No comments about Memorial Day (Rookie Read-About Holidays).

No comments about Miffy's Happy New Year!.

1 comments about The Wedding.

1. This book allows the reader to experience all the preparations of a wedding through the eyes of a child. Additionally, we are able to see how Daisy evolves from the excitement of the wedding planning to sadness, once realizing her sister is leaving. The illustrator does an excellent job of capturing her emotions!

2 comments about There is a Town (Step-Into-Reading, Step 1).

1. The new Early Step into Reading books are terrific. With only a few simple words, they convey an entire story. I especially liked THERE IS A TOWN. It starts off with a town and narrows it's focus down to a street, a house, etc. then starts over inside a dollhouse and goes in the reverse. I thought my niece would especially like it.



2. I borrowed this book from the library for my 2 yr old son and he didn't want to return it. So I bought it. Previously he had been reading the typical board books, which invite some imagination but not like this one. The detailed illustrations in this book are great (best in hardcover), and my son tells all sorts of mini stories as he studies them. The actual story that goes along with the illustrations is very simple and includes the sort of predictability and repetition that is great for beginning readers. Highly recommended.

5 comments about Groundhog Gets a Say.

1. In Pam Swallow's delightful picture book, charmingly illustrated by the amazingly talented Denise Brunkus, the lowly groundhog hog finally gets his say. With wit and humor, author and artist present a tale of this much maligned creature. Who would have known that ground hogs whistle, can move about seven hundred pounds of dirt in a day and have their own indoor plumbing? It's fascinating. Kids, parents, and teachers will love this book. After reading it, I agree with the groundhog - he/she deserves not just a day of recognition, but a month. A year!



2. 
   It's February 3rd and Groundhog is fed up: yesterday he was hot news; today he is nothing. He's tired of one-day fame, and he's determined to promote Groundhog Appreciation Month! Denise Brunkus provides the funny drawings as Groundhog displays his many talents other than weather prediction.



3. This is a real winner - and a nice change from the typical Groundhog stories you find this time of year. Groundhog is smart, funny and gives a lot of neat information about groundhogs to curious young readers. I will be adding this book to my first grade read-aloud list for early February from now on. And did I mention that the illustrations are terrific too!



4. It's February 3rd, and Groundhog is feeling genuinely unappreciated. People pay attention to him for only one day a year, and he has so much more to offer! He tells his story to the readers and to an on-the-page audience of three: a crow, a squirrel, and a young groundhog who's a reporter and a fan. Groundhog covers the topics of alternate names (whistle pig, woodchuck), his rodent classification, digging prowess, eating habits, and hibernation. The young groundhog takes notes and photos as Groundhog pontificates. Initially skeptical, the crow and squirrel are gradually won over, convinced that Groundhog's not so bad after all. By the last page -- even the front and rear end papers are part of the story -- we see that the young groundhog has written this very book in our hands, as a way to promote his idol. "Groundhog Gets a Say" isn't quite about Groundhog Day, but it's still a great supplement to the holiday genre, with many asides and tidbits to point out on every page.



5. I am an elementary school librarian. I used this book in a lesson on Groundhog Day. The story does an excellent job of weaving lots of facts into a cute story. The kids (and I) learned many facts about groundhogs. However, I found this story to be a little too complicated for kindergarten and first grade. The book includes so much non-fiction alongside the 120-year-old folktale about a marmot predicting the weather that little kids have trouble sorting out what's real and what's not. I was afraid that they'd come to school in shorts when Phil didn't see his shadow.
   This is a fantastic story to use with 2nd grade and beyond, but I recommend something less complex (like Pat Miller's Substitute Groundhog) for younger kids.

1 comments about Earth Day (Rookie Read-About Holidays).

1. EARTH DAY (Rookie Read-About Holidays)is a book ideal for children up to age 3. It's describes perfectly the importance of caring for the Earth. The charming photos clearly tell the story or message. And the book is inexpensive enough to use as a distribution in a classroom or youth group.

1 comments about Miko: Double Birthday (Miko).

1. In "Double Birthday!" Miko is excited about receiving presents, but wonders about his friend Mimiki. (Mimiki is apparently a stuffed mouse, but he's real to Miko.) He learns that Mimiki's birthday is the same day that his is and decides he wants to share his presents with Mimiki. He tries to give him a present, but each one has problems --- for example, he offers Mimiki a cassette recorder, but Mimiki just sits there, "too embarrassed to sing." Eventually, Miko realizes a great way in which he can share with hsi friend.
   
   Each page is softly and warmly illustrated. The story is simple but interesting and fun and teaches a nice lesson. The "Miko" series doesn't seem to have caught on greatly yet, but this German import is a true gem.

No comments about Angelina's Island.

No comments about Handy Manny: Sinko de Mayo (Disney Handy Manny).

1 comments about Awakening the Dragon: The Dragon Boat Festival.

1. This is the story of the cultural and historical origins of the dragon boat festival celebrated in China and by the Chinese around the world. Dragon boats represent the effort of villagers to protect the spirit of one of the emperor's advisors who drowned himself in the river. Many other legends accompany this festival, including the story of a nightmare from an emperor in the 700's who dreamed of a ghost. This book provides a nice overview of the legends and customs from the past and the celebrations today of this exciting festival time.