Jeff Mack has a new series-  Mr. Monkey.  Mr. Monkey is visually appealing slap-stick. Since this is book #1 , the numeral one is replaced with the icon of a single banana. The end-papers are filled with the images of single bananas.

Mr. Monkey sets out to make a banana cake. While he mixes the ingredients, he eats bananas. Oops, he forgot to peel the bananas he put into his cake. Oops, by the time the cake is finished Mr. Monkey has eaten so many bananas he is full, but slips one last banana into his pocket. Then, his email chimes  on his computer. There is a cake show where he can win a ribbon! Off Mr. Monkey goes to the cake show. As he walks to the cake show crossing the streets, escaping hungry birds (with teeth), a dog, and a gorilla at the zoo, Mr. Monkey arrives too late to enter the cake for a ribbon. Oh, No! The gorilla has followed Mr. Monkey to the cake show. The gorilla is chasing Mr. Monkey around creating a mess of the other cakes. Frosting is everywhere. Mr. Monkey is face to face with the angry gorilla. Oh! Mr. Monkey remembers he has a banana in his pocket. Gorillas like bananas, too. As Mr. Monkey leaves the cake show, he slips on the banana peel landing face first in his cake.

“Mr. Monkey Bakes a Cake” is silly, yet endearing!

Empire of Storms is the fifth book in the bestselling Throne of Glass series. It is not a stand alone novel: the reader needs the extensive character and plot background presented in the earlier books in this epic fantasy series. In Empire of Storms, Aelin continues the long path to the throne. Those who possess magic are in conflict with those who do not. Conflict rages over loyalties. Friendships are broken. Aelin and Rowan’s relationship is displayed in fairly several racy love scenes. The story is told in multiple point of view, which makes for interesting reading.
Recommended only for high school and up due to the sex scenes.

Even though this is book is from the Beginning Science series, it gives a more scientific look at magnetism. It uses vocabulary like electrons and particles, which readers may need to look up in the glossary. At the end of the text there is a Let’s Review section that covers 4 of the main ideas from the text. As with most Abdo Kids books, there is a code at the end that links to crafts, games, and videos online.

Full of up-close photographs of flies and maggots, Becoming a Fly is full of information about the fly life cycle. It breaks the cycle down to 4 stages. There are several informational text features including bold words, a glossary, and an index. Students can use the code at the end of the book to access more information about flies as well as crafts, games, and videos.

Patterns in Nature looks at the different types of patterns you can find in the natural world. Each two page spread has one or two simple sentences and a color photograph. It explains that a pattern is an order that is repeated. It then looks at several different types of patterns. I think as an introduction about patterns, it would be nice to include what the pattern is, as they did on the page about the macaws. The picture glossary at the end is helpful for students to identify the bold words in the text.

Narwhals are currently very popular with students. This book gives us some information about narwhals with simple sentences that would be attainable for many age groups. Other than photographs and a few questions in text boxes, this book did not contain many informational text features. When it was describing the parts of a narwhal, it would have been nice if it had a diagram on that page instead of at the back of the book. One of the pages left me with several questions. “A narwhal is slow. But it can be fast. It moves quickly to escape predators.” Is that the only time it is fast? Why is is slow? Especially because it goes on to ask a question about how the body shape helps it swim.

I think this book would be an introduction and jumping off point for those readers who are interested in narwhals.

A look at different things that happen in the spring. Each page has 3-5 simple sentences. There are bold words and a glossary, but some of the words seemed to be unnecessary as a keyword (i.e. animals). On a few pages the text asks the reader questions that relate back to text. At the end of the book, there is a list of books and websites for further research.

The book is aimed at Kindergarten – 2nd grade. While the information is very basic, the number of sentences on each page would not lend itself to be an independent read for some at that level.

Magnetism is a title in Scholastic’s Blastoff Readers’ series, Science Starters. The text takes us through what is magnetism, types of magnets, earth as a magnet and magnetism in our lives. There are several text features in the book including bold words, labels, and a glossary. Each page includes several sentences on the topic, but on a whole, it is a basic overview of magnetism.

At the back of the book there is a list of books for further reading. It also includes details for how to access factsurfer.com, which links you to sites for further information and videos on the topic. There is also an experiment for readers to try.