Provo City Library Children's Book Review

Robbie Forester and the Outlaws of Sherwood Street

2012-01-27T18:15:00.006-07:00

Robbie Forester and the Outlaws of Sherwood Street
by Peter Abrahams
Philomel, 2012. 294 pgs. Mystery/Fantasy

When Robbie (Robyn) heads out for school one cold morning, the homeless woman often seen begging on her street has tipped over on her side. And immediately the reader knows the essence of Robbie: no one else "had gone to her yet. So I did." As the woman is loaded into the ambulance, Robbie sees a braided leather bracelet with a silver heart charm fall off her wrist, but by the time she picks it up, the woman is gone. Thus is launched a noble band of four kids, who, with the magical power of the bracelet, have the rich's riches fall into their hands and deliver them up to the poor. Robbie and her Mom volunteer at a soup kitchen which is suddenly out of business when the landlord doubles the rent; their favorite Thai restaurant is going under for the same reason, as are the Red Goat Saloon and Rewind, a record--yes, vinyl LPs--store. Active only in the presence of injustice, the charm bracelet takes the kids from one danger to the next, giving them the power to do good, and delivers them in each case as well. A fantasy, a mystery, an adventure, and a feel-good story all in one, Robbie Forester and the Outlaws of Sherwood Street is a ripsnorting good read for older elementary-age kids and tweens, featuring some terrific kids out to right wrongs. The book can stand alone, but one hopes for a sequel, or two, or three.

Mother Goose Picture Puzzles

2012-01-27T13:51:00.004-07:00

Mother Goose Picture Puzzles
by Will Hillenbrand
Marshall Cavendish, 2011, 40 pages, Picture Book, Nursery Rhymes

Classic nursery rhymes are like old friends and in this book readers get to see them again, all dressed up for a new generation. This collection of 20 of the most familiar rhymes are presented as rebus stories. Certain words in each rhyme appear as pictures. Even very small children will have a fun time following along as a parent reads and supplying the missing words. Each nursery rhyme gets its own page and is printed in a large font on top of full page, color illustrations. Hillenbrand's mixed media illustrations, done with soft, muted lines and colors, are whimsical an fun. In each picture he gives visual clues to the next nursery rhyme, pulling the reader forward through the book. This is a great choice for parents and children to read together.

Dude: Fun With Dude and Betty

2012-01-26T11:53:00.005-07:00

Dude: Fun With Dude and Betty
By Lisa Pliscou
Harper, c2011. Unpaged easy reader.

Follow Dude (a "way cool guy"), his dog Bud (a "most excellent dog"), and Dude's Friend Betty (a "righteous surf Betty") as they head to the beach to surf and soak up some rays. It doesn't use as much repetition or simple vocabulary as the Dick and Jane books, but is still a really funny book to read together out loud. The glossary of surfer terms is helpful and entertaining. I love the last couple of pages, because Father and Mother look like Dick and Jane all grown up- even though they are brother and sister in the originals!

Buzz Beaker and the Outer Space Trip

2012-01-26T11:45:00.004-07:00

Buzz Beaker and the Outer Space Trip
By Cari Meister
Stone Arch Books, c2011. 31 pages. Easy reader.

I love the Buzz Beaker series by Cari Meister! Buzz is a young, African American inventor with big dreams and a taste for adventure. In The Outer Space Trip, Buzz works long and hard on inventing a working spaceship so that he and his dog, Raggs, can explore the moon. When he isn't able to create the ship, Buzz goes to bed tired and frustrated. In the night, a spaceship full of alien dogs lands in his backyard. Buzz and Raggs sneak on board, and get to explore the aliens' planet. It's all a dream of course, but a fun adventure nonetheless!

Ducks Go Vroom

2012-01-26T11:40:00.002-07:00

Ducks Go Vroom
By Jane Kohuth
Random House, c2011. 31 pages. Easy reader.

Ducks Go Vroom is one that I would recommend for very new readers, especially those wanting a few simple words per page. There are rhymes, repeated phrases, and sound noises, which are important literacy tools for developing readers. These ducks are tiny and cute, but act like crazy teenagers- they vroom and zoom in their convertible, they quack and yak on their cell phones, they plop and flop all over the house, and generally cause chaos wherever they go. Eventually they leave, and there is a great sense of relief as Mom waves them away.

Aggie Gets Lost

2012-01-25T15:57:00.006-07:00

Aggie Gets Lost
by Lori Ries, illustrated by Frank W. Dormer
Charlesbridge, 2011. 48 pgs. Easy Reader

When Ben takes Aggie to the park he knows she will be a good dog and fetch his ball back whenever he throws it for her. Trouble is, the last throw is too far. Aggie chases the ball but doesn't come back. Ben looks everywhere. She is not by the swing set or the pond. Ben is afraid that Aggie will never be found--and then he is afraid that she didn't get lost, but ran away because he wasn't good enough to her. After a sleepless night Ben goes back to the park and enlists the aid of an unlikely helper who knows how to listen for Aggie. When Aggie comes running back, she is really stinky, but Ben doesn't care and as they head for home,"Aggie gets a head start." A gentle story of a beloved pet, with a satisfyingly happy ending.

See Me Run

2012-01-25T15:47:00.004-07:00

See Me Run
by Paul Meisel
Holiday House, 2011. Unpaged. Picture Book.

In a picture book that could double as an easy reader (reminiscent of Dick and Jane), the lead dog runs and runs with many dogs running after him. When they run into mud, they have a good time. They have a good time romping in the brook as they wash themselves off. But when they dig, dig, dig up some skeletal remains--remains that are not happy to be dug up--they run, run, run some more, hoping to get away! Kids should love the repetitive text with the surprise ending of this fun dog story about a pack of canines who bite off a bit more than they can chew.

Bravo!

2012-01-24T16:15:00.004-07:00

Bravo!
by Philip Waechter and Moni Port, translated by Sally-Ann Spencer
Gecko Press, 2011. Unpaged. Picture Book.

Helena has a pretty good life--she is a talented trumpet player, she loves her little brother, her Mom is gentle and patient. But Helena's father ALWAYS SHOUTS! There is no end to his loud demands and complaints: WHO ATE ALL THE ORANGES? WHO LEFT THEIR SOCKS IN THE HALL? MY EGG IS TOO RUNNY! When Helena asks her mother why her dad is so loud, she is told that he just comes from a family of shouters and perhaps Helena will grow up to be a shouter, too. Helena doesn't want to be a shouter, so she moves away to live with the lady on top of the hill. Helena's father is totally bereft. He promises never to shout again if Helena will come home. Everyone misses her so much they are excited to pieces to see a poster announcing Helena's trumpet concert. At the concert, Helena's father shouts again, but this time he shouts BRAVO! That's the kind of shout Helena likes to hear. Originally published in German, Bravo! is a delightful story of a young girl who knows she can decide what kind of life she wants to have, and a father sensible enough to mend his ways for his beloved daughter's sake. Well done.

Tales for Very Picky Eaters

2012-01-23T17:07:00.003-07:00

Tales for Very Picky Eaters
By Josh Schneider
Clarion Books, 2011. 47 pages. Easy reader.

Congratulations to Tales for Very Picky Eaters, 2012's Geisel Award winner! This is a laugh out loud book for early readers. The chapter titles say it all: Tales of Disgusting Broccoli, Smelly Lasagna, Repulsive Milk, Lumpy Oatmeal, and Slimy Eggs. Dad is desperate to get James to eat something- anything!- and finds that humor is the way to do it. Don't like the broccoli? Fine, try some pre-chewed gum, or a sweaty sock, for starters. James eventually learns that perhaps trying the dreaded food placed before him might be more appealing than the alternative. Of course, he ends up liking the food he tastes. A great story for picky eaters and the parents they torment.