Book Review: Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion

LITTLE RED AND THE VERY HUNGRY LION by Alex T. Smith is an adorable and sometimes hilarious picture book retelling of a classic fairy tale.

This fractured fairytale based on Little Red Riding Hood tells that story of a young African American girl and her encounter with a lion while on the way to her Auntie’s house. Although the lion has a sinister plan, Little Red has other ideas.

Children of all ages will enjoy the whimsical illustrations and engaging text.

Librarians will find this humorous fairy tale popular with young children. However, it will also be of interest to older youth exploring fractured fairytales as part of a language arts unit. Children will enjoy comparing this adaptation with other versions they’ve read.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.alextsmith.com/.

Published by Scholastic on July 26, 2016. ARC courtesy of the published.

Book Review: Clover's Luck

THE MAGICAL ANIMAL ADOPTION AGENCY is an adorable new series by Kallie George. The first book titled CLOVER’S LUCK sets the stage for the series by introducing an unlucky girl named Clover who stumbles into a summer volunteer position at an animal adoption agency. However her job isn’t to match cute puppies with new owners. From unicorns to dragons, the animals in her care are all magical and the potential owners are princesses, witches, and wizards.

This enchanting fantasy series will appeal to a broad range of independent readers who enjoy fairy tales and magical creatures. The writing includes a nice balance of description and dialogue perfect for the target audience. The very short chapters and fast-moving story will keep young readers interested.

Readers will be lining up at school and public libraries to check out Clover’s Luck. This charming series will be particularly popular with children who are seeking a gentle story with only brief glimpses of the scary side of fantasy.

Be sure to download the teacher’s guide at http://www.magicalanimaladoptionagency.com/…/Clovers_Luck_t….

Readers will enjoy exploring the series website at http://www.magicalanimaladoptionagency.com/.

Published by Disney-Hyperion. Publisher ARC used for review.

Book Review: Beastkeeper

BEASTKEEPER by Cat Hellisen is an engaging fantasy featuring a magical forest, spooky castle, creepy grandparents, and furry beasts.

When her parents split up, Sarah uncovers family secrets that propel her into a frightening world of magic and curses. Readers will see a connection to the original Beauty and the Beast story, but this mesmerizing tale is much more than a simple fairy tale. Twists and turns will keep readers wondering what will happen next.

Skillfully told by South African author Cat Hellisen, this interesting take on a classic fairy tale effectively bridges middle grade and young teen reader categories. The work contains beautiful descriptions immersing readers into a world where a castle and enchanted forest seem natural. Hellisen’s contemporary fantasy world feels just outside the realm of possibility, but close enough to make the story seem real.

Students who enjoy folklore and fairytales will be drawn to both the characters and the storyline. With a hint of romance and enough intrigue to keep readers interested, the book will be a quick, popular read.

To learn more about this author, explore her website at http://www.cathellisen.com/.

Published by Henry Holt on February 3, 2015. Reviewing through Edelweiss ARC.

App Review: Storybooks from Nosy Crow

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK, LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD, CINDERELLA, and THE THREE LITTLE PIGS are just three of the amazing, interactive storybook apps available from publisher Nosy Crow.

Each of these award-winning apps contains an age-appropriate version of the classic children’s story along with visually stunning illustrations. Text-highlighting supports emerging readers.

The animation, music, and interactive elements contribute to understanding of the story rather than distracting from the plot. The open-reading environment incorporates a game where readers work their way through onscreen tasks such as collecting treasure as they read the non-linear narrative. This approach is particularly effective with reluctant readers.

Look for others in this series coming soon. SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARVES is currently under development.

To explore the apps, go to http://nosycrow.com/apps/.