YOO-HOO! WHY, HELLO THERE!

Oh, excuse me. Yes, I am talking to you, dear reader, so blithely scrolling through these reviews! (please wave toward the screen if you can read this) Are you by chance seeking another interactive picture book to share with your little one? Maybe your hands are eager to clap, fingers are keen to tap, arms are primed to flap, but your eyes are tired of staring at some old app? Maybe you’ve already read and gushed over Herve Tullet’s Press Here and all the other books mentioned in these earlier reviews (click to read). Or maybe you’d really like a cat or dog, but are severely allergic?

If so, good news! (clap here) You might be interested in two new offerings published by minibombo: The Cat Book by Silvia Borando and The Dog Book by Lorenzo Clerici. Get ready to stroke, tickle, and squeeze your very own two-dimensional furry pet. From messy bath times to flea control, readers can experience it all! Well, almost all.

Now wiggle your fingers and click the book cover images to find these titles at your nearest Glendale/Pasadena library! (it’s basically magic)

Ages 2+

LISTEN TO MY STORIES MR. DOG

A peek through Fairy Tales for Mr. Barker by Jessica Ahlberg takes a jump through different fairy tale locations--literally--through a hole in each page when a little girl runs after her dog, an escapee from her bedroom, into the three bear's house because he didn't want to listen to another a story.   As the reader turns the page, the dog leads him/her into a new fairy tale until they all end up back in the little girl's bedroom where she now has a larger audience who will listen to her stories.

For readers ages 3 and up. 

BLUEBERRY FEVER

Newbery-honor author Cynthia Lord takes readers back to her home state of Maine in her newest middle-grade novel A Handful of Stars. There we meet twelve-year-old Lily, her beloved blind dog, Lucky, and--when Lucky slips his collar to pursue a tasty sandwich--Salma Santiago, whose family are migrant workers only in town for blueberry season. Lily has never gotten to know any migrant workers before, even though they come every summer, but she finds she and Salma have more in common than she ever would have expected, including a love of dogs and painting as well as a personal history of loss. They also both have some lofty goals: Lily yearns to earn enough money to help fix Lucky's eyesight, while Salma is determined to enter the local Blueberry Queen pageant and take home the first-place prize even though no migrant worker has entered before. 

This delightfully heartfelt novel is a true testament to the power of friendship and the love of family, beautifully exploring what it really means to reach for the stars. 

Perfect for readers in 4th grade and up. 

BAD KITTY VS. THE AUTHOR

Bad Kitty is at it again in Bad Kitty Drawn to Trouble by Nick Bruel. This wacky entry in the series doubles as a primer on story writing and structure in addition to being a hilarious tale in its own right. Over the course of the story, young readers will learn about protagonists (the one and only Bad Kitty, of course), antagonists (Puppy, the long-suffering and none-the-wiser foil to our main character), conflict (time to go on a diet Bad Kitty!), and plot points (a frequently-interrupting turnip, giant octopuses, and creepy zombies to name a few). But what kind of ending should a story have? When kids are the authors of their own stories, it will be up to them decide! 


Not only will this Bad Kitty book leave second through fourth graders literally laughing out loud, it might just inspire them to write a story of their own. 

Fans of Bad Kitty take note: There will be a Bad Kitty Library Hunt the week of March 20th, in addition to a Bad Kitty Party on Saturday, March 26th. Come join us in the Children's Room for activities and crafts celebrating the wild and wonderful world of Bad Kitty! 

HEAR HERE or TO TWO TOO

When two words sound the same but are spelled differently, we call those words homonyms. Rose will tell you all about her list of homonyms, including one for her dog Rain (reign). Life is challenging for Rose because of her Asperger's. This just means she sees the world a little differently than other kids, and certain things can really upset her. She lives with her Dad because her mom left, but her Dad doesn't really understand Rose sometimes and gets mad. Thank goodness Rose has Uncle Weldon. 

RAIN REIGN by Ann Martin might be a little quirky, but once you start reading, it will be hard to put down. There's always something exciting every few pages. For 5th - 8th grades.

SEPT 2015

RESCUES IN TIME

Ranger always knew he was destined to be a search-and-rescue dog. He’s had all the proper training, and with his powerful nose he’s never failed to find his mark. Sure the spirited golden retriever has a tendency to be distracted by squirrels, but really, what dog could possibly resist the allure of a bushy tail racing past? 

It’s during one of these exuberant squirrel chases that Ranger uncovers a mysterious metal box in his backyard and suddenly finds himself traveling back in time to Independence, Missouri, circa 1850. Though Ranger longs to be reunited with his own family in his own time, it’s soon clear to him that he’s been sent to watch over the Abbott family as they embark on the historic Oregon Trail and that he won’t return home until this mission is complete. 

Fans of Mary Pope Osborne’s The Magic Treehouse Series will enjoy this well-researched historical (with a hint of magic) tale. Ranger in Time: Rescue on the Oregon Trail by Kate Messner is the first of a series, followed by Danger in Ancient Rome (June 2015) and Long Road to Freedom (December 2015). The book includes an author’s note with historical background and references. 

For grades 2-4.

MUSIC, WORDS AND NAIL POLISH

In Sarah Weeks' new novel, instead of a cat, she writes about a dog plus the usual friendship between a girl and a boy set in a small town with seemingly random characters and unrelated stories. 

There are 100 colors of nail polish created by BB, the new beauty shop owner in Royal, Indiana.  Melody and her friend Nick are off to the new beauty parlor to find out who her father is calling "Honey" over the phone.  Her mother died when she was born and life has just been about Melody and her father since then.  

Has he found a wife finally?  Who could it be? She desperately wants her father to be happy and has been making the same wish on her birthday for as long as she could remember but is her dream about to burst when she hears that her awful math teacher is also getting married?!  Could her father be marrying her?!!

Honey is a magical tale of loss, love and the search for a happy ending for everyone.  A solid and lovely story as good as Pie that's perfect for a summer read. 

For readers in 4th - 6th grades.  

THE RIGHT THING

Fifth-grader Rose Howard loves homonyms, prime numbers, and cannot help speaking her mind if she sees someone break a rule. Despite doing well in her classes, Rose has a difficult time in school, and is not treated with much sensitivity by her classmates or teachers, and even got banned from taking the school bus after a particularly passionate outburst over the bus driver breaking a rule.

Through it all, Rose's single father refuses to acknowledge that Rose is anything but normal, or that she has no control over her anxiety or obsession with homonyms. But Rose gets along well with her uncle Weldon and her dog Rain, whose name is a homonym and adds up to a prime number. It even seems like Rain is helping Rose make friends in school. But then, Rain goes missing during a storm, and Rose has to devise a plan to find her.

Rain Reign is a candidly told story from the point of view of a girl with Asperger's Syndrome. Rose is a brave girl who tries hard to carve a place for herself in a world that does not always understand her. In the end, Rose has to make difficult choices, but they are ones that bring her closer to people around her. 

This book will appeal to readers in grades 4-6.

THE CHICKEN SQUAD: THE FIRST MISADVENTURE

When in a jam call the Chicken Squad. Dirt, Sweetie, Poppy, and Sugar are cute, short, and fluffy chickens. And these are not their real names. Well here is a story of their first misadventure. So, Dirt, Sweetie, Poppy, and Sugar live in Barbara’s backyard with their mother, Moosh, and J.J. Tully, a retired search and rescue dog. Given there are other animals that come around; for example; Tail the squirrel.  


Well their first misadventure happens when Tail frantically runs into the chicken coop. From here on, Dirt and Sugar try to help by doing detective work in hopes of figuring out what Tail is afraid of.  Unfortunately, Tail’s limited vocabulary slows down their detective work.  Dirt and Sugar start with sketching basic shapes; however, Tail uses words such as “big, scary, enormous, and frightening” to describe what he is afraid of.  It takes hard work to help the terrified Tail.

Read The Chicken Squad: The First Misadventure by Doreen Cronin to find out what Tail was afraid of.  This is a light, humorous chapter book that introduces shapes.

For 2^nd – 4^th grade.

TWO DOGS GO DRIVING

Digby and Percy are great friends. They enjoy spending time together, especially out driving in Digby's car - his prize possession. His neighbor Lou Ella gets a new car every year, but Digby loves his car even if it's not perfect. When a big race is announced, from Didsworth to Dodsworth, Digby and Percy cannot wait to sign up - but will Digby's car survive the race? DIGBY O'DAY IN THE FAST LANE by Shirley Hughes and Clara Vullaimy is the first book in what is shaping up to be a delightful series for readers just graduating into beginning chapter books.  

For 2nd - 4th grades.  

SEPTEMBER 2014

POPPY AND THE RIGHT BOAT

Poppy gets a new scarf with skulls and cross bones on it making her very excited to get on a boat just like a real pirate dog. But, each time she gets on a boat, it's too windy, too scary or too wet.  It's not at all what she imagined being on a pirate ship would be like.  Will this pirate dog ever find the right pirate ship for her? 

Poppy the Pirate Dog by Liz Kessler & illustrated by Mike Phillips is a fun beginning chapter book reader with some lovely illustrations that's perfect for summer reading.  

For readers in 2nd - 3rd.  

LULU SAVES STRAY DOGS BY THE SEASHORE

Lulu's family has one rule about pets:  "The more the merrier!  As long as Lulu cleans up after them!"  This means that Lulu spends a lot of her time cleaning because her family already has a lot of pets:  2 guinea pigs, four rabbits, one parrot, one hamster, a lot of goldfish, and a dog named Sam.  With all these animals, it's no surprise that when they go on vacation to the seaside and find a stray dog, Lulu wants to tame him.  With the help of her best friend/cousin Mellie, Lulu tries her best to tame the Dog From the Sea and change everyone's mind that he's nothing but a nuisance and a trouble maker.

Hilary McKay's second installment of the Lulu series, Lulu and the Dog from the Sea is perfect for fourth graders who love animals.

LAST YEAR'S 2013 NEWBERRY WINNER - A TALE TO REMEMBER

A circus owner adopts a young gorilla named Ivan as his house pet.  The owner dresses him, takes him shopping, and talks to him like one would talk to any member of the family.  Ivan grows up to be mellow, taking life as it comes.  Unfortunately, when Ivan becomes a large adolescent gorilla, he must move from his warm and cozy home into a cold and isolated glass cage at the circus.  Over the years, he gets to know other circus animals and finds comfort in their company.  All the animals, however, agree that there must be a better life outside of the circus.  When one of the main attraction animals falls fatally ill, Ivan masterfully thinks of a way to protect the animals, especially, the youngest one. 

Katherine Applegate, author of Home of the Brave, Animorphs, and Roscoe Riley series, writes a poignant and endearing tale about a gorilla whose heart matches its size.  Inspired by the real Ivan, this story is narrated in first person and will speak to any reader who values friendship, questions purpose, or loves animals. THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN is the 2013 Newbery Award Winner.  Available in book and audio CD format.



MAGIC AND MYSTERY

Remember Stuart Horten? Tiny Stuart from Lissa Evans' first book Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms: Magic, Mystery & a Very Strange Adventure? Well, now that he's located his Uncle's miraculous mechanisms, he's back in a new book called HORTEN'S INCREDIBLE ILLUSIONS: MAGIC, MYSTERY & ANOTHER VERY STRANGE ADVENTURE to see what those mechanisms do. As usual, his friend and neighbor April is by his side helping him unravel the mysteries that lie waiting for discovery. But danger is around every turn with these kids, and you never know what's going to happen next! This is a great continuation of an intriguing, quick-paced series. 

For 4th-8th grades.

MAY 2013

NOT A VACATION

LaRue Across America: Postcards From the Vacation by Mark Teague is a hilarious take on a vacation gone awry when two cats join Ike and throws his planned cruise out the window.   Ike, the irate dog, tries every which way, via postcards, to let poor injured Mrs. Hibbins that all is not well with him or the cats and he only has their best interests at heart and she should come and get them as soon as possible.  

Told with a much humor in the illustrations, the pictures tell a different story,  it's a perfect family read-aloud.  Mark Teague creates beauftiful scenic pages in a combination of color and black and white (for the fantasy/dream moments).  Great for readers in preschool and up.  

A FETCHING ROMP

A review from Mr. B. of the Grandview Branch:  

Who would have thought rescuing a border collie who is about to be “put down” in a distant animal shelter could be such an adventure? Ben Duffy explains it all, from the moment his dad and their dog, Atticus, wake him up before dawn for the surprise Road Trip for the three of them (“Dad, did you tell Mom about this?” No, he didn’t) to manipulating Dad into taking Ben’s best friend, troubled-teen Theo, along for the ride; from trading the suddenly disabled truck for an old school bus (and its owner, Gus) to drag racing a cop car in that bus, with the cop driving the bus. Along the way, they add young waitress, Mia, to their ever expanding party, and are nearly defeated by a teenage gang member.  

Spoiler: yes, they arrive at the shelter in time to rescue the border collie, but that’s not the end of the story.  Authors Jim Paulsen and his famous father, Gary Paulsen, even find a voice for Atticus, who acts as a Greek Chorus from time to time on his own page, without breaking the spell. This dog-loving slapstick comedy successfully supports a serious spine about adolescence, identity, and family.

RL: 4-8

Age: 10-14

DOGS CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE IN SURPRISING WAYS!

Sugar Mae Cole has a father who's never there.  Her mom keeps taking him back, and then he just breaks her heart again and again. After her grandfather died, things have been getting worse for her and her mother, but at least Sugar Mae has a positive attitude and can let her thoughts flow in her writing.  The best day to come along is when Sugar Mae is given Shush, a shy puppy who's owner couldn't keep her. The worst day is when Sugar Mae, Shush, and her mother get evicted from their home and have to live in their car.  ALMOST HOME by Joan Bauer is an emotional story, with a lot of entertaining characters weaving in and out of Sugar Mae's life.  Despite all the things that go wrong, though, everyone tries to look on the bright side and make the best of things. 

For grades 4 and up.

MARCH 2013

FUN PICTURE BOOKS FOR ALL

Every so often, some great picture books will get published.  What make them great is the combination of the story and the illustration.  Here are some of my recent favorites.  Enjoy. 

Mustache written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Kevin Connell is HILARIOUS!  It's about one vain king and a town filled with people out to make him look silly by drawing mustaches on every single one of his images.  A book that will have everyone laughing and poring over each page of artwork.  

A cat and a bird are not suppose to be friends but when Tom finds a lost baby bird, he can't find it in himself to torment it, so he protects and cares for the poor little thing  just like a mother bird would.  Tom's Tweet by Jill Esbaum and illustrated by Dan Santat make for a fun read with the family.

Dog In Charge by K.L. Going and illustrated by Dan Santat has poor dog in charge of five cats who do whatever they want in the house while the people are away.  Dog is exhausted by having to constantly reign in, clean up and keep an eye on all the cats.  Great illustrations by Santat and a hilarious romp through the house reminiscent of aTom and Jerry cartoon.  

LETTERS OUT OF HISTORY

I always love a good dog story. Kizzy Ann Stamps by Jeri Watts is a GREAT dog story, even if it takes a bit of time to get to the good parts. But it's also a story about a young black girl living in a time when people were mean to her just because of the color of her skin. Can you believe that? Why would anybody do such a thing? Well, that's how it went many years ago, and Kizzy Ann wrote a lot of letters to her teacher at the "white" school talking all about her life. She especially loved writing about her Border Collie named Shag, her protector and her best friend. If you like reading books written in the format of letters to a friend, this is the book for you. And if you want to know a little more about herding dogs and a lot about history, you'll really like this book too. 

For 4th - 8th grades.

FEBRUARY 2013

SAY GOOD NIGHT GRACIE

You might not know this, but it really hurts when one of your parents dies. Especially when it happens unexpectedly. Especially when it's your Dad, the only one in your family that understands you. So it doesn't seem like a very good thing when your sister decides to adopt a dog. Especially when that dog talks to you and only you. Grace wonders if she's losing her mind, but at least takes the time to listen. You won't believe what this dog has to say! WHAT THE DOG SAID by Randi Reisfeld is a story that will take you on a roller coaster of emotions, but in the end you will be filled with love. 

For grades 4 and up.

OCTOBER 2012