Book Review: On Bird Hill

ON BIRD HILL by Jane Yolen is an imaginative picture book taking readers on a walk through a fantasy landscape.

The endearing story follows a child and his dog as they stroll through a valley and zoom into the natural world. Loosely based on a century-old nursery rhyme, Jane Yolen has created an enchanting world for today’s children to explore. Bob Marstall’s illustrations bring the story’s surreal landscape to life with intriguing plants, animals, and human elements.

Librarians will find Yolen’s lyrical prose to be useful in storytelling activities. The whimsical, imaginary world sets the stage for a wide range of classroom activities. While some teachers may see opportunities for children to create their own imaginary worlds, others may see chances to talk about local plants and animals.

Learn more about the author at http://janeyolen.com/.
Learn more about the illustrator at http://bobmarstall.com/. Download a free teacher’s guide.

Published by Cornell Lab Publishing Group on May 10, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: The Mechanical Mind of John Coggin

THE MECHANICAL MIND OF JOHN COGGIN by Elinor Teele is a whimsical, middle grade fantasy adventure about siblings who runaway from their cruel aunt and the family coffin business.

John is a young inventor who dreams of something more than working for the family funeral business. Together with his sister, they run away from home and try to evade their mean aunt who is always just one step behind them. Along the way, the siblings meet an array of fascinating characters including a circus troupe.

Librarians will find that readers enjoy the mix of quirky humor and daring escapes. Fans of the turn-of-the-twentieth century time period and steampunk-like environments will also enjoy the adventure. John Coggin’s talent for engineering will be a draw for budding inventors.

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

Published by Walden Pond Press, an imprint of HarperCollins. ARC courtesy of the publisher.