Bruno needs to take a bath. But, there is one problem…the whale in the bathtub! This whale loves bubble baths and warm water. He uses dad’s back scrubber and takes hours to bathe! What will Bruno do? He tries to tell his parents, sister and brother that a bath is out of the question because of the whale. But, they don’t believe him. Apparently, Bruno has told some tales before (involving a walrus and a bear).

In the end, it works out. The whale helps Bruno by giving him a shower – blowholes come in handy, don’t they? Bruno heads to bed and his mom says he smells a bit fishy (must be the krill). The last page will delight young readers as Bruno’s big sister enters the water-logged bathroom and gets a surprise!

Readers will enjoy the simple text and illustrations that fill the pages. This book will elicit some giggles and guffaws from kids that might just wish they had whales in their bathtubs! Recommended.

Engineer It! Bridge Projects is part of The Engineer It! series for budding civil engineers or any other kids that like to build and possibly, destroy popsicle stick, cardboard and clay structures. How cool is that?

The book opens with descriptions of several types of bridges, their uses and parts. The next section is the fun part – a list of possible materials and directions for five bridges that can be made with household items. The directions are clear with several accompanying photos to illustrate steps. Each bridge type has some extra information in boxes, ranging from added history to the physics of what makes that bridge work so well.

This is a wonderful addition to the STEAM classroom. Materials are readily available and inexpensive. It will lead to some amazing bridges and associated learning. Buy it! Highly Recommended.

Pig the pug is back in a sassy book about sore losers and cheaters – both are Pig. Pig can’t stand to lose and he will cheat to win or worse, cry and whine until the winner gives in. His friend, Trevor (a sweet-tempered dachshund) puts up with his terrible friend (apparently, dachshunds will be friends with anyone).

One evening, they were about to eat dinner when Pig yells that it is a contest to see who can eat fastest. Trevor doesn’t want to compete; he just wants to eat. But, Pig starts chomping down kibble and sausages and…his bowl! Thankfully, Trevor knows the Heimlich maneuver and saves Pig’s life, only to hear Pig screech “I win” just before said bowl hits him on the head (good riddance). The story ends with Pig (bandage on head) and Trevor playing a game of cards. Pig seems to be a much better sport now and has learned his lesson…or has he?

This book is a wonderful read-aloud and discussion starter with young children, some who probably could learn some lessons themselves from Pig the pug. The text is simple and rhyming and the illustrations are outrageous and fun. Kids will love this book and learn something along the way. Recommended

Thelma didn’t start out as a unicorn. She was a rather plain pony hanging out in a field with her friend, Otis the donkey. She was sad, though. She wanted so badly to be unicorn – beautiful, magical, sparkly and adored by all.

One day, she tied a carrot to her forehead and thought “I’ll say that I ‘m a unicorn. It might just work…who knows?” Well, just at that moment, a truck fortuitously loaded with pink paint and glitter happened to drive by and the driver was so startled by Thelma that he swerved and dumped paint and glitter on her!

Thelma was an instant star – a beautiful, glittery, pink unicorn. Life was wonderful…for awhile. She loved the attention and fame. But, it didn’t take long for Thelma to realize that her life was no longer her own. Her fans were a rabid lot, following her EVERYWHERE! And, some people were actually quite mean.

Thelma, the unicorn, wished she was back to being Thelma, the pony. So, she washed off all that paint and glitter and walked right past the crowd of fans to her friend, Otis. And, she told him that she would rather just be herself.

This is a lovely book about self-acceptance and true friendship. Thelma can teach kids a thing or two. The text is rhyming and the illustrations are hilarious. Kids will love Thelma, the pony – turned unicorn-turned back to pony! Recommended.

This book is part of the Cool Makerspace series and details the steps to making six pop-up projects using readily available tools and materials. It begins with a definition of the notion of ‘makerspace”. Following that are details about supplies, art tips and techniques. Projects are shown in six to seventeen steps, some with helpful color illustrations. Typical nonfiction elements of Table of contents, glossary and index are included.

Adult supervision might be necessary for the younger crowd as a craft knife is required for a few of the projects. Kids will love the ideas presented and can use them as jumping-off points for further crafty exploration of pop-ups. Recommended

Maisie Hitchins, a young girl living with her grandmother in Victorian England, is an intrepid detective, solving cases from her grandmother’s boarding house.

In this fourth book of The Mysteries of Maisie Hitchins series, she sets out to solve the mystery of the stolen Amazonian mask for her friend, Professor Tobin. He had travelled the world collecting wonderful artifacts, which Maisie spends countless hours dusting in his room at the boarding house. He decides to donate items to the British Museum, when the prized mask disappears! Maisie is on the job with her helpful friend, George, and loyal dog, Eddie.

Through their investigation, they learn that a boy (Daniel) from the Amazonian tribe from whom Professor Tobin procured the mask is in England to retrieve said mask. He is part of a side show while he searches for the mask, which he needs to take back to the Amazon rainforest in order to remove the bad luck that befell his tribe when his grandfather gave mask away. Together the three children find the thief and the mask. Daniel sets said from England with the mask as Maisie, George, Eddie and Professor Tobin wave goodbye.
This is a sweet little mystery with a strong female character.

Maisie is smart, resourceful and brave. The setting and some of the language will be unfamiliar to younger readers, but where better to get an introduction to Victorian England than in a mystery? This part of a series, yet this particular book can stand alone.

Max, a 3rd grade boy, is getting used to his new life as a boy with two homes. One home is with mom – the home in which he has always lived. The other home is his dad’s new apartment, with a bedroom for Max and boxes everywhere.

Max isn’t so sure about this new home arrangement and sometimes fells sad. But, as he gets to know the people in dad’s apartment building and neighborhood and starts some new weekend routines, he realizes that home can be in more than one place.

The main characters are Caucasian, but many of the secondary characters, including Max’s best friend, are multiethnic. The illustrations capture the gentle tone of the book, done in black and white.

This story is very relevant to today’s children, many of whom are living the life that Max shares with two parents and two homes. The emotions that he feels are normal and the reader will understand that those feelings are okay and things can get better, because mom and dad still love Max – even if they are in two different places.

Recommended

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!