant or a charm is, but things spoken to "guard against evil" just seems out of place on my poetry shelf in the school library. The pictures are whimsical and fit the words well, and the poems, or chants or blessings speak to the many feelings and situations that appear in life. But these words seem more suited for a private collection or adult reflection, than for children or even the average high school student. Reviewer: Lisa Sudar, Mark Morris High School
Silverstein, Shel TITLE: Where the sidewalk ends RATING: R
This is the year to update your copies of all Shel Silverstein’s books. The copies in my library are frazzled, torn, taped and
show years of love and attention. As a designated Silverstein shelf it is always empty. “Where the sidewalk ends” holds many
of my favorite poems; ‘Boa Constrictor,’ ‘For sale,’ ‘Sick,’ and ‘Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout.’ Plus there are so many other
poems in this collection that the kids read and reread. It is a joy to have another copy to brighten my shelf.
REVIEWER: Debbie Johnson, Wallace Elementary School, Kelso, WA
Simpson, Cody TITLE: Cody Simpson: Welcome to Paradise RATING: M
PUBLISHER: HarperCollins 2013 PRICE: $21.99
ISBN: 978006228173 INTEREST LEVEL: 6-10
ILLUSTRATOR: NA PAGES: 235
Not bad for a self-published book but not really great, either. “Welcome to Paradise” is full of pictures and stories depicting the life of a young man who thought he would always be a beach bum in Australia. Cody Simpson gets up close and personal while sharing how he went from obscurity to national acclaim. The book will definitely appeal to a younger, female audience.
REVIEWER: Tina Campbell, Toutle Lake JR/SR High School
Smith, Jeff TITLE: Little Mouse Gets Ready RATING: R PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press, 2009 PRICE: $4.99
ISBN: 9781935179245 INTEREST LEVEL: Pre-K-2nd ILLUSTRATOR: NA PAGES: 32
This is from Toon into Reading. This is rated at a level 1 in complexity. These comics are filled with short sentences and repetition. There are 1 to 2 panels per page. Let get ready to go. Have you ever tried to get your little mouse ready to go somewhere? Try reading this little toon book about the little mouse getting dressed up to go to the barn with his mother, brothers, and sisters. Maybe getting ready can be fun?
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Snyder, Laurel TITLE: The Longest Night RATING: R PUBLISHER: Schwartz & Wade Books, 2013 PRICE: $17.99
The Longest Night is written in a rhyming style like a poem or song. This book takes you through the 10 plagues that G~d brought to the Egyptians during the weeks preceding the Passover. When the last plague of Egypt was delivered the Hebrews, they were free to leave the land. They passed through the Red Sea and into freedom. This story shows the Passover story from the perspective of a little girl as she witnesses to the process of freedom. It is a great read to recount the story of the Passover. The illustrations are acrylic and are done in a very impressionistic style.
This is a cute little book that could be very fun for friends. There are directions on the mostly blank pages telling what the friends should do to fill it in, journal, draw, what have you. But it is completely inappropriate for a library. No story that I could see, just a journal and I won't be putting it into my library. Reviewer: Lisa Sudar, Mark Morris High School
ISBN: 9780545654579 INTEREST LEVEL: Gr 8-12 ILLUSTRATOR: none PAGES: 357
Can a wolf man find happiness in Los Angeles, at least Isabelle? Cole St. Clair, sexy bad boy and sometimes wolf, returns to L.A. after learning to control his metamorphoses. He was hired to star in a reality television series that preys on the statistical probability of the stars crashing and burning into whatever vices that feed the tweets and blogosphere of the entertainment world. But he is also in pursuit of Isabelle, the ice princess who knows his secret, whom he loves. Cole faces ghosts of bad behavior past seemingly everywhere he goes in L.A. The good news, is that he learns to manipulate the reality crew quite expertly and successfully produces some great moments. Unfortunately, those did not contribute to the crash and burn goals of the executives. Not that Cole did not have horrible experiences, but he turned to wolfdom rather than drugs to deal with stress. His pursuit of Isabelle was mutual, with quite sensuous scenes in bathtubs and elsewhere. Maggie successfully illustrates the agonies of someone attempting to eradicate the addictions of their past,, and the possible triumph that anyone can have if they plow through the nastiness of people who doubt they can change. By far this is the best of the Shiver-related novels: great philosophical questions, wonderful characterization and believable plot and outcome. This is a stand-alone novel and Maggie says that it is the last time that she will visit the world of wolves
REVIEWER: Joan Enders, Librarian and Educational Consultant, http://bookbevy.wordpress.com
Stier, Catherine TITLE: Barnaby: the Bedbug Detective RATING: R PUBLISHER: Albert Whitman & Company, 2013 PRICE: $16.99
Barnaby is a dog that is looked over in a shelter until the day he is adopted by Martha. Martha has a special mission for Barnaby. He was to go to school to learn to be a hero. Barnaby was taught to sniff out bedbugs. He became quite good at it and Martha and Barnaby became a team. They went to different places to sniff out bedbugs such as: a theater, a hotel, and a family’s home. This gave Barnaby a purpose even though people don’t always like getting the news that they have bedbugs living with them. The illustrations are done in acrylics and have a very fun and child friendly look. At the back, there is a section on bedbugs and how they feed and where they hide. There are tips for keeping bedbugs out of your home, websites, and resources that you can follow up for more information.
REVIEWER: Tyra K~Smith, LCC Head Start/EHS/ECEAP
Tashjian, Janet TITLE: My life as a joke RATING: R PUBLISHER: Henry Holt, 2014 PRICE: $13.99
Twelve-year-old Derek, who uses cartoons to help him define more challenging words in his journal, writes how he made a New Year’s resolution to be more mature. He had many opportunities to cringe as circumstances and his tendency to make snap decisions led him to have many days he christens “worst-day-ever”. For example, Derek volunteered to collect toys for a children’s shelter and he was assigned to collect DOLLS. Later the one collectable doll that he held back and sold on e-bay was missing a purse and the buyer demanded a refund. Derek had already used the money to rent what he thought was a monster truck, but turned out to be a monster truck bounce house—more baby stuff! Derek did get to show maturity by working for the refund money, and by leaving an opportunity to escort renowned skateboarder Tony Hawk to help find a disoriented elderly neighbor lady. Humor with a bit of wish fulfillment in a growing-up tale.
Following the tried and true formula of Buddy Bios, this book focuses on the actor who plays Peter Parker in the most recent Spider-Man films. It gives a great depiction of Garfield from a young boy to the acclaimed actor he is today. We learn of Garfield’s many projects, co-stars and family. There are lots of pictures and the random additional call-out facts splattered throughout the book add to the interest factor. The back of the book provides a glossary of the words found in bold throughout the book.
REVIEWER: Nikki Williams, Castle Rock Elementary
Valente, Catherynne TITLE: The Girl Who Soared over Fairyland RATING: R PUBLISHER: Feiwel & Friends PRICE: $16.99 ISBN: 978-1-250-02350-6 INTEREST LEVEL:4th-6th ILLUSTRATOR: Ana Juan PAGES: 245
REVIEWER: Tracy Robinson, Robert Gray Elementary
Various TITLE: The Blue Book of Fairy Tales RATING: A
PUBLISHER: A Golden Book, New York, 1987 PRICE: $9.99
ISBN: 9780385383639 INTEREST LEVEL: K-3rd
ILLUSTRATOR: Laite, Gordon PAGES: 24
Done in blue tones, this book chronicles three shortened versions of the fairy tales Rapunzel, Beauty and the Beast and Toads and Diamonds. It is a Big Golden Book and provides students with the flavor of these three tales. The copyright was renewed in 1987, while it was originally published in 1959.
REVIEWER: Nikki Williams, Castle Rock Elementary
Verburg, Bonnie TITLE: The Tree House that Jack Built RATING: R
PUBLISHER: Orchard Books, 2014 PRICE: $17.99
ISBN: 9780439853385 INTEREST LEVEL: Gr. K-2 ILLUSTRATOR: Mark Teague PAGES: UNP
This is a delightfully illustrated and fun book to read to beginners or others to read alone. This is a great idea using a tree house and one can use the text to work on rhyming. It would also be a great book to compare to one of the earlier books about Jack’s house.
