The lyrical text describes animals that live in groups and using the collective nouns and then names an animal that lives alone. I like the use of collective nouns and the text is engaging. I was expecting to learn more information about the solitary animals, but I did learn which animals live in groups and what the group names are called. There is a page at the back that answers some questions about why some animals live alone. The artwork in the book is bright and vibrant and is eye-catching.
Category Archives: Additional Purchase
The Great Paint by Alex Willmore
Frog is an artist but he needed some inspiration for his art because his swamp was dull. He went around to his friends in the forest and adds his artistic interpretations. His friends do not appreciate him beautifying everything. He realizes he got carried away and returns to his swamp to create his own art show. He invites his friends to his art show so he can apologize.
Frog is fun and his personality comes through in the illustrations. He learns that he needs to respect other’s spaces. I do wish it had shown Frog helping his friends clean up the messes that he made.
The book was originally published in London, so there is some spelling differences in the book that kids might notice (colour/color). The text changes between black and white, but sometimes the page is dark and the text is still black which makes it a challenge to read.
Toucan with Two Cans
It’s a controlled-text early reader that plays a bit with sound-alike words and homonyms. It basically tells the story of a juggling toucan juggling cans. It has a certain element of the tongue twister about it that makes it kind of fun, but sometimes the use of the same words in different contexts makes building meaning from the story a bit confusing.
Sister Corita’s Words and Shapes
It’s a nice little picture book biography of a little-known (at least not to me) individual. Perhaps the subject is more well-known in art circles. Regardless, it would certainly make a nice addition to a collection with a strong art or religious focus. The story is told in a simple and direct manner for young children, infused with a sense of the joy and hope that it describes the Corita striving to share. The author’s note in the back is important to fleshing out the context for the story told in the main body of the book. It would have been enhanced by a few actual photos of the real individual and/or some samples of her art.
Recipe for Disaster
by Aimee Lucido
Following her best friend’s amazing Bat Mitzvah, Hannah begins plans for her own. Hannah’s parents do not support this decision. Her mother, though Jewish, does not practice Judaism, and her father was raised Catholic. Hannah may be drawn to the Bat Mitzvah, not for the spiritual meaning, but for the glamour of the event. While Hannah explores her Jewish identity, relationships with her family members and friends take big hits and secrets are revealed. Told with plenty of humor, this middle school novel is full of drama, self-awareness, and recipes!
Your Mama
A book reminiscent of the old “Your mama so…” sayings, but with some very surprising and positive twists. Told in rhyming text, this picture book looks at a mama that can do and be anything. She dresses beautifully, is a brainiac and fights injustice. She is as strong as a Marine and so funny. Yet, she can sometimes be “cray-cray”. But, that’s ok, because she wouldn’t have it any other way”.
Colors are vibrant and most characters are people of color. The universal theme of love and joy shared by a mother and child are celebrated in exuberant text and illustrations. My only caveat is the use of “your mama” over and over. Will young children understand that it’s a twist on a tired, old joke? I’m not sure. The illustrations are contemporary as is much of the language. Perhaps, young readers will overlook the redundant use of that tired phrase.
Chicks Rock!
Every chick has a talent and Rocker Chick’s is music. She can play the guitar and belt out a tune better than any other chick. One day, she receives an invitation to headline a show and excitedly prepares for her big debut. On the big night, she steps on stage and freezes. Oh, no! Fortunately, her friends are there to support her using their unique skill sets. For example, Pop Chick teachers her dance moves and Artsy Chick does her makeup. My favorite is Zen Chick, who helps with stress. In the end, Rocker Chick overcomes her fear and rocks the crowd and thanks her “team”, who realize that they can achieve anything with the help of their friends.
This is a colorful, rollicking story told in rhyme. It moves along nicely and the end has a sweet message. This book is a nice addition to social-emotional collections.
Moth & Butterfly
Moth & Butterfly, written by Dev Petty and illustrated by Ana Aranda is a cute friendship story. The two friends begin as caterpillars who have so much in common, they enjoy playing together, eating together, and dancing together. But, as in any lifecycle of a caterpillar, they go through their metamorphosis and when they emerge, they discover they are very different now! Out pops Butterfly and then out pops Moth! They have changed! Their wings look different, their colors are different, their antennae are different. They also notice that they have different behaviors – Moth darts, whereas Butterfly is graceful, Moth loves night and Butterfly loves the sunshine. They have grown up and their differences start to keep them apart. Despite these differences, Moth and Butterfly find they still do have a few activities (like dancing) in common.
I enjoyed this classic friendship tale where two best friends grow up and apart and have to find each other again. But, I think what I enjoyed most is that you also learn about some of the differences between moths and butterflies.
This book has great illustrations filled with movement and vibrant colors.
If you have a class studying butterflies in science this would be a great addition. It would also fit in with many SEL curricula when talking about overcoming differences and friendship.
The Thing Lenny Loves Most About Baseball
Lenny loves baseball and he loves reading in his Big Book of Baseball Facts. He wants to play in the big leagues one day. In his very first game a ball is hit to him, but Lenny hides behind his glove. Lenny decides that he loves reading about baseball, but he is not good playing at it. His dad says that he just needs to practice. Lenny’s dad helps Lenny practice catching pop flies. Lenny learns that he does not have to be great all of the time and at everything.
I See You See by Richard Jackson
Maisie’s mom asks her to walk the dog – and Jonah, her younger brother in a wheelchair asks to go along too. While Maisie struggles with the dog and pushing the wheelchair, Jonah’s imagination brings the walk alive. From a tree of cats and bell machine, to a popsicle garden and a sky slide, Jonah shares his joy. As the walk progresses, Maisie begins to see the world through a more imaginative lens, changing a chore into something filled with fun and laughter.
I See You See is a celebration of imagination and the bond between siblings.