Dump Truck Duck is a rollicking rhyme filled telling of a duck’s day as a dump truck driver.  It starts with a “rumble rumble” and adds some alliteration (gravel, grass, and gritty glop; with brambly brush and slimy stuff) to the rhyming rhythm.  Dozer Duck and Digger Duck join Dump Truck Duck at the construction site.  The story wraps up with Dump Truck Duck heading home for the night to dream of the next big construction project.

Colorful illustrations paired with the fun language makes this a great read aloud.

Watersong is a melody made of onomatopoeia.  The words themselves tell no story, but are an accompaniment to the story told through pictures.  A fox strolls through a light rain.  As the rain intensifies, the fox finds shelter.  With a sigh, the storm passes the fox emerges to find a friend to celebrate the, “sparkle glitter glow,” of a day surrounded by the beauty of nature.

A lovely and relaxing read.

Starting rather abruptly with Ruth Law’s decision to set a long distance record by flying from Chicago to New York City, this is a wonderful narrative biography of an amazing woman.  The narrative is punctuated by quotes from Ruth Law that help bring her character alive.  Her bravery extended beyond just the physical feats to bravery to live her life as she wanted and pursue her dreams regardless of others opinions.  While risky, her feats of daring were supported by her complete understanding of her biplane.  Her ingenuity developed solutions where nothing existed before; from the extra gas tanks, to the metal guard to protect her feet and legs and a roller map box attached to her leg for navigation. At a time when the role of women was restricted by society, Ruth Law broke the mold and was recognized for her outstanding achievements in aviation.

More About Ruth Law section at the end of the story includes photographs as well as further biographical information.  Contains a solid biography and source notes.

Sophie Mouse is excited about her friends coming over for a dinner party.  All is going well until dessert when Sophie drops the beautiful trifle she had made all by herself.  The next day as her family goes off for their day’s activities, Sophie remains home planning her next trifle and daydreaming about flying in the blue sky.  She’s startled out of her daydream by a unfamiliar chirp.  She follows the sound until she finds an unfamiliar bird sitting on the roof outside her bedroom window.  Finch got lost while playing a game of hide-and-seek and hurt his wing before he found his way home.  Sophie helps him down and invites him inside.  Sophie realizes that having a surprise visitor is a perfect reason another trifle.  Just as Sophie and Finch are finishing up, 3 of finch’s friends come looking for him, turning the afternoon into a party.  When it is time to go home, Finch and his friends realize that he has no way to make it home with a sore wing.  Sophie shows them how to use a blanket to carry Finch between them.  Finch’s friends make Sophie’s daydream of flying a reality when Finch is reluctant to ride in the blanket, Sophie volunteers to take the first ride to show it is safe.  After Finch and his friends leave, Sophie hears her mom and brother returning and tells them of her stay at home adventure.

Black and white illustrations.  A Surprise Visitor is the eighth book in the Sophie Mouse series.

The book begins by explaining that the many different ways animals move are made possibly by their different shape, size and in some cases unique legs, fins, wings, or tentacles.  The remainder of the books covers walking, leaping, swimming, climbing, flying, rolling, and jetting.  Each mode of movement begins with a 2 page spread illustrated by 1 animal and how it moves.  The following 2 pages show 5 to 6 examples of how other animals accomplish the same movement.  Each animal is accompanied by an explanation using a unique synonym for the described movement.  For example, walking is described with marching, strolling, tiptoeing, and waddling.  Rolling is described as whirling, tumbling, somersaulting, wheeling.  A basic description of each featured animal and its habitat is included at the end of the book.

Flying Frogs and Walking Fish is another winner for Jenkins.  A definite choice to support the NGSS.

A young boy enjoys dressing up as animals, and his friend Camille loves math so much some days she talks only in numbers.  Finding the right animal is tough for the young boy.  With the help of his friend Camille, he settles on dressing as a frog.  Thrilled with his costume he decides Camille should also dress as a frog.  While Camille agrees to help make a costume, she soon loses interest in the long process and reverts to her love of math.  Frustrated, the young boy yells at Camille to stop wiggling.  Her feelings hurt, Camille picks up her things and goes home.  Now all alone and feeling lonely, the young boy makes a list of the Pros and Cons of Being a Frog and decides to find Camille and apologize.  No matter where he looks he cannot find Camille, only numbers.  Just as he’s about to give up, he hears the sound of Camille’s frog feet approaching.  The books ends with an apology and a hug.

A sweet story celebrating how friends can be unique and very different from each other and still be friends.

In this introduction to computer programing, Data Duck leads the exploration through how computers work.  The second half of the book explains how computers do a range of tasks from searching and sorting to pictures and sound.  The text and animated illustrations  work well together to convey each topic.  The explanations throughout the book use analogies kids can understand.  For example, organizing files is compared to cleaning your room and files are compared to books in a library.  As new concepts are introduced, Data Duck provides clarifying details or reminders of previously covered topics.  Questions and activities are on odd numbered pages with answers in the endpapers.  While there is no actual instruction on how to program, this is a solid choice for intermediate age students; providing an age appropriate and informative introduction to the inner workings of computers.

Includes Table of Contents, Extension Activities, Words to Remember (glossary), Activity Answers, and Index.

An easy to read introduction to Halloween and how it is celebrated in the United States.  A single mention of the holiday’s origin provides the only information not common knowledge among most school age kids making this a title better used for fluency than information.

Each page contains a large color photo that reinforces the text.  Interspersed through the book are occasional circles with thought provoking questions that will lead to discussion.

Contains an table of contents.  Back matter includes pictures of Pumpkin Carving, Picture Glossary of Halloween-specific terms, Index and Read More sections.

The series is also available as interactive e-books

A little boy believes dinosaurs still exist and provides evidence to support his argument.  “Dinosaurs ruled the earth for millions and millions of year… they could survive one fiery blast.”  The boy claims that dinosaurs have been hiding among us for years.  Thinking of all the things they’re missing out on, he invites them to show themselves, assuring them that they would be safe.  Then again, he thinks maybe dinosaurs would “feel uncomfortable with the way things are right now.”  Images show excessive technology, traffic, junk food and pollution.  The boy decides maybe we need to do some work before the dinosaurs will comfortable reveling themselves.  He assures them that their secret will remain safe with him.

A fun read aloud for dinosaur lovers.  The pictures of dinosaurs in disguise are sure to get a laugh.

A big rig is a big truck.  It carries good across the country.  With large font and short simplistic sentences, Big Rigs on the Go describes the parts of a big rig, what big rigs are used for, and driver information.  Each pair of pages has a full color photograph that supports the text.  A sure hit for early readers.

Contains Table of Contents.  Back papers include a diagram of Parts of a Big Rig, Picture Glossary, Index, and Read More section.

Machines That Go series is also available as Interactive e-books.