This book gives the reader some history about Thanksgiving and information about how it is currently celebrated. And then, the fun begins! A great two page spread that shows pictures of materials and tools needed for the crafts shows the reader that most of the items are easily accessible. Following that are two page spreads with pictures and clear steps to use in order to make each of the crafts presented. In addition, there are directions for making a treat, which kids will enjoy adding to the Thanksgiving table. Pick up this book and the rest of the series for your library. Highly recommended.
Category Archives: Reviewer’s Library Type
Inside the U.S. Army
Inside the U.S. Army gives a very basic overview of this military branch. Four short chapters highlight what it is, training, equipment and what the future might look like for the army. Short, descriptive paragraphs and color photos of army personnel of different genders and ethnicity are further explained with extra information boxes. There is also a very nice diagram explaining the gear of a typical infantry soldier as well as a page detailing the history of the army.
This particular book is part of a four book series on the branches of the military and includes typical nonfiction features. A table of contents, index and glossary are helpful. And, a page of books and websites for further reading will be helpful for those students seeking more information. This book will be popular and accessible. Highly recommended.
The Tiny Geniuses Set the Stage
Jake struggles in school. In Jake’s frustration, he has turned to his school’s urban legend about the Wishing Well behind his school. It’s really a storm drain, but if he throws his most favorite item into the well, his wish will come true. Jake runs threw thunder and lightning to the well and throws in the gift from Aunt Margaret, a set of the Heroes of History figurines. “I really am a dummy, Jake thought angrily. Not even the Wishing Well can help a dummy like me. … ‘I wish someone could just do this for me!’ he cried. POP!” (14-15) So began The Tiny Geniuses series.
Now in book #2, Jake has the fourth grade Living History Night to prepare. Jake draws the name of Benjamin Franklin out of box for his project’s subject. Yikes, this means Jake will have to emcee the fourth grade program at Franklin Elementary School, too. When Jake wishes for extra help – POP! (19)
Ella Fitzgerald (three inches tall) materializes for Jake. Why Ella Fitzgerald? Jake’s best friend Emerson comes over to Jake house after school wearing a Benjamin Franklin bald cap, red tail coat, and half spectacles. Emerson takes Jake to the theater department where his mother works to see more props for his project. They take Ella along with them. Ella loves singing on stage again. Ella Fitzgerald introduces Jake to stage presence.
Jake still needs help with his script for the program. Ella has written a song for him, but Jake does not see this as a help. His singing is not good. ” ‘I wish I could sing and dance. I wish it could be that easy. But it’s not. And I wish that somebody else – anybody else– could help me’ –. POP!” (60)
A three inch tall Benjamin Franklin is now here to help Jake. Franklin is more interested in finding the perfect storm to test his lightning is electricity theory, than in helping Jake.
Along the way Jake figures out with to connect each of the historical characters in the program with one of Franklin’s inventions. The night of the program an electrical storm outside, knocks out the power at school. While the lights are out and before the emergency generator kicks-in, Ella encourages Jake to go on with the show. The show is a great success!
After the show, “A sizzling sound, like lightning tearing through velvet, filled Jake’s ears. He watched in astonishment as a section of the theater curtain burned away, creating a glittering hole. …Ms. Fitzgerald linked her arm through his[Franklin’s] , and together they disappeared through the enchanted rip in the curtain. With another burst of light, the hole sealed behind them. Just like that, there was no sign that Ms. Fitzgerald or Mr. Franklin had ever been there.” (114-115)
Each of the 12 chapters flies onto the page with the illustration of a skeleton key attached to a kite in flight.
“A Note from the Author” ends the book with added information about Ella Fitzgerald and Benjamin Franklin.
The Tiny Geniuses Fly to the Rescue
Jake Everdale struggles in school. The science fair is coming up. Jake needs to do well with his science fair project. Jake has made an agreement with his parents. If Jake does not do well in the science fair, he will have to give up the one thing he truly loves- BASEBALL!
In Jake’s frustration, he has turned to his school’s urban legend about the Wishing Well behind his school. It’s really a storm drain, but if he throws his most favorite item into the well, his wish will come true. Jake runs threw thunder and lightning to the well and throws in the gift from Aunt Margaret, a set of the Heroes of History figurines. “I really am a dummy, Jake thought angrily. Not even the Wishing Well can help a dummy like me. Jake threw his pencil onto the desk. ‘I wish someone could just do this for me!’ he cried. POP!” (14-15)
So begins the first book in this new series of Tiny Geniuses. Sir Isaac Newton pops in to help Jake. Sir Isaac Newton is more interested in figuring out how the light bulbs in Jake’s house work than in helping on Jake’s science fair project. Jake is running out of time. Jake wishes for a different helper. “POP!” (43) Amelia Earhart pops into the story.
Jake decides it is not safe to leave the two 3 inch tall geniuses at home while he goes to school, so he takes them with him in his backpack.Sir Isaac Newton and Amelia Earhart did not see eye to eye on much, especially on women being able to accomplish much.
Eventually the two geniuses come up with a project for Jake. Now the problem is the Jake did not do it on his own, so to turn it in would be cheating. “Suddenly, he remembered what Sir Isaac had said about not being curious. Jake was plenty curious about all sorts of stuff. And if curiosity was what he really needed to get started on his science project…” (88-89) Jake worked all night on his project dealing with paper airplanes and how they fly. Jake’s project earned 2nd place with a red ribbon.
Amelia Earhart and Sir Isaac Newton flew off in the airplane they created for Jake’s project.
Each of the 13 chapters flies onto the page with the illustration of a paper airplane in flight.
“A Note from the Author” ends the book with added information about Sir Isaac Newton and Amelia Earhart.
A world of cookies for Santa : follow Santa’s tasty trip around the world
This is a delectable collection of Christmas traditions around the world, some of which include cookie recipes. Each short description is on a page with colored illustrations of children from that particular country. Young readers will enjoy learning the names and traditions surrounding Santa on his travels around the world. Endpapers have maps of Santa’s path around the world and the end of the book includes recipes for several of the cookie recipes.
This book will be a fun addition to holiday collections. And, BONUS! Students might bring you some cookies from the recipe collection in this book! Recommended
Pen Pals
Oscar the ant and Bill the octopus become pen pals through their respective school and enjoy a year of writing letters to each other (and sometimes sending little gifts as well). Each animal is pictured sitting at his desk with the letter to his new friend on the opposing page. Oscar’s letters are blue and Bill’s are yellow, helping the reader keep track of who’s writing which letter. Along the way, the pen pals send each other little gifts that show up in the other’s room on the next page. And the surprise at the end…read it and find out!
This book brings reminds us of the fun of writing and sending letters. There is a wondrous pleasure in eagerly waiting for the response from your pen pal. The drawings are simple and clean with pops of color. All in all, this is a fun story that will encourage readers to consider writing some letters of their own.
Be Brave, Little Penguin
Pip-Pip is a nervous little penguin and very anxious about the idea of swimming in that absolutely HUGE ocean! Who knows what might be out there that might want to eat him? So, Pip-Pip plays alone, hearing the words ‘scaredy Pip-Pip’ from the other little penguins. Daddy penguin thinks this is silly, but mommy penguin takes a gentler approach. His family’s encouragement works and Pip-Pip overcomes his fear and discovers a world of wonder under the sea.
The lovely illustrations coordinate well with the lyrical prose. This story might just help a small human reader overcome a fear. Besides, who doesn’t love penguin chicks? Recommended
Olympic Records
This slim book succinctly describes many of the greatest Olympic records and athletes of all times. Exciting photographs punctuate the bits of information, which will be jut enough for those sports buffs that don’t want to wade through lots of information in a larger reference book. Many of the athletes and sports will be familiar (example: Michael Phelps and swimming). But, some will be new to middle grade readers (example: coxless pair rowers Hamish Bond and Erick Murray).
Typical nonfiction features are present: table of contents, glossary, index. And potentially unfamiliar words are bolded. Olympic Records is part of the Blastoff! Discovery: Incredible Sports Records series and is a nice addition to those collections that need a boost of new material. Additional selection
Nick the Sidekick
Nick has some very special powers – he has super hearing and he is super smart. Unfortunately, his super hearing comes at a price…super big ears. And, those ears make him the brunt of schoolyard jokes and mean kids. His best friend, Tess, is always there to encourage and help Nick in any way she can, though.
Nick’s talents do not go unnoticed and he is recruited to be a sidekick…er, assistant…to Super Fantastic Guy, a brawny and not-so-bright superhero. Nick trains for his job and doesn’t quite get the flying part down. But, he uses his super intellect and hearing to fight crime alongside…er, behind….Super Fantastic Guy, who loves to take credit for their fabulous crime fighting.
Fortunately, Nick’s contribution is not totally unnoticed. A reporter spots the truth and gets a few digs in to Super Fantastic Guy, who doesn’t really get it until Tess changes part of his acceptance speech at a city ceremony and he reads the truth out loud. He also reads that he has poopy pants. Geez, can’t this superhero read ahead a bit? He acknowledges at the end that he might have deserved it, though. So, we have hope that Nick will get the accolades he deserves in the future.
The bright colors and quick pace of the story through the panels makes this a quick read and it should appeal to the Captain Underpants crowd in a big way. And, that’s no cliche! Highly recommended.
Crawly School for Bugs: Poems to Drive You Buggy
Who would have thought that bugs could be fun? Well, open this book of bug poetry and be prepared to laugh your way through a day of fun at insect school. These little critters are learning some important lessons in each poem. For example, Hiding from Spiders: Run, Don’t Count. “Teacher says, Don’t count their eyes, If you count eight- it’s too late.” And, the school motto is spot-on: “Never eat a friend at school”.
The short, rhyming poems with the accompanying humorous, multi-media illustrations are a perfect introduction to insects and poetry. The language is lively and is matched well to the actions of the buggy students and staff of this very unique school. Readers will giggle their way through a day at insect school. Add this book to your poetry collection to liven it up a bit. Highly Recommended