This was my favorite of the Charlie Brown specials when I was younger. It was so different than any of the other specials and focused on Snoopy insteaThis was my favorite of the Charlie Brown specials when I was younger. It was so different than any of the other specials and focused on Snoopy instead of Charlie Brown. Upon rereading this book to my grandson, it was as dark and foreboding as I remembered....more
I loved this book when I was my oldest grandson's age. I remember that it had the most gorgeous, detailed illustrations and was much shorter than the I loved this book when I was my oldest grandson's age. I remember that it had the most gorgeous, detailed illustrations and was much shorter than the other Roald Dahl books I had read (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach). At that time, I would read anything I could find that was written by Dahl. It was the perfect mix of darkness (a girl whose temper can cause unimaginable awful things to happen) and a satisfying ending. In this story, the girl's temper causes the family next door to turn into a family of ducks. Meanwhile, a family of ducks turns human and takes over the family's house. Upon rereading it to my grandson, the book had stood the test of time. It's still a memorable story and the illustrations are still fabulous. In fact, my grandson discovered that you could hold up one of the pictures to a bright light to see additional details. Wow! I didn't remember ever doing that when I was younger. As awesome as it was, I gave it 3 out of 5 stars because it is a story that is best appreciated by children and not necessarily meant to be reread as an adult. As for my grandson, he gave it an 8 out of 10....more
It's good! Forbidden love leads to a child born out of wedlock. Will the father step forward? Or is Hester destined to wear the scarlet letter A forevIt's good! Forbidden love leads to a child born out of wedlock. Will the father step forward? Or is Hester destined to wear the scarlet letter A forever on her chest as a symbol of her sin? And along with her daughter Pearl to forever be a social outcast in her 1600s Puritan community?...more
I think it takes a certain sense of humor to enjoy this story about famous artists in 1800s Paris who are mostly in search of women and the sacred bluI think it takes a certain sense of humor to enjoy this story about famous artists in 1800s Paris who are mostly in search of women and the sacred blue for their paintings. ...more
An early chapter book for young readers about an eight-year-old boy who travels over a mountain to borrow a huge iron kettle from his aunt. A 1953 NewAn early chapter book for young readers about an eight-year-old boy who travels over a mountain to borrow a huge iron kettle from his aunt. A 1953 Newberry Honor, this could work as a read aloud to introduce The Newberry Awards or give to fans of Lynd Ward's The Biggest Bear....more
A story about a moral dilemna? What will the boy in the story do when a whale is trapped in his family's fishing net, but still alive? Will he attemptA story about a moral dilemna? What will the boy in the story do when a whale is trapped in his family's fishing net, but still alive? Will he attempt to set it free or obey his father who has asked him not to?...more
If Suzy Lee lives in South Korea, is she eligible for the Caldecott? The illustrations are whimsical and contribute more to the storyline than the texIf Suzy Lee lives in South Korea, is she eligible for the Caldecott? The illustrations are whimsical and contribute more to the storyline than the text in this story about a rainy day that turns sunny....more
Author Ji-li Jiang shares her memories of what it was like to grow up during China's cultural revolution. It's a good story and one that needed to be Author Ji-li Jiang shares her memories of what it was like to grow up during China's cultural revolution. It's a good story and one that needed to be written. Like many memoirs, it felt like it ended rather abruptly....more
Depressing, I imagine when this came out in the mid 1980s felt original. Now it just feels dark and bleak. If you are looking for a picture book to inDepressing, I imagine when this came out in the mid 1980s felt original. Now it just feels dark and bleak. If you are looking for a picture book to introduce and/or expose kids to the Holocaust, read Benno and the Night of the Broken Glass....more
Cute retelling of the Three Billy Goats Gruff. In this one, three goats fear a chupacabra who will eat almost anything. How could I not love a story tCute retelling of the Three Billy Goats Gruff. In this one, three goats fear a chupacabra who will eat almost anything. How could I not love a story that is able to rhyme chupacabra, candelabra and cucaracha. Fun illustrations by Ana Aranda only make it better....more
Whobert is a detective trying to figure out what, how and who when he discovers an unresponsive Perry the possum. Can he solve the crime before the enWhobert is a detective trying to figure out what, how and who when he discovers an unresponsive Perry the possum. Can he solve the crime before the end of the story? Or is this simply a mystery that can't be solved?...more
Count by twos, fives, or tens in this rhyming story about building with bricks. Have the children in your life continue the counting to enrich the stoCount by twos, fives, or tens in this rhyming story about building with bricks. Have the children in your life continue the counting to enrich the story. You may feel like building with Legos after reading this....more
Louie, an extremely pampered pooch, welcomes a new member to his owners (parents) family. This had the feel of a retro Disney animated short. Dog fansLouie, an extremely pampered pooch, welcomes a new member to his owners (parents) family. This had the feel of a retro Disney animated short. Dog fans will love it!...more
Good introduction to Malala Yousafzai, an activist from Pakistan who speaks up for the right for all girls to an education. It's hard to believe she wGood introduction to Malala Yousafzai, an activist from Pakistan who speaks up for the right for all girls to an education. It's hard to believe she was only 17 when she won the Nobel Peace Prize. This could work as a read aloud or independent read....more
Not sure if children will appreciate the humor in this book that could be called a biography for the Statue of Liberty. With all of the author's humorNot sure if children will appreciate the humor in this book that could be called a biography for the Statue of Liberty. With all of the author's humorous remarks, this felt like it was too long to hold the interest of the intended audience....more
An I Can Read book that felt a lot older than 1990! Part of Buzby's job as a busboy is to empty ashtrays. He spills water on an opera singer. He makesAn I Can Read book that felt a lot older than 1990! Part of Buzby's job as a busboy is to empty ashtrays. He spills water on an opera singer. He makes a dethroned king laugh. Fans of Morris the Moose, Amelia Bedelia or other early I Can Read titles will enjoy this one. ...more
What a wordless picture book should be, readers will enjoy reading the pictures in this book in which a little girl's favorite stuffed animal is takenWhat a wordless picture book should be, readers will enjoy reading the pictures in this book in which a little girl's favorite stuffed animal is taken by an adorable little fox in need of a friend. Like the movie version of the Wizard of Oz, the illustrations begin in black and white and turn to full color as the girl enters the fantastical world of the fox in search of her animal friend. Give this to those who enjoy the sweetness and quiet illustrations in a Lynne Rae Perkins story....more