Summer Reading....Skippy Jon Jones!

Hola dudes! Reading out loud to kids-any kids-is one of my all-time favorite things to do. And no one writes books that are more fun to read out loud than Judy Schachner. Her Skippy Jon Jones series is wonderful: hysterical and fun with delightful illustrations. Skippy is one of the most imaginative and creative Siamese cats to ever grace the pages of a children's book.

Skippy Jon Jones is a Siamese cat who thinks he is a dog. He is always off on an adventure after a jump on his big boy bed.  He has an imagination that is wild and wonderful and so appealing to kids. Celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Skippy Jon Jones with one of eight titles including: Skippy Jon Jones, Lost in Spice, Cirque de Ole, Presto Chango, and Skippy Jon Jones and the Big Bones. Coming this fall: Skippy Jon Jones Snow What.

Learn more about this fun author at www.judithbyronschachner.com. You can check these books out at your local library or take a look at http://skippyjonjonesstuff.com. Skippy Jon Jones books are also especially wonderful when read by the author; the books on CD make for fun road trip listening and are worth checking out!

Happy summer reading!

Summertime Reading Series

It's almost summertime and with that, extra reading time and (hopefully) lazy afternoons. A series of summertime reads begins today with a different author and their amazing books each week. 

One of my favorite authors growing up was William Steig, particularly Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. I have always loved his books with their magical illustrations. 

William Steig began his career as a cartoonist and sculptor and only late in life began illustrating and writing children's books. He is best known for creating Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, the Dr. DeSoto series and Shrek! 

Here are a few of my favorites:

When Sylvester accidentally turns himself into a rock to escape a hungry lion, Sylvester's family is distraught. This classic children's story has magic and excitement.

Doctor De Soto is a mouse dentist cares for animals both large and small with the help of his very able assistant, Mrs. De Soto. 

You must check out Shrek! about an ordinary ogre who leaves the home he has always known to explore the world and search for a bride. 

Happy Reading!

The Day the Crayons Quit

The Day the Crayons Quit

by Drew Dewitt and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

ages: well, everyone. I laughed out loud and might have had to put the book down to regain my composure. Total picture book success in my opinion. 

All Duncan wants to do is color, but his crayons have gone on strike. A series of letters written by the crayons to Duncan let him know that things are not copasetic in his crayon box. Red crayon is feeling overused, yellow and orange crayon are not speaking, purple demands neatness, green is actually feeling jolly, but poor, poor peach crayon is-gasp-naked! What can Duncan do to make things right?

First time author Drew Dewitt has written a clever and fun book along with NY Times bestselling illustrator Oliver Jeffers. Witty and well illustrated, The Day the Crayons Quit shows that even crayons have feelings! 

A Best Book of 2013 at Barnes and Noble and Goodreads. 

Guest Post: Three Times Lucky

Three Times Lucky
by: Sheila Turnage

This guess post is courtesy of my book-hungry 4th grade daughter, Regan. She finished this beauty in one day....

Here is her review:

Moses's hometown will never be the same. As a baby, Mo was sent during a hurricane on a raft to North Carolina. Nobody knows where Mo is from. She got her name because of how she arrived in town-like the prophet Moses. Colonel and Ms. Lana adopted her and she grew up in a cafe. Her best friend Dale helps her save Ms. Lana, Colonel, and the whole town. When murderers and cops come to town, it is up to Moses to save the day! 

I would recommend this book to others because this story tells you how to accept and enjoy your life.You may think that Mo is a normal girl, but you are wrong. This book has lots of suspense and surprises. Three Times Lucky is a book best read by ages nine and up.

Enjoy!
Regan

Weasels

Weasels
by Elys Dolan

What exactly do weasels do all day? Do they frolic in the leaves, collect nuts and berries, play, hide, or....plot world domination?

This clever and fun book, complete with coffee drinking, tool wielding, madcap weasels is silliness at it finest. Mayhem and mischief surround these clever critters as they plot to take over the world. Will they be successful?

Elys Dolan's illustrations are detailed, intelligent, and fun!  It's enough to keep any keen eye and clever brain very busy looking- and laughing. Enjoy this book with your favorite fan of all things silly.

Wonder by R. J. Palacio

by R. J. Palacio
Ages- 8+

 August Pullman was born with a facial deformity and it had prevented him from going to mainstream school.  Starting the 5th grade, he wants nothing more than to be treated as ordinary, but his new classmates can't get past Auggie's extradordinary face. 


Thoughts- I LOVE IT!!   I am drawn towards feel good books with a powerful message.  This book is told from different points of views starting with August.  These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community's struggle with empathy ,compassion, and acceptance.  I loved how the story moved forward and didn't tell the same story from different points of view, but moved forward with different points of view.   

Countdown to Christmas- Preschool Fellas

Here is a list of what to give that special preschool guy in your life for Christmas this year. I happen to have a couple of boys this age roaming around the house, so these are our tried and true, read so many times I don't need to look at the words favorites. Enjoy!

Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Dusky

Little Blue Truck by Alice Shertle

Skippyjon Jones by Judy Shachner 

If you can find these as books on CD, all the better. The author does such an amazing job reading them!

Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney 

Little Critter books by Mercer Mayer 

An oldie, but goodie. 

The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems

All of the books in this series are fun, fun, fun! 

No, David! by David Shannon

Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, If You Give a Dog a Donut by Laura Numeroff

Any book by Laura Numeroff seems to make it into our top favorites-also try the Christmas book, If You Take a Mouse to the Movies.

Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson

I really love anything by Karma Wilson, and the Bear books are no exception. The pictures are wonderful and they are truly heartwarming and fun stories to read with little ones. Also try The Cow Loves Cookies.

Happy reading!

Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25

by Richard Paul Evans
Ages: 12 +
Book Trailer
If you liked "I am number four", you will LOVE this book.  Michael knows that he is not a typical 14 year old boy with Tourette's Syndrome and special electric powers.  He knows that he is different and believed he was unique until he meets another girl, Taylor, with similar powers.  Michael and Taylor investigate their backgrounds to discover the truth about why they have this powers with the help of Michael's best friend, Ostin.  They quickly find out that somone is hunting for this special children and try to help those other children imprisoned. 

I was surprised Richard Paul Evans wrote this book, it doesn't seem to fit his genre of other books, but extremely enjoying reading this book.  I felt myself sucked into the world he created.

Sloppy Joe

written by David Keane
illustrated by Denise Brunkus

Joe has always been good at being sloppy. His room is sloppy, his manners are sloppy, even his attempts at helping around the house are sloppy. When Joe decides to become Neat Joe, his attempts are fun and heartfelt. And he learns that being messy is just a wonderful part of who he is.

This is the perfect book for anyone in your life who is a little less than neat. Fun illustrations and charming situations make this book just plain fun. Try this book out with your own Sloppy Joe.

Big Little Brother

written by Kevin Kling
illustrated by Chris Monroe
ages: preschool through grade school

There's nothing quite like being an older brother. The advantages of being able to boss someone else around, to be in charge of the games and the toys-except for when your little brother grows bigger than you. Could there possibly be any advantages to having a little brother that is bigger than you?

This book is an utter delight from beginning to end. The illustrations are laugh out loud funny and it has the kind of humor that will make parents love reading this to their kids over and over. This book became an instant hit at our house because we have a big little brother under our very own roof! Give this a try for a quirky and touching brotherly read.

Virgie Goes to School with Us Boys

written by: Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard

illustrated by: E.B. Lewis
ages: school aged

All that Virgie wants to do is attend school with her five older brothers, George, Will, Nelson, Val, and C.C. They keep saying that she is too small to walk the seven miles, that she'll miss her parents too much, and that girls don't need to go to school anyway. Virgie proves them wrong with her desire to learn to read and go to school.

Set in the post-Civil War South, this true story is beautifully written and illustrated. Virgie's story takes place during Reconstruction when schools were created to educate newly freed slaves and their children. Fewer than 10% of slaves were literate and schools offered an unprecedented opportunity to learn. During Reconstruction, only boys were allowed to go to school, but that doesn't stop Virgie. This book has a rich message of education and freedom and can be a real jumping off point for conversations with kids about the Civil War, slavery, determination, and the value of education.

Goodnight Ipad

by Ann Droyd
All ages

A great parody book of our technology craze society.  I laughed so hard.  Everyone will enjoy this book if they loved "GOODNIGHT MOON."

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Happy birthday to Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss! Dr. Seuss was a man who wrote books filled with wonderful wordplay and jubilant silliness. Although he was a cartoonist and not a real doctor, we can thank him for some of the most memorable characters in children's literature: the Grinch, the Cat in the Hat, and Yertle the Turtle to name only a few.

To celebrate his birthday and National Read Across American Day, here are a few favorites to try with your family:

Here's an interesting fact: did you know that The Cat in the Hat was originally created as a reading primer for children? The Beginner Reader series includes other new reader favorites such as Hop on Pop and Green Eggs and Ham.

Whether you celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday with crazy socks or green eggs and ham, make sure that you include some quality reading time with your favorite kiddos. 

11 Experiments that Failed

Okay folks, we're back! I can't believe how long it has been since I've reviewed a book or a series; shameful really! Well, we're back and thrilled to share some amazing new books with you and your kids!



written by Jenny Offill and illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
age: elementary aged children (and their parents or grandparents)

11 Experiments that Failed is what every kid dreams of trying at least one time. I'm reminded of one time that I shot mashed potatoes across the table and they landed smack between my grandpa's eye and the lens of his glasses. Automatic trouble-but I digress. What would happen if you ate nothing but ketchup snow cones or tried to grow fungi in your brother's shoes? Can a washing machine wash more than just clothes? Well, this book answers those and many other pressing questions!

This is such a charming book with clever illustrations. 11 Experiments that Failed is fun and filled with whimsy and childhood imagination. The scientist in the family will enjoy the clever use of hypotheses and results. Everyone was laughing out loud by the time we finished the book. Reading this book is one experiment to try!

Bear in Underwear

by Todd H. Doodler
Ages: pre-readers to 5

Bear found a backpack while playing hide and seek with his friends.  When they opened the backpack, they found it was full of different kinds of underwear.  Bear tried all the kinds on.  He finally found a pair that was just right.

I saw this book in the bookstore.  I was drawn to it because of the cover.  Bear was in underwear and the underwear was soft on the cover.  This is a great story to help start interest in potty training.  My favorite part when Bear tries all the kinds of underwear.  I died laughing.  Go to the library and get this for those pre-readers to get them ready and interested in learning about going the potty. 

The Hunchback Assignments

by Arthur Slade
Ages: 13+

A mysterious Mr. Socrates saves Modo from a traveling freak show as a boy.  He is trained to be a first class secret agent for Permanent Association.  Finally, at the age of 14 he is able to have his first assignment in London.  Modo investigates the disappearences of several children.  While using his shape-shifting gift, he discovers The Clockwork Guild (a secret organization).  During his mission, he teams up with another young agent, Octavia Milkweed.

What a unique modern adaption of Victor Hugo's Hunchback of Notre Dame.  Modo is a character you really fall in love with.  This book is about the dark underground of London in the Victorian era.  Arthur Slade is able to keep the topic kid friendly in the setting.  I enjoy the book and recommend it for readers who enjoy secret agent books like Alex Rider series.

Racing the Sun

by Paul Pitts
Ages: 8-14
Brandon Rogers is a 12 year old American Indian and self-proclaimed underachiever.  His father had left his heritage behind during college and Brandon had grown up in suburbs.  Brandon just wanted to a regular kid.  Then, his grandfather moved off the reservation into the bottom bunk of Brandon's room.  Brandon finds it difficult to deal with chanting at night and getting up before the sunrise to run. He learns the importance of embracing his heritage without giving up the new.

The book is a great insight into the southwest American Indian culture.  It is an inspiring story about a young boy learning about his background.  A grandfather wanting to share his story and a father than learns a lesson about how to love the new and old ways of life.

Peter and the Starcatchers (Starcatchers Series #1)

written by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson

illustrated by Greg Call

grades: 4-6

Peter is a lost and lonely orphan who has been put on the ship The Neverland in order to become a servant in the court of the evil King Zarboff. When Peter discovers a mysterious trunk aboard the ship, he takes it upon himself to discover its secret. Little does he know, but the trunk will change his life forever.

The adventurous prequel to Peter Pan is fast paced and exciting. Authors Barry and Pearson answer the questions of how Captain Hook lost his hand, how Peter learned to fly, and how he ended up on an island with mermaids, a group of boys, and pirates. Consider this book only if you have plenty of time and a very comfy chair!

Pacific Crossing

by Gary Soto

Ages 10+

Lincoln Mendoza has an opportunity to leave San Francisco for the summer and spend it in Japan.  Lincoln thinks that Japan only has Martial Arts, but learns about Japan's history, family life, baseball, and traditions.  As he learning from his host family, they want to learn about him.  He tries to find a way to explain what it means to be both Mexican and American to his host family. 

This book reminds me of the "The new Karate Kid" movie.  A young boy travels to a foreign country and then finds himself while learning new things about where he is living.

The Twits

by Ronald Dahl

Ages 8+

Mr. and Mrs. Twit are the nastiest, meanest, ugliest, and smelliest people in the world.  They hate everything except playing jokes on each other, catching birds to make bird pie, and making the Muggle-wumps (caged monkeys) stand on their head all day.  Finally, the Muggle-wumps have had enough and seek revenge.

I normally enjoyed Ronald Dahl.  This book has highs and lows for me.  It is typical interesting Dahl book, but I didn't enjoy how mean the Twits are others.  If you are concerned with your child reading about bad behavior this book may not be for your children.  It is funny, but didn't finish the book feeling good.