The Quick Quarterback

Andre was an all-star quarterback, but then was in a bike accident and broke his arm. He missed practice for six weeks, but when he returned to practice none of his family members would help him throw. He ended up playing with his dog and chasing him around his yard. In his first game back he struggled, and couldn’t throw as far as he used to. However, on the winning touchdown of the game, Andre ran the ball into the end-zone! This book is a primitive graphic novel.

Pierre the Penguin

Pierre is a penguin that lives in a zoo and has no feathers. Pam finds a way to keep Pierre warm using a wet suit, and six weeks later Pierre’s feathers grew. This book is told through rhymes. The illustrations are attractive water color. It is based on a true story.

Harlem Renaissance Artists and Writers

The Harlem Renaissance, the period of time when art and literature of the African American culture flourished, is briefly explored in the preface of this book. The chapters are devoted to well-known artists and writers such as Duke Ellington, Langston Hughes, and Josephine Baker, in addition to others with whom I was not familiar such as Aaron Douglas, Arna Bontemps, and Alain LeRoy Locke. I was disappointed that there were no excerpts of any of the authors’ works or reproductions of the artists’ works. There were photographs of the people profiled and further resources.

Hank Aaron: Groundbreaking Baseball Slugger

This is an excellent biography of the man often called “Bad Henry” because no one pitcher could stop him. It begins with the story of his life before baseball, back to the time when his father played for a local team. Aaron played both football and baseball in high school, but it was when he saw Jackie Robinson play for the first time that Aaron told his father that he would play professional baseball while Robinson was still playing ball. It goes on to describe Aaron’s career, particularly when he approaching Babe Ruth’s home run record. Instead of it being a time of joy, it was one of the most stressful times in his life because of the hate mail and death threats he received.  The work he considered even more important was opening doors for others, helping African Americans move into management and executive positions in baseball. Filled with pictures and sidebars, this is an excellent addition to the sports section in any school library.

Big Pigs

Why do we love pigs books so much?  Because it’s so fun to give them human characteristics and love them in spite of their obvious flaws.  This picture book has it all right: great text and fabulous pictures.

The story follows three sibling pigs who are playing the familiar game of “whoever can eat the most vegetables is the biggest pig.”  The pigs eat the vegetable patch, rolled in the mud patch and brought mud back to the barnyard.  When mama pig found them she she told them all that they did and sent them into the barn.

She followed them in and gave them big hugs and told them how proud she was of them!

I love pigs.

The Big Green

This is a good quality, everybody book with a focus on the color green.  The illustrations make this book very appealing and will likely hold the attention of the youngest readers.  The overall graphic lay-out, colorization, font and intrigues of text is a winning combination.

 

The story line the main character observing and looking for green and comparing the different places where you would find green  The text reads with a variety of fun rhythm, cadence, some alliteration, etc.  The text will hold the attention of young readers or those who are being read to.

 

Winning combination of text and illustrations. Recommended.

Princess Posey and the New First Grader

This is wonderful beginning chapter book, with a fabulous cover which will entice young readers with an infinity for feminine pictures and books.  In this book Posey learns that she has a “cowlick” swirl in her hair and then she tries to tell a classmate that she has one, too.  The classmate interprets this as calling her “cow lips”.  The teacher helps to clairify the miscommunication and the girls play together happily at the end.  This a great realistic fiction which I predict will hold beginning reader’s attention.

The Extraordinary Music of Mr. Ives

This is a wonderful story of the life of Mr. Ives, America’s greatest musical composer.  It begins with his ability to find music in ordinary sounds, which will assist the young reader with relating their own experiences.   During the year of 1915, Mr. Ives is impacted by the sinking of a passenger ship called The Lusitania, torpedoed by the enemy. As he waits with family members on the platform, for the surviving passengers to rejoin them, he begins to sing.  Soon everyone is humming, singing a song which is healing and hopeful for the group.  The power of music is astounding.  From this he creates a piece From Hanover Square North, at the End of a Tragic Day, the Voice of the People Again Arose.

 

Included in the book are other pieces that he composed, such as Pocahontas for the Ballet. A paragraph of information of each piece, along with an illustration is the just the right balance of information for young readers.  The back of the book, includes extensive information for adult readers to share.  The further reading list and selected sources are obviously well researched.  Great information shared in a great format.  Well done!

Aztec Warriors

Dramatic illustrations will pull the young readers into the book.  Images of the warriors in their war dress will lure people into the world of the Aztec Warrior.  Captions and vocabulary words are included on the page that they have relevance and connection to.  This should make for an easier interpretation for the reader.  The only thing missing is a map.  We need a map of the world which highlights the territory that the Aztec Warrior lived.  This way the reader can compare and contrast based on where they are on the planet.  This simple addition would meet many national and state learning standards, as well as be valuable to the reader.

EMT’s Tools

This nonfiction book does an exceptional job of explaining in clear language and pictures the duties of an EMT.  The tools are included: ambulance, defibrillator, gurneys, oxygen masks etc.  Pictures are included of each of these tools and an explanation of how the EMT uses the tools to help the patient.  At the end of the book, There is a matching activity with the picture of the equipment and the words.  Also included at True and False questions, and a glossary.   Well done and recommended.

These Rocks Count!

This counting book has fabulous illustrations and uses the counting as a way to introduce information about rocks and their relationship to the environment and humans.  Great information and superbly relates to a child’s world and will draw the reader in as the author guides us through a series of places and situations where the importance and purpose of rocks on in our world.  In the back of the book, are an in-depth description of books that an adult could read to children or read and then discuss with children.

Recommended.  I would like to purchase the entire series for my elementary library.

Skeleton for Dinner

The illustrations really make the book come alive with the spirit of the story line.  Well done.  The story begins with a couple of witches brewing a delicious pot and then concluded that they needed Skeleton  for dinner.  The main character, a skeleton, determines that the witches to eat him for dinner, not have him over for dinner.  Off he goes, running through the grave yard while gathering friends who are in the invitation list and spreading the fear.  Finally a crow helps to clarify the situation and all end up eating a wonderful dinner together!

Kit and Mateo Journey into the Clouds

This nonfiction book is told in a story format while teaching the concept of the water cycle.  The main characters Kit and Mateo journey up to the clouds to learn the cycle of evaporation, cloud formation, and condensation.  Included is information about the different types of clouds, a glossary, additional reading, index, internet sites and the encouragement of the reader to go outside and observe clouds!

The Coolest Inventors

The construction of this book is of the highest quality with exceptional binding and shiny, thick pages.  This is greatly appreciated by school librarians. Great illustrations and appealing graphic design make this a book to pick up.

The text includes the history of Willis Carrier, the inventor of the air conditioner.  Told of his personal and researching information about the creation of the first air conditioning units.  Successes and Struggles, and his legacy are highlighted.

 

A section called, “You be the Inventor” encourages the reader to invent something based on an original idea that they have.  Patents are discussed, and a Timeline, and Words to Know, and  Learn More section with books and Web Sites are included.