The Children’s Book Review Published: May 29, 2009 Hopefully you had the opportunity to read my review of Mortimer’s First Garden by Karma Wilson. Mortimer’s tale inspired me to do a little gardening with my 3-year-old — we planted some sunflower seeds. At the time of my review, I included this excerpt from the book not realizing that these words would actually save our little blooming sunflowers: In the morning Mortimer woke up to… pitter, patter, pat, pat. “Rain!” groaned Mortimer. Out in his garden he found… brown, soggy dirt. Mortimer stomped his paw. “Nothing! I knew the miracle wouldn’t…
Author: TCBR Contributor
TCBR Contributor
The Children’s Book Review, named one of the ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) Great Web Sites for Kids, is a resource devoted to children’s literacy. We publish reviews and book lists of the best books for kids of all ages. We also produce author and illustrator interviews and share literacy based articles that help parents, grandparents, teachers and librarians to grow readers. This article was written and provided by one of TCBR's regular contributors.
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review Published: May 22, 2009 Sabuda & Reinhart Pop-Ups: Baby Signs by Kyle Olmon (Author), Jacqueline Rogers (Illustrator) Reading level: Baby-Preschool Hardcover: 12 pages Publisher: Scholastic Inc.; Pop edition (April 14, 2009) What to expect: Babies, Parents, Sign language Because speech develops at a slower rate than an infant’s or toddler’s cognitive abilities, more and more families are choosing to practice sign language with their children. Sign language lets children a way to communicate what they want or need, alleviating some of the stress and frustration that often leads to tantrums. Hand-and-eye coordination develops…
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review Published: May 21, 2009 Peter Pan: A Classic Collectible Pop-Up by Robert Sabuda Reading level: Ages 4-8 Hardcover: 14 pages Publisher: Little Simon; 1 edition (November 4, 2008) What to expect: Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, Fantasy, Pop-up Whatever Sabuda touches turns to magic. So what happens when he touches a story like Peter Pan that is already magic? An alluring feast of enchantment! His illustrations stay real to the time period in which J.M. Barrie wrote this classic tale (1902), only they have a richness about them that comes from a more magical and…
The Children’s Book Review Published: May 19, 2009 Summer is approaching fast, which means school will be out very soon. It also means it’s baseball season. What better way to entice our kids to read over the summer than by giving them a series of books that is based on a sport that they love — topic can be everything! SLUGGERS, a series about three kids who travel the country playing baseball, is sure to captivate its audience with mystery, fantasy, and even some historical fiction. Loren Long, one of my all-time favorite illustrators and the guy who thought…
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review Published: May 19, 2009 Dessert First by Hallie Durand (Author), Christine Davenier (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 7-10 Hardcover: 160 pages Publisher: Atheneum (May 19, 2009) What to expect: Desserts, Schools, Restaurants, Family Life
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review Published: May 18, 2009 Birds of a Feather: A Book of idioms and Silly Pictures: Vanita Oelschlager by Vanita Oelschlager (Author), Robin Hegan (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 4-9 Hardcover: 32 pages Publisher: Vanitabooks (April 1, 2009) What to expect: Idioms, Humor Birds of a Feather is a brilliant book with a purpose: to introduce children to idioms. Oelschlager and Hegan have done an excellent job of helping children understand some very absurd idioms. Each idiom is illustrated with the literal version, then the objective is to guess the “real” interpretation of the phrase.…
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review Published: May 17, 2009 Bedtime Sing to Me: With CD! by Diane Ohanesian (Author), Nadine Bernard Westcott (Illustrations), Mary Ann Schaub (Vocals) Reading level: Baby-Preschool Board book: 11 pages Publisher: Cartwheel Books; Brdbk/Com edition (January 1, 2009) What to expect: Sing-a-long, Bedtime, Nursery Rhymes A wonderful collection of new nursery rhymes written to a nice combination of original tunes and classic favorites. Songs like Twinkle, Twinkle, Count with Me (to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”) and Who Is Sleeping? (to the tune of “Frere Jacques”) catch the attention of preschoolers easily.…
The Children’s Book Review | May 15, 2009 Tickle Monster Written by Josie Bissett Illustrated by Kevan J. Atteberry Reading level: Ages 2 – 7 Hardcover: 36 pages Publisher: Compendium (August 15, 2008) What to expect: Laughter, Joy, Tickling (Publisher’s Choice Award 2008) (Mom’s Choice Awards) If you know what’s good for you, you’ll want a piece of this book. Tickle Monster possesses the power of laughter. That’s right laughter, you know, that emotion we show through explosive vocal sounds when something makes us happy. There is no laughing on the inside when it comes to tickling, especially when the…
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review Published: May 14, 2009 Slob by Ellen Potter Reading level: Ages 8 -12 Hardcover: 208 pages Publisher: Philomel (May 14, 2009) What to expect: Mystery, Self-esteem, Siblings, Loss
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review Published: May 13, 2009 Summer reading is a brilliant practice you can kick-off with your child. I’ve hand-picked some of my favorite titles, new and old, that are well-suited to the season. Ocean, camping, countryside, learning to swim, and a bit of baking with mom. NOTE: Please remember that all children develop at a different pace and learn in different ways. During each reading phase there will be a a wide range of development taking place. I have included extra tips on “emergent readers” to help you understand your child’s needs. I hope…