Reviews by Children: I So Don’t Do Spooky
Reviews by Children: This category gives children and young adults the opportunity to express their opinion of a book—after all, they are the intended audience!
By Elena (Age 11), for The Children’s Book Review
Published: June 30, 2010
I So Don’t Do Spookyby Barrie Summy
Reading level: Ages 9-13
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (December 8, 2009)
Source: Publisher
This book is part of the “I So Don’t Do…” series about a middle school girl named Sherry who has the ability to interact with ghosts, including her mother, a former police officer, with whom Sherry solves mysteries. These books are like funny, modern Nancy Drew mysteries with a ghost-twist.
I really liked I So Don’t Do Spooky because it is about how Sherry and her mother (ghost mother) solve the mystery about who is threatening Sherry’s new stepmother. Sherry’s stepmother is a strict but very nice teacher at Sherry’s middle school (her nickname is “The Ruler”!). Like the rest of the series, this book is a mixture of realistic fiction, science fiction, mystery and humor. I would recommend this book and the rest of the series! In particular, I would recommend these books for girls ages 9-13.
Add this book to your collection: I So Don’t Do Spooky
Note: Elena composed this with some assistance from her fabulous mom, but it is in her own words.
Firehouse!: Mark Teague
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: May 11, 2010
by Mark Teague
Reading level: Ages 3-5
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Orchard Books; 1 edition (May 1, 2010)
Source: Publisher
What to expect: Firefighters, Dogs, Humor Read more
Poetry for Kids: Funny Animal Poems Written by Kenn Nesbitt
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: April 5, 2010
The Tighty Whitey Spider: And More Wacky Animal Poems I Totally Made Up
by Kenn Nesbitt (Author), Ethan Long (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 6-11
Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky; Pap/Com edition (April 1, 2010) Read more
Pink Me Up: Charise Mericle Harper
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: March 29, 2010
by Charise Mericle Harper
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (February 23, 2010)
Source of book: Publisher
What to expect: Pink, Fathers and daughters Read more
3 Kids Picture Books that Teach Good Manners, Just in Time for the Holidays
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: December 8, 2009
Manners, manners, manners. The oh-so important skill: manners! We need them all year round but somehow they seem extra important during the holiday season. Here are a couple of books that have an encouragingly humorous take on socially acceptable behavior. I have read each one and give my complete seal of approval. I’ve included the publisher’s synopsis for your benefit, thank you!
Ivy + Bean: Doomed to Dance (Book 6): Annie Barrows
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: December 2, 2009
Ivy + Bean – Doomed to Dance (Book 6)
by Annie Barrows (Author), Sophie Blackall (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 6-10
Hardcover: 122 pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books (October 14, 2009)
What to expect: Ballet, Best friends, Friendship
Hooray! I can finally say that I have read an Ivy and Bean book. And let me tell you, I thought it was fantastic.
2 Books to Ruffle Your Feathers with Ambition
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: September 14, 2009
“Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them and try to follow them.” ~ Louisa May Alcott (Author of the classic children’s book Little Women)
by Tammi Sauer (Author), Dan Santat (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 36 pages
Publisher: Sterling (August 1, 2009)
What to expect: Talent Shows, Ability, Chickens, Domestic animals, Humor
In life, we always find groups. Groups of like-minded beings (animals and people). Groups typically stick together because of race or breed, some stick together because of shared talents. It is usually these shared talents that give us purpose and sheer enjoyment in life.
I Love You Stinky, Face & Yummiest Love
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: July 9, 2009
Lisa McCourt is well-known for her cheeky Stinky Face titles, but whether you have a stinky face or a snugly bear for a child, she has stories that will draw a crowd, wild or tame.
by Lisa McCourt (Author), Cyd Moore (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 0-6
Board book: 16 pages
Publisher: Scholastic (March 2004)
What to expect: Love, Animals, Parent and child, Fiction
McCourt has masterfully managed to be playful and energizing in this distinguished bedtime story. How can you put playfulness and energy into a bedtime story? By using a soothing and reassuring tone.
Mama, what if I were a big, scary ape? Would you still love me then?
“If you were a big, scary ape, I would make your birthday cake out of banana, and I would tell you, ‘I love you, my big, scary ape.’ “
A great way to wind down from a busy day of play is to smile, giggle, snuggle, and read. This book offers all of that and more. Unconditional love is one of the most important parts of developing a secure, and emotionally healthy child; I Love You, Stinky Face delivers that message loud and clear. While this is a book that both boys and girls enjoy, it will certainly strike a chord with the dudes. It’s a winner!
Add this book to your collection: I Love You, Stinky Face
by Lisa McCourt (Author), Laura J. Bryant (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 0-6
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Cartwheel Books (January 1, 2009)
What to expect: Love, Bears, Parent and child, Fiction
Yummiest Bear is delightfully sweet, just as its title depicts. The book beholds the wonderful magic of love that is created by the natural foundations of a parent-child relationship that strengthens on an everyday basis. McCourt’s writing is energetic without being loud, and captures regular moments and makes them all special by proclaiming a parents unconditional love. The illustrations have a gentle, angelic charm, and re-enforce the mutual admiration between parent and child. The pictures are fairly gender neutral, which makes the book work for any family combinations. I believe this book also helps parents to be able to laugh at the more mundane situations that are a part of parenting.
Like when you hate broccoli.
Then it’s your favorite.
Then you hate it.
Then it’s your favorite.”
Slightly more mellow than I Love You, Stinky Face, Yummiest Bear is a calm and expressive book for the sentimental — sure to produce sweet dreams.
Add this book to your collection: Yummiest Love
You may also like: It’s Time for School, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt, Would They Love A Lion? by Kady McDonald Denton, and Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown.
Are You A Horse?: Andy Rash
Published: June 22, 2009
by Andy Rash
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books (March 1, 2009)
What to expect: Animals, Horse, Comedy, Birthday party
Andy Rash’s Are You A Horse? is a very witty original, yet, perfectly reminiscent of the classic book by Dr. Suess’ protegé P.D. Eastman, Are You My Mother?. Roy receives a saddle for his birthday and we discover that he does not know what it is for. In fact, he doesn’t even know what a horse is! So the journey begins, Roy sets out to find a horse. The artwork, created using gouache and india ink on Arches watercolor paper, sets a “yee-haw” vibe and effortlessly depicts a “country and western” tone. It’s a lively adventure full of guesswork that is so absurdly obvious to preschoolers — a foolproof way of achieving fits of laughter. The ending is pertinent and priceless. Too funny!
Publisher’s synopsis: For his birthday, Roy’s Friends give him a saddle and some very specific instructions:
1. Find a horse.
2. Enjoy the ride!
But there’s a problem; Roy doesn’t know what a horse IS! So he sets off to find out with hilarious results: A snake tells him to look for a creature with legs. A crab has six legs, but he’s too unfriendly to be a horse. A chameleon smiles at Roy, but horses don’t change color… What’s a horseless cowboy to do?
Add this book to your collection: Are You A Horse?
You may also like: Boo Hoo Bird by Jeremy Tankard, or Are You My Mother by P.D. Eastman
Boo Hoo Bird: Jeremy Tankard
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: June 17, 2009
by Jeremy Tankard
Reading level: Ages 1-6
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press (April 1, 2009)
What to expect: Birds, Animals, Boo boos, Emotion
Jeremy Tankard has certainly found the right frequency when it comes to connecting with children. Bird, the star of two fantastic picture books, is a character whose personality has been developed with brilliant accuracy to portray the honest nature of children. Bird first appeared as his cantankerous self in Grumpy Bird. He returns to us in fine form for Boo Hoo Bird. The book shares many different ideas on making boo boos feel better. Tankards wording is precise, and his illustrations have perfect comedic timing. Perceptive parents should welcome discussions at the end of this book to talk about the camaraderie between Bird and his friends and their ability to express empathy even when Bird is at his worst. Tankard delivers an excellent message of compassion. This is such a relate-able book for children, and parents will find it hilarious. It’s short, sweet, and easy to read over-and-over again–and you will have to!
Publisher’s synopsis: Bird and Raccoon are playing ball, when Bird gets bonked on the head. “Boo hoo hoo!” he cries. What will make Bird feel better? A kiss? A cookie? A bandaid? Bird’s friends Raccoon, Rabbit, Beaver, Sheep, and Fox are full of sweet and funny ideas.
Perfectly pitched and hilariously imagined, this charming story about a universal experience will put a smile on the face of every child who has suffered a boo-boo and every parent who has struggled to come up with just the right way to give comfort.
About the author: “After a childhood of drawing and writing I attended the Alberta College of Art and Design where I studied drawing and printmaking. I worked as a graphic designer and typesetter before embarking on a career in illustration. After a few years of commercial illustration I went back to storytelling and began writing and illustrating my own books.”
Add this book to your collection: Boo Hoo Bird
You may also like: Grumpy Bird and The Pout-Pout Fish
