Clementine’s Letter Sara Pennypacker (Author), Marla Frazee (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 7-10 Hardcover: 160 pages Publisher: Hyperion (April 1, 2008) Clementine is the realistically charismatic star of Sarah Pennypacker’s Clementine series. Clementine’s Letter is the third book in the series, and it is chock full of giggling moments. As an adult reading this book, flashbacks to your childhood are bound to happen and the feelings you felt at that time will likely resurface, proving that the main character, Clementine, is very believable. Clementine is just getting the hang of the third grade and her teacher, Mr. D’Matz, really understands her.…
Author: TCBR Contributor
TCBR Contributor
The Children’s Book Review, named one of the ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) Great Web Sites for Kids, is a resource devoted to children’s literacy. We publish reviews and book lists of the best books for kids of all ages. We also produce author and illustrator interviews and share literacy based articles that help parents, grandparents, teachers and librarians to grow readers. This article was written and provided by one of TCBR's regular contributors.
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review Published: May 10, 2008 Someday by Alison McGhee (Author), Peter H. Reynolds (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 2 – 6 Hardcover: 40 pages Publisher: Atheneum (February 27, 2007) This is a book that will bring tears to any mom’s eyes! What could be more moving than a full cycle story of life, between a mother and child?! This poignant book is illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds – whose books include The Dot, and Ish. He uses pen, ink and watercolors to create soft innocent pictures that depict the words of author Alison McGhee. ……
Wave by Suzy Lee Reading level: Ages 2-6 Hardcover: 40 pages Publisher: Chronicle Books (April 16, 2008) What to expect: Beach, Ocean, Girl, Humor For a book with out words, Wave really makes you believe and feel. It tells the story of a little girl’s day at the beach. She is looking at shells, wading in the water and teasing the waves with a ‘you can’t get me’ attitude. Well … the wave catches her, and leaves her washed up on the shore with a beautiful collection of shells. The illustrations are very simple, and capture the sweet energetic essence…
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review Published: May 7, 2008 The Navigator by Eoin Mcnamee Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback: 368 pages Publisher: Yearling; Reprint edition (April 22, 2008) The Navigator, by Irish author Eoin McNamee, is a fantastical book of challenges and courage. Owen is a boy who has lost his father forever, and whose mother has been suffering from a deep depression ever since. Owen has a secret place where he goes to be by himself regularly. One day whilst in his secret ‘den,’ he is caught in a powerful suspension of time. Time is being forced…
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review Published: May 4, 2008 Cinco de Mayo, or May 5th, celebrates the victory of the battle between Mexico and France in 1862. Suggested Reading: Abuela, by Arthur Dorros Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo, by Carolyn Otto Cinco de Mayo, by Mary Dodson Wade Celebrate! It’s Cinco De Mayo / Celebremos! Es El Cinco De Mayo! by Janice Levy Here are some sweet phrases and words to say during Cinco de Mayo, and every other day. Te quiero – I love you Gracias – Thanks Me haces feliz – You make…
David McKee’s comical fable about everyone’s favorite patchwork elephant teaches readers to be themselves and celebrates the power of laughter.
Here is a list of books that toddlers love, by Parents Magazine, April, 2008: Knuffle Bunny, by Mo Willems Best Word Book Ever! by Richard Scarry Tails, by Matthew Van Fleet Tickle the Duck! by Ethan Long Hug, by Jez Alborough Barnyard Dance! by Sandra Boynton Peek-A-Baby, by Karen Katz The Very Hungry Caterpilar, by Eric Carle A Fish Out of Water, by Helen Palmer Everyone Poops, by Taro Gomi
I Lost My Kisses by Trudie Trewin Reading level: Ages 2-8 Hardcover: 32 pages Publisher: Orchard Books; 1 edition (January 1, 2008) … Matilda Rose has lost her kisses. She is determined to find them before her dad comes home. But where do you find kisses? And what do kisses look like? … This is the very endearing story of Matilda, a sweet cow who loves to give real “smoocheroos”. One day she loses her kisses and has to look for them before she meets her dad at the airport, who is returning from a trip. We learn how kisses…
Here are a few book club links to share with you: I recently read an article by Anne Joseph for The Times Educational Supplement, which I thought would be of interest to some of you. It talks about how book clubs reinforce reading skills and encourage communication skills. The article was found via Jen Robinson’s Book Page, which is a good resource for kid’s literature. The Children’s Literature Book Club blog is another site worthy of taking a look at – it provides great children’s book lists, and questions to aid discussions in your book club.
Once Upon a Crime (The Sisters Grimm, Book 4) by Michael Buckley Reading level: Ages 9-12 Hardcover: 304 pages Publisher: Amulet (May 1, 2007) The Sisters Grimm series is wonderfully witty, full of adventure and mystery, and set in a fairy-tale community. The series is based on the idea that authors such as Hans Christian Anderson, William Shakespeare, and The Brothers Grimm, were not writing fiction – they were actually recording the history of real life magical happenings. Sabrina and Daphne Grimm (two sisters who are descendants of the Brothers Grimm) are fairy-tale detectives, and their most important case is…