Red Sings from Treetops by Joyce Sidman 🟊🟊🟊🟊

All the colors take on a different role as the author moves through the seasons. In spring “Yellow shouts with light!”, in summer it “smells like butter”, in fall “it grows wheels”, and in winter it has “gone home”. The poetry is easy to read but my granddaughter’s eyes started to glaze over with all the abstract narrative. The illustrations are what kept her sitting long enough to finish the book.

Published In: 2009
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Age Level: 2-6 years
AR Level: 3.2
Pages: 32
Stars: 4
Awards: 2010 Caldecott Medal

The Stray Dog by Marc Simont 🟊🟊🟊🟊

A family from the city has a picnic out in the country. While eating their lunch a “scruffy little dog” interrupts their picnic. The children spend the day playing with the dog. When it’s time to leave the kids want to take the dog home but Mom and Dad say no. The family spends all week thinking about the dog and by the time it’s the weekend they decide to go back and bring him home. Will they be able to find him before the dog catcher? The story is sweet and simple and animal lovers will appreciate the compassion given to the stray dog. My granddaughters were ok with the book but did not ask for it again. So, it gets only a 4-star rating from this family.


Published In: 2001
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers, Inc.
Age Level: 4-8 years
AR Level: 1.7
Pages: 30
Stars: 4
Awards: 2002 Caldecott Honor

The Noisy Paint Box by Barb Rosenstock 🟊🟊🟊🟊

“The Noisy Paint Box” is the story of Vasya Kandinsky, one of the first painters of abstract art. Vasya was a very “proper Russian boy” but when his aunt gave him a paint box a whole new world opened up to him. When he painted, he heard noises, then the more he painted it turned into an orchestra. As an adult Vasya tried to conform to Russian society and he becomes a lawyer, but one night he goes to the opera, and again sees the music as art. Not able to stop himself from doing the one thing he truly loved, he quits his job and moves to Munich to paint. Buy this book for the artist in your family. They will appreciate Vasya’s nonconformist approach to art.

Published In: 2014
Publisher: Knopf
Age Level: 4-8 years
AR Level: 4.4
Pages: 36
Stars: 4
Awards: 2015 Caldecott Honor

Inspector Flytrap: The President's Mane Is Missing by Tom Angleberger 🟊🟊🟊🟊

Inspector Flytrap solves BIG DEAL mysteries, and he has decided to also take on THRILLING mysteries to become the World’s Greatest Detective. This is the second book in a series of three about Inspector Flytrap and his assistant Nina the Goat. In this mystery the President’s of the Unites States, who is a horse, mane is missing from his statue. Can the Inspector and his assistant solve the mystery?

The story is very silly but perfect for the beginner readers of chapter books, especially boys. The print is big and with graphics on nearly every page making the book easy to read. The series may not win any awards, but elementary school kids will love the ridiculous humor.

Relevant Information	Content Review
Published In: 2016	Profanity: No
Publisher: Amulet Books	Violence: No
Age Level: 5-8 years	Sexual Content: No
AR Level: 3.8	Mature Themes: No
Pages: 99
Stars: 4

Journey by Aaron Becker 🟊🟊🟊🟊

A young girl cannot find anybody to play with her. Her friends are off doing other things, and her family is too busy. So, with a red maker in hand, she draws a red door, and that door leads to another world. She sets off on a boat to a castle, then rides a red balloon and is captured by a evil emperor. When she loses her red maker how will she ever get back home? The book is wordless so be prepared to use your imagination when “reading” this book with your child. What the book lacks in words is does make up in the stunning illustrations.

Published In: 2013
Publisher: Candlewick
Age Level: 3-6 years
AR Level: N/A
Pages: 40
Stars: 4
Series: 3 Books
Awards: 2014 Caldecott Honor

Ramona and Her Father by Beverly Cleary 🟊🟊🟊🟊

Beverly Cleary’s series of books about Ramon are classics. In this book she is in second grade, and she has two big worries. They both concern her father. First, her father has been laid off from this job and her mother must go back to work full-time. Not only is the money tight but the family routine has been disrupted. Second, Ramona’s sister had told her their father’s smoking will cause him to die. Ramona and her sister embark on a campaign to get their father to quit smoking.

In today’s world not many American families have a parent that smokes. So, I found this part of the book irrelevant. On the other hand, many families can relate to a parent losing their job. Ramona antics bring laughter to the story and overall, it is an enjoyable read, even thou if feels a bit dated. I would get this one from the library.

Relevant Information	Content Review
Published In: 1975	Profanity: No
Publisher: Fitzgerald Books	Violence: No
Age Level: 8-12 years	Sexual Content: No
AR Level: 5.2	Mature Themes: Unemployment
Pages: 165 Series: 8 Books
Stars: 4 Awards: 1978 Newbery Honor

 

Jake the Fake Keeps it Real by Craig Robinson and Adam Mansbach 🟊🟊🟊🟊

Jake will attend a new school starting in 6th grade, the Music and Art Academy. This is the same school that Jake’s very talented and gifted sister goes to. Jake is not sure how he managed to get into the school but now that he is there can he convince his teachers that he is talented and gifted like his siter? Jake attempts several projects to find his true talent with no results. Finally on the night of the big talent show Jake finds his true calling. The book is funny and middle school boys will enjoy Jake’s antics. The book is not a classic but great for reluctant readers.

 

Relevant Information	Content Review
Published In: 2017	Profanity: No
Publisher: Crown Books	Violence: No
Age Level: 8-12 years	Sexual Content: No
AR Level: 5.4	Mature Themes: No
Pages: 135
Stars: 4 Series: 3 Books

The One Thing You'd Save by Linda Sue Park 🟌🟌🟌🟌

“If your home was on fire, what one thing would you save?” People and pets are safe, and it doesn’t matter the size of the item. This is the homework that Mrs. Chang gives her class. The answers she gets back are as varied as the diversity of the children in her class. The book is written in verse which is the perfect vehicle for each the students to express their thoughts. Being a Nana I particularly loved the responses that had items associated with family, the sweater that Gran had knitted, hair clippings from a dead brother, or the plant cutting from a grandmother’s philodendron.

My 9-year-old grandson liked the book, but he found it a bit overwhelming. After each student’s response he would have to rethink his own answer. It took us two sittings to finish. I do agree with other reviewers that the author jumped around too much between students and their inner thoughts. “The One Thing You’d Save” gets a solid 4 from me.

Published In: 2021
Publisher: Clarion Books
Age Level: 8-12 years
AR Level: 3.9
Pages: 80
Stars: 4

26 Fairmount Avenue by Tomie DePaola 🟊🟊🟊🟊

“26 Fairmount Avenue” is a good book but not a great one. The one-year autobiography of Tomie DePaola covers his fourth year of life. The first event he describes is the hurricane of 1938 that hits the town of Meriden, Ct., what it was like and the aftermath of the storm. This is also the year that his family starts to build a new home and with all building projects there are ups and downs. Two other significant events happen to Tomie, he starts kindergarten, and the movie Snow White by Disney is released. He is very disappointed to find out that he will not learn to read until 1st grade and refuses to go back to school. Then the movie Snow White is not at all like the book and is very upsetting. The book is heartwarming and entertaining, but it did not leave my grandkids wanting more. Get this one from the library.

Published In: 1999
Publisher: Putnam
Age Level: 5-8 years
AR Level: 4.6
Pages:58
Stars:4
Awards: 2000 Newbery Honor

A Child's Good Night Book by Margaret Wise Brown 🟌🟌🟌🟌

“A Child’s Good Night Book” is a calming and soothing story about all the animals in the world going to sleep at night. Its text is repetitive which makes it a favorite with children under 4 years. The illustrations were creepy to me. I know the animals were suppose to be sleeping but they looked almost dead. I would borrow this one from the library before buying.

Fun Activity: Name an animal and have your child tell you where they think they sleep at night.

Published In: 1943
Publisher: William R. Scott
Age Level: 0-4 years
AR Level: N/N
Pages: 32
Stars: 4
Award: 1944 Caldecott Honor

When Giants Come to Play by Andrea Beaty 🟌🟌🟌🟌

It is summertime and two giants have come to play with Anna. The play hide and seek, marbles, catch and a slew of other games. It is fascinating to see how the author and the illustrator pull together to make this book a fun read. Each page displays an activity that Anna plays with her giant friends. These are not scary giants at all and by the end of the book you wish you had two giants for friends.

The whimsical illustrations are what makes the book entertaining. When I read this to my 5-year-old granddaughter we had more discussions about the pictures than the text. I would have liked more substance to the story. I went back and read the book without the pictures, and it was not that exciting. “When Giants Come to Play” is 4-star book.

Published In: 2006
Publisher: Abram Books for Young Readers
Age Level: 4-8 years
AR Level: 3.2
Pages: 31
Stars: 4

The Pied Piper's Magic by Steven Kellogg 🟌🟌🟌🟌

Peterkin is a cheery elf even though he is poor. He is searching for work when he comes across the home of a retired witch whose house need some repairs. The witch tells him she has no money to pay him, but he does the work anyway. Upon Peterkin completing the work she gives him a magical pipe. The pipe does not make the sound of notes but instead letters. When he spells out the letters of animals they appear before him and then when he reverses the letters the animal turns into what he has spelled out. While Peterkin is traveling the county, he comes upon a dark and dreary city full of rats. With his magical pipe he is able get of rid the rats but also turn the city into a lovable place for people to live.

The illustrations in this book are bright and colorful. The pictures make the reader happy just looking at them. I never read the original tale of the Pied Piper which apparently is not a very happy story but this one has a feel-good ending. My granddaughter and I liked the book, and we will read it again. If you were to pick just one of Kellogg’s books, I think there are better ones such as the those that retell American folk stories.

Fun Activity: Try to find some simple wind instrument in your house such as a recorder or harmonica, and have your child make some noise.  

Published In: 2009
Publisher: Dial/Penguin
Age Level: 4-8 years
AR Level: 4.3
Pages: 40
Stars: 4

Taking Care of Mama by Mitra Modarressi 🟊🟊🟊🟊

Oh no! Mama is sick in bed. Papa and the kids must step up and take care of both Mama and the house. They have to do all the cooking and the gardening. Which they tackle with enthusiasm but there are a with a couple of mishaps along the way. By the end of the day the house is in chaos. Quickly the family must clean, so Mama does not come downstairs to find a mess. This is a cute book that reinforces the message that all family members need to pitch in when things go astray. My 1st grade granddaughter was able to read the book all by herself.

Published In: 2014
Publisher: Knopf
Age Level: 3-5 years
AR Level: 1.6
Pages: 20
Stars: 4

Henry Heckelbeck Gets a Dragon by Wanda Coven 🟌🟌🟌🟌

“Henry Heckelbeck Gets a Dragon” is the first book in a series of 18 books. Henry seems like a normal kid, but his family is anything but normal. His Mom, Sister and Aunt are witches. He does not think that he has any magic until he finds a book of spells in his room. Henry tries one of the spells on his toy dragon to make it come alive. At first, he didn’t think the spell worked but the next morning at school the dragon was flying. Will he be able to corral the dragon and turn it back into a toy?

The book has illustrations on about every page which helps keep young readers engaged. The print is big and the words simple. The series is a great start for reader that are beginning chapter books. The plot is predictable but second graders will enjoy Henry’s antics.

Relevant Information	Content Review
Published In: 2019	Profanity: None
Publisher: Little Simon	Violence: None
Age Level: 5-9 years	Sexual: None
AR Level: 3.2	Mature Themes: None
Pages: 119
Stars: 4

Our Only May Amelia by Jennifer L. Holm 🟊🟊🟊🟊

The year is 1899 and 12-year-old May Amelia has a rough life. She is the only girl in a family of 8 children, in fact she is the only girl in the community of Nasel. Her Pappa is always telling her “Don’t Get Into Mischief May Ameila” and to be a “Proper Young Lady”. All she wants is to go fishing and run around the logging camp with her brothers. May Amelia might get some help from her mother who is pregnant, and May Amelia is hopeful that it will be a baby girl.

The book is written without quotation marks when the character is talking, making it sometimes hard to follow the dialogue. I like May Amelia, she is both tough and compassionate. Her character develops over the book which makes her endearing to the reader. This historical fiction is a wonderful insight into Pioneer Life at the turn of the century. If your child likes historical fiction this is a great addition to your home library.

Relevant Information	Content Review
Published In: 1999	Profanity: None
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers, Inc.	Violence: Murder
Age Level: 10-13 years	Sexual: None
AR Level: 4.8	Mature Themes: Death of a Baby,
Pages: 253	Aging, Prejudice
Awards: 2000 Newbery Honor Stars: 4

Annie the Apple Fairy by Tim Bugbird 🟌🟌🟌🟌

Annie loves to make apple pies. She and her 2 friends have a successful TV cooking show but when they get competition from Sondra the strudel fairy, all the other fairies start to watch her show. Can Annie’s show be saved? My 6- year-old granddaughter really likes this book, but I think it has more to do with the sparkly cover and that the characters are fairies. The story is average, but I like the bold and colorful pages. I recommend borrowing this one from the library.

Fun Activity: Make an apple pie with your child.

Published In: 2013
Publisher: Make Believe Ideas
Age Level: 3-12 years
AR Level: 4.2
Pages: 32
Stars: 4

Shadow by Marcia Brown 🟌🟌🟌🟌

“Shadow” is a book based on conversations the author had with storytellers from Africa and a poem by Blaise Cendrars, a French writer. Shadows are the main characters of the book, and these shadows live in Africa. The shadows come to life; they dance, they run, they are tricksters, but they have no voice. The mystery of the shadows are artistically display by the illustrations. They are more than just a thing, they come alive on the pages.

As I read this book with my Grandson, I did not fully appreciate what the author was telling the reader about the shadows. It took me 2 reads to acknowledge the beauty of the story. I never knew shadows could be described in so many ways. The book is dark and some younger children might find the pictures and/or story scary. I would recommend the book for older elementary children, and it could take more than one reading to comprehend the full message about what makes up a shadow.

Fun Activity: With your child at bedtime get a flashlight, turn off all the lights and make hand shadows on the walls.

Published In: 1982
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Age Level: 5-8 years
AR Level: 3.2
Pages: 36
Stars: 4
Awards: 1983 Caldecott Medal

Moon Over Manifest by Clara Vanderpool 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

The year is 1936 and Abilene Tucker’s father has decided to send her to the town of Manifest, where he spent some time in his youth. Abilene and her father have been riding the rails but after an accident that put Abilene’s life in danger her father knows that this way of life is too dangerous for a 12-year-old girl. When she arrives in Manifest, she finds a run-down town not the idyllic place her father told her about in his stories.

Abilene makes it a quest to find out more about her father and his life in Manifest. She never finds out much about him till the end of the book but does discover a town with a lot of secrets. “Moon Over Manifest” is not an easy read. There are a multitude of characters and lots of threads to follow. It is a good mystery, and the author keeps you guessing on which character is Abilene father. This is a book for the serious reader, there is not much humor, and its themes are more adult in nature than kid friendly.

Relevant Information	Content Review
Published In: 2010	Profanity: None
Publisher: Delacorte Press	Violence: Murder
Age Level: 10-14 years	Sexual: None
AR Level: 5.3	Mature Themes:Betrayal, War, Alcohol
Pages: 351
Stars: 4 Award: 2011Newbery Medal

 

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

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