Dazzling Travis!

Dazzling Travis!
Author: Hannah C. Dias
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Yolanda

Summary: Travis loves to go shopping and play dress up. He also loves to play basketball and dance ballet. He gets teased and made fun of at school by other kids for looking, dressing, and being different. Travis is one of a kind. What will happen with the bullies? Will Travis change who he is?

Review: This book can get a good conversation going with you and your child. Travis is a little boy who loves to dress up as a king or queen. He enjoys a variety of activities that others may find different, but Travis stands up for himself. He makes sure the bullies know that he is confident and proud of who he is and what he enjoys doing. “A boy can like pink and a girl can like blue. It’s not weird or strange to express the true you.” This book teaches a valuable lesson of not judging others and of acceptance. The illustrations are so colorful and beautiful.

A Friend Like Iggy

A Friend Like Iggy
Author: Kathryn Cole
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Christi

Summary: The true story of Iggy, a special dog who helps kids get through difficult times. When children disclose abuse, they often navigate an unfamiliar chain of events, sometimes testifying in court. Iggy is a specially-trained facilitator dog, and his job is to make each child he meets comfortable with the job they have to do.

Review: This sweet dog will have your heart melting after the first page. This book describes what a furry angel can do for children who need emotional support to deal with something that’s happened to them. He’s there when they have to talk about what happened to them. Even if it’s just to put his head on their lap to help give them strength. He even goes to court with them when they have to talk about what happened. I don’t know how some dogs are so sensitive to others emotions or how they know what to do to make them smile but Izzy does. That’s why I think he’s a furry angel.

Ebenezer Has a Word for Everything

Ebenezer Has a Word for Everything
Author: Chelsea H. Rowe
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Reviewer: Denise Z.

Summary: Ebenezer collects words. No one appreciates his efforts until he meets a friend who writes stories and could use a word or two.

Review: I picked up this picture book because I could easily tell it would have a good writing connection to it and I could possibly get an idea from it for an upcoming writing program. I enjoyed the story of Ebenezer finding a friend because of his love for words and how his friend has a love of stories. This was a great book for a friendship and a writing theme. I liked how the words were bolded, matched the illustrations, and encouraged more thinking and learning. This wouldn’t be a book I would read for a storytime, but it would be one that could be used for a writing lesson or one-on-one reading.

Out of Wonder

Book Review: Out of Wonder

Author: Kwame Alexander

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Reviewer: Denise Z.

Summary: Out of gratitude for the poet’s art form, Newbery Award winning author and poet Kwame Alexander, along with Chris Colderley and Marjory Wentworth, present original poems that pay homage to twenty famed poets who have made the authors’ hearts sing and their minds wonder. Stunning mixed-media images by Ekua Holmes, winner of a Caldecott Honor and a John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award, complete the celebration, inviting the viewer to listen, wonder, and perhaps even pick up a pen.

Review: Out of Wonder is a wonderful poetry anthology that celebrates famous authors and their style of poetry. This is a perfect introduction to poetry and the poets who have a beautiful way with words. These poems can be read out loud or enjoyed privately and touch the heart and soul of those who read them. The illustrations are inspiring in themselves and every element of this book is paired perfectly together. I would also recommend the audio version and especially the dvd version that has animated illustrations and soothing music that compliments every poem.

The Day the Crayons Came Home

The Day the Crayons Came Home
Author: Drew Daywalt
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Gloria

Summary: After reading the day, “the crayons quit”, I just had to read “the day the crayons came home” and I was absolutely in love with both. It was about forgotten crayons trying to get back to their owners. All the different crayons had such different stories and reasons on why they “left” or why they wanted to go back home.

Review: I really enjoyed this book, it is just so creative and funny. Such a great book to read during Storytime. The kids would really enjoy the different stories from every crayon as well as the illustrations. One of my all-time favorite book.

Show Dogs

Show Dogs
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Christi

Summary:  After a failed attempt to recover a stolen baby panda, police dog Max reluctantly teams up with a human FBI agent named Frank. A hot tip leads Max and Frank to Las Vegas for the world's most exclusive dog show.

Review:  This was a fun movie that I think the kids would get a kick out of seeing. I wouldn’t put it in the same bracket as some of the great cop and dog movies (aka K-9, Turner and Hooch, etc) but it still was cute and had some laugh out loud moments. The dogs are adorable, the cast works well with the canines, and it has some great dog moments. Definitely worth a watch. 

I Do Not Like Books Anymore!

I Do Not Like Books Anymore!
Author: Daisy Hirst
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Yolanda

Summary: Natalie and her brother Alphonse loved to listen to books and their amazing stories. They always wanted their Mom, Dad, and Grandma read to them. Natalie is finally old enough to learn to read on her own! There is only one problem, which is that when she tries to read all the letters look like weird shapes and she can’t get it. Natalie is very sad and asks for help, but eventually gives up. She eventually gets a great idea from her brother Alphonse, which helps her learn to read.

Review: This was such a cute book. Once kids start to learn to read they might lose interest in book completely. It might be hard at first to gain that confidence back, but after practice they can start to grow their love of reading again. This book shows the struggle in a creative and fun way to show a child that it is ok to not know how to do something, but practicing and finding other forms of learning really helps. You just keep trying.