37- Day Out With Daddy by: Stephen Cook
Writing: A Illustrations: A
I REALLY LIKE this book. I had never read it before. The mom goes out of town so the kid gets a day with his dad. He thinks everything is great and special. They eat poorly and stay up late and the mom says they had so much fun she may never leave again (I took this to mean, Wow! The house is a mess! Why did I leave you two alone?).
38- Arthur's Valentine by: Marc Brown
Writing: A Illustrations: B (What can I say? I like the new look Arthur has now)
This is nice just like every other Arthur book. Not as long as Dr. Seuss, but longer than some books. Arthur has a secret valentine and he guesses the wrong person to give a mushy valentine to. He gets his secret valentine back in the end.
39- Santa and the Three Bears by: Dominic Catalano
Writing: A Illustrations: A-
This was a nice twist on the three bears story. Instead of Goldilocks going into their house, the three bears go into Santa's house. It is a fun Christmas book and also great for a retelling of The Three Bears.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Books 34- 36
34- Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are? by: Dr. Seuss
Writing: B- Illustrations: A
Okay, here is my dirty little secret, I don't care for Dr. Seuss. There, I wrote it. His books are very often too long and I distinctly remember not enjoying many of them when I was little. I especially hated them when I was trying to read because he makes up words. So, there I was trying to sound out a word and the word didn't even exist! It is good for those who learned phonetics, but not the whole word approach which I am convinced is how I was taught. Anyway, this book doesn't disappoint on my pet peeves. Too long, and words I had trouble pronouncing until I figured out what they were supposed to rhyme with and I feel like I am a fairly good reader. Good meaning to the story though, there are always people worse off than you. Maybe they own a whole library of Dr. Seuss books and luckily you don't. :)
35- Will You Still Love Me? by: Jean-Baptiste Baronian illustrated by: Noris Kern
Writing: A Illustrations: A
The little polar bear in this book thinks his parents do not love him anymore. He tries to find out why and finally decides to ask his parents. It turns out a baby is on the way and he finds out that his parents will love both of them with all of their hearts. A good book for right now in our family and pretty pictures.
36- Look! Look! Look! by: Nancy Elizabeth Wallace with Linda K. Friedlaender
Writing: B+ Illustrations: A
Cut paper illustrations are nice. This book would be great for an art class. Three mice find a post card of a famous painting and learn all sorts of things about it (there are colors in a picture, lines in a picture and shapes in a picture). Not the best writing to move it along, but creative enough to make it more interesting than just an art lesson.
Writing: B- Illustrations: A
Okay, here is my dirty little secret, I don't care for Dr. Seuss. There, I wrote it. His books are very often too long and I distinctly remember not enjoying many of them when I was little. I especially hated them when I was trying to read because he makes up words. So, there I was trying to sound out a word and the word didn't even exist! It is good for those who learned phonetics, but not the whole word approach which I am convinced is how I was taught. Anyway, this book doesn't disappoint on my pet peeves. Too long, and words I had trouble pronouncing until I figured out what they were supposed to rhyme with and I feel like I am a fairly good reader. Good meaning to the story though, there are always people worse off than you. Maybe they own a whole library of Dr. Seuss books and luckily you don't. :)
35- Will You Still Love Me? by: Jean-Baptiste Baronian illustrated by: Noris Kern
Writing: A Illustrations: A
The little polar bear in this book thinks his parents do not love him anymore. He tries to find out why and finally decides to ask his parents. It turns out a baby is on the way and he finds out that his parents will love both of them with all of their hearts. A good book for right now in our family and pretty pictures.
36- Look! Look! Look! by: Nancy Elizabeth Wallace with Linda K. Friedlaender
Writing: B+ Illustrations: A
Cut paper illustrations are nice. This book would be great for an art class. Three mice find a post card of a famous painting and learn all sorts of things about it (there are colors in a picture, lines in a picture and shapes in a picture). Not the best writing to move it along, but creative enough to make it more interesting than just an art lesson.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Books 24- 33
*24- Officer Buckle and Gloria by: Peggy Rathmann
Writing: A Illustrations: A
We just got this book in the mail from grandma and had it checked out from the library! It is a classic and my daughter LOVES to read it over and over. Officer Buckle tells saftey tips. When he gets a dog, Gloria, to come with him, Gloria steals the show. It is fun to look for different things each time you read the book.
25- Busy Toes by: C.W. Bowie illustrated by: Fred Willingham
Writing: A Illustrations: A
This is a nice fast book. All about toes and the things they can do. Squish in things, play in things etc. Cute for what it is.
26- Zen Ties by: Jon J Muth
Writing: A Illustrations: A
All Zen books are a little deep, and long. Great pictures though. Mostly a book for adults.
27-It's My City! A Singing Map by April Pulley Sayre illustrated by: Denis Roche
Writing: B Illustrations: A
Do you remember on Sesame street when they go one way in the city and then remember it backwards to get back home? This book reminds me of that. It is written like a song, so I had a hard time reading it without know how the melody was supposed to go. It is a nice skill for kids to have to find their way to places though.
28-The Fire Cat by: Esther Averill
Writing: A- Illustrations: B+
This is another I can Read Book. The cat is a stray cat and then becomes a fire cat at the fire station. He can even go down the pole. It has three "chapters" so it can be kind of long in one sitting. It is entertaining though.
29-Fenton and the Magic Bag by:Ruth Lerner Perle illustrated by: Judy Blankenship
Writing: A- Illustrations: A
This is an Alpha Pets book, so it is out to teach a lesson. I actually really liked the lesson in this one. Fenton takes everything with him to the fair to help him be safe and won't try anything because he may get hurt. He gets a magic bag from a fortune teller that is small and helps him to be brave. When he opens the bag in the end, there is a picture of himself and he finds that he is a very powerful little guy and that he can do anything.
30-Hannah and Jack by: Mary Nethery illustrations by: Mary Morgan
Writing: A Illustrations: A
Hannah has to leave her cat Jack at home while she goes on vacation. She misses him so much, she can't do anything without him. She then decides to send him postcards and starts having fun. This is cute and would be good if you have to leave a pet at home and your kids are worried about it.
31- The Boy of Steel by: Ray Negron illustrations by: Laura Seeley
Writing: B Illustrations: A-
I really didn't like this book, although I see value in it. A little boy has cancer and gets to be a bat boy for the Yankees. It is a good oprotunity to discuss difficult subjects with your kids, but it is a confusing book to read.
32- A Visitor for Bear by: Bonny Becker illustrated by: Kady MacDondald Denton
Writing: A Illustrations: A
I WANT THIS BOOK! Bear doesn't allow people to visit him, but the mouse keeps on popping up. Finally, bear lets mouse stay and realizes he likes to have visitors, he had just never tried having one before.
33- Gathering a Northwoods Counting Book by: Betsy Bowen
Writing: A Illustrations: B
If you think, "Oh! A counting book! This will be fast!" You are wrong. With each number there is a paragraph about something that happens in the Northwoods. I think this would be a great book to remake with kids about your own home/town in like first or second grade.
Writing: A Illustrations: A
We just got this book in the mail from grandma and had it checked out from the library! It is a classic and my daughter LOVES to read it over and over. Officer Buckle tells saftey tips. When he gets a dog, Gloria, to come with him, Gloria steals the show. It is fun to look for different things each time you read the book.
25- Busy Toes by: C.W. Bowie illustrated by: Fred Willingham
Writing: A Illustrations: A
This is a nice fast book. All about toes and the things they can do. Squish in things, play in things etc. Cute for what it is.
26- Zen Ties by: Jon J Muth
Writing: A Illustrations: A
All Zen books are a little deep, and long. Great pictures though. Mostly a book for adults.
27-It's My City! A Singing Map by April Pulley Sayre illustrated by: Denis Roche
Writing: B Illustrations: A
Do you remember on Sesame street when they go one way in the city and then remember it backwards to get back home? This book reminds me of that. It is written like a song, so I had a hard time reading it without know how the melody was supposed to go. It is a nice skill for kids to have to find their way to places though.
28-The Fire Cat by: Esther Averill
Writing: A- Illustrations: B+
This is another I can Read Book. The cat is a stray cat and then becomes a fire cat at the fire station. He can even go down the pole. It has three "chapters" so it can be kind of long in one sitting. It is entertaining though.
29-Fenton and the Magic Bag by:Ruth Lerner Perle illustrated by: Judy Blankenship
Writing: A- Illustrations: A
This is an Alpha Pets book, so it is out to teach a lesson. I actually really liked the lesson in this one. Fenton takes everything with him to the fair to help him be safe and won't try anything because he may get hurt. He gets a magic bag from a fortune teller that is small and helps him to be brave. When he opens the bag in the end, there is a picture of himself and he finds that he is a very powerful little guy and that he can do anything.
30-Hannah and Jack by: Mary Nethery illustrations by: Mary Morgan
Writing: A Illustrations: A
Hannah has to leave her cat Jack at home while she goes on vacation. She misses him so much, she can't do anything without him. She then decides to send him postcards and starts having fun. This is cute and would be good if you have to leave a pet at home and your kids are worried about it.
31- The Boy of Steel by: Ray Negron illustrations by: Laura Seeley
Writing: B Illustrations: A-
I really didn't like this book, although I see value in it. A little boy has cancer and gets to be a bat boy for the Yankees. It is a good oprotunity to discuss difficult subjects with your kids, but it is a confusing book to read.
32- A Visitor for Bear by: Bonny Becker illustrated by: Kady MacDondald Denton
Writing: A Illustrations: A
I WANT THIS BOOK! Bear doesn't allow people to visit him, but the mouse keeps on popping up. Finally, bear lets mouse stay and realizes he likes to have visitors, he had just never tried having one before.
33- Gathering a Northwoods Counting Book by: Betsy Bowen
Writing: A Illustrations: B
If you think, "Oh! A counting book! This will be fast!" You are wrong. With each number there is a paragraph about something that happens in the Northwoods. I think this would be a great book to remake with kids about your own home/town in like first or second grade.
Friday, September 17, 2010
books 20-23
20- Mister Dog By:Margaret Wise Brown Illustrated by: Garth Williams
Writing: B+ (Not my favorite of hers) Illustrations: A
A dog belongs to himself and gets to do what he wants. He meets a boy who belongs to himself and they decide to live together. This is not a book I hate to read, but I don't look forward to it either. Sometimes it seems like a stream of consciousness.
My daughter says: "I like it when he finds the boy."
21- Puppies For Sale By: Dan Clark Illustrated by: Jerry Dillingham
Writing: A Illustrations: A
This is NOT really a children's book. It is a Chicken Soup for the Soul story with pictures. A boy with a disability chooses to get a dog with a disability so they can understand each other. A sweet story, but kind of hard to explain to little kids.
22- Sammy The Seal By: Syd Hoff
Writing: A- Illustrations: A-
An I Can Read book, so it isn't the most fabulous book ever, but it is cute and worth reading again and again. I remember reading it when I was little and loving it. Sammy gets to have one day out of the zoo. He learns lots of things and is happy to go home in the end.
23- Cathy Is Company By: Joan Lexan Illustrated by: Aliki
Writing:A Illustrations: How can you say anything but an A for Aliki?
I have a new appreciation for this book because the main character is Cathy (my mother-in-laws name) who visits her cousin Barbara (my mother's name). What a coincidence! It also tells you that this book is from the '60's. It is all about a sleepover and all the things that go with it. At the end you find out that the girls live next door to each other! Cute book!
Writing: B+ (Not my favorite of hers) Illustrations: A
A dog belongs to himself and gets to do what he wants. He meets a boy who belongs to himself and they decide to live together. This is not a book I hate to read, but I don't look forward to it either. Sometimes it seems like a stream of consciousness.
My daughter says: "I like it when he finds the boy."
21- Puppies For Sale By: Dan Clark Illustrated by: Jerry Dillingham
Writing: A Illustrations: A
This is NOT really a children's book. It is a Chicken Soup for the Soul story with pictures. A boy with a disability chooses to get a dog with a disability so they can understand each other. A sweet story, but kind of hard to explain to little kids.
22- Sammy The Seal By: Syd Hoff
Writing: A- Illustrations: A-
An I Can Read book, so it isn't the most fabulous book ever, but it is cute and worth reading again and again. I remember reading it when I was little and loving it. Sammy gets to have one day out of the zoo. He learns lots of things and is happy to go home in the end.
23- Cathy Is Company By: Joan Lexan Illustrated by: Aliki
Writing:A Illustrations: How can you say anything but an A for Aliki?
I have a new appreciation for this book because the main character is Cathy (my mother-in-laws name) who visits her cousin Barbara (my mother's name). What a coincidence! It also tells you that this book is from the '60's. It is all about a sleepover and all the things that go with it. At the end you find out that the girls live next door to each other! Cute book!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Books 17-19
17- Ace Lacewing Bug Detective by David Biedrzycki
Writing: B+ Illustrations: A-
This is great for bug lovers and mystery lovers. Probably best for kids in first grade as they may get the jokes in it better than my 4 year old. The story brings in lots of different bugs which are fun to point out. Sometimes the story gets a little bogged down. I was also bugged (ha, ha) with the lack of legs that some of the insects had. Bees should have 6 legs, not four.
My daughter: Asked to read it again and again
18-Sneezy Louise by Irene Breznak illustrated by Janet Pedersen
Writing: A Illustrations: A
I wouldn't mind having this one at my house. It follows Louise who has a bad day sneezing on things and getting told to cover her mouth. It was a rotten day. In the end, he parents make it all better. Cute pictures and it teaches to cover your mouth when you sneeze without being too preachy.
19- Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed by: Emily Pearson illustrated by: Fumi Kosaka
Writing: A Illustrations: A
This is a pay it forward book. It looks at ordinary Mary doing one nice thing. If the person she does a nice thing for does a nice thing for 5 other people, by the time that happens 15 times, every person on earth will have had a nice thing done for them. A hard concept to understand for a kid, but the author makes an interesting book about it which my daughter immediately wanted to read again.
Writing: B+ Illustrations: A-
This is great for bug lovers and mystery lovers. Probably best for kids in first grade as they may get the jokes in it better than my 4 year old. The story brings in lots of different bugs which are fun to point out. Sometimes the story gets a little bogged down. I was also bugged (ha, ha) with the lack of legs that some of the insects had. Bees should have 6 legs, not four.
My daughter: Asked to read it again and again
18-Sneezy Louise by Irene Breznak illustrated by Janet Pedersen
Writing: A Illustrations: A
I wouldn't mind having this one at my house. It follows Louise who has a bad day sneezing on things and getting told to cover her mouth. It was a rotten day. In the end, he parents make it all better. Cute pictures and it teaches to cover your mouth when you sneeze without being too preachy.
19- Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed by: Emily Pearson illustrated by: Fumi Kosaka
Writing: A Illustrations: A
This is a pay it forward book. It looks at ordinary Mary doing one nice thing. If the person she does a nice thing for does a nice thing for 5 other people, by the time that happens 15 times, every person on earth will have had a nice thing done for them. A hard concept to understand for a kid, but the author makes an interesting book about it which my daughter immediately wanted to read again.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Books 9-16
I know I'm already behind, but I will catch up and then fall behind again and that is okay!
9- Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come! By: Nancy Carlson
Writing: A- Illustrations: A- (It is frustrating when you feel like you could draw about as well... but in reality, I couldn't)
This is a good story for any kid who is nervous for the first day of school. It talks about how you do things at school that you do at home already. I'd read this again, when I want my daughter to be excited about Kindergarten.
My daughter says: Nothing because she is still asleep, so no info from her this time. :)
10- Who's Awake in Springtime? by: Phillis Gershator & Mim Green illustrated by: Emilie Chollat
Writing: C Illustrations: A-
I really didn't care much for this book. I understand why people thought it should be published, it has a pattern and looks at different animals which is big for picture books, but I just thought it was lame. There, you got a negative post finally!
11- Christmas Is Coming by: Anne Bowen Illustrated by: Tomek Bogacki
Writing: B+ Illustrations: B-
Okay, so I met this lady at a writers confernce once. She was over my group and heard my story I'm writing and such. She is a pleasant lady, but when I have found her books, I haven't been wild about them. This is a story where a little girl tells her baby brother (who must have been born the day after Christmas because he can walk) what to look forward to about Christmas. It is described well and has a good feel about it. I just don't want to read it over and over again which is something that I think a good picture book should make you want to do.
*12- The Picture Book of Cats by: Yoko Imoto
Writting: A Illustrations: A
This is a very basic book. It reminds me of the Babies book by Gyo Fujikawa but about cats. I got this when I was a little girl and have loved it ever since. I love cats so that is part of it. So if your kid loves cats and cute drawings of cats, this is the book for you!
13-Here Comes Peter Cottontail! by: Steve Nelson & Jack Rollins illustrated by: Pamela R. Levy
Writing: It is the song Petter Cottontail... I guess I'll give it an A since everyone sings it at Easter.
Illustrations: A
This book has the song playing in the background. The melody is either way to high or a little low for a female voice. The pictures are nice watercolors as far as I can tell. My girls love this one and will look at it over and over. I think because of the music.
*14- Smudge by Julie Sykes and Jane Chapman
Writing:A- Illustrations: A-
This is a favorite at our house. The dog Smudge wants to get away from a rain shower. He tries to get in the house through a cat door, and well, you can guess what happens! Cute illustrations too.
*15-On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman
Writing: A- Illustrations: A
This is a lovely book which tells the story of how wonderful each baby is when they are born. How each one is special and wonderful. It also explains some mysteries like why polar bears are always asleep at the zoo. Most of the writing is beautiful, but I find it a bit stick at some spots. The illustrations are neat. I think they use computer graphics in with drawings. Look for words in the pictures.
16- Preschool to the Rescue by: Judy Sierra illustrated by: Will Hillenbrand
Writting: A Illustrations: A
I REALLY liked this book. I don't think I've seen this same story over and over again in other books. At first you think trucks and cars are getting stuck in the mud. In the end preschoolers come and rescue them. How? you may ask. They are toys stuck in the mud and the kids are pretending! I hope you still like it even though I ruined the surprise for you. I think it will still surprise the kids.
9- Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come! By: Nancy Carlson
Writing: A- Illustrations: A- (It is frustrating when you feel like you could draw about as well... but in reality, I couldn't)
This is a good story for any kid who is nervous for the first day of school. It talks about how you do things at school that you do at home already. I'd read this again, when I want my daughter to be excited about Kindergarten.
My daughter says: Nothing because she is still asleep, so no info from her this time. :)
10- Who's Awake in Springtime? by: Phillis Gershator & Mim Green illustrated by: Emilie Chollat
Writing: C Illustrations: A-
I really didn't care much for this book. I understand why people thought it should be published, it has a pattern and looks at different animals which is big for picture books, but I just thought it was lame. There, you got a negative post finally!
11- Christmas Is Coming by: Anne Bowen Illustrated by: Tomek Bogacki
Writing: B+ Illustrations: B-
Okay, so I met this lady at a writers confernce once. She was over my group and heard my story I'm writing and such. She is a pleasant lady, but when I have found her books, I haven't been wild about them. This is a story where a little girl tells her baby brother (who must have been born the day after Christmas because he can walk) what to look forward to about Christmas. It is described well and has a good feel about it. I just don't want to read it over and over again which is something that I think a good picture book should make you want to do.
*12- The Picture Book of Cats by: Yoko Imoto
Writting: A Illustrations: A
This is a very basic book. It reminds me of the Babies book by Gyo Fujikawa but about cats. I got this when I was a little girl and have loved it ever since. I love cats so that is part of it. So if your kid loves cats and cute drawings of cats, this is the book for you!
13-Here Comes Peter Cottontail! by: Steve Nelson & Jack Rollins illustrated by: Pamela R. Levy
Writing: It is the song Petter Cottontail... I guess I'll give it an A since everyone sings it at Easter.
Illustrations: A
This book has the song playing in the background. The melody is either way to high or a little low for a female voice. The pictures are nice watercolors as far as I can tell. My girls love this one and will look at it over and over. I think because of the music.
*14- Smudge by Julie Sykes and Jane Chapman
Writing:A- Illustrations: A-
This is a favorite at our house. The dog Smudge wants to get away from a rain shower. He tries to get in the house through a cat door, and well, you can guess what happens! Cute illustrations too.
*15-On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman
Writing: A- Illustrations: A
This is a lovely book which tells the story of how wonderful each baby is when they are born. How each one is special and wonderful. It also explains some mysteries like why polar bears are always asleep at the zoo. Most of the writing is beautiful, but I find it a bit stick at some spots. The illustrations are neat. I think they use computer graphics in with drawings. Look for words in the pictures.
16- Preschool to the Rescue by: Judy Sierra illustrated by: Will Hillenbrand
Writting: A Illustrations: A
I REALLY liked this book. I don't think I've seen this same story over and over again in other books. At first you think trucks and cars are getting stuck in the mud. In the end preschoolers come and rescue them. How? you may ask. They are toys stuck in the mud and the kids are pretending! I hope you still like it even though I ruined the surprise for you. I think it will still surprise the kids.
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