The Misadventure of Bob the Book review

 

Meet Bob. He's the all-time favorite library book at Wisdom Hill Elementary. But Sebastian is nothing like Bob’s previous enthusiastic borrowers. In fact, Sebastian completely forgets about Bob!(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

At Wisdom Hill Elementary School, Bob the Book considers himself a superstar!  Children rush to his shelf to check him out.  He has traveled by backpack, will always keep kids entertained on long car rides and is there on a sick day if needed.  He usually enjoys being out and about until one day Sebastian takes him to his house.  Once there, Bob has a distressing time and can't wait to return to the library.  Unfortunately, he is soon forgotten and ends up lost the entire school year.

 

This is a cute story that teaches children the importance of looking after borrowed books. It would be a great read for School Librarians to help teach the younger ones who are checking out books for the first time on their own.  Told from Bob's point-of-view, it is a gentle reminder to treat library books with care and take responsibility for them without being preachy.  During the last week of school, Sebastian's dad finds a note asking for the return of the overdue book. The hunt begins and after Sebastian finds Bob again, he realizes how much he loves reading it over and over.  The length of the text makes for a easy read aloud and the illustrations are colorful and engaging. Kids will gasp at Bob's adventures and cheer when he is finally found.  The last page has Bob offering book care tips making this story a wonderful teaching tool.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~

 

Title: The Misadventure of Bob the Book

Author: Gloria Koster, illustrated by Pawel Gierlinski

Pub. date: August 2024,  Capstone Editions

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

 

 

 

Look review

 

This lyrical, timely picture book with beautiful diorama illustrations shows that if you really look, you never know what the world might give you to see.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

Our world is full of many colors, shapes and sizes.  But if you stop and take a look around what other things can you see?  

 

This unique book guides readers to take a closer look and observe their surroundings for patterns.  You can find stripes on a chair or a cat's tail walking on a picket fence.  How about an alternating pattern of big and small rocks or new patterns such as zigzags.  Some are easy and some are hard but if you stop and look there are so many things to find.   The best part of this book are the illustrations done in vibrant bold colors and paper cut outs. It is a unique concept that kids will want to keep looking at the details.   Information can be found at the back of the book on pattern types and some recommended activities to try. It works wonderful for classroom learning as well.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-8.  

Title:  Look

Author: Gabi Snyder, illustrated by Samantha Cotterill

Pub. date: April 2024,  Simon & Schuster

Genre" picture book

Hardcover, 48 pgs.

 

 

The Reindeer Remainders review

 

A perfect picture book for back-to-school or any time of year, this clever, rhyming story shows how working together and including others are important parts of friendship.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

Twelve reindeer are excited for the big showcase night and rush to class to finish things up.  But when a new student joins, this now makes them thirteen making the class an uneven number.  Whenever they pair or group up, there is always a "remain-deer-one".  No matter how they divide into groups one reindeer is always alone making everyone worried and unsure what to do. They do not want to leave anyone out for the big event. 

Learning math can be so complicated but having fun books such as this is always a help! A picture book story about math concepts such as prime numbers and remainders engages kids to understand them better.  The illustrations are charming and it cleverly rhymes making this easy for reading aloud.  I loved the reindeer's worried expressions for their friends and even though they all looked alike, they each had their own colored bandana giving them personality.  In the end, the deer problem solved their showcase dilemmas happily.  On the back pages the author talks more about remainders and prime numbers. Also included is another page dedicated to feelings when someone is left out and how to make sure all in a group feel included.  Another wonderful concept of this terrific story.  It is written easily for young readers to understand and enjoy as well.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 5-8.~

 

Title: The Reindeer Remainders

Author: Katey Howes, illustrated by Marie Hermansson

Pub. date: July 2024, Sourcebooks Explore

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs.

Just What to Do review

 

When you see someone sad, it's only natural to want to cheer them up. But how? (goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

As adults, we are not always sure how to comfort someone who is sad or grieving.  I can only image how a child feels not knowing what is the right thing they should do.  

This is a sweet picture book that shows us that the best thing you can do for someone is just be there.  Every picture and word is meaningful with the various types of loss and the many ways each person deals with them.  They express what they need and our main character makes adjustments to fit. Until a friends grandma passes and he doesn't know how to help her. So he asks her what can he do to help make her feel better.  The simple illustrations are gentle and moving.  It is a very touching book about empathy and supporting others in their time of mourning.  Everyone grieves in different ways and this lets readers see that there are different types of comforting and it is okay.  It is a simple but powerful book that warms the heart.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

 

Title:  Just What to Do

Author: Kyle Lukoff

Pub. date:  July 2024, Dial Books

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs.

 

 

A Mischief of Mice review

Join the animals and follow the clues in this rollicking, rhyming, nature-inspired whodunit story full of fun collective nouns!(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

A scurry of squirrels worry that a mischief of mice who used to play in the woods have suddenly disappeared.  They wonder if other animals in the forest had something to do about this mystery.  Could it have been the skulk of foxes or an unkindness of ravens lurking in a tree? Maybe the gaze of raccoons or the band of howling coyotes knew who took them?  As the squirrels keep looking no one knows where to find them.  Until they run into a sleuth a bears suggesting they follow the tracks in the freshly fallen snow. 

 

This is a creative book that works well for the transition of autumn into winter.  It is told with collective nouns teaching readers how different groups of animals are called different things.  The rhyming text is large making it a good choice for reading aloud. The night time illustrations are in warm, soft colors with pops of fall colored leaves throughout the woods showing the different seasonal changes nicely.  Kids will follow along with the cute little mouse tracks to see where they are found in the end.  There is a glossary in the back describing the collective nouns used for each animal group.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-7.~

 

Title:  A Mischief of Mice

Author: Christie Matheson

Pub. date: August 2024, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saving the Spotted Owl - Zalea's Story review

Readers learn about saving threatened species — and meet real owls! - in this endearing true story of an owl chick’s rescue.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

Zalea is a three week old Northern spotted owl that fell from her nest to the ground. Unfortunately, her owl parents were unable to get her back up to it.  But a group of Wildlife Biologists found her and took her back to a rescue center in Canada and cared for her.  Once there Zalea was placed with foster owl parents, so she could learn how to survive and thrive until she was able to be released back into the wild.

  

This very informative book teaches readers the true story of Zalea and the importance of owl conservation.  We not only learn about Zalea in this story but also various types of owls and other animals on the threatened and endangered species lists.  It also tells us about the dedication of Wildlife Biologists and how important their ongoing efforts are to protect our earth's creatures.  I learned so much about the rehabilitation of owls that I didn't realize. I do appreciate how the Centers care and ready so many different animals back for their wild release.  At the end of the book are actual photographs of Zalea's chicks and a wonderful glossary for the various bird terms found throughout.  This true story is very in depth and thoughtfully detailed. It would make a perfect addition to a research project or science unit for the older elementary grades.  It is also a wonderful story for kids who are interested in nature or wildlife conservation.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 7-10.~

 

Title:  Saving the Spotted Owl - Zalea's Story

Author: Nicola Jones, illustrated by Alexandra Finkeldey

Pub. date: October 2023, Kids Can Press

Genre: non fiction

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

 

 

It Happened to Anna review

This spine-tingling ghost story follows a tween girl who’s being literally haunted by loneliness until a new friendship upends her life.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Twelve-year old Sadie has been haunted her whole life by a very possessive ghost.  After the death of her best friend Anna, she moves to a new town and school trying to start over.  But the ghost keeps her from making friends.  Whenever she tries, it reacts by making lights go out or doors suddenly slam, a constant reminder of its' vengeful force and what happened to Anna.  But the ghost doesn't seem to be around when she is with Mal. A mysterious girl she meets who is also lonely and looking for a friend.  Mal seems to push Sadie to take part in pranks on other students to seal their friendship.  At first, it was fun to have a new best friend but takes a twist when the stress becomes too much for Sadie being mean to others and the constant worry about being caught.

 

I always like to find at least one middle grade ghost story during the spooky season.  This one is moderately scary and touches on many themes throughout such as: grief, loneliness, parental leaving, social isolation, bullying, toxic friendships and choices.  Because of the haunting, Sadie has become very isolated and lonely even though she wants to have friendships.  She fears that bad things will happen to others if she does and it is best to avoid it.  When her counselor and dad encourage her to open up and make friends, she reluctantly joins the after school graphic novel club.  Shortly after, Mal's friendship becomes toxic and the pranks become cruel to the point of bullying.  Sadie grows more and more unhappy about the relationship but also fears being alone.  Going to her Guidance Counselor offers her good advice to sort out what she needs to do to change things with Mal and stand up for herseslf.  Unfortunately, this is where things get spookier when Mal is revealed and her plans for Sadie become all to real.  She must make choices when a classmate becomes the personal target of Mal's anger and ending the relationship once and for all. While the plot twist was easy to figure out early on, the story is fast-paced and definitely a page turner with good foreshadowing.  It has a sad ending about Mal but a happy one for Sadie who is ready to move on and finally be able to live a normal life.  For readers that like a spooky paranormal story for anytime of the year, I think this is a "just right book for ages 11-12.~

 

Title: It Happened to Anna

Author: Tehlor Kay Mejia

Pub. date:  August 2024, Delacorte Press

Genre: middle grade paranormal

Hardcover, 212 pgs.

Felix Powell, Boy Dog review

 

In this funny, young middle-grade novel about friendship, family, and animals, Felix Powell is magically transformed from a boy into a dog.(goodreads summary) 

 

 

 

 

 

Felix is excited to spend his $5 at the local thrift store that his Nan gave him.  When he spies a special blue blanket, he knows exactly what he wants to spend that money on.  Felix isn't like other 8 year olds.  When he grows up he wants to be a Wildlife Biologist who studies primates.  He also enjoys spending time with his dog Mary Puppins and has a special talent speaking to her.  But when he and Puppins play a game with his newly purchased blanket, it magically transforms him into a dog!   At first he enjoys being a dog and hanging out all day with Puppins. But soon he remembers all the things he likes best about being a boy and worries that he won't turn back in time for his Bean Fest plans with Nan.

 

This a unique story for the older elementary reader about family, friendship and imagination. After turning into a dog, Felix has an adventurous day with Mary Puppins smelling, playing and experiencing everything about being a dog. When Felix and Puppins run into the neighborhood cat with an aloof attitude, the interactions give Felix mixed emotions about some negative feelings he is experiencing. There is nice conflict resolution easy for young readers to understand expressing empathy. Felix and Puppins show problem solving and teamwork to help Gumbo the cat out of a predicament they caused.  It has short chapters and is fast paced keeping readers attention to the end and finding out whether he is successful in returning back to a boy.   There are also lively black and white illustrations to break up the pages giving great visuals along with the story. This is the first book in a series for Felix with more curiosity and adventures to come.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 8 - 9.~

 

Title:  Felix Powell, Boy Dog

Author: Erin Entrada Kelly

Pub. date: July 2024, Greenwillow Books

Genre: Middle Grade

Hardcover, 149 pgs.

 

The Little Witch Who Lost Her Broom review

 

 The perfect Halloween read-aloud!(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

When the little Witch realizes that her broom is missing, she looks everywhere to find it!  As she searches around with her cat Gloom, she tries various other things to replace it such as; a scooter, a bike, a digger and a plane.  But each one is not the same as her beloved broom.  

 

This is a wonderful addition to the Halloween reading season.  The rhyming text flows easily making this a fun read aloud to a large or small group.  Kids will find humor in the illustrations as she tries the numerous modes of transportation. But if they look closely, they will spot her broom hiding in various places throughout the pages.  It has a surprise ending when the witch interacts with readers asking them if they know where her broom is.  Stories that include reader participation will keep them giggling and engaged and this book does just that.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-6.~

 

Title: The Little Witch Who Lost Her Broom

Author: Elaine Bickell, illustrated by Raymond McGrath

Pub. date: April 2019, Scholastic

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

 

 

Feeling Boo review

 

Feeling Boo, a charming and supportive picture book that reminds readers it’s ok to feel a little boo.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ollie and Ellie have been best friends for hundreds of years. They love to float at midnight together and even play in a band.  But one night when Ollie wakes up feeling blue, Ellie tries everything to help him feel better by doing all his favorite things.  But nothing seems to cheer him up and Ellie doesn't know what else to do.

We have all had days like this. Waking up and feeling out of sorts and down just like Ollie. This book shows that it is okay to have those feelings and sometimes the best thing to do for someone else is to just sit quietly and be with them.  There are good days and there are bad days but having someone by your side can be comforting.  Older kids will find humor in the many puns and the illustrations are in Halloween colors with plenty to look at.  To help kids understand their own feelings or the feelings of someone else, this is a gentle story about having empathy and friendship.  Being still for a while just might be what you need to make those blues go away.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 5-7.~

Title:  Feeling Boo

Author: Alex Boniello & April Lavalle

Illustrated by: Olivia Chin Mueller

Pub. date: August 2024, Harry N. Abrams

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs.

It's Not Easy Being a Ghost review

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Misty the Ghost doesn't want to be a cute ghost.  She wants to be spooky like the ones in her stories.  But when she tries to be someone else, she still is not happy.  When Misty gets an invitation to a Halloween party, she decides to go as herself and gets a surprise from all her friends.  

This is another story about self-acceptance and as Misty learns from her friends, she is special just the way she is.  She tries different ways to be spooky like becoming a mummy, a witch or a werewolf but nothing feels comfortable.  When she arrives at the party though, her friends help her realize that her unique qualities are what make her special. The characters are cute and the illustrations are in bright bold Halloween colors. It is short enough for a quick read aloud and will put kids in the Halloween mood.   I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7~

 

Title: It's Not easy Being a Ghost

Author:  Marilyn Sadler, illustrated by Steph Laberis

Pub. date: August 2024, Random House for Young Readers

Genre: Halloween, picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

 

 

 

 

 

Little Ghost Makes a Friend review

 

A shy ghost learns the secret to making friends is being his spooky, sparkly self in this charming debut picture book that’s perfect for fans of Stumpkin .(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

It is almost Halloween and here is a fun story to get everyone into the spirit.  A little ghost wants to meet the people of his neighborhood but is too shy.  When a little girl moves in next door, he wants to make friends but is afraid to speak to her.  So he decides a Halloween party is the best way he can get to know her and invites her over to his creaky old house.  As he prepares for the party,  he realizes that finding the best costume to impress her with is harder than he thought.

 

This is a cute friendship story perfect for the autumn season.  With determination, little ghost overcomes his fear to invite his new neighbor to his house for a party.  When she accepts, he eagerly gets ready but can't decide which costume he should wear.  It was cute when he ended up wearing a little bit of everything.  He has normal worries about things such as; will she like his costume, will she have fun or maybe not even show up?  He finds that he is not alone in his shyness when Anya tells him she gets scared to meet new friends too.  It turns out to be a wonderful party and Anya even introduces him to more friends when they go trick or treating.  In the end he learns that you can make friends by just being yourself.  The illustrations are in eye pleasing soft Halloween colors and the text is simple.  It is a sweet story about overcoming shyness and to add to the Halloween shelves.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

 

Title:  Little Ghost Makes a Friend

Author: Maggie Edkins Willis

Pub. date: July 2024, Simon & Schuster

Genre: Halloween, picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.