Poor Nana Quimby discovers a flooded basement while baking her cake.  After the plumber does his work and the water is gone, Nana discovers 10 frogs hopping out of her dry basement.  Quickly following are 20 more frogs, then 30 more, then 40, then 50, then 100, then a million more frogs!  With each discovery, Nana shouts out her window to neighbor kids happening by for suggestions and each time finds a bigger and bigger container to keep her frogs safe.  Finally she just fills her basement back up with water and enjoys her new pets (and her cake).  This is a silly, funny picture book with entertaining illustrations.  Perfect, for reading aloud, it is going into my elementary story time lesson plans!  Kids will love it!

This is the story of the first person to ride in a wooden barrel over the Niagara Falls.  Annie Edson Taylor had taught at a charm school but when she retired she needed a way to make money to support herself, so she decided to do something that no one else had done.  She thought that if she were famous she could make money from tours and speeches.

After Annie successfully survived the ride over the falls.  Everyone was excited about the success of Annie going over the Falls.  No one could believe that anyone especially a woman could survive the Falls.  Annie went to a fair to speak about the event, but people were more excited about the barrel than the 62-year old lady who had ridden inside.

This is a great story an and I think a little know adventure.  The text was well done and the pictures are wonderful.

Fourth grade Scab McNally has a twin sister that is always spying on him. Scab really wants a dog of his own but can’t afford one. When he creates a sister repellent spray that really stinks, he decides to sell it to his friends so he could save up money for a dog. When a bottle of his spray breaks open causing chaos in the schools, Scab apologizes to his sister which brings them together, and collectively they convince their parents to get a dog.  This fun story comes with many fact boxes of information and story enhancing pieces, several of which contain body function information that will entice many young readers.

This is my second Gilda Joyce mystery, and I have to agree, along with my middle-school readers, that Jennifer Allison makes reading entertaining!  In this mystery, Gilda’s mom is about to re-marry, and her fiance is not someone you as a reader trust.  A creepy story, Gilda’s psychic instincts guide her investigations of this new man about to become her father.

This is a charming nonfiction book by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page about how different animals clean themselves.  Readers are sure to be captivated by the illustrations as well as the interesting bits of information. At the back of the book is a wealth of information about each animal featured in the book.  This is a charming example of art + science.  Beautiful done.  My only request would be to have it a larger size book, 8 1/2″ x 11″ minimum.  The pictures are worthy.  Recommended for elementary.

This is a basic nonfiction book about the human head, including the layers, basic parts, circulation, injury, and the automated work that it is always performing.There are interesting graphic illustrations and photographs to accompany simplistic third grade level paragraphs.  The back of the book includes glossary and further reading through facthound. Nice addition to an elementary library.

This is another book in a series called Scary Creatures by Scholastic.  I don’t care for the title of the series or the overly exaggerated horrific illustrations they place on the front of the book.  I understand the desire to capture the reluctant reader, but it feels that it is at the expense of reinforcing negative stereotypes about animals and their defense mechanism employed to protect their own survival.

With that preface, there is some really interesting information and pictures inside the book and explains interesting phenomenon about different species of animals.  It would make a good addition in a building that has reluctant readers who are primary boys or primarily aggressive tendencies.  There are certainly more “animal friendly” titles out there.

This is a very primary Everybody, Fiction, Picture book which will captivate the primary reader’s imagination with large, clear images of construction equipment and basic sentences on each page.  Would make a great read aloud to the right audience or be used a  picture book by a non reader.

The stitching on this copy is cheaply done and will not last the test of time in an elementary library.  Perhaps this is just the demo copy binding.  Be sure to check the binding on any copy you are purchasing for a library.

This is a very well written nonfiction book depicting The great Aristotle and his contributions to science, academia, the cosmos, and associations with Plato and Socrates.  Just enough graphic design to hold the visual interest of the ready, while the author does a great job of delivering the rich and thick information about Aristotle in a digestible format.  I found this book an interesting read and believe your upper elementary and middle school students would agree.  Recommended.

This is a contemporary book giving lots of interesting facts behind the American Hot Dog.  There are cartoon type illustrations with interesting tid bits on the history and origin of dogs in our country and around the world.  This book is complete with some famous eateries that you may wish to visit.  This is a fast paced, intriguing book that will entertain the grown ups as much as the kids (perhaps more!).  This would make a great addition to am elementary or even middle school library.

This is a nonfiction book depicting the Pennsylvania Colony around the time of the American colonization and revolution.  Groups of people discuss in the book include the Iroquois native Americans, the Quakers, and of course William Penn, who the state is named after.  We glimpse into the Boston Tea Party, Benjamin Franklin, the Red Coats,  and Valley Forge.  At the end of the book are statistics, glossary, index, and further resources.

This is a darling book featuring our favorite teacher, Miss Fox and her wonderfully relevant lessons for the children in her class.  She notices that the kids in her class are tired, not eating right, and do not appear to be healthy.  So she decides that they need to shape up.  The story is full of healthy eating examples, exercise ideas,suggestions for bedtime.  Evidence of their health improving, presents itself during Field Day when they all were winners!  At the end, they even convinced mouse to eat a healthy snack–a carrot.  And she liked it!

Recommended for primary readers and listeners.

This is a slim, nonfiction book written both in English and in Spanish.  It gives very basic information on the holiday called Memorial Day, which is celebrated in the United States.  It also mentions other countries that have similar holidays to honor the fallen soldiers who did not return from war. There are photographs and maps in this book.  It has an international feel to it, instead of exclusively United States.  Recommended for schools with bilingual speakers, best suited for K-3rd.

This is a very primary Nonfiction book which features a variety of wildlife and how there young service.  Each page includes photos and a paragraph of information about the particular animal.  There are animals from differing continents: Snow Leopard, Guanaco, Gorilla, Rock Hyrax, etc.  Recommended for young readers and listeners.

This primary book has soft watercolor illustrations which depict the life of a baby beluga whale.  Each page features a question that is presented to the whale, such as, “What are you afraid of” and the beluga answers with a short list of predators.  Very cute and perfect fit for primary aged readers and listeners.

This is a charming story of a father and son who are home sitting on the couch, when the son decided that the couch is  a big boat and they are actually floating in the ocean.  The father plays along with the imagination game and soon they are running from sharks, fishing for food, and paddling to a life saving island.  They build a fort, as shelter and create a fire to lay next to as they star gaze into the night sky.  It ends with the son telling the father, “You’re the best.  For pretend and for real.” Nice Water color and pen/ink illustrations.  Recommended.

Humpback whales are know for their songs and can be found in all oceans around the world.  Chapters in this book include: humpback and family, shape, size, and color, where they live, senses, defense, food, babies, behaviors, and a page on facts.  A diagram names some features of the humpback and a map of the world shows areas where they can be found.  The photographs are colorful and will hold the reader’s attention.  The text is easy to read and includes many facts about these magnificent creatures.  There is adequate information for pleasure reading or for a short report.  A glossary, index, and an ABDO website are in the back, however there is no bibliography for further reading.

Great white sharks are a fascinating topic which will attract all readers.  Chapters in this book include: what they look like, where they live, food, senses, babies, attack and defense, attacks on humans, and a page on facts.  A diagram shows the fins and gill slits and a map of the world show areas where great whites can be found.  Although the information appears to be correct, one caption reads,”The great white can smell a single drop of blood in 25 gallons (96L) of water.  The reader may wonder how that fact was obtained.  The caption for one photo states: “Young great whites snack on rays” yet no rays are seen in the photo.  Perhaps the caption is simply additional information, but the result is misleading.  This book will hold the reader’s attention and information provided is adequate for short reports.  There is a glossary, index, and an ABDO website in the back, but no bibliography for further reading.

In short chapters, readers learn what cocker spaniels are like, their coat and color, size, care, feeding, things they need, and about puppies.  The text is easy to read and photographs are focused and well-chosen to accompany each topic.  Other dog books in the series are: German Shepherds, Dalmatians, Mutts, Labrador Retrievers, and Poodles.  These books provide a basic introduction to the breeds, especially if one is looking for a suitable pet.  A glossary, index and ABDO website are provided in the back.

Boxer is one of the Top Dogs series from Children’s Press.  The book begins with defining this breed that originated from Germany.  They are large, playful dogs that enjoy having fun with, and protecting, their people.  The reader is cautioned to not get a boxer if they cannot spend playing and exercising with it.  They are highly energetic and playful and don’t like to be left alone.  Chapters include information on choosing a puppy, care, size, and behavior.  Every page has a “Fast Fact” of additional information.  The layout of the book has a pleasing arrangement of colorful photos , text, chapter titles and Fast Facts.  Readers will learn much about this breed and many important details if one is looking for a suitable pet for the family.  Other books in the series include: Beagle, Dachshund, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Miniature Schnauzer, Shih Tzu, and Yorkshire Terrier.  Glossary and Index are on the last page.  Recommended for inclusion in elementary libraries.

Michael Garland creates another Miss Smith literary adventure.  The setting is a fall day at the local library.  Virginia Creeper, the librarian, wants to read some spooky stories so Miss Smith lends her the Incredible Storybook.  As Ms. Creeper reads, characters from 13 scary stories emerge from the book.  The children shudder as the Queen of Hearts, Captain Hook, Frankenstein, and the Headless Horseman, to name a few, fill the library.  When the librarian stopped reading and handed out cider and cookies, a party began.  The characters seem happy and not nearly as scary.  Everyone had fun until Ms. Creeper noticed the senior Book Club approaching the library.  Hurriedly, Miss Smith cleaned up, Ms. Creeper delayed the Book club, and Zach read all the characters back into the Incredible Storybook.  Garland’s bright images depict the children’s awe as characters appear.  Although a picture book, young readers may be unfamiliar with these characters.  However, this book could be used as an introduction to these classic tales in literature.

Daphne’s diary begins on the first day of fourth grade.  Her teacher mispronounces her name and so begins a whole list of disasters which commonly befall fourth graders.  Daphne soon learns mistakes happen and anyone can make them.  Resorting to teasing is not a good solution.  Marissa Moss is known for her Amelia books which are in a notebook, handwritten style.  Daphne’s diary is written on pink pages and contains many drawings and doodles.  The plot is simple and The Name Game is a good transition from picture to beginning chapter books.

This ABC book is filled with colorful, lively paintings of animals paired with the collective noun associated with them, as suggested by the title.  Many of the featured animals can be found mixed in the illustrations for each letter, and at least one duck is on each two-page spread.  Joseph Kelly’s oil and acrylic art work is festive, entertaining, and appealing to kids of all ages.  Astute readers may find connections with other animals or objects beginning with the same letter; for example a mob of kangaroos watching a koala soccer game or one of the sloth of bears with a red balloon.  This book is delightful and would make an excellent addition to any library.

Fairies can be found in myths and legends world wide.  Some pages contain maps showing countries with fairy myths.  Names for fairy-like creatures vary around the world.  One excellent feature of this book is the pronunciation included next to each name.  “Did You Know” boxes contain additional facts or information.  Short chapters with colorful illustrations are sure to engage reluctant readers.  The text is large and pages are filled with colorful photos and illustrations to hold attention.  Enough information is provided to encourage further investigation.  Each book in the series concludes with pages discussing “Reality versus Myth” along with a glossary, index, and books for further reading.

In a fun twist, Dog wants a boy for a pet, even though warned that boys are hard to train.  All week long, Dog makes preparations for the day he gets a boy.  When Dog went looking for a suitable boy, he kept running into places where dogs were not allowed.  Dog was caught by the dogcatcher and taken to a kennel.  The next day, Saturday, Dog was taken to the “Meet ‘n’ Greet” room, where he met the perfect boy.  Instead of going home, Dog went to the boy’s house where he proceeded to teach the boy how to play fetch, go on walks, and share food.  On Sunday, Dog wrote to his mom telling her he found a boy to keep but was going to live at the boy’s house for a while.  Ashley Spires’ illustrations are cartoon-like in muted blues, greens, and browns.  There are some plot inconsistencies but enjoyable all the same.