This biography for young readers is too simple. There are nine pages of text accompanied by nine pages of photographers and two maps. The pages of text average three sentences per page. There are thirty-one sentences in all, plus a time line.

The book tells where and when Amelia Earhart was born. It tells she was one of the first female flyers and that she flew across both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Then, on her flight around the world, she missed her refueling stop in the Pacific. ” Amelia and her plane have never been found.” (18)

I hope someone at ABDO writes a biography on Amelia Earhart using the information found in the abdokids.com websites for an older audience.

‘Every Christmas Eve in the little village of Dorta where I grew up, high in the mountains of Switzerland, we have a carnival like no other. We call in ‘Drumming the Mountain Dragon’. ” (4) The carnival beginnings with the retelling of the story of Mimi and the Mountain Dragon around a bonfire in the center of town.

Hundreds of years ago, the towns folk of Dorta would try to frighten the Mountain Dragon every Christmas Eve in hopes she’d leave the town alone for another year. Then one year, 1314, little Mimi found a baby dragon in her family’s wood shed. Not wanting the baby dragon to be killed Mimi decided she would take the baby back up the mountain to its mother on Christmas Eve while the entire town would be in church. No one would try to stop Mimi at that time.

When Mother Mountain Dragon first saw Mimi with Baby Dragon she was angry. Then Baby Dragon flew to her and Mimi was no longer a threat. Mountain Dragon was thankful for the return of her baby. ” Why it should have happened that the mountain above the castle began at that particular moment to shed itself of its winter snows, none will ever know. But it did. And as Mimi could clearly see, it was not the Mountain Dragon roaring and raging that set the avalanche tumbling and rumbling down the mountainside.” (38) Mountain Dragon flew down to Dorta with baby and Mimi on her shoulders. Mountain Dragon saved all the towns people who were still in the church, now buried in snow, by melting the snow with her deep blast of fiery breath.

“And from that day to this, with the Mountain Dragon, and the little dragon, looking out for us and protecting us, we have never once had an avalanche anywhere near the village, nor a forest fire, and no one ever since has disappeared in the mountains.”   (45) They retelling of the story is done. The village people leave the bonfire and go home, knowing they are safe for another year.

In this early elementary fantasy graphic novel, Fluffy the cat, the Commander of P.U.R.S.T., must save his friends when his base gets invaded by aliens.
This is a cute and hilarious read. It is well-written and easy for young children to understand. Young adults and up would appreciate this endearing book. The art is adorable and expressive.
Cat lovers would especially enjoy this read! A wonderful book for all.
— Kellyn S.

In this graphic novel, the story follows an elephant named Otto who leaves his home in Africa in search of his best friend, a monkey named Georgie who was taken by a man with a wooden nose. His search leads him to New York City where he gets caught up with a gang of nefarious crocodiles…where trouble for Otto ensues.
Overall, the story is cute and well-written. The art-style is eye-catching, but not overbearing with too many details. Students who enjoy reading about animals and adventure will enjoy this read.
— Kellyn S.

This book is a collection of Bigfoot eyewitness accounts in graphic novel form.
Recommended for elementary and middle school children who are interested in reading testimonies about Bigfoot sightings in the United States. The illustrations are fair for the story lines and the informational text is easy to understand although the font of the spoken text could be easier to read. Overall, this was a fun informational read.
— Kellyn S.

Have you ever wondered how you got so many knots in your hair? If you’re a girl, you have. The Knit-Knotters are little tiny sprite that come out at night when you’re asleep and knit knots in your hair. They’re magical so no human can see them. They are quite naughty and are responsible for lots of other nuisances. When Stella went unhappily to get her new glasses, she met an unusual woman who enchanted her glasses and allowed her to see things that humans had not known before. This is a second-grade, getting-used-to-chapter books kind of book and offers an interesting reason as to why we get knots in our hair. It kind of goes along with the tooth fairy. Charming story for early readers.

Siamese cats have quite a unique history and many physical characteristics which distinguish it from other cats. The photographs are beautiful and children will fall in love with these cats. This book is good for beginning readers and cat lovers.

Labs are one of the most popular breeds of dogs; they are strong, used for rescue, smart, used for hunting, and are terrific in families with young children. The photographs in this book are clear and detailed, and children will pore over each one. Good book for beginning readers.

Siberian Huskies originally came from Siberia, Asia, used to pull sleds heavy with meat from hunting. In the early 1900’s they were brought to Alaska and are well known for sled dog races. The rest of the book deals with the dogs’ temperament, fur, eyes, and color. Good book for young children beginning to read. Dogs are always popular.

Thick glossy pages filled with saturated colors show the highlights of Seattle. The art in this book is pretty phenomenal. An ABC picture book, this book will help to prepare the youngest of visitors to the Emerald City. The best that Seattle offers is mentioned.