A fractured fairy tale that shows us Snow White as a very chatty, forgetful sort. Staying mainly on course for the plot line, Loewen gives us a different look at Snow and Prince Charming too. The story is told by Seven (Snow can’t remember the dwarfs names but can remember their designated number). He tells a tale of how Snow came to live with the seven dwarfs and how it takes the Queen three attempts to finally curse Snow (with the spell she casts in the traditionally version of the story). But no yucky kissing to break the spell, no sir. The spell is broken by an unfortunate slip and the possibility of some lunch.
Nicely illustrated by Gerald Guerlais. Children will enjoy concentrating on the pictures during a read aloud. Independent readers may linger a bit longer on each page just to absorb the content of the drawings.
Author Archives: SSBRC Former Member
Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping
Scaredy Squirrel is afraid of the big outdoors. Well, actually, he’s scared of more than that, a lot more, but he knows how to deal with his fears – by making lists and planning to overcome any trouble he encounters. Camping outdoors seems like way too much trouble, so he decides he would rather watch it on TV instead. In order to enjoy the outdoors on his TV he will first need to plug in his extension cord at a local campground. After making his list of fears and creating solutions to deal with them, he dons his protective gear and bravely heads out into “the wild”. Of course, something happens to derail his plans (oh no! Penguins! His worst fear!). Curiosity overrides fear as he learns a valuable lesson.
Another cute, funny and entertaining book in this series. Large colorful pictures and simple descriptive text are used to create a story that both children and adults will enjoy.
Titanic
Titanic has intermittent pages set up that asks the reader questions about the event. This book is informative from the creation of the Titanic and its physical description to its sinking, including locations of the ice field and the other ships in the area at the time. Large color photographs of the Titanic and recreations of the event, diagrams, time lines and graphs are found all throughout the book. Details allow the reader to understand the pieces of that evening and the order of their occurrence allowing the reader to make judgments of how the evening developed. Eyewitness accounts from survivors well as photos of those who did not survive can be found throughout the book. Primary sources are a strength as well as the ability to download a digital book: True Survivors’ Stories.
Toucans
This book is a basic account of Toucan facts. It includes information on the Toucans’ physical appearance, classification, habitat, and food sources. It includes a table of contents, glossary, index and learn more pages. Colorful photographs accompany each page spread.
This book is a basic account of eagle facts. It includes information on the eagles’ physical appearance, classification, habitat, food sources and development of their young . It includes a table of contents, glossary, index and learn more pages. Colorful photographs accompany each page spread.
Alligators
This book is a basic account alligator facts. It includes information on the alligators’ physical appearance, classification, habitat, and food sources. It includes a table of contents, glossary, index and learn more pages. Colorful photographs accompany each page spread.
The Strangers
When 12 year old Olive Dunwoody goes trick-or-treating, Strangers come to see Olive, and they are very interested in her house with the portals to Elsewhere. Suddenly her parents go missing. Olive vows to get them back, but does not know who to trust. Her mission gets more dangerous as she encounters dark magic with the three talking cats. Olive courageously brings her parents back while learning even more about the stone house she loves on Linden Street.
Thirteen-year-old Mina Masako Tagawa is a Japanese-American girl who lived in Seattle with her family until the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Simply because Mina’s father is of Japanese descend, he is imprisoned. Mina is confused to see that Japanese Americans have become the enemy and are spat upon as well as viciously called “Jap.” Each family member reacts differently to their new life. Her brother’s frustration and anger are the reasons he disappears for days somewhere in the confines of the camp. Eventually Mina’s father is released from prison and is sent to rejoin his family in Idaho. However, her family is further troubled when her brother decides to prove his patriotism by enlisting in the military. For three years the family is torn apart while kept captive in Idaho. This fictional account of an effect of WWII is written in verse and is a quick read.
Binky: License to Scratch
Binky the cat and Gordie the dog are panicked as their humans pack suitcases for a trip. Suitcases can only mean one thing – their humans are leaving them behind! They are told not to worry, that they’ll be in a pet hotel and their friend Gracie the cat will be with them. But, horror of horrors, the pet hotel turns out to be boarding at the vet clinic! The trio hatch a plan of escape only to tumble into trouble with Professor Tuffy – a cat who has a grudge against humans and a plan to get even with them.
This graphic novel is drawn in muted tones, is easy for young readers to follow the sequence of panels and is a fun read. The addition of many different sound effects will have readers giggling as they read and the story line will make them read without wanting to put this book down.
This is book five in the Binky Adventure series. Spires nails the cat-titude that every cat lover will be able to identify with.
Year of the Jungle: Memories From the Home Front
Collins bases this story on her own experiences as a child.
Set during the summer of 68/69, Suzy’s father is sent to Viet Nam. She is told he will be gone for one year. But these statements, while simple to an adult, are very difficult for a young child to comprehend. What does her Dad’s going away mean exactly? What and where is Viet Nam? Why does he have to go there? How long is a year?
As the story unfolds we follow Suzy to the start of first grade and throughout the year. We follow along too, with postcards that Dad sends to Suzy. Holidays come and go as Suzy wonders how much longer Dad will be gone. Confusion sets in and worry mounts as the postcards become few and fewer, to the point that months pass without word from Dad. Will her father come back at all?
Collins examines the feelings that young children go through when a parent deploys. The happy ending helps alleviate tension that does build when reading this book. The cartoon like images also help soften the edge on an otherwise difficult situation and topic.
This would be a good book to facilitate discussion for military children during large, extended deployments; although, I would tend to choose select portions of it to foster discussion. I wouldn’t want to needlessly build any extra fears in young ones’ thoughts. That being said, reading after deployment, and a safe return, would be a good use of this story as well.
Written for grades K – 3, I feel this book would work well for grades 2 – 4.