The Mice of Bistrot des Sept Freres
By Marie LeTourneau
Age Range: 4 - 8 years
Grade Level: Preschool - 3
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Tanglewood Press (April 15, 2006)
ISBN-10: 0974930369
ISBN-13: 978-0974930367
Publisher’s
Blurb:
This story serves up a delightful recipe for a children's book: take
one adorable tale of Parisian mice who want to win the prize for the best
cheese soup in France, add a full serving of the whimsical illustrations of
Marie LeTourneau, mix in a dash of French language and a sprinkling of Parisian
café culture, and voilà! We have The Mice of Bistrot des Sept Frères (Bistro of
Seven Brothers).
With many basic French words cleverly woven into the story, readers will absorb the language without even realizing it. There is a pronunciation guide at the front of the book, and directions in the back to a website for the famous cheese soup recipe!
With many basic French words cleverly woven into the story, readers will absorb the language without even realizing it. There is a pronunciation guide at the front of the book, and directions in the back to a website for the famous cheese soup recipe!
My Thoughts:
My food-obsessed third-grader liked this better than Disney’s Ratatouille. This mouse family has a
restaurant with a reputation to maintain! Of course, when the food critic comes
for a visit and dad is still at the market, everyone freaks out. Everyone
except little sister, Michelle, who serenely folds the napkins—and fixes up the
soup.
There is a lesson here that everyone can contribute, regardless of age,
size, or gender.
The illustrations are so much fun, especially in the frenzy of
preparation for the food critic.
This one is definitely worth a snuggle with your favorite reading
buddy.
Possible Objectionable Material:
Young people using sharp knives and hot stoves, unsupervised and maybe
not too safely.
Who Might Like This Book:
Food fans, dance fans, mouse fans, those who like a good story where
the overlooked family member saves the day.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the e-book review copy.
Is a Worry Worrying You?
By Ferida Wolff
Age Range: 4 - 8 years
Grade Level: Preschool - 3
Lexile Measure: 690L
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: Tanglewood Press (April 15, 2005)
ISBN-10: 1933718056
ISBN-13: 978-1933718057
Publisher’s
Blurb:
Adults think of
childhood as a carefree time, but the truth is that children worry, and worry a
lot, especially in our highly pressurized era. This book addresses children's
worries with humor and imagination, as hilarious scenarios teach kids the use
of perspective and the art of creative problem-solving
My
Thoughts:
My eight-year-old
is a worrier, to the point that it was interfering with school. This book
presents worries in a more whimsical way, such as meeting a rhinoceros in the
street—and personifying “Worry” as a big blue monster, which you can send away.
This is both good
and bad. Yes, some of a child’s worries are, to our adult eyes ridiculous. Yes,
there are strategies a child can learn in order to send their worries away. But
some of a child’s worries are logical, and just refusing to give in to them is
not always a reasonable strategy.
This book is best
as a jumping-off point for discussing worry and what to do about it, and
introducing proper strategies for dealing with anxiety.
Possible
Objectionable Material:
With a younger
child, the examples of things to worry about could introduce new worries.
Who
Might Like This Book:
Parents and
children who need an opening into talking about anxiety, but are not expecting
this book to fix the problem.
Thank you,
NetGalley, for the reviewer e-book.
The Tea Party in the Woods
By Akiko Miyakoshi
Age Range: 3 - 7 years
Grade Level: Preschool - 2
Lexile Measure: AD460L
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Kids Can Press (August 1, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1771381078
ISBN-13: 978-1771381079
Publisher’s
Blurb:
When a young girl
named Kikko realizes her father has forgotten the pie he was supposed to bring
to Grandma's house, she offers to try and catch him as he makes his way through
the woods. She hurriedly follows her father's footprints in the snow and
happens upon a large house she has never seen before. Curious, Kikko peers
through the window, when she is startled by a small lamb wearing a coat and
carrying a purse. Even more surprising, the lamb speaks, asking her in a kind
voice, ?Are you here for the tea party?? Suddenly, Kikko realizes her trip
through the woods has turned into something magical.
Award-winning author and illustrator Akiko Miyakoshi has beautifully crafted an original fairy tale picture book that will delight and enchant. The unique visual presentation features mostly black-and-white art with the occasional use of red or yellow to help guide readers through the pages. Kikko's blend of courage and reticence along with her inquisitive nature makes her a character children will relate to, and the many unexpected twists and turns of her adventure keep the intrigue growing. The ambiguous ending --- in which it is not clear whether Kikko imagined the tea party or if the animals simply disappeared back into the woods --- provides a terrific opportunity for children to weigh in on what they think happened. This book also could launch classroom conversations about children's own experiences of being trusted with big responsibilities.
Award-winning author and illustrator Akiko Miyakoshi has beautifully crafted an original fairy tale picture book that will delight and enchant. The unique visual presentation features mostly black-and-white art with the occasional use of red or yellow to help guide readers through the pages. Kikko's blend of courage and reticence along with her inquisitive nature makes her a character children will relate to, and the many unexpected twists and turns of her adventure keep the intrigue growing. The ambiguous ending --- in which it is not clear whether Kikko imagined the tea party or if the animals simply disappeared back into the woods --- provides a terrific opportunity for children to weigh in on what they think happened. This book also could launch classroom conversations about children's own experiences of being trusted with big responsibilities.
My
Thoughts:
Fancifully told, this
was a charming book, with beautiful illustrations. I loved how much personality
each of the creatures at the tea party had.
It’s difficult to
say much about a picture book. The narrative flowed well, and the vocabulary
was appropriate for reading aloud to a young child. The detailed illustrations
give much to look at and to discuss.
Possible
Objectionable Material:
Kikko’s mother lets
her go into the woods alone. If you don’t like a fantasy element to children’s
stories, then you won’t like animals talking and having a tea party.
Who
Might Like This Book:
Those who like
fairy tales and beautiful illustrations.
Thank you,
NetGalley, for the reviewer e-book.
The STEM Club Goes Exploring
By Lois Melbourne
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group Press (June 15,
2016)
ISBN-10: 1626343039
ISBN-13: 978-1626343030
Publisher’s Blurb:
In The STEM Club
Goes Exploring, students explore science, technology, engineering, and math
(STEM) careers. While interviewing STEM professionals, the students prepare to
make career presentations during their school's Favorites Day. Join STEM Club
members Fran, Sara, Nixie, Winston, Patti, Betik, Jenny, Jesse, and their
teacher Mr. Day, as they make field trips to a video game company, a veterinary
clinic, a hospital, and even a mine, to learn more about career opportunities
for professionals in STEM fields. Author Lois Melbourne, of the My Future Story
series, inspires readers to identify their passions, explore them, and shape
their own future stories.
My Thoughts:
There’s a lot of
potential in this book and, in fact, the glossary of careers at the end is very
useful. The colorful illustrations are also good.
That said, however, I found the narrative style to be very stilted and didactic. There was very little personality to the children as they interviewed professionals in various STEM fields. The purpose is very obviously to give children career information, and it’s definitely an efficient way to do so, but as a story, it’s just…blah.
The author does do a good job of portraying both boys and girls in the STEM club, and men and women in the various careers. Also plenty of people of color. Kudos for that.
Possible Objectionable Material:
Nothing comes to
mind.
Who Might Like This Book:
Readers, probably
grades 2-5, who want information more than they want a story.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the reviewer e-book.
Yitzi and the Giant Menorah
By Richard Ungar
Age Range: 5 - 9 years
Grade Level: Kindergarten - 4
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Tundra Books (September 6, 2016)
ISBN-10: 1770498125
ISBN-13: 978-1770498129
Publisher’s Blurb:
On the eve of Hanukkah, the People of Chelm have received a special
gift from the Mayor of Lublin. A giant menorah in which they place in the
square for all to admire. Every night, the villagers meet to watch the lighting
of a candle on the menorah. And every night, the villagers ponder What is
the most fitting way to thank the Mayor of Lublin?
The villagers come up with idea after idea, but their gift never quite reaches the Mayor. What will they do? Finally, on the last night of Hanukkah, Yitzi has an idea to orchestrate the surprise thank you gift.
The villagers come up with idea after idea, but their gift never quite reaches the Mayor. What will they do? Finally, on the last night of Hanukkah, Yitzi has an idea to orchestrate the surprise thank you gift.
My Thoughts:
Whatever winter holiday you celebrate, this is a beautiful book that
can add to children’s knowledge of other cultures. Illustrated with watercolor
monoprints, both color and black and white, this story is both amusing and
meaningful.
When the people of Chelm come up with their ideas of how to thank the
Mayor of Lublin, they keep getting diverted. It’s young Yitzi who comes up with
a meaningful, appropriate, and perfect way to give thanks. And therein lies the
lesson of the book: that saying “thank you” doesn’t always require material
goods or fancy gestures.
Additionally, the author has included the story of how Hanukkah came to
be celebrated. While not explicitly taught in the book, we learn of some
Hanukkah traditions, such as latkes and dreidels.
Possible Objectionable Material:
None.
Who Might Like This Book:
People who like to learn about other cultures and their celebrations.
Those who enjoy a good story where a child is able to save the day.
Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC.
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