Year of Impossible Goodbyes by: Sook Nyul Choi

Ages: 10+

It is 1945, and the Japanese are ruling Korea. 10 year old Sookan lives with her mother, younger brother Inchun, her grandfather, and her Aunt Tiger in the northern part of Korea. Her father is away with the resistance movement, her three older brothers have been forced into labor camps in Manchuria, and her older sister has joined a convent. Sookan’s mother runs a sock factory, where the sock girls work to produce socks for the Japanese soldiers. Finally, the war between the Japanese and Korea ends. The Koreans were overjoyed to be freed from the Japanese. However, this happiness does not last long. The Russians have taken rule over the northern part of Korea. Sookan and her family must flee to the southern part of Korea, below the 38^th parallel. Sookan, her mother, and younger brother Inchun begin the dangerous journey to cross the boarder. At one point along the way, Sookan and Inchun get separated from their mother, and are left to fend for themselves. At a train station, an old man with a broom gives Sookan and Inchun information about how to cross the boarder to the American-ruled southern part of Korea. Will Sookan and Inchun make it safely across the boarder? Will their mother and the rest of their family make it safely to the other side of the 38^th parallel? Find out in Year of Impossible Goodbyes.

Year of Impossible Goodbyes was an enjoyable book. It was a quick read, and I couldn’t seem to put the book down. There was so much going on, and I wanted to see if Sookan and her family would make it safely over the 38^th Parallel boarder to the southern part of Korea. I like the fact that it was written from the point of view of a 10-year-old girl. This will help children relate to Sookan better. Children will see what it was like for a girl about their age during the war. The text in the story is very detailed and descriptive. The events of the book are described so well that I was able to make mental images of what was happening. There are also many facts about Korea and the war. The reader will learn a great deal about what was happening during this point of history. I like that the author included some Korean words that she then translated to English. This helps teach the reader more about the Korean culture. The characters in the book are developed well. I felt like I knew characteristics and the personality of most of the characters. There were so many events that occurred during the story, however the author was able to link them together very well. This book was very emotional. There are emotions from happiness to devastation. Sookan and her family went through so much, and I cannot imagine going through some of the things they went through. Sookan’s family was forced to give up family treasures. I cannot imagine giving up the most important and precious things to me. Also, Sookan, Inchun, and their mother had to endure periods of starvation and horrible living and traveling conditions. All the events and struggles they went through are unimaginable. The worries I had when I was 10 years old are incomparable to the worries and struggles that Korean families had to endure. I was amazed at how brave Sookan was during this time. She went through so much and was forced to “grow up” fast. Sookan and her family had great determination to cross the 38^th parallel to safety. This book gives the reader insights to the struggles faced in order to gain the freedom they were striving for. This book portrays the incredible love Sookan’s family had for one another. Overall, I thought this was a great book. I would recommend Year of Impossible Goodbyes to any reader looking for an informational and adventurous book!

Reading Year of Impossible Goodbyes right after So Far From the Bamboo Grove was beneficial for me as a reader. I appreciated how both authors were able to captivate their experiences during war. Reading from both the Japanese and Korean perspectives helped me understand the struggles both sides went through during the war. I learned so much about the war, and about both the Japanese and Korean cultures. Both books emphasized family. I think this is wonderful, because family is very important especially in the time of war. This shows what is really important in the long run in life. Both books also talked about courage and bravery. I don’t think any of the characters would have gotten through the struggles they faced without courage and bravery. These books were very powerful, and I would recommend reading them together. It is wonderful to be able to compare the two different perspectives of people who lived through the war, but from the two different sides of the war. These books show a point of view of a large piece of history that not many have experienced. I believe that students would be able to get into rich discussion about these books. I would highly recommend reading Year of Impossible Goodbyes and So Far From the Bamboo Grove.

Heckedy Peg by: Audrey Wood and illustrated by: Don Wood

Ages: Kindergarten – Grade 3

A poor woman lives with her seven children: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The mother goes off to the market, promising to return with individual gifts that each child requested. The mother tells the children to not let strangers into the house and not to touch the fire. A witch tricks the children to letting her into their house, and she turns them all into food. The mother is distraught when she returns home and her children are missing. Luckily, a blackbird leads her to the witch’s house. The mother tricks the witch to letting her in. The witch tells the mother if she can identify which food is which child, then the food will become her children once again. Will the mother be able to identify which child is which food? Find out in Heckedy Peg.

Heckedy Peg is a wonderful and intriguing children’s book. The text is a little longer, but it very creative. The book is a quick read, and children will be excited to see what happens next. The format of the book is unique. The text is placed in different places throughout the pages of the book. Also, some pages contain more illustrations than others. The illustrations in the book are outstanding. They are very detailed and expressive. The expressions on the faces of the characteristics are amazing. One creative detail about this book is that the blackbird is on almost every page. Children will enjoy looking for the blackbird. It is also fun to stop reading in the middle of the book and have children predict which child is which food. There are a few great lessons taught in this book. First, don’t talk to strangers. The second lesson I found in this book was to listen to your parents. This book is a great example of a mothers love for her children. Although this book may be a little scary for some children, it is a wonderful book. I would recommend a parent to look at it before reading it to their child to determine if it is too scary. Heckedy Peg is a heart-warming book that readers of all ages are sure to enjoy!

Ladybug Girl by: David Soman and Jacky Davis

Ages: 4+

Lulu, dressed in a red tutu with ladybug wings, is ready for fun. Her parents are busy, and her brother says she is too little to play baseball with him and his friends, so Lulu is left to play by herself. She wanders through the house and determines there is nothing to do. Venturing outside with her dog Bingo, Lulu finds a varity of things to do. Read about Lulu’s adventures outside in Ladybug Girl.

Ladybug Girl is a cute children’s book. There is a good amount of text in this book, however the text is pretty simple and the story is fast paced. I like that “Ladybug Girl” is written in red throughout the book. Other words are bolded or different sizes. This makes the words pop out from the page. The illustrations go along great with the text, showing a young girl brimming with imagination. They are colorful, detailed, and fun. Many children will be able to relate to the fact that sometimes they have to play by themselves and find things to do. Lulu uses her imagination to entertain herself. Children will learn that by using their imagination, they can find things to do, even in their own backyard. This story shows how everyday activities can inspire creativity and fun. This book may even inspire children to go on their own “adventures” to find things to do on their own. Because of the super hero concept and the activities Lulu performs, I think this book will appeal not only to girls, but also to boys. I believe that his book sends a message of self-confidence to children. Ladybug Girl is an entertaining and positive story that children are sure to enjoy!

The Shot Heard ‘Round the World by: Phil Bildner and illustrated by: C.F. Payne

Ages: 5-8

An unnamed young narrator looks back on the summer of 1951. His Brooklyn Dodgers appear to be headed toward the World Series. Then, the New York Yankees go on a winning streak, forcing a playoff between the Dodgers and Yankees to determine who would play the Yankees in the World Series. The playoff would consist of three games – the best of three would move on. On October 3, 1951, The Dodgers faced the Giants for the third, tie-breaking game. Who will win this critical game? Find out in The Shot Heard ‘Round the World.

The Shot Heard ‘Round the World is a great children’s book about the historical game in 1951. There is quiet a bit of text in this book, but it is very detailed and captures the excitement of the 1951 baseball season. The illustrations go along great with the text. Both capture the setting and the emotions felt by baseball fans. Readers will learn many facts about Dodgers baseball in the 1950s. They will learn names of some famous baseball players, the name of the stadium, and see images of landmarks in Brooklyn. A great feature of the book is 4 historical pictures of “the shot heard ‘round the world” on the back of the dust jacket. It will be fun for readers to see actual pictures from this historical event. Baseball fans will be sure to enjoy this book. Fans who lived during the 1950s will find this book wonderful to relive the events of the exciting baseball season. The Shot Heard ‘Round the World is a wonderful historical baseball book will be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

The Greatest Game Ever Played by: Phil Bildner and illustrated by: Zachary Pullen

Ages: 5+

Sam and his Pop love baseball, especially the New York Giants. However, in the spring Pop loses his job. His new job takes up a lot of time, so they are unable to attend games together. Then they get the worst news of all, the Giants were moving to California. Sam gets a job selling newspapers, and discovers football. Sam receives two tickets to the championship football game between the New York Giants and the Baltimore Colts, and invites his Pop to go with him. His Pop is not excited, but goes with Sam anyways. Sam, and surprisingly Pop, get into the game and cheer loud for the Giants. They end up having a great time at the game. Will this be the best game ever played? Find out in The Greatest game Ever Played.

The Greatest Game Ever Played recounts the 1958 NFL championship game. The writing in this book is wonderful. There is quite a bit of text, but it is detailed and captures all the excitement of the game. It is fast paced, and will keep the readers attention because they will want to find out what happens. The illustrations are wonderful, and are fun to look at while reading a great story. They match the energy of the text. The illustrations are very detailed, including the facial expressions of the characters. They capture the action throughout the game and the reactions of the fans. The author includes a note at the end of the book. It gives the history of the 1958 NFL championship game and its importance/significance to the growing popularity of professional football. This is a great addition to the book where the reader can learn more about the greatest game ever played. The father-son relationship bound together by sports is a warm, realistic portrayal. This is a story of great football, and the reader will learn many facts and famous names of football players. This is also a story of a father and son finding the time to have fun together and bond. I would recommend this book to any reader looking for a great sports book about football. The Greatest Game Ever Played can be enjoyed by both children and adults alike.

Charlie Anderson by: Barbara Abercrombie and illustrated by: Mark Graham

Ages: 4-9

One night, a grey, striped cat walked out of the woods and into the house where sisters Elizabeth and Sarah lived with their mother. The two girls adopt the cat, and name him Charlie. Charlie is only at their house at night, and during the day he goes into the woods. One night, the cat does not come to their house. The girls are very worried about Charlie. The next morning they go searching for their cat, and ask their neighbors if they have seen him. The girls discover a secret about Charlie at one of their neighbor’s houses – something they have in common with Charlie. Find out this surprise in Charlie Anderson.

Charlie Anderson is a great children’s picture book. The text is fairly simple with much detail. The illustrations in this book are beautiful. They are soft-toned and very realistic. They capture the details of the young girls and the cat. Several children will be able to relate to the topic of divorce present in the book. This is a wonderful book to discuss the topic of family units, specifically divorce or separation. Children will be able to find reassurance through this book that they are still loved even though they have two homes. This book shows the positive side of divorce, and shows there can be happiness. Children will also enjoy this book if they are cat lovers. This book gives the reader a sense of what it is like to love and be responsible for a pet. I also think this book is a great way to introduce the prediction strategy to children. Children will be able to predict what happened to Charlie. Readers are sure to love and be surprised by the ending! I would recommend Charlie Anderson to any reader looking for a good book with a surprise ending!

So Far From the Bamboo Grove by: Yoko Kawashima Watkins

Ages: 12+

Yoko Kawashima, an eleven year-old Japanese girl, lives in Korea during the end of World War II. As danger creeps closer to her hometown of Nanam, she, her sixteen year old sister Ko, and her mother must flee their home without her father or older brother, Hideyo. Her father worked for the government in another city, and her brother was at work. Their journey to Japan is a very long and difficult journey. They encounter many dangerous and scary moments. Finally, Yoko, Ko, and her mother make it to Japan. However, mother dies, and Yoko and Ko are left on their own. At the same time, Hideyo is making his journey to Japan alone. He is also facing many difficulties on the long and dangerous journey. Will Yoko and Ko be able to survive on their own? Will Hideyo make it to Japan and be reunited with his sisters? Find out the answers to these questions and read about the journey from Korea to Japan during WWII in So Far From the Bamboo Grove.

I really enjoyed So Far From the Bamboo Grove. It was a quick read, and kept my interest the whole time. I could not put the book down, because I wanted to find out what happened to Yoko and her family. The book was beautifully written with many details and events of WWII. The author does a great job of explaining events and making them come to life. I was able to create mental images in my head while reading throughout the entire book. I like that the author alternates the girls’ journey and Hideyo’s journey. I had never read a book about WWII, and it was neat to get the perspective from a young Japanese girl. The reader gets a close up look at life during wartime. I really like that the book is written from the author’s real life experiences. A great addition to the book is a letter from the author at the beginning of the book that tells why she chose to write this book – to tell her own life experiences. This helped me get into the book because I was interested in reading about what she experienced as a young girl. I think I enjoyed this book because of all of the emotions it evoked. This is one of the saddest books that I have ever read. I cannot imagine going through the difficulties and pain that Yoko and her family, along with several other families, went through. They didn’t eat for days, experienced injury, and experienced several other difficulties along the way. There are certain parts of the book that were especially emotional. The first is the fact that Yoko and her family were told they needed to leave their home right away. I don’t know what I would grab if I was told I needed to evacuate my house. It would be scary not knowing if you would ever see your house again. I also cannot imagine leaving without my father and brother, not knowing if I would ever see them again. Another part that sticks out is when Yoko, Ko, and her mother were on the train with the wounded people. The part that really struck me was when the baby was thrown out the window of the train. This was terribly sad, and cannot imagine seeing that. I was also very saddened when Yoko’s mother died in her arms. I cannot begin to imagine how I would react and handle that situation. Something that stuck out to me while reading this book is how amazing it is what we are capable of when it comes to life or death. It is amazing what we can endure and the lengths we will go to in order to survive. I cannot imagine going through the hardships Yoko went through as a young girl just trying to stay alive. A powerful aspect of their journey is the fact that Yoko, Ko, and her mother share what they have with other people. It is wonderful to see a family sharing what little they have even in the middle of a war. This book was a story of triumph, courage, love, and war. It was about family and surviving obstacles together. Love and family are such important factors for everyone, especially during war. Overall, this book was very emotional to read. The characters had to go through horrible situations over and over again. The fact that this story is based off of a true story makes it even more emotional. This was a very touching and inspiring story. It definitely showed me a different perspective of life. This book would be a great way to introduce students to WWII. They would be able to see what life was like for the Japanese, and how dangerous life was for them during war. War is a powerful topic to talk about, and I think many great discussions would occur in a classroom. So Far From the Bamboo Grove was a wonderful book that older children and adults would enjoy.

The Middle Child Blues by: Kristyn Crow and illustrated by: David Catrow

Ages: Kindergarten – Grade 2

Lee has the low-down, big-frown, sulkin’-all-around-town blues. His older brother Ray gets all the big kid privileges, and his little sister gets away with everything because she is cute. He is too small to do what his brother does, but too big to do what his sister does. He is stuck in the middle. Lee is tired of not getting any attention, so he breaks out his guitar and makes his voice be heard. Will he get the attention he wants? Find out in The Middle Child Blues.

The Middle Child Blues is a cute book about being the middle child. The text in this book is fairly simple. The words rhyme throughout the book, which make it a fun read. I could find myself making the text into a song as I read the book. Some of the words stand out because they are all capitalized (for example, MID-KID BLUES), or shaped differently (for example, big-frown is in the shape of a frown). The illustrations were bright and colorful, and took up the majority of the pages. The heads of the characters are oversized, and Lee’s facial expressions are drawn great. The reader can see his anger, disappointment, and finally happiness throughout the book. The topic of the middle child is something several children can relate too. I am not a middle child myself, but I know some people who are the middle child. I definitely think there is some truth to Lee’s middle child blues. This is a great book for any child who feels overlooked or unappreciated. The Middle Child Blues is a fun and catchy books that children are sure to enjoy!

The Blue Ribbon Day by: Katie Courie and Illustrated by: Marjorie Priceman

Ages: 3-8

Best friends Ellie and Carrie decide to tryout for the soccer team. After tryouts, the results are posted the next day at school. Ellie made the soccer team, however Carrie did not. Carrie is very upset, and goes home crying to her mom. Her mom gives her some reassurance, and the next day Carrie decided to enter the school science fair with her lab partner. How will Carrie and her partner do in the science fair competition? Find out in The Blue Ribbon Day.

The Blue Ribbon Day is a cute children’s book. The story is told in fun rhymes. This is great to teach children about rhymes, and also helps keep their attention. The illustrations are bright and full of energy. The upbeat text, along with the vibrant illustrations makes this book enjoyable. Many children can probably relate to the disappointment Carrie experiences. For any reader who has not made a sports team, has not gotten a part in the school play, or has not won a school election, this story gives a lesson of confidence. This book also contains some other lessons throughout the story. First, each child is blessed with his/her own special gifts. We all have a special talent, it is just a matter of finding that talent. The girls in the story remain friends, and realize that they can’t both be good at everything. Also, it encourages children to deal positively with disappointment. The Blue Ribbon Day is a charming and fun book full of positivity that children and adults alike will enjoy!

Winners Never Quit by: Mia Hamm and illustrated by: Carol Thompson

Ages: 4-7

Mia’s favorite sport is soccer. However, she hates to lose. She dislikes it so much that she quits during the middle of a game because she cannot score a goal, and stomps off the field. Her siblings do not let her play the next day because they are upset with her bad attitude about losing. Instead she just watches. Will Mia’s siblings let her play soccer with them the next day? Find out in Winners Never Quit.

Winners Never Quit is a wonderful children’s book written by professional soccer player, Mia Hamm. She writes what she remembers about when she was a little girl. There is a perfect amount of text on each page to keep the attention of children. Certain words are colored, which make them stand out and catch the eye of the reader. The bright and colorful illustrations go along great with the text. The illustrations are detailed and expressive, showing Mia’s several emotions, including fury and excitement. Many children can probably relate to Mia’s mixed feelings in the book. Children at this age do not want to lose, and if they do lose they usually get upset/throw a fit. The story teaches the reader how to have good sportsmanship and competitive at the same time, and also the importance of being part of a team. This book contains a great message – to never give up and how to lose gracefully. This is a great message not only in sports, but in life itself. The book contains some surprise bonus features at the end of the book, including a note from Mia Hamm, pictures of Mia Hamm throughout her soccer career, and even an autographed picture of Mia Hamm! Winners Never Quit is a great book, with a wonderful message, that children and adults will enjoy!

Tickle the Duck! by: Ethan Long

Ages: Baby - Preschool

The duck seems pretty stubborn about not being tickled at all. However, he proceeds to tell the reader where not to tickle him, including on his stomach, his foot, and under his armpit. The duck laughs every time he is tickled. Does the duck enjoy being tickled or not? Find out in Tickle the Duck!

Tickle the Duck! is a cute children’s book. The book has no plot, and is written for very young children. The text is very simple, and has the duck asking the reader not to tickle him by pointing to specific body parts. Children will be tempted and will want to tickle the duck. Each body part the duck points to has a texture. Children will enjoy feeing the different textures as they are tickling the duck. The illustrations in the book are simple and colorful. They show the emotions of the duck very well. Children are sure to laugh along with the duck in this book. Even I found myself laughing as I read through the book. Children will be able to relate to the topic of being tickled that is present in the book. This book will inevitably lead to the child and the reader tickling each other and trying to make each other laugh. Tickle the Duck! is a fun and interactive book that young children and adults will enjoy over and over.

Jake’s 100th Day of School by: Lester L. Laminack and illustrated by: Judy Love

Ages: Kindergarten – Grade 3

It is almost the 100^th day of school. To celebrate, every student in Mr. Thompson’s class is bringing a collection of 100 things. Jake has been working on a scrapbook with 100 pictures of his family to bring for the special day. When the day comes, Jake is so excited that he forgets his backpack with the scrapbook in it at his house. Jake is devastated. Luckily, his principal helps him assemble a second collection of 100 things. Find out what Jake’s new collection is in Jake’s 100^th Day of School.

Jake’s 100^th Day of School is a wonderful children’s book. There is quite a bit of text in this book, however the vocabulary is fairly simple. The beautiful illustrations go along with the text great. The colorful illustrations cover the majority of the pages. They are also very detailed, showing the emotions of the characters and the variety of objects brought on the 100^th day of school. Children will be interested in the diverse collections of 100 objects, ranging from 100 paper clips to 100 signatures. Many children will want to start their own collection of 100 objects after reading this book. This book demonstrates lessons of kindness and love. Although Jake is upset about forgetting his 100^th day of school item, he is able to resolve his problem with the understanding and help of his school principal. This is a great book to read on the 100^th day of school in elementary school classrooms. Children will enjoy gathering a collection of 100 items and bringing it to school on the 100^th day to share with the class. Jake’s 100^th Day of School is a fun book that children are sure to enjoy!

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The Mixed-Up Chameleon by: Eric Carle

Ages: Preschool – Grade 3

The Mixed-Up Chameleon begins with a chameleon who changes color according to the things he is standing on. He believes that his life is quite boring, until one day he sees a zoo. He is amazed by all the beautiful animals. The chameleon beings wishing he could be like the animals he sees. All of his wishes come true, and he is a mixture of several animals. However, he is not happy. The chameleon wishes he could be himself again. Will his wish come true? Find out in The Mixed-Up Chameleon.

The Mixed-Up Chameleon is a wonderful children’s book. There is more text in this book than some of Eric Carle’s other children’s books. The colorful illustrations go along with the text great. The illustrations are simple with bright colors on each page. On each page after the chameleon sees the zoo, there is a cutout tab on the left, showing the animal that is featured on that page. On the right, the cutout tab shows the color that is featured on that page. This is a great feature to the book, and helps children remember what animals the chameleon has been and what colors the chameleon has been. The chameleon adds a feature from each animal presented in the book, until he is made of up of an array of animal features. This book is great for teaching children animals and colors. It also allows children to use their imagination. The book teaches children that they should not wish to be someone else. People should be happy with who they are and what they look like. The chameleon in the book realized that being like someone else does not make him happier, and that he would rather be his normal self. The book also teaches children the importance of being different. Every person is different and unique in his or her own way. The Mixed-Up Chameleon is a fun and educational book that children will love!

Little Cloud by: Eric Carle

Ages: 4-8

This book is about a little cloud who drifts awa from the other clouds. The cloud becomes several different shapes. The other clouds call the little cloud back to them. In the end, all the clouds become one big cloud, and it rains. Find out what shapes the little cloud becomes in Little Cloud.

Little Cloud is a cute children’s book. The text is simple, which is great for young children learning to read. The illustrations take up the majority of the pages. They are simple, yet eye catching. Children will enjoy the illustrations, because they will enjoy saying what the shape of the little cloud is in this book. Because of the simple text and wonderful illustrations, children will be able to stay engaged in the book. Many children will be able to relate to this book because they have looked up in the sky and seen pictures/shapes in the clouds. Children may also be inspired to go outside and see what shapes they could find in their own “little clouds.” This book teaches children the importance of being and individual. It also teaches children the importance of being a contributing member of a group. Little Cloud is a fun book that young children will enjoy.

Mister Seahorse by: Eric Carle

Ages: Preschool – Grade 3

Mr. and Mrs. Seahorse are drifting through the ocean. Mrs. Seahorse announces it is time to lay their eggs, and she lays her eggs in Mr. Seahorse’s pouch on his belly. While he swims around the ocean waiting for the eggs to hatch, he meets some other underwater fathers carrying eggs too. Read about the different fish Mr. Seahorse meets while carrying his eggs in Mister Seahorse.

Mister Seahorse is a great children’s book. There is more text in this book than some of Eric Carle’s other children’s books. The illustrations go along with the text great. The illustrations are very colorful and bring an underwater world to life. Carle includes a “hide and seek” feature with plastic pages overlaying the regular pages. The reader needs to turn the colored plastic pages in order to see the hidden fish. This will help keep children engaged in the book. They will have fun playing “hide and seek” in the book. The reader is introduced to a number of unusual fish and sea creatures. Readers will learn about unique ways that some fish fathers carry and take care of the eggs. I find it great that the book contains science information. Children will enjoy reading the book and will learn new information at the same time. Children may even be interested in researching and finding more information about the unusual fish and sea creatures introduced in the book. I like that Carle included a note on the back cover that tells the reader that the fish in the book are different than most fish, because the father cares for the eggs. Overall, I found this book to be wonderful. The book reinforces the importance of strong families, especially fathers who provide loving care. Mister Seahorse is a fun and educational book that children will enjoy.

The Secret Birthday Message by: Eric Carle

Ages: Preschool – Grade 3

It is Tim’s birthday, and he receives a secret message letter written in code. He follows the coded message to find his birthday surprise. Follow Tim through his “treasure hunt” to figure out what his birthday surprise is in The Secret Birthday Message.

The Secret Birthday Message is a wonderful children’s book. The text is simple, and unique that most of the book is in a coded message. The code contains shapes, and the shapes correlate with cutout illustrations. The cutout illustrations half reveal, and have conceal the pages behind it as the reader follows the code. The illustrations are bold and colorful. The shapes revealed in the cutout illustrations are associated with real world objects. Readers will enjoy following the coded message to figure out the secret birthday surprise at the end of the book. The code, cutout pages, and colorful illustrations will keep the readers attention. I like that this book is interactive, and children are able to fully participate in the exciting adventure of the hunt to find the birthday surprise. This is an adventure that children could imagine themselves going through. The map on the final pages shows a spatial layout of the instructions given in the coded message. It is fun for readers to follow the map of the treasure hunt. This book is wonderful for teaching children shapes, colors, following directions, and reading a map. The Secret Birthday Message is a fun book that children will enjoy!

Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother, Too? by: Eric Carle

Ages: 3-6

"YES! A kangaroo has a mother. Just like you and me," is the response to the question posed in the title of the book. Ten additional identically phrased questions and answers follow, each centered on a different animal. Find out which animals are presented in the children’s book, Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother, Too?

Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother, Too? is a cute children’s book. The text is very simple and repetitive. The repetition will help young children learn to read. The dynamic link between each question, animal, and page will keep children interested. I like that the animal name is enlarged and colored on each page. This helps make the word stick out, and allows children to learn the animal names. The reader gets a reward at the end of the book, the assurance that mothers love their children. The illustrations of the animal mothers and their babies go along with the text great. They are bright and very colorful. The paintings are done in a collage style and have great texture. This is a great book for children to learn color recognition and to learn animals. The back of the book has a great section where the reader can learn the baby names, parent names, and group names of the animals found in the book. Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother, Too? is an informative and fun book that is wonderful for young children.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by: Eric Carle

Ages: Preschool – Grade 2

A newborn caterpillar hatches from an egg on Sunday. He is tiny and very hungry. He snacks through the pages of the book, eating a variety of foods throughout the week. He gets bigger and fatter until he ends up with a stomachache. He eats through a green leaf and builds himself a cocoon the following Sunday. After two weeks, he eats a hole in the cocoon and emerges as a beautiful butterfly. Read about the caterpillar’s adventures in The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a great book! It is an entertaining story with a unique layout and wonderful illustrations. The first few pages are normal size. However, the pages for the first five days of the week are different sizes. The size corresponds with the number of pieces of food the caterpillar eats. The page for Monday is very small, and the pages get a little bit bigger each day of the week, until Friday when the page is full size. The pages of the book when the caterpillar eats through the food have a small hole in it. Children will love to stick their little fingers through the holes. The illustrations in this book are very colorful. The text is simple and ties in with the illustrations great. The simple and repetitive text makes it easy for young children to follow along. This book is great because it teaches children the days of the week, counting, different types of fruit/food, and how a caterpillar turns into a butterfly. Children will be amazed by the “magical” transformation of a caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly in the wonderful children’s book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? By: Eric Carle and Bill Martin Jr.

Ages: 2-5

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? is a book that on each page the reader encounters a new animal in a different color. Each page urges the reader onward to the following page where another animal in a different color is found. Read about the many colorful animals in the children’s book, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? is a wonderful children’s book. It is a great book for children just starting to learn letters, sounds, and words. The text is simple and repetitive. There are few enough words on each page to keep the attention of young children throughout the book. The repetition makes the book easy for children to follow along and memorize. The illustrations in the book follow the text great. They are bold and colorful, taking up the majority of the pages. Some of the animals in the book are realistic colors, while others are not. This book is great, because it introduces children to a variety of animals and colors. It also teaches children rhyme and repetition. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? is a cute and simple book that young children are sure to enjoy.

Midterm Reflection

I have really enjoyed Reading and Responding to Children’s Literature so far this semester. This class has allowed me to be exposed to children’s literature that I probably never would have been exposed to. I started off the semester reading children’s books I read when I was younger. Now I am reading new literature, because these are books that children are reading today. There have been so many new books that I have enjoyed. I like that some weeks we have to read books of a certain genre, and other weeks we are able to choose any books we want. Another aspect of this class that I like is the assigned novels. The ones we have read so far have been great! The discussions we have had in class allow me to picture how a discussion about a book could go in my future classroom. I also enjoyed the genre group project. It was fun to explore books all in one genre – in my case realistic fiction. I learned so much about this genre when researching and reading books. I also learned a lot about the other genres from class presentations. As a future teacher, it is important that I know about a variety of genres and that I am able to introduce and encourage my students to read different genres. I enjoy blogging on the books that I read each week. It takes time, but it allows me to write my thoughts about the books. There are things I normally wouldn’t think about when reading a book that I am able to express in my blogs. As a future teacher, I believe that my blog will be a great resource to my students, their parents, and other teachers. Overall, the first half of this semester has gone great and has been very interesting. I look forward to see what will be covered in the second half of the semester. I also look forward to reading more children’s picture books and novels!

The Misfits by: James Howe

Ages: 10-14

The Gang of Five consists of Bobby Goodspeed, Skeezie, Addie, and Joe. Bobby is overweight, Skeezie is labeled a “hooligan,” Addie is tall, intelligent, and outspoken, and Joe is judged because he acts more like a girl than a boy most of the time. What do these four seventh graders have in common? They are all called names and made fun of. They are misfits. It is time for school elections, and Addie decides she wants to add a third party. They put up posters at school for their party, the Freedom Party. However, they did not get permission and the party is forced to disband. Bobby comes up with another party name, the No-Name Party. The idea is to stop name calling in school. Will the No Name Party be allowed to run in the school election? Read about the problems these seventh grade students face and find out if the No Name Party can run in the school election in The Misfits.

I really enjoyed reading The Misfits. It was not what I expected it to be about at all. I found the book to be a fast read, and hard to put down. For being such a controversial book, I did not find it to be that controversial. There were a few parts in the book where I could see where it would be controversial, but overall I thought it was a great book. The parts of the book that people may find controversial are some of the names used and the fact that Joe is gay. Some of the terms used in the book may be words that parents do not want their children to know/use. Some of the words that I found inappropriate for a children’s book include: moron, faggot, queer, homo, retard, and lardass. The other part of the book that people may find controversial is the fact that Joe and Collin are gay. However, the book portrays the fact that they are gay as being accepted by most people. I liked the author’s style of writing. The characters and story line are unique. The reader gets to know each of the four main characters very well. The story is written in an interesting way, and is very realistic. It is mostly told by the narrator, a seventh grade boy, but also contains “minutes” which read like a play. This helps move the story along, and allows the reader to get a true sense of the characters. The characters become more real when the reader reads what they are actually saying. I like the fact that the author includes what happened the characters when they grew up at the end of the book.

I thought The Misfits was a great book that deals with realistic issues. The book is full of struggles, differences, confusion, love, and amusement that middle school students experience. Middle school is often a time of exploration and uncertainty. Students want to feel accepted and fit in. However, many students do not fit the stereotypical norm. When students are not “normal,” they often become labeled, get made fun of, and are called names. In the book, this happens to the main characters, along with other students in their school. This is a book that I feel many students can relate to. With a variety of characters and struggles, students may personally relate with one or more characters. If they don’t personally relate to a character, they probably know someone that could identify with one of the characters. The book also has several discussions that deal with issues such as race, gender, and sexual orientation. There are several positive messages throughout the book. This book shows middle school students standing up for what they believe, and overcoming fears. It also shows that students can make a difference. There is also a positive message about individual differences. There was a great theme in the book to stand up for yourself, and that names don’t matter. The speech at the end of the book was motivating and inspiring. I would definitely recommend this book to middle school aged children, especially students who are bullied or “different.” Overall, I thought The Misfits was a great book!

King and King by: Linda De Haan and Stern Nijland

Ages: 4-8

The Queen is tired of ruling. She decided that it is time for her son to marry and take over the kingdom. The Queen calls princesses from near and far to meet her son. He meets five princesses, but is not impressed by any of them. When the last princess comes in, something catches his eye. However, it is not the princess, but instead her brother. Will the two princes marry and rule the kingdom together? Find out in King and King.

King and King is also a controversial book about gay relationships. I found this book to be more controversial than And Tango Makes Three. Because the relationship between the son and the other prince was not discussed, and because there did not seem to be any problems with the two princes marrying each other, I think some people may find this to be sending the wrong message. I also find the last picture to be controversial. It is a picture of the two princes kissing with a heart over their mouths. Some parents would not want their children reading about this topic and seeing a picture of two men kissing in school. I think it should be up to parents to decide if they want to expose their child/children to this book. If a teacher was to teach his/her class about the topic of sexual orientation, I think there are other books that would be better for discussing this controversial topic. Although I found this book to be controversial, it does send the message that supportive and loving families will accept family members even if they are gay or lesbian. The text in this book is simple and easy to read. The text is often changing sizes, is bolded, and is placed in unique places on the page. The illustrations were colorful and detailed. Each page looked like a collage. As a future teacher, I would not feel comfortable using the book King and King to teach the controversial issue of gay relationships.

Pinkerton, Behave! By: Steven Kellogg

Ages: 4-8

Pinkerton, Behave! is about a dog named Pinkerton who does not follow commands. He goes to obedience school, but still does not follow command such as fetch, come, or catch the burglar. Pinkerton is dismissed from obedience school because he disrupts the class and teaches the other dogs to do the wrong things. One night, a burglar comes to Pinkerton’s house. Will Pinkerton be able to use what he learned to protect his family from the burglar? Find out in Pinkerton, Behave!

Pinkerton, Behave! is a controversial children’s book. I did not think the book was controversial until the end. The first part of the book is about a dog that does not know how to follow simple commands. Pinkerton represents many dogs that we know and love. The first half of the book is actually pretty funny. The controversial part of the book comes to play when a burglar breaks into a house through a bedroom window, and threatens the mother in the book by pointing a gun at her. This may be traumatic for some children, seeing both a robber, and a gun being pointed at a mother. This may cause children to be scared and have nightmares. I do not think this is a good book for young children to read, unless their parents are okay with it. I think many children would become scared, especially if this book was read to them before bed. I think this book would be okay for older children to read. They are less likely to get scared. Also, robbers and guns are portrayed in the media. It is unlikely that a child has not seen either a robber or gun on television, in a movie, in other books, or any other form of media. The robber and gun in this book will most likely not be the first time they have encountered these topics. The text in this book is simple, and goes along great with the illustrations. The illustrations are colorful and detailed, and take up the majority of the pages. Overall, I believe this book is controversial due to the fact that there is a robber and a gun pointed at a mother portrayed in the book. I think it is up to individual teachers and parents to decide if this book is appropriate for children. Pinkerton, Behave! is a book that I would be okay with having in my classroom as long as I was teaching older elementary school children. It is not a book I would choose for a read aloud or recommend to my students. There are many other great children’s picture books about dogs that I would recommend first.

The Stupids Have a Ball by: Harry Allard and James Marshall

Ages: 4-8

The Stupids children, Buster and Petunia, come home from school with failing report cards. This is a cause for celebration. The Stupids plan a family costume ball party, and invite all of their relatives. The Stupids get their house ready for the party and find costumes. Will the party be a success? Find out in The Stupids Have a Ball.

The Stupids Have a Ball is a controversial children’s picture book. After reading the book, I personally agree that it should be considered a controversial book. First, I believe the book is controversial because of the family’s last name, Stupids. There are several parents who do not want their children using the word stupid. This word is found throughout the entire book, both as the family’s last name and where they live, Mount Stupid. Second, the way the family is depicted and acts is controversial. The book reinforces negative behavior. The first thing that stands out in the book is the fact that the family decided to have a party to celebrate their children’s failing report cards. This portrays a message to children that it is okay to get bad grades in school, and it should be a reason to celebrate. Petunia’s dress has simple addition facts on it that are all wrong, for example 2 + 1 = 4. Young children who are learning their simple addition facts may find this confusing. Also, the report card does not give letter grades, but instead words such as lousy, awful, terrible, ridiculous, and hopeless. These words to describe how the children are doing in school can depict low self-esteem. The family does a lot of things and acts in ways that are not “normal.” As a future teacher, I personally would not want this book in my classroom. I once again think it is up to children’s parents as to whether or not they are allowed to read this book. The book is set up with the text on one page, and the illustrations on the other page. The illustrations are colorful, cartoon-like, and odd. They seem to depict the text well. Overall, The Stupids Have a Ball may be funny to some people and a controversial book to others.

In the Night Kitchen by: Maurice Sendak

Ages: 3-6

A young boy, Mickey, is asleep in his bed when he hears noises. Suddenly he begins to float and drifts into a surreal world of The Night Kitchen. He falls into a giant mixing bowl that contains the batter for the morning cake. As the bakers are about to put it in the oven, Mickey emerges from the batter. The milk is missing from the batter, so Mickey constructs an airplane out of the bread dough to reach the mouth of the huge milk bottle. Will Mickey be able to get to the milk so the bakers can make the cake? Find out in book, In the Night Kitchen.

In the Night Kitchen is considered a controversial book in today’s society. It is a very bizarre book. I do find the book to be controversial due to the fact that the little boy is seen nude or mostly nude throughout the book. The book shows both a front and back view of the naked boy. For a fictional character, Mickey’s “private area” is somewhat detailed. I do not think it is appropriate for young children to see a naked boy. I also find it inappropriate that three men are looking at a nude young boy. This is another controversial topic in our society. As a future teacher, I would not want this book in my classroom. I do not want children looking at a book with a naked boy in the story. I think it is up to parents to decide if this book is appropriate for their children to read. Some might not want their children to read a book that contains nudity at a young age. The comic book-like illustrations are colorful and detailed. The illustrations are very clever, including one that has a city made out of different ingredients. I feel that the story is a little bit scary and odd for young children. Some children may be able to relate to the book because of the fact that they have had unique and odd dreams. Overall, I find In the Night Kitchen to be a controversial book that I would not want to use in my classroom of young children, because of the nudity.

And Tango Makes Three by: Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson and illustrated by Henry Cole

Ages: 4+

Roy and Silo are two male penguins, however they are a little bit “different.” They do everything the other penguin couples do – bow to each other, walk together, sing to each other, swim together, build a nest of stones for themselves, and sleep together. Since they are both male penguins, they are not able to lay an egg. This makes Roy and Silo sad. Roy finds something that looks like what the other penguins were hatching, and they sit on it to keep it warm. However, nothing happens, because it is just a rock. The zookeeper, Mr. Gramzay, brings an egg that needs to be cared for to Roy and Silo’s nest. Will they finally be able to hatch a baby penguin of their own? Find out in And Tango Makes Three.

And Tango Makes Three is a true story that is considered a controversial book in today’s society. After reading the book, I did not find it as controversial as it is made out to be. It does cover the topic of gay relationships in the book, however I feel that it is done in a kid friendly way. I think it is more kid friendly because of the fact that the authors use penguins to discuss the controversial topic of gay relationships. The penguins, Roy and Silo, were just like all the other penguins. They did all the things other penguin couples did and were not treated any differently. The only difference was their sexual orientation. The authors do a great job of describing Roy and Silo’s relationship. They take their time leading up to telling the reader of their sexual orientation and that they are in love, by first describing how they are just like all the other penguins. I think that And Tango Makes Three would be a great book to introduce the topic of gay relationships to children. However, this is a controversial book, and it is up to the school district to decide if teachers can use this book in their classrooms. The illustrations in this book were beautifully done. They are soft, yet detailed. The emotions of the penguins can be seen in the illustrations. The text interacts with the illustrations well. Overall, the topic of gay relationships is not overdone in this book. This book is a story of love. It shows the love two adults (regardless of gender) can have for each other, and the love they can show a child they raise. And Tango Makes Three shows that love can be shared in any type of family. This book is a great way to introduce children to the concept of different types of families, including gay relationships.