2011 Reviews by Library: Waupaca
Voila!
This book about self-confidence is a fun read. Lichtenheld continues his story through fanciful illustrations and speech bubbles, like in Shark! Train! (also a 5 star in my estimation). A little art history thrown in too. Bridget loses her beret and thinks her artistic ability blew away with it. Funniest page is when she tries to substitute other hats for the beret. At the end of the book, Lichtenheld uses Bridget to offer the reader tips on developing their own talents.
Move Over Mrs. Piggle Wiggle
I started reading this book aloud to the students (Grades 3-5) who came to after school program. When I suggested we quit reading mid-book and read something else there was this loud cry, "Noooooo! We love Nanny Piggins! She's funny! Keep reading!" Indeed, Nanny Piggins is hilarious. Adults get the humor at one level and the kids at another. I would highly suggest this as a classroom read aloud, or for that chapter a night before bedtime reading. Direct from the circus where she was shot from a cannon, Nanny Piggins arrives to fill the "Help Wanted: Nanny" job posting at the Green home. The three Green children have never seen the likes of a nanny quite like her before.
Multicultural Beginning Chapter Book
This beginning chapter book is a window to the world of a Chinese-American family with two school-aged daughters and a toddler son. The author's note in the back of the book explains that the idea of sending small children to live with relatives in another country for a year is quite common. DiDi is sent to live with his loving grandparents and extended family in China, while mom starts a new job and the girls go to school. Asian cultures feature more of a community approach to raising children. While Sharon and Mary miss their little brother, they are excited to have him back home again despite the pains of getting used to his temper tantrums. This book offers a good glimpse into another family's culture.
Put the fun back in funeral
This is a light-hearted mystery told from 12-year-old Daralynn Oakland's point of view. The story is set in small town Missouri and in the opening chapter we find that Daralynn's father, brother and sister were killed in a plane crash. She was spared because she was grounded for going fishing without permission. The quirky characters in this small town are absolutely delightful. The underlying theme of dealing with death and the grief that follows is absolutely candid. And for mystery lovers there's that too!
Fledgling Tooth Fairies
Times have changed and tooth fairies have cell phones now. Tooth fairies April and her sister, Esme, are about to make their first ever visit. Mom and Dad are concerned about this new streak of independence. Love the fly by grandma's bedroom to see her teeth in the glass by the bed. Bob Graham's illustrations are just as cute.
Baby Porcupette
No wonder this book was a Newbery honor..... It's the best of many worlds. Poems about night in the forest, great woodcut illustrations, and sidebars filled with tidbits of science to impress every reader. My favorite is "I Am a Baby Porcupette"..... delightful! Thinking about using it next summer when our reading program is about the night.
Guys Read Poetry
When trying to introduce poetry, especially to boys, one needs special tools, and this book is the "Swiss Army Knife" of poetry for boys. Boys love to play outdoors, and these short haiku poems are all about just that (fishing, throwing stones, damming up a river, making your bike sound like a motorcycle, etc.). Certainly will feature this book at our next Guys Read event.
A Feminist Folktale
I remember the "golden olden days" when girls had fewer opportunities than boys. This folktale of a farmer concerned about who will run the farm when he is "dead and gone" is a delightful read aloud. It reminds me of the old Muppet version telling of the three little pigs when Miss Piggy steals the show with all the brains! And what's not to laugh about the boys named Hans and Franz?
