The Story of the Leprechaun

Katherine Tegen
Illustrated by Sally Anne Lambert

This little man was a very good shoemaker and he kept his gold earnings well hidden. Everyone around knew he was a leprechaun, but no one had tried to bother his gold yet. It was a man named Tim that first tried to steal from the leprechaun. Tim saw the shoemaker’s gold and decided he just had to have it for himself. He also knew the shoemaker was a leprechaun and if he could catch him, he would be granted three wishes. The little man knew what Tim really wanted and he was ready for the three wishes. Tim’s violet-blue shoes were ready, but Tim was too quick for the shoemaker. Though the little man had been caught, Tim’s three wishes were one of greed and he had been tricked. The leprechaun decided he needed a better place to hide his gold. Wonder where that could be.

The charming pencil illustrations are the excellent representations for this story. Who knew what a leprechaun looked like? So colorful, yet the frustration on Tim’s face when he cannot find the shoemaker’s gold is perfect.

BIBLIO: 2011, Harper Collins Children’s Books, Ages 3-8, $12.99.
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Story Picture Book
ISBN: 978-0-06-143086-2

REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 2-15-11

I'll Always Love You

Hans Wilhelm

Children just seem to get the idea of love very easily…especially when love is shared with a pet. This pet is Elfie – “the best dog in the whole world”. Elfie grew up with her boy, even if she did grow a little faster than he did, it didn’t matter to either of them. Adventures were more fun shared together as birthdays were, and naps were too. She was special to everybody in the family…mom, dad, little sister, and bigger brother. They all said so, but only her boy told her he loved her every day and every night. They did everything together, including evading trouble. Then, Elfie stopped growing, and started slowing down. A trip to the vet and Elfie’s family got sad. Elfie was just getting old and her family knew they wouldn’t have much more time together.

The illustrations are muted watercolors to engage the younger age children. So beautifully done, the illustrations even catch the expressions on Elfie’s face. Wilhelm has taken the issue of a pet’s death and gently incorporated it into I’ll Always Love You. Death is a concept, or issue, that small and older children may have a difficult time understanding. Yet, within these pages, her boy tells Elfie every day, “I’ll always love you”, and when her time comes, he knows he did right by his best friend. There’s a lesson here for families everywhere, with or without pets. Remember to tell those you love, that you love them. When you read this gentle love story to your children, love on them and tell them how much you love them also.
As a side note, I first read this charmer to my oldest son, now 29, then my youngest son, now 20, and still have the original copy that was purchased in the mid 1980’s.
The author has informed me it will soon be available by Random House as a hard cover. Wilhelm’s book placed on the 1987 Massachusetts Children’s Book Master List.

BIBLIO: 1985, Random House Books, Ages 4 - 8, $6.99.
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book / Easy Reader
ISBN: 978-0-517-57265-8

What If Everybody Did That?

Ellen Javernick
Illustrated by Colleen M. Madden

Why can’t I feed a bear popcorn at the zoo? Why can’t I race the grocery cart in the store? Why can’t I throw a soda can out of a car window? Those are just some of the things a child is challenged with in this book, What If Everybody Did That? Talking in the library … not hanging up his coat on the hook … to even throwing snowballs … these things could become problems if everyone did what this child did. Children need to learn the consequences of their actions while they are still young. Examples of many behaviors children might find silly are found in this book, with adult responses.

The illustrations are endearing to the text and children should find the story fun. It is a book that children will want to pick up and read just to look at the illustrations and then relate with the text. As a trained Reading Specialist, I would recommend this book for every library, home, public and school.

BIBLIO: 2010, Marshall Cavendish Children’s Books, Ages 3 – 7, $12.99.
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book
ISBN: 978-0-7614-5686-5

REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 3/31/10

My World Series – What Are My Jobs?

Bobbie Kalman

Words to know starts this book of ‘What Are My Jobs?’ Children help parents by helping around the house with a variety of chores. Different families have pets that either need to be brushed, feed, trained, or walked. These are chores that children can easily accomplish. Other chores children can do to help out around the house are cleaning their room, picking up their toys and books. Some children are able to help out with keeping up with their clothes by washing their clothes. Also, children are encouraged to help out with taking dinner … washing vegetables for the salad and pizza. Children are encouraged to Help outside in the fall by raking leaves and shoveling snow during the winter. There are other chores children are encouraged to help out with to help out with around the house that are age appropriate. The photographs included in the book are of several children so readers should feel as if they are a part of the story. The last page of the book includes notes for adults, including teachers, to use as suggestions for job suggestions for children.

The back of this book suggests a Level B reading guide is available, yet, after going to the web site, I could not find anything above Level H. Also, the reading level suggestion is 4-7. As a trained Reading Specialist, I would think the reading level should be more effective for PreK to Kindergarten.

BIBLIO: 2010, Crabtree Publishing, Ages 4 – 7, $5.95.
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book
ISBN: 978-0-7787-9478-3

REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 3/31/10

Where Do Polar Bears Live?

Sarah L. Thomson
Illustrated by Jason Chin

Four months ago a polar cub was born in this Arctic den, and he depended only on his mother for his milk and heat. Finally, in the spring, they leave the den to play and explore. The Arctic is cold … even with the sun, if could be fifty degrees below zero, but with their thick fur and layer of fat under the skin, being outside is an opportunity to soak up the sun. The mother wants to eat, so she hunts, looking for prey that will fill their stomachs. On the Arctic Island where the mother and cub live, there is land, rocks, and tundra. She is not the only one looking for food. An Arctic fox competes for the meat she has caught. The cub will stay with his mother for two years before he strikes out on his own. When he is full-grown, he will become the biggest hunter on land … yet, the polar bears will become thinner without ice to live on and prey to hunt.

This book was very informative on an educational level. I’m not sure the reading level is appropriate for the information presented, although children do need to be made aware of the ecological changes. The Illustrations are warm and colorful and add to the scientific information presented.

BIBLIO: 2010, Harper Collins Children’s Books, Ages 5 – 9, $16.99.
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book / Easy to Read Science
ISBN: 976-0-06-157518-1

REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 3/31/10

Bella, The Birthday Party

Mandy Stanley

Bella is a rabbit who has lived with her family on a hill until one day she saw a little girl wearing wings and chasing a balloon. What Bella did not know was the little girl was having her birthday. Bella decided to follow the little girl to find out what was going on. Soon, Bella discovered the little girl was having a birthday party and Bella was invited to the party. The little girl, Jasmine, her mommy, and other children were having a picnic. Bella, Jasmine, and the children enjoyed playing the usual birthday games … and then Jasmine opened her presents. Bella was sad she didn’t have anything to give Jasmine for her birthday. But Jasmine wanted to share one of her presents with Bella! The day turned out to be a wonderful time not just for Jasmine for her birthday, but for Bella who had never had a day like that before.

Bella, The Birthday Party is a sweet book for preschoolers. The illustrations are colorful and engaging for the text. This is a wonderful book to introduce preschoolers to reading, though I would not recommend it to older children.

BIBLIO: 2010, Tiger Tales’, Ages 2 – 5, $9.95.
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book
ISBN: 978-1-58925-850-1

REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 3/31/10

Miss Little’s Gift

Douglas Wood
Illustrated By Jim Burke

Written in the first person, this is a memoir of the author’s experience from second grade and his struggle in learning to read. Douglas had just moved with his family from Kentucky to Iowa, so he had a Southern accent that set him apart from the other children. They thought he ‘talked funny’. On top of that, he was the youngest, the smallest, and the newest student in Miss Little’s class. To make things worse, Miss Little was asking him to read out-loud in class! Reading was a struggle for him … the words looked like “lines, blobs, and squiggles”. The one place he did not want to be was in school … he did not like school; he did not like sitting still, reading, and today, he did not like Miss Little. He wanted to be outside playing ball. Miss Little told him she would help him with reading – after school. The only time he had stayed after school before was because of getting into trouble. Learning to read did not sound like fun. He thought, ‘Rats!’ Miss Little was persistent, bringing books she thought he would enjoy. The first one was about an island that reminded him of an island he and his family and granddad used to go to. That caught his attention. Maybe reading wouldn’t be so bad. Throughout the seasons, autumn, winter, and spring, Miss Little was determined that he would read. Douglas realized what a gift Miss Little had given to him … her time, and care, even more than that, the gift of reading and books. At the end of the book, Douglas reveals why reading was such a struggle for him and how her help, and the help of others, helped him to succeed.

This book should be in every elementary school class and every home that has a child with the same struggle that Douglas has dealt with. Douglas has shown through perseverance and compassion from educators and family, that success is possible. Kudos, Douglas.

BIBLIO: 2009, Candlewick Press, Ages 4 – 7, Pre - Gr 2, $16.99
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book
ISBN: 978-0-7636-1686-1

REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 1/2510

Patricia Nixon

Jill C. Wheeler

Patricia Nixon was First Lady of the United Stated from 1969 to 1974, supporting her husband, Richard Nixon during his political career. Although Mrs. Nixon never saw herself as political wife, she believed in helping others and supported the cause of volunteer work. Through her volunteering she was remembered for her work as a First Lady. Mrs. Nixon came from a humble beginning; her dad was a miner until the family moved to a farm in California. The whole family worked the fields, harvesting vegetables that were sold from the back of their pick-up truck. Patricia had many obstacles through her young life, but she persevered and earned her high school degree, even after the death of both of her parents. Determined to go to college, even during the Great Depression, Patricia worked a variety of jobs, one of, which took her to New York City where she graduated with honors in 1937. She returned to California where she met her future husband, Richard Nixon, who was working as a lawyer. They married in June 1940, and he joined the Navy in 1942. They moved many times during his service, where she worked with the American Red Cross. After the war was over in 1945, their first daughter was born, and Richard began his political career. Patricia worked very hard to keep their family life separate from the limelight of politics. In January 1953, Richard became Vice President under Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Patricia became very involved in official appearances. She enjoyed connecting with Americans, and traveling to other countries acting as a Goodwill Ambassador. The press considered Patricia to be cold and too formal, yet in private, she was charming and fun loving. While being First Lady, Mrs. Nixon traveled to Vietnam, during the war, making her the First Lady to enter a war zone since Eleanor Roosevelt. In 1970 she visited Peru after an earthquake that left thousands homeless and she delivered food, clothing, and medical supplies. For her efforts, she was recognized by the Peruvian government with the Grand Cross of the Order of the Sun. Despite a desire to stay away from a political limelight, Mrs. Nixon lived a remarkable life, and was true to her desire to help others.

Included is a Timeline, a Did You Know?, a Glossary, and an Index. I recommend this book for home libraries, public and school libraries. It is an excellent reference tool for school projects. This book is not available at the publisher’s web site.

BIBLIO: 2010, ABDO Publishing, Ages Gr 3 - 6, $25.65
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Junior Novels / Reader Series
ISBN: 978-1-60453-632-4

REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 1/2510

Abigail Adams

Jill C. Wheeler

Abigail Adams was an influential part of the development of the new United States of America. She was the wife of the second U.S. President, John Adams, and mother of the sixth President, John Quincy Adams. Growing up she had the opportunity to hear opinions from many people, government and political leaders, her prominent family. Abigail listened to conversations around, and learned from her mother to be active in the community. She was not afraid to share her opinion … she voiced her beliefs, she supported the fight for independence from Great Britain, she supported education for women, she was against slavery … even though most of her opinions were not very popular. Her husband was an attorney and traveled a lot. To keep their relationship strong they wrote letters back and forth for 39 years, amounting to more than 1,000 letters. She and her husband had seven children, unfortunately two did not live very long.

This is a very informative book on a woman who was in the midst of one of the most iconic times in our nation’s history, the American Revolution, and the writing of the Declaration of the Independence. Included is a Timeline, a Did You Know?, a Glossary, and an Index. I recommend this book for home libraries, public and school libraries. It is a good reference tool for school projects. This book is not available at the publisher’s web site.

BIBLIO: 2010, ABDO Publishing, Ages Gr 3 - 6, $25.65
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Junior Novels / Reader Series
ISBN: 978-1-60453-629-4

REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 1/2510

Hot Cha-Cha!

Josephine Nobisso
Illustrated by Joan Holub

Who … what … why … when … where … and how? The kids wanted to know. That is the basis for this book of poetry. WHO … found somethin’ in the cookie jar? It was not Hector, Shanequa, or Ali Kumar, but it was Maria. The WHAT … when Maria put her hand in the cookie jar, the kids wanted to know, what did she find! Maria found the key to the playground lock. She was so excited of her find she went up and down her block telling all the kids she had found the key. The WHY … the kids had a hard time with remembering how the key had been lost. Could it have been lost when they were swinging so high? The key had not been seen since the Fourth of July … but what part of the day? WHERE could the key have flown? Just how far away … Tunisia, maybe even Korea. They went real high on the swings. Finally, the HOW. How, did Maria manage to come across the key? Laughing and singing, the children were glad to have the cookie jar to keep the key safe.

This book was listed twice with two other publishers before Gingerbread House picked it up in 2009. The publisher is excited to be offering this rhyming book and is looking for comments from readers. Unusual for most books, the entire jacket is a tutorial for understanding the rhyming and writing poetry. The illustrations are amazing. Bright colors and children’s faces full of joy. The pages are a medley of color, swirls, action, and children. I would suggest reading the book to children when they can view the pages.

BIBLIO: 2010, ABDO Publishing, Ages Gr 3 - 6, $25.65
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Junior Novels / Reader Series
ISBN: 978-1-60453-629-4

REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 1/2510

Independence Day – Celebrations in My World

Molly Aloian

This book starts with a table of contents that includes fifteen different subjects ranging from a definition of Independence Day to the Declaration of Independence to the American Flag, Parades, and Fireworks. Each subject is covered on two pages, with words in bold that are found in the Glossary and a “Did You Know?” on each subject to direct the reader’s attention. A child will learn about America being ruled by Great Britain, in language easy to read and comprehend. During Early Celebrations, readers will learn the first Independence Day was held in Boston, MA in 1783. The bolded Glossary words will direct them to the resource page in the back. Readers are encouraged to take a trip with their families, especially to Mount Rushmore in S. Dakota to view the faces of the four Presidents carved into the mountain. The National Archives Building in Washington, D.C. is not only free to tour, but also holds the Declaration of Independence.

One of the things I learned in reading for this review is there is a National Independence Day Parade held in Washington D.C., which just goes to show how universal the knowledge contained within this book is. I highly recommend it for ages K-2, but whoever reads it will learn something that was probably previously forgotten. This is an educational book worth keeping at home, home school, and at public school. My only problem with this book is the back cover indicates it as a Guided Reading: M, yet the title does not appear on the publisher’s web site for Guided Reading.

BIBLIO: 2010, Crabtree Publishing Company, Ages K-2, $8.95
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Juvenile Literature / Series
ISBN: 978-0-7787-4772-7

REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 12/11/09

S is for Story – A Writer’s Alphabet

Esther Hershenhorn
Illustrated by Zachary Pullen

A through Z … this is the perfect writer’s alphabet book for young writers. “D is for the drafts we write” … it is the beginning, where the story just spills from inside. “E is for the page we edit” … copiously looking at what was written, and then checking for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. This is also the time for checking the integrity of the characters and their dialogue. “I” covers ideas … writers have lots of those, and they come from everywhere. When at a loss for ideas, brainstorming can be very helpful … and carrying a handy writer’s notebook is helpful. Writers from the past and those in the present have found the “J” for journaling to be a powerful tool to their writing life. Under "K" is where the four common styles of writing are found … descriptive, persuasive, narrative, and expository. From the importance of plot and the six questions to ask while writing to revision and voice, this alphabet book is full of fascinating details and helpful information to inspire young writers. Included in the book are writer’s tips and quotes from published writers. Some of the published writers include Andrew Clements, Katherine Paterson, G. K. Chesterton, Brian Jacques, Jacqueline Woodson, P. L. Travers, and Kate DiCamillo. At the end of the book, the author includes a potpourri of information that is sure to serve as further motivation for young writers.

The illustrations, described as “character-oriented”, add so much more to the text; the illustrations are detailed, colorful, larger-than life, yet, child friendly and grabbing. Between the letters “D” and “E”, a reader will find a warm close-up of Abraham Lincoln. This is an excellent book for a home library, public and school library. Let us develop this young generation of writer’s … and give each one of them a copy of this book!


BIBLIO: 2009, Sleeping Bear Press, Ages 8-11, $17.95
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Juvenile Literature / Alphabet Book
ISBN: 978-1-58536-439-8

REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 12/11/09

Bee-Wigged

By Cece Bell

Jerry Bee was a bee, but not just any bee. He was the most enormous bee that anyone had seen and everyone was afraid of being stung. Jerry tried everything he could think of be friendly; when he said hello, people ran; when he answered the phone with his, “bzzzzzzzzzzzz”, people would know he was a bee; he even tried to give away free honey, and people were afraid of him.

Then one day, Jerry found a wig lying on a sidewalk. Just maybe that would be his answer. He put it on his head, and the first person to see the “new Jerry”, was a school bus driver. She wanted him to get to school immediately because he was late!

So far, Jerry’s new identity was working. At the school, Jerry was hoping to make new friends, and the first classroom he entered he met Miss Swann, the teacher. She and all the students just thought Jerry was wonderful – helpful, funny, artistic, generous, and even a great speller. Jerry was so happy at school, he decided to go every day.

Eventually, he was nominated for a great honor that could very well have become his demise. What a surprise for Jerry and his wig! Did all the friends he had made run away, or did everyone learn a lesson of friendship?

The colorful illustrations make the story of Jerry Bee and his new friends. Ages for this book would be better for lower elementary, as they need to learn early the lesson of diversity in friendship and being themselves.

BIBLIO: 2008, Candlewick Press, Ages 5 to 9, $16.99
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3614-2
REVIEWED FOR: Children's Literature, Online Version, 5-6-09