Machines Go to Work: William Low
By Amanda Lynch, The Children’s Book Review
Published:June 18, 2009
Machines Go to Workby William Low
Reading Level: Baby-Preschool
Hardcover: 42 pages
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co (May 12, 2009)
What to Expect: Trucks, Helicopters, Boats, Trains, Lift the Flap, Onomatopoeia
When I first picked up Machines Go to Work, I didn’t realize what a cool lift the flap book it was! Every third page or so opens up into a beautiful illustration, depicting a different machine doing its job: a fire truck being used to rescue a kitten, a backhoe digging a hole to plant a tree, a helicopter carrying reporters, flying above a family of ducks crossing the road. The text flows well, and the story is a fantastic read aloud. Once you finish with the story, there is a fun fact section on all of the different machines, with illustrated diagrams of cement mixers, helicopters, and boats.
The real show stealers in this book are the illustrations. Award winning artist and illustrator William Low is known for his exquisite attention to detail, and you can see it in every single image. Also, unlike some Truck and Train Books, the images aren’t bright and harsh; rather, the soft color scheme brings the scenes vividly to life–my favorite is the giant container ship passing underneath a bridge. As an added bonus, this isn’t one of those Machine Books solely geared toward boys. I think the beautiful illustrations will appeal toward little girls who enjoy trucks and boats as well. I quite frankly fell in love with the picture of the cherry blossom trees where the kitten is rescued. For any young lover of machines, this is a must-read!
William Low also did a fantastic interview on his creative process for this story. To check it out, go here.
Add this book to your collection: Machines Go to Work
2009 Summer Reading Suggestions: Elementary
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: June 4, 2009
Summer reading with a child between grades 1 and 5 is so exciting. The youngest are gaining priceless reading skills at their “early reader” stage and the eldest are full-steam-ahead reaching an “early-fluent to fluent reader” stage. It’s more important than ever to keep up their momentum with their newly found skills — reading a minimum of four books over the summer will help keep them at their current level of reading. The trick is to pick books they will engage in easily. I’ve hand-picked some of my favorite titles, new and old, that are well-suited to the season and the different reading abilities.
NOTE: Please remember that all children develop at a different pace and learn in different ways. During each reading phase there will be a a wide range of development taking place. I have included some tips for encouraging reading, and a list of my favorite “early reader” series.
My Mom Is Trying to Ruin My Life
by Kate Feiffer (Author), Diane Goode (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books (March 24, 2009)
TCBR review: “My Mom Is Trying to Ruin My Life essentially defines the
quintessential spirit of parent-child relationships. It’s a picture
book that even adults will appreciate reading to themselves …”
Add this book to your collection: My Mom Is Trying to Ruin My Life
The Composer is Dead (Book & CD)
by Lemony Snicket (Author), Carson Ellis (Illustrator), Nathaniel Stookey (Contributor)
Reading level: Ages 5 – 10
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins; Har/Com edition (March 3, 2009)
Booklist review: “… The whole slightly macabre package is great fun, and while many youngsters will miss the clever wordplay and wry twist at the end, this still winds up being a fairly good overview of each orchestral section’s role in bringing music to life. Or death.” –Ian Chipman
Add this book to your collection: The Composer is Dead (Book & CD)
A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever
by Marla Frazee
Reading level: Ages 6-9
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Harcourt Children’s Books (March 1, 2008)
SLJ review: “Frazee brings out the typical energy of a couple of boys who may scoff at nature and seem to prefer watching TV, but it is through her artful illustrations that readers catch glimpses of just how savvy and creative these kids can be. . . . This intergenerational story will elicit howls of laughter and requests for repeated readings.” – starred review, School Library Journal
Add this book to your collection: A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever
Wild Tracks!: A Guide To Nature’s Footprints
by Jim Arnosky
Reading level: Ages 6 – 10
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Sterling (April 4, 2008)
Add this book to your collection: Wild Tracks!: A Guide To Nature’s Footprints
The Willoughbysby Lois Lowry
Reading level: Ages 6 – 10
Hardcover: 176 pages
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin/Walter Lorraine Books; 1 edition (March 31, 2008)
TCBR review: “Brilliant! The Willoughbys is reminiscent of so many classics – Mary Poppins and The Secret Garden, to name only two – all rolled together with a witty and twisted humor that reminds me of the wonderful Roald Dahl. …”
Add this book to your collection: The Willoughbys
by Francesca Simon (Author) and Tony Ross (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 7 – 10
Paperback: 112 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (April 1, 2009)
TCBR review: “Wow! Francesca Simon really knows kids! Clever, witty, and horridly
hilarious, Horrid Henry, the first book in an excellent series for
young readers, is everything it should be. …”
SLJ review: “… Arnosky lets children in on these insiders’ tips with the amiable tone of a knowledgeable guide. …”
Add this book to your collection: Horrid Henry
by Hallie Durand (Author), Christine Davenier (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 7-10
Hardcover: 160 pages
Publisher: Atheneum (May 19, 2009)
TCBR review: “… Durand [has] created believable third-grade characters that have wonderfully supportive families and school teachers.”
Add this book to your collection: Dessert First
by Katherine Hannigan
Reading level: Ages 7-12
Hardcover: 112 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (February 24, 2009)
Publishers Weekly review: “Hannigan follows Ida B., her critically acclaimed debut, with this environmental fable, which she has illustrated with tender watercolor art that often displays deft touches of humor. …”
Add this book to your collection: Emmaline and the Bunny
by Kate Feiffer (author), Tricia Tusa (illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 8-12
Hardcover: 208 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books (February 24, 2009)
TCBR review: “… There is almost a picture on every page making it a great choice for kids that are new to the more serious layout of chapter books. …”
Add this book to your collection: The Problem with the Puddles
by Tony DiTerlizzi
Reading level: Ages 8 -12
Hardcover: 160 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing (August 5, 2008)
TCBR review: “… Kenny is such a courageous character, that I am sure any young reader would idolize him. And believe me, you want your child to idolize him because Kenny has the biggest thirst for knowledge, learning and books. Tony DiTerlizzi, known infamously for The Spiderwick Chronicles, has told this captivating story with such ease that it’s hard to put down – even for reluctant readers! …”
Add this book to your collection: Kenny & the Dragon
Magickeepers: The Eternal Hourglass
by Erica Kirov
Reading level: Ages 9+
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (May 1, 2009)
TCBR review: “… This book is so well thought through that I am beginning to think that
Erica Kirov may actually be from a family of magicians. I have been
bewitched and I can’t wait for book two. A vonderful novel!”
Add this book to your collection: Magickeepers: The Eternal Hourglass
Early Readers:
- Frog & Toad by Arnold Lobel
- Poppleton by Cynthia Rylant
- Elephant & Piggie by Mo Willems
- Mr Putter & Tabby by Cynthia Rylant
- Fancy Nancy by Jane O’Connor
- Fly Guy by Ted Arnold
Tips for encouraging reading:
- Keep some books in every room, in the car, and in every backpack. Audio books, magazines, comics, and other reading material count!
- Take your child to get their own library card.
- Take your child to author events at local bookstores.
- Provide a little guidance to help your child select books on topics that interest him. Books about camps, swimming, going to the beach, and vacations are a often a good start for this time of year.
- Activity books are great summer reading. Not only do they get some reading in, but they can get busy learning how to play chess, juggle, or sew.
- Be a role model: read books with your kids or let them see you read a book, magazine, or newspaper of your own.
- Start a book swap with friends. It encourages conversation about the book when kids have read the same one.
- A wise person once said, “Reward reading with more reading.” Stop by the bookstore or library to pick up a new book as a reward for finishing one.
Still can’t get your children reading? Try this:
Where’s Waldo? The Ultimate Travel Collection
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 152 pages
Publisher: Candlewick; Min edition (May 20, 2008)
Publisher’s synopsis: The essential travel companion! Now Waldo can wander everywhere his fans do, thanks to a compact bind-up of five classic adventures.
Waldo seekers young and old won’t want to hit the road without this paperback compilation of his world-famous excursions, including:
* Where’s Waldo?
* Where’s Waldo Now?
* Where’s Waldo? The Fantastic Journey
* Where’s Waldo? The Wonder Book
* Where’s Waldo? In Hollywood
With such a wealth of Waldo at hand, even the most restless travelers will be entertained for hours on end. Don’t leave home without it!
The Amazing Trail of Seymour Snail: Lynn E. Hazen
By Amanda Lynch, The Children’s Book Review
Published: May 12, 2009
The Amazing Trail of Seymour Snail
by Lynn E. Hazen (Author) and Doug Cushman (Illustrator)
Reading Level: Ages 4-8 (Early Reader)
Hardcover: 64 Pages
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co (May 12, 2009)
What to expect: Snails, Humor, Art
As I mentioned before , Lynn E. Hazen is an author to watch. Her latest effort, The Amazing Trail of Seymour Snail, is a fun and engaging story that will appeal to early readers on many levels. Seymour is an artist: his happiest hours are spent painting, sculpting, and creating prints. Not only is he shy, he’s a snail, and snails are, well, S-L-O-W. But, when a well-timed gust of wind reveals his talent to his friends, they encourage him to get a job as an artist. His job search proves nearly fruitless until he finds a position at the Speedy Arts Gallery–a place where he isn’t sure he fits in and his only work involves sliming envelopes. His boss, Mr. Stink Bug, is demanding and overbearing, and when Seymour’s slowness impedes his ability to deliver a package on time, he is fired on his first day. Will he ever become an artist?
Young readers will get a kick out of the absolute “grossness” of this book–Seymour’s art involves a lot of slime, goo, and mud, and all of the main characters are bugs–even the great gallery owner, Coco La Roach, is a cockroach. The illustrations are very warm and friendly, and very well-done. The sweetness of the story really lies in Seymour’s can-do attitude, and his unwillingness to give up his dream, no matter how many obstacles he faces. When confronted with the job of sliming envelopes, Seymour reasons, “I guess even great artists have to start somewhere. I’ll try my best.” What really sent the message home is that Seymour finds he is excellent at sliming envelopes–but this does not challenge him enough. He doesn’t take the easy way out, and continues to strive to be the best he can be.
Add this book to your collection: The Amazing Trail of Seymour Snail
Poppleton in Spring (Scholastic Reader Level 3): Cynthia Rylant
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: April 29, 2009
by Cynthia Rylant (Author), Mark Teague (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-8, Scholastic Level 3: 700-1500 words
Paperback: 48 pages
Publisher: Cartwheel Books (February 1, 2009)
What to expect: Animals, Pigs, Camping
This series came highly recommended to me by many parents. Before even reading a book from the well-liked Poppleton series I knew it was going to be good based on it’s influential author and illustrator team: Cynthia Rylant is the winner of a Newbery Medal for her novel Missing May (1993), Mark Teauge is a best-selling illustrator. What more could you ask for?
Poppleton in Spring contains three short stories perfect for the blossoming season: Spring Cleaning, The Bicycle, and The Tent. Using easy words and simple plots Cynthia Rylant manages to provide a character with a charismatic depth that children will appreciate. Each story about Poppleton contains its own good-humored antic which enables Mark Teague to deliver his illustrations and show us what a ‘funster’ he truly is. Very enjoyable!
Add this book to your collection: Poppleton in Spring
What’s in Your Library Bag? Early Readers.
I’ll tell you what’s in mine if you tell me what’s in yours?
Okay, twist my arm, I’ll go first …
All of the following books were picked by my daughter. They are all level 2 early/easy readers and we both enjoyed every one.
by Barbara Bottner (author/illustrator), Gerald Kruglik (author)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Perfection Learning (June 2005)
Publisher’s synopsis: Pish and Posh are very best friends. They live in the same house, share their chores, and usually get along.
One day, a Fairy Handbook mysteriously lands at their door. An awfully curious Posh can’t resist the book’s magic, despite Pish’s warnings. When Posh learns that being a beginner fairy is tough work — and possibly big trouble — will Posh turn to her wise friend Pish for help?
Young readers are sure to fall in love with this adorable and riotously original new pair of characters!
TCBR award: A child approved gold star! 
by Laurie Krasny Brown (author), Marc Brown (illustrator)
Reading Level: Ages 4 – 8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Little Brown (1995)
Publisher’s Synopsis: Three stories about Rex and Lilly, brother and sister dinosaurs.
First they play in the pool. Splash, splash, who can do the best trick? Next, Rex doesn’t want to go to dance class. But he has fun after all! Then Rex and Lilly have to play inside because it’s raining. Or do they?
Easy words and bright pictures make reading with Rex and Lilly fun.
TCBR award: Parents Thumbs-up! 
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by Franz Brandenberg (author), Yossi Abolafia (illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback
Publisher: Yearling (June 1, 1990)
Publisher’s Synopsis: When Leo and Emily decide to open their own zoo and charge admission,
they encounter a few problems, but their families find a unique way to
turn disaster into success.
Cinder Rabbit and Shifty: Lynn E. Hazen
After I put down Cinder Rabbit, an adorable Early Reader book, and picked up Lynn E. Hazen’s first young adult novel, Shifty, I had a bit of a jolt. I’m always impressed with authors who have a broad range, and these two works of Ms. Hazen’s left me wanting more.
by Lyn E. Hazen (author), Elyse Pastel (Illustrator)
Reading Level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 64 Pages
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co
Cinder Rabbit, the story of a young bunny named Zoe who has lost her ability to hop, is incredibly sweet and charming. At Grand Rabbits school, Zoe is the star of the spring play–and will be leading her entire class in the Bunny Hop at the end of it. There is just one problem–Winnifred laughs at her, and now she has lost her ability to hop! Opening night comes around, and Zoe still has stage fright–will she be able to hop?
I loved the story for two reasons: the character development and the humor. It also deals delicately with the topic of teasing, and the story has a sweet ending. Zoe and her friends are spunky and fun, and one can’t help but laugh at Charlie, the character, who is tapped to be Prince Charming but would rather be a truck driver.
by Lyn E. Hazen
Reading Level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 188 Pages
Publisher: Tricycle Press
Shifty feels like it could be written by a completely different author. The story of fifteen-year-old Soli, a foster child with a penchant for getting into trouble, is heart-wrenching and engaging. Without trying to, Soli (also known as “Shifty”) often winds up in sticky situations–sometimes dragging his foster mother, Martha, or seven-year-old Sissy along with him. This book is definitely for young adults–I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone younger than thirteen, as it has references to “offscreen” drug use and physical violence.
Shifty is wonderful as a coming-of-age novel: Soli vacillates between accepting the stigma of being a “shifty” kid that has been attached to him for being in the foster system, and taking steps to grow into a responsible adult. He learns that doing what is right sometimes goes against the rules, and his inner search to come into his own as a person parallels that of his desire to have a home, with people who he can call family. Set in San Francisco, his story can’t help but warm your heart–as it carries the message that sometimes you have to look past labels and appearances to see the good in people.
Ms. Hazen also uses her book to tout the cause of foster children, providing information on organizations dedicated to helping these youth. Here are some of their websites:
CASA: Court appointed Special Advocates For Children
A Home Within: Building continuous connections for foster youth.
Bonus Links: www.cinderrabbit.com
Author Interview by Cynsations.
You are invited to a flower garden party! Perfect for Ages 3-9. Buy for $9.50.
About a real live goat farm in western PA. Avaliable on Amazon.