Book Review: Night of the Living Worms

NIGHT OF THE LIVING WORMS by Dave Coverly is the first book in the new Speed Bump & Slingshot Misadventures series.

With potty humor and endless puns, this wacky new series will keep chapter book readers howling. Speed Bump never gets up early enough to get the worm. However one day, Speed Bump along with his sidekick Slingshot decide to get up before dawn. The pair soon discover that the worms have something awful planned for Speed Bump’s brother Early Bird. Our heroes save the day, but their reward doesn’t turn out to be the treat Speed Bump expected.

The book’s combination of sketches, speech bubbles, and attractively displayed text will drawn in young readers.

While some of the jokes may be missed by younger children, librarians will find that the wacky illustrations and silly story will appeal to the target audience. Add this to the library’s collection of humorous chapter books for the primary grades.

Learn more about the author at http://www.speedbump.com/.

Published by Christy Ottaviano Books from Henry Holt, an imprint of Macmillan on October 20, 2015. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: I Used to be Afraid

I USED TO BE AFRAID by Laura Vaccaro Seeger is a powerful picture book exploring common fears of children.

The short book tells the story of a young girl who overcomes her fears. The brightly colored, two-page spreads introduce a fear such as spiders or being alone followed by a statement about overcoming the fear. The die cut illustrations will appeal to young readers.

Librarians will find this to be a popular book in the primary grades. Suggest the books to teachers as a read-aloud to stimulate writing and drawing activities related to emotions and feelings. Pair this book with others about common fears. Also, consider a display featuring books by Laura Vaccaro and a makerspace illustration station.

Learn more about the author/illustration at http://www.studiolvs.com/.

Published by Roaring Brook Press an imprint of MacMillan. ARC from publisher.

Book Review: Fright Club

FRIGHT CLUB by Ethan Long is an adorable picture book perfect for the Halloween season.

When Vladimir vampire calls a meeting of the Fright Club, he didn’t expect a cute little bunny to show up. When the club rejects the rabbit, the bunny enlists the help of his friends and a lawyer to convince Fright Club members that they can be scary and have a lot to contribute to their club. Themes related to stereotypes and inclusion make this more than the standard Halloween story.

The spooky illustrations contain just the right balance of humor and horror for young readers. The black text on the dark background can be a little difficult to read. Otherwise librarians will find this picture book popular as a Halloween read-aloud.

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

Published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books on August 11, 2015. Review copy courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: I'm New Here

I’M NEW HERE by Anne Sibley O’Brien is a touching picture book following three immigrant children adapting to their new American school.

When Maria, Jin, and Fatimah first arrive in their new school, they’re shy, apprehensive, and confused. However as they observe their peers and begin to participate in classroom activities, they slowing gain confidence.

The colorful, realistic illustrations along with the simple sentences and speech bubbles are perfect for the primary grades.

Librarians will find this book to be an excellent addition to their nonfiction collection focusing on diversity, multicultural issues, and the immigrant experience. Connect this book with social studies in the primary grades.

The author recommends a website called I’m Your Neighbor that promotes children’s literature featuring new arrivals. Go to http://www.imyourneighborbooks.org/.

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

Publish by Charlesbridge on August 4, 2015.