Underground habitats of rabbits, moles, earthworms, beaver, cockchafers, and kingfishers  are explored on  6 different dark transparent acrylic pages using a ‘magic [paper] torch’ which the young reader punches out from the back of the book. This paper torch (flashlight) may be a reason to exclude this book from a library collection, but the same viewing result can be achieved using a white strip of paper.

Young children  will be fascinated using the torch to explore the 6 tunnels hidden from view when above ground.

This is a new and improved version of the books Gallimard Jeunesse helped create in the late 1980s and early 1990s. This time with  heavier weight paper (board), metal spiral binding (not plastic), and an inch or more larger in both directions.

Basic bird information including beak and feet shapes and purposes, feathers, shape and size of nests, feeding their babies, but that’s what you’d expect from  a series entitled – “My First Discoveries“. Young children and adults will be fascinated with the use of 7é transparent acrylic pages that when turned reveal a different side of the bird being discussed.

This is a new and improved version of the books Gallimard Jeunesse helped create in the late 1980s and early 1990s. This time with  heavier weight paper (board), metal spiral binding (not plastic), and an inch or more larger in both directions.

Basic dinosaur information including size, fossils, egg laying, and dying out before the dawn of man. Young children and adults will be fascinated with the use of 6 transparent acrylic pages that when turned reveal a different side of the dinosaur being discussed.

This is a new and improved version of the books Gallimard Jeunesse helped create in the late 1980s and early 1990s. This time with  heavier weight paper (board), metal spiral binding (not plastic), and an inch or more larger in both directions.

Basic butterfly information including body parts and life cycle, but that’s what you’d expect from  a series entitled – “My First Discoveries“. Young children and adults will be fascinated with the use of 5 transparent acrylic pages that when turned reveal a different side of the butterfly being discussed. There is a craft project on the last page,  making a string of butterflies similar to paper dolls.

This is a new and improved version of the books Gallimard Jeunesse helped create in the late 1980s and early 1990s. This time with  heavier weight paper (board), metal spiral binding (not plastic), and an inch or more larger in both directions.

Do you remember telling knock-knock jokes in grade school and how you told them over an over again? If so, this might be the book your school library patrons have been longing to check-out. Forty-four pages of assorted knock-knock jokes, limericks, tongue twisters, fun facts, did you know, and jokes await the reader. They all revolve around  the birthday theme.

Four or five nicely spaced text items on a page along with 2.5 – 4 inch black and white illustrations.

Cookie is an unusual dog.  Having discovered the many advantages of walking on her hind legs (looking out of the window without climbing on chairs, reaching the candy bowl…) she also gets lots of attention and treats.  She is promoted by a dog trainer, joins a circus, and finally becomes a TV star.  As the demands for her time overcome her, she realizes she misses her old life.  Getting fired is a simple as walking on all four legs!  Coming home, Cookie’s life becomes more normal.  Now, when she stands on two legs, she is careful not to let anyone know.  The format of this book is engaging.  It is a combination of picture book and comic book with panels and conversation bubbles.  Watercolor and ink illustrations add amusing details of Cookie’s adventures and are well worth taking the time to notice.

Wilfred, the monster, was huge, hairy, and lonesome.  One day he came to a town where everyone was bald.  Only one child was brave enough to recognize a special friend in Wilfred.  With winter approaching, the townspeople gave Wilfred an ultimatum – stop being big or stop being hairy.  His only choice was to let them take his hair.  The boy noticed people wearing wigs but could not find his friend.  Fearing Wilfred would freeze during a coming blizzard, the boy made mittens from his blanket and rushed to Wilfred.  The next day, the townspeople found the boy safe in the arms of the shivering monster.  Feeling chagrined, they built a fire, covered Wilfred with blankets, and sewed their wigs together to make a suit, complete with a zipper.  Pen and ink illustrations, colored with Adobe Photoshop, are large and expressive.  Wilfred’s gentle spirit and large heart are at the center of this tale of friendship and sacrifice.

Drama is a good title for this graphic novel: theater drama, middle school drama, and friendship drama.  Callie is excited about designing the set for the new theater production.  Her attention is divided between creating an awesome set and dealing with friendships and crushes.  Telgemeier’s knowledge of backstage workings help the theater focus of the story ring true.  But, basically, the main story is about relationships.  Again, Telgemeier does an admirable job of showing the interactions of young teens trying to work through friendships during that awkward age when also trying to figure out themselves.  The full-color illustrations are expressive and add another layer of detail to the story.

Mary Walker was raised to think for herself.  She became one of the first female doctors, was against slavery, and spoke out for civil rights.  She defied the traditional fashion of women wearing uncomfortable dresses and wore pants, which allowed more freedom of movement, in public.  She helped treat wounded soldiers during the Civil War, was imprisoned as a spy, and received the medal of honor for her service during battles.  This remarkable woman who challenged traditions did not allow society to form her opinions.  Her bravery in staying true to her beliefs and ignoring the taunts of others is admirable.  The audience for this book is elementary school and the noteworthy events of Mary Walker’s life are treated lightly.  This woman had passion, this book does not.  It does, however, introduce readers to the name of a little known heroine, worthy of recognition.  Molinari’s watercolor illustrations depict styles, attitudes, and conditions of the time and add interest to the story.

Having eaten a 100% raw food diet for three years, I was interested in how raw food recipes would be presented to elementary students.  Raw food “cooking” typically requires using kitchen equipment like blenders and juicers…which need close adult supervision.  A two page spread on The Basics covers getting permission from an adult, clean hands, tie back hair, tips on be prepared for the recipe and never working alone in the kitchen.  Photographs of  the tools (blender, whisk, grater, baking sheet) needed for the recipes in this book are helpful for emergent kitchen users.  However, given the targeted audience of upper elementary school-aged kids,  most of the “tools” pictured  would be insulting…such as a fork, plate, small bowl, sharp knife, paper towels, etc.  I did like the two page spread of photos of all the ingredients used in the recipes, as well as the photo definitions of cooking terms such as “coat”, “chop”, “dice”, etc.  The  eight recipes included give a nice variety for main meals, snacks and desserts.  Glossary includes words, again, unnecessary for this audience…”towel”, “permission”, “option”.