Ivy and Bean- the Ivy and Bean Series #1

written by Annie Barrows
illustrated by Sophie Blackall
ages: 6-9 or grades 2-4

Ivy and Bean are two very different girls: Ivy has long, curly, red hair, Bean's is stick straight; Ivy is quiet and enjoys reading whereas tomboy Bean prefers not to read. Bean decides that the girls are just too different to be friends. But when a joke Bean plays on her older sister Nancy goes badly, Ivy is there to help. One witch costume, magic wand, and a big bucket of pink slimy worms later, the girls are on their way to becoming fast friends.

Quirky characters, an energetic story, and fun illustrations make this a book worth picking up. My daughters read this out loud together and, judging from their laughter, they loved it. We can't wait to read the rest of the series!

Lost in the Devil's Desert

By Gloria Skurzynski
Ages:10+

An exciting adventure where eleven year old Kevin stumbles upon two convicts robbing the owner of a local junkyard. He takes refuge in the back of a pick-up truck, only to find himself trapped in the convict's getaway car. Kevin is able to escape but finds himself facing a more dangerous situation. He is lost in the devil's desert. He has to face the rattlesnakes, the heat, and the dust. Can Kevin survive the desert?

Falling for Rapunzel

written by Leah Wilcox and illustrated by Lydia Monks
grades k-3

Rapunzel is having a bad hair day- her hair has lost its shine! Misinterpreting her whine for a plea for help, the Prince "sallies forth to set her free." The silliness mounts as her inability to hear the Prince's requests correctly leads to all sorts of misunderstandings. All that the Prince wants is for her to throw down her hair and instead he gets, well, everything else. He calls for her to send down her curly locks and she throws down dirty socks. He calls for her hair and ends up covered in pairs of frilly underwear; his cries for a ladder end up with a face full of pancake batter. The Prince certainly gets all of the things that he is asking for, if only Rapunzel would hear it correctly. Rapunzel is thrilled when at last she thinks that she understands what the Prince is asking her for- but does she?

This twist on the traditional Rapunzel fairytale is clever and entertaining. Falling for Rapunzel is precisely what a fairytale, albeit a silly one, should be. The vivid illustrations, rhyming text, and silly predicaments make this book at once delightful and whimsical. This book is a reminder that what we expect and what we get are often very different things, but the outcome can be delightful.

Tuesday

Tuesday
by David Wiesner
Ages 3 and up

Tuesday around eight something mysterious starts to happen; the frogs begin to fly on their lily pads. This book has has few words, but the pictures are adorable. The frogs are like aliens exploring the world of the humans, yet have human reactions and characteristics. As dawn approaches, the magic of flying ends, but what happens next Tuesday around eight?

I read this book many years ago, but recently was able to reread it and laughed hard at the pictures. Small details in the photos are what makes this book come to life. This 1992 Caldecott winner is most enjoyable.

Me First

written by Helen Lester and illustrated by Lynn Munsinger
grades- k-3

Pinkerton Pig just has to be first at everything- especially during a trip to the beach with his scout troop. While playing at the beach, Pinkerton hears someone calling, "would anyone care for a sandwich?" Immediately, he hurries to be the first to get a delicious snack. Little does he know, but he will be caring for a Sand Witch, not enjoying a sandwich. In the rush to be first, he learns that being first is not always best.

This hilarious lesson of poor manners and piggishness is sure to elicit giggles. Clever and fun, Munsinger brings Lester's characters to life with her imaginative illustrations.