This thread is for reviews of children's books.
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How the Moon Regained Her Shape
By Janet Ruth Heller
Reviewed by Sabrina Williams for Front Street Reviews
Author Janet Ruth Heller and illustrator Ben Hodson have created an exquisite teaching tool in the children's book How the Moon Regained Her Shape. Part astronomy lesson, part history lesson, part fable, this Native American folktale personifies the Moon as a victim of bullying by the Sun. As the Moon progresses through her monthly phases, she walks a path of self discovery and builds self confidence so that she may shine brightly once more.
At the end of the story, there are pages explaining moon cycles in depth and venturing further into Native American folklore. There are also activities to enhance the reader's understanding of moon phases. The information and activities are available for download at the publisher's website, which also contains links to various websites related to the story that can be very useful for educators. Children will enjoy the illustrations and engaging story while parents and teachers will appreciate the learning opportunities provided.
I would have to say that this is a tale for all ages. My five-year-old and eight-year-old both loved the story and plan to read it again and again. I found myself gazing at the beautiful artwork as I read it aloud. The pictures and the story complement each other perfectly, fully conveying the personalities and emotions of the characters. The publisher's website provides an incredible amount of resources and teaching tools beneficial to home schoolers and teachers. The book creators and publisher have produced an invaluable instrument in children's education.
By Janet Ruth Heller
Reviewed by Sabrina Williams for Front Street Reviews
Author Janet Ruth Heller and illustrator Ben Hodson have created an exquisite teaching tool in the children's book How the Moon Regained Her Shape. Part astronomy lesson, part history lesson, part fable, this Native American folktale personifies the Moon as a victim of bullying by the Sun. As the Moon progresses through her monthly phases, she walks a path of self discovery and builds self confidence so that she may shine brightly once more.
At the end of the story, there are pages explaining moon cycles in depth and venturing further into Native American folklore. There are also activities to enhance the reader's understanding of moon phases. The information and activities are available for download at the publisher's website, which also contains links to various websites related to the story that can be very useful for educators. Children will enjoy the illustrations and engaging story while parents and teachers will appreciate the learning opportunities provided.
I would have to say that this is a tale for all ages. My five-year-old and eight-year-old both loved the story and plan to read it again and again. I found myself gazing at the beautiful artwork as I read it aloud. The pictures and the story complement each other perfectly, fully conveying the personalities and emotions of the characters. The publisher's website provides an incredible amount of resources and teaching tools beneficial to home schoolers and teachers. The book creators and publisher have produced an invaluable instrument in children's education.
- 4,047
Junie B. Jones is (almost) a Flower Girl
by Barbara Park
My daughter loves these books, and I must admit, so do I. They are very easy to read and understand, and are written as a kindergartner would talk. I can't think of an exact example, but things like "She taked that away from me." instead of "She took that away from me."
The illustrations are also very cute, and keeps my daughter asking to see them. Some books she doesn't care much for the pics. but with these books, she really gets into the story and pics.
Junie B. Jones is (almost) a Flower Girl is about Miss Junie B. well, almost being a flower girl. The book starts out with her "boyfriend" Richardo wanting to chase other girls around the playground at recess, so in essence, Junie gets dumped. Her mother and teach both try to console her, and tell her she is much too young for boys. While her mother is making her feel better, she tells Junie that her Aunt Flo is getting married. That gets Junie's mind off Richardo and onto the wedding, as Junie has never been to one before. The next day at school her friends ask if she's going to be the flower girl, and the proceed to tell her all about being a flower girl and showing her how to throw the flowers and not trip down the isle.
After school she's very excited, and tells her grandpa Miller (who is baby sitting her baby brother Ollie) that she is going to be Aunt Flo's flower girl. He tries to tell her that Aunt Flo didn't ask her. But Junie doesn't really listen and finds her mothers address book, and calls Flo herself, only to find out Flo's future husband's sister is going to be the flower girl instead.
After her parents get home from work, her mother and father tell her how it was wrong to tell her Aunt Flo that she was going to be flower girl, and to have called her as well. During dinner however Flo calls back to talk to Junie and tells Junie she can be the alternate flower girl, so if anything happens to Bo (Flo's DH's sister) then Junie can be the flower girl. So, Junie gets a new dress, and even wishes upon a star that Bo will get sick, but her mother makes her take the wish back as it is wrong.
Finally the day of the wedding comes, and Bo is the flower girl. As soon as Bo gets to Junie's isle, Junie jumps up and tries to snatch the basket from Bo's hands, and they have a "tussle" over the basket, before Junie's mom grabs her. After the wedding Aunt Flo asks Junie about it and Junie tells her she did it because she only wanted two flower petals, so Bo gives her two, and Junie is happy.
At the reception, Junie and Bo sit next to each other at the wedding table, and end up making great friends.
Freckle Juice
By Judy Blume
Illustrated by Sonia O. Lisker
ISBN-10: 0590072242
ISBN-13: 978-0590072427
Publication date: 1971
Four Winds Press, a division of Scholastic Magazines, Inc.
Freckle Juice by Judy Blume is the story of Andrew Marcus, a second grader in Miss Kelly's class. Andrew is mesmerized by the freckles of a boy who sits in front of him in class, Nicky Lane. Andrew decides that if he had freckles like Nicky, his mom wouldn't be able to tell when his neck was dirty and wouldn't make him wash.
While Andrew is doing research and asking Nicky how he got his freckles, a classmate, Sharon, overhears his question. She offers Andrew her secret freckle juice recipe at the cost of fifty cents. Andrew is skeptical of Sharon's offer, but he decides to give it a try. Will the juice actually give him the freckles he desires?
This is a vintage hardcover of a classic Judy Blume story that is really timeless. Its message of self-confidence is just as relevant today as it was when it was published in the seventies, if not more so. The story captures the attention of a young audience as Andrew debates whether or not he will try the recipe and what will happen when he does. It makes good subject matter for teaching prediction, while quietly communicating morals.
The illustrations in this edition are a bit plain. They are basic black and white pencil sketches with little detail, very unlike the cover photo. The story is interesting enough to carry children past the lackluster illustrations, however.
By Judy Blume
Illustrated by Sonia O. Lisker
ISBN-10: 0590072242
ISBN-13: 978-0590072427
Publication date: 1971
Four Winds Press, a division of Scholastic Magazines, Inc.
Freckle Juice by Judy Blume is the story of Andrew Marcus, a second grader in Miss Kelly's class. Andrew is mesmerized by the freckles of a boy who sits in front of him in class, Nicky Lane. Andrew decides that if he had freckles like Nicky, his mom wouldn't be able to tell when his neck was dirty and wouldn't make him wash.
While Andrew is doing research and asking Nicky how he got his freckles, a classmate, Sharon, overhears his question. She offers Andrew her secret freckle juice recipe at the cost of fifty cents. Andrew is skeptical of Sharon's offer, but he decides to give it a try. Will the juice actually give him the freckles he desires?
This is a vintage hardcover of a classic Judy Blume story that is really timeless. Its message of self-confidence is just as relevant today as it was when it was published in the seventies, if not more so. The story captures the attention of a young audience as Andrew debates whether or not he will try the recipe and what will happen when he does. It makes good subject matter for teaching prediction, while quietly communicating morals.
The illustrations in this edition are a bit plain. They are basic black and white pencil sketches with little detail, very unlike the cover photo. The story is interesting enough to carry children past the lackluster illustrations, however.
And Tango Makes Three
By Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
Illustrated by Henry Cole
ISBN-10: 0689878451
ISBN-13: 978-0689878459
Hardcover, 32 pages
April 26, 2005
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
An encompassing introduction to diversity among families, And Tango Makes Three is the tale of Roy and Silo, two male chinstrap penguins that became inseparable in New York's Central Park Zoo. Roy and Silo imitated all of the rituals and responsibilities of male/female penguin couples. Eventually, they were even able to hatch their own adopted egg with the assistance of their keeper, Mr. Gramzay. He provided the penguins with an extra egg that another penguin couple would be unable to care for. Little Tango was the first penguin hatchling in the Central Park Zoo to have two fathers.
This is an inspiring true story that teaches children about different types of families. No one doubts Roy and Silo's ability to raise a chick, despite their obvious deviance from traditional penguin mating rituals. Tango is a chick that would not have had a chance at life without her adoptive fathers' careful attendance. Children and adults alike can visit Tango and her family in the zoo as an extension of the book.
Simple, yet endearing illustrations highlight this children's book for ages four to eight. Roy and Silo have so much to teach about love and life. Since its release in 2005, And Tango Makes Three has faced opposition and censorship due to its controversial nature. It made the top of the ALA's 2006 list of most challenged books.
By Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
Illustrated by Henry Cole
ISBN-10: 0689878451
ISBN-13: 978-0689878459
Hardcover, 32 pages
April 26, 2005
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
An encompassing introduction to diversity among families, And Tango Makes Three is the tale of Roy and Silo, two male chinstrap penguins that became inseparable in New York's Central Park Zoo. Roy and Silo imitated all of the rituals and responsibilities of male/female penguin couples. Eventually, they were even able to hatch their own adopted egg with the assistance of their keeper, Mr. Gramzay. He provided the penguins with an extra egg that another penguin couple would be unable to care for. Little Tango was the first penguin hatchling in the Central Park Zoo to have two fathers.
This is an inspiring true story that teaches children about different types of families. No one doubts Roy and Silo's ability to raise a chick, despite their obvious deviance from traditional penguin mating rituals. Tango is a chick that would not have had a chance at life without her adoptive fathers' careful attendance. Children and adults alike can visit Tango and her family in the zoo as an extension of the book.
Simple, yet endearing illustrations highlight this children's book for ages four to eight. Roy and Silo have so much to teach about love and life. Since its release in 2005, And Tango Makes Three has faced opposition and censorship due to its controversial nature. It made the top of the ALA's 2006 list of most challenged books.
The Criminal in the Caymans (An Incredible Journey Book)
By Connie Lee Berry
ISBN-10: 0977284808
ISBN-13: 978-0977284801
Paperback, 85 pages
February 28, 2006
Kid's Fun Press
Reviewed for Front Street Reviews
Max and Sam Stone are two curious little boys. The brothers discover they are taking a trip to the Cayman Islands for Spring Break in The Criminal in the Caymans, the first book in the Incredible Journey series by Connie Lee Berry. Their dad's work is taking him to the islands and the family gets to come along for a vacation.
Shortly before the family leaves for the anticipated trip, several packages arrive for the boys from an unidentified sender. One contains a map, the other contains a journal. Puzzled, but intrigued, Sam decides to bring them along. These items may come in handy during the upcoming adventure.
There will be much more than sunbathing and relaxation during this vacation. A sinister character has traveled from Florida to the Caymans ahead of the Stone family. When the boys stumble across the man's secret, they realize their lives may be in danger! The boys will discover the frightening man isn't the only person keeping secrets in the Caymans.
Treasure in Tahiti (An Incredible Journey Book)
By Connie Lee Berry
ISBN-10: 0977284816
ISBN-13: 978-0977284818
Paperback, 96 pages
August 1, 2006
Kid's Fun Press
Reviewed for Front Street Reviews
Summer vacation has arrived for Max and Sam Stone in Treasure in Tahiti, the second release in the Incredible Journey series by Connie Lee Berry. Surprised yet again with a vacation complements of their father's employer, the boys wind up in a primitive hut in Tahiti. The closest store is miles away and the family even has to use an outhouse!
While Mrs. Stone grumbles about their deplorable living conditions, Max and Sam persuade their father to explore a nearby island. They are sure the island must be the same one on the treasure map Max discovered under the floorboards of the hut. Will the boys find a buried treasure on the island? Or will something dangerous await them instead?
Reminiscent of The Magic Tree House books, the Incredible Journey series is packed full of educational material. Each book contains various geographical facts about the destinations of the Stone brothers, along with science facts, experiments, and poetry. A visit to http://www.ijbooks.com/ offers the opportunity to join the Incredible Journey Club and additional resources such as printable word searches, crossword puzzles, and word scrambles relative to each book.
Unfortunately, the story is a little flat and the sequence of events is a bit too choppy, without a lot of transition. There is a third sibling--a little sister named Sydney--who barely warrants a mention in either book and is conveniently left with a sitter while the rest of the family travels. Sydney's story either needs to be expanded upon or left out all together, but as it stands, she's left on the fringe with no real purpose.
There are illustrations accompanying each chapter, but they appear to be texturized photographs, which my resident eight-year-old reviewer did not like at all. Children tend to expect outlined illustrations in these types of chapter books, and they aren't partial to change. The series has lots of potential and fits nicely into the children's adventure genre, but readers will sense that too much of the book is based on the attributes of actual people to become fully engrossed in the fiction.
It will be interesting to see the destinations visited in further installments, as the first two volumes were set on tropical islands. According to the IJ website, books three and four are already in the works, and the settings are Africa and Puerto Rico. Personally, I'd like to find out the significance of the map and journal and who the mysterious sender is, which I'm sure will be expounded upon in future releases.
By Connie Lee Berry
ISBN-10: 0977284808
ISBN-13: 978-0977284801
Paperback, 85 pages
February 28, 2006
Kid's Fun Press
Reviewed for Front Street Reviews
Max and Sam Stone are two curious little boys. The brothers discover they are taking a trip to the Cayman Islands for Spring Break in The Criminal in the Caymans, the first book in the Incredible Journey series by Connie Lee Berry. Their dad's work is taking him to the islands and the family gets to come along for a vacation.
Shortly before the family leaves for the anticipated trip, several packages arrive for the boys from an unidentified sender. One contains a map, the other contains a journal. Puzzled, but intrigued, Sam decides to bring them along. These items may come in handy during the upcoming adventure.
There will be much more than sunbathing and relaxation during this vacation. A sinister character has traveled from Florida to the Caymans ahead of the Stone family. When the boys stumble across the man's secret, they realize their lives may be in danger! The boys will discover the frightening man isn't the only person keeping secrets in the Caymans.
Treasure in Tahiti (An Incredible Journey Book)
By Connie Lee Berry
ISBN-10: 0977284816
ISBN-13: 978-0977284818
Paperback, 96 pages
August 1, 2006
Kid's Fun Press
Reviewed for Front Street Reviews
Summer vacation has arrived for Max and Sam Stone in Treasure in Tahiti, the second release in the Incredible Journey series by Connie Lee Berry. Surprised yet again with a vacation complements of their father's employer, the boys wind up in a primitive hut in Tahiti. The closest store is miles away and the family even has to use an outhouse!
While Mrs. Stone grumbles about their deplorable living conditions, Max and Sam persuade their father to explore a nearby island. They are sure the island must be the same one on the treasure map Max discovered under the floorboards of the hut. Will the boys find a buried treasure on the island? Or will something dangerous await them instead?
Reminiscent of The Magic Tree House books, the Incredible Journey series is packed full of educational material. Each book contains various geographical facts about the destinations of the Stone brothers, along with science facts, experiments, and poetry. A visit to http://www.ijbooks.com/ offers the opportunity to join the Incredible Journey Club and additional resources such as printable word searches, crossword puzzles, and word scrambles relative to each book.
Unfortunately, the story is a little flat and the sequence of events is a bit too choppy, without a lot of transition. There is a third sibling--a little sister named Sydney--who barely warrants a mention in either book and is conveniently left with a sitter while the rest of the family travels. Sydney's story either needs to be expanded upon or left out all together, but as it stands, she's left on the fringe with no real purpose.
There are illustrations accompanying each chapter, but they appear to be texturized photographs, which my resident eight-year-old reviewer did not like at all. Children tend to expect outlined illustrations in these types of chapter books, and they aren't partial to change. The series has lots of potential and fits nicely into the children's adventure genre, but readers will sense that too much of the book is based on the attributes of actual people to become fully engrossed in the fiction.
It will be interesting to see the destinations visited in further installments, as the first two volumes were set on tropical islands. According to the IJ website, books three and four are already in the works, and the settings are Africa and Puerto Rico. Personally, I'd like to find out the significance of the map and journal and who the mysterious sender is, which I'm sure will be expounded upon in future releases.
The Squirrel, the Worm, and the Nut Trees
By Jimmie Powell
Illustrated by Bobbi Switzer
ISBN-10: 1432713264
ISBN-13: 978-1432713263
Paperback, 48 pages
December 29, 2007
Outskirts Press
Reviewed by Sabrina Williams
The Squirrel, the Worm, and the Nut Trees is the tale of a family of squirrels with a big problem. Mr. Worm is determined to ruin all of the nuts in the trees so the squirrels will not have anything to eat during the winter. Mr. Squirrel tries repeatedly to reason with him, but he won't stop his destructive behavior.
In fact, Mr. Worm is even talking about Mr. Squirrel behind his back! The squirrels must come up with a solution to survive despite Mr. Worm's mean-spirited sabotage. They must work together to keep from starving. As they plan their reaction (complete with a diagram), their story is one of patience, team work, and perseverance.
The illustrations in this charming children's book are colorful and fun, drawing in all of the qualities of nature. The story is quick and simple. While Amazon suggests this book would be appropriate for children aged 9 to 12, I would say the target audience should be younger. The plot transgression is a little too forced and simplistic for older children. But a younger audience will enjoy the positive message and learn important coping skills.