IF THE BOOK FITS...READ IT

Louise, the Adventures of a Chicken

AUTHOR: Kate DiCamillo

ILLUSTRATOR:  Harry Bliss

ISBN#: 978-0060755546

PUBLISHER/YEAR: Joanna Cotler (September 23, 2008)

SUBJECTS:  Animals:  Chickens, Humorous Stories, Adventures, Pirates

READER LEVEL: Picture Books

RATING: 

Review Highlights:

Laugh Meter	not a comedy	giggles	laugh out loud	can’t stop laughing
Fear Factor	no fear	needs explanation	cover the eyes	bad dreams
Subject Matter	light : “G”	mild concerns	caution ahead	needs supervision

Meet Louise, the not-so-chicken chicken.  Louise longs for adventure and often leaves the hen house to find it.  Along the way, she has death-defying encounters with pirates, run-away lions and she is imprisoned!  Whenever things get really hairy, Louise ends up back home with her hen-sisters in the safety of the hen house.  

Louise, The Adventures of a Chicken is another triumph for the award-winning Kate DiCamillo.  It is written with her trademark wit and dry, droll sense of humor.  The illustrations by Harry Bliss are great looking, expressive as hilarious as the text.  

This is a great picture book for a slightly older audience who will understand and appreciate the humor as well as enjoy the spunky heroine.  Great for the adults reading it, too!

IF YOU LIKED THIS, TRY:

Duck for President, Doreen Cronin

Minnie and Moo: The Case of the Missing Jelly Donut

AUTHOR: Denys Cazet

ILLUSTRATOR:  Denys Cazet

ISBN#: 978-0060730093

PUBLISHER/YEAR: HarperTrophy (September 5, 2006)

SUBJECTS: Animals:  Cows,  Mystery, Humorous Stories, Friendship,  Excellent Read-Aloud

READER LEVEL:  Learn to Read, Sr

RATING: 

Review Highlights:

Laugh Meter	not a comedy	giggles	laugh out loud	can’t stop laughing
Fear Factor	no fear	needs explanation	cover the eyes	bad dreams
Subject Matter	light : “G”	mild concerns	caution ahead	needs supervision

Series Snapshot:

The Minnie and Moo stories are delightful, funny stories written in the tradition of a slapstick "Who's on First" kind of adventure.  Minnie and Moo are a pair of bovine friends, who live on the farm and always seem to be getting involved in zany little capers.  The writing is really humorous, a nice introduction to satire for a young reader.  This type of writing is a challenging thing for an author of such easy-readers: making the humor funny and intelligent, yet still at a level a young child can appreciate. Denys Cazet has done just that with this charming Learn to Read, Sr., series.  This series is also wonderful for the Learn to Read, Sr., reader who is getting ready for chapters, as Minnie and Moo chapters are continuous, not episodic.  This means the story continues from the start of the book to the end of the book, giving the young reader practice in retaining the story, thus readying them for the longer chapter books in our next reader level, Reader, Jr. 

In this Volume:

Minnie and Moo are two cows on the hunt for missing baked goods.  In Minnie and Moo, The Case of the Missing Jelly Donut, Minnie misplaces said donut, and Moo is on the case! Both the adult reader and the child will enjoy the comedy as the hunt leads Minnie and Moo around the farm on a wild goose chase for the donut; which they end up finding in the most unexpected place!

IF YOU LIKED THIS, TRY:

Meet Mr. and Mrs. Green, Keith Baker

Houndsely and Catina, James Howe

Houndsley and Catina and the Quiet Time, James Howe

Zelda and Ivy, Laura McGee Kvasnosky

Always

AUTHOR: Ann Stott

ILLUSTRATOR:  Matt Phelan

ISBN#: 978-0763632328

PUBLISHER/YEAR: Candlewick (August 12, 2008)

SUBJECTS: Excellent Read-Aloud, Love, Mother and Child, Behavior

READER LEVEL: PICTURE BOOK

RATING: 

Review Highlights:

Laugh Meter	not a comedy	giggles	laugh out loud	can’t stop laughing
Fear Factor	no fear	needs explanation	cover the eyes	bad dreams
Subject Matter	light : “G”	mild concerns	caution ahead	needs supervision

This is an engagingly written story of a love between a parent and a child.  A little boy poses the question to his mother, will you always love me?  He presents many different scenarios, focusing mainly on when he doesn't behave grandly.  Will she love him when he goes to bed right away? And will she love him when he doesn't?  

What child hasn't wondered the same thing:  will you love me when I am bad?  This story is a charming answer to that question, a reassurance to any child, of a parent's unconditional love

The illustrations are beautifully done in watercolor and add humor and beauty to this perfect little picture book for your youngest reader.

IF YOU LIKED THIS, TRY:

Guess How Much I Love You,  Sam McBratney

Love You Forever, Robert N. Munsch

You're All My Favorites, Sam McBratney

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

AUTHOR: Kate DiCamillo

ILLUSTRATOR:  Bagram Ibatoulline

ISBN#: 978-0763639877

PUBLISHER/YEAR: Candlewick (December 26, 2007)

SUBJECTS: Adventure, Animals - Rabbits, Excellent Read-Aloud, Extraordinary Language, Magic, Self Discovery

READER LEVEL: READER, SR.

RATING: 

 Review Highlights:

Laugh Meter	not a comedy	giggles	laugh out loud	can’t stop laughing
Fear Factor	no fear	needs explanation	cover the eyes	bad dreams
Subject Matter	light : “G”	mild concerns	caution ahead	needs supervision

Edward Tulane "prefers not to think unpleasant thoughts."  It may be surprising that he has thoughts at all, as Edward is actually a toy rabbit.  He spends most of his time thinking about his appearance, his elegant wardrobe and the stars in the sky.  He's not really interested in the people around him and only pretends to listen when they speak. 

He is a proud rabbit who had been given as a birthday gift to a young girl named Abilene by her grandmother, Pellegrina.  Now ten, Abilene loves and cares for him, treating him like a human.  Edward is tolerant of her affection but does not appreciate it.  One night, Pellegrina tells them a gruesome tale of a princess who chooses to live without love.  The story, and sometimes Pellegrina herself, make Edward feel "agitated" although he isn't sure why. Warning for younger readers - Pellegrina's story has an unpleasant ending.

Abilene's family takes a vacation aboard a ship and in an unfortunate incident, Edward is thrown overboard, landing at the bottom of the ocean. There are some serious, possibly disturbing thoughts presented here.  "How does a china rabbit die? Can a china rabbit drown?"  The reader will feel Edward's agony as he spends day after day awake and alone with only his thoughts.  He remembers his mistress Abilene, Pellegrina and the story of the princess and the stars he can no longer see in the sky.  For the first time, Edward feels emotion - he is afraid.

After almost 300 days in the water, Edward is rescued by a kind fisherman. He adjusts to his new surroundings and ragged appearance, realizing that anything is better than lying on the ocean floor.  At this point, Edward begins to change.  He listens when people speak and as a result, his heart begins to open.  His happiness does not last long however, because the fisherman's daughter takes a dislike to him and throws him away. He ends up buried in a garbage dump with just his aching heart.  With more time to think, Edward begins to understand Pellegrina's story and the importance of love.

Edward is rescued from the dump but then lost and found several more times.  His memories of the starlit sky and the people he has loved keep him "alive" and comforted throughout his difficult journey.  As the years pass, he recognizes that he is no longer like the princess because he has experienced love, but he also finds that opening his heart has allowed loneliness to creep in as well.  In the end he must decide if he wants to risk feeling the pain and loss that sometimes follow when you open your heart.

Another note of caution here.  Edward has been drowned, buried, flung from a train, nailed to a stick and broken to pieces - literally and figuratively. There is also the death of a young girl and an abusive father.  These subjects may be of concern to some readers.  Some concepts like feeling mocked by the stars or birds "screaming a dark message in Edward's ear" may also require further explanation. Some of the vocabulary may also be challenging. Be prepared for words like ennui and contrarian.

  

These cautionary points are overwhelmingly outweighed by the incredible contribution that Kate DiCamillo makes to children's literature with this book. Every word seems to have been written with care and chosen with precision and will resonate deeply with the reader.  An excellent read-aloud, both adults and children will be captivated by Edward Tulane.  "If you have no intention of loving or being loved, then the whole journey is pointless." is a meaningful thought, regardless of age. The illustrations, done in acrylic gouache, are works of art that perfectly capture each moment they are meant to depict.  

IF YOU LIKED THIS, TRY:

Roxie and the Hooligans, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

My Father's Dragon, Ruth Chrisman Gannett

Roxie and the Hooligans

AUTHOR: Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

ILLUSTRATOR: Alexandra Boiger

ISBN#: 978-1416902447

PUBLISHER/YEAR: Aladdin (May 8, 2007)

SUBJECTS: Adventure, Physical Differences, Building Confidence, Bullying, Individuality

READER LEVEL: READER, SR.

RATING: 

Review Highlights:

Laugh Meter	not a comedy	giggles	laugh out loud	can’t stop laughing
Fear Factor	no fear	needs explanation	cover the eyes	bad dreams
Subject Matter	light : “G”	mild concerns	caution ahead	needs supervision

Roxie and the Hooligans, by award winning Shiloh author, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, is a unique story.  It may look pretty typical on the outside and it may even cover some of the usual subjects - feeling different, adjusting to a new school, but Roxie and the Hooligans is different. Unlike most books for the Reader Sr. Level, it deals with big issues (seriously cruel kids) and major problems (stranded on an island with those mean kids and some even more dangerous robbers) that are anything but typical.

Roxie Warbler herself is different too.  At least her ears are different.  They are extra large and this feature causes her to be the target of a gang of "hooligans" at her new school.  These kids take cruelty to a new level with both their verbal taunts and their physical abuse, even attempting to tape her ears.  They are clever enough to do it on the playground when the teacher can't see.  As often happens with bullying, Roxie chooses not to tell her parents about what is going on at school. 

Luckily, Roxie has a secret weapon which even she isn't aware she has.  Her Uncle Dangerfoot has traveled all over the world and has brought back with him many great tales of his adventures and a special book about pitfalls and how to avoid them.  She has listened carefully to her Uncle and has studied that book thoroughly but simply isn't sure how jungle adventures will apply to her life - until now.

When the hooligans pull their worst stunt yet, trying to cover Roxie with eggs and glue underwear to her head, Roxie makes a run for it, landing in a dumpster and beginning a heart pounding adventure. She goes from the dumpster to a giant heap of trash to being dumped in the ocean, swimming for safety and escaping a couple of criminals on deserted island.  All this action and the hooligans are still in hot pursuit of her.  Roxie holds it together and uses all she learned from her Uncle and that special book.  She crosses the dumpster like it is a log on a river, climbs out of the garbage like she would an avalanche and escapes from a hooligan in the water like she would an attacking alligator.

Roxie makes it to the island and even manages to deal with the hooligans, but with the discovery of two serious criminals hiding out nearby, Roxie faces her biggest challenge yet.  One by one, each of the supposedly tough hooligans succumbs to his fears, highlighting the fact that, as with most bullies, they are not so brave on the inside.  Roxie, on the other hand, stays strong even after hearing the robbers say they will "slit his throat" if they find anyone else on the island. Her big ears even come in handy, giving her the power to hear far away sounds better than the other kids can.  

In addition to the events being somewhat outlandish, it is never really clear what the time period is or where the story is taking place.  Roxie lives in Chin-in-Hand where "people just don't much care" and life is hard.  Other towns include Swiss-on-Rye and Hamburger-on-Bun.  

While some kids may be a little scared by the adventures and there are a few mild areas of concern, Roxie and the Hooligans is an engaging story that goes well beyond the conventional plot and keeps you on the edge of your seat.  Roxie wishes that she could be as brave as her uncle and in the end she discovers that she is.  She also realizes that she has something very special that the other children don't - a family that misses her - and that too contributes to her determination to prevail over the obstacles that she encounters.

IF YOU LIKED THIS, TRY:

My Father's Dragon, Ruth Stiles Gannett

Fantastic Mr. Fox, Roald Dahl

Gooney Bird Greene, Lois Lowry

 

My Father's Dragon

AUTHOR: Ruth Stiles Gannett

ILLUSTRATOR: Ruth Chrisman Gannett

ISBN#: 978-0440421214

PUBLISHER/YEAR: Yearling (December 27, 2005)

SUBJECTS: Fantasy, Adventure, Animals, Dragons

READER LEVEL: READER SENIOR

RATING: ****

Review Highlights:

Laugh Meter	not a comedy	giggles	laugh out loud	can’t stop laughing
Fear Factor	no fear	needs explanation	cover the eyes	bad dreams
Subject Matter	light : “G”	mild concerns	caution ahead	needs supervision

The narrator tells the story of his father, Elmer. and how he met a talking alley cat.  Elmer brings cat home but his mother is not happy about it and tosses the cat out.  Elmer rebels and decides to bring the cat some milk.  They talk and he tells the cat that he wishes he could fly - and the cat says he may have a solution.  The cat tells of the Island of Tangerina and Wild Island where a baby dragon fell from the sky and is captured by the other animals and forced to carry passengers back and forth across the river.  The cat suggests that Elmer go off to rescue the dragon and then it will take him flying.  Elmer, still mad at his mother for the way she treated the cat, decides to go. And that begins an incredible fantasy-filled adventure.  

Elmer is a clever young boy who carefully plans his adventure.  He packs a bag of supplies, based on advice from the cat, and is well prepared for all that he encounters.  His trip brings him to a dark, damp, scary jungle where he meets tigers, a rhinoceros, bores, a gorilla, monkeys and crocodiles.  He cleverly uses his supplies to get past each one without being eaten.  He offers the tigers some chewing gum, the crocodiles get lollipops and the monkeys take the magnifying glasses to help them find their fleas.

My Father's Dragon is a classic that will keep new readers interested and involved.  It is also an exciting book to read aloud.  It is inspirational to see how Elmer thinks "outside the box" to get through some sticky situations.  Just keep in mind that there are some slightly scary parts when Elmer is in the jungle trying to escape from being eaten.  Beyond that it is a beautiful story of exploring new worlds and making new discoveries about others and oneself. 

IF YOU LIKED THIS, TRY:

FANTASTIC MR. FOX, Roald Dahl