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!

Product Description
Out in space, on the other side of the sun, is the Planet Of The Dogs. Dogs have always lived there in peace and happiness. One day many years ago, the council of the elder dogs learned that there were problems on Earth, the Planet of the People. Many people had forgotten how to love and had become mean and greedy. The good people of Green Valley were threatened by the warrior tribes of Stone City. The council realized that they needed help. This is the story of the first time dogs came to planet earth to teach people about love and to bring peace to Green Valley.

My Review: This is a sweet book for children who are animal lovers (which includes most of them).  It is a story of how dogs came to our planet from the Planet of Dogs.  It is a book which very much praises dogs – their ability to love us unconditionally, protect us, and enjoy being around us.  It highlights dogs’ innate intelligence.  The book is intense at times, but the dogs are definitely the heroes.  Boys and girls alike would like this book because it is about a family.  The age of interest for this book I would put at 8-11 years.  It would make a great read aloud for family and/or classroom.

Watch Horrid Henry on YouTube

Synopsis

Henry is dragged to dancing class against his will; vies with Moody Margaret to make the yuckiest Glop; goes camping; and tries to be good like Perfect Peter – but not for long.

Annotation

Horrible Henry causes his brother Perfect Peter all sorts of problems when he behaves properly for a change, upstages Peter at a dance recital, plays pirates, and goes on a camping trip.

My Review: The main characters in this book series are Horrid Henry, Perfect Peter, and Moody Margaret.  This is a very fun book.  Horrid Henry is the character most boys and girls would love to be, but do not quite have the nerve.  He thrives on being naughty.  Perfect Peter on the other hand is how most children actually behave. Ah, Perfect Peter, the darling of his parents.  He never does anything wrong.  Horrid Henry can only be good for so long, then the mischief begins.  Henry’s antics on the family camping trip are unforgettable!  My second grade class loves Horrid Henry.  They laughed out loud as I read his many adventures.  This is a great book for boys, who in my opinion need more easy chapter books. Girls can relate as well. The Accelerated Reading level is 3.3 (third grade, third month) which is perfect for many of my second grade students.  I already have several who want to read this book on their own.  I am very glad to have these books as a part of my classroom library, and I recommend them for those boys who have a hard time finding something they can relate to in books.  Captain Underpants, Horrible Harry, and Junie B. Jones fans will love these books.  I recommend these books for children ages 5-9.  There are several books in the series with more to come, and I can’t wait to read them all!

GIVEAWAY!! Sourcebooks has generously allowed us to give away up to 5 Horrid Henry chapbooks (called Horrid Henry’s Dance Class! To enter, leave a comment and tell us about the worst childhood prank you’ve seen…or done yourself! To be eligible, you must leave a valid email address and have a United States or Canadian mailing address. We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

The Easter Egg Haunt by Mike Thaler

Product Description
Join the Easter egg hunt with a skeptical young boy as he questions the tradition of eggs and bunnies, and finds out the true purpose of our Easter celebration. With humor and love for the church, the creators of the Black Lagoon series show readers what Easter is really all about. 

From the Back Cover
With hilarious stories and nutty pictures, the Tales from the Back Pew series offers kid’s a unique view of church. Enjoy plenty of giggles with your child—and learn fun, important truths about God, church, and the Bible.
It’s Easter. Will the Easter bunny be ten feet tall? Will it really lay eggs? I hope they’re not scrambled! 

My Review: This is a GREAT new series.  The pattern is similar to The Black Lagoon Series, so I know children will love it!  I love the fact that this author is now writing to a distinctly Christian audience.  The illustrations as always are great.  These books capture fears of children in a funny and extreme way.  As far as I know there are three other books in the series.  I have pictured those books below.