I CAN'T EAT THAT

James is a very picky eater.  He does not eat broccoli because it is disgusting, lasagna smells funny, milk is repulsive, oatmeal is lumpy and eggs are slimy.  In order to get James to eat his food, his father comes up with creative stories to encourage and guilt him into eating the different foods.  Either he eats the oatmeal or oatmeal will continue to grow and eat the things James likes, such as ice cream, cake and his dog.  His father’s reason for why James should eat certain food becomes even more creative as you read through each chapter.  Will the reasons and explanations James’ father give be enough for him to try new foods? Read and you shall find out!

Tales for Very Picky Eaters by Josh Schneider, is a great book for beginning chapter book readers, grades 1 and up.  This story will also be a great read-a-loud, especially by parents who have children that are picky eaters.  For 1^st grade and older.

READING + DEATH = PERFECT SUMMER?

Derek's perfect summer was ruined. His mother did not want to have fun. She wants him to READ! His best friend goes away for a great vacation back East, and he gets to go to a learning camp so he can learn to enjoy reading "real" books. Then he finds out that he almost died when he was a baby and he may have caused the death of the babysitter. He's obsessed with finding out what happened, but his mom is also determined not to let him.

A funny look at one boy's wreck of a summer with stick figure commentaries on the side. My Life as a Book by Janet Tashijian is great read for 5th-8th grade.