READER LEVEL: PICTURE BOOK
LAUGH METER: Laugh Out Loud
FEAR FACTOR: No Fear
SUBJECT MATTER: Light "G'
Melanie Watt has created an endearing, appealing and adorable
(take a look at the cover!) character in Scaredy that adults
and children will fall in love with.
This is a perfect story for an apprehensive child. It is reassuring in it’s
message that new things/experiences don't always turn out to be so bad,
no matter how much we fear them. Also a great read aloud.
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 |
A Word About Jamie Lee Curtis/Laura Cornell Books
I am immediately suspicious of "celebrity" children's books, but that is quite unnecessary when it comes to Jamie Lee Curtis' books. These books are really terrific across the board and hold a lot of value for young readers and adults alike. Each book is chuck full of "messages", but they are never, ever, preachy. And each book speaks candidly to children about growing up, young and old, gently and with lots of humor. My youngest child enjoys these books for the humor and language, and my older children can sit quietly with them and enjoy the story or relate them to their own processes of growing up. The Jamie Lee Curtis/Laura Cornell books seem more than an author/illustrator collaboration. I don't think you can have one without the other. The pictures speak as loudly as the words and are a large part of the comedy. Altogether it's a winning group of works by two clearly talented artists.
About this Book
It's Hard to Be Five is about growing up. It is a terrific book for a five year old who is learning "how to work their control panel", as most five year olds are trying to do. And this process of self-control is never without bumps in the road. This book explains to a child that this undertaking is universal, and that everyone gets into a little hot water once in a while. It explains that it is terribly hard to sit still for the longest time in your first school experience; that it is terribly hard to share your parents with a new sibling and many more five year old woes. This book is written with much humor and great art, and would work particularly well for young boys.
IF YOU LIKED THIS, TRY:
Where Do Balloons Go?, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
Today I Feel Silly, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
I'm Gonna Like Me, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
Big Words for Little People, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
Is There Really a Human Race, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
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 |
A Word About Jamie Lee Curtis/Laura Cornell Books
I am immediately suspicious of "celebrity" children's books, but that is quite unnecessary when it comes to Jamie Lee Curtis' books. These books are really terrific across the board and hold a lot of value for young readers and adults alike. Each book is chuck full of "messages", but they are never, ever, preachy. And each book speaks candidly to children about growing up, young and old, gently and with lots of humor. My youngest child enjoys these books for the humor and language, and my older children can sit quietly with them and enjoy the story or relate them to their own processes of growing up. The Jamie Lee Curtis/Laura Cornell books seem more than an author/illustrator collaboration. I don't think you can have one without the other. The pictures speak as loudly as the words and are a large part of the comedy. Altogether it's a winning group of works by two clearly talented artists.
About this Book
Where Do Balloons Go? doesn't wow me as much as the other Curtis/Cornell books. The book tries to explain what happens to balloons when they float up to the sky, what happens to them when they leave our world. As an adult reader, I get the allegory: what happens to our family and friends when they die. The answer the author/illustrators give, both for balloons and, allegorically, for people is we don't know. And this book gives lots of comforting examples of all the fun things balloon (err, people) might be doing when they leave us. I think the idea that young children will "get" this book is over-reaching. I do think, however, that it is a fun read about balloons.
IF YOU LIKED THIS, TRY:
I'm Gonna Like Me, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
Big Words for Little People, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
Today I Feel Silly, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
It's Hard to Be Five, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
Is There Really a Human Race, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
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 |
A Word About Jamie Lee Curtis/Laura Cornell Books
I am immediately suspicious of "celebrity" children's books, but that is quite unnecessary when it comes to Jamie Lee Curtis' books. These books are really terrific, across the board, and hold a lot of value for young readers and adults alike. Each book is chuck full of "messages", but they are never, ever, preachy. And each book speaks candidly to children about growing up, young and old, gently and with lots of humor. My youngest child enjoys these books for the humor and language, and my older children can sit quietly with them and enjoy the story or relate them to their own processes of growing up. The Jamie Lee Curtis/Laura Cornell books seem more than an author/illustrator collaboration. I don't think you can have one without the other. The pictures speak as loudly as the words and are a large part of the comedy. Altogether it's a winning group of works by two clearly talented artists.
About this Book
IF YOU LIKED THIS, TRY:
Where Do Balloons Go?, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
Big Words for Little People, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
I'm Gonna Like Me, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
It's Hard to Be Five, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
Is There Really a Human Race, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
Review Highlights: not a comedy giggles laugh out loud can’t stop laughing no fear needs explanation cover the eyes bad dreams light : “G” mild concerns caution ahead needs supervision A Word About Jamie Lee Curtis/Laura Cornell Books I am immediately suspicious of "celebrity" children's books, but that is quite unnecessary when it comes to Jamie Lee Curtis' books. These books are really terrific, across the board, and hold a lot of value for young readers and adults alike. Each book is chuck full of "messages", but they are never, ever, preachy. And each book speaks candidly to children about growing up, young and old, gently and with lots of humor. My youngest child enjoys these books for the humor and language, and my older children can sit quietly with them and enjoy the story or relate them to their own processes of growing up. The Jamie Lee Curtis/Laura Cornell books seem more than an author/illustrator collaboration. I don't think you can have one without the other. The pictures speak as loudly as the words and are a large part of the comedy. Altogether it's a winning group of works by two clearly talented artists. About this Book IF YOU LIKED THIS, TRY: Where Do Balloons Go?, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
SUBJECTS: Adoption, Babies, Humorous Stories, Excellent Read-AloudLaugh Meter
Fear Factor
Subject Matter
Big Words for Little People, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
Today I Feel Silly, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
I'm Gonna Like Me, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
It's Hard to Be Five, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
Is There Really a Human Race, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
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 |
A Word About Jamie Lee Curtis/Laura Cornell Books
I am immediately suspicious of "celebrity" children's books, but that is quite unnecessary when it comes to Jamie Lee Curtis' books. These books are really terrific, across the board, and hold a lot of value for young readers and adults alike. Each book is chuck full of "messages", but they are never, ever, preachy. And each book speaks candidly to children about growing up, young and old, gently and with lots of humor. My youngest child enjoys these books for the humor and language, and my older children can sit quietly with them and enjoy the story or relate them to their own processes of growing up. The Jamie Lee Curtis/Laura Cornell books seem more than an author/illustrator collaboration. I don't think you can have one without the other. The pictures speak as loudly as the words and are a large part of the comedy. Altogether it's a winning group of works by two clearly talented artists.
About this Book
IF YOU LIKED THIS, TRY:
Where Do Balloons Go?, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
Big Words for Little People, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
Today I Feel Silly, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
It's Hard to Be Five, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
Is There Really a Human Race, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
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 |
A Word About Jamie Lee Curtis/Laura Cornell Books
I am immediately suspicious of "celebrity" children's books, but that is quite unnecessary when it comes to Jamie Lee Curtis' books. These books are really terrific across the board and hold a lot of value for young readers and adults alike. Each book is chuck full of "messages", but they are never, ever, preachy. And each book speaks candidly to children about growing up, young and old, gently and with lots of humor. My youngest child enjoys these books for the humor and language, and my older children can sit quietly with them and enjoy the story or relate them to their own processes of growing up. The Jamie Lee Curtis/Laura Cornell books seem more than an author/illustrator collaboration. I don't think you can have one without the other. The pictures speak as loudly as the words and are a large part of the comedy. Altogether it's a winning group of works by two clearly talented artists.
About this Book
Big Words for Little People is about empowerment according to the author/illustrator's website. I agree believe you can read this enjoyable story on two levels. Firstly, it can be read simply to learn new, big words. After one reading, my 3 year old told me his Mac & Cheese was "stupendous"! This gave him a feeling of confidence and gave me a chuckle. And if we stop right there, it was a worthwhile read. But I think the second level you can read this on is even more valuable. As with all of the Curtis/Cornell books, there are many universal truths addressed in this book that young children will immediately relate to and learn from. For example, how to ask for "privacy". Another is the example they use to describe "impossible", which is a harried mother looking for her keys while the twins are refusing to eat. I know my children would find much comfort in knowing other moms lose it sometimes, too! However you choose to enjoy this story is up to you, but do make sure to enjoy it.
IF YOU LIKED THIS, TRY:
Where Do Balloons Go?, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
Today I Feel Silly, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
I'm Gonna Like Me, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
Its Hard to Be Five, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
Is There Really a Human Race, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
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 |
***Coming Soon: End of November, 2008***
Jerry Bee is enormous! He is the biggest bee anyone has ever seen and nobody wants anything to do with him. Jerry is lonely. One day he finds a wig and tries it on. Lo and behold, he looks like a boy. Jerry the Bee ends up at school and woos everyone with his kindness. Jerry can't believe his luck, he has never been this popular! Predictably, his wig falls off and everyone is afraid again. And here is a cute twist. The wig turns out to be Wiglet, a very hairy Guinea Pig. Wiglet gives a testimonial to how kind and gentle Jerry is and everyone is back on board the Jerry the Bee train.
This story is cute and humorous, if a tad too simple. But with a nice message of don't judge others based on how they look, it will be perfect for a very young child to understand. A nice introductory story about kindness.
IF YOU LIKED THIS, TRY:
Tacky the Penguin, Helen Lester
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 |
I am quite sure any parent of young children out there can relate and enjoy this story. Too Many Toys is the story of Spencer, who just has too many toys! His mother has decided they are going to give some away. The story is largely the negotiations that happen when they try to figure out which ones to give away. Let the hilarity ensue!
David Shannon is brilliant, both as an illustrator and as a chronicler of what young children are thinking. A great read-aloud for the very young. They will also never tire of the multi-faceted illustrations.
IF YOU LIKED THIS, TRY:
David Goes to School, David Shannon
Alice the Fairy, David Shannon
http://www.ifthebookfits.com/kidsbooks/2008/11/president-pennybaker.html
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 |
Duck is fed up with his chores and wonders who put Farmer Brown in charge. He decides what the farm needs is an election and a new leader. "Vote Duck, for a kinder, gentler farm". Duck campaigns, wins the Presidency, and quickly realizes running a country is no fun at all!
Cronin tells the story in a humorous way to appeal to both children and adults. Lewin's illustrations add volumes to the comedy of this funny, little story. And as a bonus, it is a nice little depiction of the electoral process. It is not going to explain the process or the Presidency like a non-fiction title would, but it will be quite appropriate during an election season as a tangible and easily understandable story of an election and subsequent responsibilities of the leadership. It is also quite appropriate whenever a funny story is needed!
To check out the Duck for President website click here.
IF YOU LIKED THIS, TRY:
