When is a graphic novel, not a graphic novel, nor a comic book? When it is written in short chapter book form with full page single picture illustrations.

Joker, the Crown Prince of Crime, takes over one of Wayne Enterprises ships. In the ship’s hold, Joker unpacks professional grade fireworks which he intends to use to destroy Batman. Joker ignites the fireworks after Batman and Robin board the ship and capture them both. Joker has Robin ‘walk the plank’, but Batman has somehow escaped. Then, ” ‘ Foiled by a flightless fowl… I will return… to have my revenge.’  ” Joker giggles.

Very descriptive using minimal words!

Includes writing prompts, discussion questions, and www.Facthound.com.

Young readers learn about the largest turtles in the world.  Simple text tells about the physical characteristics of the leatherback, what it eats, and where it lives.  Because these turtles are endangered, suggestions are made to help reduce the threat of extinction.  Close-up, colorful photographs are sure to attract readers.  Recommended books for further reading are written at a similar reading and interest level.  Glossary and index are included.  Good addition to elementary libraries.

For such a complicated process, this easy non-fiction does a good job of explaining to young readers how a bill becomes a law.  The comical illustrations make the topic fun and the example of free ice cream on your birthday is easy to relate to.  There is also a diagram of the process at the back of the book and a glossary.  This book is one in a series of six also including A Dollar Bill’s Journey, A Germ’s Journey, A Monarch Butterfly’s Journey, A Plastic Bottle’s Journey and A Raindrop’s Journey.

This is a wonderful picture book biography of Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low, the founder of Girl Scouts.  The book describes not only her accomplishments and benefits of the Girl Scout program, but her character, dreams and values as well.  I enjoyed the picture gallery at the back of the book of other famous women who were also Girl Scouts.  We have many students who participate in Girl Scouts and who will be interested in this illustrated biography to learn more about Ms. Low and the origins of the Girl Scout program.

This is a “you choose” book set during World War I.  There are three story paths including resisting the Germans in Belgium, joining the British military, or enlisting in the American forces.  With 41 choices the reader can enjoy this book with a new story ending 21 unique ways.  This book should appeal to boys as well as girls as the Belgian storyline is a female nurse, the British and American ones are male soldiers.  I enjoyed the many and various battles and settings which kept me interested and wanting to keep reading the various pathways.  Between a several source bibliography and author consult with a university history professor, the historical facts were well researched, making the stories believable.  There are also several illustrations and actual war time photographs sprinkled in to bring the story alive.  There are several other books in this interactive history adventure series which I would like to purchase for our library.

The characters from DISNEY”S movie Aladdin are off on an adventure.

Jasmine wants to purchase the only missing coin from Aladdin’s rare desert coin collection and give it to him for his birthday. To do this, Jasmine and Rajah fly off over the desert to Zagrabah on Magic Carpet only have it crash leaving them alone in the desert. With time running out on Jasmine to get the coin and get it back to Aladdin for his birthday party, Jasmine learns the secret to keeping Magic Carpet health. The party is a huge success.

The story and dialogue flow nicely and everyone will be able to visualize the characters and events, whether or not they have seen the movie.

Ralph is a dog who can answer questions, such as, “How’s the path feel on your paws…” and ” What’s on that tree?”

Ralph’s responses are 1.5 inches tall, in this 12″ X 8.25″ book where large creatively adorable multimedia creatures inhabit the pages. Ralph has two buttons for eyes, a pop top nose, a zipper for a mouth, a tin heart dog tag on a woven rainbow braided collar, and rough textured paper constitutes his body.

Young independent readers will enjoy this four chapter book about friends, Mouse and Mole,  preparing for Halloween. Yee’s illustrations are scattered throughout the text often three per page just like the falling leaves of autumn.

As Mouse hangs up a plastic skeleton, Mole is having a nightmare about being chased by a skeleton. Then Mouse and Mole find the perfect pumpkin for the pumpkin carving contest. Mole carves his right away, but Mole waits until the last minute to carve hers. Mouse’s jack-o’-lantern wins for silliest and Mole’s wins for ‘sc-scariest’. Later, Mouse shares a story book with Mole to help him realize Halloween “is scary, YES– but exciting too!”

This beginning chapter book of four chapters is a fast moving, realistic story of friendship with illustrations interspersed  throughout the text, sometimes three per page.

After moths made holes in Moles clothes Mouse tries something “new” at the diner for lunch. Followed by Mole buying a “new” style of shirt. Then the friends go fishing together. Mole uses a worm for bait because he likes to eat worms himself and Mouse uses cheese for the same reason. When they don’t catch anything but an old tire, they play in the pond. In the end, Mouse fixes Mole’s old holey clothes making them “new” and Mole uses the old tire to make a “new” swing.

Albert, the mouse, tries to train his newly found pet snail, Flash, tricks, but  finds patience instead. Young readers are exposed to the concept of ‘position’ when Albert demonstrates all the tricks he’d like Flash to learn. A cute surprise ending when Albert discovers Flash has done all of the tricks during the night by following Flash’s slime trail. Delightful illustrations!

‘Positions’  included in bold type: in/out, on top of/ at the bottom of, on/off, under/ over, behind/ in front of, far/near,  and next to / beside.

“Fun Activities’  parent and/ or teacher will enjoy doing with their young reader to reinforce the position concept are included at the end of the story.