This participatory book really gets the reader involved in the action and the illustrations. It all begins with a simple command--press here!
What I thought: A fun book, Press Here may top my love of Mr. Brown Can Moo. I had such a wonderful time reading this book to myself. In a word, it's magic. However, I don't see how you could use this book in story time. It may be more suited to one-on-one sharing.
(Chronicle, 2011)
Monday, October 31, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
The Little, Little Girl with the Big, Big Voice by Kristen Balouch
A small girl with a humongous voice scares away all the animals she meets until she meets lion. He is as loud as she is. Together they enjoy the day.
What I thought: A lovely story with simple text. Children will enjoy guessing what animal comes next. I like the illustrations--so colorful and no lines. My favorite illustrations are the elephant, blowing bubbles, and the girl and lion laughing together.
Story Time Themes: Animals, Loud Noises (pair with The Loud Book)
(Little Simon, 2011)
What I thought: A lovely story with simple text. Children will enjoy guessing what animal comes next. I like the illustrations--so colorful and no lines. My favorite illustrations are the elephant, blowing bubbles, and the girl and lion laughing together.
Story Time Themes: Animals, Loud Noises (pair with The Loud Book)
(Little Simon, 2011)
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
13 Words by Lemony Snicket
Thirteen words do a story make. How do you get from a bird to a mezzo-soprano? Open the covers of 13 Words!
What I thought: Loved it! The story is funny and interesting. The illustrations are bright and colorful. I love the concept of the story. My favorite spelling exercise back in grade school was to use all our spelling words in a story. This book could definitely inspire writers young and old. I love that some of the words are unusual and complex (e.g., despondent, haberdashery).
(Illus. Maira Kalman. Harper, 2010)
What I thought: Loved it! The story is funny and interesting. The illustrations are bright and colorful. I love the concept of the story. My favorite spelling exercise back in grade school was to use all our spelling words in a story. This book could definitely inspire writers young and old. I love that some of the words are unusual and complex (e.g., despondent, haberdashery).
(Illus. Maira Kalman. Harper, 2010)
Monday, October 24, 2011
Queen of Hearts by Martha Brooks
Marie-Claire is almost sixteen. A time that is usually special becomes traumatic when she and her siblings Luc and Josee are diagnosed with tuberculosis and sent to a sanatorium. In the 1940s, the cure for TB is rest and lots of it. Marie-Claire balks at the forced rest. She worries about her brother and sister and misses her life before TB. But to her surprise, she finds a life at the sanatorium--good friends and even love.
What I thought: I'm a sucker for historical fiction. The setting (Manitoba, Canada) is unusual and the disease is something I'm familiar with. My grandma's young sister died of TB in the early 1930s. When I headed off to college, I had to be tested for TB (something to do with living in a dorm). I felt Marie-Claire's every emotion in this book. Her anger, hopelessness, hope, and determination. All in all, a good book.
I read Queen of Hearts for the YA Historical Fiction Challenge.
(FSG, 2011)
What I thought: I'm a sucker for historical fiction. The setting (Manitoba, Canada) is unusual and the disease is something I'm familiar with. My grandma's young sister died of TB in the early 1930s. When I headed off to college, I had to be tested for TB (something to do with living in a dorm). I felt Marie-Claire's every emotion in this book. Her anger, hopelessness, hope, and determination. All in all, a good book.
I read Queen of Hearts for the YA Historical Fiction Challenge.
(FSG, 2011)
Friday, October 21, 2011
Supernaturally by Kiersten White
Paranormalcy #2
Evie's longing for a normal life is short-lived. With Lend in college, she finds high school, homework, and an after school job rather boring. Coincidentally, her old boss Raquel chooses that moment to ask Evie to work for IPCA again. Despite Lend and his dad's reservations, boredom wins out and Evie returns to IPCA. Since she's not a fan of faeries, she gets Jack--raised in the faerie realms, he knows how to manipulate the paths and transport Evie on her assignments. Jack is mischievous and seems to get Evie into sticky situations. As usual, the faeries are causing problems. Evie finds herself in the middle of the feud.
What I thought: I liked Supernaturally. It's a good sequel to Paranormalcy. I can understand Evie's boredom. Her romance with Lend is still there but less so. Perhaps the long distance thing is true for any relationship. The mystery was good. I didn't suspect a thing. The revelation about Evie's past was interesting. I'm looking forward to reading the last book, Endlessly, that's due out in 2012.
(Harper Teen, 2011)
Evie's longing for a normal life is short-lived. With Lend in college, she finds high school, homework, and an after school job rather boring. Coincidentally, her old boss Raquel chooses that moment to ask Evie to work for IPCA again. Despite Lend and his dad's reservations, boredom wins out and Evie returns to IPCA. Since she's not a fan of faeries, she gets Jack--raised in the faerie realms, he knows how to manipulate the paths and transport Evie on her assignments. Jack is mischievous and seems to get Evie into sticky situations. As usual, the faeries are causing problems. Evie finds herself in the middle of the feud.
What I thought: I liked Supernaturally. It's a good sequel to Paranormalcy. I can understand Evie's boredom. Her romance with Lend is still there but less so. Perhaps the long distance thing is true for any relationship. The mystery was good. I didn't suspect a thing. The revelation about Evie's past was interesting. I'm looking forward to reading the last book, Endlessly, that's due out in 2012.
(Harper Teen, 2011)
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Trial by Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Raised by Wolves #2
Being a human alpha to a pack of young werewolves isn't easy. Other packs still aren't happy about what happened. Shay in particular has a grudge. When one of his wolves shows up in Bryn's territory beaten bloody, Bryn and her pack get more than they bargained for. Lucas is on the run not from his pack, but from a group of psychic wolf haters. Just when Bryn thinks they have a chance, circumstances change. Is she strong enough?
What I thought: Okay, so the above is not the best summary, but I didn't want to give anything away. I liked this sequel to Raised by Wolves. Bryn is definitely coming into her own. The romance/connection between Bryn and Chase takes a backseat to the pack dilemmas, but that doesn't make the book any less interesting. Dev is still providing the comic relief. The mystery element was well done. Like Bryn, I had no clue until it was all over. The lack of Callum in this book was a little sad. The last three chapters were particularly fantastic. I can't wait to read the next book (due out next year and currently untitled).
(Egmont, 2011)
Being a human alpha to a pack of young werewolves isn't easy. Other packs still aren't happy about what happened. Shay in particular has a grudge. When one of his wolves shows up in Bryn's territory beaten bloody, Bryn and her pack get more than they bargained for. Lucas is on the run not from his pack, but from a group of psychic wolf haters. Just when Bryn thinks they have a chance, circumstances change. Is she strong enough?
What I thought: Okay, so the above is not the best summary, but I didn't want to give anything away. I liked this sequel to Raised by Wolves. Bryn is definitely coming into her own. The romance/connection between Bryn and Chase takes a backseat to the pack dilemmas, but that doesn't make the book any less interesting. Dev is still providing the comic relief. The mystery element was well done. Like Bryn, I had no clue until it was all over. The lack of Callum in this book was a little sad. The last three chapters were particularly fantastic. I can't wait to read the next book (due out next year and currently untitled).
(Egmont, 2011)
Monday, October 17, 2011
Blackout by John Rocco
The city is a busy place until the lights go out. Without electricity, people are forced to remember and embrace simpler forms of entertainment like stargazing and playing board games.
What I thought: I love the illustrations. So dark and shadowy. The touch of blue is inspired. The comic book layout (panels) works well. The brevity of the text lets readers (and listeners) absorb the illustrations.
Story Time Idea: Pair with Nightlights by Susan Gal and Flicker Flash by Joan Bransfield Graham.
(Disney Hyperion, 2011)
What I thought: I love the illustrations. So dark and shadowy. The touch of blue is inspired. The comic book layout (panels) works well. The brevity of the text lets readers (and listeners) absorb the illustrations.
Story Time Idea: Pair with Nightlights by Susan Gal and Flicker Flash by Joan Bransfield Graham.
(Disney Hyperion, 2011)
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