Dogasaurus Rex

Dogasaurus Rex
Author: Anna Staniszewski
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Julie

 

Summary: Ben is excited to visit the shelter and choose the perfect dog for him.  As he looks at all of the dogs, he doesn’t see the one that is “quite right”.  Finally he sees one, and just knows she is perfect.  He names her Sadie, and she is actually a dinosaur! He brings her home and realizes she doesn’t fit in the house, so he builds her one. And then the fun begins as he walks her on a leash (water hose), and teaches her tricks like to sit and roll over.  Not everyone appreciates her size until the end when she helps to catch a robber.

Review: Pre-6. I really enjoyed reading this book. This fun story is sure to tickle a funny bone or two.  The simple text is the perfect length for younger children to listen to and would also be great in a small group.  Characterizing Sadie as a dog is just silly. The illustrations by Kevin Hawkes are delightful and funny!

Amulet: The Stonekeeper

Amulet: The Stonekeeper (Book 1)
Author: Kazu Kibuishi
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Yolanda

Summary: The first book in this series revolves around two children, Emily and Navin Hayes. They are both raised by a widowed mother and their financial situation leads them to their great-grandfathers house. As the family cleans and gets acquainted with their new home, Emily finds an interesting Amulet. Later on that night, they run into some trouble. Emily and Navin’s mother gets abducted by a mysterious creature and as they follow it they all get transported into another dimension. In this new world, Emily and Navin are to fulfill a prophecy and save everyone in that world. Emily and Navin try to save their mother and in doing so meet their great-grandfather that was missing for many years. He informs Emily that she is the new keeper of the Amulet and that it is up to her to save them all.

  

Review: The Amulet series book one really showcases the strength of family. In the prologue a parent dies and creates a domino effect that leads them to the main story line of the Amulet series. The story transports you within the book using a well written story line and beautiful art. The art is captivating and visually pleasing. Even though the images are a given, a readers imagination can still go wild and play with what the writer and illustrator created. All the characters, scenarios, and plot line really make this book addictive and has you wanting more at the end.

The First Christmas Stocking

The First Christmas Stocking
Author: Elizabeth Winthrop
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Reviewer: Christi

Summary: Elizabeth Winthrop creates an original legend about The First Christmas Stocking, illus. by Bagram Ibatoulline. After a girl's mother dies, she realizes that her mother's gift for knitting lives on in her, and that her stockings create their own magic one that all the townsfolk wish to share, by hanging a stocking on their own mantelpieces. Ibatoulline's artwork evokes the long-ago, snowy rural setting and seems to be illuminated by firelight.

Review: I found this book beautifully sad. In the story the young (very poor) girl is taught by her Mom to put her emotions into her knitting. When her Mom dies she knits and thinks of her Mom. Eventually her knitting is known in town. When the richest lady in town visits her and tells her she’d like her to knit her 6 stockings in 2 days she doesn’t think she can do it. But she wants to give her Dad a special Christmas. She works day and night to finish. On the way to drop off the stockings she see’s a young boy freezing in the cold with no socks, gloves, or a hat. She has to make a decision. She gives all but one stocking to the boy. Later at home she is very upset that she couldn’t get her Dad his special Christmas. She hung that last stocking on the fireplace and when she woke up Christmas morning it was filled with all the things she wanted for Christmas. We realize in this book that to give is really to receive.

Monster Trucks

Monster Trucks
Author: Joy Keller
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Aleece

Summary: When it isn’t Halloween monsters have to make a living doing something other than scaring.  They have day jobs too.

Review: A really cute book that takes Halloween monsters and pairs them in construction jobs and other jobs that drive trucks.  A great addition for any kids that like monsters and trucks.

Chicken in School

Chicken in School
Author: Adam Lehrhaupt
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Reviewer: Juan

Summary: Accompany Zoey the Chicken as she embarks to create an unusual classroom for her barnyard friends. Celebrating friendship, creativity, and of course tasty snacks, Zoey teaches her fellow companions the importance of imagination and how it can liven up any classroom and make school fun.

Review: A great story to show the fun aspect of any subject taught in a classroom. With a touch of imagination, activities such as reading, math, and recess can motivate any child to get enthusiastic for school.

Dalia's Wondrous Hair

Dalia's Wondrous Hair
Author: Laura Lacamara
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Reviewer: Yolanda

Summary: A little Cuban girl named Dalia woke up with extremely tall thick hair. She pretended to be a tree and gave her mother opportunities to guess what tree she was. Time and time again her mother guessed wrong so Dalia went off into different environments to add on to her hair tree. Eventually revealing the true nature of it at the end.

Review: This is such a cute story that is filled with a lot of culture not only through writing, but there the depiction of the illustrations. I love the fact that the book is in both English and Spanish and how it shows a mother’s support in the decisions the main character, Dalia, has when it came to how she wanted her hair. It is a very beautiful mother and daughter story.