Saturday, October 27, 2018

One Little Monster by Mark Gonyea - ADVISABLE

One Little Monster by Mark Gonyea. PICTURE BOOK. Aladdin (Simon & Schuster), 2018. $18. 
9781534406742

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

What do you count when you're trying to sleep? This little guy can't help but count monsters because they keep adding up in his bedroom! 

Vivid illustrations and cute rhymes! A fun monster-counting book from an author who loves color and graphic design.One reference to flatulence. 

M. Kijek, Library Teacher

Attack of the 50-foot Fluffy by Mike Boldt - ESSENTIAL

Attack of the 50-foot Fluffy by Mike Boldt. PICTURE BOOK. Margaret K. McElderry (Simon & Schuster), 2018. $18.  9781481448871

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Claire's stuffed bunny, Fluffy, mirrors her emotions. It's good to have a friend, right? Watch out, though! When Claire is angry, Fluffy surprises us with her reaction. It's tremendous! Don't worry; they make things right in the end.

Exciting illustrations and a story line right out of a kid's imagination. Great possibilities for a read-aloud. 

M. Kijek, Library Teacher

Mixed: A Colorful Story by Arree Chung - ADVISABLE

Mixed: A Colorful Story by Arree Chung. PICTURE BOOK. Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2018. $18. 9781250142733

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

The primary colors get along well until someone, (a loud color), declares superiority and exclusiveness, but when two colors decide to combine, the result is all kinds of different, lovely colors, and harmony returns. 

The mixing of colors is there, but Mr. Chung is talking about more than just hues on paper. We all need to mix and mingle in order to appreciate those around us.

M. Kijek, Library Teacher

Storm by Sam Usher - ESSENTIAL

Storm by Sam Usher. PICTURE BOOK. Templar Books (Candlewick Press), 2018. $17. 9781536202823

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

It's a window-rattling day, the perfect windy day to fly a kite - if the boy and his grandfather can find it! They do, and we find that, "The best adventure is an adventure shared."

The action moves from realistic to brief fantasy. I loved the autumn illustrations; the watercolor storm clouds are perfect. I hope to be there for their next adventure.

M. Kijek, Library Teacher

The Little Dancers Showtime! by Maryann MacDonald - ADVISABLE

The Little Dancers Showtime! by Maryann MacDonald illustrated by Mandy Sutcliffe PICTURE BOOK Imprint (MacMillan), 2018 $18.00 1250094070

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Miss Amy, the ballet class teacher, has announced that the children will be performing a Butterfly Ball. Everyone is so excited to be butterflies, but the littlest dancer, Rosa, gets cast as a glow worm. 

Mandy Sutcliffe is a beautiful illustrator! The children are so kind to each other - a great example of doing your best and the show must go on. 

Lisa Librarian 

Dig, Dump, Roll by Sally Sutton - Advisable

Dig, Dump, Roll by Sally Sutton, Illustrated by Brian Lovelock, PICTURE BOOK Candlewick Press, 2018. $17. 1536203912 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

The construction crew is here, with all their big machines - and oh, those loud noises! 5 different large construction vehicles are introduced, first a crazy sound for them "Bang-a Shudder!" then a piece (like the track or the bucket) and what it will do - turn the page to see the whole thing! 

Large sized book with great pictures. I love that there are both male and female construction workers. The machine with their parts labeled at the end was a good touch. This would be great for those kids who can't get enough big truck books. 

 Lisa Librarian 

The Dragon and the Nibblesome Knight by Elli Woollard and Benji Davies - ADVISABLE

The Dragon and the Nibblesome Knight by Elli Woollard and Benji Davies, PICTURE BOOK Godwin Books (Henry Holt), 2016. $18.00 1250150205 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

When a little dragon is told by his parents to find a knight and bite him, he runs into trouble flying through a thunderstorm and is injured falling into a lake. A young knight thinks he's a odd looking duck and rescues him. The two become friends, not knowing they are each other's enemies. 

Great illustrations complement the rhyming text (ala Seuss). It's a fun read with a great message. 

 Lisa Librarian 

The Great Dictionary Caper by Judy Sierra- ADVISABLE


The Great Dictionary Caper by Judy Sierra, PICTURE BOOK. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2018. $18. 9781481480048

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL- ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The words in Webster’s Dictionary have gotten bored of sitting around in his book all day and decide to go on an adventure. Different words are highlighted and depicted as their own parts of speech. There are antonyms and contractions, verbs and proper nouns. Eventually, Webster enlists the help of Roget and they are able to corral the words together.

This was a unique take on highlighting different words and word structures. The examples that are provided are well done and make a lot of sense. Readers will enjoy the play on words.

Shay, High School Librarian, MLS

Friday, October 26, 2018

Pass Go and Collect $200 by Tanya Lee Stone - ESSENTIAL

Pass Go and collect $200 : The real story of how Monopoly was invented by Tanya Lee Stone, illustrated by Steven Salerno PICTURE BOOK, NON FICTION, Henry Holt (MacMillan), 2018. $19. 162779168X

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Who really invented the game "Monopoly?" Some say Elizabeth Magie did when she patented her game in 1904, others say Charles Darrow as he designed the current board and convinced the Parker Brothers to distribute it. Why is the board about places in Atlantic City? How has the game changed over the years? Everyone has played it, or at least heard of it, but do you know the history? 

Tanya Lee Stone has told a succinct and interesting history of the world's most famous game. A lot of text for a picture book, it still reads quickly. The illustrations are great and look like something out of the 1930s. Includes a list of trivia (do you know the name of Mr. Monopoly?) some Monopoly math questions, authors note, and sources. I've already shown this to my math teachers! A great non-fiction addition to your library. 

 Lisa Librarian 

The Penderwicks at Last by Jeanne Birdsall - ADVISABLE


The Penderwicks at Last (Penderwicks, #5) by Jeanne Birdsall, 294 pages.  Alfred A. Knopf (Random House), 2018.  $17.  

Content: G.  

BUYING ADVISARY: EL – ADVISABLE  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE   

Lydia, who is the youngest Penderwick, has grown up among all the memories of the older Penderwick girls, so she is excited when she gets to visit the much loved Arundel herself.  Rosaline is planning her wedding at Arundel, and Lydia and Batty are going early to get started on setting up.  Lydia finds a new friend in Cagney’s youngest daughter, Alice, and they have many fun adventures together.  

I love the Penderwick series because it is sweet and reads like any good classic novel.  This book is my least favorite of the five books because it is slow at times and I cared more about what would become of my favorite characters from previous books instead of Lydia’s eleven-year old adventures.  That said, I’m glad I read it and if you have readers who enjoy this series they will want this book as well.  

C. Peterson

The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall - ESSENTIAL


The Penderwicks on Gardham Street (Penderwicks, #2) by Jeanne Birdsall, 308 pages.  Alfred A. Knopf, 2008.  $17.  

Content: Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: PG.  

BUYING ADVIOSRY:  EL – ESSENTIAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

The four Penderwick sisters are back at home, but adventure follows them wherever they go.  When Aunt Claire reminds Mr. Penderwick that his late wife wanted him to date other women, the Penderwick girls are worried that a new stepmom will come in and disrupt their lives.  They make a plan to set their father up with women they know he won’t like, so he won’t marry anyone.  Meanwhile, they all have different worries in their lives, such as the cute/frustrating boy next door, a part in the school play and the new neighbors, a widow and her baby, that live next door.  With the help of each other and a new ally, the girls work through all of their worries and grow stronger as a family in the process.  

The Penderwicks are delightful.  I love the story line and each character in the family as well as their friends.  The story always moves along at a good pace and has enough side story that the reader never gets bored.  I would have adored these books as a child, and as an adult I looked forward to falling into the simple and comfortable story.  

C. Peterson    

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall - ESSENTIAL


The Penderwicks (Penderwicks, #1) by Jeanne Birdsall, 262 pages. Alfred A. Knopf, 2005. $16  

Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G  

BUYING ADVISORY: EL – ESSENTIAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH  

The adorable four Penderwick girls are spending their summer vacation with their father in a cottage in Arundel.  As each girl has her different strengths, they go on many adventures and learn about the boy who lives next door and his stuffy mother.  The oldest Penderwick, Rosalind, falls for the young gardener.  Skye is a sassy tomboy.  Jane likes to use her imagination and the youngest, Batty, seems to find trouble easy enough.  Together they watch out for each other and have a grand summer.  

I loved this book.  Each character is charming and strong and the setting is magical.  This feels like a classic and had enough suspense and story line to keep my interest.  I can’t wait to read more about the Penderwick girls.  

C. Peterson   

Welcome to Kiss the Book Jr.!

Welcome! Kiss the Book Jr. is for board books, picture books, early readers, and chapter books.  Also, any novels and non-fiction that we ag...