Finding Lincoln on YouTube

Louis needs to write an essay for school about young Abraham Lincoln. But it’s 1951 in Alabama, and African Americans cannot use the public library. Mama says one day soon they’ll be able to check out books, but Louis isn’t going to wait! When he makes a brave journey into the “whites-only” library, something surprising and wonderful happens – he meets a brave young librarian. Ann Malaspina’s moving story and Colin Bootman’s rich paintings evoke the troubles and triumphs of days not long past. Includes a note on the history of racial segregation in public libraries, a brief history of Abraham Lincoln’s life, and an “If You Want to Read More” listing.

My Review: Click on the above link to YouTube to get a good idea about this book.  I saw it online and thought it would make a good transition from Black History to Presidents’ Day and I was right.  My class (2nd grade) and I enjoyed this book, and I cried as I read it although it ends with a cliffhanger.  We love the librarian who goes out on a limb for the book-loving Louis, but the whole problem is not resolved in this book – which is very real to life.  Thank goodness we are well past legal segregation as these books can be upsetting.  A great addition to the library of Black history and Presidents Day!

Enter the magical festive world of the Christmas ‘Tree-Dwellers’, as Larry, a Christmas snowman, wakes up after the long sleep in the Christmas box, to find his brother is missing.
Desperate to find him before Christmas, Larry, along with his girlfriend Debbie, a newcomer Splint, and Larry’s companion Tinsel, break the laws of the ‘Tree-Elders’ and escape down the tree and away into the house, to look for clues.
Away from the safety of the tree and in an unfamiliar world, the Dwellers stumble upon a dark and sinister secret that threatens their entire world. Can Larry and the group make it back to the tree in time to warn the others, and finally uncover the truth behind the ‘Secrets of a Christmas Box’?

My Review: This is a fun book with a different slant – Christmas ornaments that come alive.  I enjoyed reading this book and I am pretty sure that children will like it as well.  When I think that there are no more areas of Christmas to explore, a new book comes out which blows away that theory.  This is a book like that.  Christmas ornaments come alive, some ornaments are missing from last year, and new ones join the group.  Everything stems from the “Christmas Box” in which the ornaments are stored by “the family.”  The ornaments have names and are totally personified.  Some of the ornaments have a mystery to solve which easily engages the reader.  We don’t know who to trust.  I see a children’s Christmas movie based on this book in the future – a very fun new holiday read!

Product Description

“On the first day of Halloween my good friend gave to me: a vulture in a dead tree.”

Children will love to sing along!

Everyone knows “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” but are you ready for The Thirteen Days of Halloween? In this delightfully offbeat story, a dashing ghoul tries to win his ghostly love’s heart with heaps of hilarious gifts ranging from broomsticks and bats to cauldrons and cats! Carol Greene’s lively verse is perfectly complemented by Tim Raglin’s enchantingly erie illustrations. Children of all ages will love to sing along. The result is a frightfully funny Halloween tale you’ll never forget.

Carol Greene wrote her first poem when she was six years old (it was about a spider). To date she has published over a hundred books for children. Carol also likes to read, sing, and make teddy bears. She lives in Webster Groves, Missouri, with her cat Dulcie.

Tim Raglin brings his wacky imagination and wonderfully odd cast of characters to The Thirteen Days of Halloween. His previous books include Five Funny Fights, Pecos Bill, and The Birthday ABC. He received a silver medal from the New York Society of Illustrators for his book Uncle Mugsy & the Terrible Twins of Christmas. Mr. Raglin lives in his hometown of Independence, Kansas.

My Review: My second grade class had a blast with this book!  It is always a good sign when I put this book in the front of the room for them to look at after I read it and they race up to see who can get to it first during free time!  The children love the words, they love the illustrations, and they love singing it!  The illustrations are great and they support the text well.  The Thirteen Days of Halloween is a very fun Halloween read!

Product Description
Wenda the Wacky Wiggler is a delightful story about a unique little girl who is always dancing and wiggling with joy. But when the gloomy townfolk take away all the music, she finds herself slumped to the ground in despair. To the towns surprise it is in the silence that Wenda realizes her love and joy come from inside! Wenda the Wacky Wiggler is an inspiring little tale reminding us of our individual expression of wisdom and love. 

About the Author
Award winning author Christopher Alsan brings us the second book of his inspirational and touching picture book series. He shares universal themes of love and wisdom that both parents and kids can enjoy. He continues to contemplate his navel and share his unique expression through writing, directing, and designing. His passion for storytelling extends into the world of screenplays, TV, and animation.

My Review:  Girls and boys who have trouble sitting still will especially enjoy this book.  When the music is taken away and Wenda can no longer dance, she makes her own music in her head.  Many children can relate to this.  Children’s bodies seem to need to MOVE.  It is hard for many to sit still.  This book takes that a step further and encourages children to be who they are and develop their talents.  It encourages children to be joyful.  I enjoyed this book and I know children will enjoy it also.  I would recommend “Wenda…” for preschoolers through third grade.

No! Never! is a delightful children’s book about Daisy the Dalmatian.  She doesn’t want to eat her veggies, clean her room, take a bath, do her homework or any other chore.  She is adament about this until her mother explains that she won’t reach any of her other goals until she completes the goals of taking care of herself.

My Review:  While reading this book all I could think about was ways I could use in it my second grade classroom.  First of all, it is great for teaching making and reaching goals.  I also thought it would be great for teaching quotation marks, which is one of our standards.  They are used throughout the book, as it is written in conversational style.  I always enjoy books by Sally O. Lee.  I wish they were Accelerated Reader leveled, but nonetheless they make great read alouds and discussion starters in my classroom.  The illustrations and stories are just plain sweet and kid-friendly.  This will also be great for my 8 year old, 6 year old and 3 year old granddaughters!  Children love dogs!  They make great main characters!  I recommend this book!

Product Description
Breathtaking and wise, Abigail Elliot and the Dollhouse Family by author Barbara Bliss is a celebration of the heart and of the family. A literary debut that truly exhibits the ties that bind a mother to her child, this children’s fantasy fiction is a magical, whirlwind tale of one little girl’s lively imagination. When Abigail Elliot is forced to endure the absence of her mother, she learns that the truly tender heart holds a flame for those it loves. With a lyric, at times piercing prose, the author crafts an affectionate world where a family that resides in a dollhouse soothes and lulls young Abigail to sleep at night with fond stories of her mother. Written for young readers, this book will not only intrigue, it will ignite an interest in history, genealogy, and the magical places of the heart. 

About the Author
As a teen, Barbara Bliss began a career in opera and cabaret. She has sung with the symphony orchestra in Barcelona, Spain and Washington DC, the New Jersey State Opera, and Alice Tully Hall. She began teaching voice twenty-five years ago and continues to teach, sing, and write every day.

My review: This book actually made me cry.  I don’t think my 8 year old granddaughter is quite ready for it, but maybe in a couple more years she will love it as I did.  The book’s setting is in New York City in the 1940s.  I love reading books from that time era.  The book is sweet, old-fashioned, and treats mental illness in a dignified manner.  The fantasy is sweet, the characters are respectable and likable, and the story is engaging.  Parts of the story contain mystery and childish antics.  The story is clean and well written.  Abigail Elliot and the Dollhouse Family would make a GREAT children’s movie!

I love the premise of these books.  The idea of reading a book and figuring out clues by yourself and decoding secret messages is awesome and will appeal to most children, especially bright children.  However, I got a little bit bogged down in the writing.  I am not one for a lot of detail and these books seem to contain that.  I tend to get lost in the explanations and start to lose the story.  That is my reading style, however, I know that others thrive on lots of detail and explanation.  The characters are interesting – two children and their granny.  The parents solve mysteries as well.  I would recommend these books for older children.  My eight year old granddaughter, who is a very fluent and advanced reader found these books difficult, so maybe fifth and sixth graders would be the right age group.  Keep the mysteries for children coming – we could use more Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys for this new generation.  These books address that need.

From Back Cover:

In Violet’s sleepy Southern Town, alligators lurk, lightning strikes, and change is just around the corner.  Eleven-year-old Violet Raines likes things just the way they are in her backwoods town of Mitchell Hammock, Florida.  She loves going to the fish fry with her best friend, Lottie, collecting Brain Freeze cups with her good friend Eddie, and watching lightning storms on a warm summer day.  But when Melissa moves to town from big city Detroit, she brings with her makeup and Truth or Dare and talk of boys.  It’ll take the help of Violet’s friends, her mama, a few run-ins with lightning, and maybe even melissa, for Violet to realize that growing up doesn’t have to mean changing who you are.

My Review:

On the back cover, this book is recommended for ages 8 to 12.  I am enjoying this book, but I can’t imagine the eight-year old girls I teach would even begin to comprehend it.  I would recommend this book for girls no younger than 10 through maybe 13 or 14 years old.

As a grandma, it reminds me a great deal of my childhood.  In my neighborhood I had a best friend, and we were all set  another girl moved in.  Three girls don’t work very well as Violet finds out when Melissa move in and threatens her best friendship with Lottie.  There will be jealousy in most cases and that’s what is happening in this story.  Some girls want to grow up quickly and become teenagers and others still want to play outside.  Children from cities differ from children in the country in their interests and behavior.

This story deals with growing up, emotions, and relationships.  I love the southern flavor and homey writing.  The characters remind me of my friends and I growing up.  They are real and honest, naive and experienced.  I recommend this book for middle schoolers especially, but even as an adult I am enjoying it!  I look forward to more Violet in the future!