Looking for a really good children's picture book? One that children themselves will actually enjoy? Check out Looking for a Moose by Phyllis Root. It's rhythmic text and use of onomatopoeia (sound words) make this book a pleasure to read aloud as well as listen to. A group of children want to see a real moose, "a long-leggy moose- a branchy-antler, dinner-diving, bulgy-nose moose". They search through woods, swamp, bushes, and hillside. They get a little discouraged, but don't give up. Their efforts are rewarded in the end. Look sharp during their search, though. Some moose just don't want to be found until they're ready! Illustrator Randy Cecil has craftily hidden some moose (mooses?) throughout the book. A fun story, terrific oil illustrations!
Dragon Run by Patrick Matthews Scholastic, 2013. 336 pgs. Fantasy Al Pilgrommor is excited for Testing Day, when he will receive his rank, a tattooed number on the back of his neck, and a path forward to his future occupation and life. He feels confident because his parents were fours on a scale of seven, but he is worried for his friend Wisp who doesn't have much of a chance of scoring above a two at best. But when Al is scored a zero, he not only has no prospects, he may lose his life as the dreaded Cullers are unleashed to kill him and his family to purify the land's bloodlines. Al's world is ruled by dragons--the lords and supposed creators of humankind--so he thinks that even if he survives, he will have to make his living as a beggar or thief. But when Al sticks up for his Earther friend in front of Magister Ludi, he is drawn into the struggle of a secret organization hoping to destroy the Cullers, and perhaps the dragons them...
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