There are 26 delightful haikus about the seasons, brought to us by a delightful panda named Koo. Beautiful way to introduce this form of poetry in a way that children will relate to and enjoy.  Equally lovely illustrations.  Nice Addition.

American Sign Language is introduced by using illustrations of a 9 year old boy with arrows showing the direction of motion, each word is given in large bolded type, and written text directions in front of photo of the word. One of the sites listed on FACTHOUND, at the end of the book, actually shows in live action how to sign 100  common words. “Most ASL signs are understood wherever you go. But some signs may change depending on where you are. It’s like having a different accent.” (page 3)  There are twelve “at Home” categories, in addition to the signing alphabet chart for finger spelling, in this books. Each category contains 7 or more signs/words, for a total of 96 signs. The categories include: My Home, Bedroom, Clothes, Toys, Kitchen, Dining Room, Food, Bathroom, Living Room, Outdoors, Family, and Pets.

This is a book of vocabulary words, but does not show how to convey an entire thought, because not all spoken words are signed when signing.

This book could, also, be used without the signs using simply the written word and photo.

Short, sweet, rhythmical book which glimpses the life of astronauts in space: eating, sleeeping, working, etc.  Very young readers will enjoy the imagination this is sure to envoke.  Nice addition.

Beautiful, nonfiction book which unveils the mystery of numbers and patterns all around in in the natural world.  It will open the eyes of he reader to be looking for fractals all around, in their food, flowers, on a mountainside, in a river, tree roots, etc.  Easy for the reader to relate to and will surely support a development of appreciation of math.  Highly recommended.

Susan Swan’s bright, large, colorful cut-out artwork is reminiscent of Eric Carle and Lois Ehlert. Felicia Sanzari Chernesky tells of two children on a trip to a farm fruit stand on a hot August day which leads to counting of farm fresh produce , in rhyme:

1 watermelon, 2 egg plant, 3 bell peppers, 4 cucumbers, 5 squash, 6 berry boxes, 7 onions, 8 peaches, 9 tomatoes, 10 plums, 11 green beans, 12…” a dozen ears of fresh picked corn”, and a sunflower.

This little book is packed with big ideas.  The higher level thinker will enjoy this book, as well as kids who like to think about the possibilities and solutions to interesting problems.  There are 125 puzzles, questions, enigmas, and strange situations for readers to ponder.  In the back of the book, are the solutions.  I can see this book used as an opening question by a teacher, or written on the corner of a board for extra credit.  One on one or whole group, there are some really bizarre and fascinating ideas to ponder in this book.  Recommended.

This is an easy to read, nonfiction book, describing the ancient bird which roamed South America 15 million years ago.  The can be described as a walk T-Rex with wings.  The reluctant reader may enjoy this book as it describes what life must have been like for these raptors.  Great illustrations, with graphic images of this hunting bird will probably thrill many readers. Great addition for a library, and a must for a select group of readers.

Sam and Charlie and best friends and neighbors.  Charlie’s little sister happens to have the same name as Sam.  So she is referred to as “Charlie, too”  Probably because she tags along, even when not invited.  This beginning to read chapter book is broken up into stories, instead of chapters.  Each on a different topic.  Although, a theme of Jewish holidays and culture ran throughout the book.   Shiny, thick pages and solid construction of this book are a winning combination with the great pictures by William Owl.  Great addition to a library.

This is a great beginning reader chapter book series.  In this story, the two friends Lulu and Mellie are concerned about Lulu’s new neighbor, who is a new boy in their class and does not seem to appreciate his pet rabbit.  The girls are hoping to meet and play with the rabbit but Arthur believes his rabbit is boring! In the end the girls arrange a stellar rabbit party and everyone has a good time.

The debut novel of  young author, Jared Files, is an action, adventure, science fiction thriller, which after a somewhat slow opening, jets off at a rapid-fire pace that keeps the reader sitting on the edge of their seat to the very last page.  The seven spheres, as the title suggests, are seven different globes, each the size of a mango, that have fallen to earth in various locations.  These spheres attach themselves to the persons picking them up and gives them supernatural powers using the elements of the earth.  A high-tech alien race, which claims ownership of the spheres, has waged war against the world as we know it–they need a new planet to call home, and the retrieval of these spheres are the key to their success.  The seven people who now have earthly and unearthly powers must learn to use their new skills to their advantage, and work together, to save the world and those they love.  Although many books have been written about the earth’s elements, this novel is unique in the idea that the elements’ powers can be contained within a small sphere and can attach itself to a human body, and also be transferred to a different body.  The action jumps in chapter to chapter, from character to character, location to location, detailing the learning and action of each of the seven ‘superhumans’ in parallel time, and how they are using their new found powers to learn about each other and how to save the world.  As a side note, there is a commentary from Eskylious, the alien ‘general,’ that rings true:  humans are destroying their own planet through wastefulness and greed.  Files’ book is a winner that every school library should have on it’s shelves–it’s entertaining and perhaps a glimpse into what our future holds.