It's a Book

It's a Book by Lane Smith

Two readers compare a book to digital media, and learn that books are still valuable.

My Thoughts - This is a laugh-out-loud hillariously funny book! The story is full of satire about technology and clearly gets the point across that books are still good! The names of the characters are Mouse, Jackass, and Monkey and the last line of the book is very funny! But I don't know how well this would go over as a story time choice with the younger kids!

*Summary taken from CIP data.

Confessions of a Former Bully

Confessions of a Former Bully by Trudy Ludwig

Nine-year-old Katie's punishment for bullying classmates includes making up for the hurt she has caused, so she decides to write a book about bullying, why it is not okay, and how to start being a better friend.

My Thoughts - This book is actually the sequel to My Secret Bully, a book I have not read yet. The topic is very important right now, especially to upper elementary students. Katie reveals how being a bully has hurt her and the classmates that she bullied. She gives good tips for how to tell the difference between a bully and friend, as the line might not be clear to some children. She gives her readers strategies for dealing with a bully. I like her wonderful school counselor too! This would be good to share with a small group, even a book club. I would recommend this book to students, parents and educators!

*Summary taken from CIP data.

Umbrella Summer

Umbrella Summer by Lisa Graff

After her brother Jared dies, ten-year-old Annie worries about the hidden dangers of everything, from bug bites to bicycle riding, until she is befriended by a new neighbor who is grieving her own loss.

My Thoughts - This book made me cry! It was a wonderful story about how to deal with a loss. The cover makes it an easy pick for girls, but boys may enjoy the story too.

*Summary taken from CIP data.

Matisse on the Loose

Matisse on the Loose by Georgia Bragg

An aspiring artist's daily routing of being embarrassed by his eccentric family is interrupted when he finds himself in the middle of an art museum fiasco involving Matisse's 1909 portrait of his son Pierre.

My Thoughts - This was a fun, fast-paced story! Matisse has to figure out how to be honest when being dishonest would be so much easier! I think this would be a good read-aloud for 3rd-5th grade classes. The story provides lots of ideas for discussion with students.

*Summary taken from CIP data.

Shark vs. Train

Shark vs. Train by Chris Barton and Tom Lichtenheld

A shark and a train compete in a series of contests on a seesaw, in hot air balloons, bowling, shooting baskets, playing hide-and-seek, and more.

My Thoughts - This story sparked a wonderful lesson idea for me! It made me think of different reference books and which one would 'win' given a question to answer. Use this story to compare two unlikely things. Or just read it to see how little boys like to play with their toys!

*Summary taken from CIP data.

The Red Hen

The Red Hen by Rebecca Emberley and Ed Emberley

An illustrated retelling of the classic story in which Red Hen tries to enlist the help of her friends in baking a Simply Splendid Cake, but they are not interested until it is ready to eat.

My Thoughts - This is a simple retelling of the traditional Red Hen story with the added twist of a frog as one of the characters. He adds lots of fun "Bribbits!" that little kids like to chime in and help read! This is a quick read aloud for PreK and Kindergarten students or a good story to start a discussion on friendship and helping.

*Summary taken from CIP data.

We Are in a Book!

We Are in a Book! by Mo Willems

Piggie realizes that she and Gerald the elephant are in a book and that she can make the reader say words, but when Gerald comes to understand the danger of the book ending, Piggie comes up with a solution to get the reader to keep reading.

My Thoughts - This is another fabulous addition to the Elephant and Piggie series! It is full of humor that kids can relate to and words that are easy for early readers to tackle! It is also a giggle getting read aloud for PreK and Kindergarten students! Great fun!

*Summary taken from CIP data.