The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Gerstein, Mordicai. 2007. THE MAN WHO WALKED BETWEEN THE TOWERS. Brookfield, CN: Roaring Book Press. ISBN 0761328688


2. PLOT SUMMARY
In 1974, a trapeze artist, Philippe Petit, strung a cable between the twin towers and performed for over an hour.

3. IMPRESSIONS
The illustrations are the centerpiece of this story. The writing is sparse and simple, but the images are sweeping and dramatic. The shading of the night scenes conveys that vividly. It is interesting how Gerstein kept moving the perspective from the on-lookers to Philippe himself. This gives the readers a chance to be not only part of the action but simultaneously viewing it. The fold-out of Philippe walking between the towers is majestic and scary and beautiful all at the same time. The point of view is a real knee-knocker!

In some ways, this is a difficult book to read. 2001 is a long time ago, especially for those who were not born at the time of the attacks on the twin towers. Good and bad are black and white issues for many of these children, so it may not be so difficult with the younger kids. Confusion about how and why and when needs to be addressed with those who are a bit older and may have heard about what happened on that day or have a relative somehow connected to this sad day.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
* Starred review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: "Truly affecting is the book's final painting of the imagined imprint of the towers, now existing "in memory"-linked by Philippe and his high wire."
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Man-Who-Walked-Between-the-Towers/Mordicai-Gerstein/e/9780761317913

* Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "With its graceful majesty and mythic overtones, this unique and uplifting book is at once a portrait of a larger-than-life individual and a memorial to the towers and the lives associated with them."
http://reviews.schoollibraryjournal.com/bd.aspx?isbn=0761328688&pub=sl

The Report Card by Andrew Clements

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Clements, Andrew. 2004. THE REPORT CARD. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. ISBN 0689845154



2. PLOT SUMMARY
Told from genius fifth grader Nora Rowley's viewpoint, this story delves into the issue of grades, testing, and student abilities. Frustrated by the labels placed on all types of students, Nora decides to throw her grades and effect change by showing that standardized testing is not a true analysis of a student's intellect or ability.

3. IMPRESSIONS
Marvelously witty, this book was a great read for me, as an adult! Andrew Clements really captures the angst of fifth grade life: not quite a teen, not a child, not sure of their place in life. So interesting to read about a girl who thinks beyond herself and holds her classmates in such high regard. We catch glimpses of this beyond the wedgies and that paper fortune game where you have to pick a number between 1 and 8.

Clements is such popular author with kids. He "gets" them. He speaks their language and talks not below or above, but at their level. This was the first Clements book I have ever read. It will not be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed the concept of this book, the characters, and the rhythm.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
* Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "This novel highlights the controversial issues of testing and grades from a child's point of view, but it also reveals the pressure that everyone, including teachers, administrators, and parents, feels. Clements's style, the large print, and the appealing cover illustration will easily capture the attention of even the most reluctant readers."
http://reviews.schoollibraryjournal.com/bd.aspx?isbn=0689845154&pub=sl

* Starred review in KIDSREAD: "For anyone who has ever received a low test score and said, "I thought I did better than that!" or "I'm smarter than that!" this is a book to check out. As he did with FRINDLE and THE SCHOOL STORY, Andrew Clements creates a perfect setting to raise the question of "What if?" and take it beyond simple answers while keeping the story believable. Kids are heroes, and everyone wins in the end."
http://www.kidsreads.com/reviews/0689845154.asp

Jackie and Me by Dan Gutman

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Gutman, Dan. 2000. JACKIE & ME. New York, NY: HarperCollins. ISBN 0380800845

2. PLOT SUMMARY
13 year old Joe Stoshack has to write a report on an African American who's made an important contribution to society. Joe’s advantage in writing this report is that he is able to travel back in time just by holding a baseball card of a particular year. Joe decides to visit one of his heroes; Jackie Robinson. Joe gets a first-hand glimpse of the man who broke the color barrier in baseball and the struggles that accompany this landmark occasion.

3. IMPRESSIONS
Dan Gutman's writing flows so nicely. The action is fast-paced, with no long and drawn out commentaries. We see the events of the story through Joe's eyes and, as such, avoid the clutter that often accompanies an adult's mind. In fact, the book moves along so nicely that it ends way too soon. I was ready for more. I suppose that is a sign of an excellent read.

This book takes place in Brooklyn…the Brooklyn of today and the Brooklyn of fifty years ago as Joe travels back in time to meet and stay with Jackie in his apartment. Joe gets a job as the bat boy for the Brooklyn Dodgers…a team that was later moved to California… and enters Ebbits Field…a stadium that has since been torn down. He witnesses the game and bigotry first-hand as he helps Jackie realize his place in history. Through Joe’s eyes, the reader gets a rare glimpse into the 1947 World Series. Photographs are placed throughout that offer historical and factual shots.

One of the more interesting parts of the book is that Joe not only travels back in time, he is also transformed from a Polish American into an African American. Through this shocking change in appearance, Joe finds himself an object of racism, introducing some interesting perspectives on race in the mid-20th century. This is so much more than a book about baseball…it is a book about life! Read it. You’ll be glad you did.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
* Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Fans of America's favorite pastime will particularly appreciate the detail and descriptions of some great games, including the 1947 World Series. An interesting addendum puts the story into further historical context and explains some of the liberties the author took writing the book. Full of action, this title will spark history discussions and be a good choice for book reports and leisure reading."
http://reviews.schoollibraryjournal.com/bd.aspx?isbn=0380976854&pub=sl

* Starred review in EDUCATION WORLD: "Gutman's humor and vivid writing will appeal to girls as well as boys. And there are some wonderful surprises in store for readers. (Without giving away all the details, time-traveling Joe meets a member of his modern-day community when that person was a youngster his own age in 1947!) Jackie and Me would make a great chapter book to use as a classroom read aloud. Read a chapter a day, and you'll have students begging you to read more. When the reading is done, many students will run to the library eager to learn more about an American hero and his times."
http://www.education-world.com/a_books/books087.shtml

The Ghost's Grave by Peg Kehret

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kehret, Peg. 2005. THE GHOST'S GRAVE. New York, NY: Dutton Juvenile. ISBN 0525461620

2. PLOT SUMMARY
With his mom and step-father out of the country during the summer, 12 year old Josh is sent to his Aunt Ethel's where he struggles to adapt, meets a ghost, and eventually gets held up at gunpoint. This was a summer he hadn't bargained for!

3. IMPRESSIONS
Peg Kehret has a way of writing that captures the reader right from the beginning. The characters are memorable and the plot is swift. I found myself liking both Josh and his aunt immediately. We don't have to wait long for the action to intensify as Josh is shocked upon his arrival at Aunt Ethel's when she shoots a bat...in the kitchen...and it falls through the cabinets and gets stuck...and she leaves it there!!!! What an impression! And what a great way to get boys interested in the book. That hook will get just about any young reader.

We follow Josh as he meets Willie, a ghost from 100 years ago who has lost his leg and want to be buried with it. In this process, Josh digs up a grave and gets Willie's bones. But he also finds a box full of cash and subsequently gets involved in an unsolved theft.

The action really heats up the last third of the book. I was turning the pages so fast to find out what happened that I skimmed the last few chapters just so I could get to the climax. I went back and read more thoroughly, but I just had to see how it all ended. Doing this as an adult reader, I can only imagine what a youth would do!

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
* Starred review in CHILDREN'S LITERATURE: "Josh is an intelligent young man but is he clever enough to escape a conflict with an armed and angry intruder? This book is very enjoyable. It is well written, fast-paced, and hard to put down; all of the attributes that many young people seek when selecting reading material."
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Ghosts-Grave/Peg-Kehret/e/9780142408193

* Starred review in KIDSREAD: "Josh feared his summer would be one big bore, but you'll be anything but bored as you turn the pages of this thrilling book.."
http://www.kidsreads.com/reviews/0525461620.asp

Bone Volume 2:The Great Cow Race by Jeff Smith

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Smith, Jeff. 2005. BONE VOLUME 2:THE GREAT COW RACE. New York, NY: Scholastic. ISBN 0439706246

2. PLOT SUMMARY
The Bone cousins are at it again in this second book in the "Bone" series. Phoney Bone tries to fix a cow race with Fone coming to the rescue. The battle of good versus evil resonates throughout as well.

3. IMPRESSIONS
This is my second attempt at trying to become a Bone aficionado. I kept waiting for this book to get better, but I just never got into it. I found the plot lacking and thin and I could not quite grasp the concept. Certainly this may be due to the fact that this is written for a different audience and I accept that. Young adults love graphic novels and this book seems to resonate with that age group. It was good for me to read this to see what the YA audience is reading. However, after trying several times to figure out what all the fuss is about, I give up. This will be the last "Bone" book I will read.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
* Starred review in KLIATT: "The race itself is a riot (literally)....Bone is characterized by fine artwork; crisp, compelling storylines; and funny, yet surprisingly complex, characters. Jeff Smith's art reminds me of Walt Kelly's Pogo, and his world is populated by strange and wonderful creatures."
http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?isbn=9780439706391&atch=h&ymal=pp

* Starred review in FORBIDDEN PLANET: "While it's hard to upstage the hilarity and operatic chaos of the cow race, one of the really special moments of this book is from the first chapter when Fone Bone tries to outdo a beautiful country boy in a battle for Thorn's attention. Bone: The Great Cow Race is funny, joyful, and bittersweet in a way that only the immensely talented Jeff Smith can deliver."
http://forbiddenplanet.com/products/8025/Bone_Volume_2_The_Great_Cow_Race/Humor/Graphic_Novel/Bone/Product.html

Stink and the Incredible Super Galactic Jawbreaker by Megan McDonald

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
McDonald, Megan. 2006. STINK AND THE INCREDIBLE SUPER GALACTIC JAWBREAKER. Ill. Peter Reynolds. New York, NY:Candlewick. ISBN 0763621587



2. PLOT SUMMARY
Stink writes a letter to a jawbreaker company, complaining that the jawbreaker does not live up to its name. In turn, he receives 21,280 free jawbreakers! But in his excitement, he overlooks an invitation from his best friend Webster. Trouble ensues!

3. IMPRESSIONS
Ah! The pen is mightier than the sword! I thought a lot about my nephew when he was 7. His mind was always working and trying to figure a way to get around...or through...or over. Yet Stink has the approach that, taken step by step, actually makes logical sense!

I loved the way McDonald dealt with all of the highs and lows and insecurities and bravado of an elementary boy. One can see all of this in a single, 40 minute, class period. We've been privy to Judy Moody and all of her angst. Her brother Stink makes an excellent foil.

The title alone is enough to capture readers, and reluctant ones at that. The book is at a good grade level and has large letters...important for boys who attempt to read fiction! There are also several editions of "Idiom Comics" (authored by Stink) that break up the words and adds even more humor. I've known many a boy to author their own comic strips, so this just adds to how well McDonald knows her audience. And what a great way to introduce the concept of idioms!

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
* Starred review in KIDSREAD: "STINK AND THE INCREDIBLE SUPER-GALACTIC JAWBREAKER is a chapter book that young kids can really sink their teeth into. As an added bonus, the author has scattered idioms throughout the book. And at the end of the story is a list of idioms that the reader can hunt for."
http://www.kidsreads.com/reviews/0763621587.asp

* Starred review in KIRKUS REVIEWS: "This story would be plenty for new readers, but McDonald adds a grammar lesson that runs thinner than pond ice in April-Mrs. D is teaching about idioms and Stink can't stop speaking in them, 37 idiomatic phrases altogether. Reynolds's familiar illustrations keep the mood light, even when Judy and Stink argue, which they do. Constantly."
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Stink-and-The-Incredible-Super-Galactic-Jawbreaker/Megan-McDonald/e/9780763632366

Double Fudge by Judy Blume

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Blume, Judy. 2003. DOUBLE FUDGE. New York, NY:Puffin. ISBN 0142501115


2. PLOT SUMMARY
Fudge is back. The high jinks of five-year old Fudge and his 7th grade brother continue in this third book in the series which features a fascination with money and a meeting of cousins in Hawaii.

3. IMPRESSIONS
I really hate to say this, but I got bored with this book fairly early on and had to force myself to finish it. I love Judy Blume and her writing...I've been reading her for 30 years! But this book seemed to lack the depth that her other books possess.

That being said, my opinion really doesn't matter, as the kids in the elementary school in which I work just LOVE Fudge! Third grade teachers start reading Judy Blume to the kids in the early part of the year and I have my shelves vacant after that. So, as long as they like them and they are reading, my personal taste has no real merit. I love that they read, no matter what it is. But the kids can totally relate to the characters, especially the interchange between siblings, so good on them.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
* Starred review in CHILDREN'S BOOKPAGE: "In Double Fudge, Judy Blume shows her extraordinary ability to create timeless and appealing characters and humorous family situations."
http://www.bookpage.com/0210bp/childrens/double_fudge.html

* Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "A worthy successor to Superfudge (1980) and Fudge-a-Mania (1990, both Dutton). Peter is a real 12-year-old with all the insecurities and concerns of that age. And nothing can suppress the personality of Fudge, who even renames Washington, Fudgington."

http://reviews.schoollibraryjournal.com/bd.aspx?isbn=0525469265&pub=sl

Owen and Mzee by Isabella Hatkoff et al

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hatkoff, Isabella, Craig Hatkoff, and Paula Kahumbu. 2006. OWEN & MZEE: THE TRUE STORY OF A REMARKABLE FRIENDSHIP. Ill. Peter Greste. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0439829739

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Isabella Hatkoff was a six year old girl when she saw a photo of Owen (a hippo) & Mzee (a 130 year old tortoise). She persuaded her father to help her write a book and the rest is history. The amazing saga of a young Owen finding Mzee to be his "replacement" mom is a heartwarming reminder that loss can be replaced with hope...no matter the species.

3. IMPRESSIONS
Told just as much with photographs as with words, this story simply transcends a human's knowledge of wild animals. Children are very appreciative of and concerned about animals. But Isabella takes that one step further by doing something about it.

Kids that read this or are exposed to it get inspired by Isabella. For elementary kids, there are a lot of words, so careful planning needs to take place if used with younger children.

Such an interesting and unexpected story. We have shows on television that depict hunting and animals on the attack. This is definitely a nice change of pace. It it fascinating to read this story and see how the odds are overcome and two contrasting animals can develop such a friendship. Would that we, as a human race, could learn to get along as well.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
* Starred review in CHILDREN'S BOOKWATCH: "While (this book) could be featured in any elementary-level natural history collection, teachers and educators shouldn't miss the opportunity to use it as an example of unusual friendships either. Peter Greste's photos compliment the story of an orphaned baby hippo and a 130-year-old giant tortoise who form an unusual friendship in Southeast Asia"
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-157589096.html

* Starred review in DISNEY FAMILY: "Kids will love the story of two giant animals becoming friends. They will likely coo over pictures of Owen tickling Mzee's neck, or the two giants sleeping next to one another. There are a lot of details and pictures about Owen's rescue and the animal sanctuary workers -- and kids might be anxious to get to the stuff about the animals' friendship.."
http://family.go.com/entertainment/article-csm-117623-book-review--owen---mzee-t/#

Superdog:Heart of a Hero by Caralyn and Mark Buehner

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Buehner, Caralyn. 2004. SUPERDOG:HEART OF A HERO. Ill. Mark Buehner. New York, NY: HarperCollins. ISBN 0066236207

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Dexter is tired of being lonely and picked on. He soon decides to act upon his dream of being a hero and develops exercises to increase his strength. At the end, as with any superhero story, Dex saves the day and befriends his nemesis.

3. IMPRESSIONS
My first year of teaching, I had an autistic boy take this book out every single week for the entire year. I encouraged him to try something else, but no go. For that reason, I never read the book until this class. Now it all makes sense;an "outcast" who is different from the rest and is bullied; a dreamer who wants to be something else; someone who eventually becomes "normal" in the bullies eyes. This autistic boy had found himself in this book.

The illustrations in this book are great...from the Dexter we see at the beginning of the book as downcast and lumpy, to the Dexter at the end who is (dare I say it) ripped and popular! ANY kid can see himself in Dexter...or possibly Cleevis the bully. At any rate, it is a Superman spoof that, at some points, has that comic strip feel with the captioned pictures. I must say, when Dexter put out the trash fire, I was glad to see a garden hose and not a raised leg! But I sure had to look twice!

Good read. Great feel.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
* Starred review in PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY: "Scenes of Dex flexing his muscles, panting during his sidewalk runs or sporting his green-and-red superdog outfit are laugh-out-loud funny. Elsewhere, shady brownstone stoops and colorful city storefronts and streets add extra flair to this dynamic effort. Ages 4-8."
http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9780066236209-5

* Starred review in COOPERATIVE CHILDREN'S BOOK CENTER: "Of course, any of Dexter’s appropriately dog-sized deeds would have been possible without a hero suit and a buff physique, but that’s part of this earnest pup’s charm. Humorous illustrations show the cowed pre-hero Dexter morphing into a confident super dog."
http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/books/detailBook.asp?idBooks=1937

Do You Have a Hat? by Eileen Spinelli

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Spinelli, Eileen. 2004. DO YOU HAVE A HAT? Ill. Geraldo Valerio. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. ISBN 0689862539

2. PLOT SUMMARY
A stroll through history is the highlight of this book that examines hats from all sorts of people, including Carmen Miranda and Johnny Appleseed. The question is asked throughout..."Do YOU have a hat?".

3. IMPRESSIONS
I had two real strong impressions when I read this book. First, kids always love to be involved in the story somehow. I can see them always asking the question at the end of each page: "Do YOU have a hat?" I can also see that, with some preparation, several hats can be lined up with children donning them at the appropriate time.

I would be curious to see how many of these historical figures kids would know. NEVER FEAR!!! Spinelli has taken care of that on the front and back flaps with explanations of each person she has "hatted".

Interesting illustrations (kids can certainly pick out the similarities in each of the depictions), bright colors, and repetition make this a class favorite.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
* Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Spinelli provides some great entertainment in this rhyming story that showcases the famous headgear of individuals such as Igor Stravinsky, Carmen Miranda, Abraham Lincoln, Nat Love, and Johnny Appleseed. Overall, this original and amusing book is a great marriage of text and artwork. It will make a terrific storytime addition, either by itself or combined with other clothing-related selections."
http://reviews.schoollibraryjournal.com/bd.aspx?isbn=0689862539&pub=sl

* Starred review in CHILDREN'S LITERATURE: "The verse is all light-hearted, while added biographical facts are detailed on the end-papers. Acrylic paints create comic caricatures of these celebrities, surrounding them with assortments of small creatures and objects that add to the fun."
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Do-You-Have-a-Hat/Eileen-Spinelli/e/9780689862533

Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Watt, Melanie. 2006. SCAREDY SQUIRREL. Tonawanda, NY: Kids Can Press. ISBN 1553379594


2. PLOT SUMMARY
Routine is very important to Scaredy Squirrel. Everything is under control...until a killer bee scares him out of his tree. But this proves to be a defining moment in his life as he learns that he can fly.

3. IMPRESSIONS
What a simple concept Watt has stumbled upon! Can't squirrels have the same fears kids do? Things happen to throw us off course, but it doesn't always have to be bad. Of course this moral can be totally masked by the really funny pictures and words depicting the squirrel playing dead, mapping out his schedule, and putting together his emergency kit. Again, another great book for humor and nonsense.

This book is listed at the third grade level, but because of the easy readability and graphic layout, kids as young as first can enjoy...and understand..."Scaredy Squirrel".

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS

* Starred review in PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY: "Watt largely dispenses with conventional visual storytelling; instead, she tells the hero's story through a series of boldly graphic and endearingly goofy charts and diagrams (one outlines the anxious rodent's "top secret," four-option plan for exiting the tree in case of emergency). Funny in their own right, the pages also spoof all the sincerely inane worksheets that are the staple of elementary school homework. Youngsters will go nuts over this one."

http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6314661.html?q=scaredy+squirrel

* Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "With his iconic nervous grin and over-the-top punctiliousness, Scaredy Squirrel is an endearing character. Thick-lined cartoons with bold patches of color, quirky charts and graphs, and clever asides provide humor that will appeal to children. Like other successful worrywarts before him, such as Kevin Henkes’s Wemberly Worried (HarperCollins, 2000) and Rosemary Wells’s Felix and the Worrier (Candlewick, 2003), Scaredy Squirrel needn’t fret about finding readers to cheer him on."

http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6340931.html?q=SCAREDY+SQUIRREL

And the Dish Ran Away With the Spoon by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Stevens, Janet and Crummel, Susan Stevens. 2001. AND THE DISH RAN AWAY WITH THE SPOON. Ill. Janet Stevens. New York, NY: Harcourt Children's Books. ISBN 0152022988

2. PLOT SUMMARY
This book combines all sorts of nursery rhymes as the Cat, Cow, and Dog wander in search of the Dish and the Spoon (who ran away and never came back). In this book we pick up the nursery rhyme where it normally drops off and we then follow the mad-cap action

3. IMPRESSIONS
I just laughed all the way through this book. It was like attending comedic theater. I don't know what was funnier...the dog with a skirt and party hat on, the fork with sunglasses and a Hawaiian shirt, or the wolf with pink bunny slippers. I'm not sure if kids would appreciate this as much as adults do, but the older elementary kids get a big laugh out of it. It is very punny!

The illustrations are fantastic...almost sketchy in appearance. The dialogue is laugh-out-loud funny. C'mon! The fork says, "I'll take a stab at it"! Too funny!

Loved, loved, loved this book. An asset to any collection...personal, school, or public library.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
* Starred review in CHILDREN'S BOOK PAGE: "Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel have created a classy and amusing update in And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon. The book would be worthwhile just for the pictures of the character Fork, who cavorts (as much as a legless utensil can cavort) in Technicolor shirts and shades that look like Don Ho activewear."

http://www.bookpage.com/0106bp/children/dish_ran_away.html

* Starred review in PRESCHOOL EDUCATION: "It is very easy to see why this book was a Children's Book- of- the- Month Club selection. The story begins just as the nursery rhyme does with the dish running away with the spoon. It's what follows next that is a comical adventure. The cat and the cow seek their friends before the rhyme gets read again. The dog is very grumpy and wants to just change the rhyme. The comments that the dog makes are very funny and uses many common cliches'."

http://www.preschooleducation.com/br66.shtml

Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! by Candace Fleming

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Fleming, Candace. 2002. MUNCHA! MUNCHA! MUNCHA! Ill. G. Brian Karas. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0689831528

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Poor Mr. McGreely. He tries everything he can do to stop bunnies from eating his garden. He tries his best to outsmart them and build more reinforcement, but to no avail.

3. IMPRESSIONS
I know the feeling! My problem is with deer as well, so I can relate to Mr. McGreely's frustration. Because of Fleming's writing, a child can relate as well. With simplistic drawings and story that reminds me a bit of "The Three Little Pigs", this book will not only have kids laughing, but they will be guessing what is going to happen next.

Another interesting hook is the repetitive text. The kids will be saying, "And the sun went down and the moon came up" and "Muncha, muncha, muncha", in their sleep. (And so may I!)

This is a must for kindergarten and first graders.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
* Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "A giggle-producing refrain and humorous gouache, acrylic, and pencil illustrations make the story perfect for reading aloud. The munching, crunching sound effects in the read-along edition (available from Live Oak Media) add another layer of merriment."

http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6338710.html?industryid=47054&q=muncha+muncha+muncha

* Starred review in BOOKLIST: "Children will cheer for the bunnies — or for Mr. McGreely — as they delight in Candace Fleming's clever sound effects and G. Brian Karas's vibrant, funny illustrations. Clever sound effects and vibrant illustrations make this a delightful read-aloud."

http://www.powells.com/biblio?PID=26825&cgi=product&isbn=0689831528

Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
McCloskey, Robert. 1948. BLUEBERRIES FOR SAL. New York, NY: Viking Juvenile. ISBN 0670175919

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Little Sal goes blueberry picking with her mother and finds more than berries. Her curiosity may get her in trouble!

3. IMPRESSIONS
I had a strong impulse to go back in time when I read this book. McCloskey captures a simpler time when parents and children went berry picking and lived off the land. The drawings were simple, with no color, yet were great companions for the words.

When Sal meets up with a bear, I had no feeling of fear or concern; I simply enjoyed the switching between parent and child and the simliaries of a close connection. This book may be over sixty years old since first publishing, but it sure didn't feel that way. I was swept up in the simplicity and the scope of the landscape.

This is a timeless tale that should never be far from a child's hands.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
* Starred review in COMMON SENSE MEDIA: "But beyond the entertainment value, the story provides some lessons for children. Subtly showing the kinship of humans and animals, McCloskey closely parallels the stories of Little Bear and Sal. This is an excellent read-aloud."

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/Blueberries-for-Sal.html

* Starred review in ALBRIS: "An appreciation of the natural world, as well as a look at the similarities that exist between these two very different families, BLUEBERRIES FOR SAL features charming blue-and-white drawings and is a 1949 Caldecott Honor Book. Sal and her mother are based on author/illustrator Robert McCloskey's own wife and daughter, and the character of Sal also appears in the book ONE MORNING IN MAINE."

http://www.alibris.com/booksearch?qsort=&page=1&matches=55&browse=1&qwork=746578&full=1

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Willems, Mo. 2003. DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS. New York, NY: Hyperion Press. ISBN 078681988X

2. PLOT SUMMARY
That darn pigeon will try anything to drive that bus. He taunts and needles and questions his audience, begging to get them to give their permission for him to drive away.

3. IMPRESSIONS
The "Don't Let the Pigeon...." books are incredibly popular with my kindergartners. They participate with me as I read and anticipate what is coming up on the next page. Riotous laughter and rolling on the ground are common occurrences when these books are read. I went on-line a few years ago and found instructions for how to draw the pigeon that is so easy, 5 year olds can master it. This adds a nice element to the instruction and gives them something tangible to take home.

Willems words his book in a way that encourages verbal responses. After one or two pages, kids shout out "No!" when the pigeon asks to drive the bus (of course there are a few smart alecks who shout "Yes!" also!). Several other things are good to point out...how the dark lines above pigeon's head reflect his mood...how the lines near his wings indicate flapping...the loose feathers increase the more frustrated he becomes, etc. Good learning moments.

Once these books are introduced, they don't stay on the shelves for long. Mo Willems has found a niche here and his books really lend themselves to a read-aloud. He also presents several pages as if his drawings are stills from a movie or slides on a camera. If humor is something you need more of in your library...or your home...you cannot go wrong here.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
* Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Like David Shannon's No, David (Scholastic, 1998), Pigeon is an unflinching and hilarious look at a child's potential for mischief. In a plain palette, with childishly elemental line drawings, Willems has captured the essence of unreasonableness in the very young. The genius of this book is that the very young will actually recognize themselves in it."
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA296263.html?q=DON%27T+LET+THE+PIGEON+DRIVE+THE+BUS

* Starred review in BOOKLIST: "Willems is a professional animator, and each page has the feel of a perfectly frozen frame of cartoon footage--action, remarkable expression, and wild humor captured with just a few lines. Preschoolers will howl over the pigeon's dramatics, even as they recognize that he wheedles, blows up, and yearns to be powerful just like they do."
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/078681988X/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books