Joey Fly Private Eye by Aaron Reynolds and Neil Numberman

Earl interviews Marc Brown

Debu Majumdar

Richard Peck Interviewed by a Puppet

Earl and Doreen Cronin

Jim, Who Ran Away From His Nurse and Was Eaten by a Lion by Hilaire Belloc

The title pretty much gives you the whole story. Jim is well cared for, but runs away during a visit to the zoo and a lion eats him. The book is very well executed, with the text running through flaps and fold-outs very fluidly. The illustrations are adorable, appealing to modern sensibilities while retaining a stylistic feel appropriate for the time when kids commonly went on outings with nurses.

There is a warning on the cover stating: 'Contains a dangerous beast and a miserable end'. It should also mention graphic images, as the book do not cut away during the devouring of unfortunate Jim. It's a book I'd expect from Edward Gorey were he still around and writing. Quite delightful for those who can stomach it.

"Now just imaging how it feels when first your toes and then your heels, and then by gradual degrees your shins and ankles calves and knees are slowly eaten bit by bit. No wonder Jim detested it."

[click here to see if it's available]

by Scott

Anthology for the Earth edited by Judy Allen

This is a lovely collection of images and the written word, including contributors from Isaiah to Quentin Blake. There is a wide diversity of well matched illustrations with each portion of text. Some light and comedic, some a bit heavier. Some are very short and others cover a few pages. It can be read sequentially for an overall arch, or flipped open for a quick read. There is also a wide demographic covered, from aboriginal iron mines, to a boy peeking through the hedges in his backyard.

by Scott

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The Buffalo are Back by Jean Craighead George

When the Midwest was settled, some major damage was done to the ecosystem. The plowing of the tall grasses left the land susceptible to wind damage, the bison and Native Americans were eradicated. This book talks about the damage done, keeping the focus on the grasses and bison, and shows how we were able to repair some of the damage. It ends on a promising note with the re-introduction of bison and native grasses to areas of the Midwest.

Accompanied by very nice artwork, the story is simple enough for young kids to follow. It unfolds dramatically with well crafted text and ends on a very positive note, encouraging ecological responsibility without being blatant or overbearing.

[click here to see if it's available]

by Scott

"Stand Back!" said the Elephant, "I'm Going to Sneeze!" by Patty Thomas

I grew up with this book, and it's just as entertaining as I remembered it! All of the jungle animals are terrified when the elephant gets an itch in his snout, because the last time he sneezed he caused all sorts of trouble. Zebra lost his striped, the birds were all blown away, pretty much everyone had a hard time. So now they plead with Elephant not to sneeze, but how can he help it! Finally mouse provides the solution, but then things still don't turn out like anyone expected.

Very clever rhyming text makes this story flow and kids will be eager to join in the chorus of jungle animals asking elephant to "Please don't sneeze!" The detailed illustrations full of action will also provide plenty to keep kids of all ages engaged, even though the story is quite able to entertain on it's own.

[click here to see if it's available]

by Scott

Bad Kitty Gets a Bath by Nick Bruel

Bad Kitty Gets a Bath is Nick Bruel's chapter book sequel to his picture book Bad Kitty, aka one of the funniest picture picture books ever! The sequel, however, fails to meet expectations. The illustrations are still hilarious and reluctant readers will love the way the pictures break up all the text (It's 120 pages long, but reads like it's 30). But the prose lacks the punch and off the wall humor of the original, if this had been the first book I would have never Bad Kitty and that would have been a shame.

Give this book to cat lovers and children who like to comedy and mayhem combined, for grades 1 to 4.

[click here to see if it's available]

by Patrick

Kenny and the Dragon by Tony DiTerlizzi

Kenny Rabbit loves books, especially fairy tales, so when his father comes in hollering about a dragon up the hill Kenny has to go investigate. After arming and armoring himself as best he can with a variety of cookware and household cleaning utensils he goes to meet the dragon. The dragon proves to be shockingly urbane and introduces himself as Grahame, like the cracker, but with an 'e' on the end. Kenny finds that he has a surprising amount in common with this gentle dragon and the two soon become fast friends. The trouble starts when the townspeople discover a dragon is living nearby and call in the king's men to slay "the vicious beast."

Kenny and the Dragon is a charming story about unexpected friendship. It features Tony DiTerlizzi beautiful drawings and witty prose. Give this one to Fantasy Buffs grades 2-5.

[click here to see if it's available]

by Patrick

The Mouse Family Robinson by Dick King-Smith

John Robinson, a small gray mouse, is about to become a father for the first time and he hasn't a clue what to do. Fortunately his neighbor Mr Brown does, he's been a father, so many times he's forgotten many of their names. "I used to rely on the alphabet. Start with A- let's say Adam or Alice and keep going until you get to Z." John takes his neighbors advice to heart and when he returns home names his 6 new children: Ambrose, Beaumont, Camilla, Desdemona, Eustace and Felicity. The remainder of the book is spent following John's ever growing family and their struggle to avoid the cat.

Honestly the book lacks much of a conflict and after I finished I had to ask myself "what was this book even about?" Despite it's lack of conflict, I still found this book generally enjoyable. The mice are quite likable and thanks to Nick Bruel's (author/ illustrator of Bad Kitty) illustrations they are adorable as well.

A cute, but ultimately forgettable read. Give this one to mouse lovers who are nipping at their first pages, grades 1-3.

[click here to see if it's available]

by Patrick

Snake and Lizard by Joy Cowley

There is something the matter with your voice.
"Ga-runch! Ga-runch!" said Snake. "I've got a frog in my throat!" she whispered.
Lizard said, "Oh, I know how to fix that," and he gave Snake a mighty slap on her back.
The frog shot out of Snake s mouth. It landed in the grass and, quick as a blink, it hopped away. "My supper!" cried Snake. "That was my supper!"

This book is a collection of short stories, which chronicle the adventures of two unlikely friends, Snake and Lizard, who become inseparable after a chance meeting. Snake tends to be level-headed and urbane, while lizard is boisterous and more than a little impetuous, the combination is golden. Simple, but vivacious full-color drawings interspersed throughout the book embellish these charming little vignettes of desert life.

I loved these stories thru and thru. Snake and Lizard's friendship often has hilarious consequences and on several occasions I found myself laughing out loud. In one story Snake and Lizard decide to become "helpers," unfortunately as lizard points out "Helpers give help, they don't take it." So of course, the pair become horribly lost, decline help and fall in a stream, afterward they agree they can accept help, "but only when we really need it."

Give this book to animal lovers who have just graduated from the frog and toad books grades 2 thru 4.

[click here to see if it's available]

by Patrick