Baek, Matthew J. Panda and Polar Bear. New York: Dial, 2009
Panda lives where its sunny and warm. Polar bear lives where it’s cold and snowy. The difference in their climates prevents them from meeting. But one day, Polar bear gets curious. He leaves his snowy world and makes a new friend.
What I thought: What a neat idea. I’d never thought about zoo animals wanting to visit one another. I love Baek’s illustrations. They are soft colored and just right for the story.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Bridget Fidget and the Most Perfect Pet by Joe Berger
Berger, Joe. Bridget Fidget and the Most Perfect Pet. New York: Dial, 2008.
Bridget Fidget wants a pet more than anything. She wants a particular kind of pet—a unicorn. She will name it Thunderhooves. When a large box is delivered, Bridget is ecstatic. Surely it is her unicorn. The large box contains a multitude of packing peanuts and a small box. Bridget adjusts her idea of the perfect pet to a mouse. But is a mouse really in the box?
What I thought: Absolutely delightful. I couldn’t resist reading a book in which the main character shares my name. Bridget is just want a little girl ought to be—impetuous and mischievous (without realizing she’s either). Berger’s illustrations remind me of pictures books from years ago. The colors are simple and the lines bold. Very pleasing.
Bridget Fidget wants a pet more than anything. She wants a particular kind of pet—a unicorn. She will name it Thunderhooves. When a large box is delivered, Bridget is ecstatic. Surely it is her unicorn. The large box contains a multitude of packing peanuts and a small box. Bridget adjusts her idea of the perfect pet to a mouse. But is a mouse really in the box?
What I thought: Absolutely delightful. I couldn’t resist reading a book in which the main character shares my name. Bridget is just want a little girl ought to be—impetuous and mischievous (without realizing she’s either). Berger’s illustrations remind me of pictures books from years ago. The colors are simple and the lines bold. Very pleasing.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Garcia, Kami and Margaret Stohl. Beautiful Creatures. New York: Little, Brown and Company, December 2009. ARC Provided by Baker & Taylor.
Ethan Wate is counting the days until he can leave Gatlin, SC. Since his mom’s death, small town life has been unbearable. So people won’t think he’s odd, he hides his love of reading under his bed.
Lena Duchannes is counting the days until her sixteenth birthday. The numbers are on her hand. As the niece of the local recluse, Lena doesn’t exactly fit in around Gatlin.
Against the odds and their friends’ and families’ wishes, Ethan and Lena become friends. The strength of their friendship causes Lena to reveal the importance of her sixteenth birthday. Lena is caster (think witch, but don’t say it. It’s such a cliché.) Her family was cursed during the Civil War. On her birthday, Lean will be claimed by either good (Light) or evil (Dark). She has no choice. She fears becoming dark.
Lena and Ethan begin a quest to break the curse. They become more than friends. As Lena’s powers develop, the town ostracizes her. Can they break the curse in time? Will Lena be Light or Dark?
What I thought: I couldn’t put this book down. The plot is unique. It’s a lengthy book (600 plus pages), but every word was chosen with care. This is one of the best books I’ve read in a while. The Southern setting (and hence atmosphere) is inspired. For some reason, (I would hazard all our superstitions), paranormal stuff works better in the South. I liked that Ethan was the narrator. The authors captured him perfectly. His voice as brought out by their writing style reminded me of Tyler in Laurie Halse Anderson’s Twisted. I won’t give away the ending, but I’m hoping for a sequel. In summary, a fantastic book.
Ethan Wate is counting the days until he can leave Gatlin, SC. Since his mom’s death, small town life has been unbearable. So people won’t think he’s odd, he hides his love of reading under his bed.
Lena Duchannes is counting the days until her sixteenth birthday. The numbers are on her hand. As the niece of the local recluse, Lena doesn’t exactly fit in around Gatlin.
Against the odds and their friends’ and families’ wishes, Ethan and Lena become friends. The strength of their friendship causes Lena to reveal the importance of her sixteenth birthday. Lena is caster (think witch, but don’t say it. It’s such a cliché.) Her family was cursed during the Civil War. On her birthday, Lean will be claimed by either good (Light) or evil (Dark). She has no choice. She fears becoming dark.
Lena and Ethan begin a quest to break the curse. They become more than friends. As Lena’s powers develop, the town ostracizes her. Can they break the curse in time? Will Lena be Light or Dark?
What I thought: I couldn’t put this book down. The plot is unique. It’s a lengthy book (600 plus pages), but every word was chosen with care. This is one of the best books I’ve read in a while. The Southern setting (and hence atmosphere) is inspired. For some reason, (I would hazard all our superstitions), paranormal stuff works better in the South. I liked that Ethan was the narrator. The authors captured him perfectly. His voice as brought out by their writing style reminded me of Tyler in Laurie Halse Anderson’s Twisted. I won’t give away the ending, but I’m hoping for a sequel. In summary, a fantastic book.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Kiki’s Blankie by Janie Bynum
Bynum, Janie. Kiki’s Blankie. New York: Sterling, 2009
Kiki and her blankie are inseparable. They go everywhere together and have great adventures. When Kiki looses her blankie, she risks life and limb to retrieve it.
What I Thought: What a cute book. The subject will be near and dear to many hearts. I especially liked the part where Kiki’s blanket got a bath. Little ones are loath to give up there blankets to the washing machine. Seeing that Kiki does without qualm may make it easier for them.
Kiki and her blankie are inseparable. They go everywhere together and have great adventures. When Kiki looses her blankie, she risks life and limb to retrieve it.
What I Thought: What a cute book. The subject will be near and dear to many hearts. I especially liked the part where Kiki’s blanket got a bath. Little ones are loath to give up there blankets to the washing machine. Seeing that Kiki does without qualm may make it easier for them.
Friday, November 20, 2009
The Further Adventures of Ociee Nash by Milam McGraw Propst
Propst, Milam McGraw. The Further Adventures of Ociee Nash. Memphis, TN: Belle Bridge Books, September 2009. (ARC provided by Publisher) Book 3 in The Adventures of Ociee Nash series
Ociee is enjoying her visit in Abbeville, MS when her father surprises her. She won’t be returning to Asheville, NC. The whole Nash family (Papa, Ben, and Ociee) will be moving to Memphis, TN to be closer to brother Fred and his new wife. Anything that involves Ociee is never uneventful. The title of this book is quite correct—Ociee has many adventures. She saves the day on the way to Memphis. She endears herself to a reclusive neighbor lady.
What I thought: I continue to be delighted with the character of Ociee Nash. She is wonderfully spunky and adventurous. In many ways, she reminds me of L.M. Montgomery’s Anne and Astrid Lindgren’s Pippi. Ociee is the South’s answer to a classic juvenile heroine. I especially like the fact that the author bases Ociee’s adventures on her real relatives. That gives the book something extra—historical flavor and truth. I eagerly await the next installment in her adventures.
Ociee is enjoying her visit in Abbeville, MS when her father surprises her. She won’t be returning to Asheville, NC. The whole Nash family (Papa, Ben, and Ociee) will be moving to Memphis, TN to be closer to brother Fred and his new wife. Anything that involves Ociee is never uneventful. The title of this book is quite correct—Ociee has many adventures. She saves the day on the way to Memphis. She endears herself to a reclusive neighbor lady.
What I thought: I continue to be delighted with the character of Ociee Nash. She is wonderfully spunky and adventurous. In many ways, she reminds me of L.M. Montgomery’s Anne and Astrid Lindgren’s Pippi. Ociee is the South’s answer to a classic juvenile heroine. I especially like the fact that the author bases Ociee’s adventures on her real relatives. That gives the book something extra—historical flavor and truth. I eagerly await the next installment in her adventures.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Trollbridge by Jane Yolen & Adam Stemple
Yolen, Jane and Adam Stemple. Trollbridge: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Fairy Tale. New York: Starscape, 2006.
Moira doesn’t want to be a Dairy Princess. She’d much rather play her harp. But her mother thinks being one of the twelve dairy princesses will increase her notoriety. Moira grits her teeth and bears the photo shoots and appearances until the day the princesses have a photo session on the Trollholm Bridge. The troll king kidnaps the girls. They will be wives for his sons. Only Moira escapes being drugged into a deep sleep. With the help of a mysterious fox, she hopes to free the other girls and return home.
Meanwhile, the Griffson Brothers (Galen, Erik, and Jakob) are on vacation from their life as teen pop singers. They find themselves in troll world as well. Not as wives, but as dinner. Jakob escapes his captors to join Moira in her plan to rescue the other girls and now his brothers. Will they succeed?
What I thought: I like the use of familiar fairy tales (Three Billy Goats Gruff and Twelve Dancing Princesses). However, Yolen and Stemple make their own original fairy tale with this book. For some reason, the Griffson Brother reminded me of the Jonas Brother. Moira and Jakob are likeable, creative characters. As always, the songs are great.
Moira doesn’t want to be a Dairy Princess. She’d much rather play her harp. But her mother thinks being one of the twelve dairy princesses will increase her notoriety. Moira grits her teeth and bears the photo shoots and appearances until the day the princesses have a photo session on the Trollholm Bridge. The troll king kidnaps the girls. They will be wives for his sons. Only Moira escapes being drugged into a deep sleep. With the help of a mysterious fox, she hopes to free the other girls and return home.
Meanwhile, the Griffson Brothers (Galen, Erik, and Jakob) are on vacation from their life as teen pop singers. They find themselves in troll world as well. Not as wives, but as dinner. Jakob escapes his captors to join Moira in her plan to rescue the other girls and now his brothers. Will they succeed?
What I thought: I like the use of familiar fairy tales (Three Billy Goats Gruff and Twelve Dancing Princesses). However, Yolen and Stemple make their own original fairy tale with this book. For some reason, the Griffson Brother reminded me of the Jonas Brother. Moira and Jakob are likeable, creative characters. As always, the songs are great.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Me and You by Janet Holmes
Holmes, Janet A. Me and You. Illus. Judith Russell. New York: NorthSouth, 2008
Rabbit likes a lot about being himself. He likes that he can hop, build sand castles, and blow up balloons. But most of all, he likes that he can be with his friend Mouse.
What I thought: Short, sweet text. I love the juxtaposition of activities (e.g., “romp in the sun” or “rest in the shade”). The illustrations are soft (colored) and whimsical.
Story Time Idea: Use for a friendship theme.
Rabbit likes a lot about being himself. He likes that he can hop, build sand castles, and blow up balloons. But most of all, he likes that he can be with his friend Mouse.
What I thought: Short, sweet text. I love the juxtaposition of activities (e.g., “romp in the sun” or “rest in the shade”). The illustrations are soft (colored) and whimsical.
Story Time Idea: Use for a friendship theme.
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