Meet the Dullards

by Sara Pennypacker

Balzer & Bray, 2015. Picture book.

Mr. and Mrs. Dullard are determined to protect their children from the dangers of excitement and ensure them a perfectly dull life. They let them watch television, but only when it’s unplugged. They let them read, but only blank white paper. They order them ice cream: “Five vanilla cones. Hold the cones. And extract the vanilla.” And they don’t let the neighbors use exclamation marks in front of the kids. But Blanda, Borely, and Little Dud begin to show disturbing signs: reading books, asking to go to school, and even trying to play outside. Will the parents’ heroic efforts to squash this dangerous behavior work, or will the children find a way to express their creativity? The illustrations are full of visual jokes and details that reward careful viewing. This tongue-in-cheek story is full of silliness and wordplay that even older children and adults will enjoy.

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.

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