Review: Small Walt and Mo the Tow by Elizabeth Verdick

SMALL WALT AND MO THE TOW

by Elizabeth Verdick

Illustrated by Marc Rosenthal

Paula Wiseman Books

Picture Book

40 pages 

ages 2 to 7

We’re Gus and Walt
We plow and we salt
We clear the snow so the
Cars can go!

A bitter blizzard. A snowbound town. When a car skids off the road, Small Walt and Gus might not have what it takes to save the day on their own. But who does? Mo the Tow to the rescue!

When we need a tow,
We call on Mo…
We can depend
On our new friend! 

Text filled with onomatopoeia and Walt’s affirming chants make this story about friendship and accepting help from others a real winner.

 MY TIDBITS

This is a book that will make small truck fans hearts' beat faster. 

Small Walt and his driver Gus are more than ready when the big snow storm hits. Plowing and salting the streets is fun, especially when it allows the other people in town to get around. That is, until a car veers off from a forest road and lands in a drift. Small Walt and Gus stand-by ready to help, but it's not a job made for them. Luckily, Mo the Tow is on his way, and the day might be saved after all.

Nothing's better than a more traditional picture book story when it comes to trucks and their heroic deeds. The tale allows the vehicles to come to life with a little personality and a lot of Varrrooomm. The text is simple enough for younger listeners to understand and makes a great read-aloud with sound effects pointed out. 

The illustrations are bright, clear and done with love. Every page shows the emotions in a way younger listeners will enjoy and understand. It's one to flip through all alone, and with a reader, a story to enjoy again and again.

The messages is there, but lets the trucks keep center stage. No one can do everything and help is a wonderful thing. Plus, it builds friendships and makes everyone's day better.  It's simply a lovely read.\

And here they are...

The Author...

Elizabeth Verdick  has written more than thirty books for toddlers to teens. She collaborated with Marc Rosenthal on Small Walt, which Kirkus Reviews called "reminiscent of Virginia Burton's classics" in a starred review, and its sequel, Small Walt and Mo the Tow. She is a graduate of the Hamline University MFA and lives in Woodbury, Minnesota. Learn more at elizabethverdick.com.

The Illustrator...

Marc Rosenthal is the New York Times bestselling illustrator of many books for children, including Small Walt by Elizabether Verdick; I Must Have Bobo, I'll Save You Bob, and Bobo the Sailor Man, all by Eileen Rosenthal; The Straight Line Wonder by Mem Fox; and Phooey, which he wrote. Marc's illustrations can be seen regularly in The New Yorker, Time, Forbes, Fortune, The Atlantic, The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, and others. Visit him online at Marc-Rosenthal.com.

Review: Stop That Yawn! by Caron Levis, Illustrated by LeUyen Pham

STOP THAT YAWN!

by Caron Levis

Illustrated by LeUyen Pham

Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Picture Book

48 pages

ages 4 to 8

Pack your toothbrushes, but leave your pajamas and pillows behind for this bedtime story. And whatever you do…DON’T YAWN!

Gabby Wild has had enough of bedtime. Yawn, curl, snuggle, snore—what a bore!

So instead of tucking in, she jets out—with poor Granny in tow—to a place where beds are for bouncing, hushes are shushed, and it’s never too late for ice cream. But sometimes, even when you grit your teeth and seal your lips, it’s impossible to stop that…YAWN!

There’s a yawn on the loose! Can Gabby stop that yawn from spreading the snooze, or will it be lights out for Never Sleeping City? 

 MY TIDBITS

This is a fun trip into imagination with lots of energy and a very addictive yawn to pull into the world of dreams.

Gabby Wild is ready for an adventure...not bedtime. When Grandma tries to tuck her in, they shoot off into an adventure instead to Sleepytown. Here, life is excitement pure with shows and dance and lights galore. But when one person yawns, the problem begins. Gabby must stop that yawn before it causes the entire Sleepytown to want to go to bed.

Boredom is not a word in these pages. Instead the adventure is wild, fantasy packed and quick paced the whole way through. Set up more in comic style, the illustrations let imaginations fly. The balance between the text and the illustrations holds the story and allows young listeners the possibility to glance through the story on their own and still understand what is happening. Especially the granny is fun to watch as she joins in the race to stop sleep.

While the story keeps an exciting pace the whole way through...which might not appear to invite to sleep...when that yawn hits, so does the slow down. Yawns are contagious, which makes this book end on a fun note. Even luring the listener in.

Young listeners (and slightly more sure readers) ages four and up will find giggles and fun in these pages.


And here they are...

The Author...
Caron Levis grew up in the city that never sleeps (a.k.a. New York City), yet confesses that even as a baby she slept through the night. Caron has an LMSW from Hunter College and an MFA in creative writing for children/YA from The New School, where she now teaches and advises. Caron never tires of visiting schools to work with kids using her books, drama, and creative writing to encourage social, emotional and literacy skills. Things she'll always stay awake for include great theater, star gazing, and turtle watching. Visit Caron online at CaronLevis.com.

The Illustrator...

LeUyen Pham has been an insomniac her entire life, so she wouldn't mind a trip to Sleepytown. The good thing about not being about to sleep is that she has more time to draw and paint. She is the creator of more than ninety books for children, including the New York Times bestseller for Grace for President, written by Kelly DiPucchio, the Princess in Black series by Shannon and Dean Hale, and her own A Piece of Cake, and The Bear Who Wasn't There. She lives and yawns with her husband and children in Los Angeles. Visit her online at LeUyenPham.com.

Review: Change the World Before Bedtime by Mark Kimball Moulton, Josh Chalmers and Karen Good

CHANGE THE WORLD BEFORE BEDTIME

by Mark Kimball Moulton

Josh Chalmers

Karen Good

Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.

Picture Books

32 pages

Written in simple, engaging rhyme, this story takes an inspirational look into how the little things in life a smile, a kind word, a simple deed can help change the world in a big way. Through 18 stunning illustrations, children will read about eating right, cleaning up the Earth by recycling and conserving, helping the sick and those less fortunate, and working in a group to make bigger miracles. Even an ordinary kid can be a superhero before bedtime! Grades Pre-K to 2. 

 MY TIDBITS

Inspiration, achievable goals, and lots of sunshine smiles help guide young readers to ideas on how they too can change the world.

The question of whether or not a child can change the world...for the better...before bedtime is the main string in these pages. Written in a nicely flowing rhyme, it bounces from one two-page spread to the next. Each time, a situation or explanation of how a person can react kindly to someone who needs it hits. While most of the ideas are simple—visiting a sick person, for example—others take a little more effort. The suggestions are, in most instances, doable.

This book radiates energy, excitement and an almost hectic atmosphere to get up and do things. This doesn't center on a single kid but incorporates a bouncy group from the first moment on. The phrase 'we' is constantly used which also gives the idea of team work and unity. While a two-or-so line rhyme accompanies each spread, little speech bubbles over the illustrations' heads and sparks of humor, ideas and bring the entire thing closer to the young reader's level.

The illustrations are as busy as the kids' energy and consist of a mixture of water colors and real life materials to give them an interesting depth. There is always something to look at, making this a nice book to flip through time and again.

One thing is clear, this is a message book. There is no attempt at a story (which my family found a little disappointing), but rather it bounces from one situation to the next to illustrate exactly how kids can do things to help others. It's not a bedtime read but would work great in classroom or group discussions as well as an inspiration at home. Especially the ideas of things to do come out loud and clear. The best parts, in our opinion, are the lists at the end of the book. There are two pages where kids can add their own ideas and happy thoughts. Then, encouraging phrases from various languages are offered as well as directions for a 'make-it-yourself' superhero cape...because everyone should be a superhero. Lastly, there are a few pages with lists of exact ideas kids can use to start bigger projects such as donating clothes, growing vegetables for neighbors or even starting a fundraiser.

While this isn't a usual story time book, it's a wonderful read for inspiring kids and giving them ideas on how they too can help others in small or even big ways.

Review: Little Brown by Marla Frazee

LITTLE BROWN

by Marla Frazee

Beach Lane Books

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 0 to 8

A grumpy and lonely little dog at the dog park decides to take matters into his own paws.

Little Brown is one cranky canine because no one ever plays with him at the dog park. Or maybe no one ever plays with him because he is cranky. Either way, Little Brown decides today is the day to take action, so he takes all of the toys and sticks and blankets from all of the dogs at the park and won’t give them back. But what will happen now?

MY TIDBITS

This is the sweetest, cranky doggy with a very difficult dilemma.

Little Brown is a cranky dog and none of the other dogs want to play with him. Whether it is because he is cranky, or whether he's become cranky since none of the other dogs play with him is something none of them can remember. He watches them play and wishes he could have fun too...if they would play with him. One day, when a ball rolls by, Little Brown has an idea.

The story touches the heart. Little Brown is cranky, but the circumstances surrounding his crankiness make him easy to identify with. It's hard not to wish that he'd find a friend to play with...or that the other dogs would give him a chance. It's the kind of character which immediately draws the reader in. The text flows nicely, and although some words might be a little difficult for the intended audience, it's a great way to expand the vocabulary.

The illustrations are well done and show as much emotion as the story itself. The dark, dreary colors add the perfect atmosphere, yet still allow the sweetness of the dogs to shine through. It's fun to see each dog with their own personality and watch how they interact...something kids will enjoy flipping through on their own.

The only thing which made me hesitate on this book is the ending. It's a cliff-hanger—one without any closure. The dogs face an important dilemma, one with a very important message, and it's dropped there. While this does open up for discussion and can be seen as a great way to launch kids into an exploration of how they would handle the situation, it doesn't work as a picture book for a normal story time or bedtime read...and this is something readers/parents/guardians should be aware of before purchasing the book. If you are open to using this as a launch pad to discussion (which is also a great thing), then this is a very lovely read and wonderfully done.


And here she is...
Marla Frazee was awarded a Caldecott Honor for All the World and A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever, and the Boston Globe Horn Book Award for Picture Book for her wordless book The Farmer and the Clown. She is the author-illustrator of many books, including The Boss Baby, the book that inspired the DreamWorks Animation film Boss Baby. She has also illustrated many acclaimed picture books, including God Got a Dog by Cynthia Rylant and the New York Times bestselling Clementine chapter book series by Sara Pennypacker. She lives in Pasadena, California. Visit her at MarlaFrazee.com

Review: I'm An Immigrant Too! by Mem Fox

I'M AN IMMIGRANT TOO!

by Mem Fox

Illustrated by Ronojoy Ghosh

Beach Lane Books

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 8 and up

From beloved Australian author Mem Fox comes a timely picture book about how all of our lives are enriched by the vibrant cultural diversity immigrants bring to their new communities.

What journeys we have travelled,
from countries near and far!
Together now, we live in peace,
beneath the Southern Star.

Inspired by the plight of immigrants around the world, Mem Fox was moved to write this lyrical and rhyming exploration of the myriad ways immigrants have enriched her home country of Australia. Young readers everywhere will see themselves—and their friends and neighbors—in this powerful and moving picture book. 

MY TIDBITS

I love the timely theme of this book and to a certain extent, how it was handled. Immigrants include not only people from many cultures but each has their own reasons for immigrating.

This book focuses on the immigration to Australia and shows how many people have moved there due to very differing reasons. The author includes a wide range of countries as the origin of the presented immigrants. Each immigrant child is introduced with their originating country, followed by an explanation why they left and what made them stay or how their life has improved. The text is short (usually four lines) and each child is presented on a two-page spread. The last pages introduce a girl who is still in the refugee camp waiting for entrance, followed by a general message about how immigrants are very welcome and wonderful friends too.

While this is a lovely picture book with a wonderful message, I'm not sure how it will meet the intended audience. The recommended age of eight and up is necessary, since many younger readers and listeners will not necessarily grasp the concepts behind immigration or recognize the countries mentioned. The text, however, is too simple for the older age group and doesn't go deep enough into the subject material. Also, most American children won't recognize the Australian cities mentioned, but, on the other hand, there's a map at the end which helps out. If nothing else, children learn more about Australia as well.

There is a wonderful message in these pages, one that helps kids gain a greater understanding of immigration and the people themselves. It helps to close the gap of foreignness and presents the various kids in a way which makes them as normal as any other child. Still, a little more depth would have been nice, since this grazes quickly over each situation. Also, there is no mention of the original inhabitants of Australia, the Aboriginal, which was too bad considering the immigration history of Australia....which also isn't mentioned since this book only takes a look at the immediate generation.

The message in this book is very important and it offers a lovely way to open up to the topic of immigration and even plants the first seeds to a better understanding of the theme and immigrants themselves.

And here she is...

Mem Fox is an educator and international literacy expert, and her many acclaimed picture books for young children include Yoo-Hoo, Ladybug!; Hello Baby!; Baby Bedtime; I'm an Immigrant Too; the bestselling modern classics Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes and Time for Bed; and, for adults, Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever. She lives in Adelaide, Australia. Visit her at MemFox.net

Review: Quiet by Tomie dePaola

QUIET

by Tomie dePaola

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

Tomie dePaola reminds us that mindfulness—being quiet, still, and present with one another—is a very special thing.

Everything is in such a hurry, busy as busy can be.
The birds are flying so fast, the dragonfly is zooming over the water—even the trees are waving their leaves.

So what if we sit here, you next to me…and we can just be?

 MY TIDBITS

With a lovely simpleness, this book peeks at the busy world,invites to sit back and take a peaceful rest.

The cover already hints at the atmosphere found in the pages of this calming read. Every moment takes a look at nature—the buzzing bees, playing dog, and zooming dragonflies. The scenes are concentrated and uncomplicated, keeping the attention on each part of nature which is being addressed. Each two-page spread is accompanied by one or two lines of short text. Especially younger listeners can easily follow along and recognize the scenes.

The illustrations are created with watercolors and have a simple, personal touch—a style which won't be appreciated by everyone. But the gentle tones and lines fit nicely to the intended message.

It's a calming read-aloud and invites listeners to take the time to watch nature. The 'busy' moments didn't always carry a sense of hectic, but the last pages hit home. Especially those in search of more mindfulness will enjoy this tale.

And here he is...

Tomie dePaola is one of the most popular children's book authors and illustrators of our time and the winner of the 2011 Children's Literature Legacy Award for "significant and lasting contribution to children's literature," among other lifetime achievement awards. A Newbery HOnor winner, he has written and illustrated a number of books, including Caldecott Honor book Strega Nana and its companions as well as Oliver Button is a Sissy; The Legend of Old Befana; The Clown of God; Michael Bird-Boy; Andy, That's My Name; and Quiet. A native of Connecticut, Mr. dePaola studied at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and now lives in New London, New Hampshire. Visit him online a t Tomie. coma nd TomiesBlog.Blogspot.com.

Review: Spooky New Orleans by Kathryn Camisa

SPOOKY NEW ORLEANS

Tiptoe Into Scary Cities

by Kathryn Camisa

Bearport Publishing

Picture Book Non-Fiction 

24 pages

ages 4 to 8

With its above ground cemeteries, vampire lore, and ghost sightings, New Orleans is one of the world's most haunted cities. Discover for yourself what spirits are stirring in the Big Easy. Get ready to read four hair-raising stories about New Orleans's spookiest spots. This 24-page book features controlled, narrative nonfiction text with age-appropriate vocabulary and simple sentence construction. The colorful design and spooky art will engage and terrify emergent readers.

 MY TIDBITS

Fans of spooks, goose bumps and scares will devour this book and be ready to spend the night with the blankets pulled over their heads.

New Orleans is rich with history...and by no means, only the good kind. This book takes a look at four local myths, the spooky kind. It begins with an introduction, which speaks of night, whispers, vampires and the walking dead, and sets the perfect atmosphere for the following tales. 

These tales aren't grabbed out of the air but are based by historical facts. The buildings exist and are shown with a true-to-life photograph. The events which lead up to the modern day hauntings are also factual and include dates, names and events. Then the events are described, things which make people believe the ghosts remain in these spots. It's a very creepy mixture, which allows chills to run up and down the spine. At the end, there's a map of the city with the exact locations of each place mentioned. The follow glossary, index, reference material and website to discover more, give this a nice, educational touch.

The stories are not for sensitive readers and fit slightly older readers better, ages 6 to 10. These are perfect for all fans of creepy things and even teach a little bit of history and geography along the way.

Tall buildings, shimmering lights, dark alleyways . . . and ghosts? Get ready for more expertly crafted, spine-tingling stories for beginning readers! Explore every spooky corner of New York, Chicago, London, and other big cities around the world. This new series features controlled, narrative nonfiction text with age-appropriate vocabulary and simple sentence construction. The colorful design and spooky art in each 24-page book will transfix emergent readers.

There are eight titles in this series Creepy Chicago, Horrifying Hollywood, Lurid London, Monstrous Montreal, Nightmarish New York, Sinister Savannah, Wretched Washington, and Spooky New Orleans.

Find all of these and more at...

https://bearportpublishing.com/shop/show/12383

Review: All Eyes on Alexandra by Anna Levine

ALL EYES ON ALEXANDRA

by Anna Levine

Illustrated by Chiara Pasqualotto

Ken-Bar Publishing

Picture Book

ages 4 to 8

Alexandra Crane is terrible at following her family in their flying Vee. She can't help it that the world is so full of interesting and distracting sights! When it's time for the Cranes to migrate to Israel's Hula Valley for the winter, Alexandra is excited but her family is worried. Will Alexandra stay with the group? And might Alexandra discover that a bad follower can make a great leader?

 MY TIDBITS

This book takes flight into a little adventure while teaching a bit about cranes and their migration from Europe to Israel.

Alexandra Crane has her own head and tends not to always pay attention when flying with her flock. Her relatives are concerned. They don't want her to become lost or find herself in trouble. Alexandra insists that she is sure of her way. She simply enjoys exploring a bit. While taking a test flight with Saba Crane before the flock's migration south, she proves that she does know more than the other crane's give her credit for. Can she prove herself when the true migration is underway?

Cranes are one of my favorite birds to observe, and this book does a wonderful job at introducing them to young readers. Facts surrounding the crane's migration subtly flow into this fun adventure, letting Alexandra's free traveling spirit take control. While she's different than the rest of the crane's, she's never looked down on. Rather, they other cranes care for her and simply show their concern for her safety. This 'flock' warmth sets a wonderful atmosphere for the tale. When Alexandra proves herself, it's easy to cheer for her and a joy to see the world opening up around her.

The illustrations portray the cranes nicely while still keeping a gentle, picture book flair. Alexandra not only has a slightly different appearance than the rest of the crane's (something my children wondered about) but is also given a thing red ribbon around her neck to make her easy to spot. The landscape is beautifully done as she covers new sights and locations. 

Not only does this book offer a lovely message about how differences aren't necessarily negative but can lead to wonderful things, but young readers/listeners learn a little about a crane's migration habits and even more about the world. I, personally, would have loved to have seen a map of some sort which pointed out the locations mentioned in the book, since such a visualization would help children grasp the foreign locations perhaps a little more, but this didn't ruin the read.

It's a lovely tale with lots of goodness added in.

And here she is...

From a young girl who realizes her dream of becoming an archaeologist, to female cranes who lead their flock, my stories feature strong female characters who are told that they can’t, and then set out to prove otherwise. My first YA novel,Running on Eggs was on the NY Public Library’s list of best books for the teen age in the year 2000. Freefall, a coming of age story set in Israel, won a Sydney Taylor honors award. Like Alexandra Crane, I also love to travel! Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, I was raised in Montreal, Quebec. I’ve lived in California, Italy and most of my life in Israel where I teach and write. 

www.annalevine.org 

#booksfromanna https://www.karben.com/All-Eyes-on-Alexandra_p_1019.html

Alycat and the Friendship Friday by Alysson Foti Bourque with Giveaway!

Alycat and the Friendship Friday 

by Alysson Foti Bourque

Illustrated by Chiara Civati

Mascot Books

October 23, 2018

Picture Book

32 pages

Tour dates: Oct 1 to 27, 2018

Content Rating: G

​
It’s finally Friday, and Alycat is excited to go on a field trip with her friends. But when she doesn’t have anyone to sit with on the bus, Alycat feels left out. Can she use her creativity and imagination to help everyone feel included?

​Alycat and the Friendship Friday will teach readers that making new friends isn’t as scary as you might think.

​Mascot Books

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Book Depository

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And here she is...

​Alysson Foti Bourque earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a Juris Doctor degree from the Southern University Law Center. After practicing law for six years, she traded in writing trial briefs for writing children’s books. She enjoys public speaking opportunities at schools, conferences, and festivals nationwide. She hopes to inspire people of all ages to follow their dreams and believe in themselves. Currently, she resides in Sunset, Louisiana with her husband and two children.

Connect with the Author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Pinterest ~ Instagram

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Review: Bear Can't Sleep by Karma Wilson

BEAR CAN'T SLEEP

by Karma Wilson

Illustrated by Jane Chapman

Margaret K. McElderry Books

Picture Book

40 pages 

ages 4 to 8

COMING...

OCTOBER 23rd, 2018!!!

Bear’s many animal friends try to help him get to sleep in time for winter hibernation in this companion story to Bear Snores On.

It’s winter, and deep in the forest, Bear should be fast asleep. But when his friends come by to check on him, they realize that Bear is still awake! They brew him hot tea and sing him lullabies, but nothing seems to work. Can Bear get to bed? Or will he be up all winter? 

MY TIDBITS

Bears should hibernate during the winter, but this poor bear can't get to sleep. The other animals from the forest pass by, concerned for him. Each one tries to find a way to help him finally fall asleep, but nothing seems to work. If nothing changes, the bear is in for a horrible winter.

This is a sweet, calming story with a good portion of friendship thrown in. It's easy to feel sorry for the bear as he tosses and turns. The inability to go to sleep is also something kids can identify with, and they'll think back to the difficulties it caused them. But it's the growing visitation from bear's friends which make this such a touching read. They tumble in one after the other, each with the concern clear. It also adds for a tiny dash of humor as bear's cave fills with animals, each wanting to help, but causing more commotion in the process.

The illustrations have a more traditional feel and bring across the gentleness nicely. The animals are wonderfully portrayed, and it's a treat to gaze at each scene.

It's a lovely book to read at bedtime and sure to become one to be read again and again.



And here they are...

The author...
Karma Wilson is the bestselling author of several picture books, including the Bear Books series, Where Is Home, Little Pip?, and A Dog Named Doug. Karma lives Montana.

The Illustrator...

Jane Chapman is the illustrator of over one hundred books for children, including Dilly Duckling by Claire Freedman and I Love My Mama by Peter Kavanagh, as well as Karma Wilson's Bear Snores On, Bear Wants More, Bear Stays Up for Christmas, and Mortimer's Christmas Manger. She lives with her family in Dorest, England. Visit Jane at ChapmanandWarnes.com

Review: Monster Molly's Big Day Out by Dee Reid

MONSTER MOLLY'S BIG DAY OUT

The Busy Monsters

by Dee Reid

Ruby Tuesday Books

Picture Book

ages 4 to 7

24 pages

Monster Molly is feeling sad. But when her best friend Max suggests a trip to the park, Molly is very happy. From riding up and down on the see-saw, to splashing in big and little puddles, join the monsters on their BIG day out. Meet Molly, Max, Megan, and Mo--The Busy Monsters. This new series of fun stories from Ruby Tuesday Books has been carefully crafted to help young children learn to read. To build reading confidence, each book combines repetitive, predictable text with high-frequency and familiar sight words. Illustrated with bold, quirky, collage-style artwork, this title helps young readers practice opposites as they enjoy the fun monster story.

MY TIDBITS

With first readers in mind, this story heads into a simple adventure with monsters who are more cuddle-worthy than scary.

Monster Molly is so sad, but Monster Max has an idea. It's time to go to the park! Molly's excited to get outside and explore. She sees different things, often the opposite of what Max experiences. And it turns into a fun day.

This book was written for those very beginning readers, who want to hit their own books but aren't ready for difficult vocabulary words or longer texts. On the inside of the cover, there is a list of tips for guardians, parents or grandparents who are about to embark on a reading journey with someone who is just getting a handle on words. Each page only has a short text—five-six words at most. The meaning is clear and emphasized again in the bright and super cute illustrations. It's great for beginning readers in so far that there isn't an overwhelming amount of text to be frustrated with, and the illustrations help them to guess what the words and meaning might be. 

The tale also builds in the basic of opposites. Hot to cold, in and on, as well as other variations are demonstrated during the tale. But it's never done in an overly obvious, teaching way. Rather, the differences flow right along with the story. At the end of the book, there's a two-page spread with word opposites, each shown with the monster so it remains simple and fun. There's a short list of simple questions, which help kids think back to what they read and what happened in the story. Then, there's a very short list of words for children to read one more time and feel like they accomplished something.

While this isn't an engaging book on the story end with depth and surprises, it works very nicely for kids trying to read their first book on their own. And that's it's purpose. The monsters add a lot of fun and make it a lively read too.

Meet Molly, Max, Megan, and Mo--The Busy Monsters. Young readers will love joining the family of friendly monsters as they take part in familiar activities, such as going to the park, cleaning up the house, and planning a birthday party. This new series of fun stories from Ruby Tuesday Books has been carefully crafted to help young children learn to read. To build reading confidence, each book combines repetitive, predictable text with high-frequency and familiar sight words. The books are illustrated with bold, quirky, collage-style artwork. Each monster story explores a different early learning concept including: Colors; Numbers; Opposites; Shapes. To assist educators, each title also includes a "Teaching Tips" and activities section.

You can find the other titles and more information about the series HERE!

There are four titles in this series:

Monster Molly's Big Day Out
Monster Max's Big Breakfast
Monster Megan's Big Cleanup
Monster Mo's Big Party

Review: Halloween Ride by Elaine Kaye

HALLOWEEN RIDE

A Gregory Green Adventure

by Elaine Kaye

Chapter Book/ Picture Book

26 pages

ages 5 to 8

One Halloween night, Gregory and his teddy bear Sammy go trick-or-treating, hoping for lots and lots of candy. But Sammy is scared of everything and is constantly asking, “What’s that?” Gregory gets annoyed until one of those things turns out to be a flying broomstick. And this broom wants them to go for a ride. Where will it take them?

MY TIDBITS

This is a sweet, trick or treating adventure with a special twist of Halloween magic as sweet as candy corn.

Gregory and his bear, Sammy, put on their costumes, and with Mom's instructions, head out to trick or treat. But things are spookier than usual on Halloween night. Soon, the shadows reveal surprises and the two wonder if they are as brave as they thought. But when one shadow reveals a broom stick, the magic begins.

While this book belongs to a series of books, each one is a separate story and can easily be read alone.

The excitement of heading out alone for the very first time to go trick or treating comes to life in these pages. Gregory and Sammy, a teddy bear who is more than his stuffing and string, are nervous but mostly excited as they head out into the night. The mother's instructions fit perfectly to the situation—only go to the houses where she can see them from the window. Even though this sounds very safe, the two still find themselves in thick adventures, which shows how wonderful the imagination can be.

It's easy to relate to the two as they meet their own fears, ones many kids share when their imaginations get the better of them. And the twist of magical fun toward the end, adds a wonderful adventure kids can dream of. It's a lovely balance between reality and fantasy.

This book borders between a picture book and something children, who have gotten a better grip on words, can read on their own. The vocabulary is generally kept simple enough for more sure readers to attack, and the length fits perfectly as well. As a picture book, it's great for the slightly older audience (ages five and up) due to the length. But it makes a wonderful read aloud for this age group.
The illustrations are bright and simple but add just the right touch to make the book fun to flip through.

It's an entertaining read, which kids can identify with before heading out on their own trick or treating adventure.



And here she is. . .

Elaine Kaye has worked as a library assistant and teacher's assistant in elementary schools in the Sunshine State. She currently lives in Florida, but she has called Michigan; Honolulu, Hawaii; and Okinawa, Japan home. She is a grandmother of three boys.

Find Elaine:

Website / Instagram / Litsy - @ElaineKaye

Goodreads / Amazon