Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Franklin's Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time to gather among extended family around the holiday table, and Franklin's family of turtles is no exception. But this year, Grandma and Grandpa can not come and Franklin grumbles that "it will not be the same." For awhile everyone is preoccupied with harvesting vegetables and making jam. Gradually, and unbeknownst to each other, each member of the family invites someone for Thanksgiving who is also going to be more alone than usual for the holiday¾Owl the teacher, a neighbor with a broken ankle, the Bear family next door, and the new Moose family. Inevitably, the Thanksgiving feast spilled into the field and not a soul felt lonesome. It is a simple kids story, with brightly colored cartoon illustrations that introduces the Thanksgiving theme of sharing and shows the ability of a youngster to learn flexibility, come up with ideas and contribute to the family. This children's book is for kids reading levels ages 4-8. 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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Franklin's Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 17, 2016

A Turkey for Thanksgiving

Although, a paper turkey decorates Mrs. Moose's Thanksgiving table, she longs for the real thing, so her obliging husband sets out to find her one. He is joined by his soon-to-be dinner guests: Rabbit, in his quilted down vest; poky Porcupine, in his furry earmuffs; and ravenous Mr. Goat, who devours everything in sight, including Sheep's plaid hat. They find Turkey hiding in his nest, surrounded by signs that discourage visitors. Trying to console the terrified bird, Mr. Moose explains: "We just want you for Thanksgiving dinner,'' which only confirms Turkey's fears. Young readers will be as thrilled as Turkey to hear that Mrs. Moose wants him at her table, not on it. Together, Bunting's ( In the Haunted House, The Wednesday Surprise ) good natured tale and de Groat's ( Hi Bears, Bye Bears ) autumn-hued, richly detailed watercolors convey the animals' warm friendship and the humor resulting from the misunderstanding. This ideal family read-aloud will awaken the holiday spirit in all. The expressions on Mr. Moose's face and those of his friends make this book a standout. When combined with the charming and funny story of Mrs. Moose wanting to have a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner, parents and teachers should be prepared to read this one aloud quite a few times. This children's book is for kids reading levels ages 4-8. 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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A Turkey for Thanksgiving

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

The Night Before Thanksgiving

'Twas the night before Thanksgiving and all through the nation families got ready for the big celebration." Sound familiar? A clever take-off of the Clement Clarke Moore original, this kids version is a thoroughly modern portrayal of one family's Thanksgiving preparations. The lively illustrations portray a houseful of relatives arriving by car, plane and train. Mom is frantically preparing the food with "help" from the kids. Cousins arrive and soon the house is strewn with toys and video games. Finally the feast is prepared and everyone gathers to eat. Young children will enjoy the flow and rhyme of the story. New readers can tackle text that contains some difficult words, but is accompanied by lots of visual clues. This is the latest of the "The Night Before..." books in the "Reading Railroad" series. This children's book is for kids reading levels ages 4-8. Leave us your comments. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Let us know what other topics you would like to have discussed. Share this post with your family and friends. Remember to always praise your child.

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The Night Before Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Thanksgiving Rules

Friedman's title for this work is a double entendre that both cheers for the holiday and hints at the guidance provided within it. In rhyming verse, narrator Percy Isaac Gifford (yes, pig) announces that he is a Thanksgiving expert whose list of 10 rules is essential information for everyone. From "smile and say pumpkin pie" to "life is sweeter when you eat sweets," Percy dashes through the holiday jotting off bits of wisdom to enhance the most food eccentric day of the year. Young readers may begin to feel nauseated by the time they reach his "Official Thanksgiving Decree," urging the reader to eat "EVERYTHING" and listing more than three dozen types of foods that might be found on the Thanksgiving buffet. But they will feel better once they pass the dessert page and find rule #10, "A hug makes the heart grow fonder." Even food-hound Percy knows that Thanksgiving isn't just about the buffet, but a "day to show your loved ones what they mean to you." There are no pilgrims to be found in the pages of this book, and no stiff history lessons. Instead, readers get a rollicking good romp through food and family festivities. Teachers may find this lively Thanksgiving book useful for launching discussion of students' own holiday practices or favorite Thanksgiving foods. This children's book is for kids reading levels ages 4-8. 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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Thanksgiving Rules

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Thanksgiving Mice!

The origins of Thanksgiving are detailed by a group of mice as they put on a play for their animal friends. Cushman's cheerful spreads show the little creatures using handmade props and putting their all into this neighborhood production. The characters are charming and the colors are vibrant. Where pictures appear in a smaller frame, objects often extend into the borders for visual appeal. The problem comes with the text. Short rhyming stanzas at first seem to offer a pleasing read-aloud pattern, only to dissolve into an odd scheme, and readers may constantly try to recover a poetic balance that isn't there. Another problem comes with fictionalizing the Pilgrims as mice and keeping true to the Thanksgiving account. These diminutive Pilgrims wear clothes, sail on the Mayflower, suffer a hard winter, and plant corn, but that continuity breaks when "They built new homes in tree trunks-" instead of houses. There is a scarcity of Thanksgiving books for this age group that can adequately explain the historical significance of the holiday in very simple terms. Halloween Mice! (Clarion, 1995) by the same duo hit upon a combination of text and pictures that works very well, but it isn't trying to tie in a historical concept. If you aren't overly concerned with an odd poetic structure or a break in the logic of mice as Pilgrims, then this kids book should fill a gap in read-aloud Thanksgiving material for the younger set. This children's book is for kids reading levels ages 4-8. 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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Thanksgiving Mice!

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Thanksgiving Day

Rebecca Rissman is an award-winning children’s author and editor. Her writing has been praised by School Library Journal, Booklist, Creative Child Magazine, and Learning Magazine. She has written more than 200 books about history, culture, science, and art. She lives in Chicago, Illinois with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys yoga, reading, and cooking. If you are looking to teach your young one the importance of Thanksgiving then this kids book is a great place to start to keep it simple. This children's book is for kids reading levels ages 4-8. 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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Thanksgiving Day

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Election Day

Rebecca Rissman is an award winning children’s book author and editor. Her writing has been praised by School Library Journal, Booklist, Creative Child Magazine, and Learning Magazine. She has written over 200 books about history, culture, science, and art. She lives in Chicago, Illinois with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys yoga, reading, and cooking. This children's book introduces young readers to what it means to celebrate Election Day and shows them the importance of voting and why this holiday is so very special. This children's book does a good job at making it simple for the smallest of children to understand this complicated process. If you are looking to giving your child the basics of the process of election day, then this kids book is a great place to start. This children's book is for kids reading levels ages 4-8. 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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Election Day

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Moonlight: The Halloween Cat

Come follow this black cat as she wanders through town and enjoys her favorite evening of the year. Smiling pumpkins, the comfortable lap of a man made of straw, children in costumes, a full moon, and wild animals such as owls and raccoons are all welcome sights. This oversized kids Halloween book with its lush colors make this a Halloween treat. One double-page spread shows a street of houses with witches, a princess, a bee and others going door-to-door for trick-or-treat while another shows the cat from the back perched on a branch and looking at a huge moon ("yellow and wide"). It is perfect for preschool story hour and for parents who are introducing their young children to this holiday. It is positive and upbeat, focusing on the light side and leaving out the spooky. The text is short and simple, yet expressive. "Pumpkins smile at her. Straw laps welcome her." This will be very popular with the preschool set. This Halloween kids book is for kids reading levels ages 4-8. Leave us your comments. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Let us know what other kids 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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Moonlight: The Halloween Cat

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Cam Jansen & the Ghostly Mystery

This kids book is number 16 in a series of detective stories starring Jennifer Jansen, a fifth-grader who has acquired the nickname "Cam" as a result of her photographic memory. This adventure begins as Cam, her friend Eric, and Cam's Aunt Molly are waiting in line to buy tickets for a concert. A man disguised as a ghost robs the ticket counter as police are distracted by an old man who has fallen unconscious. Cam's mind "clicks" like a camera to capture the image of the ghost, and she then tracks down the thief with Eric's help. Adler combines suspense with good, light humor to unfold this mystery. This kids mystery carries on the tradition of the others in this popular series for early chapter- book readers. While in line for "Triceratops Pops" concert tickets, Cam witnesses a robbery but cannot identify the disguised thief. Of course, she uses her intelligence, along with her photographic memory, to solve the case and catch the crooks. Adler delivers another satisfying story that moves quickly enough for young readers or reluctant readers. Frequent pen and ink drawings capture the action and the characters' personalities. Sure to be in high demand wherever Cam Jansen stories are read. This Halloween kids book is for kids reading levels ages 4-8. Leave us your comments. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Let us know what other kids 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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Cam Jansen & the Ghostly Mystery

Thursday, October 20, 2016

A Lucky Luke Adventure : Ghost Town

Set in an idealized Wild West Lucky Luke graphic novels are well drawn in color and have a solid plot. The main characters are the hero Lucky Luke (white hat) and his smart, back-talking horse Jolly Jumper. Characters from other Lucky Luke novels also show up throughout the series.
Story line: Two no good, down and out gamblers stir up trouble in a mining town in the Wild West. They try to take over a gold mine from a stubborn old miner who has a mine with no gold. Per the format Lucky Luke saves the day. Sounds prosaic, but Goscinny's trademark humor is evident throughout and makes this kids book work. Try it, you'll like it. This kids book is for kids reading levels ages 9-12. Leave us your comments. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Let us know what other kids 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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A Lucky Luke Adventure : Ghost Town