Basic information about cape buffalo is presented in simple nonfiction text designed to engage beginning readers.  Facts about habitat, behavior, when and where they eat, and predators are accompanied by large, colorful photographs that reinforce the text.  This series, Animal Safari, contains 46 animals and are written at the Level 1: Emergent reading level.  Good introduction to nonfiction books for children.

Engaging photographs adorn every spread as beginning readers learn about cute baby otters.  They are totally dependent on their mothers until able to fend for themselves.  Information about habitat, behavior, and food is presented in large, simple text.  This series contains 19 baby animals and are written at the Level 1: Emergent reading level.  Good introduction to nonfiction books for young people.

Basic facts about the wild turkey are presented in plain nonfiction text designed for beginning readers.  Information about habitat, behavior, food, and other characteristics are accompanied by large, colorful photographs to reinforce the text.  This series of Backyard Wildlife contains 42 different animals and are written at the Level 1: Emergent reading level.  Good introduction to nonfiction books for young people.

Special Forces operators are a team of 12 highly trained United States Army soldiers who are supremely qualified to work in dangerous conditions.  Their missions take them around the world as well as protecting people at home.  Their training, special gear, and the variety of dangers in which they may encounter are mentioned.  Information  is brief.  Photographs show men performing their duties, handling equipment, and using weapons.  Glossary, index, books to read, and a website are provided.  This book is sure to raise questions and pique interest about these courageous people who risk all to protect their country.

In 1782, the bald eagle was chosen to be our national symbol.  As this remarkable bird is described, multiple reasons for the choice are revealed.  Simple paragraphs in large font are matched with excellent color photographs.  This book is small in size and uncluttered in presentation, yet contains an extraordinary amount of information and facts.  Historical events, physical traits, where and how the bald eagle symbol is used are all included.  A timeline, map, glossary, index and website conclude the book.  Engaging nonfiction for young readers.

Excellent photographs are paired with simple sentences to point out similarities and differences between frogs and toads.  While they share many characteristics, there are identifiable distinctions.  Appearance of eggs, the colors and texture of the skin, whether or not they have teeth, and how they move are some features used to determine if the amphibian is a frog or a toad.  Two craft projects include step-by-step instructions for making either a frog or a toad.  Also included is a glossary.

Make fun and tasty cupcakes to impress your friends!  The first 15 pages present necessary  information to help beginning cooks be prepared, understand terms, learn frosting tips, which supplies to have on hand, and ingredients common to many cupcakes.  Recipes include: Rainbow cupcakes with rainbow colored layers, Hot Chocolate Delights – baked right in the mug!, Rock ‘n’ Roll cupcakes with rock candy on the frosting, Ice Cream Cone cupcakes served in actual cones, Cupcake Poppers – lollipop style cupcakes, Watermelon cupcakes – pink cupcake, green frosting, and mini chocolate chip “seeds”, and S’more Surprise cupcakes – graham cracker crumbs in the batter, topped with chocolate squares and mini marshmallows.  Don’t they sound delicious!  Beginning bakers are encouraged to investigate other recipes and experiment with their own creations.  An ABDO website has additional recipes and ideas on their Book Links page under the arts and activities subject tab. Recipes are simple, yet complete.  Excellent photographs illustrate some steps and the finished product.

When a fox sneaks up to the coop at night, chickens Midge, Pip, and Dot have nothing to worry about because Rooster Sam is on duty.  Sam gets the credit for scaring the fox even though it is because he made lots of noise while running away.  It is Dot who is ultimately responsible for their safety.  A large, sleepy dog comes to hopefully help Sam keep an eye on the coop.  Again, it is Dot’s foresight that helps the inept Sam and the dozing dog scare the fox away.  Simple sentences, chapter headings, and large, funny illustrations make this a joy for beginning readers.  This is the fourth book in the series.

Who knew the hidden problems that come with NOT being afraid of monsters?  Monsters think the boy is one of them and will not leave him alone!  They eat his cereal, ruin his homework, and wear his favorite pajamas.  When he finally reaches his breaking point, the boy introduces the pesky monsters to his younger brother and walks away – monster free.  The pen and ink illustrations are large, colorful, and fun.  This could be paired with Mo Willem’s Leonardo, the Terrible Monster or Amanda Noll’s I Need My Monster.  What fun to think of how monsters can be funny and/or irritating rather than scary.

Any author that has the guts to use an opening line like “It’s midnight, it’s sweltering, and I might be high on Vicodin, but that guy — that guy right over there—that’s him” will get their reader hooked.  Thus was the case when reading Isla and the Happily Ever After.  The title gives it away, that there will be a happy ending but readers will not remember it for it’s ending — though that is fairytale-ish good too. No, it will be remembered for the intricacies of the characters Stephanie Perkins brings out.  Set at a private school in France, Isla is a junior who has kept to herself most of her freshman and sophomore year.  She is the highest ranking person in her class of only 24 elite students.  Both of the past two school years she has had a huge crush on Joshua Wasserstein.  In this opening scene, they are actually both back in New York City for the summer and Isla’s dental work has left her loopy with the confidence she’d never have had to talk to Josh. This chance and single meeting sets the spark for all of the stars to align.  The plot really picks up once they are back at school in the fall.  But it’s not all Josh and Isla.  Perkins creates a wonderful best friend companion of Isla in Kurt.  Kurt is has Asperger’s, the high functioning form of autism, that tells Isla how it is without the mush that best girl friends would have likely brought to the scenes.  Kurt is a guy who wants Isla’s attention because they’ve been friends since they were in diapers.  This creates tension, of course, but the maturity in which the characters all handle it is a lesson for all teens to learn from.  There’s passion that’s slightly graphic. But there’s drama without a lot of drama and the scenes clip along at a nice pace, especially as the main conflict begins to unfold.  For being a student who studies abroad, Isla’s insecurities don’t always ring true, but that could also be a reminder that even the most confident people on the outside have worries too.  There is the happily ever after, of course, so upper high school readers who like the Sarah Dessen, Deb Collasanti books will find another author right up their alley in Stephanie Perkins.