This book, published by the National Wildlife Federation, is a wealth of information for kids who want to know all about camping. Each chapter begins with a question, which is answered with photos, diagrams and succinctly written information.  Bold face type is used for emphasis (important points) and unusual words.  Readers will enjoy the suggested activities – even the ideas for rainy days in camp (because, really…we have all had rainy days while camping, right?).  There is a helpful checklist near the end and a listing of National Parks and website reference.  An index is helpful for quick reference.  

Kids’ guide to camping : all you need to know about having fun in the outdoors is part of a four book Ranger Rick series.  This won’t be on your shelves for long.  It’s a fun, fairly easy read and will interest those readers that have an interest in the outdoors. 

Rory Tiger and Sheldon Turtle are getting ready for Christmas, when they change into their super hero gear to help out the woodland animals from Grumpus Bear. Grumpus Bear has been taking bees’ honey, rabbit’s carrots and squirrel’s nuts. Rory and Sheldon start by doing research on the internet and in books and discover, “I think I know the reason Grumpus didn’t hibernate. His red coat is so big and warm and puffy…”, says Rory. Sheldon finishes, ” …he doesn’t REALIZE that it’s wintertime!”

Rory and Sheldon decide to trick Grumpus into hibernating by offering a free show in a heated tent with free candy.  Once inside the tent, the usher (AKA Rory) takes Grumpus’ coat, as “Operation Bear-in-Underwear is about to get underway.” First comes the dancing squirrels, then the magic show with a disappearing tent and heater, followed by, “You are getting very sleepy… Hush, little baby… Time to take a beary long nap!” Mission accomplished. 

The graphic science novel ends with a “Super-Duper Animal Fact” about bears hibernating.

Story by Henri Meunier/ Illustrations by Nathalie Choux/ Adapted by Liza Charlesworth by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt / first published in France 

The Unwanted is a vivid description of life experiences that result in the people of Syria leaving their homes to find a new place in the world.  In this graphic novel it is easy to relate to the plight of the refugees and understand why they undergo risky and harsh conditions to flee the life threatening war in their homeland.  It is highly understandable as the refugees speak simple sentences about their viewpoints. This book describes the obstacles to finding a new home plus why other countries may not welcome them.  It talks about historical events and the underlying political forces. The stories do tend to be sad. Anyone who wants to build a wall to keep out immigrants should read this book. It is interesting and informative for all levels of readers and I highly recommend it.

A retired pigeon private detective is hired by a little canary to track down a feather thief. The feather thief turns out to be the detectives old partner. After solving the crime, the retired detective and the young canary are back in business again. This book would make a better one on one book versus a read aloud. There is some humor and play on words that adults would catch, but children probably would not. 

From the series, Just Like Us, this book compares how birds are just like humans. They make music, build and decorate homes, take care of babies, and teach their young. With color cartoon illustrations and text boxes with information, this book gives examples of how birds build nests, attract mates, and care for their young. It also gives gives examples for specific bird species. There is a glossary at the end titled “Say What?” and a Bibliography. 

Luka has smuggled himself out of a Nazi labor camp even though he had to leave his friend, Lida, behind. He makes his way towards the mountains trying to escape detection from the Nazis and the Soviets and find his way back to his father. He stumbles upon the Ukrainian Insurgent Army and decides that he needs to be with them and fight for the resistance. 

An action packed novel inspired by true events from the author of Making Bombs for Hitler. A recommended purchase for grades 5 and up. 

What happens after the Big, Bad Wolf goes down the chimney and is captured by the Three Little Pigs?  Look no further than The Three Little Superpigs to find the ‘rest of the story’!  This book continues the tale of the intrepid pigs and their nemesis, the wolf.  Our heroes, aka Superpigs, are keeping the local fairy tale residents safe from bad guys and basking in the glow of fame.  Unfortunately, the biggest, baddest guy, aka Big, Bad Wolf, escapes from “Happily Never After Prison” and acts upon his plan to take revenge on the Superpigs.  He easily captures the first two pigs, who obviously didn’t learn anything the first time around.  Luckily, the third pig is still smarter than his siblings and the wolf.  He rescues his brothers, captures the wolf and makes Fairyland safe again.  Whew!  What a great ending to the story…or is it really the end?? 

Fun illustrations and tongue-in-cheek text will make readers young and old chuckle and cheer at the eventual capture of the Big, Bad Wolf.  This book would be a great introduction to student writing – what happens next for other fairy tale characters/stories? Ex. Do the three bears see Goldilocks again? Does the Gingergread Man run away again?  Hmmm… Highly Recommended. 

Here is a new book on Roanoke by Torque- ” action-packed world … [of] mystery , and adventure.” There are seven modern color photos of Roanoke Island and six historic illustrations from the time period. The timeline sums up the known events beginning in 1584 and ending six years later in 1590.

“1584- England sends men to explore the area around Roanoke,

1585- An English fleet comes to Roanoke to build a settlement,

1586- The settlement fails and its men leave,

1587-New English colonists rebuild the settlement,

1590- The colony is found empty with no explanation” (16-17)

There are conjectures dealing with sickness, starvation, and battle, but nothing has been proven in over four hundred years. So do we need a new 24 page book, for a new generation of school children, saying we do not know what happened? Maybe, maybe not.

Ends with www.factsurfer.com.

The Princess in Black is like Bruce Wayne is to Batman or Clark Kent is to Superman, for she is a girl hero in disguise.

In book number 5, the Princess in Black  (AKA Princess Magnolia) is helping Goat Avenger send a monster back to Monster Land, but they do not notice another monster emerge from the hole a short time later. The new monster is a hungry shape-shifter. The Princess in Black currently smells like goats after helping the Goat Avenger, so the hungry monster secretly follows her back to Princess Magnolia’s castle, where she changes clothes. Now Princess Magnolia, still smelling of goats, is being followed by the monster disguised as a trunk riding on the back of her carriage, as the princess heads out for a playdate in the neighboring castle of Princess Sneezewort. Princess Sneezewort shows Princess Magnolia around her castle when a villager starts calling,’  “Help! Help! A monster is trying to eat my kitty!”  ‘(30) In Clark Kent style Princess Magnolia changes into the Princess in Black to rescue the kitty. Princess Sneezewort decides she must protect her kingdom and quickly transforms herself for the first time into the Princess in Blankets. Together they help the villagers, even though they do not know each others true identities. Eventually, the two princesses catch the monster and send him back to Monster Land.

Short chapters , colorful illustrations on every page turn, and scroll work around the text filled pages add an elegant charm which adds to the appeal of this book.