Children's Book Reviews Archives

Q: 3/12 - 3/18 Children's Book of the Week: When a Dragon Moves In

When a Dragon Moves In by Jodi Moore illustrated by Howard McWilliam When a little boy and his family go out for a beautiful day at the beach, little do they suspect that a dragon will take up residence in the little boy's very own sand-castle. The boy and the dragon do all the best beachy things - the dragon is a fantastic pet - but soon the boy and the dragon grow bored, and a little annoyed at the grown-ups who don't seem to believe in this fantastic creature. As the boy and his dragon proceed to sabotage (in small and harmless ways) the family's day at the beach, adults will easily see the classic attention-seeking behavior. But kids and grown-ups alike will get a kick out of the boy and the dragon's mischevious tricks, and wonder just how much in the boy's head the dragon really is. Great for ages 5+. ~ Susan Chodakiewitz is the author of the children's picture book Too Many Visitors for One Little House and the founder ofBooksicals, Encouraging Reading Through the Arts. Too Many Visitors is now available as an ibook for ipad and iphones with a fun read-aloud musical narration. http://bit.ly/ibookVisitors ~

Q: 1/2 - 1/8 Children's Book of the Week: Stuck

Stuck by Oliver Jeffers Floyd got his kite stuck in a tree. And he really needs it out, now ! So, he hurls his shoe up into the tree to knock it out. And that doesn't work, so he tries his other shoe. And that doesn't work, so he throws a cat, an orangutan, a front door and anything else he can get his hands on (and a few things he can't) to knock that kite out of the tree - with hilarious results. A whimsically told and wonderfully illustrated story. Great for ages 2 and up, but even grown-ups will find it funny. ~ Susan Chodakiewitz is the author of the children’s picture book Too Many Visitors for One Little House and the founder of Booksicals, Encouraging Reading Through the Arts . Too Many Visitors is now available as an ibook for ipad and iphones with a fun read-aloud musical narration. http://bit.ly/ibookVisitors ~

Q: 12/26 - 1/1/2012 Children's book of the Week; King Hugo's Huge Ego

King Hugo's Huge Ego by Chris Van Dusen King Hugo is a very small man with a very big problem. He cannot and will not consider the ears and feelings of anyone at the recieving end of his epic boasting. He is so haughty, he doesn't even notice the sorceress he was so discourteous towards casting a very telling little spell on him. Everytime King Hugo boasts, his head literally swells! The king doesn't even notice for the longest time (with some funny consequences), but even the big-headed King Hugo must realize the consequences of his excessive arrogance and insensitivity, and earn himself a valueable ally in becoming a better person. Hilarious story with rich, animated illustrations. Best for ages 3 -7. ~ Susan Chodakiewitz is the author of the children’s picture book Too Many Visitors for One Little House and the founder of Booksicals, Encouraging Reading Through the Arts . Too Many Visitors is now available as an ibook for ipad and iphones with a fun read-aloud musical narration. http://bit.ly/ibookVisitors ~

Q: 12/12 - 12/18 Children's Book of the Week: A Sick Day For Amos McGee

A Sick Day For Amos McGee by Philip Stead illustrated by Erin Stead Amos McGee is always very busy at work at the city zoo, but he always makes time for his animal friends. He plays chess the ponderous elephant. He races the enormous tortoise. He sits quietly with the shy penguin. He comforts the allergy-prone rhinoceros, and he reads to the owl who's afraid of the dark. But when Amos feels a little under the weather and can't come to work one day, his friends come to his home to make sure he receives the care he needs. A New York Times bestselling children's book and a very, very sweet story. Great for ages 3 and up. ~ Susan Chodakiewitz is the author of the children's picture book Too Many Visitors for One Little House and the founder of Booksicals, Encouraging Reading Through the Arts. Too Many Visitors is now available as an ibook for ipad and iphones with a fun read-aloud musical narration. http://bit.ly/ibookVisitors ~

Q: 12/5 -12/11 Children's Book of the Week: Flotsam

Flotsam by David Wiesner In this wordless tale, a young boy equips himself to find and examine flotsam - anything that washes in from the sea to the shore. To the boy's unbounded excitement, an old-time camera, the kind you have to hold in both hands, washes upon the shore! The young boy rushes to get the pictures in the old, barnacle-covered camera developed - and discovers a whole world of deep sea society, captured by countless tentacles and passing fish, and a tradition of human stewardship in passing on the findings. Winner of the Caldecott award, Flotsam is a beautiful, illustrative tale revealing the possibilities in everyday discovery and inquiry. Great for K - 4th grade, and an excellent opportunity for blossoming readers to tell the story themselves. ~ Susan Chodakiewitz is the author of the children's picture book Too Many Visitors for One Little House and the founder of Booksicals, Encouraging Reading Through the Arts. Too Many Visitors is now available as an ibook for ipad and iphones with a fun read-aloud musical narration. http://bit.ly/ibookVisitors ~