Amazing ABC

TITLE: Amazing ABC
AUTHOR: Sean Kenney
ILLUSTRATOR: Sean Kenney
PUBLISHER: Henry & Holt Co.
COPYRIGHT: 2012

This is an ABC board book of LEGO creations from Apple to Zipper.  I particularly thought the map and zipper were creative.  I liked them all though (except goblin, thought something better could be used for letter G).  Little ones will enjoy the pictures in this book and older kids might like to try to make their own ABC LEGO creations!

Double Trouble Groundhog Day

TITLE: Double Trouble Groundhog Day
AUTHOR:  Bethany Roberts
ILLUSTRATOR: Lorinda Bryan Cauley
PUBLISHER: Henry Holt and Company
COPYRIGHT: 2008

Grampie Groundhog announces that he will no longer be handling the job of weather forecasting to someone else.  His twin grandchildren Gregory and Greta draw straws for the job which Gregory wins..  As Gregory sleeps with his alarm set for February 2, he has dreams about what will happen when he makes the prediction.  Will he be able to do his job?  His sister comes to help him out!

This is a cute book to read to your early elementary aged class for Groundhog's Day.  They will enjoy the pictures that go along with the story, and young children will be able to relate to the sibling rivalry as well.

Dot

TITLE: Dot
AUTHOR:  Patricia Intriago
ILLUSTRATOR:
PUBLISHER: Margaret Ferguson Books
COPYRIGHT: 2011

This is a very simple book with a dot on each page...."Dots here, dots there, you can see dots everywhere."

This would be a great book to use for a creative activity in your classroom.  It is so simple, yet it could really get your students thinking and being creative! 

Polka Dot Penguin Pottery

TITLE:  Polka Dot Penguin Pottery
AUTHOR:  Lenore Look
ILLUSTRATOR: Yumi Heo
PUBLISHER: Schwartz & Wade Books
COPYRIGHT: 2011

Aspen Colorado Kim Chee Lee likes to write stories in her tree house.  She has realized lately she does not have much to write.  Her grandparents think a trip to the Polka Dot Penguin Pottery shop is just what she needs to help her creativity. She isn't sure at first how to start but then is able to create a colorful egg.

I really enjoyed this book.  It caught my eye sitting on the library shelf because it opens from top to bottom instead of left/right like the majority of books.  It has a wonderful story line and the illustrations done with mixed media are creative. 

Norman's Ark

TITLE:  Norman's Ark
AUTHOR:  Michael Foreman
ILLUSTRATOR: Michael Foreman
PUBLISHER: Tiger Tales
COPYRIGHT: 2006

Norman goes on vacation with his parents to a safari park.  One night they have a storm.  Animals begin showing up in pairs to his hut to find shelter from the storm.  So many animals come that they run out of room.  The animals make a huge mess of the hut and leave when the rain stops. 

This is a fun book to read to young children, appropriate for preschool--kindergarten age.

Jake's 100th Day of School

TITLE: Jake's 100th Day of School
AUTHOR:  Lester L. Laminack
ILLUSTRATOR: Judy Love
PUBLISHER: Peachtree
COPYRIGHT: 2006

Mr. Thompson's class is preparing for the 100th day of school.  Each child is going to bring a collection of 100 things.  When Jake gets to school, he realizes he forgot his collection at home.  The principal helps him find a solution.  The class has a special 100th day visitor also.

This is a nice book to read to prepare for or celebrate the 100th day.  I thought the  students had good ideas of things to bring in a collection to share with the class. 

Just Being Audrey

TITLE:  Just Being Audrey
AUTHOR:  Margaret Cardillo
ILLUSTRATOR: Julia Denos
PUBLISHER: Balzer + Bray
COPYRIGHT:  2011

This is an enjoyable picture book about the life of Audrey Hepburn.  The book talks about her life as a star but also her childhood in Nazi-occupied Europe.  As a star she worked with the UNICEF organization also. 

This is a nicely done book that was informative to me, and I also thought the illustrations went along with this book so nicely.   My son and I read this together because it is on the Texas Bluebonnet Award List this year.

Stand Straight, Ella Kate

TITLE:  Stand Straight, Ella Kate
AUTHOR: Kate Klise
ILLUSTRATOR:  M. Sarah Klise
PUBLISHER: Penguin Group Incorporated
COPYRIGHT: 2010

This is the story of Ella Kate Ewing who continued to grow.  It is "The True Story of  Real Giant."  Even though things were different and hard for Ella Kate compared to others around her, she still worked to achieve her dreams in life. 

This was an interesting story and would be good for children to read who feel different from others.  My son and I enjoyed reading this together. 

More reviews coming

I had several books I read with my boy that I wanted to share over Christmas but did not get the reviews done. I found some new ones to share here, so I plan to post some reviews in the coming days and weeks.

Become a "follower" of this blog and share it with others who enjoy children's books.  I will be posting a giveaway shortly. 

Thanks for visiting.  Leave a comment and tell me who you read to regularly.