Marcus Pfister
Bertie is having a birthday and three of his best friends are coming. Before they come though, there is so much to do. First he wants to have a bath, which reminds him of the gift he hopes his daddy is giving him, goggles, for when he goes swimming! The most important thing is baking his birthday cake and he is going to help his daddy. After the chocolate frosting, they put on candies and candles and Bertie asks if he can open daddy’s present. But daddy wants him to wait. Decorations have to go up and then the doorbell rings – Hannah, Alex, and Benny arrive for the party. With presents for Bertie! After playing and singing happy birthday to Bertie they all sit down to eat the cake. Finally it is time to open the presents. What will Bertie get?
This book is an interesting concept. Most books are focused on children with families or children with mothers, but this one is a child and his daddy. This is important because the daddy-child relationship is one that seems to be neglected. Pfister’s story shows a loving relationship with his son that is built through helping, fun, and caring. The colorful illustrations of hippos add an element of fancy that transcends race, even gender. It is a fun book to read and the age appropriateness is correct to the level suggested. Add this book to a home, public, or school library – children will not be disappointed.
BIBLIO: 2010, NorthSouth, Ages 4-8, $16.95.
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book
ISBN: 978-0-7358-2280-1
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 9-9-10
Showing posts with label birthday party. Show all posts
Showing posts with label birthday party. Show all posts
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
At the Supermarket
Anne Rockwell
From a young child’s perspective, a trip to the supermarket is an adventure! The magic of an automatic door begins the journey and a grocery cart only adds to the fun – how fast can it be filled! From there the smells and colors of food is the draw to keep going. His mom has chicken planned for dinner tonight, so that is the first stop but more dinners are planned. Vegetables and fruits are added to the cart. Then, lots of things that are cold are added from the dairy case – milk, eggs, butter, and cheese. There is so much more to add to the cart. Still, the most important thing to get are the things for his birthday party the next day.
Small children love to go on adventures and the supermarket is no different. This book is a delightful quick trip through colorfully illustrated pages. Age appropriate for young children who don’t understand the concept of “shopping for groceries” will soon put the two-together. Ms. Rockwell’s illustrations in this updated version use acrylic gouache that results in bright colors on white backgrounds.
BIBLIO: 2010, Henry Holt & Company, Ages 2 - 5, $16.99.
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book
ISBN: 978-0-8050-7662-2
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 8/10/10
From a young child’s perspective, a trip to the supermarket is an adventure! The magic of an automatic door begins the journey and a grocery cart only adds to the fun – how fast can it be filled! From there the smells and colors of food is the draw to keep going. His mom has chicken planned for dinner tonight, so that is the first stop but more dinners are planned. Vegetables and fruits are added to the cart. Then, lots of things that are cold are added from the dairy case – milk, eggs, butter, and cheese. There is so much more to add to the cart. Still, the most important thing to get are the things for his birthday party the next day.
Small children love to go on adventures and the supermarket is no different. This book is a delightful quick trip through colorfully illustrated pages. Age appropriate for young children who don’t understand the concept of “shopping for groceries” will soon put the two-together. Ms. Rockwell’s illustrations in this updated version use acrylic gouache that results in bright colors on white backgrounds.
BIBLIO: 2010, Henry Holt & Company, Ages 2 - 5, $16.99.
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book
ISBN: 978-0-8050-7662-2
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 8/10/10
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
My World Series – It’s My Birthday
Bobbie Kalman
It’s My Birthday begins with words children should know as the book is read to them. As a child is celebrating their birthday with a party, a cake follows with candles to blow out. There are presents to open, and a funny clown appears. The clown makes balloon animals for the children at the party. The book goes on to pull children into the story by asking when their birthdays are and how old they are. An activity is included encouraging a group of children to use their bodies to make letters relevant to the subject of the book. The photographs included in the book are several children so readers should feel as if they are a part of the story. The last page of the book include notes for adults to use as suggestions birthday suggestions, encouraging children to mark their birthdays on a calendar, and possibly dancing a ‘gratitude dance’ for all they have been given.
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: 978-0-7787-9462-2
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 3/31/10
It’s My Birthday begins with words children should know as the book is read to them. As a child is celebrating their birthday with a party, a cake follows with candles to blow out. There are presents to open, and a funny clown appears. The clown makes balloon animals for the children at the party. The book goes on to pull children into the story by asking when their birthdays are and how old they are. An activity is included encouraging a group of children to use their bodies to make letters relevant to the subject of the book. The photographs included in the book are several children so readers should feel as if they are a part of the story. The last page of the book include notes for adults to use as suggestions birthday suggestions, encouraging children to mark their birthdays on a calendar, and possibly dancing a ‘gratitude dance’ for all they have been given.
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: 978-0-7787-9462-2
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
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
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