This is book number eight of the Scream Street series where Luke, Resus, and Cleo are out on another adventure. Scream Street is in trouble. Although the trio worked so very hard to open the portal into Scream Street, they have decided they need to close the portal to keep the “normals” from coming through it to tour Scream Street.  As a result they must return all of the relics they collected to open the portal. The first item they attempt to return is the fang from Count Negatov. Their adventure  has danger around every corner that includes trolls and piranhas. One or two black and white illustrations are included in each chapter.

Murphy-Stop-That is a scruffy terrier who lives in the country.  One day, his family takes him to the city.  Although he hates riding in cars, he discovers that there are many dog-friendly places to visit in the city.  Soon, Murphy-Stop-That grows bored.  After wandering outside and barking at a flock of birds, he is taken to the city pound.  After his family retrieves him, they return home and Murphy-Stop-That realizes that he really doesn’t mind sleeping in the barn at the farm.  Although the illustrations are engaging, the story is predictable and somewhat rote.

Flowers are stationary plants, rooted firmly in the ground.  They rely on birds and insects for pollination.  In rhyming pros, Rita Gray describes the interactions between flowers and the insects and animals that complete nature’s cycle.   The illustrations are stunning.  Although this book could be incorporated into a STEM activity, it doesn’t hold wide appeal for young readers.

At first, I thought this book was specifically for preschoolers and the primary grade kids, but after re-reading the book, I realized that the message of love, kindness, and thoughtfulness are not restricted to the youngest but should be modeled for people of all ages.  It is a story of a young boy and young girl who spend time with their grandparents, and when they perhaps do something not quite right, instead of saying ‘No, that’s not how you do it,’ the grandparents encourage and help them do it,  making positive statements.  Kids who have adults in their lives who do this are lucky and maybe in reading this book will learn how lucky and to do it themselves.

Science, math, and technology have just become “way cool” in this book using a hands-on approach through the graphic novel format and Max Axiom -super cool, lab coat wearing, action figure, super hero science guide.

Max begins his guided step-by-step instructions of nine activities with, “ Join me at my lab for the inside scoop on a variety of machines. From simple to complex, test your engineering skills by designing and constructing your own amazing mechanical projects.” (p. 5)

Each of the nine activities consist of a list of the equipment needed, step-by-step photo and text instructions, and Axiom Alternative suggestions on how the reader could take this machine a step further.  The nine activities include making: a hovercraft, pulley system, diving submarine, pendulum painter, pump drill, trebuchet, hydro-powered winch, hydraulic arm, and an electric fan motor. Some of the equipment will be easier to get hold of than other pieces, but Home Depot and Lowe’s will be a good starting point.  Max is quick to add, each and every time, “Safety First” when a hot glue gun, utility knife, drill, and / or saw will need to be used get  permission from an adult. There a couple of spots where the photo definitely is needed in conjunction with the written instruction, but between the two, the reader should be able to make the machine.

Includes: Index, glossary, and www.facthound.com.

I, myself, can be a picky eater with foods from the United States. This book offers foods from around the world that I would be squeamish about eating. It is all a matter of culture! The book is broken down into “Bizarre Breakfasts”, “Loony Lunches”, Strange Suppers”, “Surprising Snacks”, and “Wacky Desserts and Treats”. Each section has at least seven food items, usually accompanied with a color photo, name of the food, what the food is made from, and country where it is eaten. It is too bad the index does not list the countries from which the foods come.

“We live in a world that offers a variety of strange food options. Let’s take a look at some of the bizarre foods people around the world prefer on their plates.” (p. 5)  From “Bizarre Breakfasts” comes scrapple from the eastern United States, cow’s feet soup from Ecuador, and laverbread (seaweed) from Wales. From “Loony Lunches” come mopane worms from southern Africa and fried tarantulas form Cambodia. From “Strange Suppers” come guinea pigs from Peru and Ecuador, svartsoppa (sweet and sour goose blood soup) from Sweden, and kangaroo from Australia. From “Surprising Snacks” comes a variety of deep fried insects and other animals, like starfish and sea horses, from China.

This book ends with, “try to keep an open mind. If you’re traveling in a different country, you never know which far-out food might become your new favorite!” ( p. 29)

Includes: Index, glossary, and  www.facthound.

A yam and a donkey cannot seem to make themselves understood to the other. The yam’s frustration escalates as the donkey does not seem to grasp the point the yam is trying to make.  Cute illustrations add to the humor of the story. Younger students are unlikely to appreciate the point being made with the grammatical corrections, but older students will still enjoy the humor in the story line and illustrations.

While the story fixates on a couple of grammatical mistakes, the strength of the book is in reminding students that grammatical errors change the meaning of writing.  For teachers or peer editors the story is a reminder that correcting a grammatical error does not mean it will not be repeated if the writer does not understand the error.

Very simple, easy-to-read text pairs up with fun photographs to teach little readers that hands are for touching, as well as all the soft and fuzzy–or rough–things they can touch!

When young Hillary Rodham’s hopes of joining NASA as an astronaut were dashed because she was a girl, she didn’t stop dreaming or doing. Following Clinton from girlhood to the presidential campaign trail, the narrative hits on many of the high points and as few of the low points as possible along the way. As seen in Bates’s watercolor, she goes from a perky, ponytailed girl to the somewhat careworn but determined figure readers will recognize. Timed for release with the Democratic National Convention, this picture-book nevertheless has a dated feel to it already, although the conclusion hedges its historical bets: “Not afraid to fly, daring to compete, she decided to run for the highest office in the land. Was the land ready? No matter—she was propelling her way into history.”