I'm The Biggest Thing In The Ocean

I'm The Biggest Thing In The Ocean
by: Kevin Sperry
Hardcover: 32 pages
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0803731929
Date: Dial 2007
Price: (without shipping) $11.55 USD as of the date of this posting
Where to buy: amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/)

We all know that one should not brag...oh wait...we all may not. Be that as it may this book is a terrific illustration of why not.

In it we meet a Giant Squid. It brags "I'm the biggest thing in the ocean!" Then proceeds to show us everything that it is indeed bigger than; shrimp, clams, various fish and other sea creatures. There is, isn't there always, something that it is not larger than and it meets this creature with perhaps predictable consequences.

The message is a simple one, when you brag, chances are that there is someone else better even than you and, it is fortunate that you don't live in the sea, you will look foolish for your bragging.

Content: 5/5
Illustrations: 5/5
Concept: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Price: 5/5

I Ain't Gonna Paint No More

I Ain't Gonna Paint No More
by: Karen Beaumont
Illustrated by: David Catrow
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0152024888
Date: 2005
Price: (without shipping) $10.55 USD as of the date of this posting
Where to buy: amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com)

I know "ain't" is not quite proper English.

But, that's ok. This is a rhyming, fun crazy book that shows young readers rhyming prose. Every time I have read the book to students the entire group gets into guessing which part of his body the kid is going to paint next.

There are a few cautions.

1. The kid paints the whole house. An explanation about books vs real life may be in order.


2. The kid does paint his butt and the word butt is used.

That's it. Fun, fun, fun with Catrow's fantastic illustrations. A winning combo.


Message:
[Parents] Sometimes things we feel are inappropriate are use full teaching tools.
[Kids] Just because someone in a book (or tv or theater) does something that shows bad judgment or insensitivity to other peoples feelings or property does not mean that you should.

Content: 5/5
Illustrations: 5/5
Concept: 4.5/5
Quality: 5/5
Price: 5/5

I'm Still Here in the Bathtub

I'm Still Here in the Bathtub
by: Alan Katz
Illustrated by: David Catrow
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0689845510
Date: 2003
Price: (without shipping) $6.39 USD as of the date of this posting
Where to buy: Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com)

I initially got this book on an impulse. It was prompted by the fact that David Catrow did the illustrations. Then, when I got home, I started through the book.

"This is stupid", I thought, "Just a rehashing of familiar tunes with semi-clever new lyrics."

But I am old and may have missed a point or two initially.

That, is an understatement.

The thing is, in the classrooms that have this book in the k-2 school where I work this is one of the most popular books on the book shelf.

It teaches a lost art to the very young, that is the art of parody.

This is a goofy, silly, sometimes potty-humor-esque romp through songs that your kids will love and you'll think are semi-stupid and worthless.

Get over it, it's not about us adults.

The kids will have fun and they'll have the knowledge of song parody installed along with the other creative brainware that these books install into their heads for use later in life.

And that, is a good thing.

Message:
[Parents] Just becaue we don't get it doesn't mean it's not good.
[Kids] What new lyrics can you make up?

Content: 4.5/5
Illustrations: 5/5
Concept: 4.5/5
Quality: 5/5
Price: 5/5

Dogku

Dogku
by: Andrew Clements
Illustrated by: Tim Bowers
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0689858239
Date: 2007
Price: (without shipping) $11.55 USD as of the date of this posting
Where to buy: Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com)

First off, I love Haiku. I written two books in Haiku. So the concept of an unconventional use of the poetic device or style is something I welcome.

This is the story of a stray looking for a new home. All seems to be going along swimmingly until the word "pound" is mentioned (you may need to explain that in this case "pound" has nothing to do with animal confinement).

This an adorable book.

When I saw it initially, at a Scholastic Book Fair, I was intrigued but a little apprehensive. Could the reality of the book live up to what I imagined? It does and Mr. Bowers illustrations aide in making thins a great book let alone a great way to add haiku into your child's life.

Message:
[Parents] Haiku is fun, embrace it...oh....and can we keep him can we huh huh huh?.
[Kids] Learn to write as fast as you can, you can do really cool things with words!

Content: 5/5
Illustrations: 5/5
Concept: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Price: 5/5

Bad Day at Riverbend

Bad Day at Riverbend
by: Chris Van Allsburg
Illustrated by: The Author
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company
Language: English
ISBN-13: 9780395673478
Date: 1995
Price: (without shipping) $19.95 USD as of the date of this posting
Where to buy: Barnes and Noble (http://www.bn.com)

A day dawns like any other in the small western town of Riverbend, but something is about to rock the very foundation, and in fact the beliefs, on which the small town is built.

This an amazing book.

Allsberg, who also wrote and illustrated Jumanji and The Polar Express as well as many others, seems to write from a slightly dark and refreshingly twisted point of view. His books provoke thought, "A Ha!" and "OMG!" moments with the turn of every page. This book is a shining example of his ability in that regard.

While I can not say any more about the story for fear of giving it all away, suffice it to say that the first time I saw the book read, I ran out and got it. It has been a hit with the kids I read to for a year now.

We don't know 100% how kids thought processes are wired and programmed as they develop, I can only assume that books that entertain and yet provide discovery and provoke thought help to make smarter and more creative kids. If you agree, then Bad Day at Riverbend is a must have for your bookcase.

Message:
[Parents] Good old fashioned coloring is good (but this is not a coloring book).
[Kids] Sometimes things happen that are unexpected and have no explanation. We just have to deal with it.

Content: 5/5
Illustrations: 5/5
Concept: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Price: 4/5

Ckicks and Salsa

Chicks and Salsa.
by: Aaron Reynolds
Illustrated by: Paulette Bogan
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
Language: English
ISBN 13: 978-1599900995
Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 9.4 inches, paperback, full-color interior ink
Price: (without shipping) $6.95 USD as of the date of this posting
Where to buy: amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com)

I love Mexican food.

This is a just plain fun book. Barnyard friends, led by a rooster who has a thing for his local Food Network, learn to love some down home food from south of the border.

The illustrations are wonderfully colorful and fun and the writing is a delight. By the end of the story you've got chickens eating salsa, pigs eating nachos and ducks eating guacamole.

A great fun book.

Message:
[Parents] Make it fun and kids will probably try anything.
[Kids] Try new food, you might like it.

The Stinky Cheese Man and other fairly stupid tales.

The Stinky Cheese Man and other fairly stupid tales.
by: Jon Scieszka
Illustrated by: Lane Smith
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Viking/Penguin
Language: English
ISBN: 9780670844876
Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 9 inches, hardcover, full-color interior ink
Price: (without shipping) $17.99 USD as of the date of this posting
Where to buy: amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com)

This books is nuts.

It breaks traditions, rips classic tales to shreds, has colorful yet somehow slightly disturbing illustrations and yet I can not recommend it enough.

Scieszka and Lane created a book, back in 1992, that is a wonder of modern art and unconformity. The book is disjointed, jumps around and has blank pages. It is also one of the books that my 12 year old daughter remembers from her early years. The text is clever, witty and highly creative.

The illustrations are AMAZING. There is a Dali/Picasso-esque quality to the pictures that is well worth the price of admission.

Message:
[Parents] Art is something best served witty.
[Kids] Look what this guy draws, there is no "wrong" in art.

Content: 5/5
Illustrations: 5/5
Concept: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Price: 5/5

Good Boy Fergus

Good Boy Fergus
by: David Shannon
Illustrated by: The Author
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Blue Sky Press
Language: English
ISBN: 0439490278
Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.7 inches, hardcover, full-color interior ink
Price: (without shipping) $15.99 USD as of the date of this posting
Where to buy: amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com)

I love David Shannon's work from "No David" to this one. His art is delightful and the stories are charming and fun for young readers.

Fergus is a dog and like most dogs, responds to the words that dogs respond to. Words like cat, out, ride and walk to name a few.

The story is like a small documentary into the life of a dog from a dog centric viewpoint. The text gives you a disjointed, jumpy feeling which, again, follows the way a dog lives.

There is no deep message here. Just good clean fun.

Message:
[Parents] Hmmmm, maybe this is how kids think too.
[Kids] Dogs are fun.

Content: 5/5
Illustrations: 5/5
Concept: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Price: 5/5

Chowder

Chowder
by: Peter Brown
Illustrated by: The Author
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers
Language: English
ISBN: 0316011800
Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 inches, hardcover, full-color interior ink
Price: (without shipping) $15.99 USD as of the date of this posting
Where to buy: amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com)

Here's one I saw at the book fair but purchased at the local non-chain bookstore.

Chowder is a bulldog who marches to his own drummer (who is obviously distant). To say that he is different is an understatement. His owners love him the way he is but he yearns for something more.

Mr. Brown has crafted a delightful story that will have dog owners everywhere shutting down the computer when they leave the house for work. This is a book where it is ok to be different and that difference is applauded.

The illustrations are beautiful. Soft, colorful and with unique angles and perspectives not usually seen in children's books. There is a picture of Chowder leaping from the car at the store which becomes, at first, like a Where is Waldo.

A great book and one that has been added to my personal collection.

Message:
[Parents] If it's ok for a dog to play kick-ball with a pig then it's fine for your kid to play with whoever they want to.
[Kids] People who look different can be fun too.

Content: 5/5
Illustrations: 5/5
Concept: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Price: 5/5

When Charlie McButton Lost Power

When Charlie McButton Lost Power
by: Suzanne Collins
Illustrated by: Mike Lester
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Language: English
ISBN: 0399240004
Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 10.4, hardcover, full-color interior ink
Price: (without shipping) $15.99 USD as of the date of this posting
Where to buy: amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com)

It's bookfair week at the school where I work and the next few posts are going to be books that I have purchased for my own kids library. Not my kids but books I use at school, at the daycare center or at the YMCA.

This book grabbed my attention right away. Young Charlie McButton is a high-tech kid. He has every gadget, every bell, every whistle. The kid is wired.

Disaster strikes Charlies tech empire when a storm takes out the power grid and his world is plunged into candlelit 19th century, Abe Lincoln reading by the fire darkness.

The book is extremely well versed. The rhymes come easily and are clever. It is brilliant. Ms. Collins has crafted a creative and devestatingly charming story.

Mr. Lester has created illustrations that both compliment and help drive Ms. Collin's words to perfection. There is a picture of Charlie's face when he can't find a power source that is worth the price of the book itself. The whole book has a slight Calvin and Hobbes-esque feel which is fine with me.


Message:
[Parents] Deer ticks be damned, get the kids outside.
[Kids] When we were kids we played army outside, not on TV.

Content: 5/5
Illustrations: 5/5
Concept: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Price: 5/5

John, Paul, George and Ben

John, Paul, George and Ben
by: Lane Smith
Illustrated by: the author
Paperback: 40 pages
Publisher: Hyperion
Language: English
ISBN: 0786848936
Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.8, hardcover, full-color interior ink
Price: (without shipping) $16.99 USD as of the date of this posting
Where to buy: amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com)

You must buy this book!

Once and awhile something comes along that is such a cool concept, such a fresh idea and has the potential for great payoff in the future that you must buy it. This is one of those.

Did I mention you should buy this book?

John, Paul, George and Ben is a refreshingly cute story of some of our founding fathers, John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington and Ben Franklin (oh and Independant Thomas Jefferson) and how thier behavior in early life paid big dividends not only for them but for our nation too.

The illustrations are wonderfully "antique" look of a Copley, Trunbull or Peale painting and the font used is a work of art as well. The pictures are rich and deep and, well, beautiful.

The payoff? Your kids might actually take a liking to history. What's not to love about that?

In closing, buy the book. I did and my kid is 11, ok, it was for me.

Message:
[Parents] Maybe the way your child's way of shooting peas across the room out of his/her nose will pay off someday and pay off big.
[Kids] You should always behave yourself but be yourself and find something to use your talents on.

Content: 5/5
Illustrations: 5/5
Concept: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Price: 5/5

Is There Really a Human Race?

Is There Really a Human Race?
by: Jamie Lee Curtis
Illustrated by: Laura Cornell
Paperback: 40 pages
Publisher: Joanna Cotler
Language: English
ISBN: 0060753463
Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 11.3, hardcover, full-color interior ink
Price: (without shipping) $16.99 USD as of the date of this posting
Where to buy: amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com)

Once again Jamie Lee Curtis and Joanna Cotler have done it again with another glance into how our kids probably look at life.

In "Is There Raally a Human Race" the question we've all asked at one point in our lives is addressed in both witty and entertaining prose and glorious illsutrations.

Book Fair tomorrow and this one's in my basket. It should be in your too.

Message:
[Parents] There is truly no such thing as a stupid question.
[Kids] If something sounds silly, ask why.

Content: 5/5
Illustrations: 5/5
Concept: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Price: 5/5