Stanza by Jill Esbaum

Picture Book

2009
illustrated by Jack E. Davis
Harcourt Children's Books

Here's a fantastic, rhyming read-aloud! It's all about Stanza, a closet poet, who also happens to be a dog. By day, he's a rough and rude dude on the street. Along with his brothers, Stanza prowls around annoying and bullying everyone they encounter. But after his brothers are asleep, he heads back to his "shadowy space tucked away out of sight" and writes poetry. He lives in fear that his brothers might find out. But when a contest comes along, looking for someone to write a catchy four-line poem for Snappers Dog Snacks, he can't resist. Will his brothers find out what he's doing? Will he win the contest? Come check out Stanza and find out! (Pay close attention to the wonderful illustrations. Cute details and a couple of hidden clues about Stanza's brothers' closet lives.)

Comments

Dude, That's Rude! (Get Some Manners) by Pamela Espeland & Elizabeth Verdick

If there's one book today's kids need to read, it is Dude, That's Rude! (Get Some Manners) . The authors provide a fun format for teaching etiquette to children. They discuss proper behavior at home, at school, at other people's homes and in public places. The information is completely up-to-date with cellphone manners and netiquette included. Fun, cartoony illustrations are on practically every page giving the book great visual appeal. This book is perfect for boys and girls in the fourth grade or older. WARNING: Bodily functions are discussed.

Faces of the Moon by Bob Crelin

Faces of the Moon by Bob Crelin Illustrated by Leslie Evans Charlesburg; 2009; unpaged Faces of the Moon is a short nonfiction book that describes the different phases of the moon and why the moon appears like it does on certain nights. This book is short and sweet so even the youngest of moon lovers will enjoy it. The layout is simplistic and easy to follow. I don’t know much about the moon so I found it very interesting.

The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester 2008

J Fiction 328 pages I almost didn't finish this book. I got to Chapter 4, and was just about ready to quit (a kind of slow story about a girl, name of Piper McCloud, who discovers she can fly, parents freak out, she becomes a social outcast, yadda, yadda) but suddenly, right there in Chapter 4, the story takes a sharp turn and becomes really interesting . Piper finds herself in the company of others like her, but not "fliers", and under the care and authority of Dr. Hellion. I won't even tell you any more. Read this book. Forester does a great job of keeping you wondering who's the good guy and who's the bad? Piper is a likeable, strong, endearing character that girl readers will enjoy. But don't NOT give it to boys! The main male character is an extremely intelligent young man who is one of the ones you wonder about . . . good or bad? This is a good one, well worth your time.

Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Search This Blog