Happy Book Birthday, Our Classroom Rules by Kallie George!

I'm in a celebration streak and ready to scream out another happy book birthday, today. This is a picture book for those young readers, who are going to hit the classroom for the first time in a couple months. I found the animals on the cover so friendly and energetic...plus, the title makes me believe there's going to be a play on words. I'm hoping this one doesn't get too preachy, but let's take a peek and see what it's about.

OUR CLASSROOM RULES!

by Kallie George

Illustrated by Jay Fleck

Rodale Kids

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 3 to 7

From the creators of Our Playground Rules! comes this playful picture book about kindness and community in the classroom—a perfect read for back-to-school!

This picture book plays with the double meaning of "rules" to explore how following a few simple rules of kindness can make school time more fun for everyone! 

There are so many reasons why our classroom RULES!

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62802750-our-classroom-rules

AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BG9WXHC5

MY TIDBITS

The twist on words lets rules come across with natural fun...but then, this classroom really does rule in all the right ways.

It's the characters and their charisma, which invite in and make this classroom shine. While the text flows smoothly and explains why and how the animals get along (listening, lining up, sharing, etc), the illustrations bring each scene across with care, kindness, and a tiny bit of humor. These animals aren't perfect and do have little mishaps, but these aren't pointed out. Rather, the listener/reader sees them and can smile.

It's well done for the age group and brings across important, classroom lessons while not loading down. While a little direct, at times, this is quickly smoothed over as the excitement and joy of the animals constantly takes over. Listeners/readers will recognize familiar situations and details, making this a nice read aloud in classrooms, too. 

And here they are...

KALLIE GEORGE is an author, editor, and creative writing teacher. She has written numerous books for early readers, including the Anne chapter book series (Anne Arrives, Anne’s Kindred Spirits, Anne’s School Days), The Magical Animal Adoption Agency series, The Heartwood Hotel series, and The Wings of Olympus series, as well as numerous picture books, such as Goodnight, Anne, If I Couldn’t Be Anne, Merry Christmas, Anne, The Secret Fawn, and The Lost Gift. Kallie lives in Vancouver, BC.

JAY FLECK is a designer and illustrator of the picture books Double Take!, Black Belt Bunny and Everything You. He is also the author-illustrator of Tilly and Tank. He is based in Shorewood, IL

 

Review: Tiny T. Rex and the Very Dark Dark by Jonathan Stutzman

TINY T. REX

AND THE VERY DARK DARK

by Jonathan Stutzman

Illustrated by Jay Fleck

Chronicle Books

48 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING...

MARCH 3rd!!!

The adorable and indomitable Tiny T. Rex from the critically acclaimed Tiny T. Rex and The Impossible Hug is back in a tale about friendship and overcoming your fears.

Tiny T. Rex and his friend Pointy are having a campout in the backyard! It is what best friends do. But without their nighty-lights, the dark outside suddenly seems VERY dark . . . and very full of spooky things. Good thing Tiny has a super-secret plan to keep the dark at bay! Full of warmth and plenty of laughs, this new adventure starring Tiny T. Rex shows that friends will always find a way to face their fears together—even when those fears are not what they seem!

• A great read-aloud book for parents and children
• Hip, colorful art and delightful text make Tiny T. Rex an instant favorite of any dinosaur-loving toddler.
• A perfect book to help toddlers and children overcome a fear of the dark

Fans of silly picture books like Dinosaur vs Bedtime, We Don't Eat Our Classmates, and Llama Destroys the World will love the sweet spirit and continuing adventures of Tiny T. Rex.

Meet Tiny T-Rex! He may be a small dino in a BIG world, but that won't stop him from making friends, conquering his fears, and stomping his way into your heart.

• Read-aloud books for ages 3–5
• Dinosaur picture books for kids
• Friendship books for toddlers

       

MY TIDBITS

Even monsters can be afraid of the dark dark, and tiny T Rex brings the message across the the sweetest way.

Camping outside is tons of fun...if there were nighty-lights outside. With his friend's help, T. Rex plans the best means to keep scary Grumbles and Nom-bies away. Even with the best constructions and ideas, the dark dark doesn't disappear. So, T Rex has to come up with another solution.

T. Rex is a sweet little rex. It's impossible not to like him as he prances around in his pajamas and tries to be brave when faced with something most kids don't care for—the dark dark. The support of his friend is inspiring and warming as the two of them try to come up with ideas. The entire situation will be easy for listeners to identify with, and they'll be able to put themselves into T. Rex's shoes and feel for him.

The illustrations are simple but carry the needed impact. T. Rex's predicament and the emotions surrounding it come across loud and clear. And yet, there's a tiny bit of humor and lightness built in, to ensure a few smiles along the way. It's hard not to like T. Rex as he drags his 'squish' around with him and is determined to overcome his fear to enjoy the fun of camping outside.

Summed up, this is a sweet book which attacks a fear many young listeners face themselves. It demonstrates that through friendship, determination and remembering a loving parent's wise words, the dark dark isn't hard to defeat after all.


And here he is...

Jonathan Stutzman is an award-winning filmmaker and writer. His short films have screened at film festivals all over the world and on television. He lives in Palmyra Pennsylvania.