Blog Archives
Billy’s Wide Crack
What happens when you wake up and look in the mirror while getting ready for school only to realize something is really not right. Unfortunately, that is what happened to Billy. He discovers something alarming that morning, and his solution is to hide in his bed and pretend it doesn’t exist. Then, one by one, his family members come in and observe what he has seen, and all of them are unsure of what to make of the situation.
Billy’s Wide Crack, written by JD Von Lafsalot and illustrator by Pietro Peres, is a humorous picture book with children and adults laughing with each page. The entertaining images and expressions on the characters’ faces will have children guessing right from the start as to what crack Billy has found. I loved that on each page, there was a little bee that seemed to add to the drama of the situation, like sitting on the dad’s tie.
At the end of the book are some quick questions teachers can use to review the story with their class. This helps children recall and identify the context of stories. Some questions require them to have keen observation skills and will allow them to go back and pick out details they may have missed at first.
Billy’s Wide Crack: A Fun Rhyming Story of Assumptions and False Thinking is a light-hearted picture book that will have readers of all ages laughing. With children’s active imaginations, the story will surely bring about many fun, exciting class discussions and laughs.
Pages: 35 | ASIN : B0BFDTGNH7
The Adventures of Bentley Hippo: Inspiring Children to Be Patient
There is something exciting happening in the town where Bentley the Hippo lives. His monkey friend Jaxon knocked on his door and was so excited he could hardly talk. Together they race down the path, following the arrows to where the rest of their friends stand in line waiting. The line is really long, and they can not see the end. All they can hear over the loudspeakers is an announcement saying, “Ride the Big Blue Rocket!”
Jaxon is too excited to wait and tries to cut in line. After being sent back, he bounces all over the place, ruining the rest of his friends’ ice cream they were trying to eat. Realizing Jaxon needs help to settle down and wait patiently, all his friends look for shapes in the clouds. Soon they are at the front of the line and are about to see what the excitement is all about!
The Adventures of Bentley Hippo: Inspiring Children to be Patient by children’s author, Argyro Graphy, is a well-written picture book that teaches children important lessons. Being kind and patient is something that children are told to do all the time, but they can be complex concepts for young kids to understand. Bently and his friends model good manners and show kindness to Jaxon even when he cannot remain calm and patient. They do not yell at him or get mad; instead, they accept this is who he is and find ways to distract him to make the waiting bearable for him.
Illustrator Michael Reyes has created memorable and entertaining artwork for this picture book. Jaxon’s energy is visible, and the excitement he shows is contagious. Also, the concern Bentley has as he tries to help his friend settle down can be felt through the pages. The bright colors and welcoming characters will make children want to settle down and listen to the important message of the story.
The characters in this children’s story are relatable and fun to read about. This picture book would make an excellent addition to preschool and kindergarten libraries as teachers and caregivers work to instill good manners in children in an age-appropriate way.
Pages: 33 | ASIN : B0B8ZQRBY6
La Aventura de Algodón de Azúcar: The Adventure of Cotton Candy
Cotton Candy is on the hunt for her friend, Peppermint. As she goes from one neighbor to the next, she gets the same response and even less hope of finding Peppermint. No one seems to know where her friend has gone. As she knocks on doors and travels all day long, she questions everyone she encounters, but there is no help to be found. Every food, animal, and object–Cotton Candy tries them all. Will she ever find her friend? Is there anyone at all who can help her?
La Aventura de Algodòn de Azùcar (The Adventure of Cotton Candy), by Tara Giri, tells the story of Cotton Candy, who is on the search for her friend, Peppermint. Each and every character responds to her question with an emphatic “I don’t know.” The book features both Spanish and English text and is a wonderful example of repetitive text. Young readers will benefit from seeing and hearing the same question and answer on each page. Whether they are English or Spanish readers, they will find themselves quickly absorbing the corresponding translation.
Perhaps the most striking feature of Giri’s work is the focus on the use of adjectives. As an elementary teacher, I am glad to see a children’s book focusing on a specific part of speech. It is difficult to find trade books that offer multiple opportunities to practice with adjectives. Giri has given parents and teachers a wonderful teaching tool. The only thing that I did not love about this book was the formatting. On some pages, the text can be somewhat difficult to read where it is layered over the illustrations.
La Aventura de Algodòn de Azùcar is a magical bilingual picture book that will captivate and entertain children as they go on an adventure searching for their missing friend. I recommend Giri’s work to any parent or teacher looking to introduce their children to a second language.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B0B37Z73QD
There’s a Monster on my Bed
Harvey is a master at hiding. There’s no place in his room he doesn’t like to hide. Only one thing slows Harvey down, the Monster who comes into his room every night. When the Monster falls asleep, Harvey decides tonight will be different. Tonight, he will be brave and allow the monster to see him. Is the Monster as scary as Harvey imagines, or is it no big deal? There is only one way to find out.
There’s a Monster on My Bed, written by Margit E. Macchia and illustrated by Olga Scherbakova is a new take on an age-old story. Macchia has produced a precious monster tale that turns the tables on the traditional versions. I love the fact that the story required me to back up, reread, and think more deeply about events. This is a fantastic way to inspire outside-the-box thinking in young readers–a much-needed skill in elementary classrooms and a great technique for parents to practice at home.
This picture book does a wonderful job of teaching children how to face their fears, especially when someone looks different from they do. This is a great way to show kids that you can make friends with people that look different and have different backgrounds or cultures. It is a heartwarming story of acceptance and friendship.
There’s a Monster on My Bed, written by Margit E. Macchia and illustrated by Olga Scherbakova, is a well-crafted children’s bedtime storybook that will entertain and educate children. I can see Macchia’s fun spin on the monster-under-the-bed becoming a favorite in classrooms. Scherbakova’s vibrant illustrations bring the tale to life. I recommend Macchia’s book to parents and teachers alike.
Pages: 34 | ASIN : B0BD54WYH4
Pentagon Pirate Gang
Eleven-year-old Aime Snave and her little brother, eight-year-old Oro, prepare for summer camp at the School of Fruit Learning. Accompanied by Aime’s best friend Gramon and Oro’s friend shy, little Violer, the foursome enters a mysterious world full of mystery and hidden magic. While at the school run by strict headmistress Mrs. Blackfruit, the children meet a new friend: inquisitive Semia, who is certain that all is not as it seems. Navigating the many teachers of the school, all of whom seem to harbor deep secrets, the five soon discover that they are part of something much larger than they ever could have imagined. History soon begins to repeat itself, with five young children caught in the middle of its deadly wake.
Pentagon Pirate Gang: Secrets of the Orchard by J.W. Nelson is an engaging read which focuses on a tightly knit group of five friends (the Pentagon) as they struggle to uncover the truth about the Hogwarts-style school and its mysterious past. The story is well-written, with substantial world-building and deep characters. There are no easy answers for brave Aime, her perceptive brother Oro, athletic Gramon, intrepid Semia, or sweet little Violer, who all find themselves in the midst of a mystery with far-reaching consequences. Instead, the Pentagon Pirates must work together to discover the truth in a world where uncertainty reigns supreme.
There is so much good to say about this book. Even minor characters and villains have depth, especially the malefic Mrs. Blackfruit and her paramour, Mr. Thornby. However, there are so many characters that it can be difficult at times to keep everyone straight. A bit slow getting started, the book truly finds its stride as the school sporting events begin, and the pace gets more intense as the plot thickens. A quick editorial brush-up to remove a few type errors and naming inconsistencies would make this highly intelligent plot shine even brighter. The complex mystery ends on a serious cliffhanger, leaving the reader dying to know what will happen to the Pentagon Pirates next.
A rich world with a myriad of mysteries at our fingertips, Pentagon Pirate Gang: Secret of the Orchard is suitable for readers 12 and up who love a complex setting. The book contains minor language, and children regularly find themselves in harm’s way. A deep setting with memorable characters, an engaging plotline, and unsolved mysteries that challenge the reader to think outside the box, this intrepid tale of friendship and unraveling dark secrets is an incredible beginning to the adventures of the Pentagon Pirate Gang.
Pages: 272 | ASIN : B09M4FPG9L
A Home for Sally
A Home for Sally is a heartwarming picture book about one little puppy that is born missing one of her paws. She spends months and months in a kennel because no one wants to adopt her with her missing paw. She watches as all her siblings and friends find new homes, and she is left waiting alone. One day a family comes in and finally notices her, but will they have it in their hearts to take home the puppy with a missing paw?
Adopting a pet is a big decision and one that requires an even bigger heart if the animal has a disability or medical issue. Author Stenetta Anthony shows children in this amazing story that it is important to wait for the right situation and not rush into things. Lots of people adopted the other dogs, but it took patience for Sally to find the right family for her. Teaching children to be patient and wait for the right time in life is hard, and this story will help them understand the value of being patient.
While I enjoyed most of this story, one line stood out that did not feel right to me. When Sally was looking in the mirror and saying negative things about herself, she said that her friends had said those things to her. If they were really her friends, they would not be telling her that she was unloveable or unwanted. However, Sally showed grace and the depth of her golden heart when she was worried about them not being adopted when she found her forever home. Showing kindness to those that are not always kind to you is a great message for children to see in action.
A Home for Sally is a well-written children’s book that will teach children about patience, being kind, and never giving up on their dreams. It is a wonderful book for families and classrooms and would be a great book to read to children who are looking to get their first pet.
Pages: 30 | ASIN : B09515GN7G
Otto: The Not-So-Little Giant
A seven-year-old boy lives in the village of Biggersville. This is a village of giants. The problem is he has stopped growing. Little Otto is much smaller than the rest of his classmates and family. He wants desperately to be bigger like everyone else to fit in. One day his best friend ends up in trouble, and it turns out that his small size is the one thing that can help her out of her predicament. Can being different be a good thing after all?
Otto: The Not-So-Little Giant is a wonderful children’s book exploring a common fear among children. They fear being different and standing out among their friends and peers. It is hard when you are different and not like the other kids in class, and Otto struggles to find where he fits in. However, the message of acceptance and love from his parents is apparent and heartwarming. He has one genuine friend who stands up for him no matter what and doesn’t care that he is much smaller than her. This shows kids that there are good people out there that will like them for who they are.
Author David Mulholland gives Otto a great personality, and, despite his desire to be bigger, he is a great kid with a big heart that wants to be helpful to his parents and friends. I feel this showcases that even if you are smaller or different, you can still make a big difference in the lives of the people around you.
Otto: The Not-So-Little Giant is a well-crafted children’s story that is perfect for early elementary students and their families. I can see this making an excellent story for out load reading to a class or in a library. It will take children on an exciting adventure and teach them the value of self-esteem and friendship.
Pages: 24 | ASIN : B0B75N33TX
Dread in the Dark
It is incredibly difficult to go from being an only child to having a new baby sister. With a new sibling, sometimes the older one has to move into a new room; this can be an exciting and scary time, especially when there is a dark monster hiding under the bed. In Dread in the Dark by Tuula Pere, Elliot finds himself in his brand-new room, which he absolutely adores playing in while it’s daytime, but when night falls, and it’s time to head to bed, the growls coming from under his bed causes the allure of a new room to be frightened right out of him.
The author takes us on an emotional journey of going through the jealousy of having to share the limelight with a new baby in the family to growing older and having a new bedroom further away from the safety of your parents’ room. With the baby needing lots of attention and care, Elliot worries that now being so far from his parent’s room, his pleas for help at night will go ignored. When his dad comes in to put an end to the mystery of this dark monster under Elliot’s bed, Elliot expresses his fears and concerns, and his dad solves the puzzle leaving Elliot feeling heard and cared for.
It is critical for children to know their worries and fears are heeded and understood, and even more imperative when a new baby is taking away any extra attention the child would have had before the baby. I love how the author was able to display the significance of that fact by using a very relatable situation of being a small child afraid of a new room with new sensory things happening.
Dread in the Dark is a wonderful picture book that helps children identify their feelings and shows them that their feelings are valid. It also teaches children how to work through the emotions they have in a productive and safe way that will help them build social skills and self-confidence.
Pages: 34 | ISBN : 9523254464
LITERARY TITAN 