Mommies Say Shh!

In a frenetically busy barnyard, the rambunctious livestock run wild, give chase, buck, and play tug-of-war with the brightly clad members of a farm family. Each spread features one kind of animal with simple text declaring its signature sound: "Cows say moo, moo, moo." The din and the activity build until all of the animals join together in a chorus of noise. In response, the final page shows a mother with her sleeping baby and reads, "Mommies say shhh, shhh, shhh. And bunnies say nothing at all." The text is standard animal-noise fare, but the inclusion of the silent bunnies is a clever twist. One variation that may confuse some children is that the dogs say "buff, buff, buff." Polacco's highly recognizable pencil-and-watercolor illustrations are full of life, with much to discover in repeated readings. This children's book is for kids reading levels ages 1-4. Leave us your comments. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Let us know what other children's books you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your family and friends. Remember to always praise your child.

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Mommies Say Shh!

Maisy Goes to Preschool: A Maisy First Experiences Book

Maisy is confident and acquainted with the routines of preschool. She clearly has no separation issues. She hangs up her coat, joins in making music, listens to a story, and so on. Throughout the day, the young mouse and her friends have a good time. As always, Cousins's bright color illustrations are simple and appealing. The solid black lines around objects help them to stand out on the page, drawing children's attention. Reassuring and fun. This children's book is for kids reading levels ages 2-5. Leave us your comments. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Let us know what other children's books you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your family and friends. Remember to always praise your child.

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Maisy Goes to Preschool

Llama Llama Misses Mama

Bright and early one morning Mama Lama awakens her little one and goes through the busy morning routine before driving him to preschool. Meeting the teacher, Llama hangs back and when Mama leaves he shyly waves good-bye from the window. Clutching his stuffed "lovie" Llama does not join in the games or activities, eats alone, and sheds quiet tears for the Mama he wants to return. Classmates sensitive to his feelings gently lure him into the rest of the days schedule until before he knows it… Mama is back. He runs to her open arms and at day's end concedes that he not only loves Mama but school, too. This universal childhood experience is treated with warmth and sensitivity. His anxiety over being separated from Mama is palpable as is his joy at her return. Rhyming couplets move the story along and the oil paintings with their soft palette accurately portray little Llama's range of emotions. This is perfect preparation and reassurance for little ones embarking on their first steps away from Mom. This children's book is for kids reading levels ages 3-6. Leave us your comments. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Let us know what other children's books you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your family and friends. Remember to always praise your child.

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Llama Llama Misses Mama

Safe at Home

Nick Crandell loves to play baseball. He is the catcher for the junior varsity team and is looking forward to playing on the summer baseball team. One day, he notices the varsity coach watching him practice and though he thinks little about it, he is amazed when the coach comes up to him and offers him the catcher's position on the varsity team—a position now not next year. The varsity catcher has broken a wrist and the team needs Nick. However, the uncertainty of being able to play with the older boys seeks to destroy the remarkable chance that Nick has been given. The older boys are not happy to have the JV player on their team and the pressure of their displeasure affects Nick's confidence and play. It is not long before the lack of confidence infiltrates all of Nick's life; his relationships with friends, with family, with school all suffer as he struggles to prove his ability to play varsity. One big blow out with his best friend, Gracie, and Nick knows that he must rethink his complaints against those who really do care about him. This is a sweet story of young teen identity and how sports can both help and hurt that process. Lupica's fans will enjoy this addition to his "Comeback Kids" series for young readers. This kid's book is for young readers reading levels ages 9-12. Leave us your comments. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Let us know what other kid's books you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your family and friends. Remember to always praise your child.

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Safe at Home

Fire! Fire! Said Mrs. McGuire

The old rhyme used for the title is the framework on which Radunsky has built his new visual tale of a race to a surprise ending. Through the keyhole cut through the jacket, cover, and first pages we glimpse the light of a fire at which the small, polka-dot-dressed mouse Mrs. McGuire is pointing. "Where? Where?" asks Mrs. Bear. Mrs. Brown replies "Downtown!" The rhyming questions are traded from mouse to mouse, as the fire is shown through the painted keyhole. Finally, as Mrs. McDavis slides down stairs with a sack of potatoes, the fire appears through a cut-out keyhole again. Turning the page reveals the surprise. The initial setting is an interior done in dark tones: black floor, large brown teddy bear, somber patterned wallpaper. White mice in varied colored dresses catch our attention because of the color contrasts. Computer- generated, somewhat surreal images add to the offbeat fun, enhanced by casual-looking typeface. This children's picture book is for kids reading levels ages 4-6. Leave us your comments. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Let us know what other children's books you would like to have reviewed. Share this post with your family and friends. Remember to always praise your child.

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Fire! Fire! Said Mrs. McGuire