Forgive Me, I Meant to Do It: False Apology Poems by Gail Carson Levine

Summary from Amazon.com: Inspired by William Carlos Williams’s famous poem ”This Is Just to Say,” Newbery Honor author Gail Carson Levine delivers a wickedly funny collection of her own false apology poems, imagining how tricksters really feel about the mischief they make. Matthew Cordell’s clever and playful line art lightheartedly captures the spirit of the poetry. This is the perfect book for anyone who’s ever apologized . . . and not really meant it.

What I thought: I remember studying William Carlos Williams' poetry in college. The red wheelbarrow poem stood out more to me than the apology poem, but I like what Levine has done with it. The sprinkling of fairy tale characters was nice. I might even try writing one of my own. My favorite poems are Sleeping Beauty, Jack's cow, Rapunzel, and the Princess and the pea. I'm making a copy of the authors introduction and try my hand at false apology poem soon. It might be fun to be wicked...on paper at least!



(Illus. Matthew Cordell. Harper, 2012)

About Habitats: Oceans by Cathryn Sill

A simple, informative introduction to oceans for children (and adults).

What I thought: This is the first book in the About Habitats series I've read, but I've read several of the About...series by Cathyrn and John Sill. Oceans is just great. What I like most is that it's simple enought to share with preschoolers, but the afterward provides adiitional information that will appeal to older children. John's illustrations are so beautiful. My favorites are the blackwing flying fish, green sea turtle, and leafy sea dragon.

(Illus. John Sill. Peachtree, 2012)

Here Come the Girl Scouts by Shana Corey

In honor of the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts, Shana Corey introduces us to its founder, Juliette Gordon Low. She had gumption!

What I thought: This book made me want to join the Girls Scouts even though I'm much too old. I've always been fascinated by the organization. It was nice to learn more. When I was 14, I visited the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace. This book made that past experience even more real for me. Hadley Hooper's illustrations are lovely. The colors are great and I love the bold black lines. If I ever have a daughter, I want her to be a Girl Scout.

(Illus. Hadley Hooper. Scholastic, 2012)

Hans My Hedgehog retold by Kate Coombs

Born to parents who desperately wanted a child, Hans is half hedgehog and half boy. He plays the fiddle, rides a rooster and keeps a herd of pigs. His differences drive him to live alone in the forest. Promises from kings mean brides for Hans, but can they free him from his hedgehog self?

What I thought: I'd never heard of this tale. I keep resolving at intervals to read all of Grimm's Fairy Tales, but I never quite manage it and "Hans My Hedgehog" is towards the end. I liked this retelling, especially Kate's word choice. This would be a lovely story to read aloud. It reminded me of the story of Beauty and the Beast. As first, I didn't care for the illustrations, but then they grew on me. The colors are quite striking. The author's note was nice. Kate is upfront about the changes she's made to the story. As always, I read the original tale. I agree with the changes she made.

(Illus. John Nickle. Atheneum, 2012)

A Brief Hiatus...

You may have noticed I haven't posted a review in the past week. I'm taking a brief break from book blogging to catch up on my reading and work on my program plans for summer reading. But I'll be back in a few weeks with reviews and some #FlannelFriday posts.

Until then, happy reading to all my readers!

I've Lost My Hippopotamus by Jack Prelutsky

Animals abound in this new collection from the 1st Children's Poet Laureate. Some are real. You might even have seen them in a zoo. Others live in the poet's imagination like the crabacus and the boomerangutan.

What I thought: I'm never disappointed in Prelutsky's poetry. It's funny. At times, it's downright absurd. That's why it works...it's fun! Kids (and adults) don't want to read dull poetry. The illustrations are great. Black line drawings can pack quite a punch. The made-up animals reminded me of Prelutsky's other collection Scranimals. My favorite poems are "Shopping at the Dragon Store," "I Planted a Whistle," "The Hopalotamus," "I Laugh at My Hyena," "The Elegant Bowtiger," and "It's Noisy in My Garden."

(Illus. Jackie Urbanovic. Greenwillow, 2012)

Step Gently Out by Helen Frost

Photographs by Rick Lieder.

Frost's lyrical poem celebrates nature--what you'll see if you just "step gently out." Lieder's photographs complement it perfectly.

What I thought: Oh, how I wish I had had this book for my Bugs Family Story Time in March. It's lovely. The line breaks/page breaks are perfectly situated for reflecting and pondering before you turn the page. Lieder's photos are extraordinary. My favorites are the cricket, the moth, and the firefly. Step Gently Out is an unexpected gem!

(Candlewick, 2012)