The Enchanted Library

Author: Karen Andrea

Paperback: 172 pages
Publisher: Legend/YouWriteOn

First edition (8 Dec 2008)
ISBN-10: 1849231826

Ages: 6-12 years

My Review:

Young Max Milford has been in and out of several foster homes since his parents' accident. There have been lots of disappointments, but he has now come to live with his grandfather. Max can't believe this will last long either, although everything changes for him when he finds an old deserted library of misfit books--misfits just like him.

I enjoyed this unique children's adventure story by author, Karen Andrea.

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

The Llama Who Had No Pajama

Author: Mary Ann Hoberman
Illustrated by: Betty Fraser
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 68 pages
Publisher: Sandpiper (April 1, 2006)
ISBN-10: 0152055711

My Review:

What an adorable book! It contains 100 poems that will delight any young child. Poems like Birthdays; The Birthday Bus; My Sister Saw A Dinosaur; Hello Rain; and Cookie Magic are just a few that every child can relate to. This is absolutely one of the best children's poetry books around.
My grandchildren love it.

That Book Woman

Author: Heather Henson

Pictures by: Davis Small

Reading level: Ages 4-9
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Atheneum (October 7, 2008)
ISBN-10: 1416908129

Cal is not a kid that likes to read. In fact, he's a kid who lives in the remote Appalachian Mountains where there are no libraries. The only books he and his sister have available to them are the ones brought by horseback every few weeks by the Book Woman.

Cal's sister, Lark, is a bookworm who loves reading more than anything. She could sit all day with a book. Cal just doesn't understand why she likes to read so much, until one day he begins to wonder what makes the Book Woman ride through rain, wind, and snow to deliver the books. When he finally understands her dedication, it changes Cal's life forever.

Written as poetry, this book not only will inspire children to read, but it also gives a small glimpse into the courageous Pack Horse Librarians of Kentucky. The Pack Horse Project was created in the 1930s by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in order to bring books to the young people of the Appalachian Mountains.

I give it 5 stars for being unforgettable.

Dude, That's Rude! (Get Some Manners)

Author: Pamela Espeland & Elizabeth Verdick
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing; illustrated edition edition (January 15, 2007)
ISBN-10: 1575422336

Book Description:

Kids today need manners more than ever, and this book (part of the Free Spirit Laugh & Learn[TM] series) makes it fun and easy to get some. Full-color cartoons and kid-friendly text teach the basics of polite behavior in all kinds of situations while keeping young readers entertained on every page. Kids learn Power Words to use and P.U. Words to avoid, why their family deserves their best manners, how to yawn, how to burp, how to meet new people, how to treat a guest and be one, the right ways to use phones (including cell phones), school manners, mall manners, body manners, potty manners, the Top Ten Table Manners, and the essentials of e-etiquette (politeness online). It may seem like light reading, but it's serious stuff: Manners are major social skills, and Dude, That's Rude! gives kids a great start.

My Review:

Did you know that 8 out of 10 adults say that a lack of manners is a serious problem today? I should say, I'm one of those 8 out of 10. When I was a pre-teen my mother gave me a book on manners and insisted I read it. But that was several years ago and society has changed a lot since then.

Recently, I found this little book, Dude, That's Rude, on Amazon and thought how much fun it would be to review it on my children's book blog. So I ordered it and I wasn't disappointed. It may not be Amy Vanderbilt, but it's "way cool" and gets the good manners point across to children and adults alike.

The illustrations alone will hold anyone's attention and the way good manners are presented by the written word speaks to both pre-teens and teens. It addresses everyday issues like: power words and words that show you might be a clod; how to treat one's family; good school manners; and even mall manners. It discusses just about anything a kid needs to know about social skills.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and will suggest it to my family members and friends.

Too Many Visitors for One Little House

Author: Susan Chodakiewitz
Illustrator: Veronica Walsh
Paperback: 40 pages
Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (February 11, 2009)
ISBN-10: 1419654705

After a new family moves into the neighborhood, the nosey neighbors begin to gossip about the large amount of company that's arriving. They are not happy with all the commotion it's causing and finally hold a meeting, deciding to take their issue to the city's complaint department. But before they go ahead with their judgemental plans, the family offers them a tray of fresh apple strudel and invites them to join their family reunion.

This delightful book gives parents and teachers an opportunity to talk to children about friendliness, tolerance, and being good neighbors. It is well written and beautifully illustrated.

Aurora of the Northern Lights

Author: Holly Hardin
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Outskirts Press (July 22, 2009)
ISBN-10: 1432724398

Mistletoe was a maid who lived in the land of ice and snow until she met William. William wastes no time in asking Mistletoe to marry him and they soon journey south to a beautiful country which is green, warm, and charming. The couple settles into their new home, and have a baby they name Aurora.

Aurora of the Northern Lights is a delightfully illustrated children's Christmas book, written in poetic verse. It deals with many of life's realities, which I believe is suitable for ages 9 years and up.

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

Author: Judi Barrett

Illustrator: Ron Barrett

Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Atheneum (April 1, 1982)
ISBN-10: 0689707495

This is one of the most celebrated and beloved children's books of all-time. It has sold over three million copies and a movie version will soon be released, which I can hardly wait to see.

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs begins with Grandpa making pancakes for breakfast, and accidently flips a pancake onto his grandson's head. That evening, while still thinking about the pancake episode, Grandpa tells the children a tall tale about a town that has very unusual weather conditions. It's called the town of Chewandswallow.

In the town of Chewandswallow it rains soup and juice and snows mashed potatoes. The people of the town get their food from whatever the weather brings forth that day. Sometimes it even produces hamburgers and meatballs and all kinds of other good food.

This is an imaginative children's book that delights children of all ages with its creative narrative and expressive illustrations. No wonder it's being made into a movie! Absolutely delightful!