Here is the book for dog lovers who are intimidated by books of one hundred pages or more. Twelve separate authors have each submitted one short story, approximately twenty pages, dealing with the life of a dog at Pawley Rescue Center and the person who eventually adopts it. Four of the stories are written from the dog’s point-of-view. The human circumstance in each story vary greatly, but always comes back to the yearning for love a dog can provide.

In the first story author, Kirby Larson, tells the story of a boy sent to live with his aunt when his military father is deployed. A different author’s story tells of a boy whose constantly fighting  divorced parents finally agree to let him have a dog. Yet another story tells of how a bullied boy wants a vicious dog, but the dog which chooses him makes friends with  the dog of one of the boy’s bullies. Through the two dogs’ friendship, the boy gains acceptance at school.

OUTSTANDING! A yearning to be outside near an oak tree, so I can witness the stages of an oak tree’s life cycle for myself, overcomes me as I look through this book! The full page photos, in the 7″ X 6″ book, immediately grab the reader’s attention with their detail, while the 2 or 3 sentences on the opposite page refines what the reader in seeing.

The photo on page 8  of the root emerging from the cracked acorn and the photo on page 11 with the hull of the acorn still attached shows , “A small shoot, or stem, pushes up from the acorn. Tiny leaves unfold on the shoot.”  (p. 10) Awe. Silent wonder.

One of the five “Fun Facts” sprinkled throughout the pages states, “About one out of 10,000 acorns will become an oak tree.” (p. 25) while a squirrel munching on an acorn stares the reader down from the opposite page. Shhh, quiet contemplation.

Hoky, a wolf pup, lived near a small village in the mountains.  When winter came, the hungry wolves came down to eat farm animals.  Village men captured all of them except Hoky, who had hidden in a cave.  Jacob, a young shepherd, watched over his flock as well al all the animals in the field.  He often spotted Hoky in the distance and noticed that he was hungry.  Jacob left bread on a stone then took the sheep to another area.  Over time, Hoky came to trust Jacob.  One day while climbing a tree, a branch broke and Jacob tumbled to the ground, falling unconscious.  Hoky heard the noise and hesitantly approached Jacob.  Jacob didn’t move.  As the temperature dropped, Hoky curled up near Jacob to keep him warm.  By morning, Jacob was able to move and Hoky ran off.  Back in the village, Jacob shared his story and advised the villager to help feed the animals in winter so all could share the mountains and fields.  Good reminder that when one has respect for nature and a love for animals, all can live together in unity.  Lovely, large, colored pencil and watercolor illustrations are a perfect match to this gentle tale.  Original Spanish title: Hoky el lobo solidario.  English translation by Jon Brokenbrow.

These ants aren’t marching two by two, but they are doing math. “Ants work together as a group.When we want to know how many there are altogether in a group, we can add to find out. Let’s add some ants!”  (p. 5) Kindergarteners and first graders enough read stories about ants and study ants as part of science. Now we will be able to add math to the list of things ants can do in their class.

These  photographed ants are one inch or larger, plus it is not the same ant reproduced over and over again, but multiple photos of  individual ants. The detail in these photos is impressive.

Addition sentences are in a large bold font beneath the ants to be added. Sentences include: 1+2, 3+3, 6+3, 2+5  &  5+2, and 9+7. Number lines with advancing arrows are shown , as well as, an addition chart with an invitation for the young reader to try to solve  7+4=? using the addition chart.

While learning about adding the young reader is also gaining knowledge facts about ants. Then there is an entirely separate page entitled ‘Ant Facts‘. There is a separate ‘Math Glossary‘ from the ‘ Ant Glossary‘. Followed by a separate page of “Teaching Notes-… This title supports an understanding of quantity by putting together groups of objects (ants) and introducing the mathematical vocabulary and symbols of addition.” (p. 24)  Finally ‘Related Common Core Standards‘ for kindergarten and first grade are listed at the bottom of the page.

The name of Ruth Wakefield may not be as well known as her invention, but everyone in the USA knows about chocolate chip cookies!  The first thing one reads is how this popular cookie was developed – original recipe included.  Her life as a young child cooking with her mother and grandmother and going to school with a focus on nutrition follows.  After she and her husband married, they opened a little restaurant in a toll house in Massachusetts.  Specializing on good food and desserts, the restaurant flourished.  They were generous with patrons and sent Toll House cookies to troops throughout WWII.  A deal was made with Andrew Nestle – she got free chocolate for life and he got permission to print her recipe on every bag of chocolate chips, one of his new inventions to go with her cookies!  A good portion of the book is devoted to encouraging children to think of inventions to make something better.  Suggestions are given on how to record thoughts, sketches, and procedures in a logbook, and how to sell the invention or apply for a patent.  Recommended books are focused on inventions and are written at a higher reading level than this book.  Interesting book – either for reports or pleasure!

As a practicing super hero, Tom is proud of the things he can do.  However, he is not sure how he feels about his new baby brother, Nathaniel, AKA the Blob.  The Blob receives a lot of attention and Tom’s super hero talent of invisibility happens now with no effort.  As relatives show up to see the new baby, each one mentions how cute he is and that they could just eat him up.  What?!  Now as the protective older brother, Tom offers cookies and shows off his tricks to get their minds off nibbling on the Blob.  One day his mom tells Tom they are having a party so everyone can meet the baby.  Eat the baby?  Tom gets worried and decides to hide the Blob.  He is much relieved to discover dinner is really chicken and mashed potatoes with apple pie for dessert.  And the Blob, AKA Nathaniel, now notices his awesome older brother with a huge smile.  Cute “new baby” story which also introduces idioms.  Many older siblings may recognize similar thoughts and behaviors.  Bright acrylic illustrations add a touch of humor as Tom imagines different scenarios.

The octopus is an amazing invertebrate.  Large, plain text tells: the kind of animal they are, where they live, about their unusual bodies, ways they camouflage themselves, and ways they learn.  Scientists gather many varieties of octopuses to study their abilities.  Since the parents die when eggs hatch, they do not teach their young.  Scientists hope to find out how octopuses learn and solve problems.  Many inventions have been inspired by the octopus – suction cups for diverse uses, for example.  Diagrams show external body parts and the location of the brains and hearts.  Clear photographs are well captioned.  Many pages contain extra sidebars with facts.  Glossary, index, resources, and websites included.

Mr. and Mrs. Green, an alligator couple, make plans for going camping.  First they think of all they want to take along – food, clothing, tents, and a map.  Then Mr. Green begins to get worried about the dark, strange spooky sounds, and mosquitoes.  Mrs. Green bravely leads the way.  Hiking along, they pass many familiar places.  When Mrs. Green finally decides to stop, Mr. Green looks closely at the map.  Mrs. Green had led them around the neighborhood back to their own comfortable backyard!  Mr. Green relaxes, knowing he could now enjoy their night out camping.  Bright acrylic illustrations include the variety of items packed, their journey around local blocks, and their relaxing site at home.

Most of the stories in A Matter of Souls are snapshots, of an event, a character, a time in the lives of African Americans. Patrick does a remarkable job infusing each story with the hope, courage, and despair of the characters who are faced with relentless prejudice. Some of the characters defeat it, some are defeated by it, but all of them have something to teach us. One, a woman considered “simple” by the community, defends her husband from attackers and calculates how to use the law to their advantage. Another, a young woman who desperately want to be beautiful which to her means to be light-skinned, almost kills herself trying to attain her ideal but learns what is important in the process.  The stories are incredibly moving although librarians and readers should be warned that some are violent. This will be an excellent addition to a school library.