No comments about Carlos and the Carnival/Carlos y la feria (Bilingual).

1 comments about Mommy and Me by Ourselves Again.

1. This is a tender story of a girl's Mother who broke up with a boyfriend. He had given her a charm bracelet and promised her a charm each year, and now the relationship is over.The little girl's heart is broken and she is sure that she will never love or trust anyone again. At her surprise birthday party, her Mother's extended family all gave her an individual charm with the reassurance that they would never leave her.

2 comments about I Am a Flower Girl (All Aboard Books).

1. The photos are darling and the concept is cute, but it said for ages 4-8 and the child shown is very young. Don't think it will work for an 8 year old. Also, they show the flower girl doing things like balancing spoons on her nose at the reception and complaining about an itchy dress -- not exactly things you want to encourage.



2. This is a very cute story. I think the photographs are wonderful too - they seem so real, and the little girl so natural. She is also a beautiful child - the kind you might really know. The story involves the entire family which is a nice thing for children to see - their place in the wedding reflecting their place in the family.This book makes me wish I had a clothing store specializing in wedding and bridal party dresses or childrens dress clothes. I would display a copy for customers amusement.

2 comments about Chicken Soup for Little Souls The Never-Forgotten Doll (Chicken Soup for Little Souls).

1. Call me sentimental, but there's something to this story that tugs at your heart strings every time you read it. And I've read this at least a dozen times.

   The story tells of the relationship between Ellie and her sitter Miss Maggie and of the very special birthday gift that Ellie gets for Maggie out of "pure love."

   The illustrations are quite beautiful and complement the story very well. A tender story creates a tender heart. This is the best book in the Chicken Soup for Little Souls' series.




2. I liked this book because it is a good story of a girl who visits her neighbor who is old and lonely. This lady (Miss Maggie) tells a story to the little girl who visits her (Ellie) about a doll that she had when she was a girl. For her Eighth Birthday she got a doll with big blue eyes. She laid her doll on the hallway table. Then when they heard a crash. It was the doll. Her Birthday was coming up and they bought a present for her. What happened to the doll? To find out what happens next read this book.

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

2 comments about The Greentail Mouse.

1. In a take on the town mouse and the country mouse, Leonni tells the tale of happy forest mice who try to recreate a Mardi Gras celebration of their own, after hearing about it from a city mouse. This fable is, as always beautifully illustrated; although this time, there are no torn-paper mice, but, as my seven-year-old noticed, "really painted" pictures. However, we never find out why the mouse`s tail stays green -- as a reminder, perhaps of the dangers of trying to be what you are not? A little too ambiguous, maybe. Not as captivating as so many of his other stories. Save your money and borrow this from the library.



2. I disagree with the first review...it is precisely the ambiguity of this tale that makes it so delightful and so easy to turn to again and again as we try to puzzle it out. I'm not sure we're meant to "know" everything, or would want to. The mystery, and ambiguity, of lived experience is the most "real" thing of all--and children get that. My students and I still haven't figured out The Greentail Mouse and we still enjoy trying.

4 comments about Rocko and Spanky Go to a Party (Rocko and Spanky).

1. Rocko and Spanky are a couple of sock monkeys-twins, actually. They've been invited to a birthday party so they hop on their yellow motorcycle and zoom on down to the Gift-o-Rama to pick up the perfect gift. Rocko wants to buy something fast, flashy, and fun. Spanky prefers something a bit more glamorous. They finally settle on the perfect compromise: socks. (Which look suspiciously like themselves.) "Socks are so practical," says Spanky. "And SO us," says Rocko.

   After deciding what to wear, they arrive to find the party is actually for them. They'd forgotten their own birthdays! Thanks to their friends, they are able to celebrate their special day in style.

   The text includes a double-page spread titled "Rocko and Spanky's Wrapper's Delight." Here the pair demonstrate how to wrap presents the Rocko and Spanky way.

   This buoyant, fast-paced tale was an instant hit with the first graders to whom we read it. The cartoon illustrations are done in a 50s retro style, complete with period details such as poodle prints, coconut monkeys, and the ever-present pink and green.

   A deliciously fun retro-read. Who knew a couple of sock monkeys could be so hip? Highly recommended.

   Artist's Discalimer: "No socks, monkeys, or sock monkeys were harmed during the making of this book. Honest."

   Reviewed by the Education Oasis Staff.




2. This is the story of 2 sock monkey. They are invited to a party! Join them as they get ready for it. The pictures are just too cute!

   Even a craft idea is included!




3. I stumbled upon this in my local bookstore BookPeople, and I just loved it. Very cute!



4. ROCKO AND SPANKY GO TO A PARTY is a nice book cleverly illustrated by Jenna LaReau and written by Kara LaReau. The two animals are drawn with verve and their adventures transpire in a blaze of green and pink 50's inspired decor, though they have a hip-hop twist to their vocabulary speak which appeals to the young. I tried this book out with four kids of different races and all enjoyed watching the sock monkeys cavort to their own party; even the one little girl who spoke no English at all, laughed out loud at the two monkeys, Rocko and Spanky, hugging each other as tightly as they could, perhaps reminding the little girl of her childhood in Cambodia.
   
   Kara LaReau should receive the Newbery Award for her work on this book. Farfetched? Not when you consider she was instrumental in securing a Newbery award for BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE. Her little creations have all the appeal of Curious George PLUS the animals of BABAR, lacking only the unique charm of the first and the majesty of the second. The Newbery, in case we forget, went to Hugh Lofting the Dr Doolittle author, so it is not out of the range of possibility to suggest that Rocko and Spanky deserve it too. And if the author gets an award, I vote also that we give one to sister Jenna, whose illustrations prove one more time the truth of the old adage, that you can throw everything but the kitchen sink into your drawings, but if there isn't heart there, than you have nothing. And she has heart to burn!
   
   Check out the drawings of Rocko on skates or behind the wheel of his miniature Vespa. He's an excitable boy! Stand clear, here comes Rocko. In the meantime, his quieter twin Spanky looks at you with those big soft eyes and you melt a little, even a hard hearted old grownup like myself. Looking forward to the next adventures of these two. If Curious George could have fifteen books, why not thirty for Rocko and Spanky?

1 comments about The Story of Saint Patrick's Day.

1. We have several of the books in this series and have enjoyed them all, until now. The Story of St. Patrick is choppy and does not give a final thought about God's love. I highly recommend The Story of ... Jesus, Noah, Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter, but the St. Patrick's day book is more of a novelty.

1 comments about Moon Festival.

1. I bought this book when my daughter had just turned two and we lived in San Francisco. We had gone to the annual fair in Chinatown in San francisco and found it to be less than expected. The street that had traditional Chinese activities on it was fun, but the rest was very boring. On our way home we bought this book and it's been well loved ever since. She's five now and she still loves to look at the pictures and have it read to her. The story is well told, and I can't imagine this book without the illustrations that accompany it.

No comments about The Night Before St. Patrick's Day (Reading Railroad).