Book Review Key 2010+
+ + + + + Outstanding
+ + + + Highly Recommended
+ + + Recommended
+ + Average
+ Poor
|
SEARCH BELOW FOR
RECENT BOOK REVIEWS
Don't forget to check the archives further down for older reviews.
|
.
|
| *You may publish these book reviews on your website or in your ezine or newsletter. Please include the following byline with each book review:Book review by Lisa Barker, http://www.biblioreads.com |
Posts Tagged ‘Title H’
Thursday, June 10th, 2010
 + + + + Harry The Happy Caterpillar Grows
Author: Cindy Jett, MSW
Illustrator: Kathy Voerg
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 48 pages
Publisher: New Horizon Press (June 22, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0882823167
ISBN-13: 978-0882823164
Book description: Harry loves everything about his caterpillar life: crawling up trees, eating leaves, playing with his caterpillar friends, and participating in the Caterpillar Games each Friday. He even enjoys going to caterpillar school where his teacher, a beautiful butterfly named Ms. Betty, teaches about the best leaves to eat. Then one day, Ms. Betty teaches a lesson called “How to Build a Cocoon,” where she tells her caterpillar students about building cocoons and turning into butterflies. Harry cannot believe that he has to give up the life he loves as a caterpillar to become a butterfly. Harry decides he won’t grow up — he wants to stay the same. Harry’s friends, however, teach him that change is a good and promising part of life. Harry’s endearing, colorfully illustrated story helps children not to fear change and highlights the positive aspects of growth in our rapidly changing world.
Book review: What I love most about Harry The Happy Caterpillar Grows is that it doesn’t speak down to children. In a very open and forthright manner this little story makes change appealing and gives children an expression for their fears and anxieties and possibly an opportunity to talk with the loving adults in their life about changes they face. Either way, it’s a great story that will help children internalize the good things about change and feel a whole lot better.
Tags: Ages 4-8, Author last name J, change, feelings, growing up, Highly Recommended titles, Title H
Posted in Book Reviews |
Monday, May 24th, 2010
 + + + + The Healing Wars: Book I: The Shifter
Author: Janice Hardy
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Balzer + Bray; 1 edition (October 6, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061747041
ISBN-13: 978-0061747045
Book Description: This story takes place in a world where pain can be shifted out of a body and placed into a stone. The people who have the power to shift pain from humans to the magical stones are revered by society. Unfortunately, the protagonist, Nya can take the pain out of humans but she is unable to transfer the pain to the stones like her sister, Tali. If it is discovered that Nya has a flawed talent she can be used as a human weapon against her people. When Tali is kidnapped, Nya must risk everything she has to save her sister and her people.
Book Review: The Shifter is fast paced with suspense, adventure, betrayal, and possibilities. The Shifter is engaging story that leaves you wanting more. Luckily this book has all the possibilities for a sequel, so keep you fingers crossed.
-Review by N.C., 16-yrs old
Tags: adventure, Ages 9-12, Author last name H, fantasy, Highly Recommended titles, Title H, Title S
Posted in Book Reviews |
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
 + + + Have You Ever Seen a Stork Build a Log Cabin?
Author: Etta Kaner
Illustrator: Jeff Szuc
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Kids Can Press, Ltd. (March 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1554533368
ISBN-13: 978-1554533367
Book description: Have You Ever Seen a Stork Build a Log Cabin? compares human and animal homes and reveals surprising facts about how animals make shelters. Maybe you’ve never seen a stork build a log cabin – but these animals can build nests the size of a small car. The Play Around the World! activity at the end of the book will provide hours of educational enjoyment. Each informational picture book in the Have You Ever Seen series uses lighthearted human-animal comparisons to teach primary-level children about animals.
Book review: I love the light touch of humor in these books and so does my kiddo. He reads for both the silliness and the animal facts and avidly collects the book sin this series. A great way to introduce little ones to animal habitats.
Tags: Ages 4-8, animal habitats, animals, Author last name K, humor, Recommended titles, Title H
Posted in Book Reviews |
Saturday, February 27th, 2010
 + + + How Do Dinosaurs Love Their Dogs?
Author: Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Mark Teague
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Board book: 14 pages
Publisher: The Blue Sky Press; Brdbk edition (January 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0545153522
ISBN-13: 978-0545153522
Book description: Woof! From playing fetch to a walk in the park, puppy dogs are a dinosaurs best friend! This board book introduces little ones to dog care – great if your family is thinking of adding a dog to the family.
Book review: Another winner by the dynamic duo Jane Yolen and Mark Teague. Both capture the attitude of little ones, their expressions and their tender hearts as we read how bad dinosaurs turn to good dinosaurs in caring for those beloved pooches. Open a dialogue with your little ones about the care and love of your pet dog. Older kiddos will recognize themselves and enjoy the humor.
Tags: Ages 4-8, Author last name Y, care of a pet, dinosaurs, Jane Yolen, manners, pets, Recommended titles, Title H
Posted in Book Reviews |
Saturday, February 27th, 2010
 + + + How Do Dinosaurs Love Their Cats?
Author: Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Mark Teague
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Board book: 14 pages
Publisher: The Blue Sky Press; Brdbk edition (January 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0545153549
ISBN-13: 978-0545153546
Book description: Meow! From purring naps to catnip toys, kitty cats are a dinosaur’s favorite pet to cuddle. This sturdy little board book addition to the Dinosaur series by Jane Yolen helps introduce little ones to the requirements necessary for caring for kitties.
Book Review: As expected the illustrations are the real winner in How Do Dinosaurs Love Their Cats? Each dino accurately and humorously expresses every child’s mood and sentiment with regard to pets – from a lack of desire to treat a kitty nicely to an aversion to stinky chores to the real love and care of a cat. Jane Yolen’s narration rhymes and captures those sentiments poignantly. This is a great book for the younger ones (ages 4-5) but older kiddos (ages 6-8) will relate and be amused.
Tags: Ages 4-8, Author last name Y, care of pets, dinosaurs, Jane Yolen, manners, pets, Recommended titles, Title H
Posted in Book Reviews |
Thursday, October 29th, 2009
 * * * How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You?
Author: Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Mark Teague
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: The Blue Sky Press (October 6, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0545143144
ISBN-13: 978-0545143141
Book description: Parents and children can never have enough ways to say “I love you”–and now, America’s favorite dinosaurs are giving families a funny book, perfect for bedtime, story time, anytime. Even when little dinosaurs are naughty, it’s important to remind them that no matter what they do, they are always loved. In this book, readers will laugh aloud as parents cope with the typical antics of childhood, but in the end, hugs and kisses show your little one how much you care.
Book review: This author-illustrator team does such an awesome job of delivering the message that no matter what a child does, he’s still very loved. I have such a naughty dinosaur at home myself and this book will please him to no end because he absolutely LOVES it when I appreciate his hugs and kisses. He will certainly identify with the dinosaurs in this tale and I will love sharing this story at bedtime. Needless to say, the illustrations are splendid–I love how the dinosaurs portray the many moods and expressions of children from fussing to ‘dragging their feet’–funny! If you’ve read any of the other dinosaur books by this dynamic duo you will definitely love this one.
Tags: Ages 4-8, Author last name Y, dinosaurs, kindergarten, manners, Outstanding titles, Title H, toddlers
Posted in Book Reviews |
Tuesday, October 6th, 2009
 * * Begin Smart: How Many Beeps?
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Board book: 12 pages
Publisher: Begin Smart (October 6, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1934618551
ISBN-13: 978-1934618554
Book review: Ohhhhh! For the boy that loves trucks this book has it all. Counting, real beeping, and trucks galore. Take it to the next level–don’t just read about trucks, beep about trucks. Loved it. Loved the rhyme, the interactive horn, the colors. An all around good book for this age group.
Tags: Ages 0-4, babies, Begin Smart, board book, Highly Recommended titles, infant, Title B, Title H
Posted in Book Reviews |
Tuesday, October 6th, 2009
 * Begin Smart: Hooray For Hands!
Reading level: Baby-Preschool
Board book: 18 pages
Publisher: Begin Smart; Brdbk edition (October 6, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1934618470
ISBN-13: 978-1934618479
Book review: As with all the Begin Smart books, this is just the right size for small hands and durable. Hooray For Hands is more suitable for the preschool age. This age group will enjoy following along and listening to the meter and rhyme.
Tags: Ages 0-4, babies, Begin Smart, board book, infant, Recommended titles, Title B, Title H
Posted in Book Reviews |
Wednesday, September 9th, 2009
 * * * How to Build Your Own Country
Author: Valerie Wyatt
Illustrator: Fred Rix
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Kids Can Press (August 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1554533104
ISBN-13: 978-1554533107
Book description: How to Build Your Own Country is an interactive and totally original learning experience that shows kids how to build their very own country from scratch. This book, the only one of its kind, offers children the expertise and advice they’ll need to plant their flag in the backyard, in the bedroom or online.
Book review: Funny, fun and educational. Homeschoolers and teachers could easy take this book and run with it giving their 3rd – 6th graders a real eye-opener on what it takes to create, build up and run a country while absorbing facts and advice that teach about government, elections and all things related to running a country.
Tags: Ages 9-12, Author last name W, countries, government, Outstanding titles, social studies, Title H
Posted in Book Reviews |
Wednesday, August 26th, 2009
 * * Hoaxed! Fakes & Mistakes in the World of Science
Authors: The Editors of YES Mag
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 48 pages
Publisher: Kids Can Press (September 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1554532078
ISBN-13: 978-1554532070
Book description: This book tells the real-life story of eleven elaborate schemes that fooled a lot of people. It also shows how scientists, acting like detectives, uncovered the truth and exposed some hoaxers (some of whom are … scientists).
Hoaxed! uncovers and explains 17 brilliantly bogus stories from the history of science. You’ll find usual suspects such as Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster, as well as some lesser known but fascinating stories: phony ancient bones, a “lost” tribe who weren’t what they seemed, a UFO crash landing and many more. The combination of far-out facts, archival photos and comical illustrations keeps science interesting for youngsters.
Hoaxes include: * Crop circles made by a couple of British hoaxers that ended up creating a cultural phenomenon * Cold fusion, the scientific “discovery” that promised humanity cheap, clean fuel forever * A fake “Stone Age” tribe in the Philippines that caused a global media frenzy
Book review: Absolutely fascinating and perfect for this age group and all those who love to gobble up trivia and facts. Read about some of the best hoaxes in history, the suspicions regarding their circumstances and how they were proven fakes. A great encouragement for young readers to develop inquisitive minds.
This book is coming out in September.
Tags: Ages 9-12, facts, Highly Recommended titles, hoaxes, science, Title H
Posted in Book Reviews |
Thursday, July 30th, 2009
 * * Have You Ever Seen an Octopus with a Broom?
Author: Etta Kaner
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Kids Can Press (September 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1554532477
ISBN-13: 978-1554532476
Book description: Have You Ever Seen an Octopus with a Broom? compares human and animal tools and reveals surprising facts about how animals clean house, fish for food and even play percussion. Maybe you’ve never seen an octopus with a broom – but these animals use jets of water like a broom to sweep out leftovers after a meal, and also sweep sand and small stones out of their den to make it bigger. The Spin It! activity at the end of the book will provide hours of educational enjoyment. Each informational picture book in the Have You Ever Seen series uses lighthearted human-animal comparisons to teach primary-level children about animals.
Book review: Loved this one as much as the others in this series. Using silly questions to launch a mini-lesson about animals and how they really act hooks the reader. Little ones will gobble this up, memorizing the little facts about each creature.
Tags: Ages 4-8, animal habitat, animals, Author last name K, Highly Recommended titles, silly, Title H
Posted in Book Reviews |
Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009
 * * Houdini’s Gift
Author: Jeanne Gehret, M.A.
Illustrator: Michael LaDuca
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Verbal Images Press (September 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0982198221
ISBN-13: 978-0982198223
Book description: Revisiting well-loved characters from a past adventure, this picture book presents animal-loving Ben with the challenge of having another pet after losing his pet hamster. Knowing that Ben is not ready to care for a new pet, his parents help him develop responsibility and readiness by using a reward chart. Young readers will enjoy sharing the secret that Mom keeps from Ben through the whole process of selecting and preparing for the new pet. The advice within the story shows how families living with ADHD or learning disabilities will gain solace by fine-tuning desired behaviors through setting and pursuing goals.
Book review: A great companion to Eagle Eyes. Having a character that the ADHD child can relate to and look up to is wonderful. Having a series of books with the same character is even better! Jeanne Gehret’s books are sure to encourage ADHD kiddos as they work with therapists, teachers and their family members to master new skills and tactics that will help them live well.
Tags: ADHD, Ages 6-10, Ages 9-12, Author last name G, Highly Recommended titles, Title H
Posted in Book Reviews |
Sunday, October 22nd, 2006
 * * How Do Dinosaurs Play With Their Friends?
Authors: Jane Yolen & Mark Teague
Reading level: Baby-Preschool
Board book: 12 pages
Publisher: The Blue Sky Press; Board edition (September 1, 2006)
ISBN: 043985654X
How do dinosaurs play with their friends? Well, there’s the naughty way, including pouting and moping and not sharing, and then there’s the right way including taking turns and letting others go first. Little ones can relate as the naughty dinosaurs learn to share and be nice to others. Very appealing to this age group AND parents. An excellent way to encourage young ones to play nicely with others.
Buy now on Amazon.com
Tags: Ages 0-4, Author last name Y, dinosaurs, friendship, Highly Recommended titles, kindergarten, manners, preschool, Title H
Posted in Book Reviews |
Sunday, October 22nd, 2006
 * Hello, Hello
Author: Fumiko Takeshita
Illustrator: Jun Takabatake
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Kane/Miller Book Publishers (September 2006)
Language: English
ISBN: 1933605111
All about the phone. Very light history. Very light info about phone uses. Will interest little ones (age 4) and can encourage ages 5 and 6 to read. Can be agreat start to talking seriously with your kiddo about the phone and the right way to use it.
Buy now on Amazon.com
Tags: Ages 4-8, Author last name T, history, manners, Recommended titles, telephone, Title H
Posted in Book Reviews |
|
