What happens when Clay finds a dog he names Elphinore? At first timid, the two bond as Elphinore learns how fun life with a boy can be. As they play iWhat happens when Clay finds a dog he names Elphinore? At first timid, the two bond as Elphinore learns how fun life with a boy can be. As they play in the woods, Clay meets a new boy Amos (view spoiler)[the owl headed. Even though their friendship is forbidden by Amos's kind, Amos chooses to disobey (hide spoiler)]. Amos knows some of Elphinore's secrets like who she belongs to and where she is from. Not only a story about Clay, Elphinore and Amos, this is a story about Clay's own family. An unnamed disease (that may remind some of the early 2020s COVID pandemic) has forced everyone to stay home. Clay's mother has lost her job and his older sister DiRossi is a sullen and moody teenager upset with the world. When she finds out about Clay and Amos's friendship, will she become a friend or a foe? Take the magic of Midsummer's Eve from Astrid Lindgren's The Children of Noisy Village and put it in a coming of age story like Holly Black's Doll Bones. Put it in a 2020s realistic fiction setting. Add a boy and his dog's adventures animal story, the science fiction of a few creatures from an other world within our own world (i.e. A World Below) and a few illustrations to get the perfect book to gift to a book loving, avid reading pre-tween or tween in your life. This is one that they may treasure in the years to come....more
What if Frog and Toad were told in a graphic novel format? You just might end up with a story like this one about Monti who has his daily routine untiWhat if Frog and Toad were told in a graphic novel format? You just might end up with a story like this one about Monti who has his daily routine until one day he meets Leo who is new in town. (view spoiler)[The two bond almost immediately over their similar interests. (hide spoiler)] Not everyone is excited by the newcomer. Some see Leo as a stranger with different ideas. Can Monti and Leo become friends? Will the other citizens of Pocketville welcome Leo? If you like or liked stories, ...more
A little bit like Jump for Joy, this is the story of how a dog finds a girl or is it how a girl finds a dog? Dog lovers of all ages will love this oneA little bit like Jump for Joy, this is the story of how a dog finds a girl or is it how a girl finds a dog? Dog lovers of all ages will love this one....more
If you like cats and would like a story told from that point of view, give this a try. Purrfect for fans of the Alfie series or those who enjoyed DeweIf you like cats and would like a story told from that point of view, give this a try. Purrfect for fans of the Alfie series or those who enjoyed Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World....more
(view spoiler)[A librarian changes her mind about cats. (hide spoiler)] Clarice is a cat. Even though she doesn't understand the dark squiggly lines, (view spoiler)[A librarian changes her mind about cats. (hide spoiler)] Clarice is a cat. Even though she doesn't understand the dark squiggly lines, Clarice loves books and their pictures. Can she figure out a way to get into the library and be with what she loves?...more
I liked this story about a little goat who by shaking off all the negativity of others rescues herself. This story will leave you wanting to listen TaI liked this story about a little goat who by shaking off all the negativity of others rescues herself. This story will leave you wanting to listen Taylor Swift's 2014 smash hit, Shake It Off which has a similar message. ...more
There's something special about Travis Jonker's latest story about Mabel, a mouse who longs for adventure, a young boy and a man who builds a model shThere's something special about Travis Jonker's latest story about Mabel, a mouse who longs for adventure, a young boy and a man who builds a model ship. Who will sail the ship? What will happen when the ship is sailed? If you liked Matthew Cordell's illustrations in last year's (2023) Evergreen, you'll love this too. It's my current favorite for the 2025 Caldecott Award....more
A (view spoiler)[big roar is all it takes to defeat the bully in this (hide spoiler)] touching story about Perla, the dog and his best friend Nico. EvA (view spoiler)[big roar is all it takes to defeat the bully in this (hide spoiler)] touching story about Perla, the dog and his best friend Nico. Even if you're not a dog lover, you'll enjoy this tale....more
Cute little animal story for those who are looking for chapter books for young voracious readers. Part of a series, this can be read alone. It could aCute little animal story for those who are looking for chapter books for young voracious readers. Part of a series, this can be read alone. It could also work as a read-aloud to introduce the series to children.
Mirroring how real life can be, there are a lot of unknowns and unanswered questions in this story about two loons raising a mallard duckling. (view sMirroring how real life can be, there are a lot of unknowns and unanswered questions in this story about two loons raising a mallard duckling. (view spoiler)[We learn family can be complicated and not all stories have an ending. (hide spoiler)] A picture books that tweens and older readers will appreciate too....more
Even grown ups can learn new facts about animals in this book about animal adaptations that help them defend themselves. Children who are curious abouEven grown ups can learn new facts about animals in this book about animal adaptations that help them defend themselves. Children who are curious about all animals will appreciate that some uncommon ones like the pangolin, sarcastic fringehead, pacu, and colugo are included. ...more
(view spoiler)[It's George Orwell. Don't expect a happy ending or one with much if any hope. (hide spoiler)] What happens when the farm animals revolt(view spoiler)[It's George Orwell. Don't expect a happy ending or one with much if any hope. (hide spoiler)] What happens when the farm animals revolt against Farmer Jones? (view spoiler)[What starts out dreams of a perfect society and utopia turns sinister when the leaders of the rebellion change the narrative. In the end, they appear to become the very leaders they were revolting against. (hide spoiler)]...more
What starts out as a story about a girl who meets four talking cats turns sinister. Could one of the four cats be evil? If you like stories about darkWhat starts out as a story about a girl who meets four talking cats turns sinister. Could one of the four cats be evil? If you like stories about dark magic or cats, this might be for you. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this title; this is a review of an uncorrected e-proof....more
German import from the early 1980s. I am sure it was appreciated back then with its full color photos. Now it simply feels dated in both illustration German import from the early 1980s. I am sure it was appreciated back then with its full color photos. Now it simply feels dated in both illustration and information. ...more
Young horse lovers will embrace this. Experience the four seasons with a young girl, her pony and her family. After reading this, you might be left foYoung horse lovers will embrace this. Experience the four seasons with a young girl, her pony and her family. After reading this, you might be left for a longing to live in the country or wide open spaces. ...more
3.75 stars, children who like cats will enjoy this one that invites them to be like a cat. With appendices at the end about how cats' body parts help 3.75 stars, children who like cats will enjoy this one that invites them to be like a cat. With appendices at the end about how cats' body parts help them, how their tail shows their emotions, how to leap like them and a few random facts even I learned something new....more
From 1936, boy gets kitten, boy loses kitten, boy finds kitten. I remember this one from my childhood; I may have even checked it out once or twice. TFrom 1936, boy gets kitten, boy loses kitten, boy finds kitten. I remember this one from my childhood; I may have even checked it out once or twice. That cover with the kittens captured (and still does) my attention. But read it? No, I can remember opening it and being intimidated by the sheer amount of text on the pages. I may have even opened it a few times in the past 30+ years as a school library media specialist in hopes of reading it, only to realize that this would take more than a few minutes. So here I am almost 50 years later and I read it. Yes, it's long as a picture book. Yes, it's definitely from another era. Dad uses the phrase, "you little dickens" when Mittens claws him. There's a mention of a gas-oven and an ice-box. And the illustrations are shades of red, black and white which is typically of books in the mid 1900s as printing full color illustrations was very expensive. Was it worth reading? Absolutely, it's cute, easy to follow and perhaps a bit of a classic as Newberry did win four Caldecott Honors after Mittens was published. Would I read it again, would I recommend it? Probably not and yes to adults who like cat stories or are interested in old titles. If you are looking for a cat title from another era for children, my recommendation is Esther Averill's The Fire Cat....more
Alfie has not just one home, but multiple. After his owner passes away, Alfie decides it's best to have more than one home so that he never finds himsAlfie has not just one home, but multiple. After his owner passes away, Alfie decides it's best to have more than one home so that he never finds himself without one again. First he moves in mp recent divorcée Claire, then he 'attempts' to bond with Jonathan who recently moved from Singapore to England. How many more homes/families will Alfie need? What will happen if his families ever learn of each other? If you like cats and you liked A Man Called Ove, you'll want to give this story a try....more