Different Like Coco

Different Like Coco
Author: Elizabeth Matthews
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Denise Z.

Summary: The rags-to-riches story of Coco Chanel plays out in a picture book biography.

Review: This is a very interesting picture book biography that girls in grades 2-6 will appreciate. The life of Coco Chanel is told in a fun, relatable way that uses real-life examples of how Coco was unique and different and how being different made her a fashion legend. The illustrations and language used is elegant and stylish, complimenting Coco’s life. Both young and old will enjoy reading about this fashion mogul. This would be a perfect biography to pick for a homework assignment or just a nice book to read together as mother and daughter to show how being different is okay and can be an advantage.  

A Cat Is Chasing Me Through This Book!

A Cat is Chasing Me Through This Book!

Author: Benjamin Bird

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Reviewer: Leslie

Summary: Tom the cat chases Jerry the mouse through the pages of this interactive book.

Review: This was a great book that allows the kids to interact in a fun way. In order to help Jerry get away from Tom, the kids need to do what Jerry asks of them. It was very cute and I would recommend for the little ones.  

Bad Kitty Puppy's Big Day

Bad Kitty Puppy's Big Day

Author: Nick Bruel

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Reviewer: Leslie

Summary: Uncle Murray takes Puppy on a walk on a day that Bad Kitty is being unusually difficult, but has several unpleasant encounters with a police officer and one mean dog along the way. Text is interspersed with information about dog behavior, pet care, and more.

Review: This was a fun book that I read to my kids and we just adopted a cat so it was perfect as it tells the reasons why you should rescue animals. They really enjoyed it and I thought it was really funny. We will be reading the others from this series. 

Everyone Is Yawning

Everyone Is Yawning

Author: Anita Bijsterbosch

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Reviewer: Sue

Summary: All the animals are tired.  And when they are tired they YAWN!  Big flaps open up for all the yawns showing teeth (if that animal has teeth), tongues, and the back of the mouth.  At the end of the book is a little child ready for bed.  Does this child yawn too?  Oh, yes!  And the last fold out page is all the animals and the child sound asleep.

Review: This is a perfect book to read before bedtime!  The illustrations are simple and colorful, and the text is repetitive but also has a fun twist for some of the animals.  Everyone Is Yawning is a book that definitely could become a favorite at bedtime.  

The Ninjabread Man

The Ninjabread Man

Author: Katrina Charman

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Reviewer: Aleece

Summary: In a terrific twist on the original tale of The Gingerbread Man, follow the amazing Ninjabread Man as he dips and dives out of danger!

Review: A cute twist on the Gingerbread Man. An old man makes a ninjabread man in order to have a friend but once he is baked he jumps out the house and is on the move.  While the Ninjabread Man avoids the perils of other animals trying to eat him the river seems to be the trickiest obstacle yet.  However, the old man who wanted a friend (not food) saves him at the last minute and teaches him how to be a true ninja in Ninja School.  Overall a great fun read for kids who love ninjas and gingerbread men.

Quiet Power: The Secret Strengths of Introverts

Quiet Power: The Secret Strengths of Introverts

Author: Susan Cain

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Reviewer: Denise Z.

Summary: A discussion of the power of introverts for kids and teens with a focus on school, family life, and friendship.

Review: I read “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking,” by Susan Cain, who is the same author of this book about the same subject matter for kids and teens. The book she wrote for adults is inspiring and brilliant, and I wanted to see if she did just as well with this book…and she did.

This book will be helpful for any child who is introverted or shy and for the parents and teachers who are a part of their lives. There’s a parent and a teacher section in the back of the book that is very helpful, along with all the points and encouragement throughout the text.

The author lists ten manifestos for our young introverts that will empower and guide them on how to use their abilities as strengths. I liked how it was pointed out that there’s a difference between shyness and introverted and on how it’s okay to not be an extrovert. All of her tips and encouragement are divided in four helpful categories: school, socializing, hobbies, and home.   

If Elephants Wore Pants...

If Elephants Wore Pants...
Author: Henriette Barkow
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Denise Z.

Summary: Rhyming text tells the story of a young boy who dreams about elephants wearing different colors of pants.

Review:  I enjoy any picture book that rhymes, and this book was no exception. This is a very imaginative book about elephants that can be both silly and educational. It’s a beneficial book for those who need to learn their colors, with every elephant wearing different color pants.