The Lump of Coal by Lemony Snicket

"Perhaps miracles only happen to human beings... perhaps I should just bury myself and become a diamond after thousands of years of intense pressure."

This is the story of lump of coal hoping for a Christmas miracle told in Lemony Snicket's usual hilarious and slightly dark manner. The coal is brooding, grumpy and ultimately lovable. Never before have I felt such a connection with a lump of coal. This book is short, but it packs a lot of punch per page. Offer this one to youngsters who love to laugh. For grades K thru 4.

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by Patrick

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.

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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