Author Archives: Candy Ranney

About Candy Ranney

Candy is an elementary school librarian in Shelton, WA at the school where she was a student (so many years ago!). Her library is unique in that she brings her background and love of biology to her students in many ways. Not only does she have an awesome selection of science books; she also has a beaver, bobcat and mink sitting on her shelves and a variety of jarred specimens for her students to study. When she's not in the library, she is taking care of her baby trees on her tree farm and hanging out with her family and many pets. * 2025 WA Library Association School Librarian of the Year

That’s No Dino! Or Is It? What Makes a Dinosaur a Dinosaur by Helaine Becker

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What are the characteristics of dinosaur? That’s No Dino! Or Is It? takes the reader through several ancient creatures and compares their bodies to what scientists believe are true dinosaurs. An Anomalocaris may have lived 508 million years ago, but it didn’t have a backbone. Therefore, it wasn’t a dino. A Pleisiosaurus was old enough and had a backbone. But, it lived in the water and, therefore, was not a dino! The last animal to be described is a velociraptor and it has all the characteristics of a dinosaur and there are ten different characteristics! The author concludes with a list of those characteristics, a glossary, an index and a short list of extra resources.

Illustrations are cartoon-like and the writing is accessible for young readers. This book is a nice introduction to dinosaurs and budding paleontologists will take note of what makes a dino a dino after reading this book.

Newton and Curie: The Science Squirrels by Daniel Kirk

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Newton and Curie are a pair of squirrels AND scientists. They spend their days near a school watching children on the playground and in their classroom. They observe the kids on the swings and seesaw and then watch the teacher’s lessons through the classroom window. Using what they observe, they build their own versions and discuss concepts like gravity, force and energy. One day, their bird friends’ nest falls out of the tree and Newton and Curie are to the rescue. They use a lever to enter the classroom and obtain materials necessary to fashion a pulley to return the nest to its place on the tree branch. And, they declare at the end “Science is fun!” . I have to agree!

This story is a great way to introduce some basic physics concepts in a fun, engaging manner. Illustrations are beautifully drawn and there is accompanying information about the real Newton and Curie, as well as a glossary and resource list. Author/illustrator Daniel Kirk, who gave us Library Mouse, creates a sweetly drawn, humorous and accessible introduction to scientific concepts that are exemplified all around us – especially on the playground!

Helga Makes a Name for Herself by Meghan Maynor and illustrated by Eda Kaban

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Helga yearns to be a Viking, just like Ingrid the Axe. She begged for stories all the time – at bedtime, during her monthly bath and even fish-pickling time. Her parents tried to calm her ambition, telling her that she was a ‘farmersdotter’ and wouldn’t become a Viking. But, Helga didn’t let that squash her dreams – she and her pet wolverine spent their days doing all kinds of Viking stuff (at least she thought it was Viking stuff). One day, she heard that Ingrid the Axe was coming to town to recruit new members for her Viking crew. Ingrid and her wolverine headed down to town to pursue her dreams. She competed against other would-be Viking recruits and almost made it several times. She finally won a competition and just as Ingrid was about to speak, Helga’s parents ran up to apologize for their daughter’s silliness. Ingrid announced that Helga the Howler was invited to join her crew! The rest, as they say, is history. Helga the Howler and her trusty wolverine plied the oceans of the flat world, gaining fame and fortune as a might Viking Warrior!

This is a wonderful story of perseverance and following your dream, no matter how unlikely. Illustrations are cartoon-like and bright. The story moves along at a face pace with several chuckle-inducing asides along the way. There is also an author’s note and bibliography in the back that includes titles for further consideration and websites for exploration. Highly Recommended.

Insects by the Numbers: A book of infographics by Steve Jenkins

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Steve Jenkins has done it again. This is a science book that every budding entomologist will love and so will those readers that aren’t super fans. Aspects of the insect world are brilliantly and succinctly described using simple infographics, illustrations and spare text. This book is chock-full of facts presented in an accessible way. Includes glossary, bibliography and table of contents. Buy this book right away. Highly Recommended.

Jeanie & Genie: the First Wish, written by Trish Granted and illustrated by Manuela Lopez

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Jeanie is a model student in her Rivertown Elementary School 2nd grade class – she’s quiet, attentive and follows all the rules. One day, a new girl named Willow joins the class. Willow is not like Jeanie at all! She’s talkative, messy, creative and a genie. Yep, a genie! Of course, Jeanie is the only one that knows and that’s because the girls became great friends first. What will happen next?

This first book in a series serves as a nice introduction to these likable, unlikely friends. Pencil illustrations are scattered throughout and the text is well-spaced and larger, making this an appropriate read for those earlier chapter book readers. The characters are diverse and fun and the story flows nicely. This is a nice addition to collections that need an update. Recommended.

Cat Has a Plan by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Fred Blunt

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Cat and Dog each have plans and they involve a stuffed dinosaur and each other. There is some jealousy at play here as Cat and Dog take turns stealing a well-loved stuffed dinosaur from each other. Masks, traps, nets and sacks are used as they go back in forth in ownership of the dino. Finally, a plan goes awry and the poor stuffed dinosaur falls into Mouse’s hole. Mouse is thrilled with his new toy. Cat and dog are sad for a while, but quickly hatch a plan to work together. They realize that they can both act and with their masks, they stage a play to earn money to each buy a new stuffed dinosaur. Now, everyone (Mouse, Cat and Dog) are happy!

This Ready-to-Read early reader has about 100 words and those words are listed at the beginning of the book along with a note to adults and encouragement for the reader. At the end of the story, there are some simple questions to enhance learning, if necessary. Illustrations are bright and exuberant. This cute little book will start young students on their way to a future as readers. Recommended.

Max & Mo’s Science Fair Surprise by Patricia Lakin, illustrated by Priscilla Lamont

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Best friends Max and Mo, the art class hamsters, watch as the “the big ones” put together their science projects and decide to do one of their own. They use physics they learn from one science fair poster to escape from their cage. After some research, which includes another science fair poster and a cool book about plants, they decide to put observe plant growth. These clever little rodents find their materials in the art room odds and ends bin and get to work. After a few days, their beans begin to sprout and they note the growth. They are doing a science fair project! And, the best part is that they get to participate in the school science fair with the kids. Nice work! The story ends with a directions for a simple science project for the inspired readers.

Max and Mo are likable class hamsters, who show would-be scientists how to work together and make things happen in the classroom. Illustrations are bright and fun and the this level one reader has a mixture of sight words and words to sound out and is a fun introduction to science projects. Recommended.

The Beak Book by Robin Page

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This book is takes a close look at twenty one different birds’ beaks, their shapes and uses. Some beaks are for filtering and others are for crushing or tossing. Each beak is described and pictured in colorful detail. Budding ornithologists will devour the information in this book and will never look at birds (or beaks) the same way again.

The last few pages include size comparisons with the average adult human, where the birds live and what they eat. There is also a short bibliography and further reading noted on the last page. Highly recommended.

This is the Path the Wolf Took by Laura Farina and illustrated by Elina Ellis

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Gabe is reading stories to his little sister and they begin somewhat familiarly. Red Riding Hood, The Three Pigs and other fairy tales flow from his book. But, then the stories always take a turn – to Sir Gabriel saving the day! While this is a totally satisfying way to end a story in Gabe’s mind, his sister has other ideas. She like the scary wolf and the ‘bad stuff’ that happens. But, Gabe doesn’t feel the same way.

Unfortunately, Gabe’s versions are a little boring and he realizes that there has to be some excitement and adventure in order to make the story work. Of course, everyone still lives “happily ever after”.

Fans of fractured fairy tales will enjoy this mix of familiar stories and young readers will delight in naming each as Gabe and his sister waltz through each tale. Cartoon like digital illustrations enhance the fun and Sir Gabriel, even though he is nervous, will still save the day! Additional purchase for those that want to refresh their fractured fairy tales.

The Whole Hole Story. Written by Vivian McInerny and illustrated by Ken Lamug

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Zia has a hole in her pocket. This might be a problem for others, but not for Zia. The hole falls out of her pocket and grows. This might be scary for any other child. But, Zia knows that this is her imagination and she is in control. Therefore, there is nothing to be afraid of when she falls through the hole (somewhat Alice in Wonderland-ish). She turns that hole into a whole series of adventures. It transforms from a fishing hole to a swimming hole to a watering hole (complete with lions, giraffes and more) to many more holes and fun. Finally, she decides to take a rest on a tree branch and watches the hole shrink down small enough to fit back into her pocket, thus ending the Whole Hole Story.

This story is a heartwarming take on imaginative play from a child’s perspective and is reminiscent of Harold and the Purple Crayon as Zia directs her tale. She is a confident young Black girl, who blithely moves from one adventure to the next. Illustrations are bright, bold and cartoon-like. Young readers will certainly enjoy hanging out with Zia in this fun, energetic bo0k. Recommended.