Junie B., First Grader (at last!) by: Barbara Park and illustrated by: Denise Brunkus

Grades 2-3

It is the beginning of the school year, and Junie B. Jones is starting first grade. She is very nervous about starting first grade! She is at a new school, has a new teacher, has new friends, and a new journal. She also has a new problem on her hands – she might need to get glasses. Junie B. Jones does not want to get glasses. Will she be able to convince her parents that she does not need glasses and can see the chalkboard just fine? Find out in this hilarious book!

Junie B., First Grader (at last!) is part of the Junie B. Jones book series. This book is written for students at the second or third grade reading level. Although some boys may find this book funny, it is geared toward girls. This chapter book is a fairly quick read. There are a few illustrations throughout the book that follow the story well. The illustrations show Junie B. Jones’ emotions very well. Children can relate to Junie B. Jones in this book. Children may be nervous about entering the first grade, and find it difficult to make new friends. I like the fact that Junie B. Jones has to get glasses in first grade. Several elementary school students have to get glasses. This book shows them that they should not be embarrassed, and that having glasses is actually kind of cool. I like the fact that Junie B. Jones’ teacher is a male. The majority of elementary school teachers are female, so it is nice to see a male teacher in the book. It is also great to see a variety of races throughout the book. Overall, Junie B., First Grader (at last!) was a fun book to read!

Arthur's Birthday by: Marc Brown

Ages: 4-8

Arthur and Muffy have scheduled their birthday parties on the same day. Neither of them can change the date of their party. Their friends reluctantly take sides, the girls choosing Muffy’s birthday party and the boys choosing Arthur’s birthday party, even though they wish they could go to both. Arthur is not happy that all of his friends will be split up, so he comes up with a solution. What is Arthur’s great solution you ask? You will have to read the book to find out!

This was a great book and a cute story. Arthur looks forward to his birthday, which most children can relate to. The situation Arthur runs in to can happen in real life. Children are able to make predictions throughout the story. In the end, Arthur comes up with a great solution. This book teachers children about sharing and problem solving. The colorful watercolor illustrations are beautiful and have a lot of detail. They are fun for children to follow along with and will keep them attentive. There is one part of the book that I think is inappropriate for children, which is the “Spin the Bottle” gift at the end of the book. It may be difficult to explain what “Spin the Bottle” is to a child. Overall, Arthur’s Birthday is a great book for both children and adults!

Where the Wild Things Are by: Jacqui Robbins and Matt Phelan

Ages: 4-8

A young boy named Max, wearing a wolf costume, was up to mischief at home. He was sent to his room without eating dinner. In his room, the story begins as Max’s imagination takes over and he goes on an amazing adventure. A forest grows in his room and he sails to where the wild things are. He decides he wants to tame the wild things, and surprisingly does so. He becomes king of all the wild things. After awhile he wants to go back to the comforts of his home. When he returns home, dinner is waiting for him. See all of Max’s adventures with the wild things in this children’s book.

Where the Wild Things Are is a fun book that allows readers to use their imagination. Both children and adults will find this book enjoyable. The text and the illustrations complement one another. The words are simple enough for young children to understand, and for elementary school students to read on their own. The illustrations in this book are wonderful. The images start out fairly small, and as Max begins to imagine more and more, the pictures get larger. The images attract children with the setting and imaginary creatures. The monsters look scary, but are not scary enough to frighten most children. There is a good lesson portrayed in the book that there are consequences for bad behavior, but that they can be forgiven. Children also learn that they can use their imagination and have fun wherever they are. I believe that the simple, yet powerful message of home being the safest and happiest place is a great message to convey to children. Where the Wild Things Are is a distinguished children’s book that has remained to be one of the best picture books of all time.

Corduroy by: Don Freeman

Ages: 3-8

Corduroy is a story about a bear that lives in a department store’s toy department. He has been on the shelf for a long time, and wants a home. One girl sees the teddy bear on the shelf and falls in love with him. However, she leaves the store without taking him home because her mother says he looks used because he is missing a button to his overalls. When the store closes, Corduroy goes looking throughout the department store for his missing button. He makes a discovery in the furniture department – a mattress has his button. The security guard finds him and returns Corduroy to his shelf in the toy department. Find out if Corduroy finds his button and a home in this wonderful children’s book!

Corduroy is a cute story. The text is simple with only a few lines on each page. The illustrations in this book are great. They dominate each page and really bring the story to life. The facial expressions of Corduroy are very detailed throughout the story. The reader sees emotions from sadness, eagerness, surprise, and happiness. This book sends the message that you do not have to be perfect for someone to love you. It also teaches us that basic things in life, such as love and acceptance, are most important. One thing I really enjoyed about the book was the fact that the little girl and her mom were African American. You do not see many books in our society where the main character is a racial minority (anything other than white American). Overall, Corduroy is wonderful book!

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by: Laura Joffe Numeroff and illustrated by: Felicia Bond

Ages 3-7

Everyone knows that if you give a mouse a cookie…well, he will end up wanting a glass of milk. This mouse requests that and more. He needs a napkin, a mirror, nail scissors, a broom, and the fun continues as one event triggers other thoughts and events. Eventually he is reminded that he is thirsty and wants a glass of milk again. And what goes better with milk than…a cookie?!

This book is very entertaining and a great story for both children and adults! The words are easy to follow and the bright, colorful illustrations are creative and closely track the story. There is one adventure after another. This makes the story easy for children to understand. As the mouse demands more and more, it allows for children to relate to some of the activities present in the book. The story teaches children responsibility, and to learn not to be greedy. Readers will come away smiling at the antics throughout the pages of this colorful picture book. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie is a cute book that never gets boring and will make you laugh every time you read it!

The Monster at the end of This Book by: Jon Stone and illustrated by: Maurice Sendak

Loveable and furry Grover is troubled to discover that there is a monster at the end of this book. Fearful of reaching the end of the book, Grover constructs a series of obstacles to prevent the reader from proceeding. He urges the reader not to turn to the next page, because each page turned brings the reader closer to the monster at the end of the book. Increasingly frightened, and in amazement at the reader’s strength to overcome the obstacles he has created, Grover begs the reader to stop reading the book to avoid the monster. Grover is surprised to discover who is the monster at the end of the book!

The Monster at the end of This Book was my favorite book when I was a child. It is engaging and interactive. I like the fact that the author has Grover directly address the reader. The text is full of energy, and the words seem to jump out from the pages. The book grabs the readers’ attention from the very first line, with Grover teasing your curiosity about a potential monster at the end of the book. The illustrations are colorful and vivid. The bright colors and action in the pictures makes for a fun read. The illustrations are simple, but are cute and catch the reader’s attention. Each picture clearly mirrors what the text is saying. The illustrator does a great job showing Grover’s emotions in the pictures. Lessons of caring, trust, and facing our fears (especially of monsters) are found in this book. The concept of making independent decisions is also well executed. Although The Monster at the end of This Book is best suited for toddler and preschool age, I think it is a fun book for children of any age and adults alike. This is a book that you will read over and over again.