Kids' book reviews...
I'm still working on the big giant spreadsheet, but as I'm checking out piles from the library and reading through them, I want to make some notes while it's fresh in my mind, and pass those along to folks who are interested. Since I'm also reviewing them on Amazon and posting those reviews to Facebook, apologies to folks who see this twice.
I'll start with the bad, because Hoooboy, BAD! It's actually the first time I've put up an Amazon review iirc, I felt so strongly about it.
The Queen's Dragon.
My review:
Wow, what a horrible message for kids!, January 15, 2012
By S. Young "Moominmuppet" (Cleveland, OH)
This review is from: The Queen's Dragon (Read-It! Readers - Level Yellow C) (Library Binding)
When the book started out with a spoiled and nasty queen losing interest in Harry because he wasn't shiny and thin and young enough, I thought we were in for a lesson about self-acceptance, walking away from people who don't appreciate us, or a major lesson for the queen about appreciating what she has. Nope. I think my jaw dropped by the end of the book. It's all about one of the worst possible messages you can give people -- if someone else is mean and abusive to you, the appropriate response is to work extra hard to win their very conditional approval. What on earth was this author thinking? I'm seriously tempted to leave an editorial post-it note in the front of this one when I return it to the library, as a warning for others. Ick, ick, ick.
It looks like the whole series may be pretty lackluster:
From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 2 - These titles range from mediocre to poor in quality. In the first one, a queen is disgusted with her dragon, whom she feels has become too old, fat, and shabby looking. While she interviews new ones, he spruces himself up and gets in shape. Then she wants him back. The illustrations are amusing, but the message is shallow. In Rice Ball, a stiffly drawn boy finds a fortune when mice lure his lunch down a hole and he follows it. In Snake, a formerly popular playground game with human qualities is "fed up" with the students who ignore him and tries to get noticed. Waiting has eye-catching artwork that resembles a TV cartoon, but the didactic, tirelessly repetitive text about a little girl who complains about waiting at the doctor's office, for a bus, etc., and then comes up with ideas to make the most of it is unlikely to hold readers' interest. Forget this disappointing set. - Melinda Piehler, Sawgrass Elementary School, Sunrise, FL
OK, that's it for the breath-takingly bad (thankfully). On to the Excellent and Awesome:
Shanté Keys and the New Year's Peas (ages 4-up)
Lovely introduction to cultural diversity!, January 15, 2012
This one is a great and engaging introduction to New Year's customs in various cultures. As Shanté visits her neighbors to borrow some extra peas she's introduced to all their traditions, and invites them all back to her house for lucky black-eyed peas. Lively illustrations, enjoyable flow, and a great message. Loved it!
The Family Minus (ages 4-up) -- OK, I'm cheating here. This is just a personal favorite I decided to review because Amazon asked me to (I ordered a copy of it a while back for Kidlet):
A favorite from my own childhood, January 15, 2012
I love this book so much I've ordered out of print copies for kids in my life now. It's silly and fun and full of Rube Goldberg-esque inventions. When I was little I was especially taken by the fact that it's the Mom who's the inventor, since inventors are so often portrayed as exclusively male. The plot is pretty simple; it's just a day in the life of the Family Minus (a household of anthropomorphized somethings -- badgers? Opossums? I haven't the foggiest). It's the addition of all the Mom's bizarre inventions that makes it so much fun.
An Undone Fairy Tale (ages 4-up) -- My personal favorite so far.
Sublime silliness..., January 15, 2012
Absolutely and ridiculously delightful! It starts as a bog-standard fairy tale, but we're soon interrupted by the illustrator (a little man on a scaffold named Ned) and the narrator/wordsmith, who keeps pleading with us to Not Read So Very Fast, because poor Ned just can't keep up! As Ned falls further behind, he has to substitute more and more ridiculous things for items in the story (tutus for armor, fish for horses, etc), and the illustrations become more and more silly and incomplete, until Ned finally quits in exhaustion and the narrator has to take over. As an added bonus, the fairy tale itself ends with the princess becoming bored waiting to be rescued, and rescuing herself (a trope of which I'm particularly fond). I particularly love the way in which the book constantly compliments the child reader on their reading speed/ability (while complaining about it all the time, of course!). Of the books I borrowed from the library this week, this is the one I most feel a need to own myself.
My Penguin Osbert (ages 4-up)
Just the book for kids in love with the idea of an impractical pet!, January 15, 2012
It's interesting that most reviewers identify this as a general "careful what you wish for" story. To me, as a lifelong animal lover, it was much more specific. It's a very humorous and sweet look at the many life changes necessary to properly care for an exotic animal (cold herring for breakfast because penguins don't like pancakes is just the beginning). I could've used a book like this when I was a kid asking for every impractical animal under the sun! It also has a lovely illustration style that's icing on the cake. I'm pleased to see there's a sequel to this one, and will need to check that out as well!
Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree (Ages 4-up) -- Cheating again; another favorite from my childhood.
A childhood Christmas favorite!, January 15, 2012
I'm so pleased to see this out in a new edition! It's always been a family book to share at Christmas-time, and I love both the flow of the language and the amusing illustrations. More than anything, though, I loved the message, and the idea of reusing, repurposing, and finding the value in what others discard.
Science on the Loose: Amazing Activities and Science Facts You'll Never Believe (ages 8-up)
She teaches about Proprioception!, January 15, 2012
This author has earned my undying love by sharing, amongst much other sciencey goodness, information about the sense of proprioception (my personal favorite sense), and fun experiments kids can do to test this themselves! Although I haven't read the entire book in detail yet, I've been deeply impressed by the approach she takes to making relatively complex scientific concepts both understandable and accessible to young kids. Even the introduction, which explains scientists partially as "people who like to ask weird questions" is a great way to reach kids and get them imagining themselves as scientists. The experiments introduced include a number that I didn't get to do myself until high school science classes. This isn't to say they're complex or difficult, and I'm pleased to see them addressed to younger readers and explorers. I borrowed it from the library to look it over, but it's a must-buy now!
Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom (Caldecott Honor Book) (5-up)
I'm really torn on this one. It is a stunningly beautiful book, both in terms of the art and the writing. It's true to Harriet Tubman's story on a pretty deep level. However, the entire story is told in conversations between her and God, and that's more intensely on the religious side of things than I'm personally seeking. On the other hand, it's not inaccurate to her spirituality, and I would rec it to people who are comfortable with that level of spirituality. For me, I'll keep looking for a biography that focuses a bit more on her other facets. This is one I'm not rating on Amazon because I can't decide what an appropriate rating would be -- 5 for quality, 2 for interest to me? Something like that.
One Drowsy Dragon
I'd give it 4 stars, if I had enough to say to bother reviewing it on Amazon. Fun and cute, but I'm not passionate about this one (probably because of the mentioned metre/rhythm problems -- it didn't flow as easily for read-aloud as I'd like), so I'll just point you to a review that really encapsulated my feelings about it and the strengths of the book:
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2 While an adult dragon tries to sleep, a growing crowd of little guys makes all kinds of noises to keep the tired one awake. Each page turn reveals a new scene of increased chaos, progressing from ONE marching dragon/clanging on a cup to NINE rockin' dragons/jam in a loud band. When TEN tuckered dragons/think it's time for bed, the big dragon finally sleeps, but its deep snores wake up the youngsters. The rhymes are solid, though the rhythm isn't consistently strong. Interesting vocabulary adds variety to the patterned verse, particularly with the adjectives used to describe the young dragons (feisty, rambunctious) and the adult (groggy, weary). The noisy activities go beyond the predictability of playing and fighting to include a shake in a blender and loudly tapping croquet balls. Fun sound effects move from IEEEE! and BANZAI! for wrestling to the EEEEEEK! and YIKES! of a fright show. The digital art features clean lines and distinct colors, so the increasingly crowded pages never become too busy. Big round eyes and slightly goofy expressions lend an air of silliness to the cartoon figures, whose personalities seem equal parts dragon and child. Page layouts neatly reflect the increased chaos: the gutter separates the adult and the little dragons in opening scenes, but as the young ones grow in numbers they overflow onto both sides of the spread. A solid storytime choice that covers several popular picture-book topics, including counting, colors, dragons, and bedtime. Steven Engelfried, Wilsonville Public Library, OR
OK, that's all for now. The rest of my list is at home, so I'll review them later (although most of those are the ones I thought were rather "meh" anyway)
I'll start with the bad, because Hoooboy, BAD! It's actually the first time I've put up an Amazon review iirc, I felt so strongly about it.
The Queen's Dragon.
My review:
Wow, what a horrible message for kids!, January 15, 2012
By S. Young "Moominmuppet" (Cleveland, OH)
This review is from: The Queen's Dragon (Read-It! Readers - Level Yellow C) (Library Binding)
When the book started out with a spoiled and nasty queen losing interest in Harry because he wasn't shiny and thin and young enough, I thought we were in for a lesson about self-acceptance, walking away from people who don't appreciate us, or a major lesson for the queen about appreciating what she has. Nope. I think my jaw dropped by the end of the book. It's all about one of the worst possible messages you can give people -- if someone else is mean and abusive to you, the appropriate response is to work extra hard to win their very conditional approval. What on earth was this author thinking? I'm seriously tempted to leave an editorial post-it note in the front of this one when I return it to the library, as a warning for others. Ick, ick, ick.
It looks like the whole series may be pretty lackluster:
From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 2 - These titles range from mediocre to poor in quality. In the first one, a queen is disgusted with her dragon, whom she feels has become too old, fat, and shabby looking. While she interviews new ones, he spruces himself up and gets in shape. Then she wants him back. The illustrations are amusing, but the message is shallow. In Rice Ball, a stiffly drawn boy finds a fortune when mice lure his lunch down a hole and he follows it. In Snake, a formerly popular playground game with human qualities is "fed up" with the students who ignore him and tries to get noticed. Waiting has eye-catching artwork that resembles a TV cartoon, but the didactic, tirelessly repetitive text about a little girl who complains about waiting at the doctor's office, for a bus, etc., and then comes up with ideas to make the most of it is unlikely to hold readers' interest. Forget this disappointing set. - Melinda Piehler, Sawgrass Elementary School, Sunrise, FL
OK, that's it for the breath-takingly bad (thankfully). On to the Excellent and Awesome:
Shanté Keys and the New Year's Peas (ages 4-up)
Lovely introduction to cultural diversity!, January 15, 2012
This one is a great and engaging introduction to New Year's customs in various cultures. As Shanté visits her neighbors to borrow some extra peas she's introduced to all their traditions, and invites them all back to her house for lucky black-eyed peas. Lively illustrations, enjoyable flow, and a great message. Loved it!
The Family Minus (ages 4-up) -- OK, I'm cheating here. This is just a personal favorite I decided to review because Amazon asked me to (I ordered a copy of it a while back for Kidlet):
A favorite from my own childhood, January 15, 2012
I love this book so much I've ordered out of print copies for kids in my life now. It's silly and fun and full of Rube Goldberg-esque inventions. When I was little I was especially taken by the fact that it's the Mom who's the inventor, since inventors are so often portrayed as exclusively male. The plot is pretty simple; it's just a day in the life of the Family Minus (a household of anthropomorphized somethings -- badgers? Opossums? I haven't the foggiest). It's the addition of all the Mom's bizarre inventions that makes it so much fun.
An Undone Fairy Tale (ages 4-up) -- My personal favorite so far.
Sublime silliness..., January 15, 2012
Absolutely and ridiculously delightful! It starts as a bog-standard fairy tale, but we're soon interrupted by the illustrator (a little man on a scaffold named Ned) and the narrator/wordsmith, who keeps pleading with us to Not Read So Very Fast, because poor Ned just can't keep up! As Ned falls further behind, he has to substitute more and more ridiculous things for items in the story (tutus for armor, fish for horses, etc), and the illustrations become more and more silly and incomplete, until Ned finally quits in exhaustion and the narrator has to take over. As an added bonus, the fairy tale itself ends with the princess becoming bored waiting to be rescued, and rescuing herself (a trope of which I'm particularly fond). I particularly love the way in which the book constantly compliments the child reader on their reading speed/ability (while complaining about it all the time, of course!). Of the books I borrowed from the library this week, this is the one I most feel a need to own myself.
My Penguin Osbert (ages 4-up)
Just the book for kids in love with the idea of an impractical pet!, January 15, 2012
It's interesting that most reviewers identify this as a general "careful what you wish for" story. To me, as a lifelong animal lover, it was much more specific. It's a very humorous and sweet look at the many life changes necessary to properly care for an exotic animal (cold herring for breakfast because penguins don't like pancakes is just the beginning). I could've used a book like this when I was a kid asking for every impractical animal under the sun! It also has a lovely illustration style that's icing on the cake. I'm pleased to see there's a sequel to this one, and will need to check that out as well!
Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree (Ages 4-up) -- Cheating again; another favorite from my childhood.
A childhood Christmas favorite!, January 15, 2012
I'm so pleased to see this out in a new edition! It's always been a family book to share at Christmas-time, and I love both the flow of the language and the amusing illustrations. More than anything, though, I loved the message, and the idea of reusing, repurposing, and finding the value in what others discard.
Science on the Loose: Amazing Activities and Science Facts You'll Never Believe (ages 8-up)
She teaches about Proprioception!, January 15, 2012
This author has earned my undying love by sharing, amongst much other sciencey goodness, information about the sense of proprioception (my personal favorite sense), and fun experiments kids can do to test this themselves! Although I haven't read the entire book in detail yet, I've been deeply impressed by the approach she takes to making relatively complex scientific concepts both understandable and accessible to young kids. Even the introduction, which explains scientists partially as "people who like to ask weird questions" is a great way to reach kids and get them imagining themselves as scientists. The experiments introduced include a number that I didn't get to do myself until high school science classes. This isn't to say they're complex or difficult, and I'm pleased to see them addressed to younger readers and explorers. I borrowed it from the library to look it over, but it's a must-buy now!
Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom (Caldecott Honor Book) (5-up)
I'm really torn on this one. It is a stunningly beautiful book, both in terms of the art and the writing. It's true to Harriet Tubman's story on a pretty deep level. However, the entire story is told in conversations between her and God, and that's more intensely on the religious side of things than I'm personally seeking. On the other hand, it's not inaccurate to her spirituality, and I would rec it to people who are comfortable with that level of spirituality. For me, I'll keep looking for a biography that focuses a bit more on her other facets. This is one I'm not rating on Amazon because I can't decide what an appropriate rating would be -- 5 for quality, 2 for interest to me? Something like that.
One Drowsy Dragon
I'd give it 4 stars, if I had enough to say to bother reviewing it on Amazon. Fun and cute, but I'm not passionate about this one (probably because of the mentioned metre/rhythm problems -- it didn't flow as easily for read-aloud as I'd like), so I'll just point you to a review that really encapsulated my feelings about it and the strengths of the book:
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2 While an adult dragon tries to sleep, a growing crowd of little guys makes all kinds of noises to keep the tired one awake. Each page turn reveals a new scene of increased chaos, progressing from ONE marching dragon/clanging on a cup to NINE rockin' dragons/jam in a loud band. When TEN tuckered dragons/think it's time for bed, the big dragon finally sleeps, but its deep snores wake up the youngsters. The rhymes are solid, though the rhythm isn't consistently strong. Interesting vocabulary adds variety to the patterned verse, particularly with the adjectives used to describe the young dragons (feisty, rambunctious) and the adult (groggy, weary). The noisy activities go beyond the predictability of playing and fighting to include a shake in a blender and loudly tapping croquet balls. Fun sound effects move from IEEEE! and BANZAI! for wrestling to the EEEEEEK! and YIKES! of a fright show. The digital art features clean lines and distinct colors, so the increasingly crowded pages never become too busy. Big round eyes and slightly goofy expressions lend an air of silliness to the cartoon figures, whose personalities seem equal parts dragon and child. Page layouts neatly reflect the increased chaos: the gutter separates the adult and the little dragons in opening scenes, but as the young ones grow in numbers they overflow onto both sides of the spread. A solid storytime choice that covers several popular picture-book topics, including counting, colors, dragons, and bedtime. Steven Engelfried, Wilsonville Public Library, OR
OK, that's all for now. The rest of my list is at home, so I'll review them later (although most of those are the ones I thought were rather "meh" anyway)