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