Young Reader in the Making

Young Reader in the Making

Friday, May 29, 2015

Book 452: Sally O. Lee's Book of Illustrations

Sally O. Lee's Book of Illustrations, by Sally O. Lee, Black Cat Books, 2015.


This is such a fun, magical, wonderful, whimsical book of Sally O. Lee's fun, magical, wonderful, whimsical illustrations. I'm giving this book to my son when we go on vacation to see what stories they will inspire. 


Thursday, May 28, 2015

Book 551: One fish two fish red fish blue fish

One fish two fish red fish blue fish, by Dr. Seuss, Random Book, 1960.


This book is a super-crazy-fun read of rhymes and nonsense.  It isn't my favorite Dr. Seuss book to read out loud, but pretty much any Seuss will be great.

And then there are the illustrations!  Such wonderful, whimsical, weird illustrations!


Sunday, May 24, 2015

Book 450: The Three Little Pigs

The Three Little Pigs, by Mara Alperin, illustrated by Ag Jatkowska, Little Tiger Press, 2015.


This book was part of a Easy Reader Fairy Tale set of four.  All of the stories have been changed (and softened) slightly, and are written to be accessible to young readers.

The three little pigs in this book were given names, which was a nice touch, and none of them, nor the wolf, died, which was an even nicer touch.



Monday, May 18, 2015

Book 449: The Mixed-Up Chameleon

The Mixed-Up Chameleon, by Eric Carle, Harpers Collins.

I love Eric Carle books; his illustrations are so completely perfect that even if the text were to falter (which it does not), the book would still be worth buying. 

This book is probably Eric Carle's silliest, and therefore most fun for young readers, book. It is pretty hilarious to see the chameleon change after each animal is added. 

And, without using a sledgehammer, it does have a nice message at the end of the story. 



Sunday, May 17, 2015

Book 448: Return to Fern Valley

Return to Fern Valley, by Aileen Stewart, Tate Publishing, 2014.

Much like Mary Poppins, each chapter of this book is a complete story. And, much like Mary Poppins, this book is a perfect bridge between picture books and chapter books. And the line drawings that introduce each chapter are darling. 

I did have to edit a bit when I was reading this book to my six-year-old son. He really likes the stories and the characters, but I lost him sometimes in the descriptions and the thought processes. He is so close to reading this book on his own, and I imagine when he does, he will read every word. 



Thursday, May 14, 2015

Book 447: Nugget & Fang

Nugget & Fang, by Tammi Sauer, illustrated by Michael Slack, Scholastic, 2015 (originally published in 2013).


There is a very important lesson in this funny and adorably illustrated book:  Friends don't eat friends.

OK, I'm just kidding -- that is not the real lesson.  The real lesson is about acceptance, understanding, and what it means to be a friend.

But, in case you are wondering, friends don't eat friends.



Monday, May 11, 2015

Book 446: Oliver

Oliver, by Syd Hoff, Random House, 1960.


I really can't stand concrete zoos or performing elephants in a circus, but, if I can get past that, I like the book.

Oliver the elephant is completely charming and resilient.  And he, and everyone else, are adorably drawn.


Friday, May 8, 2015

Book 445: Buster Cat Goes Out

Buster Cat Goes Out, by Joanna Cole, illustrated by Rose Mary Berlin, Little Golden Books, 1990.

We have a cat named Buster, and we collect Little Golden Books, so when I saw this book, I bought it.

This was a somewhat cute story about irresponsible cat ownership.  How much mores have changed in twenty-five years!


Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Book 444: My First Fairy Tales, Rumpelstiltskin

Rumpelstiltskin, by Mara Alperin, illustrated by Loretta Schauer, Little Tiger Press, 2015.


I found this book in a set of four Easy Reader fairy tales.  This was the one that my six-year-old son wanted to read first.

This retelling stays true to the original without being quite so graphic or cruel.  And the illustrations are delightfully cartoony.



Monday, May 4, 2015

Book 443: Happy Birthday to You!

Happy Birthday to You!, by Dr. Seuss, Random House, 1959.

I know this is a much-loved Dr. Seuss book, but it is not much-loved by me. Or my six-year-old son, for that matter. He was pretty entranced for about the first quarter or third of the book, and then lost interest. I can't blame him -- so did I. 

Still -- excellent illustrations, as always.


Friday, May 1, 2015

Book 442: Splat the Cat, Name of the Game

Splat the Cat, Name of the Game, based on creation by Rob Scotton, illustrated by Robert Eberz, Harper Collins, 2012.

My six-year-old son picked this out to give to a little girl for her birthday. I'm sure he picked it because of the artwork. 

I'm not in love with the text -- some of the word choices are questionable -- but I am in love with the artwork. That Splat is one darn cute cat.