I HATE Picture Books

Okay, hold on...don't stop reading my blog because I used the title of a new children's picture book as the title of this post! I do, in fact LOVE picture books, and hopefully after reading today's review you will LOVE this book, just like me.

I Hate Picture Books!
by Timothy Young

When I first saw the title of this book, I did a double take. On second glance I felt certain the author / illustrator was going to provide a twist. I mean, look at all of the wonderful picture books on the cover! How could you NOT love all of these great classics? As you picture walk through this wonderful story you will not come to a page you can quickly identify the characters and books to which he (the main character) is referring.

In a humorously clever manner, Mr. Young, conveys what a number of young readers have thought for years about eating green ham! I think this is my favorite part of the book. It made me laugh out loud when I got to it.

As a children's librarian I know all of the books pictured throughout, but I have to say it made my heart swell when I saw the book that he LOVES is one that I loved as a child. I have such fond memories of my mother reading "Are You My Mother?" to me when I was a child. It made me love this book even more.

Yes, on first glance you might think this is a book against picture books, but in reality it is a book all about the LOVE of picture books and reading. As you know, I have a deep passion for reading, books, and sharing this love. I think this is the perfect book to help non-readers become readers. It provides glimpses of books, or short book talks in a manner than might spark a young non-reader to want to see exactly what that book is all about.

I applaud you Mr. Young. Thank you for creating a book that will help to ignite the spark needed for some of our youngest to WANT to start to read.

I highly recommend this book for all libraries. I would also recommend this book for any parent who has young children, especially the non-readers. I think this just might be the book to help them get started.

*To comply with new guidelines introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. has provided a complimentary electronic copy of this book through NetGalley.com.

The Books Have Gone to the Animals

Dylan's Day
by Tim Hutchinson

Narrated by a playful brown dog named Dylan. This beautifully illustrated books begins as Dylan awakens in the morning and begins to go through a mental list of all of the important tasks of the day, sniffing and searching around his home. The most vital charge of the day is to locate the "big fat cat that lives next door". Dylan runs around and through the house in search of the "big fat cat", but when the big fat cat finds Dylan, runs as fast as he can back to his bed to forget the "big fat cat that lives next door".

I love dogs. Cats are okay too, but I love dogs. Dylan's Day reminds me of my ever excited and loving dog, Angel. She wants to be friends with my Georgia cat, who will be 18 in July. She can never get close enough to Georgia to love on her because she brings out the claws and begins to hiss as soon as Angel gets close. The illustrations bring this book to life. Some pages have full page illustrations, others spotlight one theme / area with a surrounding white background. The somewhat muted colors are soothing and do not overpower the charming story of a typical young dog who loves adventure.

I highly recommend this book for all library with a children's collection. This will be a well loved book by toddlers, as well as older elementary children who love dogs.

A No-Sneeze Pet
by Diana G. Gallagher

On the way to the dog park, Kyle and Mia see their friend Emma and invite her to go along with them. Emma is excited, but reluctant to get too friendly with Rex, Kyle's dog. Mia and Kyle soon discover that although Emma loves animals and desperately wants a pet, her mother is extremely allergic to animal fur.

Kyle and Mia decide they are going to do whatever they can to find the perfect "no-sneeze pet" for Emma. The three friends visit and talk to a number of people to get an idea for the very best pet for Emma, one that will not bother her mother's allergies - fur-free. They visit the pet store, a friend's brother who owns a snake, the Bird Lady, a man with an iguana, and finally a little girl who owns a hamster. After visiting all of the various pet owners Emma finally makes her decision. You will have to read the book to see which "no-sneeze pet" Emma chose.

I would recommend this book for children from age 5 to age 8. The text is not too challenging for early readers or too simplified for more advanced readers. It is a low level reading book, but will be grabbed by animals lovers. There is a table of contents showing each of the eight chapters, a glossary, discussion questions, writing prompts,Internet links for online activities and pet care tips for the pet Emma eventually chooses (again, you will have to read the book to find out the animal she chooses).

Cassie and the Woolf
 by Olivia Snowe

We all know the story of Little Red Riding Hood, but in this modern retelling, the main character is named Cassie Cloak, and she wears a red raincoat. Instead of taking nicely packed lunch from her mother, Cassie runs by the Deli in order to pick up her grandmother's Sunday dinner. Unlike the original tale, this story does not have a wolf, but a Woolf ~ an eighth grade boy named, Caleb Woolf.

I don't want to spoil Ms. Snowe's version of the tale. I will just say, it reads more like an episode of CSI or The Mentalist. All of the familiar characters are included Cassie Cloak (Red Riding Hood), Caleb Woolf (the Big Bad Wolf), Grandma, Dr. Hunter (the Lumberjack). No one gets eaten, but there is plenty of deception.

Personally, I don't care for the illustrations. The color scheme of black, white, and red fits well with the story line, but had I been reading a traditional copy of the book (not an e-book) I think the cartoonish illustrations might have been a distraction. However, they might be more appealing to the target age group.

At this time four books are to be released August 1st in the Twicetold Tales series. Included in the series are the following titles: Cassie and the Woolf, Girl and the Seven Thieves, Home in the Sky, and Sealed-Up House all written by Olivia Snowe. I have not had the opportunity to read the other titles, but the titles are intriguing.

At the end of the book there are some wonderful elements, including a brief synopsis of the original book first published in 1697 by Charles Perrault as Le Petit Chaperon Rouge.The author also gives the reader a chance to create their very own Twicetold Tale by making selections from a variety of lists. It is a great way to aide in the creative writing process and encourage young writers to blossom in a non-threatening manner. I think I would write my story about a  princess who doesn't want to get married. She lives in a tree fort in New York City with a dog. One day is visited by the terrible queen who gives her a pretzel. Hmmm...I guess I need to add more details to make it a great story, but I have an outline, and so will anyone who reads this book and accepts the challenge.

I would highly recommend Cassie and the Woolf for school and public libraries.

*To comply with new guidelines introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, Pinwheel Books, Capstone Press, and Twice Told Tales have provided a complimentary electronic copy of each of these books through NetGalley.com.

Picture Books! Picture Books! Picture Books!

I am so excited to share some great pictures books I have had the privilege of reviewing.

Which is Round? Which is Bigger?
by Mineko Mamada

This is a great concept book to encourage children to think outside the box and to spark conversation between a parent (or other caregiver / reader) and the child. Each two page spread provides two animals to compare, asking a question similar to the title ~ Which is round? When the child looks at the initial two animals they have to make a choice, however, things are not always what they seem. When the page is turned the animals have changed just enough the child's response is no longer accurate. This title reminds me of another book I reviewed a few years back, Same Same by Marthe Jocelyn. I love when the simplicity of the illustrations (the cover is the most colorful because of  the yellow, but the colored illustrations and playful) and the text allow the reader to grasp the concept quickly and easily, but then they are forced to use logical thinking to make an educated decision.  Based on the price of the book ($16.95) I am guessing this is a hardcover book. I feel it would be a great board book, and possibly could be if it were in the larger format. This book would be great for toddlers up to kindergarten, but could also be used in elementary grades in order to help further develop high order thinking skills. I highly recommend this title for parents of young children and libraries serving young children.

Cuddle
by Elizabeth Verdick

Cuddle up with this endearing book filled with soft black and white photos of babies and their cuddle partners. Large bright eyes, joyful expressions, and loving kisses are displayed throughout in this board book. It will be a perfect addition to any baby's library. Simply, somewhat repetitive text easily flows with the photographs. The inclusion of "Cuddle Tips for Parents and Care Providers" is perfect for the first time parent or care giver. The tips are logical for those of us who have been around children a great deal and seem common sense, however for someone who has never been around a baby this is vital information for building a loving relationship. I highly recommend this book for new parents. It could also be placed in a library with a board book collection, but know this book will make it into the mouths of the babies because they are going to want to smooch the babies in the pictures.

Where Do the Animals Go When it Rains?
by Janet S. Crown, et al.

Where Do the Animals Go When it Rains? is the product of a conversation between a mother and her children. In my personal opinion, something that should occur with a great deal more frequency that it does currently in our world. A child asks a simple question and the mother (or any caregiver to be honest) runs with the opportunity to create a dialogue. What animals should we look at (research)? Where do you think they go when it rains? What do you think they do there? All wonderful questions you can ask your own child when reading this great book. At first I was a bit perplexed by the various colored text, but on closer inspection I discovered this is a great manner in which to spotlight the main objective on each page. By simply reading the colored text, you can quickly learn the main idea of each page. Now, this is not something the children will necessarily pick up on. However it is a great way for a parent to skim the page and ask a question prior to reading all of the text aloud. Spotlighted animals include the following: bears, squirrels, rabbits, deer, horses, birds, frogs, fish, and mice. The illustrations are colorful and represent each of the animals in a realistic manner (for the most part ~ I don't recall ever seeing a pink fish before, but it will appeal to young children). I would recommend this book for parents of children up to kindergarten and for libraries who have children's collections.

100 Animals on Parade!
by Masayuki Sebe

When it comes to counting to 100 with a child it can be a daunting task, until you read 100 Animals on Parade! by Masayuki Sebe. Not only do you have the opportunity to count to 100, but you get to do it ~ five times, with the bears, pigs, carpenter beetles, rabbits, and birds included in this charmingly fun counting book. The text is not rhyming, or even really good literature, but it starts a conversation. Questions are asked and details must be observed in order to provide the answers. There is an abundance of activity going on in the pages of this book. In fact, at the end of the book you find a picture list of tiny items to go back through the book to discover. A great deal of the text does not occur in the paragraph in the middle of the page, but around the "animals on parade". This is an excellent addition to any early childhood library collection and will be a well loved book in any home with young children (or children of all ages because of the hidden pictures!). I highly recommend this fun math centered picture book.

*To comply with new guidelines introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, Kids Can Press, Free Spirit Publishing, Janet Crown (self-published), and Kids Can Press have provided a complimentary electronic copy of each of these books through NetGalley.com.

Peek-a-boo Monsters

Peek-a-boo Monsters
by Charles Reasoner

Peek-a-boo Monsters by Charles Reasoner will be released August 1st and is published by Capstone Young Readers.

I am reviewing an e-book version of this title. I will tell you upon first examination I was not really impressed with this title. However, upon further readings, and a little research, I have found this to be a bright, colorful, and fun rhyming book that will have toddlers begging for more.

This title will be published in a board book format. Each page has a cutout area in order for the reader to get a preview of a monster on the next page. This was not evident while reading the e-book version. When the book was scanned the cut out areas were covered and thus came out white. I can tell by flipping back and forth through the digital pages which monsters will appear in the cut out areas. 

The rhyming text will encourage toddlers to read, or even sing along. I have to say page nine is my favorite from an educators point of view because the talking monsters (using speech bubbles) identify themselves as short and tall. I think it would have been nice to include this information on other pages. It would enhance this fun book that doesn't necessarily tell a story, but is whimsical and can be used to discuss opposites.

For an early childhood school or public library with a board book collection, I believe this would be a recommended purchase. It can also be a fun addition to a toddlers home library.

*To comply with new guidelines introduced by the Federal Trade Commission,Capstone Press has provided a complimentary electronic copy of this book through NetGalley.com.

Texas 2x2 Reading List Announced

I am so very excited! I was able to announce the 2011 Texas 2x2 Reading List today. My committee and I selected the list last week during two days of discussions and debate. It took this entire week to hear back from all of the publishers guaranteeing availability of the titles.

I have been an advocate of the Texas 2x2 Reading List since the very beginning in 2000. I have been on the committee for selecting the list since 2008. I hope you enjoy the books on the list and share them with children from age 2 to 2nd grade (you can also share them with newborns, moms that are pregnant - it's never too early to start reading to a baby, and anyone else you want).

2011 Texas 2 x 2 Reading List

Alter, Anna. Disappearing Desmond. Knopf Books for Young Readers. ISBN-13: 978-0-37-586684-5. $17.99. Ages 4-8. Desmond is so skilled at disappearing that sometimes even his teacher cannot find him, but when he meets Gloria, a new student at school, his attitude slowly changes.

Baker, Keith. LMNO Peas. Beach Lane Books. ISBN-13: 978-1-41-699141-0. $16.99. Ages 4-8. Busy little peas introduce their favorite occupations, from astronaut to zoologist.

Barry, Frances. Let’s Save the Animals: A Flip-the-Flap Book. Candlewick. ISBN-13: 978-0-76-364501-4. $12.99. Ages 4-8. Through large, colorful illustrations and flip-the-flap pages readers are introduced to ten endangered animals and how they can help protect and save them.

Barton, Chris. Shark vs. Train. Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. ISBN-13: 978-0-31-600762-7. $16.99. Ages 4-8. A shark and a train compete in a series of contests on a seesaw, in hot air balloons, bowling, shooting baskets, playing hide-and-seek, and more

Chall, Marsha Wilson. One Pup’s Up. Illustrated by Henry Cole. Margaret K. McElderry. ISBN-13: 978-1-41-697960-9. $16.99. Ages 4-8. Rhyming text counts off ten puppies as they awaken one by one, case and bounce around the house, eat kibble and get washed, then fall back to sleep.

Craig, Lindsey. Dancing Feet. Illustrated by Marc Brown. Knopf Books for Young Readers. ISBN-13: 978-0-37-586181-9. $16.99. Ages 2-5. Easy-to-read, rhyming text depicts different animals dancing.

Elliott, David. In the Wild. Illustrated by Holly Meade. Candlewick. ISBN-13: 978-0-76-364497-0. $16.99. Ages 4-8. In beautiful woodcut and watercolor illustrations poems of animals in the wild are brought to life.

Elya, Susan Middleton. Rubia and the Three Osos. Illustrated by Melissa Sweet.Hyperion Books. ISBN-13: 978-1-42-311252-5. $15.99. Ages 4-8. A new twist on a classic tale mixing English and Spanish along with a surprise ending.

Graves, Keith. Chicken Big. Chronicle Books. ISBN-13: 978-0-81-187237-9. $16.99. Ages 4-8. This unique twist on the classic Chicken Little, will have you laughing out loud and cheering for the unlikely hero.

Hacohen, Dean. Tuck Me In! Illustrated by Sherry Scharschmidt. Candlewick. ISBN-13: 978-0-76-364728-5. $9.99. Ages 2-5. The reader helps tuck in baby animals at bedtime using pages with flaps to serve as blankets.

Isadora, Rachel. Say Hello. Putnam Juvenile. ISBN-13: 978-0-39-625230-3. $16.99.Ages 4-8. A little girl greets people in her neighborhood in many different languages.

LaRochelle, David. 1+1=5: and Other Unlikely Additions. Illustrated by Brenda Sexton. Sterling. ISBN-13: 978-1-40-275995-6. $14.95. Ages 4-8. 1+1 does not always equal 2 in this playful approach to addition requiring readers to think outside the box.

Lerch. Swim! Swim! Scholastic Press. ISBN-13: 978-0-54-509419-1. $16.99. Ages 4-8. Lerch the fish is lonely, and after trying to befriend some unreceptive - and inanimate – objects, he finally succeeds in finding a friend.

Lin, Grace. Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same! Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. ISBN-13: 978-0-31-602452-5. $14.99. Ages 4-8. Ling and Ting are identical twins that people think are exactly the same, but time and again they prove to be different.

Mayor, Salley. Pocketful of Posies: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes. Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. ISBN-13: 978-0-61-873740-6. $21.99. Ages 4-8. An illustrated collection of sixty-four traditional nursery rhymes.

Ruddell, Deborah. Who Said Coo? Illustrated by Robin Luebs. Beach Lane Books.ISBN-13: 978-1-416-98510-5. $16.99. Ages 4-8. Lulu is a sleepy pig whose friends try to keep her from sleeping.

Thomson, Bill. Chalk. Marshall Cavendish Children’s Books. ISBN-13: 978-0-76-145526-4. $15.99. Ages 4-8. A wordless picture book about three children who go to a park on a rainy day, find some chalk, and draw pictures that come to life.

Underwood, Deborah. A Balloon for Isabel. Illustrated by Laura Rankin. Greenwillow Books. ISBN-13: 978-0-06-177987-9. $16.99. Ages 4-8. As graduation approaches, Isabel tries to convince her teacher that she and Walter, both porcupines, should receive balloons on the big day just like the other children.

Williams, Karen Lynn. A Beach Tail. Illustrated by Floyd Cooper. Boyds Mills Press.ISBN-13: 978-1-59-078712-0. $17.95. Ages 4-8. When his father tells him not to leave the lion he is drawing on the beach, a little boy starts making a very, very long tail – and a trail to follow back.

Willems, Mo. Cat the Cat Who is That? Balzer+Bray. ISBN-13: 978-0-06-172840-2. $10.99. Ages 4-8. An exuberant cat introduces readers to her friends.