Category: childrens

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs written by Judi Barrett, drawn by Ron Barrett Grab your plates! In the land of Chewandswallow, meals - rather than rain or snow - fall from the sky. But something goes awry: the food falling from the sky gets larger and larger, causing the residents to make an escape before being squashed by giant pancakes or rolls. Will they cope with the natural disaster or be forced to make a run for it? Pickles To Pittsburgh written and colored by Judi Barrett, drawn by Ron Barrett Check back in with Kate and Henry as they eagerly await Grandpa's return from an unusual vacation. Kate dreams about a postcard Grandpa has sent, and the story begins. Kate and Henry pilot a plane, landing on a runway of crisp bacon strips next to a field of giant broccoli stalks and oversized hamburgers.  Times have changed in Chewandswallow, and readers will love finding out how storms of gigantic food threatened normal life until...

If you read my review of Wally the Walking Fish Meets Madison and Copper by Gary Lamit the other day, you'll know that I mentioned it was sometimes confusing to know immediately who was speaking. It was a drawback in a book that was perfect to be read aloud to younger children. I'm one of those goofy adults who changes her voice a little with the different characters, and it's tough to do if you don't immediately know which character you're supposed to be. Anyway, following my review, I received a comment and e-mail from the author. I'm sharing the e-mail with his permission. Hello Carol,   I took your and another reviewer's criticism to heart and reworked the book to have an identifier before all lines of dialog.   Since the book is self-published through BookSurge I have the luxury of quickily adding these to the book.   All printed copies will immediately be printed with the update since they are print on demand and there...

Wally the Walking Fish Meets Madison and Cooper by Gary Lamit From the back: Get ready for fun and laughter as three very unusual friends seek adventure, in education Gary Lamit's Wally the Walking Fish Meets Madison and Cooper. Madison is a pig-tailed little girl and one day, she  and her huge, hungry , yellow lab named Cooper discover a marvel at the local pond: a walking fish! They've never heard of a walking fish, but even more wonderful, this critter is also a talking fish whose name is Wally! As the group explores their pond, dunes, and forest they all begin to understand the world around them a little better.  My thoughts: This is a cute little story about three friends learning about the natural world around them. The fantasy aspect of talking animals is great for kids. Amber and I loved the dog, who was always hungry and grumbling about it. The pastel illustrations are beautifully done and go with the text perfectly. I also like the...

Please, Malese! A Trickster Tale from Haiti by Amy MacDonald, pictures by Emily Lisker "My toes are suffering," says Malese as he stretches out in his hammock. "They need new shoes, that's what they need." Malese has not a penny to his name and nothing to trade, but does he worry? Not at all. His pockets may be empty, but his mind is full of clever ideas. It isn't long before he's thought up a trick to get himself some fine new shoes. From marketplace to mountainside, Malese outsmarts his neighbors with trick after trick, until they've had enough and are determined, for once, to get the best of him. Readers will giggle when they see who gets the best of whom in this fresh and funny trickster tale, illustrated with art that explodes with the brilliant colors of Haiti. My thoughts: This book is just pure fun. The pictures are gorgeous, simply drawn but full of vibrant colors. Malese tricks his neighbors into giving him...