The Case of the Gypsy Good-Bye by Nancy Springer

(Enola Holmes #6...the last and final...sigh!)

It's been almost a year since Enola's mother disappeared. It's been almost a year since Enola ran away, fleeing her uncomprehending brothers Mycroft and Sherlock and threats of boarding school.

Enola's mother is still missing. In fact, Enola hasn't heard from her in several months. Enola enjoys her life of freedom, but alluding her astute brother Sherlock is proving more and more difficult.

Finally, circumstances (a mysterious note from her mother and a missing lady) force Enola and Sherlock to work together. Are two heads really better than one?

What I thought: Another winner! Springer continues her well written series about an intelligent, independent-minded young woman. The only thing that disappoints me about this book is that it is to be the last of the series. What will I read now? I'm glad that Sherlock is finally appearing in a favorable light. His last words to Enola (the last paragraph of the book) are a great quote.

The Enola Holmes Series:
The Case of the Missing Marquess
The Case of the Left-Handed Lady
The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets
The Case of the Peculiar Pink Fan
The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline
The Case of the Gypsy Good-Bye

(Philomel, 2010)

Wayfarer by R.J. Anderson

Linden must be a hero(ine). Her people, the faeries in the oak, are dying. Magic is scarce. Her quest is to save her people lands her with an unusual ally, a human teenager named Timothy. Together they discover not the saving of the faeries but another threat. The faeries outside the oak serve an evil empress and drain humans of their creative gifts. Can Linden and Timothy find help for the oak faeries before the empress seeks to destroy them?

What I thought: I liked Wayfarer, but not as much as Spell Hunter. Set 15 years after the end of Spell Hunter, Wayfarer features Knife's (now known as Peri) daughter Linden as protagonist. Despite all efforts to sustain, strengthen, or save the oak, it and its inhabitants are dying. Charged by both her previous and current queens, Linden is the only hope the faeries have left.

This book introduces some great new ideas--other faeries, male faeries (Hello, Rob!). I like that Anderson doesn't stick to the same story--faery girl and human boy. Linden and Timothy are really just friends. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book, Arrow (It was released in the UK on January 6. Not sure when it will be released in the US or what the US title will be.) Wayfarer, as it takes place so long after the close of Spell Hunter, reads more like a standalone novel than a sequel.

(Harper Teen, 2010)

#FlannelFriday: Five Frogs

I made this to accompany the song "Five Frogs" from the album Anna Moo Crackers. I'm using it for my pajama story times in September. I took the theme (Frogs, Snakes, Turtles, Gators, & Crocs) from Rob Reid's book Family Storytime. I used coloring sheets I found online for patterns.

I'm really beginning to love making felt stories for the flannel board. I'm also working on a version of Dog's Colorful Day by Emma Dodd and I plan to turn If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff into a flannel board story for my October Laura Numeroff Party (to celebrate the release of her latest book, If You Give a Dog a Donut.)

The Loud Book! by Deborah Underwood

How many kinds of loud are there? More that you can think of, but here are a few to get you started--surprise loud, applause loud, fireworks loud, and crickets loud.

What I thought: I didn't think Underwood and Liwska could top The Quiet Book, but I was wrong. The Loud Book! is great. Children love making noise and that means they'll love this book, too. The text is simple and the illustrations are beautiful. My favorite kinds of loud from the book are home run loud, thunderstorm loud, and fireworks loud. My favorite kinds of loud that the book didn't mention are story time loud (Yes, story time can be VERY loud!) and visiting home loud. My favorite illustrations are applause loud, Aunt Tillie's Banjo Band loud, and fireworks loud.

Story Time Themes: Opposites, Time

(Illus. Renata Liwska. Houghton Mifflin, 2011)

Say Hello to Zorro! by Carter Goodrich

Mister Bud has a great life. He has everything he needs and keeps to a schedule. Until, that is, the day when his owner brings home another dog, Zorro. Mister Bud and Zorro do not get along. They don't share well and they both are pretty grumpy. Will they ever get along?

What I thought: Now here's a story I can relate to. Dogs always act this way when you add another dog to the house and Carter has captured it perfectly from the dog's point-of-view. I like the illustrations--realistic with good lines. My favorites are Mister bud fierce about his schedule, say hello to Zorro (a stranger), nap time (both dogs), and Mister Bud and Zorro on the bed.

Story Time Themes: Dogs, Pets, Friendship

(Simon & Schuster, 2011)

Hide & Squeak by Heather Vogel Frederick

It's time for bed, but the mouse baby isn't done playing yet. With Daddy finding and baby mouse hiding, they have quite an adventure before bedtime.

What I thought: Cute! The repetitive text will appeal to children. The story is sweet and I love the illustrations. They're so colorful and filled with action (as is the story). Daddy Mouse's glasses are great. My favorite illustrations are mouse baby in the tub and daddy tucking baby in (My mom used to tuck us in and say "snug as a bug in a rug"). I look forward to using Hide & Squeak at story time.

Story Time Themes: Mice, Bedtime

(Illus. C. F. Payne. Simon & Schuster, 2011)

Time to Eat by Steve Jenkins & Robin Page

Time to Eat explores the eating habits of some unusual animals from the panda to the blue whale. We find out what, how, and when they eat.

What I thought: I'm becoming quite a fan of Steve Jenkins and Robin Page. When I see their names in a review, the book goes on my order list. Time to Eat is the perfect blend of facts and pictures. It is simple enough to appeal to preschoolers but informative enough so that elementary and middle school students could use it for research. I love the illustrations. I has no idea that cut and torn paper collage could be so intricate. My favorite illustrations are the panda, chipmunk, and aye aye.

(Houghton Mifflin, 2011)