Carol's Notebook

I Am Going to Save a Panda! based on characters by Lauren Child and the script by Bridget Hurst (Suggested grade level: Preschool - Second) I have to admit to adoring Charlie and Lola when Amber was in preschool. the cartoon was charming, simple and sweet. Charlie and Lola are adorable and funny, so I had to pick this book up when i saw it at the library, even though Amber's way too old now. It's Save an Animal week at Charlie and Lola's school. In the morning while walking to class, the ever patient Charlie explains to Lola and her friend Lotta what "extinct" means and why some animals need saved. After learning more about extinct animals in the school library, Lola and Lotta decide to raise money to help the pandas, but Charlie has to help Lola come up with a new plan when she gets the chicken pox. I love hos the kids interact with each other, they're nice and helpful....

Alphabet Woof! by Sherrie A. Madia, illustrated by Patrick Carlson (Suggested age range: pre-school - grade 2. It's a nice one to read aloud.) I'm not sure how many of you are familiar with the PBS cartoon Martha Speaks, but when I read the summary of this picture that's exactly what I though of. I mean really, how often do dogs gain the ability to speak by drinking soup. That's were the similarity ends though. Moxie, the dog in Alphabet Woof! talks a lot, about everything and anything. "You know BONES," he began, "may not be ideal. I mean, sure, they're delicious, but are they a meal?..." This started another long session of noise. Of collars, the mailman, and his most-loved chew toys. ( pg.15) Eventually, Moxy gets his fifteen minutes of fame,but in the end Moxy and the reader remembers that those you love and who love you are the ones who really matter. It's a cute, rhyming story, with bright illustrations.  I read it with...