Author Archives: Midge Livingston

Stories to Keep You Alive Despite Vampires

Posted on by

By Ben Acker

This is the next book you should read after you have read and enjoyed “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark”. As the reader you are being held captive in the house of vampires where you have found this book. Our narrator (and author) intertwines his story and experience with the vampires within the short stories written. The end has a great twist that will make you laugh. This collection of spooky short stories will be enjoyed by any student who likes to be scared and laugh about it. I would highly recommend this book for upper elementary and middle school students.

The Sleepever

Posted on by

By Michael Regina

When Matthew and his mother and sister return home from a family vacation the find that their nanny has passed away suddenly. Ruby cannot be easily replaced and the entire family grieves. Things seem to be getting back to normal when Miss Swan arrives wanting the job. Still mourning, Matthew’s friends decide they want to come over for a sleepover to cheer him up. Miss Swan allows them to eat anything they want and do pretty much anything but soon, Matt starts to wonder if she is a witch with evil intentions. Will Matt, is sister and his friends survive the night? This is a suspenseful graphic novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. This book is recommended for 4 grade to 8th grade.

Busy Betty

Posted on by

Written by Reese Witherspoon, Illustrated by Xindi Yan

Betty is a whimsical go-getter who is always on the move. When she is getting ready for a playdate she realizes that her dog, Frank, really needs a bath. This is where things go a little crazy. In her attempts to clean Frank, Betty makes things messier than ever. But when her friend, Mae, arrives with even better ideas, success is in the future. This book shows that even the best laid plans can go not as planned but that with resilience and ingenuity, one can be successful.

A Cat About Town

Posted on by

Written and Illustrated by Lea Decan

This lovely book follows the adventures of a housecat who wanders to different place every day of the week. While there is only one owner for this adventurer, many know the cat well. Every day is a different experience with a different neighbor. This is a great book to introduce days of the week. The art is bold and appealing. All cat lovers would enjoy this book. As it seems oriented to such a young audience, I would recommend it as an extra purchase.

This Book is NOT a Present

Posted on by

Written by Max Greenfield, Illustrated by Mike Lowery

This big print, humorous book focuses on how kids would not want a book as a gift for any holiday. It caters to the child who is always on the go and not wanting to sit at any time, let alone to read a book. As I read, I kept waiting for the twist at the end saying something to the effect of “huh, I guess I did enjoy reading a book and getting a book as a gift” but alas that never occured. I had mixed feelings about this book being in an elementary library and thus, I searched for other reviews online. There were many 5 star reviews that seemed to be from parents. Theses parents found this book to be hilarious and their children would want them to read it over and over again. After much thought and consideration, I would not recommend this purchase for a school library where funding is limited as it could discourage reading although it seems to be a hit for a bedtime story.

When You Take a Step

Posted on by

By Bethanie Deeney Murguia

A short and sweet picture book that reflects on moving forward in life. It is a gentle book reflecting on peace and mindfulness as you walk your own path. The mostly black and white images are soft with pink shoes on every page showing how one can be curious, kind and thoughtful with every step on makes. This book would be a great extra purchase for any socio-emotional school curriculum.

I am Superman

Posted on by

Written by Brad Meltzer, Illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos

Brad Meltzer has added the series “Stories Change the World” to his repertoire after the success of the “Ordinary People Change the World” books. It is about the story of Superman/Clark Kent/Kal-El. This book gives the backstory of Superman in a thoughtful way, explaining how what makes makes him an incredible person isn’t what he can do and how strong he is. It’s what is in his kind heart. The illustrations are what you would expect, remarkable! The pictures will attract emerging readers as well as older readers who want to read something quick and fun. I would recommend this fun and thought provoking graphic to all elementary grades. This is one of three books in this new series including Wonder Woman and Batman.

The Fantastic Flying Competition

Posted on by

by Tjibbe Veldkamp & Sebastiaan Van Doninck

This whimsical picture book introduces young children to many different types of birds (as well as bats) in the race of the ages. Many teams fall to the wayside (the owls get a late start as they have slept in) and one team is cheating! This book has zany illustrations with a lot of color and will be popular with many of your young students. Who will win? You will not find out until you laugh your way through this fun picture book. Recommended for K-3.

Sharing a Smile by Nikki Kramar and pictures by Ashley Evans

Posted on by

This timely picture books introduces us to Sophie who used to be so comfortable being around her neighbors, playing and helping and smiling with them. Now that they all have masks on things are different and Sophie is worried. What if she can’t tell they are smiling? As she watches she notices that her friend, Jenny from across the street looks very scared to go outside. Sophie and her grandfather make a plan to make not only Sophie comfortable but also her friend Jenny.

This is a great story about friendship and supporting each other during times of change. It is a gentle reminder to us, as adults, about how young children can feel with so many plain, sterile masked people in the world. I would highly recommend this book for the fall. A great read-a-loud for students returning to school.

Pascual and the Kitchen Angels

Posted on by

Written and Illustrated by Tomie dePaola

Pascual was touched by God at a very young age. Initially, he was a shepherd but as a young adult he felt the desire to feed the poor and thus he decided to become a friar. He traveled to a Franciscan monastery where the friars asked him to become their cook. Not knowing anything about a kitchen, he prayed to God and angels came to the kitchen where they made incredible meals. Pascual never did learn to cook but by the gift of God he provided food to the friars as well as the poor. An author’s note at the end of the book explains that Pascual is the patron saint of cooks and the kitchen. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is light. I would recommend this book as an extra purchase for an elementary library.