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

Rhymes with Doug

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Doug receives a mysterious package in the mail and opens it to find a magical rhyming parrot. Everything is great while the parrot rhymes ‘Doug” with “mug” and Doug gets hot chocolate and “Doug” with “pug” and a puppy appears. But things get crazy when the rhyming words are “slug” (Doug turns into one) and “bug” (ditto). The rhyming mayhem continues until the end when the word is “snug” and Doug is pictured in his bed. Uh-oh, did the bird just add “…as a bug in a rug”? No wonder the last page shows the same mysterious package near his friend’s car. A gift, perhaps?

Cartoon like characters and a mix of word bubbles and narrative text make this book an enjoyable tool in teaching rhyming. It is one of many out there (Seuss, et al). So, buy it if you have extra money to spend to freshen up your collection of rhyming books.

The Sky is Falling

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Data Set are in another adventure-this time with an alien who wanted to visit earth after hearing from Dr. Bunsen in his new language. sending light and sound to space, Dr.Bunsen has attracted the attention of the townspeople, aliens and, possibly, government agents. Can the Data Set fix this scientific mess?

This book offers science in a fun, fast-paced easy chapter book with multi ethnic kids solving whatever problems their scientist friend, Dr. Bunsen (somewhat reminiscent of Doc Brown from Back to the Future movie fame) manages to cook up. And, as always, the kids manage to do so with ingenuity and intelligence. Recommended

The Early Cretaceous: Notes, Drawings, and Observations from Prehistory

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Imagine studying prehistoric life first hand. Well, that is what you will find in this book that is set up like a naturalist’s journal. Drawings and notes fill the pages with descriptions of animals that many of us wish we could see standing before us (although, the carnivores could stand a ways away from us). The newest scientific information is presented in a format that makes us feel as if we are reading notes from a scientist that has actually recorded data from living, breathing organisms. Helpful comparisons in size between humans and dinosaurs are a highlight of each two to four page section. Would-be paleontologists will study this book in – depth and dream of their own discoveries to come. Add this book to your dinosaur collection – it’s a nice update.

Confusion is Nothing New

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Ellie’s mom is dead and Ellie is mad. She is mad that she never looked for the mother that left a few months after Ellie was born. She is mad that her dad never wanted to talk about her mom. And, she’s mad that her mom never really reached out to her.

But, she has a shoebox of mixed tapes, cd’s and odd items that her mom had apparently sent to her a year before. So, she and her band friends try to find out who this woman was that had been Ellie’s mom. She discovers so much along the way, most importantly that she is surrounded by loving friends and a dad that is her champion. Oh, and there are so many 1980’s songs mixed in that the reader will be compelled to turn up the stereo and sing along to some Cindy Lauper, et al.

This story is a fast -paced read with likeable characters who behave just like one would expect as they work together to put together who Ellie’s mom really was. Fortunately, there is believable closure for all as Ellie figures out who really matters to her. Recommended

Road Trip with Max and his Mom

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Third grade Max is set to embark on his first road trip with his mom to a family reunion in Pennsylvania. But, he must first present his chosen hero’s biography at his class’ Inspiration Celebration. Putting together polar explorer Ernest Shackleton’s costume is easy. Saying “Antarctica” correctly will be the challenge. In addition, he has some worries about his trip with his mom, because he usually spends weekends with his dad at dad’s apartment.

Fortunately, both sources of anxiety are handled simply and sweetly. Mom encourages him in his public speaking and his presentation is amazing. Then, his parents (not long divorced) ease his fears about missing his weekend with dad. So, mom and he take off from Michigan for their trip to the family reunion and great-great Aunt Victory’s 100th birthday party.

Max meets new family members and works through his fear of the huge roller coaster, the Big Buckaroo. And, he made some wonderful memories with his mom along the way.

Max’s story is a familiar one for many young readers who split their time between their divorced parents. His loyalty and love for both of his parents is apparent and his family’s new ‘normal’ after divorce is handled very well. This book also deals with those experiences that can cause a child to worry – class presentations, meeting new people, making mom and dad happy. Young readers will connect with Max and empathize with him as he navigates life as a third grader. Highly recommended.

Super Simple Thanksgiving Crafts: fun and easy holiday projects for kids

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This book gives the reader some history about Thanksgiving and information about how it is currently celebrated. And then, the fun begins! A great two page spread that shows pictures of materials and tools needed for the crafts shows the reader that most of the items are easily accessible. Following that are two page spreads with pictures and clear steps to use in order to make each of the crafts presented. In addition, there are directions for making a treat, which kids will enjoy adding to the Thanksgiving table. Pick up this book and the rest of the series for your library. Highly recommended.

Inside the U.S. Army

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Inside the U.S. Army gives a very basic overview of this military branch. Four short chapters highlight what it is, training, equipment and what the future might look like for the army. Short, descriptive paragraphs and color photos of army personnel of different genders and ethnicity are further explained with extra information boxes. There is also a very nice diagram explaining the gear of a typical infantry soldier as well as a page detailing the history of the army.

This particular book is part of a four book series on the branches of the military and includes typical nonfiction features. A table of contents, index and glossary are helpful. And, a page of books and websites for further reading will be helpful for those students seeking more information. This book will be popular and accessible. Highly recommended.

A world of cookies for Santa : follow Santa’s tasty trip around the world

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This is a delectable collection of Christmas traditions around the world, some of which include cookie recipes. Each short description is on a page with colored illustrations of children from that particular country. Young readers will enjoy learning the names and traditions surrounding Santa on his travels around the world. Endpapers have maps of Santa’s path around the world and the end of the book includes recipes for several of the cookie recipes.

This book will be a fun addition to holiday collections. And, BONUS! Students might bring you some cookies from the recipe collection in this book! Recommended

Pen Pals

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Oscar the ant and Bill the octopus become pen pals through their respective school and enjoy a year of writing letters to each other (and sometimes sending little gifts as well). Each animal is pictured sitting at his desk with the letter to his new friend on the opposing page. Oscar’s letters are blue and Bill’s are yellow, helping the reader keep track of who’s writing which letter. Along the way, the pen pals send each other little gifts that show up in the other’s room on the next page. And the surprise at the end…read it and find out!

This book brings reminds us of the fun of writing and sending letters. There is a wondrous pleasure in eagerly waiting for the response from your pen pal. The drawings are simple and clean with pops of color. All in all, this is a fun story that will encourage readers to consider writing some letters of their own.

Be Brave, Little Penguin

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Pip-Pip is a nervous little penguin and very anxious about the idea of swimming in that absolutely HUGE ocean! Who knows what might be out there that might want to eat him? So, Pip-Pip plays alone, hearing the words ‘scaredy Pip-Pip’ from the other little penguins. Daddy penguin thinks this is silly, but mommy penguin takes a gentler approach. His family’s encouragement works and Pip-Pip overcomes his fear and discovers a world of wonder under the sea.

The lovely illustrations coordinate well with the lyrical prose. This story might just help a small human reader overcome a fear. Besides, who doesn’t love penguin chicks? Recommended