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

Olympic Records

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This slim book succinctly describes many of the greatest Olympic records and athletes of all times. Exciting photographs punctuate the bits of information, which will be jut enough for those sports buffs that don’t want to wade through lots of information in a larger reference book. Many of the athletes and sports will be familiar (example: Michael Phelps and swimming). But, some will be new to middle grade readers (example: coxless pair rowers Hamish Bond and Erick Murray).

Typical nonfiction features are present: table of contents, glossary, index. And potentially unfamiliar words are bolded. Olympic Records is part of the Blastoff! Discovery: Incredible Sports Records series and is a nice addition to those collections that need a boost of new material. Additional selection

Nick the Sidekick

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Nick has some very special powers – he has super hearing and he is super smart. Unfortunately, his super hearing comes at a price…super big ears. And, those ears make him the brunt of schoolyard jokes and mean kids. His best friend, Tess, is always there to encourage and help Nick in any way she can, though.

Nick’s talents do not go unnoticed and he is recruited to be a sidekick…er, assistant…to Super Fantastic Guy, a brawny and not-so-bright superhero. Nick trains for his job and doesn’t quite get the flying part down. But, he uses his super intellect and hearing to fight crime alongside…er, behind….Super Fantastic Guy, who loves to take credit for their fabulous crime fighting.

Fortunately, Nick’s contribution is not totally unnoticed. A reporter spots the truth and gets a few digs in to Super Fantastic Guy, who doesn’t really get it until Tess changes part of his acceptance speech at a city ceremony and he reads the truth out loud. He also reads that he has poopy pants. Geez, can’t this superhero read ahead a bit? He acknowledges at the end that he might have deserved it, though. So, we have hope that Nick will get the accolades he deserves in the future.

The bright colors and quick pace of the story through the panels makes this a quick read and it should appeal to the Captain Underpants crowd in a big way. And, that’s no cliche! Highly recommended.

Crawly School for Bugs: Poems to Drive You Buggy

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Who would have thought that bugs could be fun? Well, open this book of bug poetry and be prepared to laugh your way through a day of fun at insect school. These little critters are learning some important lessons in each poem. For example, Hiding from Spiders: Run, Don’t Count. “Teacher says, Don’t count their eyes, If you count eight- it’s too late.” And, the school motto is spot-on: “Never eat a friend at school”.

The short, rhyming poems with the accompanying humorous, multi-media illustrations are a perfect introduction to insects and poetry. The language is lively and is matched well to the actions of the buggy students and staff of this very unique school. Readers will giggle their way through a day at insect school. Add this book to your poetry collection to liven it up a bit. Highly Recommended

Percy, Dog of Destiny

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Percy, an energetic little dog with a cute black eye-patch, is on his way to the dog park with his beloved ball. There, he meets up with his friends: Molly, Fluffy and Oatmeal Raisin Cookie and they do all kinds of doggie things. What can be more fun than running along a fence, digging holes, sniffing and peeing on trees with your best friends? There is a problem…a terrible squirrel, who steals Percy’s ball. But, what ho! Fluffy puts his bone down long enough to save the day and save Percy’s ball. The day is saved as the four friends, special toys in mouths, walk away and the end.

This story uses spare text and lots of white space around the penciled drawings to engage the youngest readers. The energy of Percy and his friends is apparent in the illustrations and readers will enjoy the silliness of these canines as they spend their day at the dog park. Recommended

The Little Red Fort

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This endearing version of the classic “Little Red Hen” centers on Ruby and her efforts to build a fort. She asks her brothers (Oscar Lee, Rodrigo and Jose) for help along the way and we know how that goes! Ruby perseveres, with a tiny bit of help from her dad, mom and grandma and makes a beautiful fort. And, as in the Red Hen’s case, the brothers want to play in the fort now. They feel guilty about their lack of initiative though, and proceed to paint the fort, plant flowers and build a mailbox. “Ruby was delighted” and invited them in to share freshly baked cookies at her fort-warming party.

This book employs a similar cadence and spare text of the original tale – “Not me,” said Oscar Lee. ‘I don’t think so,” said Rodrigo. “No way,” said Jose. But, this plucky little girl doesn’t let that stop her as she plans, measures, cuts and hammers her way to a lovely little fort. Her multi-generational family pitches in to encourage and give a little aid, when needed.

The illustrations are two page spreads with colorful depictions of Ruby and her family. The mixed-media presentation adds depth to the illustrations, which are simple and fun.

Pick up this book and add it to your read-aloud collection, because everyone will love to read about Ruby and the fort she wanted to build…and she did! Highly Recommended.

Graveyard Shakes

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There are two stories that come together in a single tale in Graveyard Shakes. The first story is about two sisters. Victoria and her younger sister, Katia, are sent from the farm to a boarding school on scholarship. Victoria wants to fit in and Katia loves to stand out, which doesn’t help Victoria. The second story is about a mad scientist (Nikoa), his nearly dead son (Modie) and ghosts, including Little Ghost. Every thirteen years, Nikola must take the spirit of a living child and give it to his son so that his son might “live”. Most of the ghosts in the graveyard (and secret laboratory) help with the process, except Little Ghost who is really rather scared of this ghostly stuff.

The two stories converge during a snowstorm, when Nikola sends his ghostly helpers to find a child and Katia runs away from Victoria, who must find her before she is used a life giving essence for Modie. With some help from Little Ghost and Modie, who both sacrifice themselves, the sisters escape from Nikola and end his evil plans. The story wraps up nicely, with the sisters accepting each other as they are, Nikola accepting his son’s death and vowing to be a better person, Little Ghost finally at peace and Modie (now a ghost) enjoying his new ‘family’ – Victoria and Katia.

The artwork is bold and the story is fast-paced. Young readers won’t be as disturbed as their adult counterparts by Nikola’s obsession with his child’s immortality and willingness to sacrifice living children. And, the sisters’ eventual acceptance of their uniqueness and unity after the initial discord is heartwarming. Additional selection.

Super Potato: the Epic Origin of Super Potato

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Super Max is your typical pretty boy superhero – big muscles, blond hair and an inflated sense of importance. Occasionally, he has to go to battle against Dr. Malevolent and always wins.

But, not this time…Dr. Malevolent has the ultimate weapon of destruction to use against humanity, snarky waiters and one vain superhero…a weapon that turns people into potatoes! And, he does just that after luring Super Max to his lair by stealing a priceless statue. Super Max is demoralized. He is now a tiny, hairless, insignificant potato. After crying for quite some time, he begins to walk home and is nearly hit by a truck but flies into the air in the nick of time. Flies? yes! He is a Super Potato!

So, Super Potato outfits himself in a doll size Super Max costume and wig, he heads back to Dr. Malevolent’s lair. He finally finds him wreaking havoc around town and turning everyone into potatoes, captures him, and breaks his evil potato weapon. He then forces Dr. Malevolent to create a de-potato-izing beam, which Dr. Malevolent actually makes into a super potato peeler (gasp). They battle fiercely until Super Potato causes an explosion and then saves Dr. Malevolent and sends him to jail.

This graphic novel is reminiscent of some of older cartoon of old with slapstick humor and over the top (funny) action. Readers will enjoy the fast pace and silly potato references. This is not the end of Super Potato. It is just the beginning…

Mr. Wolf’s Class

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This is the story of the first day of school for a classroom of students and their 4th grade teacher. Actually, it starts the night before when many students are in bed and Mr. Wolf is feverishly preparing his classroom for seventeen young minds. The story then moves on to the next day and all its trials and triumphs. The characters are anthropomorphized animals, but the reader will recognize the activities and characteristics of a normal human elementary school class.

Mr. Wolf is a new teacher and his day is full of firsts – his first introduction to his students, his first math pretest, his first planning time (library), his first staff room donut and his first lost (and found) student. Along the way, we share his thoughts (thought clouds) as he does a really good job with his first day with his own class.

His students are a multifaceted group, from the serious Aziza to the class clown Randy. There is also the new girl, Margot and the sleepy Penny (her baby brother keeps her awake at night). Readers will recognize themselves and their friends in this story.

The artwork is colorful and conveys the fast pace of the day. The details are fun and readers will laugh at Red Riding Hood book in Mr. Wolf’s hands and the rats that steal the lunch (walking down the hall in single file, each with a lunch item).

This is book one of a series and it should be popular. Readers will enjoy seeing a little of themselves in this story. Recommended

NBA Finals

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Current and past NBA Finals are described in spare text within full-color pictures of this 24 page high interest-lower reading level nonfiction book. The history of the NBA is briefly described along with exciting photos of some of its starts will engage even those reluctant readers.

Typical nonfiction features are included: table of contents, index, glossary and further exploration. Unfamiliar words are bolded and a two page spread of the bracket used will entice young readers to keep this book in hand. Additional purchase

My little pony. Friends forever, Fluttershy & Iron Will

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Iron Will has a problem – he is a bit too assertive and the Mizzuz kicked him out. Also, his son has been misbehaving (talking back to mom and acting out at school), which Iron Will doesn’t think is a problem…hmmmm. So, off he trots to the land of My Little Ponies to ask Fluttershy for help.

Through many trials and many, many errors Iron Will was able to be a bit more sensitive and introspective. He ambled off to make amends with the Mizzuz and get a handle on that rude son of his. Fluttershy ended the story by giving the secret to working with cantankerous bulls (a lesson for all of us) – kindness and patience.

While this book doesn’t give anyone a great deal to learn, it should be popular with the Pony crowd. The message isn’t half bad either – you can change yourself for the better if you try (for goodness’ sake, a cartoon bull was able to do it). additional purchase