Jam and Jelly by Holly and Nellie by Gloria Whelan

This was an absolutely beautiful book--it looked like something you would see hanging on the walls of an art museum. The paintings are acrylic and so lifelike. Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen works hard to create warm depictions of the family and their surroundings in these impressionistic paintings.

The family of three has a very humble lifestyle--finding many necessaries in the woods surrounding their small cottage. When the school year starts, money is needed to buy Holly a winter coat but there is none. Mama is adamant about Holly attending school and comes up with a plan to make some money. She says, "Plenty (of money) in the woods free for the taking."

Holly and her mama spend the summer collecting berries together, bathing in the sun. Green is a huge color element in all of the pages, creating a lush forest of foliage and berries. The pictures are so realistic, the reader can almost smell the strawberries and feel the blackberries. Holly and her mama work together to make the berries into jelly and sell them in a road stand. This is a charming story of a young girl and her mother spending time together. There is no amount of money that could take those memories away from them.

School starts and Holly is shown standing in her coat surrounded by snow--the only couple paintings not part of the green forest paradise. Especially in these hard economic times, it is interesting to see how hard work can pay off. I think students would love the pictures and enjoy the story. Not everyone can afford to drop $100 on a new coat at the mall, a fact which many of our students understand all too well.

Usborne 1001 Pirate Things to Spot by Rob Lloyd Jones

I grew up loving to look at books with good illustrations. Where's Waldo? became popular when I was younger and the format has continued to intrigue children of all ages. The style is alive and well--on a recent trip to Paris, I purchased a book that was along the same lines of Waldo--un petit garcon Theo and his little dog Potchi give a tour of Paris' famous monuments. Trying to find them in the illustrations makes these styles of books even more interactive and fun.

This pirate themed book was fun and easy to get into. I liked the pirate activities because they were done in a charming, tongue-in-cheek kind of way. Jack is the cabin boy of the ship and the goal is to find him on each page, along with several other items. I have to admit that I spent about a half and hour looking for various treasure chests, starfish, mops, and parrots.

There were some funny random scenes scattered in the larger pictures. I chuckled at the man made to walk the plank (holding his nose as he jumped) and a swordfish fighting a pirate with a sword. Of course there isn't much "reading" involved in looking at these books, but some of the items were ones most kids wouldn't normally come across--increasing vocabulary! I think kids would love this book and could use it as a springboard to look into more pirate-related materials.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

This book, although a short novel, is very thought provoking. I hadn't read it for probably ten years and didn't really remember much about it. When talking to my sister about it, she said that it had been the first book that she ever read that made her really think (she read a lot when she was younger).

Starting into it, I was reminded of another book--Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead. Sameness is an interesting concept. These two books give the reader a glimpse into what life would be like if everyone was the same. I sometimes imagine things being much simpler if all of my major decisions were made for me. As I struggle to find focus right now, having an almighty power giving me my Assignment sounds pretty good. Sometimes it seems like there are just too many variables--cutting some of them out might make life easier. I like rules and structure, so having a culture based upon being good sounds lovely (at first glance).

Everything we teach our students about being an individual and an important part of the learning community are totally ignored in this book. There really is little respect for life, besides keeping the Community alive. As a twin myself (although fraternal), I was uneasy with the thought of one twin being selected over the other because it would be awful to have two people that were the "same." Those that don't measure up to strict standards are released (ah, the sweet release of having a needle stuck into the middle of your forehead...).

The fact that kids are known by their numbers and become adults at 12 seems very sterile and impersonal. Having sameness keeps the community working: family units with one boy and one girl, bikes for the Nines, mandatory volunteer hours, the daily pill for adults (to stop stirrings), and prepackaged food. We do catch little glimpses of imperfection from the characters: Lily's untied ribbons, Jonas' feelings towards Fiona, Father sneaking a look at the Naming List, and the Giver being unable to save his daughter Rosemary from being released. In a Utopia, transgressions are unwelcome, just as in this community.

Having the important job of The Giver comes with many strings. I wouldn't want to have such an all-consuming job that alienated me from the community. Being held in high respect is great, but having no one to confide in makes for major mental health issues. Lowry gives a startling description of The Giver's responsibilities and outlines the loneliness that comes with the title. Having all of the communities memories would be great--if they were all pleasant. Since the general population had no experience with pain or happiness, they didn't know what they were missing.

The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It's the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared. (pg. 154 The Giver)

I think this book would give young teenagers a good idea of what life could be like if they truly lived in a "prison." Many times we rebel against our parents to be independent, only to find that the outside world isn't as glitzy or kind as we would hope. Jonas and his friends were not given the chance to explore except if they made the ultimate decision as Jonas did--to escape with no chance of returning. It is hard to wrap my mind around absolutely no color, music, books, memories, or real feelings. They are such a part of my everyday life that I have always taken them for granted.

Into The A, B, Sea by Deborah Lee Rose

This was a beautiful book! The illustrations, done by Steve Jenkins, must have taken a long time to make. Using cut paper collage gave the illustrations a striking, unique look that made the text even more enjoyable. This ABC book used the illustrations along with little rhymes to highlight animals of the ocean for each letter. The text on each page was short and fun to read. I liked the rhyme "Where Octopuses hide and Penguins glide" for O and P.

One of the first sea creatures, the jellyfish, captures the reader (as well as the title on the title page) and makes them read on. There was a lot of movement, texture, and bright colors to keep illustrations fresh and exciting. Changes in perspective occur rapidly from page to page, but maintains a definite sense of proportion for each set of pages.

One of my favorite parts of this book was in the very back. The author took the time to give a thumbprint picture of each sea creature and then a little description about it. Not only do kids get to have fun with the rhyming and pictures, but also with the informational facts at the end. Using this book for the beginning a unit on the ocean could be a great way to draw students in and get them excited. Also, this would be a great book for kids to read together because they would love pointing out details in the pictures to each other. They could even sing the rhymes, as there can be a definite musical undertone to them.

Room for Ripley by Stewart J. Murphy

I have read and used several of Murphy's mathematical themed books in my classrooms. The pairing of story with a sometimes hard-to-conceptualize topic has helped children understand in a more authentic manner. I also like that the author is from Evanston, Illinois (not far from the Quad-Cities). Murphy has written a whole series of books centered around mathematical concepts and are "leveled" to help match a subject with reading ability (levels 1-3)--which of course these are subjective.

He also adds end activities to do to learn more about the concept the book was concentrating on and sometimes more books with similar concepts. The illustrations by Sylvie Wickstrom are well done and add to the explanations and story. The characters are believable and talk like kids getting a fish for the first time would. Murphy manages to integrate the measurement information without simply listing a chart of conversions. Children can make concrete connections with a better idea of what a cup looks like compared to a gallon, etc. There are really two stories that can be read here: one about a boy getting a new fish and sharing it with his older sister and one about the mathematical concept of measuring capacity with nonmetric units. Students in the past have enjoyed these books and I believe that as much quality literature as possible should be used in our classrooms--whether about math, reading, social studies, or science topics. Kids love stories and slipping in some math never hurts…

Mahjong All Day Long by Ginnie Lo

This is a great book about a Chinese family who loves to play Mahjong. The name Mahjong means "sparrow" because the moving of the tiles sounds like sparrows chirping. I thought that was interesting. I have to be honest that my only exposure to Mahjong has been through reading and watching a favorite, The Joy Luck Club.

There really weren't a lot of Chinese families in Davenport as I was growing up. My mother was an international adoption social worker, so we sometimes got to see interesting artifacts from trips abroad. I have always been fascinated by other cultures and how people live. I like that a game like Mahjong can be played by people of all ages--also a great way for families to spend time together doing culturally enriching activities. The tiles teach Chinese characters, counting, and building winning combinations.

The book was beautifully illustrated by Ginnie Lo's sister, Beth Lo. She used handmade porcelain plates for each illustration--giving the book an exotic feel to this native Midwesterner. I noticed that the characters usually had slightly larger heads than is typical in American illustrations. The bodies were littler with the emphasis on the face, which was interesting. The sisters were careful to create a simple story that concentrated on the family component being strengthened by this game. Each page was black with white text, so it was very striking. Chinese characters were used in the illustrations by characters with the meanings on the opposite page. Such a different language as Chinese can be hard to read, so I think kids would like to know maybe one character to impress their friends with. The illustrations were humerous (the kids interacting with each other sometimes away from the game, making silly comments). A beautiful way to express the love each family member has for another and a great way to spend time together each week.

ABC USA by Martin Jarrie

I thought this introduction to the alphabet had a good twist by using American icons as the illustrations. Each letter had an example (theme) and were represented in interesting ways. Jarrie did a great job of creating whimsical paintings that are appealing to the eye. The colors were bright and the style was different from what we typically see in children's illustrations (a more square, hard-edged painting instead of softer lines and shapes with watercolor). There really wasn't much to read, so a very young reader would enjoy looking through this book.

I was a little surprised at one of the letters. H is for Hollywood and the paintings are of women with their chests half hanging out of their dresses. I thought this was an interesting and sly way to insinuate that there is a "trashy" side of Hollywood. I compared the depiction of women from the H page to others and none of the others had such large chests or were uncovered. I thought it was funny and don't know if it would slip by a casual reader. Since having an expert in class talk about all the hidden meanings and symbols in picture books, I have been looking longer and more critically at illustrations. There really wasn't anything that made this book stand-out more than the next ABC book besides the afore mentioned Hollywood observations.

Knights of the Lunch Table: The Dodgeball Chronicles by Frank Cammuso

I have never really gotten into graphic novels besides Garfield when growing up. Sure, I read the funnies everyday, but a whole book of them never seemed quite up my alley. Graphic novels have drastically changed since I was a kid because now the panels aren't merely separate strips put together in book form.

The graphic novel I read was really good and I think kids would love it. The author was very creative and got me hooked right away. I thought it was very clever how he incorporated various aspects relating to "King Arthur and The Knights of The Round Table" mythology into this story. I'm not sure an elementary aged child would catch all of the references, but I thought it was fun. We start with Artie (Arthur) King who loves to read Valiant Blade graphic novels. The dragon in a cave that must be slayed turns out to be a stray dog that was stuck and howling for help, the kingdom of Camelot becomes Camelot Middle School, and the witch figure Mrs. Dagger (the evil principal). Mr. Merlyn is the hip, truth-saying guidance counselor and Gwen a girl who helps win the dodgeball challenge (war between good and evil). Infamous Locker 001 XCL portrays the Sword in the Stone (this locker also has some magical powers to aid our main character through his journeys).

To keep the visual interest of the reader, the illustrations were made up of various sized panels. This format was not hard to follow and flowed nicely. Emotions and movement were created using placement of objects, shading, and facial expressions. The characters are relatable to anyone who was the new kid at school or picked on for not being super athletic. This was a very fast, enjoyable read!

Here is a fun website with a game to play (I played it and it is really fun and surprisingly addictive): http://www.scholastic.com/knightsofthelunchtable/

Mr. Lincoln's Way by Patricia Polacco

Mr. Lincoln is an elementary principal who everyone loves, except the school bully "Mean Gene." Ever positive, Mr. Lincoln refuses to give up on Eugene and tries to find common ground. Mr. Lincoln notices Gene's interest in birds and forges an alliance with him to work in the school atrium to attract birds. I know we can all think of a student we've had or been to school with who was a bully. I'm going to bet nine times out of ten, that they were unhappy with themselves and choose to pick on others to feel a sense of accomplishment.

I had a student who was like this for the first quarter of school. Once he figured out that I wasn't going to put up with it and that I cared about him, he became one of the sweetest boys in the class--he was just putting up a front so others wouldn't know how lonely he was. Especially now, with more and more working families and different kinds of families, students are dealing with all sorts of situations that they might not know how to handle. Going on the defensive and being "feared" sometimes seems better than the alternative of being rejected.

This is a refreshing look at how administration can have a big impact on students' lives when the proper time is taken. Too often principals are only seen by "problem" students and there is a negative connotation. Breaking this barrier is important, because teachers can't do it all--we need support from other caring adults.

Polacco's themes of trust, loneliness, and new life are explored in a reflective way with timeless illustrations that help create a homey atmosphere and sense of caring. Polacco has a unique way of telling stories in believable ways and accompanying them with fabulous illustrations. I like the fact that this book is based on a school in Michigan where mallard ducks roost annually. This book is yet another reason why Polacco is one of the most beloved children's authors.

No Dogs Allowed! by Sonia Manzano

This is a whirlwind romp with an energetic family trying to relax at the beach. The author has played Maria on Sesame Street for over 20 years, so she is pretty recognizable to children and adults alike. Aside from the charming story, the illustrations by Jon J Muth are magical. There were so lots of interesting formats for the text and illustrations that help impress upon the reader a strong sense of movement.

This family is on their way out the door, but it takes a lot to make it happen. The story demonstrates the importance of family--everyone seemed to be included: the Wise Old People (grandparents), cousins, neighbors, etc.--enough to make quite a caravan of cars. Instead of wallowing in what they couldn't do once they reached the beach and became aware of the No Dogs Allowed Policy, they used problem solving to make the day still amazing. I liked that they were able to use the limitations on where El Exigente (a valued family member, too) could relax.

I know that these characters have a lot of interesting traits that children would love to know about. There is quite a lot of text, so a more advance reader of picture books would better enjoy this story. I think Manzano could write an entire library of fun books based on some of these newly introduced personalities.

The Only Boy in Ballet Class by Denise Gruska

This is a fun story about a main character who loves to dance but happens to be a boy. As a society, there tend to be "acceptable" activities for boys and girls to be involved in. Thankfully, these "acceptable" activities are evolving to be more inclusive. I think of strong women playing professional basketball , female scientists, boys in the marching band's flag corp, and males as "stay-at-home-Dads. Roles are changing, but our perceptions don't unless we accept the change.

In this story, Tucker's male classmates are mean to him and make fun of him constantly while his girl classmates don't really notice. There is also an interesting family dynamic as Tucker is not part of a "normal nuclear family." He has a sister and single mother with an uncle that comes over once a week to eat dinner. The uncle echoes the thoughts of the boys in the schoolyard with comments about Tucker playing football instead of ballet. I liked that Tucker is unapologetic about his love for dancing and he keeps doing it even though it makes life a bit more complicated.

Even though the football players in this book make fun of ballet at first, I know that many high school football stars take ballet to improve movement and agility on the field. Interesting how such a "girlie" activity can help with football. (An aside, ballet dancers are very strong! Imagine lifting someone over your head or dancing on the tips of your toes across a stage!) We see the classmates demonstrate acceptance of Tucker's dancing by joining the ballet class to learn his sweet moves.

The author also has a website with interactive things to read and do at: http://www.theonlyboyinballetclass.com/

Family Huddle by Peyton, Eli, and Archie Manning

Sometimes celebrity "authors" can be really annoying and attach their names to really bad stuff that sells only because their name is on it. This picture book has the possibility of attracting young boys into reading a book about a favorite sport.

I am not a football fan by any means, but this was an ok story. There really wasn't much of a plot and it was very simplistic (complete with Mom in heels making dinner and the dog running around the spotlessly clean backyard). As we talked about in class this week, many times books are written by those who have money and tend to promote an "ideal" way of life. This book did just that--the perfect family: Dad, Mom, the three boys, and a dog in an upper middle class suburban setting. There is a nice sentiment about the importance of family, but not all look like the Manning Family. The digital media illustrations by Jim Madsen were interesting to look at as they were colorful and had a sense of movement.

Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts

This was a wonderful story about the need for acceptance, love, and sacrifice written by a woman from Cedar Falls, Iowa. Jeremy is struggling as an elementary age boy starting a new school year without "those shoes" that everyone else seems to have. He is a sweet young man who lives with his Grandma--there is a picture in a frame sitting on a table of him with a man and woman--in a small urban apartment. Money is tight, as it is for many in our country right now, but he still wants to be like everyone else. Those shoes are everywhere in the illustrations, be it in J's drawings, billboards, classmates' feet, or newspaper.

I like that Grandma tried to get him those shoes by taking him to a thrift store--now that the economy is like it is, many Americans find themselves turning to different places to shop. I have taught in several schools around the country that required uniforms and this book gives us a reason in favor of kids wearing them. If everyone is dressed in basic colors, having those shoes is not a concern and students can focus more on important things.

In elementary school, all the girls around here used ESPRIT bags for school. I mean everyone except, it seemed me. I had gotten a similar style bag at a ballet performance that I really liked until I discovered I wouldn't have a coveted ESPRIT bag. I didn't get teased or anything, but I look back on it now and it seemed important at the time. This story is very timeless, but especially relevant in hard economic times. The illustrations by Noah Z. Jones go along with the text seamlessly.

The Spy on Third Base by Matt Christopher

I grew up playing softball from elementary school to high school. I continue to love baseball and cheering on the Chicago White Sox (even when they lose games they shouldn’t). As a former player, I was comfortable with the baseball terms and could picture the games in my head. This got a bit challenging as they are quite a few players mentioned!

T.V. is a typical kid who wants nothing more than to be normal and like his peers. This third baseman has an amazing knack for predicting where balls were going to be hit—sounds like a great tool to have as a player! Due to his insecurities and desire to fit in, T.V. temporarily stops using his skill. The whole thing is a Catch-22, as he was unable to be respected for “spying” or ignoring the skill. I think we have all felt like this before and have had to keep our mouths shut—the saying “Easier said than done” springs to mind.

This was a cute book about a boy playing America’s game with his friends. I think that this book would definitely appeal to boys and some girls. Matt Christopher has been writing sports novels forever, which gives kids novels to read as they grow. Home run!

Tarra and Bella by Carol Buckley

I am a sucker for animals and this book is great! Not only are the photographs amazing, but the story is even better! This book gives us another reason to look to the animal kingdom for examples of how we can live our lives. Mixing of races/species can be wonderful and unexpected. If you think about it, there are so many crazy combinations of things in the world (did you know you could buy something with pb and j already mixed together?) so why not this friendship?

The author does a great job telling this story in a way that appeals to your heart. This is an lovely portrait of two animals who found themselves needing eachother for companionship. Both animals are "rescues" so to say and them finding family in eachother is very touching. My heart leaped when the semi-paralized dog was nursed back to health by her bff, an elephant through touch and sounds. Just being near eachother was therapeutic and integral to the healing process.

This book is a great example for reiterrating how animals really do have feelings. We aren't crazy when we think our dog knows we had a bad day or that they are mad at us. Animals have their own ways of expressing emotions, without words we have to pay attention a bit closer. Seeing situations like this help bring a smile to my face and I'm sure many others. In my experience, kids tend to like animals and this is a good way to introduce fictional literature that is realistic and memorable.

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

This is an amazing account of the World War II occupation of Denmark. It is from the perspective of a young girl, Annemarie. I have always been fascinated with reading and learning about the people affected by the horrible acts during the war at the hands of the Nazis. I think a part of me is so shocked that something so horrible could even really happen in a civilized world (which I thought we were back then).

There are so many questions that come to mind when studying about the courageous people who fought back to save family and friends from an gruesome fate. Annemarie's uncle asks her, "Are you brave?" and she responds by playing an important role that ultimately saves her best friend and countless others. I like to think that I would do something to help in a similar situation but I honestly don't know what I could actually do. Character is often revealed when tough situations arise.

Although this novel is not written or told by a Jewish child, important lessons can be learned. This novel gives a voice to younger children who did what they could and had an amazing faith that kept them going. Even though this happened so long ago in Europe, we see examples of horrible injustices going on recently in Somalia, Bosnia, and Rwanda. We need more people willing to be there for their fellow human being and this book can hopefully help inspire--especially young readers--to action.

My Dog is as Smelly as Dirty Socks by Hanoch Piven

Hilarious! I loved the interesting usage of everyday objects to create "real" portraits of family members. The illustrations were made using a painted outline and then objects to create facial features, etc. This kind of reminded me of those fruit and vegetable picture books that make the radish look like a bunny or a lemon like a kitten (I always like looking at those--who knew a cabbage could be so cute?).

The dog illustration was clever: onions for tail and eyes, canned meats for feet, pepperoni for nose, and a dirty sock for an ear! Very fun and definitely sparks the imagination for young minds (and semi-old ones like mine)! The story was very simple, but the descriptions helped describe why the objects were being chosen, so it wasn't random. The narrator's baby brother is loud and cries a lot, so his mouth was a megaphone. We are often asked to describe someone and giving fun accounts like this are much more descriptive.

The author also takes time to display some important examples of this creative form of art. The endpapers of this book are creations of children from an oncology wing of a hospital in Israel. I can see how having fun would be especially important for children going through such a tough time.

Toot and Puddle: Puddle's ABC by Holly Hobbie

I love Toot and Puddle! I used to read all of these books to my third graders in NC. There is something about two little pigs trying to make it in the world that tugs at my heartstrings everytime (maybe there is an attachment due to my Iowa ties). I love saying Tooooot and Puddle in fun ways too.

I read and loved this ABC book. Toot is quite the artist, creating cute rhymes and paintings for each letter. My favorite was "fat firefly flying fast." The illustrations are watercolor and have the same feeling as in previous Toot and Puddle books. I thought that this was a cute way to help a friend learn how to write his name and it showed some artistic flair on Toot's part. I also noticed a postcard hanging on the wall (a reminder from another adventure).

There is a lovely theme of friendship and love of learning. I think kids would love reading these and growing into them. As an early reader, the letters could be connected with the paintings by Toot and later the rhymes could also be enjoyed.

Kids Talk About God by Carey Kinsolving and Friends

I love books that are honest and this one certainly meets the criteria. The little picture book attempts to give answers to many of religion’s toughest questions, answered by children ages 6-12. I’m not sure how these children were selected, but their candor and understanding of tough subject matter is sometimes eye-opening.

The book is set up with a question at the top of the page and four to five answers below. Several of the questions also have illustrations to accompany them. Some of the illustrations were very good! As an adult raised Lutheran, I was pleased that so many of the answers were so insightful and that kids were able to relate these complex ideas into their lives.

I worked at a church camp as a counselor in the past and remember hearing some interesting interpretations of our Bible lessons then, too. This book just reminded me that kids often say things the simplest and best way. I thought there were several responses that were worth mentioning.

Even if people doubt you and say you’re crazy, just ignore them. Remember, you’re doing it for God. –Brittany 11 (referring to Noah’s Ark)

Jesus meant I am the bread, and you are the butter as in ‘I am in charge of you.’
--Elizabeth 9 (referring to Jesus’ statement I am the bread of life.)

If you don’t want to tell your parents, it’s not what God wants you to do.—Lacey 12
(referring to following the ten commandments.)

The Day Martin Luther King Jr. Died by Veronica Enix

This is a very moving picture book about the day Martin Luther King Jr. was shot. The perspective is that of a third grade African American girl growing up in Chicago. The author was a child of this time and wanted to communicate what that experience was like for her.

Veronica was in an after-school program when her teacher was told that Mr. King had been shot. The details of his condition were not immediately known, so the room was very quiet and tense. The students were told to go right home and not to stop along the way. As an eight year old child, it was hard for Veronica to fully understand the enormity of the day's tragic event. Upon returning home, Veronica's mother was listening to the news and praying that Mr. King would be alright. A brief reminder of what great things he had done for the people, all people, was expressed. There was a sense of hope that he would make it and still be able to be a crusader for the civil rights movement.

The next day, school was cancelled and everyone stayed inside, away from possible danger. Being stuck inside on a beautiful day was confusing for Veronica and her brother. Even more confusing was seeing their mother, the rock of the family, crying and distant. The illustrations are intense and express a lot of emotion. I can't imagine living during this horrible tragedy, especially as a young child--it wasn't history in a book for them, but was unfolding right in front of their eyes. Although it is a very short book, students can definitely gain insight into this important man and his impact on all Americans.

"Every person should be the best that he or she can be."

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Yeh-Shen A Cinderella Story from China retold by Ai-Ling Louie

We have all grown up in the the United States hearing about Cinderella and her glass slipper. This is a tale that was told long before Disney's singing mice and pumpkin carriage. This story dates back to 618 AD! Several thousand years later, an Italian version was created and then spread through the rest of the world.

Yeh-Shen becomes an orphan when her father died and she was left to be raised by her stepmother. The stepmother was unkind and jealous that Yeh-Shen was much more beautiful than her daughter. Life was hard for Yeh-Shen and her only friend was a beautiful fish with golden eyes. She fed him from her meager rations and he grew to an enormous size. Stepmother was furious that Yeh-Shen had hidden something from her and tricked and killed the fish. Yeh-Shen was naturally heartbroken.

A wise man told her to gather the fish bones and keep them--they contained a powerful spirit that would aid her in times of need. She did as told and was very careful to keep them a secret. Festival time came and all the women of the village dreamed of marrying the king. Yeh-Shen was of course denied access to the festivities and told to guard the fruit trees from thieves. She spoke to the bones of her fish and was transformed into dazzling gown and beautiful slippers.

We know the rest of the story. Yeh-Shen marries the King and her stepmother and stepsister, having been so horrible to her, were not allowed to come to the palace. They stayed in their cave, but were crushed to death in a shower of flying stones. Wow--I didn't see that one coming.

This stunningly beautiful story is in typical Chinese block-printed pages. This format adds to the somewhat exotic style. I loved the illustrations as they reached past set blocks on the page. The story is timeless for a reason and seems to be influential in many other well-known stories. Interesting cultural differences play a key role in this story, as American children might be unfamiliar with why a girl would spend so much time with a fish. American stories tend to involve dogs and cats as cohorts to human counterparts. The African Tale Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters uses several of the same key plot elements. Again, care is placed on showing that being kind will be rewarded, even if hardships have to be first endured. I think that this story demonstrates the need for different view points from around the world--it helps lead to more understanding.

Goosebumps: Piano Lessons Can Be Murder by R.L. Stine

Gooosebuuumpss!

I have never read any of these books because they came out when I was past that reading level. I remember my sister reading them, but never really paid attention. I know my third grade students in North Carolina ate up these books--the grosser the better! I liked that they were actually enjoying their independant reading selections.

While at the library, I tried to pick out one that seemed "gross." I think I succeeded with a picture of hands playing the piano. I took piano lessons, so you could say I was hooked. I always liked my lessons, but thought practicing at home was murder (heehee). Anywho, Jerry is our main character. He has just moved into a huge old house in a new town with his mom and dad. He is notorious for his practical jokes, making his wild accusations later pretty unbelievable. While investigating the new digs, he finds a beautiful piano in the attic--perfectly tuned and everything!

At night, he keeps hearing a low, sad classical piano song being played and investigates several times. His parents become concerned he is having psychological issues and send him to a therapist (very forward thinking for a book published in 1993). Jerry contends that a girl ghost plays the piano every night and that she has no hands! Meanwhile, Jerry starts taking lessons from Dr. Shreek (hmmm, think that name is foreshadowing?) at his New Method Piano Training School. The place has a weird vibe and Jerry never meets any other students.

Dr. Shreek does keep commenting on Jerry's hands though, saying what "beautiful/excellent hands" he has (I counted at least 12 times in this 124 page book). Another interesting character in the book is Mr. Toggle "a mechanical genius" who works at the school building robots to perform simple functions around the place. Starting to see a connection...? Well, turns out Dr. Shreek is actually a robot created by Mr. Toggle to steal the hands of children. Human hands are too complex for Mr. Toggle to build but he loves the beautiful music. Jerry is rescued by the girl ghost from his house and the ghosts of the other children whose hands have been taken. Mr. Toggle is carried off into the woods and never seen again. The family piano is sold and replaced with a giant TV.

I didn't expect the book to end so quickly and happily. While looking for a cover picture, I found an article that mentions that this is one of the few Goosebumps that has a happy ending. Hmm. Wouldn't you know I would pick that one. I can see why kids like these books--not great works of literature by any means, but entertaining and the right amount of scary for an elementary age kiddo reading in the daytime.

Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters An African Tale by John Steptoe

I have heard about this book in several other classes in the past for being a great example of excellent multicultural reading. I was immediately drawn to the book by the rich illustrations. This is not a quickly sketched book by any means. The artist worked hard to create a beautiful rendering for each scene in the story. I think kids would love reading and pouring over the beautifully crafted illustrations.

The illustrations are actually based on the typical landscape of Zimbabwe. This story obviously takes place in Africa (as mentioned in the title) and involves Mufaro and his two beloved daughters. Nyasha is a very caring girl who loves the land and grows a beautiful garden. She lovingly tends to the garden each day and sings with joy. On the opposite end of the spectrum, her sister Manyara is much more demanding of her surroundings. She is insistant on becoming Queen someday and is very spiteful to Nyasha when their father is not around. Manyara is also intent on having Nyasha as her servant once she is Queen (how nice of her to include her sister in her life...). These characters clearly helped lead the way to many Cinderella-ish situations.

Nyasha ignores her sister's tirades and treats her with love and respect. She spends most of her time in her garden and befriends a snake who she names Nyoka. Nyoka enjoys her singing and continues to come to the garden. The main action happens in this story when the King announces that he wants a wife and that all families are to send their best daughters to him. Great preparations are made for both daughters to go, but Manyara is determined to be there first. She goes ahead, but doesn't heed the advice of those she meets along the way. Once she is admitted to see the King, she runs out shreeking that he is a monster. Nyasha runs in to her sister, comforts her, and continues on to meet this monster. She is pleasantly surprised when the monster turn out to be her snake friend Nyoka! The King had transformed himself into a snake to see how he would be treated and was pleased to reveal himself to Nyasha. They fall in love and are married.

In a nice turn of events, Manyara is made Nyasha's servant. Readers of this book will notice how kindness is rewarded, even if not immediately. We sometimes think that it is ok to do whatever it will take to accomplish our goals, but if our goals are not honorable, is this still ok? This book obviously teaches a lesson about this to the reader in a meaningful way. Keeping a sense of oneself even under duress shows a true sense of character that sometimes is not shown in media that our students are regularly exposed to.

Splat the Cat by Rob Scotton

This is a cute picture book tackling an issue especially relevant for this time of the year: the first day of school.

Splat is very clever and tries to make up excuse after excuse as to why he can't go to school. His mother doesn't believe him and assures him that he will love cat school. To help feel more confident, Splat takes his pet mouse along with him in his lunchbox (you can see where this might be leading...). Splat meets his teacher, Mrs. Wimpydimple and goes inside. One of their first lessons makes Splat feel very uncomfortable. They talk about the things cats do and one of them is that "Cats chase mice." When Splat asks why, Mrs. Wimpydimple uses the age old answer, "Because" and moves on. The other students don't see anything wrong with chasing mice. Lunch time arrives and when the other students see Seymour, they chase him all over the place! Splat is frantic and saves his friend.

The other cats see no good use for mice (besides for chasing) until the milk cabinet is jammed. Being small and cunning, Seymour is able to slide into a crack and unhinge the latch. After such a feat, the cats decide they should ammend the previous lesson to "Cats don't chase mice." Now that Splat has found friends, he is no longer anxious about attending school. Instead, he is excited and ready to learn!

The illustrations are very sweet and transport the reader to a believable place where cats do wear clothes and go to school. I loved these pictures--the cats are fluffy and the colors are bright. I thought it was funny how the students seemed to have very short attention spans (much like us) and just wanted something to focus on. I liked this story and think it would be a fun way to start out the year with fun read alouds. Elementary kids are all nervous about the first day of school to some extent, so an amusing book about it could help calm fears.

Little Pea by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

This picture book was very clever. The story centers around a family: Mama, Papa, and Little Pea. Little Pea loves being a pea--rolling around is much faster than walking! He has pea friends and is a normal kiddo. His parents are very loving and want only the best for him.

Little Pea's parents try to impress upon him the importance of eating healthy so he can grow up to be a big strong pea. The only part of his day that he doesn't like is dinner time. His parents force him to eat something that he hates more than anything in the world--CANDY! This is a cute twist on countless times we have all been told to "Eat your vegetables." If you are a pea, it would be a bit morbid to eat peas, so what is there for dinner? Candy, of course.

Kids will love this idea because Little Pea is forced to eat some of his candy so he can get to his dessert. His dessert? Well spinach of course! I know I struggled with eating all of my vegetables as a kid and dessert was the only way I could make myself eat them. How cute that Little Pea has such a unique challenge--this shows how situations have more than one side to them depending on your situation! Me? I would much rather have the candy for dinner and maybe skip the spinach dessert (you know, to be healthier). I thought the pea puns were amusing and can see kids loving this short read. The illustrations by Jen Corace were cute and simple, keeping with the style of the story.

Tiger Pups by Tom and Allie Harvey

What an adorable story and book! I loved this non-fiction storybook! The authors write in third person about the amazing work they do to help wild animals. The pictures in this book are photographs, so you can see some of the cutest photographs of tiger cubs playing, eating, and napping. They live in Kansas and own and operate Safari Zoological Park.

In July of 2008, three white tiger cubs were born in captivity. Their mother rejected them and so the Harveys had to find a way to feed these precious kitties. Their golden retriever Isabella had had puppies earlier and was still nursing, so she was the perfect candidate. Isabella and the tiger cubs quickly took to each other. The Harvey Family took turns helping to care for the tiger cubs and puppies.

As they grew older, the cubs were no longer able to stay in the family home and moved to an outside enclosure. From all of the animal shows I've watched I know it isn't safe or normal to have wild animals as pets, but baby animals are so cute! I can't imagine living and working alongside some of these huge cats with paws the size of a dinner plate! Wow! Great example of people doing what they love for a living. I felt like a kid myself as I read and looked at the pictures.

Stanley, Flat Again! by Jeff Brown

This short novel is part of a series about a boy and his family. The Lambchop Family is comprised of Stanley, Arthur, and Mr. and Mrs. Lambchop. An unusual characteristic of Stanley, is that he can somewhat randomly become flat like a pancake! Due to this "talent," he has had several adventures.

This story starts off with Stanley being bumped in the shoulder and hit in the back by a tennis ball causing him to become flat again. On further investigation, the family doctor diagnoses him with an OBP (Osteal Balance Point). When the OBP is struck, Stanley become flat but he doesn't know where this point is. Being flat has its advantages, as he helps a family friend win a sailing contest as a makeshift sail and rescues a classmate from a collapsed building. Not everything is all roses though.

Imagine being the brother of someone so famous and special. Arthur has trouble coping as a normal person and is jealous of his brother's attention. I can see how it would be frustrating to be the sibling of someone deemed a hero. It is interesting that Stanley's classmates have become accustomed to his flatness and don't really react. I thought the book was cute, but had a problem with one thing. In order to be normal again, Stanley and Arthur attempt to use a bike tire pump to inflate him as they did in the past. I sort of worry that kids might get the wrong message and not realize that that is ridiculous for a real person to do.