This is a reissue of the 1985 book by Lester and Munsinger.  It has been updated to include a free downloadable audio version.  The book is subtitled “A Story About Taking Responsibility” and is appropriate to use for teaching social skills.  This is also a good example of teaching cause and effect, as one thing leads to another, and it is clear how it happened.  Now part of a series titled Laugh-Along Lessons, this story is funny while at the same time a teachable moment.

This book was originally published in 1986 as a children’s picture book.  This new version has the exact same story, but the book itself has been updated.  It is now part of a series titled ‘Laugh-Along Lessons.’  It is subtitled “A Story About Being Yourself,” and has a free downloadable audio version with the access information clearly labelled on the reverse title page.  The series gives teachers more direction towards books teaching social skills, plus allows for different kinds of listening, both at school and at home.  Lester’s and Munsinger’s skills still bring a smile to your face.

If crayons could complain, what would they say?  In this book, Duncan finds out.  In a series of letters written to Duncan by each color, he finds out that most of them aren’t too happy with how he is using them.  Very, very clever idea!  Each letter is written rather humorously and you can hear the ‘voice’ of the crayon.  Some colors complain that they aren’t used enough, or they are used too much.  Some just don’t like their color.  It forces one to really think about how we use color.  At the end of the story, Duncan colors a beautiful picture, using all the colors in a non-traditional way.  All ages will get a kick out of this book.

This Superman Adventures graphic novel begins with villain Livewire in a hospital bed listening to an evening radio talk show where the topic is women” should be at home, taking care of the kids and doing the laundry.” (p.5) Later, Livewire dialogues to Lois Lane, “so-o-o, I’ve decided to do a little community services. It seems to me our little community–the world community–has been dominated by men just a little too long…I’ve decided to do something about it.”  Now, Livewire has taken over the media around the world. Only women’s reports are allowed on air or in print. Livewire is eluding Superman’s grip. Superman has asked to borrow Lex Luthor’s electromagnetic pulse generator prototypes. Then Superman sets a trap for Livewire using Luthor’s equipment, but Luthor goes too far and zaps Livewire.

There are 5 short chapters in this book with the villain Mxy giving Superman and Metropolis a hard time. Superman is  flying, using his super-hearing, heat vision, X-ray vision, super-breath, and red laser beams from his eyes as he works to keep Metropolis safe from Mxy.

Chapter 1 finds Clark Kent in trouble from two unexpected losses of time including being late for work and going to a restaurant that is no longer in business, kicking Lois Lanes chair out from under her, and his hand ‘suddenly ‘ knocking a pitcher of water all over Lois. After Lois leaves,  “Mr. Mxyzpptlk, the magical and mischievous imp from the Fifth Dimension.” (p. 14) shows up to laugh at his pranks on Clark.

In Chapter 2, Mxy brings a humpback whale into existence, along with all the water,  inside a movie theater showing A Whale of a Tale. Then Mxy makes it so the citizens of Metropolis do not recognize Superman. Nonetheless, Superman continues his work to keep the citizens safe through to the end of  Chapter5 where Superman outsmarts Mxy at the carnival in the House of Mirrors because “To send Mxy back to the Fifth Dimension, Superman had to trick the pocket-sized prankster into saying or writing his name backward.” (p. 24)

Superman – The Man of Steel : Mxy’s Magical Mayhem is illustrated in two full page color illustrations per chapter in this Super DC Heroes book. In addition to that, are the big BLAMs, THUDs, SPLATTTTs, WHAMs and other sound effects mixed in with the rest of the regular sized story text.

After the story ends, there are 3 Discussion Questions and 3 Writing Prompts.

Nothing seems to go the right way for Danny.  To escape wrestling Bruiser, Danny runs for 7th grade class president.  Although he believes he has no chance of winning, things change and he wins!  Danny gets pressure from many sides to support various interests.  Much to his dismay, he begins to want to do a good job.  Eventually, he is able to hand over leadership to a truly appropriate person and resume his life on the side-lines.  The book is written in a similar format as Wimpy Kid or Big Nate.  Reluctant readers will seek out this series.

DC Comics writer, Scott Sonneborn, gives readers this graphic novel in the TIGER MOTH series.

New girl, Honey Bee, at Antennae Elementary School many of the students  (but not, Tiger Moth- Insect Ninja and his apprentice in training – Kung Pow) in a trance. Honey Bee, who dresses in black and yellow horizontal striped shirts , is running for class president. She is using a special stinger to control the students until after they vote her into office.

Sonneborn uses insect facts interspersed throughout the dialogue to give his readers who know enough about insects the inside track on the humor. Example from page 16 – “That bee is giving me hives!”  and from page 11 – “She’s a shoo-fly-in to win the election.”

This book is very interesting.  It tells of the space program and the risks and accidents, and what caused them.  It is a easy to understand over view of over 20 years of the US Space program, and the challenges they face.  The text is easy to read.  There are good pictures.  It is longer, and probably better for children that are a little older.  It is a nice addition to our non-fiction library.

Great Pictures!  This is a simple book about a variety of snakes indigenous to Africa.  It is a quick read that would hold the attention of young readers, as well as older ones.  The font is easy to read.  The facts are clear and interesting.  A great book on snakes!