Love That Dog

Love That Dog: a novel
by: Sharon Creech
Illustrated by: The Author
Hardcover: 112 pages
Publisher: Joanna Cotler
Language: English
ISBN: 0060292873
Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
Price: (without shipping) $15.99 USD as of the date of this posting
Where to buy: Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com)

If there was ever a book that illustrates the need to be creative when approaching a challenging student, this is it.

There is a teacher, Miss Stretchberry, who uses poetry to reach a student who, at first, does not seem ready to participate.

The poems used to inspire the student include; "The Red Wheelbarrow" by Carlos Williams, "Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost, "The Tiger" by William Blake and "Love that Boy" by Walter Dean Meyers.

This is a wonderful book for students 8-12 that shows how the pain of an event may be lessened by expressing it outwardly through art.

Message:
[Parents] Encourage all forms of artistic endeavor.
[Kids] Use whatever outlet you have to express your feelings and use your feelings to express yourself in whatever outlet you choose.

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

Leonardo The Terrible Monster

Leonardo The Terrible Monster
by: Mo Willems
Illustrated by: The Author
Hardcover: 44 pages
Publisher: Hyperion
Language: English
ISBN: 0786852941
Product Dimensions: 13.1 x 9.1 x 0.4 inches
Price: (without shipping) $16.99 USD as of the date of this posting
Where to buy: Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com)

Leonardo is a terrible monster and from the looks of him on the book's cover, he is. The problem is that looks can be deceiving. Things are not always what they appear to be.

This book is a wonderful example of how a delightful story can drive home a message. You see, Leonardo is a terrible monster but in the way that I am a bad skier. He's really bad at it. Oh sure he tries, but he can not seem to get it right.

The message here is truly "don't judge a book by its cover." Leonardo is a terrible monster but a wonderful friend.

With this book, Mo Willems moves to number two of my all-time favorite children's authors (yes, yes. Dr. Seuss is number one).

Message:
[Parents] Don't be judgmental based on appearances.
[Kids] Don't let your parents teach you to be judgmental based on appearances!

Content: 5/5
Illustrations: 5/5
Concept: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Price: 5/5 (with Amazon sale 9.17.06)