The grim realities of WWI are softened a bit by focusing on the true story of the relationship between Bunny, a magnificent, reddish-brown horse with long ears, and two brothers, Thomas and “Bud” Dundas.  All three were among those sent to Europe as part of the Canadian Field Artillery.  Bud rode Bunny as they helped deliver messages quickly, carry wounded soldiers to safety, pull ambulances and carts with supplies and food, and haul cannons and big guns to the battlefield.  They endured poisonous gas attacks, drenching rain, and exploding bombs and grenades.  Bunny showed courage and loyalty under challenging conditions.  When Bud was killed in battle, Tom rode Bunny until the end of the war.  Tom returned to Toronto, but by the time he raised enough money to ship Bunny back, Bunny had been sold and could not be found.  Red poppies fill the fields on the Western Front and are now a symbol commemorating soldiers who died.  The artwork is large and uncomplicated.  It is a good match with the accurate but brief descriptions of a dangerous time in history.

The Boston Tea Party was one of the turning points for unifying the Colonists’ stand for independence from King George and England.  Events leading up to the dumping of the tea are clearly and simply explained.  At the end of the brief chapter, two opposing actions are presented for discussion.  What the colonists chose to do is related on the next page.  What an engaging way to encourage thinking about the choices the colonists had to make at the time.  Includes captioned photographs, illustrations, fact boxes, a time line, glossary, and index.  A list of related additional books are written at a slightly higher reading level but aimed at intermediate readers.  Two internet sources provide excellent supplementary facts to help round out this period in history.  Could also be used to address Common Core standards.

Beginning with where to find Asia and its varied landscapes, the endangered animals are showcased.  Photos of animals from the various habitats accompany text that explains what the animal needs to survive and the reasons it is endangered.  Human interference is what has caused much of the problem.  That being said, several reserves are being created to help protect animals and a focus is switching to one that is more ecological and sensitive to the environment.  Included are: an extensive glossary, index, titles of two additional books on endangered animals written at a similar level, and an internet site provided by the publisher, which is more about all animals rather than endangered ones.

A collection of sly and witty poems that poke fun at the proper way to eat soup, burp, answer the phone, disagree with adults, go to sleep, kiss, send thank-you’s, etc.  My first question about this book is…Who is the intended audience?  Supposedly for 9-12 year olds, the picture book format may put off that older crowd.  However, the reader must understand sarcasm, to get the jokes.  Younger audiences (4-8 year olds) may be confused by the more sophisticated humor, at a time when they are just beginning to figure out proper etiquette.  Also the length of the poems better match an older readership.   The young ones, however, are sure to be drawn in by the whimsical and well-done illustrations.     All in all, it is a silly romp by the zany author called Miss Information.

In this third book of the trilogy, the fairy-tale adventure continues.  The cast of characters include: a castle librarian, a blacksmith, a king, a queen, a princess, a dragon, an elephant, a wizard, devious villains, use of p-mail (carrier pigeons), as well as an engaging vocabulary.  Phoebe, the castle librarian, and Sebastian, a young blacksmith with a tremendous vocabulary, are the adult children of the kingdom’s most infamous, now exiled, villains.  Phoebe’s father is the banished chief torturer to the evil ex-queen Olympia.  Sebastian’s father, also exiled, was the chief poisoner.  When Phoebe and Sebastian suspect the baby Princess Poppy is about to be kidnapped, they do not think people will believe them because of who their fathers are.  Phoebe and Sebastian pair up to find her, eventually meeting up with Princess Poppy’s parents, King Christian and Queen Marigold.  The trail becomes more and more complicated, involving characters from previous books as well as many interesting twists.  This tale is fast-paced, and humorous, including puns and word-plays, and a budding romance between Phoebe and Sebastian.  This is a fun conclusion to the adventures of Marigold.

We all are inspired by Movers and Shakers.  Here is a true story of Rosealeta Laurel, a feisty director of the oldest public library in Texas.  It’s October 2000 when, financially, people were not willing to pay for public improvements in their library.  However Rosealeta saw an important need to raise money to improve the children’s section of the public library.  She decided to do something dramatic.  She pitched a tent on the roof of the library for one week, until the town raisied enough money to make the necessary improvements.  She weathered an extreme storm, where townfolk feared for her life…but she stuck to her convition until she had $39,000 to make a kid-friendly, resourceful place for children  at the Eugene Clark Library.  Whimsical illustrations add a fun touch to this powerful story of community activism.

Just in time for Earth Day!  Here are many different ways we use energy and resources plus fun, kid-friendly ways to care for the earth.  Included are the effects of composting, worms, green gardens, fast/packaged foods vs. growing fresh foods, the 3 R’s in your garden, using trees, using rainwater and pesticides/herbicides.  Children hear the term…”Being Green” or “Going Green” but this book really explains what that means.  The Back Matter does not include an Index, but does include a Glossary from the bolded words in the text.

Beginning with a statement saying these evil creatures are found only in imaginations, Sautter goes on to describe size, habitat, diet, life cycle, physical features, and behaviors as if they did exist.  Individual creatures in the book include: pixies, nixies, sirens, hags, boggarts, gremlins, goblins, hobgoblins, orcs, black orcs, and troglodytes.  Their sizes range from 6 inches to 7 feet tall.  Most live in dark places and have dark brown or green skin, have greedy appetites, and like practical jokes.  Some have been described in fairy tales or legends throughout the world.  A map indicates where pixies, hags, sirens, and goblins appear in literature.  A quiz (with answers), a glossary, additional books, internet sites, and a glossary are included.  This is surely to find an audience among readers of unexplained fantasies.

Manning relates how Native Americans once constructed and used tepees in the Great Plains region of North America.  They provided shelter from wind, rain, and snow and were easily relocated.  Men hunted the buffalo.  Women cleaned, treated, sewed hides together and erected the tepee.  Used by single families or for ceremonies, the tepee was the center of many tribal activities.  Included are: a glossary, additional resources to read, websites, an index, as well as a few common core critical thinking questions.  Captioned photographs, a map, or illustrations are on every spread.  Additional fact boxes are on many pages.

This very complete book provides instructions for applique, embroidery, patchwork, and quilting projects.  Beginning with a definition of each craft, 24 projects provide practice and ideas for many creations.  Materials, equipment, tips, funky facts, and safety hints adorn the pages.  Each craft starts with techniques used with the projects.  Multiple photographs of examples, procedures, and steps are large, colorful, and provide excellent details of techniques.  Clear step-by-step instructions, complete with examples, guide one to a successful conclusion.  Each craft ends with a “What next?” – suggestions for design changes and additional uses.  Those who enjoy making things by hand will find this book a must.  Recommended for school and personal libraries.