IF THE BOOK FITS...READ IT

Scaredy Squirrel

READER LEVEL:  PICTURE BOOK 

OVERALL RATING: 

REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

LAUGH METER:     Laugh Out Loud
FEAR FACTOR:           No Fear
SUBJECT MATTER:     Light "G'

Scaredy is a funny, neurotic little squirrel, possibly with OCD.  He is also hilarious. Scaredy Squirrel is about a charming little squirrel who would rather stay in his safe, sometimes boring, tree than brave the elements. Until one day he falls out of the tree, and without his emergency preparedness kit! This was not part of the carefully laid out plan in the event of an emergency.  Shockingly (to Scaredy), nothing disastrous befalls him. No tarantulas, 

no killerbees, not even the hint of a green martian.

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.

Author/Illustrator:  Melanie Watt

Book Stats:  2008, $7.95, 42 pp

Subjects:  Overcoming Fears, Animals: Squirrels, 

Excellent Read-Aloud, Building Confidence, 

Empowerment, Humorous Stories

If You Liked This, Try:

Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach, Melanie Watt

Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend, Melanie Watt

Used-Up Bear

Learn to Read, Sr, 

REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

Laugh Meter: Not a Comedy
Fear Factor: No Fear
Subject Matter: Light: "G"

Used-Up Bear is winning follow up to Bear at the Beach. This time Bear 

is worried Clara will forget all about him now that he is getting old and tattered.

After a few poignant scenes where Bear puts himself up for sale in order to beat Clara to the 

punch of getting rid of him and another scene where "the sofa animals" tell him all the things

that will happen to him when Clara loses interest, Bear becomes thoroughly depressed. But alas,

Clara has not forgotten about him. She presents him will a little red suit that will protect his tattered

self and not let anymore of his stuffing fall out.

This is another gentle read and rumination from Clay Carmichael on what it means to be loved. 

Any young (or old) reader will relate to the way Bear is feeling...unloved and taken for granted. 

But, alas, he is not. He just perceived it that way. 

This is an appealing story for a few different kinds of readers:

- short and appealing enough for a toddler to sit through 

- perfect for a newly independent reader to read by him/herself 

- lastly, an older child to read feeling left out or unloved by friends will be comforted

Author/Illustrator:  Clay Carmichael

Book Stats:  1998, $5.95, 46 pp

Subjects:  Family, Love, Animals: Bears, Friendship

If You Liked This, Try:

Bear at the Beach, Clay Carmichael

Houndsley and Catina, James Howe

Click Here to Buy Used-Up Bear from Amazon

Bear at the Beach

Learn to Read, Sr,

REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

Laugh Meter: Not a Comedy
Fear Factor: No Fear
Subject Matter: Mild Concerns

Bear at the Beach is a lovely little story with a vintage, ethereal quality. It is about a little bear who is lovingly cared for by Clara, but the little bear realizes that he is missing a father.  His journey to find his father comes full circle when he realizes he is looking for someone to love and be loved by and he realizes he has all that in Clara.  

Bear at the Beach is wonderful chronicle about the meaning of love and family, that emphasizes family can look very different from our traditional idea of it.  I love these words of wisdom from the hermit crab who Bear runs into, "Some of us make homes where we find them.  What matters is that you are safe and cared for and loved."

Just one word of caution, if your reader is fragile about fathers, I would proceed with caution.  This whole book is about fathers or the idea of fathers.  

This story is a really nice departure from the usual (read: sometimes boring) Learn to Read fare, as it is beautifully written and illustrated.  It is also one of those easy books older readers can use and be reassured by if they are having any issues of loneliness, etc.

Author/Illustrator:  Clay Carmichael

Book Stats:  1996, $5.95, 43 pp

Subjects:  Family, Love, Animals: Bears

If You Liked This, Try:

Used  Up Bear, Clay Carmichael

Houndsley and Catina, James Howe

BUY NOW FROM AMAZON:  Bear at the Beach

Going, Going, Gone! with the Pain and the Great One

AUTHOR: Judy Blume

ILLUSTRATOR:  James Stevenson

ISBN#: 978-0385733076

PUBLISHER/YEAR: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (August 12, 2008)

SUBJECTS:  Sibling Rivalry, Brothers and Sisters, Animals:  Alligators, Getting Lost

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

ABOUT THIS SERIES:
Going, Going, Gone! with the Pain and the Great One is the third book in the latest quartet of books by Judy Blume. The first book is Soupy Saturdays with the Pain and the Great One, and the second book is Cool Zone with the Pain & the Great One.  The fourth installment is due May, 2009.

This chapter series is about a set of siblings, the Pain and the Great One, who are, respectively, a first grade boy and a third grade girl.  Love the names!  Blume has said they are based on her own children; that the original story was written at home with a house full of her children's friends, when her children were six and eight years old.  It was originally published as a poem for "Free to Be You and Me."  Then Blume published an illustrated picture book called The Pain and the Great One, and now we can enjoy these sassy characters in this delightful chapter book series.  

As in all of Blume's books, she is completely honest with her young readers and she doesn't shy away from any issues.  This new series is no different, albeit written for a bit younger reader than those that devour the Fudge books.The chapters are actually interconnected, short stories about everyday happenings in the lives of the Pain and the Great One.  

ABOUT THIS VOLUME:

In Going, Going, Gone!, Blume tackles fear of swimming in the ocean, sticking something up your nose and getting it stuck (yuck:), not doing something just because your friends are doing it and getting lost at the mall.

I have selected mild concerns in subject matter for two reasons:  firstly, in case your child is having any of the issues discussed in this book, I would like you to be aware they are going to read about them.  Secondly, I just want to give you a preview because they are all good discussion starters about growing up that you might want to capitalize on, and have the conversations (one at a time, of course).

Also, a note about the book's structure.  The interconnected stories are a nice set-up for times when your child only has a few minutes to read.  For example, I leave them in the car in case someone is interested in a short story while we are waiting for a sibling.  This structure also lends itself to a child who is entering the Reader, SR, reading level.  Short stories like this are good practice for learning to retain a story, readying them for longer books.

IF YOU LIKED THIS, TRY:

Soupy Saturdays with the Pain and the Great One, Judy Blume

Cool Zone with the Pain and the Great One, Judy Blume

It's Hard to Be Five

AUTHOR: Jamie Lee Curtis

ILLUSTRATOR:  Laura Cornell

ISBN#: 978-0060080952

PUBLISHER/YEAR:  Joanna Cotler (September 7, 2004)

SUBJECTS:  Growing Up, Rhyming Language, Humorous Stories, Excellent Read-Aloud

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

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

Today I Feel Silly and Other Moods That Make My Day

AUTHOR: Jamie Lee Curtis

ILLUSTRATOR:  Laura Cornell

ISBN#: 978-0060245603

PUBLISHER/YEAR:  Joanna Cotler; 1 edition (September 10, 1998)

SUBJECTS:  Feelings, Rhyming Language, Humorous Stories, Excellent Read-Aloud

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

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  

Today I Feel Silly and Other Moods That Make My Day is a candidly funny portrayal of the roller coaster of emotions a young child feels in the course of a day (or even an hour). It goes through the good, the bad, and the ugly.  But it's message is right on target for a young child, vindicating all those crazy emotions.  "I'd rather feel silly, excited or glad than cranky or grumpy, discouraged or sad.  But moods are just something that happen each day.  Whatever I'm feeling inside is okay!"  But while it is validating a big part of a child's life, it is also just an entertaining read.  As with most of the Curtis/Cornell books, this would be an excellent read-aloud.

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

Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born

AUTHOR: Jamie Lee Curtis

ILLUSTRATOR:  Laura Cornell

ISBN#: 978-0064435819

PUBLISHER/YEAR:  HarperTrophy (August 29, 2000)  
SUBJECTS:  Adoption, Babies, Humorous Stories, Excellent Read-Aloud

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

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  

Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born is about the start of a family, from the point of view of an adopted child.  The beauty in this story is that a young reader will relate to the story and see themselves in it, whether they were adopted or not.  And that to me is the sign of a well-written story, especially about a tough topic for some children. Curtis/Cornell have completely diffused the issue and made it very matter-of-fact.  Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born is about a family coming together from a place of love and that message is that's all that matters.  I highly recommend this story for every kind of family, no matter how you draw your family tree.  It's just a beautiful story about the birth of a family.

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
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

I'm Gonna Like Me, Letting Off a Little Self-Esteem

AUTHOR: Jamie Lee Curtis

ILLUSTRATOR:  Laura Cornell

ISBN#: 978-0060287610

PUBLISHER/YEAR:  Joanna Cotler; 1st edition (September 17, 2002)  
SUBJECTS:  Humorous Stories, Excellent Read-Aloud, Self-Esteem

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

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  

The message in I'm Gonna Like Me, Letting Off a Little Self-Esteem, as suggested in the title, is about liking yourself.  

"I'm gonna like me when I grin and I see the space in my mouth where two teeth used to be."  

This is just one example of all the things to like about oneself.  What I love is in the accompanying illustration there is a tabby cat with black spots holding a tube of spot remover...this is the clever piece that makes me, and your older audience, giggle.  Great example of smart humor for young writers and just plain funny for a young listener.  I also like: 

"I'm gonna like me when I don't run so fast. Then they pick teams and I'm chosen last".

Who hasn't been picked last? And if they haven't, they can learn empathy.  I could go on and quote more than half the book, but I will let you enjoy it. Fabulous book for all about loving yourself in all your own, individual glory.

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

Big Words for Little People

AUTHOR: Jamie Lee Curtis

ILLUSTRATOR:  Laura Cornell

ISBN#: 978-0061127595

PUBLISHER/YEAR:  Joanna Cotler (September 9, 2008)

SUBJECTS:  Empowerment, Vocabulary, Humorous Stories, Excellent Read-Aloud

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

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

Too Many Toys

AUTHOR: David Shannon

ILLUSTRATOR:  David Shannon

ISBN#: 978-0439490290

PUBLISHER/YEAR: The Blue Sky Press (October 1, 2008)

SUBJECTS:  Toys, Humorous Stories, Excellent Read-Aloud

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

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