Children's Book Review: Nighttime Ninja

Nighttime Ninja
Written by:  Barbara DaCosta
Illustrated by:  Ed Young
Published by:  Little Brown and Company, 2012

from goodreads.com:
Late at night, when all is quiet and everyone is asleep, a ninja creeps silently through the house in search of treasure. Soon he reaches his ultimate goal...and gets a big surprise! Will the nighttime ninja complete his mission?

With spare text and lush illustrations, Nighttime Ninja is a fun, adventure-filled story about the power of play and imagination.

* A ninja comes out at night while everyone is sleeping to complete his mission.  But what could the mission be?  We were all trying to guess and were suprised to discover what the ninja was trying to do!  The artwork is really the star of this book though.  The illustrations are collages of cut paper and tell the story so well that text is almost not needed.  This was a quick read that we all enjoyed.

This book was borrowed from the library.

Family Rating: 1 thumb up.

Children's Book Review: Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs

Goldilocks and The Three Dinosaurs
Written and illustrated by:  Mo Willems
Published by: Balzer & Bray, 2012

from goodreads.com:
Once upon a time, there were three hungry Dinosaurs: Papa Dinosaur, Mama Dinosaur . . . and a Dinosaur who happened to be visiting from Norway.

One day--for no particular reason--they decided to tidy up their house, make the beds, and prepare pudding of varying temperatures. And then--for no particular reason--they decided to go...someplace else. They were definitely NOT setting a trap for some succulent, unsupervised little girl.

Definitely not!

This new take on a fairy-tale classic is so funny and so original--it could only come from the brilliant mind of Mo Willems.

* If you haven't noticed from some of my previous book reviews, our family is big fans of Mo Willems.  When my daughter saw that he wrote this book she told us, "I know him.  He's written the pigeon books and the Elephant and Piggie books!"  The kids are very familiar with the classic Goldilocks and the Three Bears and have also heard several different variatons of the classic. The humor begins when you first open the cover and see the possible, crossed out titles including Goldilocks and the Three Naked Mole Rats and Goldilocks and the Three Clams.  Honestly, I think this book is geared more towards older kids.  My four and six year old I don't think quite "got" the humor but liked the story.  I found the book very enjoyable as an adult reading it.

This book was borrowed from the library.

Family Rating: 1 1/2 thumbs up.

Children's Book Review: Neville

Neville
Written by:  Norton Juster
Illustrated by:  G. Brian Karas
Published by: schwartz & wade Books, 2011

from goodreads.com:
Written by the acclaimed author of The Phantom Tollbooth, this is a simply told story about a boy who moves to a new neighborhood and finds a unique way to make friends. With whimsical illustrations by award-winning illustrator G. Brian Karas, here is a read-aloud that's great for storytime, and is sure to be a hit among fans of Juster, Karas, and anyone who is "the new kid on the block."

* This was a book that the kids originally read with my husband.  My daughter saw it lying around and asked me if I had read it.  I told her I hadn't and she started to tell me about it.  I ended up reading it again to the kids while they were finishing up their lollipop treats.  They knew about all the kids calling for "Neville" and started yelling it too as I read (in the appropriate places!).  This was a cute story, perfect for a child that moves and is nervous about making new friends.  This was our first book by Juster, but we will definitely have to check some of his other picture books out.

This book was borrowed from the library.

Family Rating:  1 1/2 thumbs up.

Children's Book Review: One is a Feast for Mouse - A Thanksgiving tale

One is a Feast for Mouse - A Thanksgiving Tale
Written by: Judy Cox
Illustrated by:  Jeffrey Ebbeler
Published by: Holiday House, 2008

from goodreads.com:
The Thanksgiving feast is over. Mouse spots one pea, which is quite enough for one mouse, but he keeps adding other tidbits. Then Cat sees him, in a story about giving thanks for the little things.

* This is the last of the Thanksgiving book reviews until next year.  In this book a mouse comes out of his hiding spot after the Thanksgiving feast has been eaten.  He scours the table for leftovers and finds one "teensy-tiny, toothsome, green pea."  But then he gets greedy and wants a cranberry, some mashed potatoes and gravy, and of course some pumpkin pie! The cat sees him and disaster occurs.  But mouse is still able to retrieve his pea and is thankful for his feast.  The kids enjoyed this story.  I liked the adjectives used to describe each food ("carrot sticks, crunchy and munchy and orange").  Overall this was a nice, last Thanksgiving read for us.

This book was borrowed from the library.

Family Rating: 1 thumb up.

Children's Picture Book Review: 'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving

'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving
Written and illustrated by:  Dav Pilkey
Published by: Scholastic, 1990

from goodreads.com:
The incomparable Dav Pilkey adapts Clement Moore's classic Christmas poem to tell his wacky Thanksgiving tale. The day before Thanksgiving, eight boys and girls take a field trip to a turkey farm. They have fun playing with eight exuberant turkeys but are shocked to learn that Farmer Mack Nuggett plans to kill all the turkeys for Thanksgiving dinners. So the children decide to smuggle all the turkeys home, and all their Thanksgiving dinners become vegetarian this year. The turkeys' lives are saved!

* My kids are familiar with the classic story 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.  This book is a Thanksgiving adaptation of that classic book.  It's a cute story of kids who take a field trip to farm and end up befriending turkeys.  When they discover what the axe is for they smuggle the turkeys home with them.  The kids enjoyed this book (even my daughter who had already heard the story in school that same day). 

This book was borrowed from the library.
Family Rating: 1 1/2 thumbs up.

Children's Book Review: Over the River: A Turkey's Tale

Over the River:  A Turkey's Tale
Written and illustrated by:  Derek Anderson
Published by: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2005

from goodreads.com:
Over the river Mama, Papa, and Baby Turkey embark for their vegetarian Thanksgiving Feast. But when a hungry boy and his dog start sniffing around, the turkeys have got to think fast before they become the main course! Acclaimed artist Derek Anderson's glorious autumn artwork adds heaps of holiday humor to Lydia Maria Child's classic Thanksgiving song. And readers of all ages will be wondering who gobbles up whom until the dessert finale.

* I think that I've only heard this classic song through the first couple of lines.  My daughter tried singing this but didn't quite have the tune.  So, I read/sang the song as we looked at the pictures.  And you really do have to look at the pictures as you read/sing this because there's a story going on through the illustrations.  Overall, a cute children's book take on a classic song that the kids enjoyed.

This book was borrowed from the library.

Family Rating: 1 thumb up.

Early Chapter Book Review: Turkey Riddles

Turkey Riddles
Written by:  Katy Hall and Lisa Eisenberg
Illustrated by:  Kristin Sorra
Published by:  Puffin, 2002

from goodreads.com:
Do you like plucky puns? Do you have a fowl sense of humor? Well, fluff up your feathers and get ready for fun. Turkey Riddles, the sixteenth book in Katy Hall and Lisa Eisenberg's best-selling series, is stuffed with jokes and riddles that kids will gobble up.

Find out what you'd get if you crossed a turkey with an octopus. Discover why Tom Turkey climbed into the vegetable bowl. To help you guess the answers, Kristin Sorra's illustrations provide hilarious clues. 

 * My kids have recently really gotten interested in riddles and jokes.  I saw this book at the library and thought they'd really enjoy it.  It's part of the Puffin Easy-To-Read series but it's a Level 3.  Some of the decoding and vocabulary was a little difficult for my 4 year old beginning reader.  However, when my 6 year old daughter got ahold of this book she was very interested in reading it on her own and asking us the jokes.  I have to say that the humor is definitely for older kids.   A lot of the punchlines they just didn't understand (he hit a fowl ball, Cluck Kent, etc....).  Even though it's in the Easy-To-Read series, I'd recommend the humor more to a 3rd grader +.

This book was borrowed from the library.  

Family Rating: So-so.

Children's Book Review: A Plump and Perky Turkey

A Plump and Perky Turkey
Written by: Teresa Bateman
Illustrated by: Jeff Shelly
Published by: Marshall Cavendish, 2001

from goodreads.com:
The townspeople of Squawk Valley try to trick a turkey into being their Thanksgiving dinner, but are frustrated in their efforts when the turkey tricks them instead.

* Both of my kids were familiar with this book, having heard it in the past at school.  My husband and I had never read it so we decided to give it a go.  Told in rhyme, this story tells about the town of Squawk Valley where the turkeys have gotten smart and disappear in the fall.  The townspeople really want a turkey for their Thanksgiving dinner so they come up with a plan to catch one.  However, they are disappointed, when all is said and done, that they have been the ones tricked.   

This book was borrowed from the library.  

Family Rating: 1 thumb up.

Beginning Reader Book Review: Trucksgiving

Trucksgiving
Written by: Jon Scieszka
Illustrated by:  David Shannon, Loren Long, David Gordon
Published by: Simon Spotlight, 2010

from goodreads.com:
Trucktown has a tradition every year at Trucksgiving.  Find out what it is in the latest Ready to Roll in the New York Times Bestselling series.

* My family, especially my son, is a fan of Jon Scieszka's Trucktown series.  I was excited to see that there was a Ready-to-Roll Reading series based on the characters from the picture books.  Even better was what looked to be a Thanksgiving themed book.  However, after reading this with my son I have to say that I was disappointed.  The trucks are dressed like pilgrims on the front and the book opens with the arrival of the first trucks to Trucktown.  However, the book barely touches upon anything Thanksgiving related except for a feast to thank everyone who helped set up Trucktown.  The illustrations were more relevant with a truck dressed like a turkey and the pilgrims I mentioned previously.  Of course my son enjoyed the book since it featured trucks, which are one of his favorite things.  However, I was expecting a little more and was disappointed.

This book was borrowed from the library.

Family Rating: So-so.

Children's Book Review: Splat Says Thank You

Splat Says Thank You!
Written and illustrated by:  Rob Scotton
Published by:  Harper, 2012

from amazon.com:
Splat the Cat's trusty mouse friend, Seymour, needs cheering up, and Splat wants to help. He's been working on something special for Seymour—not just a thank-you card but a thank-you book! His book lists all the sweet and often hilarious reasons Splat is thankful for their friendship.

The funny adventures that Splat and Seymour have had together, complete with animated illustrations and a laugh-out-loud text from bestselling author and illustrator Rob Scotton, will leave Splat fans thankful to know this cat-and-mouse duo.

* Splat the Cat is a well-known character from Rob Scotton.  He stars in picture books and beginning to read chapter books.   We have read a couple of the Splat the Cat books as a family.  In this book, perfect for this time of year when we are celebrating being thankful, Splat thanks his friend Seymour for all of the kind things that he's done for him.  The illustrations and reasons are somewhat funny, as Splat can get himself into a lot of trouble.  It also touches upon the importance of good friends.  Overall, the kids seemed to enjoy it.  It took the theme of being thankful away from the traditional "Thanksgiving" theme which was a nice change. 

This book was borrowed from the library.

Family Rating: 1 thumb up.

Children's Book Review: Glamorous Glasses

Glamorous Glasses
Written and illustrated by:  Barbara Johansen Newman
Published by: Boyds Mills Press, 2012

from goodreads.com:
Bobbie and Joanie are best friends and best cousins, and they do everything together. So when Joanie has to get glasses, Bobbie figures she'll get them, too--especially once she discovers the fabulous frames on display at the eyeglasses store. Meanwhile, Joanie has the opposite reaction. Glasses make her feel different and look different. And they're uncomfortable. So the ever-resourceful Bobbie comes up with a perfect plan to make both of them happy. Illustrations full of rich, comical details enhance this story about friendship and a classic childhood experience.

* My daughter recently got glasses, for distance only.  While at the eye doctor my son also got his eyes checked.  He luckily doesn't need glasses....yet.  While picking out frames for my daughter I had to deal with a bit of a tantrum from my son while he kept telling me that he NEEDS glasses.  I told him that he just had his eyes checked and he did not need glasses.  I told him by the time he's six he'll probably need glasses too.  I am practically blind (though I prefer to wear contacts) and my husband wears glasses too.  He's doomed!  So, this book ended up being one that the kids could relate to.  Bobbie goes with her cousin Joanie to pick out her glasses and she really wants a pair too.  She even goes as far as to fake pretending that she needs them (pretending that she couldn't see the board, tripping on purpose, etc.).  Joanie doesn't like her glasses but really likes Bobbie's pure so they end up doing a switch.  Only after a couple of mishaps do the girls realize that Joanie should really wear her glasses!

This book was borrowed from the library.

Family Rating: 1 thumb up.

Beginning Reader Book Review: P.J. Funnybunny Camps Out

P.J. Funnybunny Camps Out
Written by: Marilyn Sadler
Illustrated by: Roger Bollen
Published by:  Random House, 1993

from goodreads.com:
Illus. in full color. Camping is not for girls, right? At least, that's what P.J. and his pals tell Donna and Honey Bunny when they want to tag along on a camping trip. But when two mysterious ghosts frighten the boys all the way home, only the girls know the "real" story.

* My son picked this book off of the beginning chapter book shelves at the library.  I didn't really like when P.J. told his sister that "Camping is not for girls."  I asked my son, is he right?  Can girls go camping? I was very relieved when my son told me that girls can go camping (which we have done before as a family!).  However, in the end, the girls prevail.  This was a good book to practice predicting.  When I had my son make some predictions he ended up being partly correct.  When I made my prediction and ended up being correct, my kids accused me of reading the book before!  Overall, this was a cute story about a bunny and his friends who attempt to go on a camping trip but end up being frightened and run home.

This book was borrowed from the library.

Family Rating: 1 thumb up.

Children's Book Review: Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?

Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?
Illustrated by:  Various illustrators
Published by: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2006

from goodreads.com:
We all know the joke. We've all told it. Kids love to tell it over and over and over again, with as many different punch lines as possible. And now we've found out that famous award-winning artists love to tell the joke too—and they have some wacky and downright hilarious ideas about why that chicken really did cross the road. Mo Willems's chicken confesses his motives to a police officer; David Shannon's chicken can drive a car; Marla Frazee's chicken is looking for a more luxurious coop; and Harry Bliss's chicken encounters aliens. And this is just the beginning. One thing is for sure—you won't cross this book without a good laugh!

* My kids are beginning to get into and understand joke telling.  They are familiar with the classic "Why did the chicken cross the road?"  So when I saw this book at the library I thought they would enjoy it.  I had no idea what the book was about but was pleasantly surprised to see that it's a compilation of various illustrators, including some of our favorites, Tedd Arnold, Mo Willems, and David Shannon.  Each artist drew their own interpretation as to why the chicken crossed the road, so there are many different artistic styles represented.  This is a great introduction to popular children's illustrators (and some are also authors). The end of the book contains mini bios of the various illustrators, including other books that they have illustrated.  This is a visual and humorous book that we all enjoyed.

This book was borrowed from the library.

Family Rating: 1 1/2 thumbs up.

Children's Book Review: What is Veteran's Day?

What is Veterans Day?
Written by:  Elaine Landau
Published by: Enslow Elementary, 2012

* I was looking for an age-appropriate book that would be suitable for both my 4 and 6 year old children that would help explain what Veterans Day is.  I put a couple of different books on hold at the library, but this one is definitely my favorite.  It is part of the "I Like Holidays" series.  Each page has a large, title with simple text to explain how the title relates to Veterans Day (Our Veterans, Parades, Speeches, etc.) with photographs to help illustrate.  This book was recently published so it is relevant (President Obama is featured giving a speech).  I think this was a great book that explained Veterans Day simply to young children. 

Family Rating: 1 1/2 thumbs up. 

Children's Book Review: Don't Forget, God Bless Our Troops

Don't Forget, God Bless Our Troops
Written by:  Jill Biden
Illustrated by:  Raul Colon
Published by: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2012

from goodreads.com:
Inspired by her own granddaughter Natalie, Vice President Joe Biden’s wife, Jill, tells a story through a child’s eyes of what family life is like when a parent is at war across the world. When her father leaves for a year of being at war, Natalie knows that she will miss him. Natalie is proud of her father, but there is nothing to stop her from wishing he was home. Some things do help her feel better. Natalie works with her Nana to send her dad and the other service men and women cookies and treats they have made. Natalie, her mom, and her brother can see and talk to Dad over the computer, and the kindness of friends at school and at church help her feel supported and loved. But there is nothing like the day when her Dad comes home at last.

* As Veteran's Day approaches, I asked my daughter if she knew why she had off of school on Veteran's Day.  She answered something along the lines of honoring the "army men and marines."  Before reading a book about Veteran's Day, I thought it would be nice to read a book about current troops stationed abroad.  This book was written by Vice President Joe Biden's wife, Jill.  They have personal experience, since their son was deployed to Iraq.  This book mainly focuses on 5 year old Natalie dealing with her dad's year long deployment overseas.  To a child, a year seems like forever.  She tries to be brave through it all and always remembers to "God Bless Our Troops" when she prays at night.  This book was very touching and almost had me in tears while I was reading it to the kids.  They have not had any personal experience with family in the armed forces, being deployed.  However, one of our neighbors recently went abroad for a year to Afghanistan.  He has three young children and I tried to use them as a connection to the girl in the story.  We have decided that between now and Christmas we will try to get together a box of goodies to send overseas to our neighbor to thank him for protecting our country.  If you know a child who has a parent overseas than this is a definite must-read!

This book was borrowed from the library.

Family Rating: 2 thumbs up.

Children's Book Review: Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet

Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet
Written by:  Jane O'Connor
Illustrated by: Robin Preiss Glasser
Published by: Harper, 2012
Ages 4-7

from goodreads.com:
Fancy Nancy is ready for the spotlight...

Fancy Nancy and her best friend, Bree, couldn't be more excited about their upcoming dance show. After all, it's all about mermaids--and who knows how to be a fancy, glamorous mermaid better than Fancy Nancy herself? But when another ballerina wins the coveted role of the mermaid, Nancy is stuck playing a dreary, dull tree. Can Nancy bring fancy flair to her role, even though it isn't the one she wanted? And when disaster strikes right before the big ballet, who will step in to steal the spotlight?

From bestselling duo Jane O'Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser comes a fancy, frilly ballet story with a lot of heart. Tiny fans will shout "Encore."

* My daughter has been a big Fancy Nancy fan for several years. Nancy Clancy is very girly and into dressing up and accessorizing, which is right up my daughter's alley.  I like how the book enriches young children's vocabularies and the illustrations are so detailed and pretty to look at.   This particular book is a great read for any ballet loving little girl.  Nancy and her best friend Bree both want to be mermaids in the upcoming ballet but end up getting not-so-fancy parts.  Nancy learns to deal with disappointment and jealousy. This book was just as entertaining and enjoyable as the others we have read.

This book was borrowed from the library.

Family Rating:1 1/2 thumbs up.

Children's Book Review: Fall Mixed Up

Fall Mixed Up
Written by:  Bob Raczka
Illustrated by:  Chad Cameron
Published by: Carolrhoda books, 2011

from amazon.com:
"Every Septober, Every Octember, Fall fills my senses with scenes to remember." "Bears gather nuts. Geese hibernate. Squirrels fly south in big figure eights." Fall is all mixed up in this silly book from Bob Raczka! Can you find his mistakes in the words and pictures?

  * Although we have several more weeks of fall left, it's getting much chillier and starting to feel more like winter!  I thought we'd better read this book sooner than later!  This was another book that the kids recently read with my husband and were excited to hear again.  They really enjoyed this book and couldn't wait to tell me about all of the silly things that happened.  The author has gotten the months mixed up, the holidays mixed up, and everything else mixed up too.  Bears gathering nuts, geese hibernating, wolves saying "meow" and caramel pumpkins are just the beginning of the silliness featured in this book.  Raczka touches upon all things fall but mixes them up and needs the reader's help to find all the mistakes.  The kids were laughing aloud and enjoying correcting all of the "mistakes" in this fun, fall picture book.

This book was borrowed from the library.

 Family Rating: 1 1/2 thumbs up.

Children's Book Review: Chester the Brave

Chester the Brave
Written by:  Audrey Penn
Illustrated by:  Barbara L. Gibson
Published by:  Tanglewood, 2012

from goodreads.com:
Little Chester Raccoon, the beloved character who has helped so many children with issues in their lives, learns the meaning of bravery and a method for overcoming his fears in this new Audrey Penn title. After sharing the story of a little bird who is afraid to have flying lessons in front of his friends, Mrs. Raccoon tells Chester that being brave doesn’t mean being unafraid; being brave means not letting that fear stop him. Mrs. Raccoon teaches Chester an important strategy: Think-Tell-Do. When he thinks he is afraid, he tells himself he can do it, and then he just does it. Of course, getting a Kissing Hand helps a little too. This simple strategy can be helpful to children in many different situations.

* The kids don't get to see my husband on Monday and Wednesdays because he has to work late and they are in bed when he gets home.  So, often on the nights that he is home I'll have him get them ready for bed while I veg out on the couch and read or watch television.  Sometimes they'll come down and we'll all read bedtime stories together.  Other times, he and the kids have their own special reading time.  They read this book together during one of those times.  When I asked if they wanted to hear it again (because I wanted to read it before it was due back at the library) they said yes, but my daughter warned me, "I thought this book was only so-so!"  My kids are familiar with the original Chester book The Kissing Hand which is a great book (and is referred to in this book).  However, I have to agree with my daughter with her so-so rating on this one.  I like the lesson about bravery in this story and the Think-Tell-Do strategy.  However, there's a story about a baby robin that goes on for awhile (and gets a little confusing in my opinion) that shows the bravery aspect which Chester than applies. Again, the strategy is good, but the story itself was lacking. 

This book was borrowed from the library.

Family Rating: So-so.

Children's Book Review: Tangerines and Tea, My Grandparents and Me

Tangerines and Tea, My Grandparents and Me
Written by:  Ona Gritz
Illustrated by:  Yumi Heo
Published by:  Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 2005

from goodreads.com:
With heartwarming illustrations and fun rhymes, this alphabet book is perfect for grandchildren and grandparents alike.

Visiting grandparents is always an adventure, whether rooting through drawers, playing pretend, or relaxing and reading together in a comfortable chair. Join two boisterous siblings as they leave home to be guests on their grandparents' farm during different seasons of the year. Providing fun rhymes like "the songs we sing while we sit on the swing," and "an oak tree to climb one limb at a time," both adults and children will have fun singing and reading along together, as they learn the alphabet.

Yumi Heo's whimsical illustrations provide the perfect complement to the rhythm of Ona Gritz's jubilant ABC text. Grandchildren of all ages will recognize themselves in this book's appreciative look at the warmth and happiness that grandparents provide. 

* This book is dubbed as an alphabet book, but it's definitely not geared towards young kids learning their letters.  Each page has some text that begin with the "letter" but the letter is not displayed on the page.  My daughter could pick out the words "apples" and "autumn air" on the first page and my son could see the apples in the illustration.  However, I'd say the "alphabetness" (if that's even a word!) is very subtle.  Told in rhyme, this book tells and illustrates the different activites that siblings engage in while visiting with their grandparents on their farm. The kids enjoyed this book and my daughter liked pointing out the rhyming words. 

This book was borrowed from the library.

Family Rating: 1 thumb up.

Children's Book Review: Duck For President

Duck For President
Written by:  Doreen Cronin
Illustrated by:  Betsy Lewin
Published by: Scholastic Inc., 2004

from goodreads.com:
My fellow Americans:

It is our pleasure, our honor, our duty as citizens to present to you Duck for President. Here is a duck who began in a humble pond. Who worked his way to farmer. To governor. And now, perhaps, to the highest office in the land.

Some say, if he walks like a duck and talks like a duck, he is a duck.

We say, if he walks like a duck and talks like a duck, he will be the next president of the United States of America.

Thank you for your vote.

* Happy Election Day!  I hope everyone exercised their right to vote today.  Yesterday, the kids and I read this book together in anticipation of Election Day.  We are very familiar with author, Doreen Cronin, and Duck.  In this book, Duck decides that he doesn't like doing chores and wants change so he holds an election.  This gives kids an insight into the election  and campaign process.  It also shows them that it's hard to be in charge, which Duck discovers as he makes his way up the political chain.  My four year old was entertained by the pictures, since he's familiar with the characters from Cronin's other books.  However, I think this book is geared more towards elementary school age kids. 

This book is from our own bookshelves.

Family Rating: 1 1/2 thumbs up.