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Anne And The Tiger Raja, Rebeca Wallin
Anne And The Tiger Raja, Rebeca Wallin
Children's Book and Media Review
Anne is having trouble on the playground with two bullies. She wants to fight back violently, but she meets Isaac who tells her that “violence never really solves anything. You have to use your imagination to come up with other solutions.” The children proceed to work together, taking on characters that suit their personalities, to tell the story of the Tiger Raja in Java, based on the Indonesian folk tale Why There Are No Tigers in Borneo. When food becomes scarce in Java, the Tiger Raja sends a messenger to Borneo to demand that the tigers either send food or …
Ask The Storybots: How Does Night Happen?, Kristie Hinckley
Ask The Storybots: How Does Night Happen?, Kristie Hinckley
Children's Book and Media Review
This episode revolves around Spencer’s question, “How does night happen?” The StoryBots decide to follow the sun to find out. When they are on the beach and the sun looks like it disappears into the ocean, they go underwater to find it…with no luck! Mr. Whale teaches them that the sun is always in outer space, even though it may look like it disappears when it sets. The StoryBots travel 93 million miles to the sun to find out why night happens. The sun teaches them about how earth revolves around him and night happens on the side of the …
Hopping Ahead Of Climate Change: Snowshoe Hares, Science, And Survival, Tessa Mcmillan
Hopping Ahead Of Climate Change: Snowshoe Hares, Science, And Survival, Tessa Mcmillan
Children's Book and Media Review
Deep in the woods of Montana, biologist Scott Mills notices a big problem with a small animal. The snowshoe hares he has studied for most of his career are not changing their coat colors fast enough to protect themselves from predators. With season lengths fluctuating due to climate change, many snowshoe hares are getting killed off quicker because they haven’t molted fast enough to match their environment. Without any outside aid, snowshoe hares could become a threatened species. To learn more, Mills is studying coat-changing animals in a variety of climates. In Washington state, not all snowshoe hares molt to …
The Fantastic Flying Books Of Mr. Morris Lessmore, Abigail Packard
The Fantastic Flying Books Of Mr. Morris Lessmore, Abigail Packard
Children's Book and Media Review
Mr. Morris Lessmore is an avid reader and writer. But his peaceful, book-filled life is interrupted by a tragic storm that whisks him and his books away. His colorful life becomes a dreary, black and white shell of what it used to be. But one day he sees a young woman flying away with a handful of strings attached to flying books. She sees him and sends him one of her favorite books to cheer him up. He becomes fast friends with the book and meets many other books in a building where they all “nest.” Morris takes care of …
A Hundred Horses, Cynthia Frazier
A Hundred Horses, Cynthia Frazier
Children's Book and Media Review
Eleven year old Nell leads a very busy life full of classes and clubs that she hates. Now she is being forced to spend her spring break in the country with an aunt she can’t remember and two small cousins she doesn’t even want to get to know. On top of that, a suitcase containing a special project has been stolen by someone riding a big black and white horse. Somewhere between Maggie the pig having piglets, rescuing flying chickens, and tracking down a missing goat Nell meets an unlikely friend in a girl named Angel. People say that Angel …
Kubo And The Two Strings, Abigail Packard
Kubo And The Two Strings, Abigail Packard
Children's Book and Media Review
Each day Kubo descends from their mountain cave to visit the villagers. He tells them stories about Hanzo, a samurai warrior, that he weaves with his shamisen and origami paper that magically folds itself into the characters to act out the stories. Each evening he returns to the cave, making sure to return before dark. One late evening Kubo is approached by two masked women come to bring him to the Moon King, but his mother rescues him. Kubo wakes in a far-off place with a monkey. They embark on a journey and along the way find a man-turned-beetle who …
Storybots Super Songs: Outer Space & The Body, Kristie Hinckley
Storybots Super Songs: Outer Space & The Body, Kristie Hinckley
Children's Book and Media Review
The StoryBots are five adventurous robots who find answers to the inquisitive questions children have. In this episode, they discover answers about outer space and the human body. They travel to the sun, moon, stars, and planets. The Bots present interesting, complex, and sometimes goofy pieces of information together in a simple, entertaining, and memorable way that children will appreciate. They even have a song for every part of the human body! They teach all kinds of facts about the heart, brain, bones, lungs, brain, and stomach!
How To Bicycle To The Moon To Plant Sunflowers: A Simple But Brilliant Plan In 24 Easy Steps, Nicole Davis
How To Bicycle To The Moon To Plant Sunflowers: A Simple But Brilliant Plan In 24 Easy Steps, Nicole Davis
Children's Book and Media Review
The author laid out a realistic but fantastical twenty-four step plan to cheer up the moon. Since he is currently busy with school, soccer practice, and other activities, he’s writing the plan for us as readers to follow. Using average household items we’ll build a slingshot connecting 238,900 miles of garden hose to the moon. Then, with a little help from NASA, we’ll hop in our space suit and pedal the distance to plant sunflowers. Don’t forget to pack snacks and a shovel! We’ll be celebrated as heroes when we return and the bright flowers that were planted will certainly …
Reading Journal For Kids: A Reading Log For Kids Aged 7 - 11 Years (And Their Book Loving Parents), Ashley Roggow
Reading Journal For Kids: A Reading Log For Kids Aged 7 - 11 Years (And Their Book Loving Parents), Ashley Roggow
Children's Book and Media Review
This book is a journal or review book for kids and the books they read. Reading is fun, but sometimes children do not get the full reading comprehension just from reading. By learning to retell the story or discuss it, kids can better understand each story and develop their critical thinking skills by keeping a diary of books they've read and to write reviews of each one. At the beginning is a note to the parents where it describes the book, it's purpose, and it's benefits. The book also includes a list of twenty books it recommends that children read …
The Berenstain Bears: God Bless Our Country, Ashley Roggow
The Berenstain Bears: God Bless Our Country, Ashley Roggow
Children's Book and Media Review
The Berenstain Bears books are great for young children and have covered many topics such as manners, responsibility, kindness, as well as holiday themes. The story is well written. It starts out as the Fourth of July holiday is nearing and the Berenstain Bears are prepping for the holiday and participating in the patriotic activities. The Bear kids start by decorating their bikes, Mama Bear sews flags, and Papa Bear tries on his old military uniform. Papa bear tells the kids during their snack how their "bear country" started. On the fourth, the Berenstain Bears attend and participate in their …
Gryphons Aren't So Great, Olivia Hales
Gryphons Aren't So Great, Olivia Hales
Children's Book and Media Review
Knight and his horse Edward spend their days leaping from the cliffs and diving into the lake in mock flight. But one day, Knight spots a gryphon and sets out to find him. Knight meets the gryphon (whom he dubs Griffy) in the forest, and takes off in real flight for the first time. Pretty soon, Edward finds he’s been replaced as Knight’s best friend by Griffy, since Knight and Griffy now spend all their time flying together. The next day as they are swooping about, Knight urges Griffy to fly as high as he can. But Knight starts to …
Mango And Bambang: The Not-A-Pig, Jess Verzello
Mango And Bambang: The Not-A-Pig, Jess Verzello
Children's Book and Media Review
Mango Allsorts is a girl who can do lots of things. She’s confident, kind, and capable. Mango lives with her very busy father in a very busy city, and even though she tries to be very busy herself, sometimes she feels lonely. That is until she meets Bambang, the tapir that has strayed far from his Malaysian jungle. In these four short stories, Mango and Bambang go on fun adventures and learn to overcome their fears together. They go swimming when Bambang is homesick for his pond, escape from the eccentric neighbor Dr. Cynthia Prickle-Posset, and perform at a concert …
Diary Of A Wimpy #10: Old School, Ashley Roggow
Diary Of A Wimpy #10: Old School, Ashley Roggow
Children's Book and Media Review
When Greg goes back to school and signs up to be a homework buddy, instead of helping someone else do their homework, he finds someone to do his. But, he does it too well and Greg gets put in harder classes! Meanwhile, Greg's grandpa moves in with them when he can't afford the rent at the retirement home anymore. His grandpa and his girlfriend break up and he sets up an online dating profile and later throws a party. When Greg was bored one day, his dad tells him and his friend to set up a stand and sell lemonade …
Cinderella's Stepsister And The Big Bad Wolf, Charlotte Esplin
Cinderella's Stepsister And The Big Bad Wolf, Charlotte Esplin
Children's Book and Media Review
Gertie is the third daughter of Mrs. Ugly, Cinderella’s evil stepmother. Gertie is a good girl that does everything asked of her, however when the invitation to the ball at the palace arrives, Mrs. Ugly will only let her mean daughters go. In order to gain entry to the ball, Gertie has to prove that she can be mean. She's sent to three different famous fairy-tale villains who try to make her mean, but she fails. Just before the Big Bad Wolf is about to eat Gertie for foiling her plans, Gertie cries and says all she wants is to …
Growing Up Pedro, Cynthia Frazier
Growing Up Pedro, Cynthia Frazier
Children's Book and Media Review
Many children dream of becoming a famous musician, dancer, Olympic gymnast, or a professional athlete. Few actually see their dreams become a reality even after years of lessons, meets, recitals, and games. Brothers Ramon and Pedro Martinez, poor boys in the Dominican Republic, dream of becoming famous big league baseball players. As Ramon leaves his homeland to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers, young Pedro remains at home with his desire to follow his older brother into a baseball career. He practices every day with the baseball glove his brother bought for him and he works hard to learn to …
Journey #3: Return, Abigail Packard
Journey #3: Return, Abigail Packard
Children's Book and Media Review
Return is the third and final installment in the magnificent trilogy that began with Journey and Quest. The girl has returned from her quest with the boy. A red kite floats up to her father’s office and catches his eye. He goes to his daughter’s room and discovers the red door that leads to the magical kingdom. After following the girl into the magical world, he confronts her and she refuses to go with him. The evil emperor returns with his soldiers and steals four of the magic crayons. The boy, the girl, and her father escape with the purple …
The Vengekeep Prophecies #2: The Shadowhand Covenant, Cynthia Frazier
The Vengekeep Prophecies #2: The Shadowhand Covenant, Cynthia Frazier
Children's Book and Media Review
Jasper Grimjax is entangled in another mystery. This one involves a secret society of master thieves that have disappeared, the unsolved theft of valuable relics, fantastical and deadly monsters, traps, ambushes, and magical potions along with tricks and cons. Thrown into the mix is Jasper’s former friend, Maloch, who likes to show his superiority in every way, and a brother and sister trying to get their parents out of prison for crimes they did not commit. Adventures abound as these four use their wits to solve the puzzle before it is too late.
Tractor Mac: Harvest Time, Cynthia Frazier
Tractor Mac: Harvest Time, Cynthia Frazier
Children's Book and Media Review
Life on a farm in the autumn is a busy time. The farm across the road from Stony Meadow is having its annual Pumpkin Picking Festival. Families come every year to pick out their pumpkins, ride on a hay wagon, guess the largest pumpkin’s weight, find their way through the maze, and eat yummy food. All of the animals on the farms are excited about the season also. But Mac and Small Fred, tractors on neighboring farms aren’t so excited. Small Fred is worried that pulling the heavy wagon full of pumpkins will be too much for him this year. …
The Story Of The Avengers (World Of Reading Level 2), Liz Kazandzhy
The Story Of The Avengers (World Of Reading Level 2), Liz Kazandzhy
Children's Book and Media Review
With supervillains wreaking havoc wherever they go, there needs to be superheroes to stop them! And thankfully there are, as Thor keeps the peace on his own planet and several other heroes on Earth fighting the bad guys—Hulk with his awesome strength, Iron Man with his powerful blasts, and Ant-Man and Wasp with their special abilities. One day, Thor’s jealous brother Loki wants to fight Thor and draws him in by framing Hulk on Earth. The other superheroes rush to fight the Hulk, but Thor quickly steps in and tells them who the real culprit is. Together they not only …
Scary Tales #1: Home Sweet Horror, Cynthia Frazier
Scary Tales #1: Home Sweet Horror, Cynthia Frazier
Children's Book and Media Review
Mr. Finn and his two children Liam and Kelly, and their dog Doolin have moved to upstate New York to start a new job. The family, still suffering the effects of the death of their wife and mother eighteen months before, has purchased an old house; a fixer-upper. The dilapidated house is full of weird creaks and groans, but that doesn't explain the screams, doors slamming shut by themselves, lights turning off and on, and words that appear on mirrors. No workmen will come to help Mr. Finn work on the house because it is haunted by the ghost of …
Responsibility In Action: How We Clean Up A Park, Stephany Nalley
Responsibility In Action: How We Clean Up A Park, Stephany Nalley
Children's Book and Media Review
Responsibility in Action: How We Clean Up a Park is a step-by-step story on how to clean up a park with others. A class of six children and their teacher decide they have a special project to do. They will be cleaning up a local park together. They put on gloves, gather garbage bags, and split into groups. The groups take different sections of the park to clean up effectively. While cleaning up, a group of children come across broken glass. They get their teacher to safely clean up the broken glass. After they have cleaned the park, the students …
Patch, Cynthia Frazier
Patch, Cynthia Frazier
Children's Book and Media Review
Owning a dog is not always easy, but in this story about Patch and his boy they are “buddies through thick and thin.” Three delightful short stories show Patch’s encounter with a prickly bush when chasing rabbits, sleeping outside in the dog house when he has fleas, and failing miserably in a contest of dog tricks even when he could do the tricks perfectly in practice. In each story, Patch’s owner patiently tends to his dog’s hurts, empathizes with his banishment and reaffirms his love for his pet through their disappointments.
On The Farm, At The Market, Kelsie Ward
On The Farm, At The Market, Kelsie Ward
Children's Book and Media Review
In this informative, yet clever story, the reader is walked through two separate, yet connected events that occur with farming. In the first half of the story, the reader takes a journey through the process of harvesting vegetables from a crop, the work that goes into making cheese, and the process of mushroom farming and harvesting. The second part of the story takes place the following day, which is portrayed as the local farmers market. This is the location where each of the different farmers provides their goods for sale. At the end of the day, Amy, a baker, has …
Nancy Drew And Her Biggest Case Ever, Rebeca Wallin
Nancy Drew And Her Biggest Case Ever, Rebeca Wallin
Children's Book and Media Review
“When kidnapped, I am often reminded that a sack over your head, a gag in your mouth, or rope around your wrists are anything but fashionable.” Detective Nancy Drew offers this and many other pearls of wisdom to the audience throughout Nancy Drew and Her Biggest Case Ever. This mystery as per usual features hidden doorways, kidnapping, a questionable will, supposed ghosts, and cut phone lines. Nancy works to help two recently orphaned girls who have doubts about their new guardian who is appropriately mysterious and brooding. In the course of her sleuthing Nancy discovers a treasure map, an imposter, …
My Bike, Jacquelin Marrero
My Bike, Jacquelin Marrero
Children's Book and Media Review
The main character Tom is on his way to work and although the title refers to his bike, the story actually is about how he uses it to get there. He chooses to ride a bike and describes it, and further describes everything he sees along the way on his path. Tom passes multiple types of vehicles, circus animals, and other things as well. Once he arrives at work, he also describes how he gets ready and what he does in the circus.
The Most Wonderful Thing In The World, Whitney Troxel
The Most Wonderful Thing In The World, Whitney Troxel
Children's Book and Media Review
A long time ago there was a king and queen who loved their daughter Lucia very much. They worried about finding a suitable husband for Lucia so they sent a message to Wise Old Angelo asking for advice. Angelo sends his grandson, Salvatore, with a message saying that whoever can show the king and queen the most wonderful thing in the world will be the proper husband for Lucia. The king and queen begin searching for suitors immediately. Each suitor brings spectacular things to the palace, but none of them are the most wonderful thing in the world. Meanwhile, Lucia …
The Land Of Forgotten Girls, Cynthia Frazier
The Land Of Forgotten Girls, Cynthia Frazier
Children's Book and Media Review
This is a story of children, Sol and Ming, whose mother and sister dies in the Philippines. After moving to the United States, their father abandons them to their stepmother’s abusive care. Their neighborhood is a poor one; the park has no grass or playground and rats infest the walls of their four room apartment. Few people speak English and rarely do any ethnically diverse people speak to one another. Sol learns to cope with their hard situation by retelling and embellishing the bedtime stories her mother once told her about Auntie Jove who traveled the world having fantastic adventures. …
Journey, Abigail Packard
Journey, Abigail Packard
Children's Book and Media Review
A little girl in a big city just wants someone to spend some time with her, but her family members are all busy with their own activities. The girls discovers, amidst her bleak surroundings, a bright red crayon. But it is no ordinary crayon; it is a magical crayon that transports her into another world, full of color and far off places. She journeys through a forest, finds a castle-city, and follows a bright purple bird, all the while coloring bright red tools in the moment she needs them. The bird is captured by an evil emperor and his soldiers. …
Journey #2: Quest, Abigail Packard
Journey #2: Quest, Abigail Packard
Children's Book and Media Review
Quest picks up where Journey left off: with the boy and the girl riding their magic-drawn bicycle down the street. But it begins to rain and they find cover under a bridge. Out of the blue, a door appears on the wall of the bridge and a king steps out handing them a map. He is dragged away by the evil emperor’s soldiers and he drops his orange crayon. The boy and girl follow them back through the door and begin a quest to find the other three magical crayons. They journey underwater to the ruins of a grand aquatic …
I Am A Witch's Cat, Cynthia Phillips
I Am A Witch's Cat, Cynthia Phillips
Children's Book and Media Review
Not everyone gets to have a witch for a mom, but this little girl does! She is the witch’s cat. She knows mom is a witch because she has special potions in the bathroom cabinet (that no one is allowed to touch) and she cackles with her friends. She even has a special broomstick that she uses around the room and even allows her special cat to take rides on it. Being a witch’s cat is the best.