Young Reader in the Making

Young Reader in the Making

Monday, April 27, 2015

Book 441: Drop It, Rocket!

Drop It, Rocket! by Tad Hills, Random House, 2014.


A few weeks ago I was working at the Book Fair at my Kindergartener son's school.  I had to buy this book so that I could justify buying the little Rocket dog that went with it.

This book (and Rocket) are adorable.  My son can read this book pretty easily, so I didn't buy it as a challenge for him.  I bought it because it is a fun book to read over and over again.  And did I mention how adorable that Rocket dog is?


Friday, April 24, 2015

Book 440: Otis's Busy Day

Otis's Busy Day, by Loren Long, Penguin Young Readers, 2014.

We were in the store today to pick out books for a little girl's birthday.  My Kindergarten son picked out this book -- I don't think it was for the little girl.  On the way home, he read it to us -- perfectly.

This Easy Reader has a little bit of a story, and fabulous illustrations.  You just can't go wrong with an Otis book.


Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Book 439: Sally O. Lee's Book of Cats

Sally O. Lee's Book of Cats, by Sally O. Lee, 2015.

I didn't actually buy this book -- it was more of a barter, but I would have.

I love this book, and not JUST because the cover kitty, Dominic, look almost exactly like my cat Buster.  I love this book because I love how Sally Lee captures so much joy and energy in her illustrations.  And I love this book because it is obvious that Sally Lee loves cats.


Saturday, April 18, 2015

Book 438: The Gift of Nothing

The Gift of Nothing, Patrick McDonnell, Little Brown Books, 2005.

What do you give someone who has everything? Nothing! of course. And that is just what Mooch gave his best friend. And it was the best gift, ever. 


I've been loving these picture books by Patrick McDonnell, even more than I like the Mutts comic strip.  Maybe because he has more room to tell a story. 



Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Book 437: Savannah Blues

Savannah Blue, by Mary Kay Andrews, Avon Books, 2002.


It took me a while to get into this book, probably because I spent over twelve years in Family Law and Criminal Law, and the holes in plot were big enough to drive a picker's van through.

Finally, about a third of the way through the book, I was able to move past the plot-holes and into the meat of the story.  I did thoroughly enjoy the "Southern" aspect of this book, as well as the antiquing aspect of this book.


Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Book 436: A Tale of Dragons

A Tale of Dragons (How to Train Your Dragon 2), adapted by Natalie Shaw, illustrated by Fabio Laguna and Katrina Hao, Simon Spotlight, 2014.

Last week, there was a Book Fair at my Kindergarten kid's school.  I had worked it earlier in the week, so I knew what kind of non-book temptations were there, so I gave my son $7, and thought he'd probably spend it on the non-book temptations.  Instead, he came home with this book (and money left over). I was so proud.

This book is a fairly faithful and competent retelling of the second How to Train Your Dragon movie.  Thankfully, the part of the movie that made me cry was left out of the book.

The illustrations are great, which makes this book quite enticing to elementary school readers.




Sunday, April 12, 2015

Book 435: The Three Ninja Pigs

The Three Ninja Pigs, written by Corey Rosen Schwartz, illustrated by Dan Santat, Putnam Book, 2012.


First of all, accurate to the original tale or not, I'm always happiest when the pigs live.  And bonus points for this book because the wolf lives, too.  This book is a great twist on the original piggy tale.  It emphasis how to be proactive, respective and prepared.

This illustration are so power-packed they virtually pop off of the page.



Saturday, April 11, 2015

Book 434: How Do Dinosaurs Say I'm Mad?


How Do Dinosaurs Say I'm Mad?, written by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Mark Teague, Blue Sky Press, 2013.


I would buy any book in this series for Mark Teague's illustrations alone.  They are surprisingly funny for being so accurately rendered.

I would also buy any book in this series for Jane Yolen's writing alone.  Her writing rises above the level of "books in rhyme" to the level of poetry.  And this charmingly poetic book is an excellent reminder for dinosaurs, big or small, on how to keep one's temper and remain gracious.






Friday, April 10, 2015

Book 433: The Easter Rabbit's Parade

The Easter Rabbit's Parade, by Lois Lenski, Random House, originally published in 1936.

I found this book at a library book sale.  Easter was coming up, so I bought the book to put in my six-year-old son's Easter basket.

On Easter morning, my son decided he liked the cover, the end-papers, and the internal illustrations.  He wasn't so sure about the story.  Yet.  It might still grow on him.  It is a bit repetitive and dated, but still is rather charming.

The illustrations, however, were worth rescuing this book from the library cart.


Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Book 432: Bigger Digger


Bigger Digger, by Steve Webb, illustrated by Ben Mantle, Picture Corgi, 2012.  

Right now I have a soft spot for any book that is entertaining and my Kindergarten son can read on his own.  This book is perfect on both counts.  And how can you not love a giraffe in a digger?








Monday, April 6, 2015

Book 431: Happy Easter, Curious George

Happy Easter, Curious George, written by R. P. Anderson, illustrated in the style of H.A. Rey by Mary O'Keefe Young, Houghtin, Mifflin, Harcourt, 2010.

This was a pretty adorable book to put in my six-year-old son's Easter basket. He could read, and he enjoyed, and I loved the illustrations. 



Friday, April 3, 2015

Book 430: Cezanne

Cezanne, Eleanor Marrack, Chartwell Books, 1993.


This was another art book I found in a thrift store.  Again, the text is competent, but way too thorough and dense for a six-year-old, but the images of the paintings are lovely.



Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Book 429: Van Gogh

Van Gogh, by Eleanor Marrack, Chartwell Press, 1992.


I found this book in a thrift store, so I probably didn't pay more than a dollar for it.  That doesn't mean it wouldn't have been worth more; it just means that when I saw it I thought it would be great for my six-year-old son's Easter basket.

Although the text is competent, I won't be reading it to my young son just yet.  I will, however, look at the prints of the paintings with him because I believe it never too early to learn to appreciate Art.