Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

Jasper the rabbit loves carrots, and he eats them all the time. He gets his carrots from Crakenhopper Field, where the carrots get upset with him for eating all their friends. So, the carrots come up with a plan, they follow Jasper, everywhere, walking home after his big game, in his bathroom and in the shed. This creeps Jasper out, until finally he comes up with a solution, or is it?

I read this book to my 2 granddaughters ages 4 and 7. I thought the book was engaging and full of suspense, but they were creeped out by the creepy carrots. This is one of those books you should read first before buying, it may not be for all children.

Published In: 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Age Level: 4-8 years
AR Level: 2.3
Pages: 36
Stars: 5
Awards: 2013 Caldecott Honor

Number the Stars by Louis Lowry 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

The year is 1943 and in Copenhagen, Denmark the German troops are beginning to “relocate” the Jews. Annemarie Johansen’s best friend Ellen is Jewish and the rabbi at her synagogue has informed his congregation that the Nazis are coming for them. Annemarie’s family takes in Ellen, and they pretend that she is their daughter who died a few years earlier. As events become more dire for Ellen’s family Annemarie’s family plans to smuggle the Rosen’s out of Denmark and into Sweden.

The Courage and bravery that Annemarie’s family displays in the book is amazing. The question I always ask myself about the Holocaust is would I have the fearlessness to help, or would I sit back and watch? “Number the Stars” puts this question front and center. The suspense in the book is real along with the menacing actions of the Germans.

This book is most definitely on the must-read list for my grandchildren. With the passage of time, I hope that the horrors of the Holocaust are not forgotten. One way to keep the next generation aware is through books like “Number the Stars”.
                                                                                    
Published In: 1989
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Age Level: 9 -11 Years
AR Level: 4.5
Pages: 160
Stars: 5
Awards: 1990 Newbery Medal Winner

A Different Pond by Bao Phi 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

Regardless of your age or ethnic background, all boys and some girls love fishing with their father. Even when the pond that the father learned to fish on is half-way around the world, the experience is timeless. Fishing gives father and child the together time that neither one of them will forget. The Boy in “A Different Pond” does not have it easy in America, his father has two jobs, and Mom also must work. Leaving the Boy to take care of his siblings. The message of hard work and taking care of family comes through loud and clear in this lovely picture book.   

Published In: 2017
Publisher: Capstone/Picture Window Books
Age Level: 4-8 years
AR Level: 3.1
Pages: 32
Stars: 5
Awards: 2018 Caldecott Honor

Crown An Ode To The Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

This book highlights a young boy who goes into the barbershop feeling like a “lump of clay” but comes out a totally new person. One with confidence and high self-esteem. The author takes the reader on a journey to the black barbershop where a boy believes that he can be anybody and do anything when he leaves with his fresh cut. The story is told in a rhythmic style that flows effortlessly. A great read for any young boy. 

Published In: 2017
Publisher: Agate Bolden
Age Level: 4-8 years
AR Level: 3.8
Pages: 32
Stars: 5
Awards: 2018 Caldecott and Newberry Honor

Snowballs by Lois Ehlert 🟊🟊🟊🟊

Everybody loves a snowman and, the book, “Snowballs” shows kids some very creative ways to build one. My granddaughter and I reviewed all the members of the snow family, and we discussed what made each one unique. The story may be lacking but the illustrations make up for it. They are colorful, crisp and vivid. Another great book by Lois Ehlert. 

Published In: 1995
Publisher: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich
Age Level: 2-5 years
AR Level: 1.3
Pages: 36
Stars: 4

Sarah. Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

Anna and Caleb’s father, a widower, is looking for a wife. The Wittings live on the prairie in the late 19th century. Papa has put an advertisement in the newspaper and Sara Elisabeth Wheaton from Maine has agreed to visit the prairie family. Sarah arrives by train and writes to Papa that she “will wear a yellow bonnet. I am plain and tall.” As Sarah develops a relationship with the family they question if she will stay? Or does she miss the sea so much that she returns to Maine?

“Sarah, Plain and Tall” is a classic children’s book. The writing style of this historical fiction is simple and easy to read. The story is told from the point of view of Anna and Caleb. It is heartbreaking to read how much the children want Sarah to stay with them. They want both a mother and a wife for Papa so the family will sing again. This tender story is a must for the grandchildren.

Published In: Harper Trophy
Published:1987
Age Level: 8-10 years
AR Level: 3.4
Pages: 58
Stars: 5
Series: Sarah, Plain and Tall – 5 Books in the Series
Awards: 1986 Newbery Medal & 1986 O’Dell Award

Inch by Inch by Leo Lionni 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

This is a classic children’s book, about the inchworm that measures the birds, tail, neck, beak, legs and body. The inchworm provides his talents so that the birds of the forest will not eat him. The last bird, a nightingale, asks him to measure his song. How will the inchworm outsmart this bird? All my grandchildren have loved this book, and I recommend it for all toddlers

 

Published In: 1962
Publisher: William Morrow & Company Inc.
Age Level: 2-5 years
AR Level: 1.8
Pages: 32
Stars: 5
Awards: Caldecott Honor

Mister Max The Book of Lost Things by Cynthia Voigt 🟒🟒🟒🟒🟒

Max’s parents are actors who have been offer the job of a lifetime in India. Max and his parents live in England and when Max misses the boat that was to take them to India he is separated from them. As the days pass, he does not hear from his parents, and he is left to fend for himself. Max must find a way to support himself. After finding a runaway child in the neighborhood Max becomes a finder of lost things. He turns his newfound talent into a business and starts to earn money. While still trying to figure out what happened to his parents.

Max is a wonderful character who is full of courage and guts. He has all the appropriate response you would expect from a 13-year-old boy. The mystery around his parents’ disappearance and the way he tackles each job of finding lost things is engaging. I will be getting the series of Mister Max books for my grandchildren.

Relevant Information	Content Review
Published In: 2013	Profanity: None
Publisher: Knopf	Violence: None
Age Level: 8-12 years	Sexual: None
AR Level: 5.8	Mature Themes: None
Pages: 367
Stars: 5

Pretend by Jennifer Plecas 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

An adventure starts when Jimmy asks his father to pretend “that this couch is a big boat and that we are floating in the ocean”. Using their imagination father and son take off on a journey that becomes the “best time ever”. This is a wonderful book for both children that have a wild imagination and for those that need a bit of encouragement. Maybe even Mom and Dad could pick up a few pointers on how to build an imaginary world. “Pretend” is a great addition to your home library. 

Published In: 2011
Publisher: Philomel Books
Age Level: 3-7 years
AR Level: 2.2
Pages: 32
Stars: 5

My Teacher is a Monster! By Peter Brown 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

Bobby has a problem, his teacher is a monster. Ms. Kirby stomps her feet, roars at the class, will not let the kids throw paper airplanes and she calls him Robert not Bobby. Then one Saturday morning they accidently run into one another at the park. As the morning wears on Booby and Ms. Kirby find out that they like to do some of the same things. By the end of the book Bobby and Ms. Kirby are glad they ran into each other.

“My Teacher Is a Monster “is a fun book. It brings a smile to your face when reading it with your child. All of us have had the experience of running into somebody outside of the normal environment when suddenly, they become a totally different person. My granddaughter enjoyed the book and I recommend it especially to those children that think they have a mean teacher.

Fun Activities: Make a paper airplane with your child or go to the Peter Brown website to find a packet of activities:
https://www.peterbrownstudio.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/TeacherMonster_kit.pdf

Published In: 2014
Publisher: Little, Brown & Co.
Age Level: 3-9 years
AR Level: 1.7
Pages: 40
Stars: 5

The Grey Lady and the Strawberry Snatcher by Molly Bang

 The Grey Lady loves strawberries and so does the Strawberry Snatcher. Throughout this wordless picture book, the Snatcher tries to steal her strawberries. He stalks her in town, follows her while riding the bus and then creeps into the woods behind her. The Grey Lady eventually evades the Snatcher, and he finds out that blackberries are just as delicious as strawberries. I thought the book was clever and fun to “read” but my 3-year-old granddaughter was not impressed. She said the book was “scary”. Make sure that the child you read this book to does not get frightened easily. 

Published In: 1981
Publisher: Aladdin
Age Level:  2-5 years
AR Level: N/A
Pages: 48
Stars: 4
Awards: Caldecott Honor

 

Mystery on Pine Lake by Tamra Wright 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

This children’s novel is a classic “whodunit” book.  A murder has not been committed, but somebody is trying to sabotage the loon’s nest on Pine Lake. Copper is a middle-schooler, whose parents own the campground on the lake. He and his friend Packrat are on a mission to find out who wants to harm the loons and why. Along with the detective story there is at the beginning of every chapter a cool fact about loons.

This is a great book for the outdoorsy child in your life. It is full of adventure, humor, and mystery. It manages to bring both a passion for conservation in nature with the realities of family life together in a seamless story. I will be getting the series of “Copper and Packrat” to share with all my grandchildren.

Relevant Information	Content Review
Published In: 2013	Profanity: None
Publisher: Islandport Press	Violence: Bullying
Age Level: 8-10 years	Sexual: None
ARLevel:4.4	Mature Themes: Death of a Loved One
Pages: 152
Stars: 5    Series: 5 Books

Angela's Glacier by Jordon Scott 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

Angela’s Glacier is a book that reminds both adults and children how important it is to go outside and communicate with nature. Whether it is a walk in the woods, wading in a stream or visiting a glacier, the outdoors is a place to work out your worries. Both my 10- and 6-year-old grandchildren enjoyed this book. They related to Angela’s busy life and how good it felt for her to take a break from all the activities. After we finished the book, both children wanted to know more about glaciers. Highly recommend. 

Published In: 2024
Publisher: Neal Porter Books
Age Level:  4-8 years
AR Level: N/A
Pages: 32
Stars: 5

The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

“The Little Engine That Could’ was one of my favorite books as a child. The idea that once you set your mind to something and you worked at it, you could then make it happen gave me confidence in myself. A train engine carrying toys and good things to eat for the boys and girls on the other side of the mountain breaks down. The toys traveling on the train stop 3 engines passing by, asking them for help so the train can get to its destination. All three of these engines think they are too good to pull the small train. Finally, a small blue engine helps the train but has trouble climbing the steep mountain. She says over and over to herself “I think I can – I think I can” until she makes it over the mountain. 

The book sends two important life lessons: always help other in need and never give up. The three engines all had excuses for not helping the small train instead of giving assistance. The small blue engine used her positive thinking and motivation to keep her going up the mountain to deliver all the toys and good food to eat to the boys and girls. “The Little Engine That Could” may not be my granddaughter’s favorite book but she enjoyed the story and will read it again with Nana.

Fun Activities; Make an egg carton train engine or using construction paper shapes make a train. The internet has examples of both these activities.

Published In: 1930
Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap
Age Level: 1-4 years
AR Level: 3.5
Pages: 48
Stars: 5

Red & Green by Lois Ehlert 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

This book is a new twist on a classic story, “The Night Before Christmas”. The story is told from the mouse’s perspective and describes to the reader all the things he sees in the house on that very special night. I loved the die-cut pages, they made the book fun and interactive. This book is a great addition to your collection of holiday books.

 Fun Activity: Have your child pretend to be a mouse and have them tell you what things he/she would find to write about. Published In: 2023

Publisher: Beach Lane Books
Age Level:  1-8 years
AR Level: N/A
Pages: 40
Stars: 5