Reading Roundup: September 2012

By the Numbers
Picture Books: 24
Early Readers: 1

Sources
Review Copies: 1
Library: 23

Standouts
Writing: Lucy Can't Sleep by Amy Schwartz
A breathless magic pervades this story of a little girl's midnight wanderings. Review coming soon.
Illustration: Up Above and Down Below, illustrated by Susan Ouriou, written by Paloma Valdivia
There's something brain-twistingly modern in these illustrations, which tell the story of the differences, and more, the similarities between you and the people on the other side of the world.
Overall: Bear Has a Story to Tell by Phillip C Stead, illustrated by Erin Stead
Like A Sick Day for Amos McGee, the main character is a self-effacing and generous soul, who helps his friends first. Glowing with autumn colors and gentle lines, it's definitely a quiet book. Not one you put in the hands of the most zooey kid in the room. But then again, the gentle story may have a calming effect. You never know.

Because I Want To Awards
Yay! Sequel!: Rocket Writes a Story by Tad Hill
I've been using the first book, How Rocket Learned to Read, in school visits for a couple of years, so I was extra-excited to see this second book. Like the first one, kids struggling with the whole writing thing will recognize themselves in this determined pup, and everybody, canine or human, should have a teacher as warm and encouraging as the little bird.
There's a Reason It's a Classic: King Bidgood's in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood
We all have a tendency to focus on the cool and new, but there are books that should never leave our shelves. I was doing a bathtime storytime, and remembered this last-minute. The kids adored it.
Giggles Galore: Big Mean Mike by Michelle Knudsen, illustrated by Scott Magoon
Big Mean Mike is afraid of only one thing: having his rough, tough image compromised. When a herd of adorable bunny wabbits attach themselves to him, he may be in big trouble. Review coming soon.

Book Review: The Day Louis Got Eaten by John Fardell

Book: The Day Louis Got Eaten
Author: John Fardell
Illustrator: John Fardell
Published: 2011
Source: Local Library

Louis and Sarah were out for a bicycle ride one day when--yikes!--Louis got snatched up by a Gulper monster. Lucky for Louis, Sarah knew just what to do in such a situation, and she set off after it, determined to get her brother back. Of course, it complicates matters somewhat when another monster eats the Gulper--and another monster eats that one . . . but don’t underestimate a determined big sister.

Can you tell I enjoyed this book? I really, really did. The matter of fact recitation of disaster, and then Sarah’s practical approach to the problem just tickled the heck out of me. Kids will get a kick out of the nutty details in the pictures (Sarah builds herself various traveling devices out of what she has on hand, and Louis is reading a comic book by flashlight in the monster’s stomach when she finally catches up with him), and the names of the monsters evoke Seuss and Dahl in their melodic nonsense. (Undersnatch! Saber-Toothed Yumper!) I may well do a monster storytime, just for the chance to read this one.

Reading Roundup: August 2012

By the Numbers
Picture Books: 26
Early Readers: 3

Sources
Review Copies: 1
Library: 27

Standouts
Writing: Z is for Moose by Kelly Bingham, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky
Moose isn't patient enough to wait for his turn in the alphabet show, and horns into earlier letters. Kids will love impetuous Moose, and also pointing out that "I" doesn't have anything to do with the word Moose.
Illustration: Think Big! by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton
So if you read my review, you'll see why I loved this book. The collage style was especially appealing.
Overall: One Pup's Up by Marsha Wilson Chall, illustrated by Henry Cole
Cute puppies, counting up (and then down again), and tongue-twisting wordplay made this one of my favorites all month.

Because I Want To Awards
I May Be Overthinking This: Bad Apple: a tale of friendship by Edward Hemingway
It's about an apple that wakes up one day with a worm protruding from his noggin, and they become friends. Basically a sweet story about an unlikely friendship, except . . really? Becoming friends with a creature that is, not to put too fine a point on it, consuming you? Yep. I'm probably overthinking.
For Your Little Emeril: Even Aliens Need Snacks by Matthew McElligott
Aw! I just enjoyed the heck out of this. Realized after the review went up that it would pair well, thematically and tonally, with Earth to Clunk, a fave from several months ago.

Book Review: Even Aliens Need Snacks by Matthew McElligott

Book: Even Aliens Need Snacks
Author: Matthew McElligott
Illustrator: Matthew McElligott
Published: 2012
Source: Local Library

A budding young chef finds that nobody wants his creations. Really? Nobody wants to frequent a mushroom iced tea stand? Dispirited, he closes up shop and goes to bed . . . only to discover that he’s just focusing on the wrong clientele. Aliens love his unique cuisine! He revels in his extraterrestrial popularity, creating more and more unusual dishes. But is it true that there are some things that absolutely nobody will eat?

There’s a lot to giggle over in this clever tale. I got the most giggles out of the nutty, punny customer preferences (for instance, bean puffs went over well with the guys from the gas giants). With a wild variety of aliens and a twist at the end, I think this will go over well with preschool and early elementary kids, especially those that love crazy kitchen combinations themselves.

Book Review: Think Big! by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton

Book: Think Big!
Author: Liz Garton Scanlon
Illustrator: Vanessa Brantley Newton
Published: 2012
Source: Local Library

A preschool class explores different creative expressions, from painting to dance to cooking and in the end, come together to create a show that incorporates all their different experiences.

Like a lot of books lately, this isn’t written in full sentences but rather short rhyming phrases that encapsulate the action on the page. I’m a little over that myself, but it does make for a short text that invites a lot of dialogic reading. The pictures are a mixed-media collage that splash and scatter across the page in a tumble of delight.

I was happy to note that the book isn’t about “this child is good at this, this child is good at that.” It’s about trying different things, enjoying yourself no matter your skill level, and sharing that joy with friends. I also really liked that boys were shown in the same measure as girls, taking unabashed pleasure in stereotypically female pursuits like cooking and knitting.

This sweet book celebrates the joy of creativity, no matter what form it comes in.

Book Review: Small Bunny's Blue Blanket by Tatya Feeney

Book: Small Bunny’s Blue Blanket
Author: Tatya Feeney
Illustrator: Tatya Feeney
Published: 2012
Source: Local Library

Small Bunny and his constant companion, Blue Blanket, do everything together. Then one day, Mama Bunny decrees a separation. A bath, to be precise. For both of them. But Blue Blanket can’t get clean in the tub, and Small Bunny can't go in the washing machine. How will he ever survive?!

Linus and Charles Schulz may have introduced the idea of a security blanket into American thought, but I’m quite sure that there were cave babies hanging onto their ratty saber-toothed tiger pelts for dear life. There have always been books about kids and their blankies. This one is particularly charming in its simplicity.

The art is sweet and childlike, with occasional dabs of watercolor for effect on a mostly white page. It’s still expressive, though. My favorite spread shows Small Bunny standing vigil in front of the washing machine for 107 minutes, ears getting droopier and droopier as the anxious separation stretches out.

My favorite part has to be the end, where Blue Blanket is returned, “good as new.” But Blue Bunny doesn’t want new. It requires much activity to get Blue Blanket up to perfect, but he’s up for the challenge.

Reading Roundup: July 2012

By the Numbers
Picture Books: 8

Sources
Library: all

Standouts
Writing: What to Do if an Elephant Stands on Your Foot by Michelle Robinson, illustrated by Peter Reynolds
Are you totally over the structure of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie? Then this is the book for you. The narrator spends the whole time warning the main character what not to do, only to (sigh) see him doing exactly that thing. A clever subversion, and enough mayhem to entertain the kids too.
Illustration: Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns, illustrated by Mehrdohkt Amini, written by Hena Khan
While the story was a very basic affair, introducing concepts associated with Islam via different colors, I wanted to slide into the illustrations and just lay there for awhile. The patterns and colors of Islamic cultures make it a feast for the eye.
Overall: Rat and Roach: friends to the end by David Covell
A vermin odd couple clash over everything from cookery to cleanliness to hugs, but in the end remember that they really are friends 'til the end. Guys, I hate roaches with every fiber of my being and even I liked this.

Because I Want To Awards
Timely Book is Timely: Olympig! by Victoria Jamieson
Just gave me a big ol' giggle. Review soon.