Review: Cars and Trucks and Things That Go

Cars and Trucks and Things That Go
Written and Illustrated by Richard Scarry

Publication date: 2010 (originally published 1974)
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 978-0-00-735738-3

Blurb:
This children's classic is bursting with all kinds of fun vehicles from the magical world of Richard Scarry.
From tractors to trucks, sports cars to unicycles, and fire engines to mouse beach buggies, there's lots to see and talk about on every page.

Review:
Both my husband and I have fond memories of Richard Scarry books as kids and he bought this one for our son. It has been a huge hit. The story line is basic, it's not great literature but the illustrations make it one of the most read and most discussed book in our house. The first time we read it, we read the story and looked at the pictures. The next twenty times we read the book it was to find Goldbug who hides on each page. Now we are onto discussing which cars we like or want. They get assigned to family members and he loves reading the book when he wakes up in the morning as it is so visual. 

I would recommend it for 2 years and up as it may be too busy for younger children. I can see this book being a favourite for a good few years yet.


Review written by LatteJunkie

Review: I Know a Rhino

I Know a Rhino

Written and Illustrated Charles Fuge

Publication date: 2005
Publisher: Koala Books

ISBN: 0-86461-388-1

Have you ever sipped tea with Rhino, blown bubbles in the bath with Giraffe or had messy mud fights with Pig?  Join in with the fun and let your imagination run wild!

A loveable animal adventure for the youngest reader, celebrating children's creative play!

Rhyming text and super cute illustrations combine to make a fast, easy read that can be enjoyed by the reader and listener both.  The little girl in the book is adorable - from the upturned cuffs on her jeans to her fairy costume complete with mary-janes and socks, there is something sweetly familiar about her.  All of her creature companions have a different role in her imaginative play and I love how the giraffe page is in portrait layout to accommodate it's long neck.  The end of the book sees our little darling asleep with all her playmates, they are her stuffed toys.  It really is all about how she let her imagination run wild.

4.5/5

Review written by QTCass

Review: Daniel's Dinosaur

Daniel's Dinosaurs

Written by Mary Carmine

Illustrated by Martin Baynton

Publication date: 1997

Publisher: Scholastic New Zealand Limited
ISBN: 1-86943-328-9

Daniel loved dinosaurs.  And everywhere he went, he imagined he saw them.  Until one day, his mother took him to visit the aquarium...

Like Daniel, my little one looooves dinosaurs.  This book greatly appeals as for the majority of the book there are dinosaurs all over it - Daniel even imagines people as dinosaurs.  He lives next door to two Plateosaurs.  His teacher is a Diplodocus but sometimes she is a Tyrannosaurus.  But when Daniel's mum takes him to the aquarium, he develops a new obsession with fish and sea-life, which just so happens to be another love of my little dude (and if there were bus riding sea creatures with a dino driving this really would be the perfect book for him).  Great illustrations and easy reading text, this book is a great any time read.  Has the added benefit of a glossary of the dinosaurs mentioned at the back.

4/5

Review written by QTCass

Book Review: Chester Raccoon and the Big Bad Bully

Author: Audrey Penn

Illustrated by Barbara L Bigson

Interest Level: Ages 4-8

Publisher: Tanglewood Press

Lesson Plan: Get Rid of the Bully!

Download the free poster here

From the Book Jacket: Chester Raccoon is faced with a common problem to school children - a bully! When a badger causes problems for all the young animals at school, Mrs. Raccoon brings her usual insight and understanding to the problem. She tells Chester and his friends a story of how, in another forest, a pointy blue stone that could hurt tender paws was turned into a smooth pebble with the help of the animals who lived there. Chester and his friends understand the message and join together to help the bully change. When they ask the badger to play, they are surprised how well Mrs. Raccoon's strategy works!

This sweet story illustrates many lessons: that many child bullies are themselves unhappy and that sometimes the best way to get rid of an enemy is to make him or her a friend. Chester and his friends provide readers with a good example of settling differences by peaceful means.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: This book was published a few years ago and I had read it and just really couldn't figure out how I wanted to use it with the kids at the time. Just because a book title has the word Bully in it - doesn't always make it a perfect resource. Fast forward to the end of this last school year and a first grade teacher (who has a major love of bibliotherapy also) approached me with it. She had read it to her class and it was a major hit because of the wonderful spin she put on it. So I was sold. Here's what I've gotten out of it.....

There's another teacher in my building who often says to her students, "What is the kind thing to do?" She'll use this question when dealing with problem solving or bullying situations. LOVE THAT. It absolutely reminded me of Mrs. Raccoon's strategy. So I've started using it too. We do have steps our students are asked to use when dealing with bullying but I just have to say ....there's nothing wrong with also using a kindness strategy. Some kids really respond to this. I really love the responses when I ask this question.

Chester Raccoon and the Big Bad Bully is also a good empathy builder. Mrs. Raccoon tells a story about finding a sharp prickly stone. We used the metaphor of the stone to talk about how it reminds us of bullying behavior. Wow - the kids really responded to this. We drew a picture of it on the board and discussed ways to help the kids who are using bullying behavior and how to help smooth their tough ways out.

My main message to the students was there is nothing wrong with trying to reach out to someone. It's tempting to be mean back to someone but maybe instead of hurting someone in the moment, we could help them. It may not work everytime but it's sure worth a try.

Before I forget....the Kissing Hand puppet is available at amazon but much cheaper on the publisher's website. It's darling.

A Link To This Book and Others You Might Like:

Books On My Brain For Fall

Even though I've got a pile of books next to me still waiting for review this summer....I'm always tracking down the next newest and best thing for my bookshelf. So here's what I've got my eye on for fall. I definitely see each and everyone of these as great social/emotional helpers to kids.


Perfect Square by Michael Hall
A perfect square is transformed in this adventure story that will transport you far beyond the four equal sides of this square book. Click on this YouTube preview to see why I love it so much. Lots of possibilities with this one.


The Hole in the Middle by Paul Budnitz
No wonder Morgan has always felt a little empty inside. He was born with a hole in the middle! His best friend Yumi has lots of ideas for making Morgan whole, but nothing works. Then one day Yumi gets sick, and can't come out to play. Little by little, as Morgan bakes cake for Yumi and brings her flowers, the hole in his middle gets smaller... until it's nearly the same size as a belly button! This simple, whimsical story gently reminds us that our own problems sometimes go away when we focus on our friends.

The Basket Ball by Esme Raji Codell
Lulu prefers playing basketball to playing with dolls. So when the boys won’t let her join their school-yard team, she decides to host a Basket Ball—where ball gowns are traded in for sequined basketball jerseys and high-top heels! Girls travel from all over the world to attend the ball, shooting hoops, showing off their skills, and forming a league of their own.

Melvin and the Boy by Lauren Castillo
When a little boy sees a turtle basking in the sun at the park, he thinks he’s found the perfect pet. But when they get home, the boy soon discovers that the only time the turtle comes out of his shell is at bath time. Is it possible that the turtle would be happiest back in the pond? After all, it’s always bath time there! Lauren Castillo's beautiful art gives this gentle story about finding the right pet--and, in the end, doing what's right for that pet—a timeless, classic feel.

Cork and Fuzz by Dori Chaconas
Cork is a muskrat. Fuzz is a possum. From their first meeting in a hollow log to playing pin-the-tail-on-the-turtle, from collecting rocks to dodging falling pinecones, Cork and Fuzz are always up to something unusual. The gentle humor and simple story will entertain beginning readers, while warm, expressive illustrations add just the right amount of visual cues to help them along.


The Big Wish by Carolyn Conahan
A yard full of dandelions, one small girl who believes in the power of a wish, and a world record, just waiting to be made!




A Mango in the Hand: A Story Told Through Proverbs
Francisco is finally old enough to journey to the mango grove all by himself to gather the mangoes for a special dinner. But bees swarm the fruit, and Francisco has trouble picking them from the tree. He returns to his father several times, and each time his father shares a different proverb to inspire Francisco to continue trying. "Querer es poder. Where there's a will, there's a way!" Finally, Francisco is able to gather some mangoes, and on his way home he stops to visit his uncle, grandmother, and aunt. Francisco shares his mangoes with them, and by the time he gets home he no longer has any! "Es mejor dar que recibir. Sometimes it's better to give than to receive."

Polka-Dot Fixes Kindergarten by Catherine Urdahl
It's Polka-dot's first day of kindergarten and armed with her trusty fix-it kit, she's ready for anything. When she gets to school, though, everything goes wrong. The duct tape, runny soap, and dotted bandages aren't enough to fix her kindergarten catastrophes. And, when it comes to dealing with stripe-loving, mean-mouth Liz, Polka-dot finds herself in a fix. See how Polka-dot finds a way to mend her stormy relationship with Liz.

I See I Learn Series

Author: Stuart J Murphy
Website: I See I Learn
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Interest Level: Kindergarten/Preschool

Percy Gets Upset
Sometimes Percy gets upset. He scowls and stamps his feet. But when he learns to take a deep breath, count to ten, and talk about his feelings, he can calm down. When Percy's not upset, he can have fun again!

Percy Plays It Safe
When Percy plays at the park, he's a monster! Roaring and growling, he climbs up the slide, stomps in the sandbox, and jumps off the swing. Will he ever learn how to be a safe monster?




Freda Plans a Picnic
Freda's mom says that she can invite her friends to a picnic in her backyard. There is so much to do, from packing the picnic basket to cleaning up. Will Freda's plan be a success?





Freda Is Found
Freda is excited to be on a class field trip. But after she stops to look in a store window, she can't find her group.






Emma's Friendwich
Emma has just moved to a new city where she doesn't know anyone. When she sees a a girl her age next door, she wonders what she can do to get to know her. What if she smiles, asks to play, and shares her toys?




Camille's Team
Camille loves to build sand forts at the beach. But it's hard to build a big fort alone. Camille and her friends make a plan. They find that they can get more done--and have more fun--when they work together.




Write On, Carlos!
Carlos wants to write his name like some of his friends can. After he practices over and over again, Carlos is proud to show his friends what he can do.





Good Job, Ajay!
Ajay wants to throw a ball strait and far like his big sister, Meera. He tries, but he just can't do it. then his friends remind Ajay how he learned to do other things that seemed hard at the time.




Why They Are On My Bookshelf: Here's what this series covers: making friends, building confidence, playground safety, sequencing, cooperation, dealing with frustration, getting help when lost, and writing your name. These are some of the social/life issues our kids need to master. What better way to learn them then through a concrete series.

Growing up I remember my mom had a set of books similar to these. Granted it was the 70's so they might not have been so vividly illustrated with cool characters. But I read those books OVER and OVER again. They had an impact on me and I remember feeling like a little adult as I gained knowledge about important life skills. I'll be loaning these out to teachers and parents for sure next year. You might want a set of your own to sneak into book boxes in your classrooms. Oh, and of course I'll be reading them to my daughter!

Also, the author talks/previews each book on YouTube. I'm a huge fan of being able to peek at a book before I buy it. Here's a trailer of Emma's Friendwich:



If you check out the series website there are posters you can print out for each book as a teaching tool. It's under the link resources. LOVE!

Enjoy this new series!

Where Has The Books That Heal Kids Lady Been?

It's not often that I throw a personal post in my blog but maybe some of you have been wondering why I haven't been posting as much these past few months. Trust me - I've got stacks of AWESOME books sitting right here just waiting to be bragged about. I have had a good reason.....

I am expecting a baby girl in October and well....enough said....I've been a little bit occupied. I'm known to be a passionate gal so we've just been living it up in the land of baby. I've also taken a little time to set up a baby blog for friends and family which if you are a blogger than you know that's a time sucker! My love of books sure hasn't diminished though. Got LOTS of great reviews coming your way....working on some good ones today. Thanks for your patience. Now lets get back to discussing all things books!