Beginning with suggested drawing materials, the reader is encouraged to learn and use the vocabulary of an artist.  3 – 4 sentences introduce each vehicle.  Instructions are given in 6 easy steps.  Basic shapes are drawn to help focus on the size and position of the final drawing.  Penciled details are defined with a thin marker before the final color and shading are completed.  (Spoiler – this is step 5 for every drawing!)  Illustrations are simple and clear.  This a good introductory book for young artists wanting to learn steps for drawing cars or trucks.  An Art Tip and fact box for each car or truck are included on each spread.  Additional information, a glossary, and a website finish the book.

Red pandas are tiny relatives of the giant panda and live in bamboo forests.  Each spread includes 1 or 2 fact sentences and a large, full-color photograph.  Large easy-to-read text provides basic details about physical characteristics, diet, behavior, and habitat.  Additional suggested books written about the same level, a website, glossary, and index are included.  This is a good introductory book on red pandas for young readers.

Lamond retells the classic tale by Hans Christian Andersen.  In this children’s adaption, the prince goes off to find a true princess that is wise, sensible, and delicate.  He met many women but none were all the things for which he was searching.  Soon after his return, a huge storm raged.  A young girl appeared at the door seeking refuge.  The king, queen, and prince were all impressed with her, but the queen wanted to be sure she was a princess.  As a test, she placed a dried pea underneath 40 mattresses on the princess’s bed.  Only a true princess would be unable to sleep in such a bed.  However, no one slept!  The king was bothered by the storm, the prince was so in love he could not shut his eyes, and the queen lay awake wondering if the princess was sleeping!  This retelling is short but humorous.  Mitch Vane’s ink and watercolor illustrations are expressive and amusing.

Poppy finally gets her wish to own a dog.  She selects Rosie from the shelter and almost immediately realizes how much attention small puppies need.  Poppy’s friend, Millie, helps her teach Rosie a few games.  After a full day of playing and teaching Rosie how to fetch, the girls take a snack break while Rosie takes a nap!  The stories in this series are short (three chapters) and fairly predictable.  They definitely have girl-appeal.  Illustrations on every page focus on Poppy, a cute redhead, and her white, puff-ball puppy.  In the back is a glossary, suggested games to play with one’s pet, and a page devoted to the author and illustrator.

Lenny is the 2nd grade class reporter who interviews the “Student of the Week”.  In this book, he and his camera follow Jasmine to highlight her and her family.  When they reach her farm-home, he finds that Jazz has two dads. Lenny asks who helps her do what and learns that Dad braids her hair, Papi makes dinner, and both pitch in for dancing and stories.  Lenny continues to snap photos of the many activities that take place at Jasmine’s home.  But what makes Jasmine’s family the same as most other families is that her parents love her completely.  The colorful pictures are cartoon-like (big heads and large eyes).  Lenny’s photo collection of Jazz is shown on the “Student of the Week” wall on the last page.  Other books in the series are: My Grandparents, My Military Mom, My Mom and Dad, My Two Homes, and My Two Moms.  This is a gentle was to learn about diversity and family life through the eyes of 2nd grade Lenny.

Cork is a little muskrat who likes to think.  His best friend is Fuzz, a tall possum who loves to play.  It is winter and Cork feels there is something special about the day but cannot figure out just what it is.  They look for a quiet place under a tree to think.  The first tree has noisy birds (tweeters), the second tree has playful squirrels (squirtles), and Fuzz keeps singing a silly song, “Merry, merry, holly, holly, ho-ho-ho!”  As Cork continues looking for a quiet thinking tree, Fuzz finds a shiny stone that jingles which only add to the cacophony of noise that bothers Cork.  At last they find a perfect pine tree quietly twinkling with lights.  As they lay under the snow-laden branches, Cork realizes why the day is so special.  It’s “because I’m in a beautiful place with my friend”.  Readers will quickly guess it is Christmas from the many clues but will be just as satisfied with this ending.  Lisa McCue’s detailed and colorful illustrations are charming.

Beginning with a definition of green and  how it is made by mixing colors, simple text gives examples of where green animals can be found on land, in air, or in water.  Color and animals are popular topics for young readers.  This book is pleasing to the eye.  Photographs are large, clear, and interesting.  Each close-up animal photograph is accompanied by a short, informative explanation or description.  Some terms are in bold font and can be found in the glossary.  One page contains additional facts about the color green – how it is often used in nature, how people use it as a safe color, as in traffic signals, and as a symbol of spring, youth, and envy.

There is lots of humor in this retelling of Humpty Dumpty’s fall.  It takes place in a hospital setting with animal characters.  Weasel is getting bubblegum removed from his fur when  cracked Humpty Dumpty is brought in.  The king’s men explain they tried to put him together before calling for help0.  Dr. Glenda questions Humpty and discovers he fell while watching the king’s men and horses because of a loud POP (Weasel’s bubblegum!).  Dr. Glenda’s quick thinking using Weasel’s bubblegum and headphones save the day – but not before admonishing the king’s men to not move an injured person until help arrives.  This is a fun twist on an old favorite with a little bit of medical information thrown in.  Illustrations are simple and colorful, the txt is easy to read, and the plot is fast paced.  Readers can enjoy other adventures in this animal hospital series.

The  Land Sharks (carnivores) are in a swimming competition with the Algae Eaters (herbivores).  They compete in several pool events from swimming to diving.  Told in rhyme, the various dinosaurs strut their stuff.  Some names are shortened to fit the rhyme, but dino-fans will love the realistic action.  As the dinosaurs compete, many experience mannerisms as most kids – making mistakes, bragging, pouting, being nervous, etc., as they  join in energetic performances.  Illustrations are large, colorful, and stylized.  The Land Shark uniforms are red, while the Algae Eaters are green.  Even the names of each dinosaur are either red or green to help identify the teams.  In this book, the Land Sharks win the meet.  However, reader can follow their competitions in other dino-sporting events y Lisa Wheeler.  Illustrations are colorful and lively.

Izzy is different sort of girl in a family that includes a busy, perfect sister and a mom who aspires to greatness in politics. Dad believes in her and Grandma Bertie and Aunt Mildred provide some fun comedy to the family dynamics.
The story begins as Izzy heads to middle school and all the social upheaval it entails. She longs to belong, yet her combat boots, eclectic wardrobe and lack of interest in boys make her an outcast. What she really wants, though, is to be part of the elite rowing team, which is full of the most “popular” girls in school. She deserves to be there, but she gets in trouble with everyone, including her driven mom, who is running for mayor. After Izzy gets sent to the principal’s office yet again, her parents enroll her in a correspondence charm school, Mrs. Whipple’s Earn Your Charm School. Letters arrive with charms, tasks to be completed and the promise of a wonderful prize at the end. Things go pretty well for Izzy until she makes a huge mistake with one of the tasks. She needs to fix her mess and she has some new friends that will help. Is it enough to make it on the rowing team? And, will she finally be accepted in middle school?
Told in Izzy’s voice, the story is a wonderful piece of realistic fiction. The reader will empathize with Izzy as she navigates through school, family, charming disasters and new friendships. Recommended