Molly & Mae is a cute book about friendship. Paralleling a train trip, their friendship has both smooth times and bumpy times. The illustrations are calming but not busy. This will be a good book to read to Kindergartners and First Graders to help explain friendships and how to mend them.
Author Archives: SSBRC Former Member
The Witch Boy
The basis premise of this book I that a boy wants to learn spells and other magic like witches, but boys are expected to become shift-shapers. Witches can only be girls. There is lots of adventure, fantasy, action, conflict and interesting characters. It also challenges gender constructs and might really pique the interest of a student who doesn’t fit traditional gender norms or who need an opportunity to learn how to celebrate differences, There is a lot of “world building” in this novel that makes me infer that there may be a sequel in the future.
A Shiloh Christmas
A year has passed since Shiloh has become part of Marty’s family. It’s almost Christmas but the holiday spirit is low. Judd, Shiloh’s previous owner, is trying to be a better person, a new minister preaches more fire and brimstone than love, and a severe drought has made life harder. Marty and his family suspect the new pastor of hiding abuse of his daughters when they discover Rachel locked in a toolshed. A sudden wildfire destroys several houses and although Judd’s home is also burned, he is blamed for setting the fire. Marty’s parents offer Judd a place to stay while he rebuilds his house and searches for his dog. While uncomfortable, with the support of his family, Marty begins to see his community in a new light. As in the other books, the warm feelings of love, compassion, and family mingle with messages of tolerance and forgiveness. Despite being the last in a quartet, this book can stand on it’s own. Another wonderful read!
The Last Viking Returns
Josh, the oldest of three boys, has always admired Vikings. He is brave and afraid of nothing. However, his younger twin brothers are getting bigger and wilder, which does worry him. While staying with their grandparents, they all take an adventure to Viking World. At the same time, Thor and the gods in Asgard are watching over them. As the twins get into mischief, Josh spies them on a Viking ship just as archers with flaming arrows are about to demonstrate a Viking funeral. A similar problem is happening in Asgard as the dragon, Fafnir, is about to attack. Josh finds an inner strength to protect his brothers – in a way that also helps the gods protect Asgard! The large, colorful illustrations add many details to the story. Throughout Viking World are runes on wooden beams. A key in the back helps decode the messages. They are quotes about dragons and bravery from Tolkein, Neil Gaiman, John Lennon and Churchill. Awesome addition! This book is a real treat on many levels.
The Baseball Player and the Walrus
A very successful baseball player became quite unhappy with his life. One day, while visiting a zoo, he enjoyed watching a walrus. The more he thought about it, the more he wanted the walrus in his life. The zoo would not sell it to him until he could prove he could take good care of it, so he created a huge, complete environment for it. All went well, until baseball season started. He missed his walrus so much he decided to quit the team to spend more time at home with his friend. However, he discovered taking care of a walrus was expensive and soon ran out of money. The walrus was returned to the zoo. When the player tried to re-join the team, he found he had been replaced. Sadly he went to the zoo to say goodbye to his friend As he entered, he noticed a sign requesting an experienced caretaker for the walrus. He knew his prayers were answered. Simple, cartoon-like illustrations are colorful and expressive. This provides a good look at the responsibilities of owning a pet and being happy.
Creatures of the Rain Forest
Interesting, although sometimes creepy, creatures of the Central and South American rainforests are described in this 32 paged book.. One interesting feature in this series shows the comparative size of the creature to a hand or an average adult height. Another, is a rating scale of each being for size, power, strength, aggression, and deadliness. The tiny Brazilian treehopper, has an odd-shaped helmet to ward off predators. Other animals include the poison dart frog (which isn’t poisonous when raised in captivity!), the Brazilian wandering spider whose bite is 30 times more deadly that of a rattlesnake, as well as the Hercules beetle, which eats 24 hours a day. Also included are the vampire bat, the singular mammal whose diet is only blood (a sanguinivore), the Goliath bird-eating spider, larger than your dinner plate, and the Goliath tigerfish, with 32 sharp, one inch long teeth! The last three include the electric eel, whose electrical impulses can knock a horse off its feet, the green anaconda, which can weigh up to 500 lbs., and the harpie eagle, a huge bird whose 5 ” talons can be the same size as a grizzly bear’s. Each page includes full color photos, a paragraph about habitat or behaviors, and a fact box. Additional facts are presented in the back with an index.
Carnivores
The terms carnivore, herbivore, and omnivore are defined on the first page. The text is large and although there are only a couple of sentences per page, young readers will appreciate the information included. Beautiful close-up photos show a variety of carnivores. Some of the carnivores mentioned may be a surprise, for example, spiders. These meat eaters use venom to soften food in order to eat. Also, the Venus fly trap is a plant that ingests insects. A picture glossary is in the back with a book and internet resource, and an index. The format is pleasing and information is plentiful. This is a great nonfiction resource for primary readers.
My Rotten Friend
Told in a rhyming text, AAAB format, a young girl narrates the zombie-like qualities of her best friend. “She’s my best friend, but I won’t lie, Penelope smells like something died.” Epelbaum’s artwork does a great job showing classmates and adults being repulsed by Penelope. The young, blonde narrator tries to get Penelope involved in activities, but things just don’t go well. Penelope starts biting things and people, including the narrator. Penelope is hungry, but only for brains! As the story continues, the young girl begins to change… into someone very much like her gross, in-dead friend. Just the book for a creepy read-aloud! Zombie vampires! Yikes!
Sunshine Brightens Springtime
What a great nonfiction book about sunshine for young readers! Large, colorful, illustrations show animals enjoying springtime sun. The rhyming text informs the reader about all the ways the sun affects our lives. Verb word choice “beams”, “sparkles”, and “glimmers” add another dimension of interest to this attractive book. The acrylic and digital artwork uses a warm palate of colors to create a joyful arrival of spring. The last pages add further facts along with an internet site.
The Lavender Blue Dress
This is a gentle, rhyming story of a little girl whose family was poor but loving. The Christmas ball was approaching and all the school children were looking forward to something new to wear. Mabel had been dreaming of a dress the same beautiful color as her lavender blue sheets. As her classmates joyfully raced home to prepare for the dance, Mabel slowly walked with her mom. Once home, her parents and grandparents surprised her with a gorgeous gown they had created while she was at school. Mabel’s dress was a success but the love of family is what made it the best. The artwork, in cool pastels, is a good match for this tender story.