photo by foxypar4 www.flickr.com
*Picture book for preschoolers through second graders
*Bea the sheep as the main character
*Rating: Be unique is the message in Bea Rocks the Flock, and this book’s illustration and cute sheep make it unique, too.
Short, short summary: Bea is having a hard time in the flock. She just doesn’t do [...]

photo by midweekpost www.flickr.com
*Young adult, urban contemporary fantasy
*Teenage girl as main character
*Rating: City of Ashes, the sequel to City Of Bones, is a page-turner. You won’t want to stop until you read every last word of the Clary-Simon-Jace saga.
Short, short summary: It’s hard to summarize this plot without giving anything away. But I’ll [...]

When I’m at the library choosing books for this blog, I have to admit I am a sucker for illustrations like Susan Gal’s. First, there’s a cute dog on the cover (and you all know I love dogs), and I like the girl’s cute nose and big eyes. It’s just cute. . .but this [...]

photo by kimbospacenut www.flickr.com
I decided to write about this book today in honor of the approaching holiday–Valentine’s Day. This book is about love in one of the most selfless and special ways we can give love–to animals who have been in puppy mills. **A portion of the sales profits from A Home for [...]

Florida Swamp photo by Peter Long www.flickr.com
*Middle-grade to tween (there’s some language in here–FYI ) contemporary fiction novel
*Middle-grade students Nick and Marta as main characters
*Rating: A good eco-mystery for kids with a quirky cast of characters, similar to Hoot and Flush by Carl Hiaasen.
Short, short summary: Scat has a main plot [...]

Quick post this morning because I’m off to preschool land to sub for a friend whose infant is in the hospital with RSV. Prayers and well-wishes are appreciated. But before I leave, I wanted to reveal the winner of Watersmeet. Thank you again to everyone who left comments and to Ellen Jensen Abbott [...]

photo by digitalART2 www.flickr.com
Before I write about this super cute book, Felicity Floo Visits the Zoo, I want to announce the winners of Clara Gillow Clark’s Hattie books from the contest I held on Tuesday and Wednesday. And the winners are. . .
*1st place: Tami R.
*2nd place: Shelby S.
*3rd place: Bailey
Thank you to [...]

photo by digitalART2 www.flickr.com
*Picture book for preschoolers through second graders
*Two young donkeys as main characters
*Rating: The Big Elephant in the Room is a cute and funny picture book. Your children or students will be laughing out loud at Lane Smith’s text and illustrations!
Short, short summary: One donkey friend with a bow tie says [...]

photo by Southern Foodways Alliance www.flickr.com
*Picture book for preschoolers through second graders
*Strega Nona as the main character
*Rating: Another clever Strega Nona book by Tomie dePaola, perfect for plant lesson plans
Short, short summary: Strega Nona, Big Anthony, and Bambolona are planting seeds with Strega Nona’s direction in the latest installment by Tomie dePaola. This [...]

photo by Thomas Ott www.flickr.com
*Picture book, Kindergartners to third graders, contemporary, Christmas
*Three children (two boys and one younger girl) as main characters
*Rating: Santa Calls is a great adventure Christmas story for children.
Short, short summary: Art Atchinson Aimesworth receives a call from Santa to go to Toyland in the North Pole. He takes with [...]