Review: Let’s Go Fishing & Let’s Have a Parade

The Basics

lanasworld
Title: Let’s Go Fishing! & Let’s Have a Parade!
Author: Erica Silverman
ISBN: 9780544106529 & 9780544106772
Copyright Date: 2015
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Reader Brand: Green Light Readers
Level: Level 2
Series: Lana’s World (Let’s Go Fishing!, Let’s Have a Parade!)

Thoughts

Lana wants to do something exciting, but her family isn’t quite ready to join in on the fun. But with a little imagination from Lana, soon everybody is up and moving along with Lana!

Both of the books follow a formulaic story — Lana wants to go fishing but her family is too busy doing their own things; Lana wants to have a parade but it’s raining and her family doesn’t want to get wet. Formulaic stories in a lot of fiction is frustrating, but not for a beginning reader! The repetitiveness of the story will only help beginning readers to recognize words and build their confidence.

The illustrations of Lana and her family are done in watercolors. There no concrete information about what race Lana’s family is and I think that a variety of kids could see themselves in Lana’s family. (I had hoped from the cover that Lana might be a Latina and while she does have a darker skin tone and dark hair, I can’t say for certain that Lana is Latina.) Judge for yourself in the book trailer!

As with all Green Light Readers, the Guided Reading level, Reading Recovery level, Interest level are printed on the back on the books. Overall, I think these are good readers to add to a collection and would recommend for purchase.

Booklist: Animals

begreadbooklists
This fall, I updated and created new Beginning Reader booklists. Some were topics that we’ve had before (Phonics, Animals) and others were entirely new topics (Diversity, Classics). I created the booklist using Publisher and a template that I’m very familiar with since I also use it for my programming handouts. So far, they’ve been well received by the patrons! I thought it would be a good idea to list out the books that I chose for each topic.

     

Animals
Beginning reader books all about animals.

  • Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold
  • Minnie & Moo by Denys Cazet
  • Cork & Fuzz by Dori Chaconcas
  • Max & Mo by Patricia Lakin
  • Frog & Toad by Arnold Lobel
  • George & Martha by James Marshall
  • Pony Scouts by Cathy Hapka
  • Henry & Mudge by Cynthia Rylant
  • Mouse & Mole by Herbert Wong Yee

Review: What This Story Needs is a Pig in a Wig

The Basics

whatthisstoryneedsisapiginawig
Title: What This Story Needs in a Pig in a Wig
Author: Emma J. Virján
ISBN: 9780062327246
Copyright Date: 2015
Publisher: HarperCollins
Reader Brand: N/A
Level: N/A
Series: Pig in a Wig (upcoming What This Story Needs is a Hush and a Shush & What This Story Needs in a Munch and a Crunch)

Thoughts

Pig in a wig needs a boat on a moat…but what she didn’t count on was a frog, dog, or log joining her. Her problems get worse as more animals and more items show up on her boat. What’s a pig to do?

Let me just say how much I absolutely adore this new reader. I was so enamored with it that I made three co-workers read it that day with me so that they could appreciate it. It has simplistic words that are supported by bold graphic illustrations. The amount of text on each page is exactly right for a beginning reader and the phonetics are wonderful.

I am so excited about the upcoming sequels (!!!) that I’m counting the days until January 26th and May 10th.

Add this one to every library collection!

Geisel 2007 Award & Honors

For more information about the Geisel Award, visit the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award homepage.

zeldaandivytherunaways
Winner: Zelda and Ivy: The Runaways by Laura McGee Kvasnosky

Two sisters named Zelda and Ivy are off on several adventures in this three chapter beginning reader. First the sisters run away from home when their parents make cucumber sandwiches again, then they make a time capsule, and finally each sister embarks on their own creation adventure.

This book is definitely an upper level beginning reader. It reads very much like “Frog and Toad” or “Ling & Ting” books. I really enjoyed the camaraderie between the sisters — it definitely reminded me of my childhood adventures with my sister so I imagine young readers will relate to the book. The text is supported with boxed illustrations on most pages with a few integrated images on others.

Great for fans of “Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa”, this book (and series) is all about friendship in the end.

geiselhonors2007

Honor: Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride by Kate DiCamillo

Mercy Watson is back in this second book in the series. Every Saturday, she and Mr. Watson go for a ride in his pink convertible. But one Saturday turns into a grand adventure when Mercy inadvertently gets behind the wheel. This fabulous early chapter book will delight readers everywhere.

Honor: Move Over, Rover! by Karen Beaumont

Rover’s doghouse becomes a safe haven for all the forest animals when it starts to rain. But there’s one animal who can chase them out — skunk! This picture book is told in rhyme as a cumulative story and is excellent for beginning readers to hear read aloud or to read on their own.

Honor: Not a Box by Antoinette Portis

Rabbit has a box…or does he? Rabbit’s imagination drives this story that will resonate with children who love the box more than the toy inside of it. Another picture book awarded a Geisel Honor, this book works wonderfully in storytime and will have beginning readers shouting along: “It’s not a box!”

On the Radar: Growing Minds September

“On the Radar” is a new feature when I plan to call attention to readers reviewed in major publications.

Growing Minds(September 2015)

growingminds-sept15

Backyard Camp-Out by Jerdine Nolen
Basketball’s Greatest Players by S.A. Kramer
Berkley, the Terrible Sleeper by Mitchell Sharmat
Big Dog & Little Dog Getting in Trouble by Dav Pilkey
Big Dog & Little Dog Wearing Sweaters by Dav Pilkey
Block Party Surprise by Jerdine Nolen
Danny and the Dinosaur: Too Tall by Syd Hoff
Crash Boom Roar! The Good Dinosaur (Disney Step into Reading)
The Journey Home The Good Dinosaur (Disney Step into Reading)
Fire Dog Rescue by H.A. Rey
Hamster Holmes, Combing for Clues by Albin Sadar
Home Address: International Space Station by James Buckley
How to Raise Three Dragons by Ellie O’Ryan
Jasper & Joop by Olivier Dunrea
Mr. Putter & Tabby Smell the Roses by Cynthia Rylant
Ruth and Naomi by David Miles
Snuggle Up, ZooBorns! by Andrew Bleimen
Digger and Daisy Star in a Play by Judy Young
What Does Otis See? by Loren Long

All of these titles were in the Early Reader section of Growing Minds. None of the titles received reviews.

Review: Clara and Clem Take a Ride

The Basics

claraandclemtakearide
Title: Clara and Clem Take a Ride
Author: Ethan Long
ISBN: 9780448462714
Copyright Date: 2012
Publisher: Penguin
Reader Brand: Penguin Young Readers
Level: Level 1
Series: Clara and Clem (Clara and Clem in Outer Space, Clara and Cleam Under the Sea)

Thoughts

Clara and Clem go on a ride through a variety of situation: up a mountain, in a tree, in the forest, etc. When they hit a pile of rocks, they decide their trip is done and it’s time to build something new with their blocks.

I just discovered this older series while going through the beginning readers at my library. It’s fabulous and imaginative! All of the books involve Clara and Clem building something to play with out of their blocks. I love seeing both brother and sister building with their blocks — great STEM series for beginning readers. These are similar to Elephant and Piggie in that they are told through dialogue only and the series also uses speech bubbles with different colors for Clara and Cleam.

Definitely buy these for your library and recommend them to very early beginning reader readers!

On the Radar: Booklist August 2015

“On the Radar” is a new feature when I plan to call attention to readers reviewed in major publications.

Booklist (August 2015)

booklist_aug15

Biggety Bat: Chow Down, Biggety! by Aaron Zenz
Bradford Street Buddies: Block Party Surprise by Michelle Henninger
Celebrating Pennsylvania: 50 States to Celebrate by Jane Kurz
Hurricane Watch by Melissa Stewart
I Can Help! by Peggy Perry Anderson
Katie Fry, Private Eye: The Lost Kitten by Katherine Cox
Mr. Putter & Tabby Smell the Roses by Cynthia Rylant
Petal and Poppy and the Mystery Valentine by Lisa Clough
Pinkalicious and the Pink Parakeet by Victoria Kann
Prehistoric Mammals by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld
Prince Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold
Princess Pistachio and the Pest by Marie-Louise Gay
Pumpkin Day! by Candice Ransom
Superman: A Giant Attack by Donald Lemke

All of these titles received reviews in the August edition of Booklist!

Review: The Lost Kitten

The Basics

thelostkitten
Title: The Lost Kitten
Author: Katherine Cox
ISBN: 9781480677517
Copyright Date: 2015
Publisher: Scholastic
Reader Brand: N/A
Level: Level 2
Series: Katie Fry, Private Eye (upcoming: The Missing Fox)

Thoughts

Katie Fry has solved all the mysteries in her house and is looking for her new task. When she opens a booth to solve mysteries, a lost kitten is in the park. Can Katie help the kitten — Sherlock — find his home?

I am so pleased with this new series! Katie is such a dynamic character. My favorite line in the book was Katie’s introduction: “This is Katie. Katie is little, but has a big brain.” (I’m trying not to be biased that I am also a Katie and also little at only 5’3″.)

The illustrations by Vanessa Brantley-Newton pop off the page and really give the series life. I feel that the text is the text of an upper-level reader with multiple chapters and harder vocabulary. But the text is well-supported by illustrations for those working up.

My only issue is that the text is smaller than most beginning readers and is almost italicized. I wish the publishers had kept the text more simplistic which is easier for beginning readers.

Give this series to fans of mysteries and readers looking for a little girl power.

Geisel 2008 Award & Honors

For more information about the Geisel Award, visit the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award homepage.

thereisabirdonyourhead
Winner: There is a Bird on Your Head by Mo Willems

Gerald is minding his own business when suddenly a bird lands on his head. Then another bird! Then a nest! Then three eggs! Piggie stands by Gerald and tells him what is happening since he can’t see the top of his head. This humorous story works so well as a beginning reader.

I have to admit that even though I’ve read this book countless times, I still laugh every time at the end of the story. The way that the two best friends work together to solve their problem and discover the simple sweet solution perfectly sets up the punchline at the end. All of the characterizations are wonderful. Gerald’s fear and anxiousness regarding the whole situation are apparent in his eyes and body language. Piggie’s optimism and endless smile only makes the ending that much funnier.

This is one of the very first Elephant and Piggie books and I hope that the Geisel Award only helped call attention to these wonderful books and ensure that quality beginning readers are written and promoted for a long, long time.

geiselhonors2008

Honor: First the Egg by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

A deceptively simple picture book explains basic first/then concepts to preschoolers. Filled with Seeger’s beautiful page cut-outs, this book will delight beginning readers. Most likely shelved in picture book because of the trade-size, parents with beginning readers should seek this title out.

Honor: Hello, Bumblebee Bat by Darrin Lunde

This non-fiction title teaches readers about the bumblebee bat in a question/answer format. The familiar form of question/answer will prove to be beneficial to beginning readers. While there are a lot of words per page, this is a title that doesn’t need to be read straight through and can be worked on page-by-page.

Honor: Jazz Baby by Lisa Wheeler

This fabulous picture book using jazz rhymes and sounds to create a book sure to please anyone learning to read. Lots of repetitive words (up/down/baby, etc.) and great rhymes like snap clap, etc. An excellent title to give to beginning reader and it works in storytime too!

Honor: Vulture View by April Pulley Sayre

Another non-fiction title with amazing repetitive language. Sayre certainly has a way with words as she explains to readers how vultures find their food. The book is illustrated by Steve Jenkins and would be a fine addition to any library’s non-fiction section.

On the Radar: School Library Journal (August 2015)

“On the Radar” is a new feature when I plan to call attention to readers reviewed in major publications.

School Library Journal (August 2015)

slj_august15

Benjamin Bear in Brain Storms by Philippe Coudray
Freckleface Strawberry Backpacks by Julianne Moore
Freckleface Strawberry Lunch, or What’s That by Julianne Moore
Mr. Putter & Tabby Smell the Roses by Arthur Howard
Monkey and Elephant and a Secret Birthday Surprise by Carole Lexa Schaefer
Do-Gooders by J. Torres, Justin Wagner, & Warren Wucinich

All of these titles had reviews in the new section just for beginning readers in SLJ!