Eleven-year-old Felix Woods has recently been diagnosed with Growth Hormone Deficiency, and is taking shots to help him grow. He's not particularly woEleven-year-old Felix Woods has recently been diagnosed with Growth Hormone Deficiency, and is taking shots to help him grow. He's not particularly worried about his height since being short gives him a claim to fame and has become part of his identity. When he learns that his father, whom he's never met was also short, Felix becomes determined to find his father and give the two of them a chance to get to know each other. To do so, he goes to great lengths, using some of the skills and knowledge he's learned at his Forensic Science Club extracurricular activity. But his single-mindedness leads him to betray his mother and stepfather Paul, to pile lie upon lie, and to cheat, disappointing his friends and teammates. While the conclusion with Felix having to help his mother give birth during a snowstorm seemed rather over the top, the rest of the story was well written and honest. Felix as a character is endearing even while he heads down a slippery moral slope. It's easy to understand why he makes the choices and mistakes he does. The inclusion of the various scenarios presented by Mr. S and the older students during the Forensic Science Club meetings enhances readers' interest in the story while covering some unfamiliar territory. This book with its short chapters and a family struggling valiantly toward a bright future is a good choice for an after-lunch read aloud or intermediate reading choice. ...more
The overly-enthusiastic Really Bird really--ha!--lives up to his name in this book because it stresses how much the bird wants to take a trip to the mThe overly-enthusiastic Really Bird really--ha!--lives up to his name in this book because it stresses how much the bird wants to take a trip to the moon. The third book in a series for early readers, this one follows Early Bird as he and his friends who live on a large city park, climb into the play rocket on the grounds, and pretend to travel to their intended destination. Getting there--even in the imagination--isn't easy, and the friends will need to work together, have some patience, and trust each other along the way. From climbing into the rocket and putting on their space helmets with help from each other to blastoff to a successful lunar landing, these three make a great team and help each other solve problems and provide assistance during the flight. What's cool in addition to the cartoonlike illustrations are the actual facts about space travel embedded within the story and the suggested talking or discussion points in the back matter. Surely, this short book, packed with adventure and action, will prompt curiosity to learn more about astronauts and space. As with the other titles in this series, there is plenty of humor among the pages. Most youngsters will finish the book just like Really Bird starts it, by wanting to REALLY, REALLY, REALLY go to the moon or somewhere else equally interesting. ...more
Although this picture book is set in the 1920s, the sentiments it describes are perfect for the modern world. Great-Uncle Lewis, a chocolatier, is hapAlthough this picture book is set in the 1920s, the sentiments it describes are perfect for the modern world. Great-Uncle Lewis, a chocolatier, is happy to have young Daniel help out in his shop. The eight-year-old boy has been learning about chocolate ever since he was only four, and his favorite part of the day is the morning hour he spends working with his relative while concocting sweet treats before heading off to school. After seeing how nervous and lonely Sarah, a new classmate, is, Daniel decides to bring her a chocolate wrapped in a gold box. He hides it in her desk, and then watches in delight as she finds the present. As he continues to leave chocolates in Sarah's desk, others notice, and Daniel and his uncle eventually hide chocolates in everyone's desk. Strangely, Daniel realizes that his classmates seem to be kinder to one another after these sweets. When his uncle leaves town for a conference and Daniel feels lost and lonely, his kindness is repaid by his classmates who hide a treasure trove of candy in his desk to make him feel appreciated. These sweets might not be chocolate, but they are filled with love, and they are the start of even more gift-giving across the school. With its nostalgic illustrations, created with watercolor, gouache, oil, colored pencil, and digital media, this picture book is certainly a chocolate-lover's delight and a great example of how kindness begets kindness and how one person's empathy toward another may inspire that other person to behave more empathetically toward another. A little act of kindness, whether through a smile, a word of encouragement or even a piece of chocolate, goes a long way toward making the world a better place. Readers will love seeing the 48 panels of various kinds of chocolates nestled in their paper holders on the endpapers, 24 on the front endpaper and 24 on the back one. This picture book only affirms what many of us already knew: Chocolate is magic. ...more
Just as Alex Haley's Roots (published in 1976) reminded adults that history is complicated and Black history did not begin with slavery, Kwame AlexandJust as Alex Haley's Roots (published in 1976) reminded adults that history is complicated and Black history did not begin with slavery, Kwame Alexander's latest novel in verse, divided into seven chapters, does the same for middle-grade readers. Set in 1860, the story follows an eleven-year-old Asante boy, Kofi Offin, as he spends his days trying to stay out of trouble in a classroom ruled by Mr. Goodluck Phillip who liberally uses his cane to beat the Twi out of his students in favor of them speaking English. Kofi also spends time fishing and swimming in the Offin river with his best friend Ebo while dreaming of Ama, the girl on whom he has a crush and wishes to impress. But it's his cousin, also called Kofi, who frustrates Kofi Offin because of his physical superiority and arrogance, which leads the boy to challenge him to a swimming competition. While the descriptions in the early portion of the book of daily life and time spent with family enjoying delicious meals and dreaming of the future serve to evoke empathy for Kofi and make what happens to him later all the more disturbing, the author offers hints of what is to come through mention of the river being a place to avoid at night. When an athletic competition between Upper Kwanta and Lower Kwanta ends in tragedy, the seeds are sown for betrayal and revenge, and Kofi is a victim of the retribution. Kidnapped and eventually taken to a large ship where he and others like him are kept below decks, Kofi draws inspiration from the example of Afua, a woman who has lost her first child and is raped by her captors but urges those around her to have hope. Somehow Kofi manages to hang on even as all that he has known and loved is left behind, and when a storm wrecks the vessel, he is ready. The author effectively captures the sights, sounds, flavors, and rhythms--even pastimes such as the game of Oware-- of the place that is now known as Ghana, creating in Kofi a protagonist with whom readers will certainly relate. The verse novel format works well in telling this story since it allows Alexander to choose words carefully, expanding or compressing certain moments for emotional impact. As it should, this book will haunt readers and leave fans of the author impressed with his storytelling skills and emotional stamina in being able to return to such a time and place. The Door of No Return is highly recommended....more
So many youngsters are intrigued by the idea of living the life of a pirate and sailing the Seven Seas. Don't believe me? Check out the Halloween costSo many youngsters are intrigued by the idea of living the life of a pirate and sailing the Seven Seas. Don't believe me? Check out the Halloween costumes as those little trick-or-treaters come to your door. This picture book uses that interest to tell a story of empowerment as Jack, a would-be pirate who loves to dance, something that the ship's captain insists that pirates would never do. Still, as he goes about his daily tasks, Jack dances and teaches some dance moves to some of the other pirates. His actions displease the captain, who locks Jack and the other novice pirates away during a fight with some villains intent on boarding their ship and stealing their loot. Jack's talented feet insist that he enter the fray, and his moves result in tangled up, tapped out, and vanquished villains. Captain Squinty Eye has no choice but to change his tune when it comes to dancing, and Jack's dream of becoming a pirate comes true. The picture book uses ballet terms, pirate terms, plentiful onomatopoeia, and idioms to tell Jack's story of empowerment and being true to oneself. The colorful, action- and dance-filled images show just how graceful Jack's moves are as well as how they can be adapted to putting others in their places. The idea of resilience also is highlighted in this story--an important realization for many young readers who might face similar challenges--as Jack doesn't let what others think about his interest in dancing keep him from doing what he loves. Clearly, pirates CAN and DO dance. ...more
There's an important message about slowing down and watching where you are going in this picture book. Complemented with handsome digital illustrationThere's an important message about slowing down and watching where you are going in this picture book. Complemented with handsome digital illustrations that include collage and monoprint, the book follows Ellie, a young elephant who is in quite a rush to get to the pool and swim. (I'm sure many readers know someone just like Ellie--or if not, perhaps they themselves resemble this smallest of all the elephants in the herd. As Ellie races past the chameleon, the monkeys, and even the butterflies, she fails to notice that she's causing havoc through her carelessness. When she steps on a sleeping tiger's tail and almost does the same thing to a mouse, the animals remind her to be more careful and decide to join her. Ellie is happy for the company but finds herself more mindful of her steps as she continues toward her watery destination. The last double-page spread is filled with the happy faces of the jungle animals as they fill that waterhole completely. There hardly seems an inch to spare. Caregivers, parents, and teachers might want to share this book with youngsters as a reminder to be aware of boundaries and the consequences of actions....more
Contrary to the comments of other reviewers who loved this second book in the weather-related series, this picture book is a 2.5 for me. There's nothiContrary to the comments of other reviewers who loved this second book in the weather-related series, this picture book is a 2.5 for me. There's nothing inherently wrong with the story although its theme of compromise is one that has been explored many times before. But the illustrations of the clouds and sunbeams didn't do much for me and the resolution of the conflict just seemed too pat. I did, however, like having the games being played by the weather formations being responsible for what's happening on Earth. The two conflicts--one on the ground and one in the sky--mirror one another as Clare is at first disinterested in sharing her birthday celebration with her younger brother Tyler, then upset because rain will ruin the party, and then, once it stops and a rainbow appears, willing to share her crafts with Tyler and borrow his shovel. The turnaround seemed rather abrupt while the games played by Misty, her friends, and those sunbeam interlopers seemed to be resolved more realistically. Still, despite my criticisms, this book contains weather terms that might make it a good introduction to the topic while the plot serves as an example of how to deal with conflicts. ...more
This frothy middle grade title gives readers a glimpse into the world of Bollywood, the Indian film industry. Twelve-year-old Bela Khanna takes advantThis frothy middle grade title gives readers a glimpse into the world of Bollywood, the Indian film industry. Twelve-year-old Bela Khanna takes advantage of her wild card entry to a dance competition to start on the road to stardom. Not only does she take first prize in the finals, but she wins a scholarship to the prestigious Bollywood Academy. But her dancing skills, looks, and charm may not be enough to secure a permanent position there especially as she catches the notice of Monica Kumar, whose father owns the studio. Although Monica is much better known than Bela, she resents Bela and her talent, especially when the gossip magazines highlight the differences between the two girls, one whose rise to fame could be attributed to nepotism and her family's position while the other one arrived at the Academy based on her dance skills. As Bela struggles to fit in and find her place, she is supported by new friends and allies, but she falters after a humiliating incident in which she thinks she has an offer for a Netflix series but there is no offer. Readers will love the descriptions of life behind and on the set for various shows while also appreciating Bela's growth and realization that she doesn't need to lower herself to pranks and cruelty in order to prosper. While I liked the story, the characters, and the drawings, Bela's path to success and acclaim seemed quite a stretch, and I doubted that this rise could have occurred so quickly. But then again, perhaps that's every aspiring young actor's dream, whether in Hollywood or Bollywood. Fans of the series will be eager for the next installment. ...more
Complemented with colorful digital illustrations that fill several pages completely, this picture book focuses on the importance of being truthful. BuComplemented with colorful digital illustrations that fill several pages completely, this picture book focuses on the importance of being truthful. But doing so is not necessarily easy as Pangolin finds. Pangolin's problem begins when the ropes on the queen's swing snap, and the swing breaks. Feeling terribly guilty but also conflicted about what to do, he turns to his friends for advice. Each one gives his problem some deep thinking and then suggests a possible response. The suggestions become increasingly outlandish, and Pangolin ends up feeling just as uncertain as he was before he sought help. When he finally has a chance to talk to the queen, he jumbles up all the suggestions before confessing to what happened and taking the blame. She responds in the perfect way, leaving Pangolin and the book's readers reassured that as hard as it is to own up to a mistake or to take responsibility for one's actions, it's certainly the right thing to do in the end. This is a simple story with important relevance for readers' character development....more
This one is a 3.5 for me. I'm a Stephen King fan, and I almost always willingly follow wherever he decides to take me and ignore the flaws in his charThis one is a 3.5 for me. I'm a Stephen King fan, and I almost always willingly follow wherever he decides to take me and ignore the flaws in his character development or plot simply because I enjoy the stories themselves. In this one, seventeen-year-old Charlie Reade, who seems surprisingly unworldly, given the death of his mother and alcoholism of his father, befriends elderly Howard Bowditch and his aging German Shepherd Radar, when Bowditch is injured and in need of help. The two become friends, and eventually, Charlie learns that the locked shed on the old man's property hides a passage to another world. Upon Bowditch's death, Charlie inherits his property as well as the responsibility for that portal. Because Radar is fading fast, Charlie decides to travel below ground with the dog and place her on the sundial that Bowditch clearly used in the past in order to reverse the aging process and restore her youth and health. Along the way he encounters various characters from fairy tales and individuals with disabilities caused by the evilness that permeates this strange world. An act of kindness concerning a red cricket will pay off later as anyone familiar with Aesop's Fables will realize. But once Radar's health is restored, Charlie is captured, imprisoned, and he becomes a pawn in a deadly physical contest from which only one winner can emerge. While it could be argued that Charlie seems innocent when compared to current 17-year-olds, I'd counter that this story isn't set in modern times. In fact, the book opens as an older Charlie is describing what happened to him during this adventure so presumably the story took place several decades ago. And he's complex: While he is heroic and behaves in heroic ways, he also admits to a penchant for violence and revenge at times and worrying about drinking too much from a dark well. Then, too, he also willingly acknowledges that his anger after his mother's death led him to accompany a classmate during various pranks and acts of cruelty. Clearly, this is no one-dimensional hero, for as much good as he's doing, he has also been responsible for some bad. Interestingly, the fairy tale characters and references in the strange new world Charlie encounters, ones that will be familiar with those who love traditional tales, seem to have somehow seeped into our own world and culture, making readers wonder how that might have happened or the universality of those stories. As is typical for a King story, this one focuses on the battle between good and evil, alongside a good dose of gruesome descriptions, and featuring flawed individuals who somehow rise to the occasion and give others reasons to hope for the future. The book's title fits its contents perfectly. For someone new to King, this one works just fine on its own merits although maybe a beginner would be better served by some of his earlier, shorter works as a starting point. For dog-lovers or anyone who has ever wished they could somehow elongate the life of a beloved pet so that they have more time together, this tale will rip out those hearts and make them wish that such a sundial as Charlie uses actually existed. The whole time I was reading this book, I kept thinking about Pet Semetary, a very different book concerning beloved animals, and Cujo with its rabid dog. ...more
Ever since I was a young girl I've been fascinated by folklore and mythology and enjoyed comparing and contrasting stories about various gods and goddEver since I was a young girl I've been fascinated by folklore and mythology and enjoyed comparing and contrasting stories about various gods and goddesses. Of course, Edith Hamilton's Mythology and Homer's tales kept me enraptured as I grew older as did the books of Mary Renault. I'm not sure why it took me so long to get around to reading this one, focused on Achilles, the great Greek warrior, and his best friend and lover Patroclus. But what delights the book had in store for me! Because the story is told from the point of Patroclus, a disgraced prince who is banished from his kingdom after accidentally killing a youth, readers are able to see Achilles and various events through his eyes and watch as the boys fall in love and as both grow confident. Achilles, of course, has been famous for his entire lifetime since a prophecy foretells his adeptness as a warrior whereas Patroclus is used to being on the sidelines, dismissed and ignored by his father and hesitating to stand up for himself or what he wants. Eventually, though, he does, finding his way while Achilles gets lost, mired in his own hubris and that of Agamemnon, leader of the Greeks who head to Troy to bring Helen back to her rightful husband. Even though readers familiar with this oft-told story know how it ends, they'll still be enraptured by the way the author spins the tale and develops the characters. Other reviewers have noted just how well she adapts the ancient story, filling its pages with love, loyalty, hubris, disappointment, and violence. The scenes of brutality are hard to read, but thankfully, they are offset with elegant passages describing the bond between Achilles and Patroclus and their quiet, peaceful moments together. The vocabulary and pace chosen by the author contribute to the book's enchantment as does Patroclus's realization that the man he loves has changed and is unnecessarily costing others on their side in the Trojan War their lives. Readers will be completely immersed in this story and find it disorienting to look up from the book only to realize that several hours have passed and it's 2022, not centuries ago. This is one story that I hated to see come to an end. While I enjoyed the author's other book, Circe, it didn't have the same emotional impact as this one did for me. ...more
Readers will be forgiven if they approach this novel as yet another coming-of-age book for teens. While it has elements of that in it concerning its tReaders will be forgiven if they approach this novel as yet another coming-of-age book for teens. While it has elements of that in it concerning its three protagonists--the Mitchell triplets--it quickly becomes clear that it's so much more than that. The teens live in small-town Bourne, the site of a damaging chemical disaster caused by the Belsum Chemical company, one that was covered up even while resulting in deaths, illness, and birth defects. Clearly, the water was no longer safe to drink or even bathe in. After their father's death, the girls' mother, Nora, embarks on a crusade to hold the company accountable. She's collected personal accounts, filed lawsuits, and involved the town's citizens. But years have gone by, the plant has closed, and she doesn't have enough evidence to win a legal case. Still, she refuses to give up. Little does she know that it will be her daughters who will carry on the fight, resulting in their own form of justice as the plant prepares to reopen. Readers who love books about activism and those that feature three distinct voices will love this one and find it hard to choose a favorite from among Mab, Monday and Mirabel. Since the story is told in the same organization as the title with accounts from first one, then two, then three voices carrying the narration, readers are treated to a masterful handling of character development alongside an interesting plot. Amid the reminders that the truth can be distorted and that many companies have little regard for the communities in which they settle, and are not likely to receive much punishment even if found guilty are also the story of a first love, instances of bullying, and familial love and loyalty as well as ruminations on disabilities and ableism. While the girls' final actions may seem over the top to some readers, they also felt triumphant and inevitable. After all, when the adults seem stymied, what else can teens do? I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will seek out others by this author. My only quibble is that it seemed to go on a bit longer than necessary. Nevertheless, time spent with these sisters with their special bond is worth the effort. ...more
Although this debut novel is nowhere near as original and well written as The Handmaid's Tale, it's still well worth reading just for the disturbing vAlthough this debut novel is nowhere near as original and well written as The Handmaid's Tale, it's still well worth reading just for the disturbing vision of an over-regimented society that it depicts. In the worst case scenario, it provides a glimpse of what might happen in the future as the actions of parents, especially mothers, become the focus of various government agencies. In many respects, it seems to be a tongue-in-cheek examination of the expectations placed on women to be "good mothers," an idea that becomes increasingly horrifying over the course of the book's pages. Good mothers seem to be those who completely sacrifice themselves for their offspring, never making a mistake or taking their eyes off their children. After all, if they do so, if they ever become frustrated or leave the child unattended briefly, someone is watching or listening, and the blunder may be reported to authorities. In the case of the book's protagonist, Frida Liu, the daughter of Chinese immigrants, that's exactly what happens when she leaves her daughter Harriet alone after several days without much sleep, goes out for a beverage and to pick up something at the office. While her actions are certainly careless, the punishment is extreme. Child Protection Services picks up Harriet, gives her to Gust, Frida's ex-husband, and his new love interest, Susanna. Frida is closely monitored by cameras in her home, and she ends up being sent to a prison for failed or bad mothers where the inmates undergo rigorous training to help them become good mothers. If someone makes enough improvement, they can regain custody of their child. Using lifelike dolls, the women learn to parrot certain words and phrases and nurture these surrogates. Frida eventually becomes quite attached to her doll, Emmanuelle. It's clear that this placement is intended to break the spirits of any rebels as well as indoctrinate them into the expected motherly behavior, but it also seems impossible to pass muster or have any sort of a life outside of tending to that child. To add to the pain, Frida must go months without even a word from Harriet as her communication with the child has been curtailed. The scenes in which she says farewell to Harriet are quite heartbreaking and hard to read. The book's conclusion comes fast after many details about her months in the institution, and many readers will still be thinking about the book and whether they themselves could have fit the bill as a good mother as defined in the book. Some readers may even feel some guilt for how they've judged other mothers as being lacking in some way. ...more
Colorful digital illustrations fill each page of this unusual picture book completely as they show the results of acts of judgment and cruelty and actColorful digital illustrations fill each page of this unusual picture book completely as they show the results of acts of judgment and cruelty and acts of kindness and compassion. Readers will appreciate the book's uniqueness as the same text is used twice, but reversing the lines the second time around so that they can see that there are two different approaches to welcoming a new classmate to school. In one approach the student is marginalized, avoided, and left completely alone without a hope in the world of ever making a friend and fitting in. In the other version, the students go out of their way to put themselves in someone else's shoes and make that newbie feel welcome. Young readers will take the positive message to heart while delighting in having to turn the book over in order to read both versions of the story. Because this sort of thing happens so often in school as students transfer from one school to another, the picture book offers food for thought and conversation while nudging readers to do the right thing and support someone in need of a friend and a little understanding. It also tackles the tendency so many of us have to make assumptions about others without really knowing much about them. ...more
With its softly-colored ink and watercolor illustrations, this wordless picture book delivers a powerful and important message about forgiveness and uWith its softly-colored ink and watercolor illustrations, this wordless picture book delivers a powerful and important message about forgiveness and understanding. Alex is a rather rambunctious youngster who is active and loves playing basketball. When his playfulness interrupts others' activities, he pays it no mind. But then the ball lands in a puddle and splashes water onto a classmate's artwork. Alex didn't mean to cause this destruction, but his careless actions result in anger and shunning by his other classmates, who are furious on behalf of the artistic student. The other boy is surrounded by his friends, but poor Alex is left to eat lunch and play alone. Eventually, though, the boy reaches out to Alex, who presumably apologizes for what happened, and the two play basketball together, prompting the rest of the class to join them. The next day, Alex brings something special to his new friend. The fact that there are no words used in the story--just images--makes it particularly effective, allowing youngsters to fill in the blanks with their own words and use their own imaginations. The back matter includes tips for adults to use in discussing the story as well as suggestions about what to do when you hurt someone as well as when you are the wronged party. It would have been very easy for the boy in the story to let his friends fight his battles and encourage them to hate on Alex. Instead, it is he who reaches out to Alex, something that took courage, just as it took courage for Alex to apologize for his carelessness. This picture book would certainly be useful during the first week of school as an example of behavioral expectations and actions to emulate when someone has hurt another person. It offers rich material for classroom discussion and role playing. Being able to understand how someone else might feel in a certain situation isn't always easy, but it's worthwhile. ...more
A select group of readers will surely see themselves in this picture book--3.5 for me--and in Nicky, its protagonist. She's an introverted, introspectA select group of readers will surely see themselves in this picture book--3.5 for me--and in Nicky, its protagonist. She's an introverted, introspective girl who prefers spending recess in the library with Ms. Gillam and the many books the library boasts to playing outside with her classmates. It would seem they have nothing in common with her, and she cherishes the time she spends shelving books. But Nicky is forced out of her comfort zone when Ms. Gillam is gone to a conference. Still, she draws strength and inspiration from the example of a women's motorcycle club who patronize her mother's diner and enable her to see that individuals who are different and unique can get along while not sacrificing their individuality. One of the women, Maggie, had given Nicky a book of poetry, which Nicky takes outside to read during recess. Caught up in the poetry, she decides to take a risk by responding to the friendliness of a girl who expresses her own love for poems. While Nicky doesn't suddenly become popular or comfortable outside with the others or even try to change herself too drastically, readers can tell that there might be a new relationship blooming between the two girls. And all because Nicky took a risk. This empowering and comforting story is supporting by unique artwork consisting of inks, soft colors, and collages, including library cards, call numbers, bookshelves, and book carts. Older readers just might be reminded of how librarians have provided a refuge for them now and in the past, and those who doubt the importance of libraries may come to realize how much of a safe space they are for some individuals. ...more
Set during 2017 mostly in New York City, this debut novel is a 3.5 for me, and the author is clearly one to watch. As other reviewers have noted, she Set during 2017 mostly in New York City, this debut novel is a 3.5 for me, and the author is clearly one to watch. As other reviewers have noted, she skillfully blends the personal with the political, and her characters are flawed, which makes them all the more relatable. From the outside looking in, Olga Acevedo, a wedding planner, and her older brother Pedro (Prieto), a Congressman representing their Brooklyn neighborhood, have it made. The siblings are attractive and have access to power and fame in many different ways. But this perfection and happy ending is something of an illusion since readers learn that both of them have secrets and may not have lived up to their potential. Olga actually dislikes her work and has kept herself emotionally unavailable to any serious romantic commitment, and Prieto fears revealing that he is queer, a concern that causes him to betray his constituents in various ways. Both are still dealing with the absence of their mother, an activist who left them behind in order to follow her own dreams and radical path. She sends them missives once in awhile and will become an important part of the book's conclusion since both Olga and Prieto realize that much of their lives have been spent trying to earn her love despite her absence. In many respects, her reappearance has as much effect on these two as the hurricanes (Ike and Maria) have on the residents of Puerto Rico, left to fend for themselves for FEMA and the government. The descriptions of how those citizens deal with the aftermath of those hurricanes are revealed to Prieto (and many readers) during his visit as part of rescue efforts and first-hand observations of the island. Parts of the story are filled with family love and competition as well as growing self-awareness and daring to take chances and live life on one's own terms, maybe being open to love and new paths, and readers may see parts of themselves and their own actions in these two characters. ...more
Twenty-six interlocking folktales from Finland offer amusement as well as life lessons in this lovely collection featuring Bear, Wolf, and Fox. In manTwenty-six interlocking folktales from Finland offer amusement as well as life lessons in this lovely collection featuring Bear, Wolf, and Fox. In many of them Fox gets away with his trickery, avoiding work, cheating his friends, and eating more than his fill of food. These traditional tales are all short, accessible, and provide insight into Nordic culture as well as human behavior through the behavior of the animals in and around Metsola farm. The actions of Hen, Rooster, and Hare add to the delights of reading these positively addictive, well-told tales as do the illustrations, created with watercolor and ink pen. The details in those smaller sketches and larger artwork are impressive in their ability to capture the animal characters' personalities. While amused by Fox's antics and trickery, readers will surely hope that he eventually learns his lesson or faces some sort of comeuppance. The book is well designed and even had a ribbon to mark a reader's place in it. ...more
With moving illustrations created with pencil sketches and then digitally colored, this picture book describes the fears that plague Camila and make hWith moving illustrations created with pencil sketches and then digitally colored, this picture book describes the fears that plague Camila and make her want to hide from life. The artwork and text depict how these worries assail her and make it hard for her to enjoy anything. She deals with crippling messages about "What if..., " "I can't...," and "I'm scared..." (unpaged), which make her dread the class field trip to the aquarium. Mrs. Flores, her teacher, reassures her that it will be fun and tries to silence the class bullies who tease Camila about her fears. Upon arriving at the aquarium, Camila avoids the various exhibits and scary creatures and looks for a place to hide. Instead, she finds Kai, another classmate who is hiding. Together, they summon the courage to look at the stingray, and afterward, she is proud to present her report on the octopus. It's obvious that her concern for Kai has helped her be brave. Consequently, she's clearly made a start in conquering some of her demons. The back matter includes questions for discussion, including three about how to deal with fears or support someone who is fearful as well as some suggested reading material. Not only will some youngsters see themselves in Camila and Kai, but others will be more empathetic to their classmates like these two youngsters after reading and discussing the book. ...more
In this, the second in this middle-grade series, Sadie feels on top of the world because of her best friends in the Pack and their place in Charm SchoIn this, the second in this middle-grade series, Sadie feels on top of the world because of her best friends in the Pack and their place in Charm School where girls with animal powers learn to fit in, become leaders, and avoid the evil scientists at the Institute of Behavioral Science. But then, things fall apart as her grades plummet, her group's spa project exchanging services for chores is revealed, and the secret she is keeping from fellow Pack member Lindsey threatens to unravel. Plus, her relationship with Beak, once so promising, now seems to have ended. At her wit's end, Sadie is ready to give up and go home. But maybe, just maybe, telling the truth and giving a heartfelt apology could make things go right again. Fans of this author will be entertained by the story while finding themselves in some of the characters and ultimately being reminded that being true to oneself is always the best way to go. It'll be fun to see what happens next. ...more
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