The Lighthouse of Mr. Tinfish by Chris Wardle

by Carol3 Comments
The Lighthouse of Mr. Tinfish by Chris Wardle (Suggested reading level: Grades 3-6) Amber and I read this first book in the series together over several evening. The story centers around a colony of animals who live together by the sea. Mind you it takes place after the time of humans, who caused their own extinction by bombs and diseases. The animals have inherited a planet that faces rapid climate changes and the sea level is quickly rising forcing them to find a new home further inland. The animals are very resourceful, first organizing an expedition led by Mr. Choli, a cat who considers himself the head detective. They find a safe wood and move the colony. It actually turns out to be a move for the better, since although the river dries up over winter, the animals discover an old mine with water and a tunnel to an old town that provides lots of canned fish, instruments, all kinds of goodies. They...
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Boo! Made You Jump! created by Lauren Child

by Carol3 Comments
Boo! Made You Jump! based on a script by David Ingham I love Charlie and Lola, so I had to pick this up when I saw ourlibrary had it. It's another sweet Halloweeny book for young kids. Charlie is always able to scare his little sister Lola, making her jump, but Lola can never ever make him jump. One night at a sleepover, Lola decides to tell a story. "I'm going to tell you a really scary story about a terrible, terrible very old castle full of icky sticky spiders." Charlie does end up jumping at the end, which pleases Lola, even if it wasn't her story that did it. Really these siblings are just adorable and their friends a great too. The foru of them goof around, but are always kind and cute. And I love the illustration of the castle staircase, it just fits the mood perfectly. If I had a younger child, this one would definitely be in the Halloween box. As...
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Do Witches Make Fishes? by Jason Mayo

by Carol2 Comments
Do Witches Make Fishes? by Jason Mayo, illustrated by Justin Wolfson (Suggested reading level: Pre-school through grade 3) I have to read a couple of Halloweeny books around this time of year, so when this one showed up in my mail last week it moved to the top of the pile. I read it aloud with Amber (10) a couple of nights ago, and we had differing opinions of the book. The story centers around a nameless boy who hates healthy food, only wants to eat candy, and refuses the meals his mother makes. After being warned by his mother that he need to eat good food, he closes his eyes and wishes she would disappear. When he opens his eyes, his mom has been replaced by a witch, who states that the stew is actually her potion and threatens him with a horrible fate if he refuses to eat it. "I promise you this: All the fine and the dandy Will soon disappear. ...
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Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman

by Carol4 Comments
Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman, illustrated by S.D. Schindler Halloween is just over a week away, so I wanted to share one of my favorite kids Halloween books. Our copy has been read so many times that the pages are falling out. A witch grows a pumpkin, but when she's ready to bake a pumpkin pie, the pumpkin is too big and she simply can't get it off the vine. Along come some of the neighborhood monsters each willing to help. Just then, along came a vampire. “Big pumpkin,” said the vampire. “It’s big and it’s mine, but it’s stuck on the vine, and Halloween’s just hours away,” said the witch. And she kicked that pumpkin. “I am bigger than both of you and stronger too,” boasted the vampire, “Let me try.” “Hmph!” said the witch. “Hmph!” said the ghost. But they thought about pumpkin pie and stepped aside. The rhythmic, repetitive text is perfect and I love the monsters. There's the must have Halloween visitors, the witch herself, a...
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The Bourbon Street Musicians by Kathy Price

by Carol3 Comments
The Bourbon Street Musicians by Kathy Price, illustrated by Andrew Glass (Suggested reading level: Pre-K through Grade 3) I mentioned a week or two ago that I was looking for a picture book version of  "The Bremen Town Musicians" that I liked. I love the idea of sharing traditional fairy tales and folk stories with kids, but some re-tellings are just better than others. This is not one of the best. Well, I take that back. I really enjoyed how the story was told, but felt the illustrations ruined the book. What I liked: Price has taken the traditional tale and set it in New Orleans. The four old animals decide to run away to Bourbon Street to become musicians. As in the original, the donkey is the first to set out and gathers the others along the way, with the cat the last to join the troupe. "Why not come wit' us?" invited the mule. "We is goin' to Bourbon Street to bebop and jazz....
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I Am Going to Save a Panda! by Lauren Child

by Carol4 Comments
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....
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