Grandpa Green

Title: Grandpa Green
Author/Illustrator: Lane Smith
Publisher: Roaring Books Press
Publication Date: August 30, 2011
Rating: 4 stars


"He was born a really long time ago..."

Grandpa Green, that is.  The narrator is a young boy frolicking through his grandfather's garden.  The bushes tell the story of grandpa's life, from his infancy through his marriage through the friendship he now shares with his grandson.  The illustrations are largely green (as the title suggests) and make you wish that you could visit a garden like that.  This garden would far surpass Callaway Gardens!

Positive elements: The boy honors his grandfather by telling his story.  Grandpa and Grandma are said to "never argue, at least to hear [grandpa] tell it." Grandpa sets aside his own desires and serves his country in the military.


Negative elements: On page 14, there is a bush statue of his grandparents meeting in France during the war.  I feel that the statue of the grandmother is a bit too curvaceous and defined for a children's book.

Grandpa Green is one boy's sweet tribute to his grandfather. As readers join him in his respect, they will remember different things about their grandparents and wish to talk about them. This would be a great book to read as a family!

What do you remember about your grandfather that endured you to him?

Amazing Animals: Elephants and Cheetahs

Title: Amazing Animals: Elephants
Author: Kate Riggs
Publisher: The Creative Company
Publication Date: April 15, 2011
Rating: 5 stars


This fairly new series of books explores many animals from the world in a way that even young readers will love.  Every few sentences is accompanied by a full-page picture.  Children learn how much the animals weigh, what they eat, where and how they live, who their predators are, and other basics.  There is also a short fable included in the back of the book about some aspect of the animal.  For example, in the elephant title, readers enjoy the Rudyard Kipling tale about how the elephant got his long nose.  Also included at the bottoms of the pages are definitions of big words. For example, in the Cheetahs books, there is a definition of cubs ("baby cheetahs").  Also, there is no discussion of origin, so parents need not worry about the ideas of creation vs. evolution that are presented within the book.

I look forward to seeing more of this series.

Title: Amazing Animals: Cheetahs
Author: Kate Riggs
Publisher: The Creative Company
Publication Date: April 15, 2011
Rating: 4 stars

Did you know that the oldest female elephants are the leaders of the herd? Or that a cheetah' tail is about 30 inches long?

I Had a Favorite Dress

Title: I Had a Favorite Dress
Author: Boni Ashburn
Illustrator: Julia Denos
Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: August 1, 2011
Rating: 4 stars

Every little girl has had a favorite dress that she outgrew.  And her mommy probably remembers the big fuss she made about it.

The narrator of this picture book had the same problem, but her mother had a solution.  The dress is too short?  We'll just make it a long shirt over jeans! Sleeves too tight? We'll make it a tank top! On and on it goes until there's virtually nothing left.  What will happen then?

Julia Denos' illustrations are highly textured and take on the look of a scrapbook. There's also plenty of pink!

Positive elements: The main character and her mother express much creativity.  Readers learn about accepting change with grace; such a small event in this little girl's life opens up the floor for a bigger discussion of handling life's inescapable disappointments. The book is full of alliteration and rhyming words, even though it is not a rhyming text.

Negative elements: There is one logical jump in the text. The girl can't wear the dress because it's too short; however, later, her mom makes a skirt out of it. This would have also been too short.

Little girls of all ages will love this book.  It is full of hope for the future and joy in the present.

What did your favorite now-outgrown dress look like?

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Mr. Sam: How Sam Walton Built Walmart and Became America's Richest Man

I've had a few parents asking me to review more non-fiction titles. While these are not my specialty nor my favorite, I am going to try to throw one in here and there. I read this title in Kindle edition (which, regrettably, does not allow me to include page numbers for anything mentioned below), but it is also available in hardcover.

Title: Mr. Sam: How Sam Walton Built Walmart and Became America's Richest Man
Author: Karen Blumenthal
Publisher: Viking Press
Publication Date: July 7, 2011

This is the story of Sam Walton, the man who started the business that makes $800,000 a minute.  But Sam wasn't always wealthy; when he was in grade school, he milked cows and sold magazines door-to-door to help his family survive during the Depression.

Starting off as a recent college graduate working for $75 dollars a week at J.C. Penny, Sam began to understand new things about business, such as the essence of discounting and selling in bulk.

After marrying Helen and serving state-side during WWII, Sam Walton bought a small five-and-dime store in a small town.  Even in the face of adversity, Sam did not ever give up. He would one day own both Walmart and Sam's Club and be known worldwide.

Positive Elements: Throughout the book, readers see Mr. Walton being a leader in various ways, from his high school football team to his family to his business efforts.  Sam wisely listens to others' advice and concerns, including his wife, Helen, and his father-in-law. Helen is presented as a wonderful mother.  Sam Walton teaches his children to be frugal at early ages. Sam hired black workers even when it was not popular in the 1950s and 60s and others mocked him for it. Walton says of money, "It's paper, anyway. It was paper when we started, and it's paper afterward." Helen is quoted as saying, "It isn't what you gather in life; it's what you share that tells the kind of life you lived." Sam keeps his head high in the midst of fighting cancer.

Extra tidbits of information are strewn throughout the book in the form of short stories, such as how the shopping cart came to be and a brief biography of J.C. Penny. Pictures from Sam Walton's personal and corporate life are spread throughout the text. There are also "Our Money" charts that explain different concepts about money from the days of the Depression through today. For example, there is a graph of how money would have been spent on average in a typical family at the end of each chapter to show how spending has changed.

Negative Elements: In the first chapter, the author discusses what is important to Sam Walton.  She states, "Money might not be that meaningful to him, but winning certainly was."  While there is nothing wrong with winning, there is a large emphasis on this theme throughout the book, to the point where parents may wish to discuss how there are sometimes things that are more important.   At one point in order to win, Sam was paying his employees less than minimum wage.

Also, Sam Walton's home life growing up wasn't the best one, with his parents fighting constantly.  This isn't dwelt on within the book, just mentioned.

The word "damned" is included in a quote in the third chapter. "Ass" is used in chapter five. "Heck" is found in chapter six.

There is a quote of a sexual nature about selling women's lingerie in chapter four.

Parents may or may not agree with the political views expressed in the Epilogue when discussing the more recent lawsuits that Walmart has faced or causes to which they have donated money.

~ ~ ~

This book would be great as an addition to an economics course for a middle grade or high school student. In the book's conclusion, young people are encouraged to aspire to their own business pursuits and live frugally and selflessly no matter how much money they may acquire. 

How much do you know about the biggest company in the world and the man behind it?

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Sing, Dance, Shout: 30 Days of Praise

While I realize that not all of my followers consider themselves to be of the Christian faith, I have decided to expand my blog to cover some Christian books for my 2-12-year-old age range. Every few Sundays, I will post a review of a book that is Christian in nature for those parents who may be interested.

I am grateful to Doraine for the opportunity to review her newest children's devotional:

Title: Sing, Dance, Shout: 30 Days of Praise
Author: Doraine Bennett
Illustrator: Kim Shaw
Publisher: Christian Focus Publishing
Publication Date: July 11, 2011

This new devotional book will help your child discover what praise really is and get to know the incredible, awesome, ever-faithful God Who is worthy of our praise every single day.

In the first part of the book, readers form a basic definition of praise and understand what happens when they choose to praise.

In the second part, they build on that basic definition to cover ten different ways to praise, exploring ten different Hebrew words: Yadah (to throw up your hands), Halal (to boast), Gadal (to magnify), Towdah (to be thankful), Tehillah (to sing a new song), Zamar (to make music with instruments), Ruwa (to shout), Shabach (to commend), Barak(to bless),  and Raqad (to dance, skip and leap).

In the third section of the book, readers enjoy the stories of six different Bible characters including Hannah, Jehoshaphat, Daniel, the shepherds in Bethlehem, the healed Lame Man, and Paul. 

Section four covers the reasons that readers should praise their heavenly Father--because He is Awesome, because He loves them, because He chose them, because He created them, because He provides for them, because He rescues them, because He comforts them, and because He is faithful to them.  This section, especially, applies praise to the everyday life of children very effectively.

The fifth and final section discusses not only how we were made to praise but how the creation and angels offer up praise, as well. 

At the end of each day's reading, there are praise projects to try--everything from singing a hymn to walking around in creation praising Him for His marvelous wonders.

Most scripture quotations were taken from the NIV. Other versions included KJV, NKJV, ESV, and The Message.  There is not a ton of scripture reading that goes along with this book, as that day's Bible story is accurately re-told in the author's own words.  However, a scripture verse is always highlighted at the beginning of each day and serves as a springboard for the rest of the devotion.

Color-book-style illustrations make this text one that could be implemented in a Sunday School environment or used with younger readers if a parent reads the devotional aloud.

While the target age for this devotional is labeled as 4th-8th graders, I feel that Sing, Dance, Shout: 30 Days of Praise would be most enjoyed by readers in 3rd-6th grade. Although the older students could certainly learn something (I did!), many older students will want a little bit more depth in their Bible study. And although even 1st and 2nd grade students could enjoy this book, the word choice is a bit difficult at times for a child that age to read alone.

How will your child's view of God change after reading

Sing, Dance, Shout: 30 Days of Praise?

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I also received the products mentioned above for free in hopes that I would review it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Apple Pie ABC

Title: Apple Pie ABC
Author: Alison Murray
Publisher: Disney Hyperion Books
Publication Date: May 31, 2011


Although I am not generally a fan of ABC books, this one caught my eye because of my love for apple pie.

When an apple pie is hot and fresh out of the oven, one little pup is determined to:

Find a crumb of it,

Get a taste of it and 

Have a lick of it.

Progessing through the alphabet, author Alison Murray tells a story that makes you hungry, too.  Can this puppy get his paws on that wonderful smell?

The two letters that might require a little more explanation are O and P.  The pup Ogles and Pines for the apple pie.  These words are not typically a part of the vocabulary of a child who is learning their alphabet.  Q and X, two often-stretched letters in books like this one, were handled nicely. However, Z uses sleep as it's example, and I did personally dislike this.  

Other than these small issues, Apple Pie ABC is a delicious introduction to the alphabet.

Who makes your favorite apple pie?

The Roly-Poly Pudding

Title: The Tale of Samuel Whiskers or The Roly-Poly Pudding
Author: Beatrix Potter
Publisher: Amazon Digital
Price: $0.99



The Tale of Samuel Whiskers (better known as The Roly-Poly Pudding) has a lot to say about the consequences of disobedience.

When Thomas disobeys his mother, he finds himself in quite the predicament and puts his mother in a tizzy!  Unless he can escape, the rats are going to make him into roly-poly pudding!  How he wishes that he'd obeyed mother's bidding and stayed near her when she asked.


Positive elements: Beatrix Potter's lovely watercolor illustrations are spread throughout The Tale of Samuel Whiskers or The Roly-Poly Pudding and bring Mrs. Tabitha's search to life.  The text provides an opportunity for your children to learn a few new words such as "fender," "unruly," "wainscot," "queer," and "disarranged," as well as phrases like "give her leave," "be obliged," and "it was of no consequence."  The rats get justice in the end. Tom is rescued but not without learning some important lessons about obedience first.

Negative elements: There is one reference to the rats "taking snuff."

What is your favorite Beatrix Potter tale?

The Tale of Two Castles

The dragon stood on IT's back legs.  "I will return at the nine-o'clock bells tonight.  As soon as His Lordship's guests arrive, remain with him."  IT flapped IT's wings.  "Do not let him out of your sight.  Trust no one.  Keep him safe."
How could a girl keep an ogre safe?
IT circled above me.  "You can shout.  A person half your size can shout.  Act!"

In this new book from Gail Carson Levine (the author of the Newberry-Honor-winning Ella Enchanted), Elodie is on an unpredictable adventure. An assistant to a dragon, a spy in disguise, cupbearer for an ogre?  Only A Tale of Two Castles (from Harper Collins on May 10, 2011) can allow Elodie to do all of those.

Elodie wants to be a mansioner, but the master rejects her as an apprentice.  All alone in a foreign city, what will she do to survive?  This city of Two Castles is full to the rim with strange things, including a form-shifting ogre who changes into a crazy monkey or a mouse or a lion, trained cats that steal and stalk, and someone who keeps stealing and poisoning people.  Can Elodie discover who is in the wrong and who she can trust?

A Tale of Two Castles does an excellent job illustrating that a person's looks or prestige are not what makes them trustworthy, kind, or great.  Character is a matter of the heart.  Elodie also gives great insight into what it means to act a certain way versus to BE a certain way. Elodie also learns that it's not right to be quick to judge and throw blame on others; you must study facts and induce and deduce only from truth and common sense (younger readers may need a definition of the difference between these two words). Greed is troublesome and being a giver is joy-bearing.  The ending comes as a surprise but holds a lot of truth.  You have to stick with those who you know to be true, honorable, and warmhearted even if the less-noble way tries to draw you in. 

There was one negative element, which is why I'm giving this book a four out of five  Elodie's parents send her to Two Castles with instructions to apprentice herself to a weaver.  She decides that she will ignore them and run her own life.  While things end up that she would not have been able to apprentice as a weaver, after all, she still disrespects her parent's advice. Because you know that your twelve-year-olds are not really ready for life's decisions without wise counsel from adults, you might want to bring this up.  I would have preferred that she would have discussed this with her parents rather than just throw their advice to the wind as soon as she sets sail. 

A Tale of Two Castles was a great twist on the traditional princess/castle/dragon stories. It seemed to have a few more deep lessons and a lot of laughter.  When I laughed aloud within the first page, I knew I had a great book. This would be a great family read-aloud.

What will happen to the ogre if the village cats turn him into a mouse?  Can Elodie help him, escape from prison, and save the kingdom at the same time?

Octopus Soup

Apparently Mercer Mayer truly believes that "a picture is worth a thousand words."  Released on April 1, 2011 by Marshall Cavendish, Octopus Soup has no text, although a few words are placed throughout the pictures (on signs, etc.).  Not only is this a creative way to get younger writers to imagine their own storyline, but it creates a perfect book to read to little ones who are still more content flipping pages at their own pace rather the the story's pace.

In Octopus Soup, a young octopus leaves home and climbs up into a boat.  Then his real adventures begin.  Along the way, he learns that the law is the law, and truth will win. But he goes through some crazy experiences! Will he be able to get back in the ocean and back to his family before he gets turned into Octopus Soup?

The only negative element was minor, but I thought some parents might want to know about it.  A blimp floats by with the words "got gas?" I'm not a fan of potty humor and felt that this was poor choice on the part of the illustrator as there really was no connection to the blimp in the rest of the picture.  This one element could have just as easily been left out.

Otherwise, Octopus Soup is a unique book filled with humorous illustrations to spark your and your child's imagination (which is what this blog is all about!).

How will you tell the story of Octopus Soup?

Go, Dog. Go!

My grandmother's copy of Go, Dog. Go! is just about as tattered as the copy of  The Best Nest.  Also a new release from Random House Digital, Go, Dog. Go! by P.D. Eastman is a silly story that teaches colors, opposites, and the differing meaning of the various prepositions. 

Often full of nonsense (e.g. "A green dog on a yellow tree.") the story is full of language fit for beginning readers and opportunities for parents to use the text as a learning tool (asking for shapes and colors or the location of the preposition depending on the child's age).

Interspersed in the story, there is an ongoing silly conversation where one dog asks the other, "Do you like my hat?"  This was always my favorite part as a child because the hats get more and more elaborate as the dog tries to find one that will really impress the other.  Your children are sure to laugh, and in reading this book with children, I've found that this silly exchange gives children the break they need from concentrating on the opposites, etc. and keeps them interesting in pressing forward in their reading. 

The only negative element that Go, Dog. Go! contains is a matter of grammar.  There are several places where there are periods following phrases. (E.g. "Three dogs at a party on a boat at night."  This is not a sentence because it does not contain a subject-verb combination.)  While this is often an acceptable technique in fiction-writing, I am surprised that P.D. Eastman used this in a children's book, especially a beginning reader.  Parents may wish to use this as an opportunity to teach their children about what grammatical elements make a sentence and have their children identify every misplaced period.

There is also a character from one of P.D. Eastman's other popular works hidden within the illustrations of Go, Dog. Go!.  Can you find it?

Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Disgusting Sneakers

On the day of the Disgusting Sneaker Contest, Phoebe Eastwood, last year's champion, walked into the Brown Detective Agency.  She had on shoes.  
Encyclopedia immediately knew something was afoot.  
All year phoebe had prepared for the defense of her title by wearing the same pair of sneakers.  She had them in really disgusting shape.
"I want to hire you," she said, laying twenty-five cents on the gas can beside Encyclopedia.  "Some girl swiped my right sneaker."

Only Encyclopedia Brown could run into such as crazy mystery as The Case of the Disgusting Sneakers. Donald J. Sobol's imagination shines in this compilation of short mysteries.  The last of the recent Encyclopedia Brown Kindle releases that I'll review on this blog for awhile, Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Disgusting Sneakers had some of my favorite mysteries. I read it more than once as a kid, even though I already knew the answers.  You just get a good feeling when Encyclopedia beats Bugs Meany once again!

The mysteries included in Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Disgusting Sneakers are:
The Case of the Fifth Word
The Case of the Teacup
The Case of the Broken Vase
The Case of the Three Vans
The Case of the Rented Canoes
The Case of the Brain Game
The Case of Black Jack's Treasure
The Case of the Missing Shopping Bag
The Case of the Disgusting Sneakers
The Case of the Smuggler's Secret

Which is your favorite Encyclopedia Brown book?