Reviewed by Donna Dannenmiller, on June 11th, 2013 Author: Karen Katz Illustrator: Series: Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books ISBN: 978-1-4169-3546-9 Year Published: 2008 Price: $14.99 Grade Level: Preschool/Kindergarten Rating: R*
- Author: Karen Katz
- Grade Level: Preschool/Kindergarten
- ISBN: 978-1-4169-3546-9
- Length: 23 pages
- Price: $14.99
- Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
- Rating: R*
- Reading level: First Grade
- Year Published: 2008
A preschool-age gem that will delight the toddlers and parents alike. Starting with one baby, then adding one on each two- page spread…they run, spin, bounce, jump , hop , bang, shout, jiggle, wriggle, their way up to ten babies on their way to bed. The bold, vibrant colored, roly-poly babies are so endearing . . . → Read More: Ten Tiny Babies
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on June 6th, 2013 Author: Julie Cummins Illustrator: Cheryl Harness Series: Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers ISBN: 978-0-8037-3713-6 Year Published: 2012 Price: $17.99 Grade Level: 3-8 Rating: R*
- Author: Julie Cummins
- Grade Level: 3-8
- Illustrator: Cheryl Harness
- ISBN: 978-0-8037-3713-6
- Price: $17.99
- Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers
- Rating: R*
- Year Published: 2012
Women have long been overlooked or underrepresented in the history books. This collection of biographies about female explorers is a positive step toward recognizing these courageous women and their contributions. The ten women explorers who are featured, with four pages of text and illustrations each, include Louise Arner Boyd, Nellie Cashman, Ynes Mexia, Lucy Evelyn . . . → Read More: Women Explorers
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on June 5th, 2013 Author: Illustrator: Series: Great Civilizations Publisher: Capstone Press ISBN: 978-1-4296-6829-3 Year Published: 2012 Price: $25.99 Grade Level: 3-6 Rating: R*
- Authors: Kathleen W. Deady and Muriel L. Dubois
- Grade Level: 3-6
- ISBN: 978-1-4296-6829-3
- Price: $25.99
- Publisher: Capstone Press
- Rating: R*
- Series: Great Civilizations
- Year Published: 2012
This beautiful book about Ancient China covers a variety of topics including the Silk Road and early trade, the early Yangshao and Longshan civilizations, Chinese philosophers, ruling dynasties and emperors. The Great Wall of China is mentioned. Chinese inventions and other achievements are outlined including the development of a writing system, bronze and iron for . . . → Read More: Ancient China: Beyond the Great Wall
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on June 5th, 2013 Author: Timothy M. Daly Illustrator: Series: Nature's Children Publisher: Scholastic ISBN: 978-0-531-20975-2 Year Published: 2013 Price: $28.00 Grade Level: 2-5 Rating: R*
- Author: Timothy M. Daly
- Grade Level: 2-5
- ISBN: 978-0-531-20975-2
- Price: $28.00
- Publisher: Scholastic
- Rating: R*
- Series: Nature's Children
- Year Published: 2013
This is a non-fiction book about Alligators from a wonderful animal series that is packed full of interesting facts about habitat, diet, behavior, appearance, predators, characteristics, mating habits and raising the young. Environmental and human hazards are also explored. There is a habitat map as well as an index, glossary, quick facts page and a . . . → Read More: Alligators
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on June 5th, 2013 Author: Timothy Daly Illustrator: Series: Nature's Children Publisher: Scholastic ISBN: 978-0-531-26831-5 Year Published: 2013 Price: $28.00 Grade Level: 2-5 Rating: R*
- Author: Timothy Daly
- Grade Level: 2-5
- ISBN: 978-0-531-26831-5
- Price: $28.00
- Publisher: Scholastic
- Rating: R*
- Series: Nature's Children
- Year Published: 2013
This is a non-fiction book about Black Bears from a wonderful animal series that is packed full of facts about habitat, diet, behavior, appearance, predators, characteristics, mating habits and raising the young. Environmental and human hazards are also explored. There is a habitat map as well as an index, glossary and page for further resources. . . . → Read More: Black Bears
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on June 5th, 2013 Author: Suzan Boshouwers Illustrator: Marjolein Hund Series: Want to Know History Publisher: Clavis ISBN: 978-1-60537-135-1 Year Published: 2012 Price: $16.95 Grade Level: K-3 Rating: R*
- Author: Suzan Boshouwers
- Grade Level: K-3
- Illustrator: Marjolein Hund
- ISBN: 978-1-60537-135-1
- Price: $16.95
- Publisher: Clavis
- Rating: R*
- Series: Want to Know History
- Year Published: 2012
This was a great picture book all about the life of pirates. The facts were interesting but not too scary for young readers and the illustrations were funny and full of rich detail and color. There was a fold out page depicting a cut-away view of the interior of a pirate ship which students will . . . → Read More: Pirates
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on May 31st, 2013 Author: Carey Morning Illustrator: Alan Marks Series: Publisher: Lion Children's ISBN: 9780745963686 Year Published: 2011 Price: $14.99 Grade Level: K - 3 Rating: R*
- Author: Carey Morning
- Grade Level: K - 3
- Illustrator: Alan Marks
- ISBN: 9780745963686
- Price: $14.99
- Publisher: Lion Children's
- Rating: R*
- Year Published: 2011
This is a beautiful nativity story about a little shepherd girl who followed her father into the night and toward the stable where she discovered the baby Jesus. Joining Mary, Joseph, the three kings, shepherds and stable animals, the girl meets Jesus, who enters her heart. The illustrations are gorgeous watercolors, rich and detailed. I’m . . . → Read More: The Shepherd Girl of Bethlehem
Reviewed by Carol Hahn, on May 13th, 2013 Author: Thompson, Colin Illustrator: Series: Publisher: Random House Australia ISBN: 9781864718836 Year Published: 2011 Price: $16.99 Grade Level: 1-4 Rating: R*
- Author: Thompson, Colin
- Grade Level: 1-4
- ISBN: 9781864718836
- Length: 32 pages
- Price: $16.99
- Publisher: Random House Australia
- Rating: R*
- Year Published: 2011
Colin Thompson is so clever and has a vivid imagination and gift of storytelling. Barry is an alien-made robot who came to planet earth with his makers, but got left behind. He doesn’t look like much, mostly put together from recycled cans and odds and ends. But he has a huge brain which is back . . . → Read More: Barry
Reviewed by Mary Pong, on May 2nd, 2013 Author: Ross, Tony Illustrator: Tony Ross Series: Publisher: Andersen Press Ltd. ISBN: 978-1-84939-211-2 Year Published: 2011 Price: $16.99 / paperback Grade Level: grades 3, 4, 5, & 6 Rating: R+
- Author: Ross, Tony
- Grade Level: grades 3, 4, 5, & 6
- Illustrator: Tony Ross
- ISBN: 978-1-84939-211-2
- Length: 93 pages
- Price: $16.99 / paperback
- Publisher: Andersen Press Ltd.
- Rating: R+
- Year Published: 2011
These fairy tales are not too long, not too short, they’re just right! Seven fairy tales are retold and illustrated by London born and Liverpool School of Art trained Tony Ross. Ross’ pencil and paint strokes are simple, if not crude, yet the movement and emotions are well defined!
Of Ross’ seven favourite fairy tales, . . . → Read More: My Favourite Fairy Tales
Reviewed by Carrie Dye, on April 25th, 2013 Author: Vernick, Audrey Illustrator: Salerno, Steve Series: Publisher: Clarion Books ISBN: 978-0-547-38557-0 Year Published: Price: 16.99 Grade Level: Rating: Highly Recommended
- Author: Vernick, Audrey
- Illustrator: Salerno, Steve
- Publisher: Clarion Books, 2012
- ISBN: 978-0-547-38557-0
- Price: 16.99
- Rating: Highly Recommended
Summary: Here’s a story that seems almost impossible to believe, but yet it is a true story about an American family. The Acerra family had 16 children. Twelve were boys, just enough to field a baseball team! This was the 1930s, and times were tough, but they stuck together as a family. They had . . . → Read More: Brothers at bat: the true story of an amazing all-brother baseball team
Reviewed by Carrie Dye, on April 25th, 2013 Author: Babin, Pierre Illustrator: Voake, Charlotte Series: (First Discovery-Music) Publisher: Abrsm ISBN: 1-85103-321-1 Year Published: 2012 Price: 19.99 Grade Level: Rating: Highly Recommended
- Author: Babin, Pierre
- Illustrator: Voake, Charlotte
- Authors: Cantwell, Michael (narration)
- Publisher: Abrsm
- Year Published: 2012
- Series: (First Discovery-Music)
- ISBN: 1-85103-321-1
- Price: 19.99
- Rating: Highly Recommended, Highly Recommended
Summary: In an attractive “picture book” format, author Pierre Babin tells the story of musician Claude Debussy. Claude was born in 1862 near Paris. His early life wasn’t easy. His parents owned a shop, but were not very good at business and they moved a lot. Then Claude’s father is sent to prison for . . . → Read More: Claude Debussy: (First discovery – music)
Reviewed by Carrie Dye, on April 25th, 2013 Author: Latham, Donna Illustrator: Vaughn, Jen Series: Build it yourself series Publisher: Green Press Initiative ISBN: 978-1-936749-52-2 Year Published: 2012 Price: 21.95 Grade Level: Rating: Highly Recommended
- Author: Latham, Donna
- Series: Build it yourself series
- Publisher: Green Press Initiative
- Year Published: 2012
- ISBN: 978-1-936749-52-2
- Price: 21.95
- Rating: Highly Recommended, Highly Recommended, Highly Recommended
- Illustrator: Vaughn, Jen
Summary: Bridges and Tunnels: Investigate feats of Engineering with 25 projects by Donna Latham, is the latest edition of the excellent (Build it yourself series), which includes such titles as Backyard Biology: Investigate habitats outside your door with 25 projects and Robotics: discover the science and technology of the future with 20 projects by Kathy . . . → Read More: Bridges and Tunnels: Investigate Feats of engineering with 25 projects (Build it yourself series)
Reviewed by Claudia Robinson, on April 24th, 2013 Author: Douglas Florian Illustrator: Douglas Florian Series: Publisher: Houghton Mifflin ISBN: 9780547688381 Year Published: 2012 Price: $16.99 Grade Level: 1 -3 Rating: Highly Recommended
- Author: Douglas Florian
- Illustrator: Douglas Florian
- ISBN: 9780547688381
- Year Published: 2012
- Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
- Price: $16.99
- Length: 32 pages
- Reading level: AR 2.1
- Rating: Highly Recommended, Highly Recommended
- Grade Level: 1 -3
The opening poem on the inside front flap – Let’s Play Ball! begins the inspired collection of poems all about baseball. Florian takes the reader from opening season warm ups to end of season reminiscing. There is a poem for every player position – pitcher, catcher, first, second and third baseman, short stop, right . . . → Read More: Poem Runs: Baseball Poems and Paintings
Reviewed by Mary Pong, on April 21st, 2013 Author: Weber, Rebecca Illustrator: photos Series: Earth and Space Science Publisher: Pebble Plus/ Capstone Press ISBN: Year Published: 2012 Price: Grade Level: grades, 2, 3, 4, Rating: R+
- Author: Weber, Rebecca
- Grade Level: grades, 2, 3, 4,
- Illustrator: photos, 978-1-4296-6811-8
- Length: 24 pages
- Publisher: Pebble Plus/ Capstone Press
- Rating: R+
- Reading level: 630 Lexile, Early Intervention level: 22, Reading Level: K-1
- Series: Earth and Space Science
- Year Published: 2012
The eight topics in the table of contents: Recycling, Collection, Glass, Metal, Plastic, Paper, At the Store, and Make Paper are accompanied by a well photographed landfill, garbage truck, recycle bins, recycling center with stacks of crushed cubes of squashed cans, a store shelf full of food products packaged in containers made from recycled paper, . . . → Read More: Time to Recycle
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on April 19th, 2013 Author: Donna Latham Illustrator: Beth Hetland Series: Build it Yourself Publisher: Nomad Press ISBN: 978-1-61930-152-8 Year Published: 2013 Price: $21.95 Grade Level: 3rd grade and up Rating: R*
- Author: Donna Latham
- Grade Level: 3rd grade and up
- Illustrator: Beth Hetland
- ISBN: 978-1-61930-152-8
- Price: $21.95
- Publisher: Nomad Press
- Rating: R*
- Series: Build it Yourself
- Year Published: 2013
This amazing science experiment book focuses on topics related to biology. The chapters include: The Study of Life, Cells Alive!, Microbiology Reveals an Invisible World, Plants Make Life Possible, Plant Life Cycles, Adaptations are a Matter of Life and Death, Animal Life Cycles, and Protect Living Things. Each chapter has background information followed by a . . . → Read More: Backyard Biology
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on April 17th, 2013 Author: Sara Green Illustrator: Series: Outdoor Adventures Publisher: Children's Press ISBN: 978-0-531-23736-6 Year Published: 2013 Price: $23.00 Grade Level: 3-6 Rating: R*
- Author: Sara Green
- Grade Level: 3-6
- ISBN: 978-0-531-23736-6
- Price: $23.00
- Publisher: Children's Press
- Rating: R*
- Series: Outdoor Adventures
- Year Published: 2013
The mountain climbing photographs in this book are especially breathtaking and enhance the text well. The author has done a nice job of presenting the adventurous, exciting and dangerous nature of this sport as well as practical considerations. The reader is provided with a nice overall view of the demands and realities of climbing a . . . → Read More: Mountain Climbing
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on April 17th, 2013 Author: Illustrator: Series: Publisher: Scholastic ISBN: 978-0-5445-49566-0 Year Published: Price: $7.99 Grade Level: Pre-K to 2 Rating: R*
- Authors: Penelope Arlon and Tory Gordon-Harris
- Grade Level: Pre-K to 2
- ISBN: 978-0-5445-49566-0
- Price: $7.99
- Publisher: Scholastic
- Rating: R*
This sturdy non-fiction picture book is a wonderful introduction to puppies and kittens. The pages are thick to hold up well to the many little hands that will surely be turning them for years to come. A good introduction to these common pets, topics include early development, care, training, safety, and playing. The text is . . . → Read More: Puppies and Kittens
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on April 17th, 2013 Author: Carmen Gil Illustrator: Daniel Montero Galan Series: Publisher: Cuento De Luz ISBN: 9788415241782 Year Published: 2012 Price: $14.95 Grade Level: K - 5 Rating: R*
- Author: Carmen Gil
- Grade Level: K - 5
- Illustrator: Daniel Montero Galan
- ISBN: 9788415241782
- Price: $14.95
- Publisher: Cuento De Luz
- Rating: R*
- Year Published: 2012
I LOVED this fairytale about a princess who did not want to be a princess. She threw down her crown and ventured out to the world to be a pirate, a knight and a minstrel. This strong female character followed her dreams and succeeded in all she pursued. She thought for herself and acted with . . . → Read More: It’s a Pain to be a Princess!
Reviewed by Debbie Koss-Warner, on April 17th, 2013 Author: Garen Ewing Illustrator: Series: Publisher: Egmont ISBN: 9781405248532 Year Published: 2009 Price: $10.99 Grade Level: Grades 5 through 12 Rating: R*
- Author: Garen Ewing
- Grade Level: Grades 5 through 12
- ISBN: 9781405248532
- Price: $10.99
- Publisher: Egmont
- Rating: R*
- Reading level: Grade 5
- Year Published: 2009
In this Tintinesque graphic novel, the reader is introduce to the story Julius Chancer, a historian’s assistant. The assistant is caught up in an intrigue involving a silent movie actress, a cheating businessman, and the search for a rare orchid. This high-flying adventure travels all around the world as new twists to the tale are . . . → Read More: Rainbow Orchid, The: Volume One
Reviewed by Debbie Koss-Warner, on April 17th, 2013 Author: Don Wood Illustrator: Series: Publisher: Blue Sky Press ISBN: 9780439726740 Year Published: 2008 Price: $12.99 Grade Level: Grades 4 through 12 Rating: R*
- Author: Don Wood
- Grade Level: Grades 4 through 12
- ISBN: 9780439726740
- Price: $12.99
- Publisher: Blue Sky Press
- Rating: R*
- Reading level: Grade 4
- Year Published: 2008
In this graphic novel, the reader is drawn into an action adventure story of two brothers desperately trying to find their mother and outsmart the evil treasure hunters who are searching for her as well. The boys are kidnapped by the treasure hunters and taken to the last place where their mother was last seen . . . → Read More: Into the Volcano
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on April 16th, 2013 Author: Jane Yolen Illustrator: Mark Teague Series: Dinosaur Publisher: Blue Sky Press ISBN: 978-0-545-41678-8 Year Published: 2012 Price: $16.99 Grade Level: Pre K - 2 Rating: R*
- Author: Jane Yolen
- Grade Level: Pre K - 2
- Illustrator: Mark Teague
- ISBN: 978-0-545-41678-8
- Price: $16.99
- Publisher: Blue Sky Press
- Rating: R*
- Series: Dinosaur
- Year Published: 2012
Manners are so important and this series does a nice job of presenting polite manners in contrast with bad ones, in various settings. This book is set at Christmastime and features common Christmas activities. The text is rhyming and comical and the illustrations are brilliantly colored and expressive. Each dinosaur is subtly label in the . . . → Read More: How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on April 16th, 2013 Author: Barbara Berry Illustrator: Zac Williams Series: Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers ISBN: 978-1-4424-1231-6 Year Published: 2011 Price: $15.99 Grade Level: 2 - 8 Rating: R*
- Author: Barbara Berry
- Grade Level: 2 - 8
- Illustrator: Zac Williams
- ISBN: 978-1-4424-1231-6
- Price: $15.99
- Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
- Rating: R*
- Year Published: 2011
This book is a one-stop princess party resource that will delight girls of all ages! Filled with appealing recipes, crafts and activities, this cookbook has several themes for your princess to choose from. Each recipe or craft has a beautiful color photograph which demonstrates presentation as well. The instructions are simple and clearly written. I . . . → Read More: Pink Princess Party Cookbook
Reviewed by Mary Pong, on April 15th, 2013 Author: Smith, Roland Illustrator: Phil Falco Series: Storm Runners Publisher: Scholastic Press ISBN: 978-0-545-08179-5 Year Published: 2011 Price: $16.99 Grade Level: grades 4, 5, 6 Rating: R+
- Author: Smith, Roland
- Grade Level: grades 4, 5, 6
- ISBN: 978-0-545-08179-5
- Length: 133 pages
- Price: $16.99
- Illustrator: Phil Falco
- Publisher: Scholastic Press
- Rating: R+
- Series: Storm Runners
- Year Published: 2011
The mood is instantly set once the book is opened by the smokey grey end paper, followed by darker grey with fine white rain blowing from right to left across the page, followed by even darker grey with white rain blowing across the page from left to right amidst the multi- tined lightening bolt. So . . . → Read More: Surge, The
Reviewed by Donna Dannenmiller, on April 14th, 2013 Author: Kristen McCurry Illustrator: Series: Eye-Look Pictures Games Publisher: Capstone ISBN: 978-1-4296-7551-2 Year Published: 2012 Price: Grade Level: K-1 Rating: R*
- Author: Kristen McCurry
- Grade Level: K-1
- ISBN: 978-1-4296-7551-2
- Length: 32 pages
- Publisher: Capstone
- Rating: R*
- Reading level: Grades 1-2
- Series: Eye-Look Pictures Games
- Year Published: 2012
As a first introduction to analogies, this book teaches the concept by using photos, and giving lots of visual support for success. ”Tail is to wag…as hand is to _______” is the first example used to introduce the concept. The reader is presented with three labeled photos. Which of the pictures is related to hand . . . → Read More: Look and Compare: A Photo Analogy Game
Reviewed by Julie Hitt, on April 13th, 2013 Author: Gordon, Nick Illustrator: Series: Dangerous Jobs Publisher: Bellwether Media ISBN: 9780531221419 Year Published: 2013 Price: $17.25 Grade Level: 3-7 Rating: R*
- Author: Gordon, Nick
- Grade Level: 3-7
- ISBN: 9780531221419
- Length: 24 pages
- Price: $17.25
- Publisher: Bellwether Media
- Rating: R*
- Reading level: 4.1
- Series: Dangerous Jobs
- Year Published: 2013
Coast Guard rescue swimmers endure rigorous training in extreme conditions and are highly prepared to rescue people in dangerous situations. Trainees are both male and female, must pass extensive physical trials for endurance and swimming, and learn how to perform effective first aid. Swimmers have specialized gear to help keep them safe while rescuing victims . . . → Read More: Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer
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