It Rained Warm Bread by Gloria Moskowitz-Sweet 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

“It Rained Warm Bread” is a holocaust story as experienced by a 13-year-old boy, Moishe. He is a Jew living with his family in the city of Kielce when the Nazis marched into Poland. When the Nazis first came to Kielce the family hides in a family friends barn. When that becomes too dangerous for the famer, they go to the Jewish Ghetto and from there they are separated into different concentration camps. Moishe is moved from camp to camp where he is always hungry, cold, and tired. At the end of the war, he is placed on a Nazi death march and survives by playing dead.

The story is told in verse and is a true account from a holocaust survivor. It is horrific and at the same time hopeful. Moishe never gives up hope. So many of the historical fiction books about the holocaust are from a girl’s perspective. It was refreshing to find a book on this topic that could resonate with my 10-year-old grandson. The books depiction of the Nazis cruelty and atrocities left him asking how people could treat each other that way. This is a must read for middle school students.

Relevant Information	Content Review
Published In: 2019	Profanity: None
Publisher: Henry Holt & Co.	Violence: Holocaust
Age Level: 9-13 years	Sexual: None
AR Level: 3.7	Mature Themes: War, Prison, Cruelty
Pages: 148
Stars: 5

Milo's Hat Trick by Joh Agee 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

    

     
Milo the Magnificat’s magic show is not doing well. He keeps messing up all the tricks. The theater manager is giving him one more chance. He must pull a rabbit out of a hat. Milo goes into the woods to find a rabbit but instead he gets a bear, and the best part is that the bear can disappear into a hat. Milo’s magic show is now a hit with children young and old, this is until the bear wants to go home. What will Milo do? This book is a home run by Jon Agee. A fun story that all preschoolers will love.

Fun Activity: Teach your child a simple magic trick.

Published In: 2001
Publisher: Hyperion Books
Age Level: 5-8 years
AR Level: 2.4
Pages: 32
Stars: 5

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

Life was tough in the Depression-era 1930’s, but it was even tougher if you were a 10-year-old African American orphan. Bud, Not Buddy is living in the Home, which has been his residence on and off again since his mother died when he was six years old. Bud has also lived with various foster families, and none have worked out for him. At the start of the novel, he is being sent to a new family and as usual it ends in a disaster. Bud’s dream is to find his real father who he believes to be a famous Michigan band leader called Herman E. Calloway. Among his mother’s possessions was a series of flyers advertising the bands performances. Bud knows his mother would not have kept the flyers if they didn’t mean something to her. After the latest terrible foster home experience Bud runs away and decides it time to go find his father. 

The thought of a 10-year-old child traveling alone for more than 100 miles with no supervision or resources sends chills down my back. I don’t think in today’s world the outcome would have been as positives as it was for Bud. Bud is clever and determined and with the help of some good Samaritans along the way he does find Herman E. Calloway. The ending is a surprise and leaves the reader with a warm feeling even if it’s not Bud’s dream. This is a book that I am recommending to my grandchildren and hopefully they will like it as much as I did.  

Published In: 1999
Publisher: Random House Children’s Books
Age Level: 10-11 Years
AR Level: 5.0
Pages: 288
Stars: 5
Awards: 2000 Newbery Medal Winner, Coretta Scott King Award

Pop's Perfect Present by Corey Finkle 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

A young girl wants to give her dad the best present ever. She comes up with a “marvelous plan”. Instead of giving him a picture of them doing things together she will spend the day with him doing those things. First, they go fishing and when that doesn’t quite work out, they play baseball and next it is cooking. After a series of failed activities, they return home. Can she save the day?

I love the message in this book, that things do not always have to be perfect to make them great. Just spending time with someone you love is the best gift of all. A wonderful gift for Father’s Day.

Published In: 2023
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Age Level: 4-8 years
AR Level: N/A
Pages:40
Stars: 5

Belling the Tiger by Mary Stolz 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

All the mice living in a house by the seaside are called to a meeting to discuss the cat problem. July, the cat has been “reducing the ranks and making life miserable”. At the meeting two brothers, Bod and Ozzie, are chosen to put a bell collar around the cat’s neck. These two mice are the most cowardly of all the mice, but they are more afraid of the mouse leader than they are of the cat. The brothers accomplish the task of getting a bell collar but on the way home they are deterred by the cat. Bob and Ozzie end up on a ship headed to the jungle where the cats are a lot bigger.

This picture book is longer than most and many toddlers will not have the patience to sit through it. For older children the brothers are on an adventure that will keep the reader captivated. An easy read for elementary school students.

Fun Activity: With your child do a comparison on how house cats and tigers are both different and the same.

Published In: 1961
Publisher: Harper & Row
Age Level: 6-9 years
AR Level: 4.9
Pages: 32
Stars: 5
Awards: 1962 Newbery Honor

Berry Song by Michaela Goade 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

“Berry Song” is a wonderful book about the stewardship of the land. As a grandmother and granddaughter forage for food the author takes us through the seasons. All the time she is telling her granddaughter to “take care of the land as the land takes care of us”. The illustrations are beautiful, and the message is powerful without being preachy. A great addition to a home library.

Fun Activity: Take a hike with your child and see what berries you can find.

Published In: 2023
Publisher: Little, Brown & Co.
Age Level: 4-8 years
AR Level: 2.9
Pages: 34
Stars: 5
Awards: 2023 Caldecott Honor

Bats at the Library by Brian Lies 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

A window has been left open at the local library. When the bats in town hear about this, they all fly to the library to have a night of learning and fun. The book is written in verse and the author takes the reader through all the bat antics. Such as swimming in the water fountain, making shadow on the wall and using the copier to take pictures of themselves. A humorous and fun book to read at bedtime.

Fun Activity: Make a bat headband with your child. Here is an example of one that I like. 

Published In: 2008
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Age Level: 2-6 years
AR Level: 3.1
Pages: 32
Stars: 5
Series: 4 “Bat” Books

A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

Little Star and her Mama have made a big mooncake and they have placed it in the night sky to cool. As Little Star is preparing for bed her Mama tells her not to eat any of it until it’s time. When Little Star wakes up in the middle of the night, she cannot resist the tempting mooncake in the sky. Each night she gets out of bed to have a taste of the delicious mooncake until it’s all gone.

This Caldecott Honor book is wonderful. I love how Little Star’s nocturnal snacks turn the moon into all its phases. The black background on all the illustrations makes this book visually stunning. A perfect nighttime book.

Fun Activity: Find a mooncake recipe on the internet and make one with your child or buy one from a Chinese market.

Published In: 2018
Publisher: Little, Brown & Co,
Age Level: 3-5 years
AR Level: 2.2
Pages: 36
Stars: 5
Award: 2019 Caldecott Honor

Unspeakable The Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherford 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

 

It has only been in the past few years that I have learned about the horrific Tulsa Race Massacre. In 1921 a white mob devastated the black community of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This picture book tells the story of the event in a straightforward manner. Older elementary school students should not have any trouble with the subject matter. The topic is not for preschoolers or kindergarten children even though it is a picture book. The candid and simple text makes the book accessible for students and the illustrations are expressive and support the story beautifully.

Published In: 2021
Publisher: Carorhoda LAB
Age Level: 7-12 years
AR Level: 5.8
Pages: 44
Stars: 5
Award: 2022 Caldecott Honor

The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

“The Wednesday Wars” is a historical fiction novel set in 1967. The Vietnam War is raging, all the youth want to be “flower children” and appearances are everything in a small town. Holling, a 7th grade student, thinks that his teacher Mrs. Baker hates him. On Wednesdays all the students go to either Hebrew School or Catechism. Holling the only Presbyterian in the class is left alone with the teacher that hates him. Over the course of the year a relationship between student and teacher and friendship becomes a possibility.

This book has it all humor, tragedy, historical references, and a happy ending. Both adults and students will enjoy Holling’s exploits. I remember the 1960’s and the book is spot on. I recommend it to all middle school students.

Published In: 2007
Publisher: Clarion Books
Age Level: 10-14 years
AR Level: 5.9
Pages: 264
Stars: 5
Award: 2008 Newbery Honor

Roald Dahl,s Revolting Rhymes by Roald Dahl 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

This book of rhymes spoofs fairytales. It is both funny and amusing but it’s not for young children. Dahl puts a very dark and hilarious twist on well-known childhood stories. Parents beware there is a lot of inappropriate language and outcomes. The Prince in Cinderella calls one of the “Ugly Sisters” a “dirty slut” and then proceeds to chop off her head. In the Three Little Pigs, Red Riding Hood has a pistol and shoots the wolf in the head. She then makes a coat out of his fur. This kind of behavior will be hard for parents to explain to elementary school children.

The illustrations are spot on and complement the text perfectly. I laughed out loud at each of the fairytales. I would recommend the book for at least middle school students and older. For adults with a dark sense of humor get this book from the library.

Published In: 2002
Publisher: Knopf
Age Level: 10-14 years
AR Level: 4.4
Pages: 43
Stars: 5

Going Down Home with Daddy by Kelly Starling Lyons 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

Family reunions are events that make some of the best childhood memories. The book centers on a boy who anguishes over what he is going to share at the reunion with the family. The author details all the activities of the day. A great book about family and how important these people are in a young boys’ life. A wonderful addition to a home library.

Published In: 2019
Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
Age Level: 4-8 years
AR Level: 3.5
Pages: 32
Stars: 5
Award: 2020 Caldecott Honor

Knight Owl by Christopher Denise 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

Cute story about an owl that wants to become a knight. He enrolls in knight school to learn how to be “brave and clever”. Once he graduates, he is assigned to protect the castle on the Knight Night Watch where he encounters an intruder. Will the owl be able to keep the castle and other knights safe?

Great illustrations with a suspenseful story with just enough scary pictures to keep a preschooler enthralled but not give them nightmares. The book length is perfect for that 1 more book before bedtime. A wonderful addition to the home library.

Published In: 2022
Publisher: Little, Brown & Co.
Age Level: 3-6 years
AR Level: 2.6
Pages: 40
Stars: 5
Award: 2023 Caldecott Honor

Hello, Universe by Drin Entrada Kelly 🟌🟌🟌🟌

Four middle school children’s lives intersect when one of them, a bully plays a prank. The book takes place all in one day. The four kids are unique and very different. One is a deaf girl who loves nature. Another is a self-proclaimed psychic. Third is a boy who is the bully. Finally, a shy boy who is on the receiving end of the prank and gets trapped in a well. As a heroic rescue is performed to rescue him a friendship develops.

I am the mother of 3 boys and all of them loved playing sports as children. As adults they have become caring husbands and fathers. I am continually disappointed when authors make the bully character a boy and a child that likes sports. Overall, the book is engaging but please stop stereotyping sport-loving boys as bullies.

Published In: 2017
Publisher: Greenwillow
Age Level: 9-11 years
AR Level: 4.7
Pages: 313
Stars: 4
Awards: 2018 Newberry Medal

Very Good Hats by Emma Straub 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

This book is so much fun. Hats are very silly but turn hats into a book and it’s a homerun. My 5-year-old granddaughter loved the illustrations, and the bright colors are exactly what she likes in a book. Who would have thought there were so many different types of hats. Hats for people, animals, hats for specific jobs and even hats for objects. This book is perfect for the preschoolers in your life.

Published In: 2023
Publisher: Rocky Pond Books
Age Level: 2-5 years
AR Level: N/A
Pages: 32
Stars: 5

How to Eat a Book by Mrs. & Mr. MacLeod 🟌🟌🟌

Based on the title of this book I could not resist checking it out of the library, “How to Eat a Book” what a great concept. Everybody knows you can get lost in a book but the thought of one eating the reader intrigued me. The girl, Sheila sits down to read a book and puff the book eats her. Then the same thing happens to her cousin and sister. After the children are eaten by the books the story lost me. It felt like a bunch of jumbled thoughts thrown together on the page and I couldn’t follow them. Many of the reviews called this book whimsical but to me it felt chaotic and confusing. The illustrations are clever, fun and in my opinion are the best part of the book.

My granddaughter enjoyed the book and there were lots of giggles from her when the children were being eaten. But like her Nana she could not follow the rest of the story. I asked her what was the best part of the book and her answer was the pictures. I would check this book out from the library, but I would not have it in my home library.

Fun Activities: Ask your child what book they would like to be eaten by and then re-read it.
                                                                     

Published In: 2022                         
Publisher: Union Square & Kids
Age Level: 3-8 years
AR Level: N/A
Pages: 48
Stars: 3

Greenglass House by Kate Milford 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

The Greenglass House aka the smuggler’s inn is usually quiet during the Christmas season. The innkeeper’s family takes time to relax and celebrate the holiday. However, this year the guest bell is ringing again and again. As the guests arrive, they all have secrets that revolve around the history of the house. When items go missing from the guests’ rooms Milo the innkeeper’s son and Meddy the cook’s daughter set out to find the culprit. The two sleuths soon find themselves immersed in mystery.

“Greenglass House” is the first in a series of five books. If your child likes books with mystery in the style of “who dunit” this is the book for them. It was very enjoyable to read with lots of surprises, twists, and turns.

Published In: 2014
Publisher: Clarion Books
Age Level: 10-12 years
AR Level: 5.4
Pages: 376
Stars: 5

Granny Torrelli Makes Soup by Sharon Creech 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

Twelve-year-old Rosie and Bailey live next door to each other and have been friends their whole lives. They don’t always get along but when Granny Torrelli makes soup disagreements get worked out. A new girl, Janine, has moved into the neighborhood and Rosie is jealous. Janine gets Bailey to teach her Braille and Rosie is furious. In the past Rosie had asked Bailey to teach her Braille and he had refused. Jealousy is a hard emotion to control, and Rosie has buckets of it. Granny Torrelli has her own story of jealousy, and she shares it with Rosie and Bailey. After the friends hear the story, they rethink their actions.

In my journey as a grandmother, I hope to have as much wisdom as Granny Torrelli. I love books about grandparents and this one is a keeper. I can’t wait to share this book with all my grandchildren.

Published In: 2003
Publisher: Joanna Cotler Books
Age Level: 8- 12years
AR Level: 4.2
Pages: 141
Stars: 5

A Child's Calendar by John Updike 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

Finally, a book of poetry that I like. Granted it’s a children’s book but poetry is a chore for me to read. It is vague, it doesn’t make sense, and I am never able to grasp the metaphors. “A Child’s Calendar” is a great introduction to poetry without being heavy handed. The layout of the book is easy to follow. A poem for every month of the year. The verse is relative to the month being featured. Even the youngest child will be able to identify the month being highlighted. Get this one from the library before you purchase. Poetry is not for everyone.

Fun Activity: Get a calendar and help your child memorize the months of the year.

Published In: 1999
Publisher: Holiday House
Age Level: 4-8 years
AR Level: 3.6
Pages: 26
Stars: 5
Awards: 2000 Caldecott Honor

Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

“Mel Fell” is one of the most entertaining picture book books I have shared with my grandchildren. When Mel, a young kingfisher’s mother is away, she decided it was time to learn to fly. Even though she is scared that does not stop the gutsy bird. As she jumps off her tree branch, she tells her siblings, “See you soon!”. As Mel is plunging down to the ground all the residents in the tree try to help her from crashing. Just as you think things are going to end in a terrible mishap, there is a surprise that will thrill the reader.

This is a feel-good book that teaches new experiences don’t need to be scary. When Mel challenges herself and has confidence that she can fly, the can-do attitude makes it happen. Not only is the message in the story uplifting but the presentation is clever and engaging. My 5-year-old granddaughter gave this book 5 stars. Mel Fell is a Caldecott Honor Award winner for 2022.

Fun Activity: Go outside and try to find a bird’s nest, then think about if you were a bird how you would feel the first time you left the nest. Go to the Barnes and Noble website and find the worksheets for Mel Fell. https://dispatch.barnesandnoble.com/content/dam/ccr/h/bn-storytime/2021/3-20-Mel-Fell.pdf

Published In: 2021
Publisher: Blazer & Bray
Age Level: 2-6
AR Level: 1.4
Pages: 40
Stars: 5
Awards: Caldecott Honor Book, and ALA Notable Book of the Year

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

Mike and his steam shovel work together to dig canals for ships, cut through mountains for trains, make highways for cars and dig deep holes for skyscrapers. But with the new inventions of gasoline, electric and diesel shovels Mike’s steam shovel is becoming obsolete. Mike then hears about a town in the country that needs a new town hall. So, Mike and his steam shovel head to Popperville. Here they find one last job and a permanent home.

This is a great book to introduce the importance of moving from steam machines to gasoline which is a cleaner form of energy. This was a very pivotal time in our nation’s development. In addition, the book delivers a message that if you take care of things, they will take care of you. The book is a classic and a great addition to any home library.

Fun Activity: With your child make a list of all the things that you could build with a steam shovel. Or on the internet get a picture of an old steam shovel and a modern backhoe. With your child pick out the differences between the two machines.

Published In: 1939
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company
Age Level: 2-6 years
AR Level: 4.4
Pages: 48
Stars: 5

Bridge of Souls by Victoria Schwab 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

“Bridge of Souls” is the third book in a series for middle schoolers called the “Cassidy Blake Series”. Cass is a 12-year-old girl and the only child to the “Inspectors”. They are “ghost-hunting paranormal investigators” who produce an American television show. The family travels to cities that are known for famous ghost hauntings. Her parents conduct interviews and visit supposedly haunted historical buildings.

Cass has had a near death experience that left her with supernational powers. She can travel to the “Veil” where she sends lost ghosts on to the next life. The third book takes place in New Orleans where she comes face to face with the messenger of Death who is trying to claim her for his own. Will she be able to stop him?

I read this book without reading the first two in the series. At first, I had trouble following the storyline but once I got to the third chapter the story came together for me. I really enjoyed the way Schwab combines the history of the city with great story telling. I will definitely read the other two books in the series.

Published In: 2021
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Age Level: 8-12 years
AR Level: 5.0
Pages: 300
Series: “Cassidy Blake Series”
Stars: 5

Ophie's Ghosts by Justina Ireland 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

“Ophie’s Ghosts” is precisely the type of book I would have loved as a middle-schooler. It is a historical novel that has suspense, ghosts, a haunted mansion, and murder. It is beautifully written and keeps the reader engaged page after page.

The novel takes place in 1922 and living in the deep south was a hard and dangerous place for an African American family. Opie’s father is brutally attacked and beaten to death. After his death Ophie realizes she can see ghosts. Succeeding her father funeral Ophie and her mother move to Pittsburg to live with relatives. In the north Ophie and her mother find jobs working for a wealthy Pittsburg family in an old manor house filled with ghosts. Ophie struggles with her gift but eventually figures out how to help the sprits move on to the next level. Ophie befriends one of the spirts that has had one of the most atrocious crimes committed against her and this puts Ophie’s own life in danger.

The author does a wonderful job of putting the reader into 1920’s Pittsburg. The injustices of the times were real against the blacks and the books teaches some of the history of racism. Ophie never gives up and is always trying to do the right thing even when the advice she receives is contrary. This is a must read for any middle-schooler who appreciates this genre of novels.

Published In: 2021
Publisher: Blazer + Bray
Age Level: 9 -11 Years
AR Level: 6.3
Pages: 325
Stars: 5
Awards: 2021 Scott O’Dell Award

Sing Down the Moon by Scott O'Dell 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

"Sing Down the Moon” is a historical novel that highlights the atrocities enacted upon the Native Americans during the 1800’ s. Bright Morning a Navajo girl and her friend are captured by Spaniards while taking care of their sheep. They are taken to a Mexican town where they are sold to work as kitchen help. The resourceful and determined girl find a way to escape. With the help of her future husband, Bright Morning finds her way back to the tribe.

Soon after Bright Morning returns to the tribe another tragic event occurs, US soldiers destroy all the tribe’s crops and livestock. The US government is purposefully starving the Navajos in order to remove them from their land. Once the tribe surrenders, they start what is called the 300-mile “Long Walk” to Ft. Sumner. Bright Morning retells this event with a very real and harrowing narrative.

O’Dell’s writing style makes it easy to visualize the land the Navajos lived on but also understand their traditions and way of life. As you read each chapter you hope the Bright Morning finds a way to keep going. When I read a novel that has such life altering experiences for its characters, I wonder would I have been up the trials that she faced. This is a great introduction for young reader to learn about the Native American history and culture. Critics of the book claim that some of the historical facts are inaccurate but the book is Historical Fiction with the emphasizes on fiction. “Sing Down on the Moon” is a book I am putting on the list of must reads for my Grandchildren.

Fun Activity: American Indians have Pow Wows in major cities across the US. These are gatherings of First Nations tribes that showcase their music, crafts, culture and heritage. Try to find one in your area to attend.

Published In: 1970
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company
Age Level: 10+
AR Level: 4.9
Pages: 124
Stars: 5
Award: 1971 Newbery Honor Book

Billy the Borrowing Blue-Footed Booby by Shelia Bair - 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

Billy is a blue-footed booby who lives on the Galapagos Islands. He loves to have a nap after lunch, but it’s always raining that time of the day. So, Billy wants to buy an umbrella so he can nap without distraction. The Selling Seal will sell an umbrella to Billy for 10 sardines, but Billy doesn’t have this amount. The Seal and Billy come to an agreement that Billy can have the umbrella for 20 sardines, and he doesn’t have to pay him until the end of the month. Now Billy finds all kinds of other things he wants, and the Seal is willing to sell for more and more sardines to be paid in the future each time another item is purchased. By the end of the book Billy owes 320 sardines to Seal and has no way to pay him. Just like in real life, when you don’t pay your debts, items are repossessed.

Some would say the Selling Seal should be called a Loan Shark and not a Seal. Either way the message is clear, buy what you need not what you want. This is a hard concept for a child to grasp but the book does an excellent job of delivering it. The second lesson is to be careful about promising sardines or payment in the future as the amount can easily get out of hand. The book is a great introduction to financial responsibility. Shelia Blair has written 5 other books in the Money Tales series that addresses money and I look forward to sharing them with my grandkids.

Fun Activity: Pull out some money from your pocket or purse and practice making change. Go to your local bank and set up a saving account for your child.

Published In: 2021
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
Series: Money Tales
Age Level: 4-8 years
AR Level: N/A
Pages: 32
Stars: 5

Watercress by Andrea Wang 🟌🟌🟌

With all the awards this book has received I really wanted to love it but… it was just OK. The target audience is for middle schoolers, not elementary school kids and definitely not preschoolers. The book’s message was clear, as parents and immigrants our lives were so much harder than yours. The author is lecturing the main character throughout the book and as a reader I started to feel sorry for her.

I read this book to my 9-year-old Grandson and while the book did hold his attention, there were a lot of follow up questions that I had to address. Not once in the book did any of the family smile. The book is dark and sometimes confusing. The death of the mother ‘s brother is never fully explained and the thought that a person could die from hunger was overwhelming for a 9-year-old.  The message in the book could have been delivered with a more hopeful future. Watercress is a book for the 5^th and 6^th graders, the content is too grave and sad for younger children. I give it 3 stars.     

Fun Activity: Find Watercress either at the grocery store or growing outside, then make watercress sandwiches.                

Published In: 2021                          

Publisher: Neal Porter Books
Age Level: 6-10
AR Level: 3.7
Pages: 32
Stars: 3
Awards:
Caldecott Medal Winner -2022
Newbery Honor Book -2022

Hello Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

You would think that living in a lighthouse would be boring and mundane, but “Hello Lighthouse” shows how active and enjoyable life can be on the tiny island. There is always a task that needs to be tended to or natural phenomenon to view. As the seasons pass the author draws the reader into the daily routine of the keeper. The book is a wonderful example of what living in the “olden days” would have been like.

“Hello Lighthouse” is a great children’s introduction to lighthouses. Living in landlocked Tennessee my 5-year-old granddaughter and I had a long discussion on the purpose of a lighthouse. The illustrations captivate and support the story and are delivered artistically. This is a great book regardless if you live by the sea or in the heartland. A must for your the home library.

Fun Activity: Make a plastic cup lighthouse, I like this one:

https://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-and-experiments/plastic-cup-lighthouse

Published In: 2018
Publisher: Little, Brown & Co.
Age Level: 2-6 years
AR Level: 3.4
Pages: 48
Stars: 5
Award: 2019 Caldecott Medal

Long Lost by Jacqueline West 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

“Long Lost” is a tale of two sets of sisters that lived one hundred years apart. The family of 2020’s has moved to Long Lost, MA so the older sister, Arden can chase her dream of becoming an Olympic figure skater. It seems to Fiona, the younger sister, she is aways playing second fiddle to Arden. Fiona enjoys hanging out at the library and this is where she goes when her family only has time for her sister. Here she finds a mysterious book that travels around town and writes its own story as she is reading it. The story is about Hazel and Pearl the second set of sisters and the death of one of them. It is up to Fiona to find the truth about the death of Hazel.

“Long Lost” is a ghost story with an abundance of creepy characters. I really enjoyed the steps that Fiona takes to solve the mystery of Hazel’s death. The parallel story of Arden and Fiona’s struggle for attention from their parents is the classic tale of sibling rivalry. Any pre-teen girl who likes books about the supernatural will enjoy “Long Lost”.

Published In: 2021
Publisher: Greenwillow
Age Level: 8-12 years
AR Level: 4.7
Pages: 276
Stars: 5

The Princess In Black Series By Shannon Hale and Dean Hale 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

Princess Magnolia is a prim and proper princess who turns into the Princess In Black when her lands are under attack by monsters. When her monster alarm, a glitter ring starts to Brring, Brring! she knows she must stop the monsters from eating the kingdom’s goats. Princess Magnolia and her faithful unicorn Frimplepants are ready at a moment’s notice to tun into superheroes and ward off any dangers that enter their lands.

There are currently 10 books in the series. As they progress additional princesses are introduced. Their adventures become more heroic always with a touch of humor added to each story. My 5-year-old granddaughter loves all the books in the series. Each time I see her she asks if I have the next book. After I have read the book to her, she then begs her parents to read them again. I know she will re-read these books once she enters elementary school and can read them on her own. They are great beginning readers and along with the colorful illustration they are an easy read. The Princess in Black is a great alternative to the typical Disney Princess books.

Published In: 2014-2023
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Age Level: 4-7
AR Level: 3.0-3.5
Pages: Varies
Stars: 5

I Eat Poop. A Dung Beetle Story by Mark Pett 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

Dougie is a dung beetle, and his favorite food is poop. Gross! Once you get past the visual of eating poop the book is really funny. Dougie goes to school with a bunch of other bugs and they all have unique personalities that mirror their actual traits. He is worried that once his classmates find out that he eats poop they will make fun of him. As it turns out, they accept his eating preferences and then they all voice their own unusual and weird attributes.

My 5-year-old granddaughter who is a girly girl enjoyed the book immensely. She especially loved the pictures in the back of the book of all the bugs. We had to read each one and then discuss them, which was very educational. Who knew that bugs could be so much fun.

Fun Activity: Go outside with your child and see how many of the different kinds of bugs you can find.

Published In: 2021
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Age Level: 4-8 years
AR Level: N/A
Stars: 5
Pages: 48

Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

Rosie dreams of becoming an engineer. She is shy and doesn’t speak much at school, but she knows how to build things. She collects odds and ends from the trash to make her machines. She makes a hat for her uncle the zookeeper to keep the snakes off his head and he laughs at her. Rosie becomes embarrassed and from then on keeps her gadgets and gizmos to herself. Then one day her great-great-aunt Rose, who at one time worked building airplanes comes to visit. Aunt Rose has one dream and that is to fly. So, Rosie set out to build her an airplane. The best line in the book comes after Rosie’s failure of the flying machine. Her aunt tells her, “the only true failure can come if you quit”.

In my mind, this is one of the most important life messages to “Never Give Up”. When you set your mind to something follow it through. The book is written in rhyme and is easy to read to preschoolers. Early elementary school children will also enjoy it. Make sure to take the time to look at all the pictures, they are very funny. The book is part of a series called The Questionnaires and the author has written 2 companion series to go with it; chapter books for older children and Big Project Books. The book gets a 5-star review from both me and my granddaughter.

Fun Activity: Check out the companion book “Revere’s Big Project Book for Bold Engineers” and do one of them.

Published In: 2013
Publisher: Abrams Books
Age Level: 3-6 years
AR Level: 4.2
Pages: 32
Series: The Questioners
Stars: 5

 

Corduroy by Don Freeman 🟌🟌🟌🟌

The book “Corduroy” needs a makeover. As a child I really enjoyed this book, but it does show its age. Corduroy is a stuffed bear that lives in a department store, but nobody wants to take him home. When he finds out that he is missing a button on his overalls he decides to search for his missing button in the big store. After a few adventures Corduroy gets caught by the night watchman and is returned to the shelf. Eventually a young girl comes back to the store to buy him and take him home. Once he arrives at her apartment he says, “I know I’ve always wanted a home!”.

As, I read “Corduroy” to my granddaughter she did listen to the story but when I asked her questions about the book it was hard to get her engaged. The plot was simple and the characters where lovable, but humor was lacking. The language in the book is dated. I had to explain what a department store is, how mattresses use to have buttons on them and how everybody in the 60’s had floor lamps in their homes.

If you read this book as a child, it is worth the re-read to go down memory lane. The message of finding a friend and home, even if you are a bit damaged is a good one. All the Nana’s will enjoy reading this book more than the grandchildren will like listening to it.

Fun Activity: If your child is old enough try sewing a button onto a piece of cloth, if not take a bag of buttons and sort by color and/or size. 

Written By: Don Freeman
Published In: 1968
Publisher: Puffin Books
Age Level: 4-7 years old
AR Level: 3.5
Pages: 28
Stars: 4

The Perfect Present by Fiona Roberton 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

Henry, a boy of an unknown age has a pet; Spot the Duck. Not the most conventional of pets but it works for this book. Henry’s birthday is tomorrow, and he is thinking about all the presents he is going to get. Spot thinks that he has gotten Henry the perfect present, but Henry’s Grandparents give him a more perfect present, a dog. Spot and his present are pushed aside, and Spot feels miserable. Spot runs away from home and while leaving in the middle of the night it starts to rain. Spot then gets stranded in a tree in the middle of a river. Henry and the dog come to rescue Spot. Spot’s hurt feeling are repaired, and the dog becomes the perfect pet for both Henry and Spot.

The most important teaching moment in the book is for kids not to make hasty decisions, like running away from home, but rather talk about your feelings. If Spot had told Henry how he was feeling left out and was not listening to him maybe things would have turned out differently. The Perfect Present also makes the point that there is room in your life for more than one Pet/Person.

I thought the book gave valuable life lesson without being too preachy. The book conveyed more of leading by example versus this what you should say or how you should act.   There was lots of excitement between the birthday present, the storm and the rescue to hold my Grandchildren’s attention. I did like the illustrations and overall give the book five stars.

Fun Activity:  Ask the members of your family what they think would be the perfect present.  

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Published In: 2011
Publisher: Penguin Group
Age Level:  2-5 years old
AR Level: 3.1
Pages: 32
Stars: 5

Finders Keepers by Weill and Nicolas 🟌🟌🟌

Two dogs, Winkle and Nap find a bone together, one sees it first and the other touches it first. So, who does the bone belong to?  An argument between the two dogs breaks out and the dogs ask 4 different travelers coming down the road to help them decided who should get the bone. The farmer, goat and barber are of no help. Then a big dog came on the scene and is really interested in helping them and he wants them to show him the bone. Once Winkle and Nap dig up the bone, where they have put it for safekeeping, the big dog takes it from them. The two dogs fight the big dog to get the bone back. At the end of the book Winkle and Nap share the bone.

As with some books from the 1950’s” Finders Keepers” is not up to the 2020’s standards in both presentation and how to resolve conflicts. The biting and slashing that Winkle and Nap infect on the big dog might make this book a bit to aggressive for some preschoolers. But the story about cooperation and sharing between friends is compelling. My granddaughter tried to listen to this book but there was a lot of fidgeting while I read it to her. Even though it’s a Caldecott Medal Winner, I can only give it 3 stars.

Published In: 1951
Publisher: Voyager Books
Age Level: 4-7 years old
AR Level: 2.8
Pages: 32
Award: Caldecott Medal Winner -1952
Stars: 3

Lion Lessons by Jon Agee 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

Every kid wants to be a lion. So, what better way than to learn from a real lion. To get your lion diploma there are seven lessons; look fierce, roaring, choosing what to eat, prowling around, sprinting, pouncing, and looking out for your friends. The last lesson being the most important.

The illustrations are big and bold. Making the book easy to read to a group of children. “Lion Lessons” is a cute book that my granddaughter wanted to read again and again. A great bedtime story and it’s worth 5 stars.

Fun Activity: Do you have what it takes to be a lion? Have your child act out all the 7 lessons.                    

Published In: 2016 
Publisher: Dial Book
Age Level: 2-6 years
AR Level: 2.2
Pages: 32
Stars: 5

Ricky Ricotta'a Mighty Robot Series by Dav Pilkey 🟌🟌🟌

Dav Pilkey’s books are amazing and children around the world have enjoyed such series as Captain Underpants, Dog Man and Dumb Bunnies. However, the Ricky Ricotta series was a no go for my grandson and me. A mouse named Ricky has trouble making friends at school and the neighborhood kids are always bulling him. Through a series of events Ricky rescues a mighty robot who becomes his friend and protector. In the series Ricky and his Robot fight bad guys from various planets in our solar system. Currently there are 10 books in the series.

The series has a comic book feel to it with no more than two or three sentences per page which makes the books an easy read. New readers will feel a sense of accomplishment reading these books but should not look for any meaningful substance. My grandson age 7 at the time read 2 of these books and told me not to purchase any more. They did not hold his interest. The story line was not complex and honestly boring.  My version of these books was the black and white, so maybe the newer color publications would have made a difference. I know the illustrations would have been more dynamic. I would obtain these books from the library before making any purchases.

Fun Activity: Make a Robot from recycled materials. 

                                                                                    
The first in the series was Published in: 2014
Publisher: Scholastics Inc.
Age Level: 5-7 Years
AR Level: 2.9 – 4.1 (depending on the book)

Stars: 3

Have You Ever Seen A Flower? by Shawn Harris 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

"Have You Ever Seen A Flower?” takes the reader from city life into the country, and looking at flowers to becoming a flower, all in 48 pages. A girl with rainbow hair goes on a journey through a field of flowers and by the end of the book she and the flowers are one and the same. When I finished the book, I wanted to go outside and immerse myself into a flowerbed. This transformation is completed by using the readers senses, which is clever and inventive. The illustrations are cheery and colorful. Even with the introduction of blood into the story it stayed bright and lively.

I am an avid hiker and one of my best places to be is on a trail, in a field of flowers, so this book was right up my ally. I laid out 6 books for my 5-year-old granddaughter and told her to pick one this was the first one she chose. The colors in the illustrations were a big draw for her. This book totally deserves the Caldecott Honor Book award. It is a book all Nana’s should share with the grandkids.

Fun Activity: Plant a flowerbed with your child. Visit botanical garden or park in your city or town.

                                                                     

Book: Have You Ever Seen a Flower?
Written By: Shawn Harris
Published In:  2021
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Age Level:  3-5 years old
AR Level: N/A
Pages: 48
Stars: 5
Award: Caldecott Honor Book -2022

Kat Kong by Dav Pilkey 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

Turn humans into mice and a cat into King Kong and the book is called Kat Kong. The cat puns are great in this story. My eight-year-old grandson totally got them, but they went over the head of the 4-year-old. The puns are so bad they are funny. At first, I had trouble with the illustrations. They can be a bit jarring, but the story does settle into them. Apparently, the author used his own pet in the illustrations.

The story is a rip-off of the King Kong movie/book and is familiar to all adults. Any Nana will be able to predict the ending. Yes, the cat dies by falling from a tall building. The critics of the book all complain about the violent ending, but the book does hold true to the original storyline. Dav Pilkey is a great children’s author, and this book is another homerun. The grandkids and I give it 5 stars.

Published In: 1993
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Age Level: 2-7 years old
AR Level 4.1
Pages: 29
Stars: 5

Ginger Pye By Eleanor Estes 🟌🟌

Jerry Pye wants a dog more than anything but the dog he wants cost $1.00. Jerry and his sister spend the day figuring out how to make enough money to purchase the dog. They eventually find a job dusting the pews at their church which gives them just the right amount of money to buy Ginger. Ginger is cute, smart, and fits into the Pye family perfectly. Then the unthinkable happens on Thanksgiving Day somebody steals Ginger. The rest of the book is devoted to Jerry and his sister looking for Ginger. The siblings are convinced that Ginger has been taken by an “Unsavory Character” with a yellow hat.

“Ginger Pye” is charming and cute but not relevant for today’s young reader. The pace of the book is slow, and the plot is drawn out. My grandchildren would be bored with the story after the first chapter. There is a lack of excitement and adventure in the story line and its way to wordy. Even though it was awarded the Newbery Medal, this book needs to stay on the self.

Published In: 1951               

 Publisher: Harcourt Inc.
Age Level: 6-9 years
AR Level: 6.0
Pages: 306
Stars: 2
Awards: Newbery Medal Winner

River by Elisha Cooper 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

“River” documents the adventures of a woman’s sole trip down the Hudson River by canoe. The author details in words and pictures who and what she saw along the way. She has to conqueror rapids, survive bad weather and maneuver among the bigger boats on the river. “River” is an inspiring book about accomplishment and finishing what your start. The geographical accuracy of the canoe trip is educational and fascinating. The watercolor illustrations put the reader alongside the woman on her journey down the Hudson River.

Canoeing/Kayaking is how our family spends the summer. We paddle all summer long on much smaller rivers than the Hudson, but our grandchildren have an appreciation for fast moving water. Two of my grandsons have had kayaks since they were 6 years old and are very capable paddlers. This book was a big hit with the grandkids. “River” is more than just a story about paddling, all readers will enjoy the women’s expedition on the Hudson River. It’s about setting goal and the determination to get them done. I recommend it for all home libraries.

Fun Activity: Get a map of your hometown then identify a stream/creek and find out what river it is a tributary for, next see what ocean it ends up in.

Published In: Orchard Books
Publisher: 2019
Age Level: 4-8 years
AR Level: 4.2
Pages: 44
Stars: 5