Learning Colors with Dorothy and Friends

The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum is one of the most beloved children's books ever written. As I have said before my cousin, Charlotte, and I love all things Oz. I have already driven all around my hometown searching for the new McDonald toys for the 75th Anniversary of the movie release. So, you see, I'm a die hard fan.

The Wizard of Oz: Colors
by Jill Kalz and illustrated by Timothy Banks

Every time I see an Oz themed book, I have to grab it up and see if the author has been true to the classic. I have to say Jill Kalz's The Wizard of Oz: Colors illustrated by Timothy Banks does a nice job of presenting the story in a very simplified manner while introducing young children to colors. Through rhyming text and bright colorful illustrations the story is presented in a very child friendly format. Not only is the basic premise maintained, but a plethora of more complex words are used in order to increase the child's listening vocabulary. There is a glossary presented at the end of the book providing a brief definition of some of these words, including bluff, dazzle, and wicked. Also included at the end of this book (which is available in the following formats: library binding, board book, and ebook PDF) is a list of suggested readings and Internet sites, an index, and a synopsis of the actual book, The Wizard of Oz.

This is one of four books in this series published by Capstone Press. Others in the series include : The Wizard of Oz: ABCs, The Wizard of Oz: Counting, and The Wizard of Oz: Shapes. I have not had the opportunity to see these titles, but if they are anything like the Colors book, I would definitely add them to not only my personal collection, but also to my library's collection. Adults who grew up loving The Wizard of Oz will enjoy sharing these concept books with the new generation and continue the love for these classic characters.

*To comply with new guidelines introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, Capstone Press has provided a complimentary electronic copy of this book for review purposes. My review is in no way influenced by the author or publishing company and is solely my opinion.

Is it really the end for Dexter?

I have enjoyed reading suspense novels ever since I read my first mystery. I'm not sure if it is thrill of anticipation, or the suspenseful conclusion that makes my heart race. I also love when the bad guy "gets it in the end". Well, with Dexter Morgan, I had it all rolled into one. Now, I am not saying Dexter is my Knight in Shining Armor, he is more like the Dark Knight watching from around the corner. I found the character of Dexter immediatlely intriguing when I discovered Jeff Lindsay's first novel about the sociopathic vigilante, Darkly Dreaming Dexter. I read this wonderful book soon after it was released in 2004. The very next year I devoured Dearly Devoted Dexter. I was not at all surprised when in 2006 Showtime aired the first season of the series Dexter based on the first book. I have to admit, once I saw Michael C. Hall as Dexter I never veered from his image in my mind while reading. Even though I only watched the first four seasons, I was sitting on the edge of my seat every Sunday to see what injustice Dexter would try to rectify.

A few years ago I found Jeff Lindsay's Facebook page and Liked it, since I actually do love his writing and his characters. Last month Mr. Lindsay posted a link to Doubleday's fan giveaway. They were giving away 25 advanced copies of the newest (and supposedly final) book featuring Dexter, Dexter's Final Cut. I was THRILLED a few weeks after entering the contest to have a copy arrive at my front door. I know the book went on sale almost two weeks ago, so I am not posting any information die-hard fans don't already have access to, however I will not ruin anything for loyal readers or even new recruits.

Dexter's Final Cut
by Jeff Lindsay

Lindsay does not disappoint, well actually ~ he does ~ in the sense this is the FINAL book. I guess it could be considered unnatural to say I love Dexter, but as a character who takes care of those who have performed terrible acts of violence on innocents, he is like a modern day Robin Hood. I know it is a sin to kill, but he justifies his killings based on "Harry's Code" (his father's eye for an eye like theory). I will admit this book is not as graphic as the previous books (or if you have seen the series, not as bloody), but the storyline is suspenseful and hard to put down.

The introduction to the book took me by surprise and I was a bit concerned about Dexter. The first sentence, "It's not that bad being dead." almost caused me to close the book. I just couldn't face the fact that Dexter could be dead! Again, back to the creepy part about me really liking this person who in reality (or literary reality) is a serial killer. These are not the people you are supposed to be drawn to as a normal human, right?!? Thankfully I did not stop reading. I mean, how could Lindsay possibly kill off this iconic character in the first sentence? So, I kept reading.

Come to find out, Dexter and his sister, Deborah become involved in a new police drama which will be filming in Miami. Dexter is going to be shadowed by Robert Chase (a television heart throb - adored by Dexter's wife Rita) while Deborah will be shadowed by Jackie Forrest who will be starring in the drama as a character very much like Deborah - "a hard-as-nails woman detective" (pg. 13).  Being an active police detective and blood-splatter expert, Deborah and Dexter are quickly wrapped up in a murder investigation. This is where the blood and gore is introduced and the action begins.

I felt like I saw a new side to Dexter in this book. I know he has developed over the years from a bachelor, to a husband and instant step-father, but he seemed to show a little more depth and emotion (if you can actually call it that for a sociopath) in this "final cut". The title could be interpreted as a double entendre, which obviously was Lindsay's intent, but ironically Dexter doesn't actually do very much cutting in this book.

Like I said earlier, I did not watch the series after the infamous Trinity Killer, Arthur Mitchell ~ wonderfully portrayed by John Lithgow (who won a Golden Globe and a Primetime Emmy for his character). Since I was a fan of the books, I didn't want the show to take away my desire to read each new book that was released. I guess I was afraid I would be disappointed by the series because it couldn't live up to the movie I had created in my head.

I am not going to say our devilishly, divine Dexter is dead and gone. I am not going to say he is dwelling in Denmark, Dubai, or even one of the Dakotas. All I will say is Lindsay has provide a unique manner in which to create an entirely new series as a spin off. I would love to see how he would develop this daring design. I don't mean to deviate from my devotion to Dexter. Hmmm, I guess you could say I am a fan.

Now that I know the books and the series (which actually veered away from the books and were developed with their own storylines in the seasons following the first) have ended I might decide to go back and watch the four seasons I missed. I guess when you think about it, Dexter is Lindsay's character, and whether the words are written in a book or portrayed on the television by an awesome actor like Hall, I will always remember the thrill of learning about Dexter, especially through his own words, "I am a very neat monster." (Darkly Dreaming Dexter, 2004)

Thank you to Mr. Jeff Lindsay for posting the information about the online contest. Thank you also to Doubleday for sending me a complimentary advanced reader's copy of Dexter's Final Cut.

*To comply with new guidelines introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, Doubleday for providing a complimentary electronic copy and paperback advanced reader's copy of this book for review purposes. My review is in no way influenced by the author or publishing company and is solely my opinion.

America's Gross History

I have been a history enthusiast for quite awhile. I think my love of history developed when I had a wonderful teacher in high school name Coach Zidermanis. I was excited to enter his classroom everyday because I knew he was going to weave fascinating stories into the historical facts he wanted us to remember. In college I continued this love by taking a number of courses, eventually earning a minor in history. To this day I love to read about our history, whether through biographies or historical fiction.

Ick! Yuck! Eew!: Our Gross American History by Lois Miner Huey peaked my interest immediately. Most of the information in the book I already knew because of Coach Z's stories, my personal readings, or visits to historical locations around the country. My prior knowledge about these disgusting treatments, habits, etc., prepared me for this wonderful non-fiction book which I believe any elementary or middle school student would find fascinating and repugnant at the same time.

Ick! Yuck! Eew!: Our Gross American History
by Lois Miner Huey

Huey includes all of the essentials and more for this non-fiction text: table of contents, glossary, source notes, selected bibliography, further reading (books and websites), places to visit, and an index. In four interesting and informative we are introduced to the vile surroundings and happenings of 1770 North America.

As we are transported through a time machine to 1770, the setting is set for us. We are shifted from present day and time to June 1770 in a "city populated mostly by white settlers". Huey is great about providing additional information concerning aspects of history to which the young readers may not be familiar. Such as the fact there will not be any Native Americans in the city and the "black people were enslaved (to) work as house servants and in shops" (pg. 5). 

We are then plunged head first into "The Awful Smells" of the city. I'm sure most readers will find their habit of tossing the contents of the chamber pot into the street disgusting (and not typically shared in the state history books), but it happened. Some may find this information disturbing, however it can help readers understand certain sayings they may have heard, but never understood - "Don't have a pot to piss in". I know this is a bit crass, but in order to understand the saying, one must understand the conditions from which the early settlers were living in at the time. There was no running water, no toilet. We also learn the people in this time period felt bathing to be unhealthy. It was believed a film of dirt on the body would keep out bad air which could cause diseases. Native American bathed in creeks and streams and felt the Europeans smelled. Women would wear heavy perfumes in order to hide their odor and fan's to keep odor away and to hide their rotting teeth. 

The next chapter takes us to "Creepy, Crawly Bugs". We are told we will be spending the night in a tavern, sharing a bed with two other travelers. Huey's description of the mosquitoes, bedbugs, and head lice made me start to itch while reading. Reading about the flies buzzing around the meat hanging in the streets for sale and the cook killing the flour beetles in the flour (and missing some) before using it to cook will make most readers thankful for pesticides and food regulations. Hook- and Tapeworms are touched upon, but these were bugs the settlers suffered through without knowing they existed.

A few years ago I learned the symbolic representation of the red and white barber pole. Off the top of my head I couldn't say where I learned this, but the barbers "skill with sharp instruments" allowed them to "sometimes perform operations" (p. 27). Now, the pole is not actually mentioned in this book, but the barber's non-hair cutting duties - such as pulling teeth, bloodletting, and some surgeries - are mentioned. Doctors are also shown to create a balance in the body for sick patients through bloodletting and the use of leeches. It was believed the removal of bodily fluids (blood, poop, pus, sweat, urine, and vomit) would remove the imbalance, thus making the person healthy again.

Through television and movies we have seen the early settlers wore an abundance of clothing. In the final chapter of this informative book we learn although they wore many layers, underwear was not part of their wardrobe. We also learn that like taking a bath, washing of clothes was limited to "shifts, shirts, poopy diapers (not urine soaked diapers - which were merely hung to dry), bedsheets, and stockings" (p. 38). The outer garments - "coats, breeches, vests, and gowns" were almost never washed. This reinforces the smell of the time, as well as the spread of germs and disease.

This is a wonderful book for upper elementary and middle school students. I believe high school and adult readers would find the information disturbing, but very interesting. I would highly recommend this book for school and public libraries.

*To comply with new guidelines introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, Millbrook Press, has provided a complimentary electronic copy of this book for review purposes. My review is in no way influenced by the author or publishing company and is solely my opinion.

Fairy Tales, In Graphic Format

Fairy Tale Comics
selected by Chris Duffy

I first became familiar with Chris Duffy's work when I received a copy of Nursery Rhyme Comics: 50 Timeless Rhymesf rom 50 Celebrated Cartoonists. I love the book as soon as I read the first few pages. This was back in 2011. I am so glad to see his latest book, which will be released in a few weeks, September 24th, Fairy Tale Comics.

Fairy Tale Comics, selected by Chris Duffy, is exactly what the title implies. It is a wonderful collection of fairy tales illustrated in a graphic format. Duffy spent time reading as many fairy tales as he could and narrowed the selection down to seventeen well known tales. He and his editor did a great job of of choosing a "mix that included a lot of Grimm tales, a majority of well-known stories, a good sampling of non-European traditions, and a balance of boy and girl heroes." I love the fact they made the last balance. So many times boys will not pick up a fairy tale because it is a "girl story". 

The cartoonists selected for this project did a phenomenal job. Each story was illustrated by a different person. 

• "Sweet Porridge" by Bobby London
• "The 12 Dancing Princesses" by Emily Carroll
• "Hansel and Gretel" by Gilbert Hernandez
• "Puss in Boots" by Vanessa Davis
• "Little Red Riding Hood" by Gigi D.G.
• "The Prince and the Tortoise" by Ramona Fradon & Chris Dufy
• "Snow White" by Jaime Hernandez
• "The Boy Who Drew Cats" by Luke Pearson
• "Rumpelstiltskin" by Brett Helquist
• "Rabbit Will Not Help" by Joseph Lambert
• "Rapunzel" by Raina Telemeier
• "The Small Tooth Dog" by Charise Mericle Harper
• "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" by Graham Annable
• "Baba Yaga" by Jillian Tamaki
• "Bremen Town" by Karl Kerschl
• "Give Me the Shudders" by David Mazzucchelli
• "Azzolino's Story Wihtout End" by Craig Thompson

The cover illustration is spot on for a library collection. I believe both girls and boys will want to read this fun book. Boys because it has "Comics" in the title and girls because of the "Fairy Tale". Either way, this is a wonderful collection in a graphic novel format. Over the years, the graphic novel has become an increasingly popular format for all genres. In years past the comic book was not considered "real reading", but more and more libraries are purchasing graphic novels to meet the needs of their patrons.

I would highly recommend this book, as well as Nursery Rhyme Comics, for libraries who serve children. Not only are the stories and illustrations charming, but the graphic novel format is perfect for the upper elementary age readers.

*To comply with new guidelines introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, First Second publishers, has provided a complimentary electronic copy of this book for review purposes. My review is in no way influenced by the author or publishing company and is solely my opinion.

More Magic from Sylvie Desrosiers

Hocus Pocus Takes the Train
by Sylvie Desrosiers

I have always loved magic and magicians. Two years ago, when I was serving as the chair of the Texas 2x2 Reading List Committee, I remember opening a box of books from Kids Can Press. Inside was a copy of Desrosiers's first Hocus Pocus book. I fell in love with the adorable blue bunny (Hocus Pocus) and the four legged companion to the magician, a grumpy dog. Hocus Pocus lives in the magicians hat and causes quite a fuss when he spies a carrot in a grocery bag. You will have to read Hocus Pocus to enjoy the hillarity yourself.

The same fun can be had in Sylvie Desrosiers latest book Hocus Pocus Takes the Train. You are in luck because this book was released August 1st, so you don't have to wait to pick up this wonderful new graphic novel (wordless picture book) for young children. Non-readers will have a splendid time "reading" the bright pictures by Remy Simard. Once again Hocus Pocus finds himself in a predicament. The magician has purchased a ticket for the train. He has just enough time to grab a cup of coffee for himself and a bone for his dog before boarding. While the magician and his crumugeon canine enjoy a treat, Hocus Pocus is able to escape from his hat home. He quickly spots a stuffed purple rabbit dropped by a toddler at the next table and his adventure begins. Before he knows it the magician is gone and Hocus Pocus has to figure out how to get aboard the train with his new purple friend.

A heartwarming ending allows young children to see the lost can be found. Not only does this book provide a funny story anyone can read and enjoy, it also provides parents an opportunity to talk to their children about holding hands and staying together when out in public. I'm sure it is not the message Desrosiers intended, but one can never err on the side of safety, especially when it comes to our children.

*To comply with new guidelines introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, Kids Can Press, has provided a complimentary electronic copy of this book for review purposes. My review is in no way influenced by the author or publishing company and is solely my opinion.

Money Matters

For those of you who do not know me personally, you may not know that I have been in the education field for twenty years. I have mainly worked with four and five-year-olds. I was a kindergarten teacher for six years and then I was blessed when the position of librarian became available in an early childhood school. So now, I am the librarian for four-year-olds, their parents, and their teachers. It is my dream job.

While working the past fourteen years in this position I have heard all kinds of funny statements come out of the children's mouths. However, one of the statements I have heard over the years has really bothered me. A four-year-old came to the circulation desk with their chosen library book in hand, put the book down on the desk, lifted his name tag to me, and said, "Charge it please." It was very funny at the time and the teacher and I had a great laugh. The issue is I have heard this more than once from the students who come into my library. It seems that more and more children are growing up without a sense of money and how to save.

Now, I am not really one to talk, I guess. I have done my share of charging, but I have also learned my lesson. I think Mr. Greenleaf's book Give, Save, Spend with the Three Little Pigs is a wonderful life lesson for everyone.

Give Save Spend with the Three Little Pigs
by Clint Greenleaf
illustrated by Phil Wilson

We all know the story of the three little pigs. The beginning of the book reminds us how the Big Bad Wolf came to the house of each of the pigs, destroying two of them, but being unsuccessful with the last house - the one of bricks. Since the wolf could no longer terrorize the pigs, he moved on to other animals in the forest. Seeing how the pigs were safe in the brick house the forest animals visited the pigs asking if they could build a house for each of their families. Thus the Pigs and Bricks business begins.

Once the houses are complete the pigs sit down to count their money and begin to dream about how they will spend the profit. The first pig wants to have fun and spend the money on frivolous things, the second pig wants to be philanthropist, while the third pig said they should put their money into the bank in case they needed it for an emergency repair. The pigs decided all three ideas were good and divided the money into three areas: give, save, and spend. The money was then divided equally among the three areas and "from that day forward, every time the Three Little Pigs earned money, they split it among their three banks."

I think this is one of the most creative ways to help children understand the concept of money. Most people put their money into only one category - spend. Then when they no longer have money they charge everything. It is not a healthy way for children to grow up. I plan to share this book with my students in order to help them understand it is okay to spend, but it is also very important to give to others, as well as to save for a rainy day.

This book will be published in March 2014.

*To comply with new guidelines introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, Greenleaf Book Group Press has provided a complimentary electronic copy of this book for review purposes. My review is in no way influenced by the author or publishing company and is solely my opinion.

Conservation Message for Children

Mr. King's Castle
by Genevieve Cote

Mr. King is a cheerful, yellow feline who wears a crown of gold. He was first introduce in 2012 in Genevieve Cote's book Mr. King's Things, where he learned the value of reusing and recycling. Now, Mr. King is once again a very greedy cat. He lives on a BIG hill and wants to build a BIG castle, but when he completes his castle, there is no longer a hill for his friends Bert, Tex, Old Jim Elk, P.J. Skit, Skat, and Harriet to enjoy. Since Mr. King built his castle with a variety of pieces cut from the hill the friends are able to work together to rebuild the hill they all love. A surprise ending shows the power of friendship.

Ms. Cote's has created a beautiful story of friendship that teaches young children a lesson in conservation that is not overwhelming. The wonderful illustrations created with mixed media are bright and cheerful, while allowing the reader to follow along with the demise of the hill and the immensity of the castle Mr. King is building. I love the fact Mr. King's friends do not go to him yelling about their hill. Instead they question each other about the mystery, such as, "Where are the flowers?" and "What happened to my favorite napping spot?" Mr. King's reaction of feeling small when he sees his friend's expressions of sadness is the perfect opportunity to discuss empathy with young children. His immediate reaction to "put everything back" shows his growth and understanding of the mistake he made. I love how the friends work together to complete the puzzle that was the hill with the pieces of the castle fitting perfectly to re-create their favorite place.

This is a wonderful book to share with all age levels and will be especially appropriate during Earth Day celebrations.

*To comply with new guidelines introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, Kids Can Press has provided a complimentary electronic copy of this book for review purposes. My review is in no way influenced by the author or publishing company and is solely my opinion.