by Mouse & Frog review

Fastidious Mouse has one idea about how to tell a story. Free-spirited Frog has another. What happens when Frog crashes into Mouse's story with some wild ideas? Chaos!...followed by the discovery that working together means being willing to compromise—and that listening to one another can lead to the most beautiful stories of all.(goodreads summary)


One morning, Mouse is very eager to write a story of her own. As her words begin to flow, Frog suddenly bursts in with ideas of his own on how he thinks the story should go.  He becomes so carried away that the story goes slightly out of control with a King, a Cake and Ice Cream.  Frog does not listen to what Mouse is saying until she gets very upset!  When the two decide to compromise and collaborate, they find that a story by Mouse and Frog will be better simply by learning to work together.

A nice and gentle story not only about working together but also not listening to others, which some kids can struggle with. Frog's excitement unintentionally takes over Mouse's story and she does not like it. Frog just wants to help but does not understand his enthusiasm is not well received until she gets upset. Each one can contribute to create a wonderful story by using both imaginations and working together.  The illustrations are fun and creative adding much humor as Frog draws his version of the story in pencil and Mouse mopping up his many messes along the way. In the end, the two find working together resolves their conflict better. Although older kids will understand about the writing process and connect easily, Preschoolers having trouble in playtime scenarios may also benefit if a discussion follows after reading. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

Title:  by Mouse & Frog
Author: Deborah Freedman
Pub. Date: April 2015, Viking Books or Young Readers
Genre: picture book
Hardcover, 40 pgs.

Nerdy Birdy review

Nerdy Birdy likes reading, video games, and reading about video games, which immediately disqualifies him for membership in the cool crowd. One thing is clear: being a nerdy birdy is a lonely lifestyle. When he's at his lowest point, Nerdy Birdy meets a flock just like him. He has friends and discovers that there are far more nerdy birdies than cool birdies in the sky. (goodreads summary)



Nerdy Birdy is looking for a few friends to share his interests with about reading and video games. Unfortunately Eagle, Cardinal and Robin really don't care and shun him because they are too busy being cool (or so they think).  Nerdy Birdy finds there is another group of birds just like him and decides to join in making many new friends.  But when Vulture moves into town and tries to join his new group, she is not accepted by the others as one of them because she is different. 

Not only is this story cute but it packs a powerful message about what constitutes fitting in. Eagle, Cardinal and Robin are portrayed as strong and powerful and Birdy as nerdy with his big glasses, love for reading and talent at video games. When Vulture is rejected by both the cool birds and the nerdy birds, he remembers what it is like to be alone showing young readers empathy. While looking at the illustrations, kids will pick up on the funny descriptions of what the cool birds are good at and chuckle.  In the end, Nerdy Birdy learns a valuable lesson about what being a friend really means. This story is a great opener for some wonderful discussions on differences, accepting others and being true to oneself.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 5-8.~

Title: Nerdy Birdy
Author: Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Matt Davies
Pub. Date: September 2015, Roaring Brook Press
Genre: picture book
Hardcover, 40 pgs.

Judy Moody and Stink: The Wishbone Wish review

The town’s annual Turkey Trot race and festival is coming up, and Judy and Stink are training to win. Judy has decided that she is going to take home the big prize: a fat, juicy turkey. (goodreads summary)






Every year Judy's family celebrates Thanksgiving Day going to Grandma Lou's house for dinner and misses their town's annual festivities. But this year, her parents work it out so they will be able to attend both! For the big event Judy finds her best costume; Sarah Josepha Hale, whom I learned was the inventor of Thanksgiving. She is also very determined to win the Turkey Trot Race and has been training hard for weeks. That's because the winner brings home a "for-real" Thanksgiving turkey. Judy is so confident about winning the race that she asks Grandma Lou to promise her she will not buy one for their dinner. When the day finally arrives, Judy and Stink are excited for the upcoming events and bringing home that big prize!

After reading this funny and cute story, Judy's enthusiastic nature will have everyone inspired about the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.  Her commitment to the special day and dedication to winning the big turkey for her family dinner is an important part of the storyline. This easy-to-read chapter book was not only fun and entertaining but it also included Thanksgiving facts.  When Judy shared her wealth of knowledge about Sarah Jospeha Hale, I eagerly found myself wanting to look up more information on this interesting historical figure. I also liked the strong sense of family and bringing the community together for a celebration as well. The full colored illustrations throughout the book are vivid and bold.  The fall palette of colors added to the wonderful Thanksgiving theme.  The text flows easily making this a quick story to read just in time for the holiday break.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 7-9.~

Title: Judy Moody & Stink: The Wishbone Wish
Author: Megan McDonald
Pub. Date: September 2015, Candlewick Press
Genre: chapter book
Hardcover, 128 pgs.

That's (Not) Mine review

Two fuzzy creatures both want to sit in the same comfy chair. The trouble is, they can’t agree who it belongs to. They get madder and madder, until…
(goodreads summary)






Featuring once again the two creatures from You are (Not) Small, this second book is just as cute and funny as the first.  This time they are disagreeing on whose chair it is since they each declare it "Mine". Just one simple word makes a big fuss for these two leading them into arguing and trickery over who gets to sit in the chair. The illustrations are large, colorful and witty with simple text making for a fun read-aloud. The facial expressions of the characters definitely add to the story as well. Getting along sometimes can be a tough task for our little ones but this silly and clever story about sharing and compromising just may help with a valuable lesson.  I can't wait to see what these two fuzzy creatures get into next!  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

Title:  That's (Not) Mine
Author: Anna Kang, illustrated by Christopher Weyant
Pub. Date:  September 2015, Two Lions
Genre: picture book
Hardcover, 32 pgs.

Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Racoon review

Francine Poulet is the greatest Animal Control Officer in Gizzford County. She hails from a long line of Animal Control Officers. She’s battled snakes, outwitted squirrels, and stared down a bear. "The genuine article," Francine’s dad always called her. She is never scared—until, that is, she’s faced with a screaming raccoon that may or may not be a ghost. (goodreads summary)




Francine is definitely confident in her ability as the local Animal Control Officer. Until one evening, she meets her match with a loud and very scary raccoon residing on Mrs. Bissinger's roof.  While trying to catch the ghostly critter, the altercation truly scares her and after falling ends up in the hospital with a broken arm and leg. She thinks she has failed and is just not cut out to be the Animal Control Officer anymore and decides to quit the job. Afterwards, Francine meets a neighborhood boy named Frank, who is just what she needs to help build her up again, getting her back on her feet and return to the job she was made for.

If your young reader is already familiar with Deckawoo Drive, this is the second book in the series.  By recognizing characters from the author's other books, the emerging reader will make many connections. It also has some wonderful vocabulary words for kids to make note of and look up if they don't know the meaning.  I love that the words always flow easily and nicely in any Kate DiCamillo books. The illustrations help break the chapters up with their wit and humor. Frank's encouragement of  Francine to remember who she was and go out and get that raccoon was heart-warming. The two characters together made a terrific team. This was a fast-paced and funny early chapter book that will keep kids engaged until the end. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 7-8.~

Title:  Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon
Author: Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
Pub. Date:  August 2015, Candlewick Press
Genre: early chapter book
Hardcover, 91 pgs.

A Mouse So Small review

It's time for Bear to go to sleep for the winter, and even though he's hungry, he doesn't have time to eat first. His best friend, Molly, wants to help him and decides to gather food for him -- a task that proves to be very tricky for a small mouse! (goodreads summary)




Before Bear hibernates for the long winter, his best friend Molly Mouse is worried he will be going to bed hungry. She really wants to help and spies a blackberry bush, a food he is sure to love. Reaching those blackberries high on that bush and getting them to Bear is a large feat for such a small mouse.  But that does not stop Molly though! With her determination and the help of a few forest friends, she will learn that her friendship and big heart wins in the end. 

This is another sweet story about friendship and not giving up.  The theme is very similar to many other books already out there but I think readers will appreciate Molly's determination. She proves that no matter what your size is, you can do wonderful things for others when you are a good friend.  It is a nice story that can help teach kids kindness and thinking of others. The soft fall colors of the illustrations add to the gentleness of the heart warming story. In the end, Bear had a wonderful response to Molly which also showed true friendship between the two characters.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~


Title: A Mouse so Small
Author: Angela McAllister, illustrated by Caroline Pedler
Pub. Date:  September 2015, Tiger Tales
Genre: picture book
Hardcover, 32 pgs.