Book Review: We Are Growing!

WE ARE GROWING! by Laurie Keller is a hilarious beginning reader about a patch of grass.

As a group of grass, weeds, and insect characters discuss their growth, they’re unaware that a mower is about to change their lives.

Librarians will find that children immediately relate to the goofy characters and situation. Teachers will enjoy the fun word play and possibilities for vocabulary connections. In addition, this book is the 2017 winner of the Theodor Seuss Geisel award.

To learn more about Mo Willems, go to http://www.mowillems.com/
To learn more about Laurie Keller, go to http://www.lauriekeller.com/

Published by Disney-Hyperion, an imprint of Hachette on September 20, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: The Cookie Fiasco

THE COOKIE FIASCO by Dan Santat is the latest addition to the Elephant & Piggie Like Reading! collection.

In this humorous story, four animal friends need to figure out how to share three cookies. Children will enjoy the banter among character and the ultimate, math-based solution.

Librarians will find this beginning reader to be a popular addition to the Elephant & Piggie collections. The combination of the animal characters and cookie theme provides for lots of thematic classroom connections. The addition of the mathematics element is a wonderful bonus with lots potential for activity extensions.

To learn more about Mo Willems, go to http://www.mowillems.com/.
To learn more about Dan Santat, go to http://www.dantat.com.

Published by Disney-Hyperion, an imprint of Hachette. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: LEGO ADVENTURE Nonfiction series

A LEGO ADVENTURE IN THE REAL WORLD series by Scholastic are adventures exploring topics such as history, science, and nature.

These short works of nonfiction feature LEGO minifigure character explorers. In addition to providing factual information about the setting, the books also provide LEGO building ideas and tips. Each book includes photos, LEGO drawings, and other color illustrations. Lots of speech bubbles and sidebar are sure to keep young readers interested.

DINO SAFARI and DEEP DIVE are two new Level 2 reader adventures. These thirty-two page books contain short chapters featuring fascinating facts. They conclude with LEGO building ideas, a vocabulary list, and index.

PLANETS and KNIGHTS & CASTLES are designed for fluent readers. These sixty-four page books contain short chapters with detailed information. The book concludes with a glossary and index.

Librarians will find titles available for both beginning readers as well as fluent readers, so children have options as they grow as readers. The LEGO minfigure adventures are sure to ignite the imagination of young builders. Create a LEGO display in the library’s makerspace featuring building ideas along with the books.

Librarians should be aware that the beginner readers titles include 30 stickers.

Published by Scholastic June 28, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Follow Me! Animal Parents and Babies

FOLLOW ME! ANIMAL PARENTS AND BABIES by Shira Evans is part of the National Geographic Kids Super Reader series.

This series includes books for pre-readers through fluent readers. This Level 1: Co-reader book is intended for parents, adults, or older children to read with younger children. An icon indicates what “you read” and what “I read”. Chapters focus on finding food, movement, habitat, and using tools. At the end of each chapter, readers are given a task to think about or a problem to solve.

Librarians know that animal babies books are always popular. What makes this book particularly useful is the collaborative reading option. Consider using this book and other Level 1 co-reader books as part of a school-wide buddy reading program where older children read with younger children.

Published by National Geographic on March 1, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.