By Monica Wesolowska, Illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey
Even as a baby Elbert could fly. Throughout his life, may gave suggestions to keep him from doing so but his mother always encouraged him to be himself. This is a tale of reaching for your dreams, being yourself and always moving forward to be the best you can be. It is also a great message for any parent, friend or mentor to support one another. While it is a nice story with a happy ending, I would recommend this book as an extra purchase as there are many others that give the same message in a more heartwarming way.
This adorably illustrated book encourages one to create memories in a variety of ways. It also gives examples of how to save these memories by writing them down, creating a picture or taking a photograph. One may remember memories just by hearing a few notes from a song or seeing something. The author also explains that there will be times when you cannot necessarily remember the entire memory or may forget all of it but that it’s okay to do so. In the end, the book encourages the reader to go out into the world knowing that these memories are a reminder of who they are, what they have endured and that one has the strength to overcome. This is a great read-a-like with “Oh the Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss.
Baby Capybara is a happy, fun-loving soul that enjoys playing the drums (on rocks), blowing bubbles and making obstacle courses. Unlike the other capybaras, he has no bird friends that stay on his back. His mother explains that he needs to be calm and relaxing in order to gain friends like birds. He tries to do these things and eventually is successful. Will his new friends enjoy the high energy activities that he wants to share with them or will he always be a lonely capybara?
The author has created a cute story that gives readers a message that while there are times finding and making friends can be challenging. She also sends the message that being yourself will make you a happier person in the long run. With adorable a pleasing illustrations, this picture book will make young readers smile.
In this (pretty much) wordless picture book, a worm finds a beautiful, huge apple. When others come along he has to make a decision. Will he share or not? As the title says, this worm is greedy. He quickly eats it all so others don’t get any. This makes him a very plump and pretty much immobile worm that a hungry bird is VERY interested in. Do the others choose not to help? Or do the step in even though he decided not to share? This is a very simply illustrated book that all will understand.
written by Nicholas Solis; Illustrated by Luisa Uribe
Two cousins live on either side of the Mexico-U.S border and share what they love about their homes as well as their enjoyment of their cousin’s town. Each two page spread shares a unique aspect of their towns in both English and Spanish. They share about their houses, schools, markets, holidays and time together in both towns. This sweet story ends with the cousins and their families crossing the border, a bridge over a river, with guards on both sides and both kids expressing the wish that visits could be easier. They stand overlooking the river and share that both towns feel like home.
This story is great on many levels. The lovely illustrations, which offer details of life on both sides of the border, are perfect for some compare and contrast discussions. The English and Spanish is simple enough for language learners and read alouds. And, students will notice the joy that these two cousins experience no matter what town they are in together.
Four young horses from a divided kingdom come together to fulfill the prophesy of Horsa. Their quest is to locate the magical yearling that will bring peace to their warring realms once again. They are chosen by a magical pink sun and their hooves are marked by that magic. This story, the first in a series, shares their selection to the group and their first attempt at locating the magical yearling with all its dangers along the way. Guided by a special map, they begin this quest underground, fighting off rock monsters and coming to a rather uneasy alliance.
Vivid illustrations and manageable text will gain young fans of graphic novels, fantasy and horses. Each horse’s personality comes through clearly and their interactions are, at times, humorous. The story is nicely paced and young readers will certainly look forward to the next installment in the series. Highly recommended.
This book is an introduction to a South American country that is unbiased and current. Readers will enjoy the colorful images as well as the opportunities to try a traditional recipe of Cocadas and make creative spinning tops. There is fun and fascinating information about a variety of animals such as: the Andean Condor, Capybaras and Giant Otters. This book also shows citizens in traditional as well as daily dress doing a variety things throughout the day. This is an informative book that could not only assist a student in a project but could also just be a fun read. It is recommended for elementary libraries that are interested in purchasing/updating country reference books that covers just the basics.
The Blastoff! Discovery – Countries of the World series contains many informational chapters including but not limited to: What sites to see and activities to do in the Madidi National Park, landscape and climate, wildlife, people/communities, various cultural aspects, a timeline, and facts about the country. These books also include a glossary with terms that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades 3 – 8 and are marked at a fourth grade reading level. They are at “Level 3″ which offers a bit more challenge newly fluent readers but also includes an increased text load, and test-supportive special features.”
This book is a introduction to a Northern European country that is unbiased and current. Readers will enjoy the colorful images as well as the opportunities to learn about a famous hockey player and learn to make a “Himmeli”. There is fun and fascinating information about a variety of animals such as: the Eurasian Lynx, Moor Frogs, and Reindeer. This book also shows citizens in traditional as well as daily dress doing a variety things throughout the day. This is an informative book that could not only assist a student in a project but could also just be a fun read. It is recommended for elementary libraries that are interested in purchasing/updating country reference books that covers just the basics.
The Blastoff! Discovery – Countries of the World series contains many informational chapters including but not limited to: What a family or person would do in a famous national park, landscape and climate, wildlife, people/communities, various cultural aspects, a timeline, and facts about the country. These books also include a glossary with terms that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades 3 – 8 and are marked at a fourth grade reading level. They are at “Level 3″ which offers a bit more challenge newly fluent readers but also includes an increased text load, and test-supportive special features.”
This book is a introduction to an Eastern European country that is unbiased and current. Readers will enjoy the colorful images as well as the opportunities to try a traditional recipe of Carnival Fried Dough Balls and an activity called Thieves and Cops. There is fun and fascinating information about a variety of animals such as: the Olm, Alpine Ibex and the Ural Owl. This book also shows citizens in traditional as well as daily dress doing a variety things throughout the day. This is an informative book that could not only assist a student in a project but could also just be a fun read. It is recommended for elementary libraries that are interested in purchasing/updating country reference books that covers just the basics.
The Blastoff! Discovery – Countries of the World series contains many informational chapters including but not limited to: What someone would do and/or see in a major city of the country, landscape and climate, wildlife, people/communities, various cultural aspects, a timeline, and facts about the country. These books also include a glossary with terms that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades 3 – 8 and are marked at a fourth grade reading level. They are at “Level 3″ which offers a bit more challenge newly fluent readers but also includes an increased text load, and test-supportive special features.”
This book is a introduction to an Asian country that is unbiased and current. Readers will enjoy the colorful images as well as the opportunities to try basic Mandarin phrases and learn about a famous film director and screenwriter from the country. There is fun and fascinating information about a variety of animals such as: the Formosan Black Bear, Sambars and Chinese Cobras. This book also shows citizens in traditional as well as daily dress doing a variety things throughout the day. This is an informative book that could not only assist a student in a project but could also just be a fun read. It is recommended for elementary libraries that are interested in purchasing/updating country reference books that covers just the basics.
The Blastoff! Discovery – Countries of the World series contains many informational chapters including but not limited to: What someone would do and/or see in a major city of the country, landscape and climate, wildlife, people/communities, various cultural aspects, a timeline, and facts about the country. These books also include a glossary with terms that are in bold throughout the book as well as an index and a section with links and books to learn more about the country. These books are recommended for grades 3 – 8 and are marked at a fourth grade reading level. They are at “Level 3″ which offers a bit more challenge newly fluent readers but also includes an increased text load, and test-supportive special features.”
