This is a darling book featuring our favorite teacher, Miss Fox and her wonderfully relevant lessons for the children in her class.  She notices that the kids in her class are tired, not eating right, and do not appear to be healthy.  So she decides that they need to shape up.  The story is full of healthy eating examples, exercise ideas,suggestions for bedtime.  Evidence of their health improving, presents itself during Field Day when they all were winners!  At the end, they even convinced mouse to eat a healthy snack–a carrot.  And she liked it!

Recommended for primary readers and listeners.

This is a slim, nonfiction book written both in English and in Spanish.  It gives very basic information on the holiday called Memorial Day, which is celebrated in the United States.  It also mentions other countries that have similar holidays to honor the fallen soldiers who did not return from war. There are photographs and maps in this book.  It has an international feel to it, instead of exclusively United States.  Recommended for schools with bilingual speakers, best suited for K-3rd.

This is a very primary Nonfiction book which features a variety of wildlife and how there young service.  Each page includes photos and a paragraph of information about the particular animal.  There are animals from differing continents: Snow Leopard, Guanaco, Gorilla, Rock Hyrax, etc.  Recommended for young readers and listeners.

This primary book has soft watercolor illustrations which depict the life of a baby beluga whale.  Each page features a question that is presented to the whale, such as, “What are you afraid of” and the beluga answers with a short list of predators.  Very cute and perfect fit for primary aged readers and listeners.

This is a charming story of a father and son who are home sitting on the couch, when the son decided that the couch is  a big boat and they are actually floating in the ocean.  The father plays along with the imagination game and soon they are running from sharks, fishing for food, and paddling to a life saving island.  They build a fort, as shelter and create a fire to lay next to as they star gaze into the night sky.  It ends with the son telling the father, “You’re the best.  For pretend and for real.” Nice Water color and pen/ink illustrations.  Recommended.

Humpback whales are know for their songs and can be found in all oceans around the world.  Chapters in this book include: humpback and family, shape, size, and color, where they live, senses, defense, food, babies, behaviors, and a page on facts.  A diagram names some features of the humpback and a map of the world shows areas where they can be found.  The photographs are colorful and will hold the reader’s attention.  The text is easy to read and includes many facts about these magnificent creatures.  There is adequate information for pleasure reading or for a short report.  A glossary, index, and an ABDO website are in the back, however there is no bibliography for further reading.

Great white sharks are a fascinating topic which will attract all readers.  Chapters in this book include: what they look like, where they live, food, senses, babies, attack and defense, attacks on humans, and a page on facts.  A diagram shows the fins and gill slits and a map of the world show areas where great whites can be found.  Although the information appears to be correct, one caption reads,”The great white can smell a single drop of blood in 25 gallons (96L) of water.  The reader may wonder how that fact was obtained.  The caption for one photo states: “Young great whites snack on rays” yet no rays are seen in the photo.  Perhaps the caption is simply additional information, but the result is misleading.  This book will hold the reader’s attention and information provided is adequate for short reports.  There is a glossary, index, and an ABDO website in the back, but no bibliography for further reading.

In short chapters, readers learn what cocker spaniels are like, their coat and color, size, care, feeding, things they need, and about puppies.  The text is easy to read and photographs are focused and well-chosen to accompany each topic.  Other dog books in the series are: German Shepherds, Dalmatians, Mutts, Labrador Retrievers, and Poodles.  These books provide a basic introduction to the breeds, especially if one is looking for a suitable pet.  A glossary, index and ABDO website are provided in the back.

Boxer is one of the Top Dogs series from Children’s Press.  The book begins with defining this breed that originated from Germany.  They are large, playful dogs that enjoy having fun with, and protecting, their people.  The reader is cautioned to not get a boxer if they cannot spend playing and exercising with it.  They are highly energetic and playful and don’t like to be left alone.  Chapters include information on choosing a puppy, care, size, and behavior.  Every page has a “Fast Fact” of additional information.  The layout of the book has a pleasing arrangement of colorful photos , text, chapter titles and Fast Facts.  Readers will learn much about this breed and many important details if one is looking for a suitable pet for the family.  Other books in the series include: Beagle, Dachshund, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Miniature Schnauzer, Shih Tzu, and Yorkshire Terrier.  Glossary and Index are on the last page.  Recommended for inclusion in elementary libraries.

Michael Garland creates another Miss Smith literary adventure.  The setting is a fall day at the local library.  Virginia Creeper, the librarian, wants to read some spooky stories so Miss Smith lends her the Incredible Storybook.  As Ms. Creeper reads, characters from 13 scary stories emerge from the book.  The children shudder as the Queen of Hearts, Captain Hook, Frankenstein, and the Headless Horseman, to name a few, fill the library.  When the librarian stopped reading and handed out cider and cookies, a party began.  The characters seem happy and not nearly as scary.  Everyone had fun until Ms. Creeper noticed the senior Book Club approaching the library.  Hurriedly, Miss Smith cleaned up, Ms. Creeper delayed the Book club, and Zach read all the characters back into the Incredible Storybook.  Garland’s bright images depict the children’s awe as characters appear.  Although a picture book, young readers may be unfamiliar with these characters.  However, this book could be used as an introduction to these classic tales in literature.