Atlanta Falcons

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There are 15 pages of text with two paragraphs per page opposite color team action photos.

The Atlanta Flacons out of Atlanta, Georgia, “have played in the National Football League (NFL) for more than 50 years. The Falcons have had good seasons and bad. But time and time again, they’ve proven themselves.” (4)

The book includes information on the Falcons’ coaches, team star players, their playoff and Super Bowl games, and statistics on all of the above.

I am not a football fan by any means, yet I was impressed by the way the author showed the Falcons’ effort to overcome obstacles from their beginning years to 2017.

The book includes: a table of contents, a time line (which snakes around the page), a postgame quiz, a glossary, a website (booklinks.abdopublishing.com), and an index.

Shiverwood Academy: Hallow-weenie

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Young readers just starting chapter books will enjoy this ‘getting ready for Halloween’ short chapter book with only 48 pages. The illustrations have just the right amount of chubby green boogeymen with horns on their heads and a friendly helpful ghost to make this a seasonal winner and a winner in family dynamics.

Damien Q. Boogey has a secret, but before he tells us, his father yells, for him to come down stairs. Damien’s father is furious to read Damien “applied to be an apprentice candymaker.” (18) How can the son of the boogeyman have a son who is a candymaker? This is horrible. Dad wants Damien to follow in his family’s footsteps. Though Damien is terrified of his father, he stands up to him and declares, ” It’s my dream.” (19) The argument is on until Georgia, the ghost (and a former resident of the house), steps in and suggests Damien “shows you his SKILLS in the kitchen? He is quite talented, you know.” (28) Damien puts his Granny’s skills to the test and makes a cupcake his father states is better than Granny’s. Success!

Technology is All Around You!: A song for budding scientists

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The idea expressed in the title is over simplified in this book by the text if it is meant for 2nd and 3rd graders, as the ages 3-9 states on the back cover.

The idea- technology is used to solve problems- goes back and forth between electronics and non-electronic objects. For young children, it might be better to reference the technology by time eras. The technology mentioned in the book are: video games, chairs, microwave ovens, calculators, eye glasses, a backpack, and an airplane. The text/song does mention how each bit of technology helped solve a problem, but I find a problem with the book’s content and the way the children’s parents and siblings will be using the word ‘technology’. I worry about the child’s comprehension of the word ‘technology’ if a knowledgeable adult is not helping with this concept.

The musical CD accompanying the book has beeps and boops included to represent the sounds of technology, but none of the chairs, eye glasses, and backpacks mentioned in the text make any of those sounds.

Persian Cats

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“Persian cats are one of the most popular cat breeds in the United States.” (4) So begins the 14 pages of text on Persian cats in this basic informational book for primary grade readers.

There are 13 different adorable full color photos of Persian cats. The word ‘adorable’ may not be factual, but even this non-cat lover found them cute. The factual text usually appears in one or two sentences per page.

Book comes with: Table of Contents, Glossary, Index, QR code, and website – abdozoom.com.

Bob Marley in comics!

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This text, this art, this combination is worthy of an award. Bob Marley in comics! is a biographical sketch of Marley’s life told by various graphic novelists as well as the text writers. Broken into time periods, each section is first represented graphically and then summarized textually. Some graphic novel fans might not appreciate the text equivalent, but the writing is concise, allowing readers to pick right back up where the art left off. And seeing the differences in the graphic novelist’s art is a lesson unto itself. Will students be drawn to it because it is Bob Marley –yes. Will they enjoy the graphic novel aspect–yes. Will they walk away with an even greater appreciation for the art as well as the life Marley had — a hundred times yes. And this teacher-librarians is now looking at other NBM graphic novels to purchase. Highly recommended for middle, high school, and public libraries.

Just Like a Mama by Alice Faye Duncan

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Carol Olivia Clementine lives with Mama Rose and not her parents, who live far away. Although, she misses her parents, she knows she is loved and cared for by Mama Rose. The story progresses through two birthdays with Mama Rose as she and Carol Olivia Clementine go through their days like any other family. Mama Rose combs her and reminds her to do her chores and eat her peas. And, Carol Olivia Clementine refers to Mama Rose as her “home”.

The illustrations are colorful and convey the tender relationship between the two. Both characters are African American. Endpapers show “photos” of Carol Olivia Clementine and Mama Rose as well as photos of her with a man and woman (her birth parents?).

This is a lovely story of a nontraditional family. We don’t know why Carol Olivia Clementine’s parents aren’t with her. We also don’t know if Mama Rose is a foster or adoptive parent or even an elder relative. But, we do know that Carol Olivia Clementine and Mama Rose care for each other very much and that is what matters the most.

This book is perfect to read to students during a family unit or Mother’s Day. It might be relevant to share the author’s end note, which describes her own family as the driving force behind this story. This is a welcome addition in a time when many students live in a nontraditional, non-nuclear family. Highly recommended.

A Day So Gray

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Two little girls look out the window at the snow. One sees only gray. But, as they walk outside, her friend shows her the blues, browns and silvers. They move about, one seeing only a single dull color and the other revealing the beauty of all the colors around it. The story ends with the girls in front of a cozy fire with their blanket and cat, drinking brown (white and grey) cocoa together.

Illustrations are beautifully rendered, with crisply drawn elements on soft background tones. The two friends’ attitudes are clear in their stances. One girl sees only single, drab colors as she stands with arms crossed or a frown. Her friend smiles as she notices all the other colors around them.

This is a story that serves to remind us that there is more than what we first notice. It could be colors or the positive around us. We just have to see them! Highly recommended.

Cowie

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Cowie, the donkey, loved everything about cows (hence, his name). He really wanted to be a cow and tried everything, from chewing cud to “oom-ing”. Whoops, he couldn’t be a cow! He couldn’t say “Moo”! His dear friends, Mousie and Duckie, tried to help him turn his “moo” around and, somehow, do so. After a brief celebration, Cowie (now adorned with his beautiful cowbell) spends the rest of days in contentment.

While the story is a bit silly, the illustrations of pencil and watercolor make up for it. The animals are sweetly portrayed and there’s even a cute little chick that pops in on occasion. Additional purchase.

The Perfect Pet

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Ana and Andrew are great kids and their parents have noticed. So, Mama and Papa announce that the siblings can choose a pet to take care of together. They research and narrow it down to three, finally choosing a hamster. Ana and Andrew find the perfect hamster, a golden one that loves to run on his wheel. Now, the fun part comes – what to name their new pet? They decide to name him after someone who runs super fast. Their parents tell them about a famous Black track athlete, Jesse Owens, who won four gold medals in track at the 1936 Olympics. They describe how important his achievement was at a time when people thought skin color made some people better than others. But, Jesse Owens showed that skin color didn’t determine a person’s abilities. Right then and there, Ana and Andrew knew that their hamster would be named Mr. Jesse. And, it was perfect!

At 32 pages, this easy reader chapter book is a great bridge between picture books and more traditional chapter books. Glossy pages and color illustrations are more picture book-like. The characters are diverse. This book is part of the Ana & Andrew series, which introduces an aspect of African American history and culture in each book. Recommended.

The Bear Must Go on

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Bear and his friends (Squirrel, Other Squirrel and Rabbit) work together to prepare a really big show for their forest friends. This includes a sparkly curtain, tiny hats for birds and shiny tickets. Bear keeps meticulous notes as the self-appointed “note taker”, because he does not want to perform (he’s nervous). Frenzied preparations ensue and bear takes lots of notes. The big night arrives and all the forest creatures are waiting in the audience. There’s one problem, though. They forgot to write a show! Oh, no!!!

Luckily, Bear comes through and mentions that he has a song that he created. They beg him to perform and he finally agrees. The forest creatures love it! The show is a success! Thanks goodness for Bear.

The story moves along at a quick pace, helped along by the illustrations, some in comic panel-like sequences. Colors are bright and energetic and Bear’s notes are front and center a few times, which help with the busyness of the story. Bear’s nervousness is acknowledged and his bravery in going up to the stage to sing is noted. Maybe, this story will encourage some human friends to work together and put on a show! Recommended.