Tuesday, November 16, 2010

The Duck Song / Review

Author: Bryant Oden
Illustrations: Forrest Whaley
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 31 pages
Publisher: Flinders Press;
1st edition (September 1, 2010)
ISBN-10: 0984395598

Book Description:

A determined duck pleads for grapes at the most unlikely of places: a lemonade stand. The story and song in this comical, musical picture book will delight both adults and children, who can play the song aloud with the touch of a button on the cover while learning important lessons about persistence and compassion. A music CD featuring 12 original children’s songs is included.

About the Author
Bryant Oden is a former child care counselor, a supervisor at a treatment center for children, and an ESL teacher at the college level. He has written more than 70 children’s songs. He lives in Boulder, Colorado. Forrest Whaley directs and animates movies, with more than 115 million views to his videos on YouTube. He lives in St. Louis, Missouri.

My Review:
This is a delightful children's book about a duck who loves grapes, with lots of brilliant color and nice illustrations. The volume also comes with an audio CD which includes 12 original songs. This would make a great holiday gift.

(Thank you to the author for my review copy.)

Monday, November 15, 2010

The Lost City of Atlantis (Traveling Trunk Adventure 2)

Author: Benjamin Flinders
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 133 pages
Publisher: Flinders Press
(September 1, 2010)
ISBN-10: 0984395555

Book Description:

The Traveling Trunk Adventure series follows two brothers who find themselves scattered across history, from the New World to the Great Wall of China. Each chapter book includes an educational component and a daring mix of comedy, peril, and timeless values.

When brothers Ethan and Dallin are transported back to the ancient city of Atlantis, they find that Poseidon’s wrath has been kindled—something of his has been stolen and he will destroy the entire city to get it back. Together the boys seek to unravel the mystery, all while escaping from a three-headed dog and his master, outwitting a corrupt magistrate, and battling a slithering thief from the Underworld. Along the way to discovering what Poseidon seeks—as well as finding a way back home—they also make new friends and work to reunite an enslaved girl with her father.

My Review:
This second book in the Traveling Trunk Adentures series is just as exciting as the first, Pirate Treasure. 8-12 year old readers should enjoy the adventures of two brothers, Ethan and Dallin as they travel throughtout history in their magic trunk. The stories are well-written and creative. The two book series would make an excellent birthday or holiday gift.

(Thank you to the author for my review copy.)

Pirate Treasure (Traveling Trunk Adventure / Review

Author: Benjamin Flinders
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 111 pages
Publisher: Flinders Press
(September 1, 2010)
ISBN-10: 0984395547

Book Description:
The Traveling Trunk Adventure series follows two brothers who find themselves scattered across history, from the New World to the Great Wall of China. Each chapter book includes an educational component and a daring mix of comedy, peril, and timeless values.

When a cursed treasure chest transports two children, Ethan and Dallin, back in time and into the New World, they find themselves aboard not just any ordinary ship, but on a merchant vessel transformed into a renegade pirate ship that same morning. Mistaken as thieves, the brothers must use their wits and humor to navigate the dark secrets of the brig, to survive walking the plank, to learn how to talk, fight, and hurl insults like a pirate, and solve the mystery that turned Captain Black Bart into a wannabe pirate. Yet even if they can save the pirates from themselves, they still must unravel the curse that brought them there and figure out how to get back home.

My Review:
A great tale of adventure for young readers. Easy to read with nice illustrations.

(Thank you to the author for my review copy.)