Bink & Gollie by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

 

Bink and Gollie are two friends, Gollie likes pancakes, and Bink likes peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The book is about the funny antics of these two friends and the compromises they make to stay friends. The plot is uncomplicated, and beginning readers will have no trouble following the story. It was simple enough that my 7-year-old granddaughter could read it on her own. A great series of books for elementary school children just starting to read chapter books.

 

Relevant Information	Content Review
Published In: 2010	Profanity: No
Publisher: Candlewick Press	Violence: No
Age Level: 5-8 years	Sexual Content: No
AR Level: 2.5	Mature Themes: None
Pages: 81
Stars: 5 Series: 3 Books

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

The Wheel On The School by Meindert DeJong 🟊🟊🟊

I tried so hard to read all of this children’s classic but after 100 pages I was done with it. Six schoolchildren are on a quest to bring back storks to their small Dutch fishing village. They are looking for a wagon wheel which supposedly is where storks like to build their nests. The story moves very slowly, and it was not that interesting. Maybe in 1955 it appealed to elementary school students, but it will not engage today’s children.


Published In: 1954
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers, Inc.
Age Level: 8-12 years
AR Level: 4.7
Pages: 298
Stars: 3
Awards: 1955 Newbery Medal

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

 

Snow by Uri Shulevitz 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

Love the illustrations, love the book. One boy and his dog really want it to snow. As they look out the window, they see a snowflake. They run outside and go all around town telling the people on the streets that it will snow but the towns people tell him it will melt. The boy is right and by the end of the book the whole town is white. This book was at my granddaughter’s reading level, so she read the book to me. We had fun with the pictures, and she was so proud to be able to read it by herself. A great first reader that is actually a good book.

Published In: 1998
Publisher: Farrar, Straus, Giroux
Age Level: 2-7 years
AR Level: 1.6
Pages: 28
Stars: 5
Awards: 1999 Caldecott Honor

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

Trayaurus and the Enchanted Crystal by DanTDM 🟌

The book is written by a popular You Tuber and Minecraft gamer, DanTDM. The plot of the book “reimagines the minecraft-style world and characters”. My 9-year-old grandson read the first 30 pages and he had enough. Even though he is into gaming and watches You Tubes he didn’t like the book. He told me the main character was not interesting and kind of boring. Which is too bad because I thought the book had great potential.

I did make an attempt to read some of this book myself but I have to say graphic novels are not my thing. I am not sure if it’s all the pictures on the page or the small print. I never know what panel to read next. I had a very hard time following the story. I did notice that it was all the DanTDM fans that gave the book 5 stars. Wish I could rate it higher, but Nana gives it 1 star.

Published In: 2016
Publisher: Harper
Age Level: 7-9 years
AR Level: 2.7
Pages: 192
Stars: 1
Graphic Novel

Stone Soup by Marcia Brown 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

“Stone Soup” is a children’s classic tale that has been retold by many authors. This version was written in 1947. Some of the older Caldecott books do not age very well, but this one does stand up to the test of time. Three soldiers are on their way home after fighting in the wars. They are very hungry when they come to a village. They ask the villagers for some food and a place to sleep. After the villagers say no to their request they have an idea, let’s make stone soup. Can stone soup turn in to a feast? This vintage book is a must for the home library.

Published In: 1947
Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Publisher
Age Level: 3 -8 years
AR Level: 3.3
Pages: 46
Stars:5
Awards: 1948 Caldecott Honor

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

Galaxy Zack Monster In Space ! by Ray O'Ryan 🟊🟊🟊

The “Galaxy Zack” books are perfect for the student who is just beginning to read chapter books, lots of pictures and big print, but that might be all its good for. I read the “Galaxy Zack Monsters in Space!”, number 4 of 18, with my grandson and he was not impressed. The book did excite him enough to want to read anymore in the series. The story is about a new kid at school who does look like anybody else in the class. Can Zack find it in himself to be friends with him? There are more engaging books for the beginner reader, get this one from the library before you purchase.

Relevant Information	Content Review
Published In: 2013	Profanity: None
Publisher: Little Simon	Violence: None
Age Level: 5-9 years	Sexual: None
AR Level: 3.3	Mature Themes: None
Pages: 119	Series : 18 Books
Stars: 3

A Place Inside of Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart by Zetta Elliott 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

Many strong feelings are presented in this book. As a young boy copes with a shooting in his neighborhood he deals with sorrow, fear, and anger. At the same time, he has other emotions joy, pride, and peace. The story is told in the form of a poem, and the illustrations are expressive and powerful. The Black Live Matters movement is displayed prominently throughout the book. The audience for this picture book is the elementary school student, I would not recommend it for preschoolers.

Published In: 202
Publisher: Farrar, Staus and Grioux
Age Level: 6-10 years
AR Level: N/A
Pages: 32
Stars: 5
Awards: 2021 Caldecott Honor

The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash by Trinka Noble 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

This is one of the funniest children’s books you will ever read. A little girl describes to her mother the class trip to a farm. It starts with a crying cow and from there she tells her mom a series of hilarious events that took place at the farm all because Jimmy brought his pet Boa to meet the animals. My kids loved this book and now the grandchildren like it just as much. It’s a classic in our house and a book that is asked for over and over.

Published In: 1980
Publisher: Penguin Putnam
Age Level: 3-7 years
AR Level: 2.2
Pages: 32
Stars: 5

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

This Very Tree: A Story of 9/11, Resilience and Regrowth by Sean Rubin 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

I grew up in Brooklyn, NY and the windows of my apartment looked across the harbor at the World Trade Center. Every morning when I woke up, they were the first things I would see and at night before I went to bed the last. I was not living in NY at the time of the 9/11 tragedy but like everybody in America if affected me deeply.

“This Very Tree” is a book that introduces the devastation of 9/11 without being too scary for younger children. The events of that day are told through the eyes of a tree without the details of the death and destruction. The tree is a Callery pear and is based on the real experiences of a tree known as the “Survivor Tree”. This tree is at the new plaza for the World Trade Center.

This picture book is not for preschoolers but rather elementary school children. Children will want to know more about this day so be prepared with your answers. I like to emphasize the resiliency and strength of the people, city and our nation that was shown after the attack. This book is a must for your home library.  

 Fun Activity: Go to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum home page and watch the video on the Survivor Tree and complete the recommended activity.

https://www.911memorial.org/learn/youth-and-families/activities-home/survivor-tree-leaves 

Published In: 2021
Publisher: Henry Holt & Co.
Age Level: 6-12 Years
AR Level: 2.9
Pages: 48
Stars: 5

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

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

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