Ready for Reading! (FAMILY magazine reviews)

Tempting to young readers is this small but delightful collection of early chapter books. With irresistible characters and eye-catching illustrations, these cheery stories grab readers’ attention and keep them coming back for more. Dog fans or cow pokes are hooked by short chapters, well written text, unforced language, and print that is easy to read. Adult caregivers may want to take turns reading chapters with youngsters to keep the story flowing. Have fun!

Slingshot and Burp 

by Richard Haynes

illustrated by Stephen Gilpin

            The two title characters are cowboy enthusiasts; also, best friends, neighbors and double cousins. And, they each have an older sister -- who are also best friends with each other. The two pairs are not in agreement about the use of their “shared” clubhouse.   

            Complete with cowboy slang, wild adventures into the southwestern desert they call The Boneyard (really their backyard), jail time, blood-squirting zombie skulls, and even a ghost cat, this early chapter book is perfect for young readers and cowboy junkies. When the sisters change up the boys’ bunkhouse with pink streamers, curtains, flowers and dolls, Slingshot and Burp are outraged.

Using their Double-Barreled Spitball Blaster loaded with grapes, the two cowboys massacre the dolls and stuffed animals in the pink hair salon. Peppery mad Ma McKenzie and cross Calamity Kate charge the cowboys, who are marched into Mom-and-Dad court, where they are charged with four counts of doll murder and destruction of doll property, pronounced guilty and sentenced to two whole days of being grounded.

            As it turns out the girls have opened a dog sitting and grooming business in the clubhouse and were practicing on the dolls and stuffed animals. The two cowhands are camping overnight outside when one of the dogs escapes. The adventure to save Jackpot, the pup, while it’s still dark, has the boys exploring, as tall-tales fill their minds. They lose their bikes, flashlights, and Super X. But they rescue the dog, and make a deal with the Scorpion Sisters to “borrow” Jackpot until they can visit Big Jim at the Boots and Saddle Tack Shop to show him the treasure they’ve discovered during their adventure.

            Occasionally included are a map and vigorous black and white illustrations to accompany the lively text.

Candlewick Press, $14.99

Interest Level: Grades 1-4

Lulu and the Dog from the Sea 

by Hilary McKay

illustrated by Priscilla Lamont

            Lulu, an animal lover with pets, and her neighborhood friend, Mellie, go with Lulu’s parents on vacation to a cottage by the sea. Lulu’s dog, Sam, goes too. When they arrive, however, the owner of the cottage warns them about a “dog from the sea” who is a thief and has already taken a “whole roasted chicken” from a family staying in the house last week. Even the dogcatcher hasn’t been able to grab him!

            Although the others are not happy about this dog, for Lulu, the unnamed dog is a challenge. She and Mellie learn about the dog in town from unhappy restaurant owners. And along the path to the beach that day, Lulu follows behind the others and drops dog biscuits. That night after everyone else is asleep Lulu goes out to take the rocks off the trash can so the dog from the sea can eat the burned sausages. She gets a bucket of water for the dog to drink, and even sits down to pet him.

            Over several nights and trips to the beach they become friends. Then the cottage owner sees them playing together and calls the dogcatchers, scaring the no name dog away.

            Periodically, expressive black and white pictures illustrate this charming and completely dog-focused chapter book for young readers. Text and illustrations combine to keep readers engaged.

            During the early morning hours of the last day of vacation, the two girls run off to fly Mellie’s kite, hoping to attract the dog’s attention. But, it’s an accident that finally gets everyone focused. And the dog from the sea gets a new home!

            This is another perfect early chapter book for young readers along with other titles in this series.

           

Albert Whitman & Company, $13.99 hardcover, $4.99 paperback

Interest Level: Grades 2-4

Good Dog, McTavish  

by Meg Rosoff

illustrated by Grace Easton

             A playfully witty and wily early chapter book is this story of McTavish, a shelter pooch, who adopts the Peacheys, an inept family, after Ma resigns from being a mother. Boycotting the often “boring, thankless jobs” like “cooking meals that get cold,” “keeping track of appointments,” and “finding lost keys,” Ma now decides to take time to practice yoga. No one else in the family cleans, cooks, or keeps everyone organized, and before long the household is falling to pieces, Pa Peachey is cranky, Ava (14) grumbles, and Ollie (12) complains. Even the youngest, Betty (8) who is the most sensible, feels “lost, lonesome, and lacking in love.”

            Betty manages to get the family - minus Ma, who is practicing her tree pose - to the animal shelter where Betty and McTavish (a mix of Scottish terrier, Jack Russell, poodle, Tibetan spaniel, and Bichon Frise) connect. Soon McTavish has made his home in the Peachey household and, in consultation with Betty, has begun a three-step process that gets the laundry done, the mess decluttered, and everyone out the door on time for school and work. Soon, the family has even figured out a way to begin cooking meals instead of eating tiresome pizza every night.

            Although the book doesn’t directly approach the problem of Ma feeling unappreciated, the quirky black and white and gray illustrations, satirical character exaggerations, sheer wackiness, and oversimplified, if nonetheless, feel-good ending, make for an unconventional, yet entertaining and clever tale for early readers.

Candlewick Press, $15.99

Interest Level: Grades 2-5

 

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Has My Heart Gone to Sleep? (Monday Poem)

by Antonio Machado
translated by Alan S. Trueblood


   Has my heart gone to sleep?
Have the beehives of my dreams
stopped working, the waterwheel
of the mind run dry,
scoops turning empty,
only shadow inside?
   No, my heart is not asleep.
It is awake, wide awake.
Not asleep, not dreaming --
its eyes are opened wide
watching distant signals, listening
on the rim of the vast silence.




from  A Family of Poems: My Favorite Poetry for Children
Selected by Caroline Kennedy
Hyperion, 2005

Steam Engine (Monday Poem)

by Skila Brown


Biggest beast you've ever seen.
Gobbling up a coal cuisine.
One hundred tons of steel machine.
Belching out a steam smoke screen.



from Clackety Track: Poems about Trains by Skila Brown, illustrated by Jamey Christoph
Candlewick Press, 2019

Thoughts (Monday Poem)

by Jacqueline Bouvier


I love the Autumn,
And yet I cannot say
All the thoughts and things
That make me feel this way.

I love walking on the angry shore,
To watch the angry sea;
Where summer people were before,
But now there's only me.

I love wood fires at night
That have a ruddy glow.
I stare at the flames
And think of long ago.

I love the feeling down inside me
That says to run away
To come and be a gypsy
And laugh the gypsy way.

The tangy tast of apples,
The snowy mist at morn,
The wanderlust inside you
When you hear the huntsman's horn.

Nostalgia -- that's the Autumn,
Dreaming through September
Just a million lovely things
I always will remember.




from  A Family of Poems: My Favorite Poetry for Children
Selected by Caroline Kennedy
Hyperion, 2005

Following a Favorite Folk Tale (FAMILY magazine reviews)

 

Explore new variations of a century old (or more) folk tale that has been charming children and their families for generations. “The Little Red Hen” is an enchanting and well-known tale with possibilities for new perspectives. Try these. You can probably come up with a completely new and different version of your own. Have fun!

 

The Little Green Hen by Alison Murray

This irresistible picture book is a playful, environmentally focused variant of The Little Red Hen. In a retelling with a twist, the story portrays the green hen as careful caretaker of a beautifully fruitful apple tree. “She pruned the dead branches. She kept the pests under control, and she sowed the apple seeds, so more trees and more apples would grow.”

            But once the seedlings sprouted, the Hen needed help. The peacock, the fox, and the fat ginger cat decline. However, different from the original version, the dog (who loves sticks), the teensy brown sparrow (who is partial to pesky bugs), and the squirrel (who buries things where no one can find them) all agree to help. In gratitude, the orchard is bountifully productive through spring, summer and fall.

Then comes the rain. The hen and her friends are safe together in the hollow trunk. The peacock, the fox and the cat, however, drift across the floodwater on a log together, until they see the apple tree.

Bright digital illustrations fill the pages with colorful scenes, expressive faces and hopefulness. Together, the text and accompanying pictures demonstrate the effect of the flood and the cleanup necessary. This time when the hen asks for help, the enthusiasm includes everyone, and the results bring comfort and contentment for all.

Candlewick Press, $16.99

Interest Level: Pre-Kindergarten – Kindergarten

Manana Iguana

by Ann Whitford Paul

Illustrated by Ethan Long

            In this Southwestern conception of “The Little Red Hen,” Iguana wants to celebrate spring with a fiesta on Saturday/sabado. Her friends in this tale, which uses both English and Spanish language words to tell the story, are delighted about the party, but not too interested in helping to get ready. Conejo/Rabbit does things too fast and would spoil them, Tortuga/Tortoise believes he’s too slow, and Culebra/Snake says he’ll help. . . manana, when he grows some arms. 

            Iguana ends up writing the invitations and delivering them, stuffing the piñata, cooking the food, and hanging the streamers to decorate, all by herself. When sabado arrives, Coneja, Tortuga, and Culebra are excited to welcome the guests. But by then Iguana whips her tail, “NO!” She is grouchy, having made all the preparations by herself! “Now I …will greet my guests at my fiesta,” she tells them. And she does.

            The three non-helpers watch from the sidelines as the guests party with Iguana, laughing, eating, breaking the piñata, and having a generally terrific time at the fiesta.

            The watercolor and gouache illustrations are comic strip funny, with zany expressive large eyes, colorful southwestern colors and plenty of white space to highlight the action.

            When the guests are gone, an exhausted Iguana goes to sleep. In a change of heart, the previously unwilling friends decide to surprise her by cleaning up the mess. When Iguana wakes to see the results, she thanks the three and invites them to help her “eat the leftovers.” An inclusive conclusion to this satisfying tale.

           

Holiday House, $7.99 (paperback)

Interest Level: Junior Kindergarten – Grade 3

The Little Red Fort by Brenda Maier, illustrations by Sonia Sanchez

            Beginning with Ruby’s ideas and a pile of boards she found, she asks her three brothers to help her build. They are dismissive, “You don’t know how to build anything.”

            I’ll learn, she tells them. “And she did.” Just like the Little Red Hen.

            When she asks for help drawing the plans, they all laugh. “‘Not me,’ said Oscar Lee. ‘I don’t think so,’ said Rodrigo. ‘No way,’ said Jose.” The response is the same when she asks for help to gather supplies, cut the boards and hammer the nails.

Then, when she asks who wants to play in the fort she has built, with assistance from her mother and grandmother, all three boys are eager and no longer busy. “Not so fast,” says Ruby.

            Dynamic artwork uses recycled paper, gouache, charcoal pencil, pen and both traditional and digital brushes, to capture the female energy, creativity and go-getter positivity of this small Latina. While the brothers use their energy for ignoring, Ruby stays with it and the bright colors of her success remind her brothers that despite saying “We didn’t want to play anyway,” they really did want to play.

            Whispering together, they decide to get to work: Oscar Lee makes a mailbox, Rodrigo plants flowers, and Jose paints the fort fire engine red. Delighted, Ruby invites them for cookies.

            The rhythm and rhyme of the familiar and repeated lines from the classic tale match the color and movement of the illustrations perfectly to create this humorous and gender-bending story of changing stereotypes. (Fort building ideas and an Author’s Note are included at the end.)

Scholastic, $17.99 (hardcover) $4.99 (paperback in Spanish – El fuertecito rojo)

Interest Level: Junior Kindergarten – Grade 3

Leaves (Monday Poem)

by Elsie N. Brady


How silently they tumble down
And come to rest upon the ground
To lay a carpet, rich and rare,
Beneath the trees without a care,
Content to sleep, their work well done,
Colours gleaming in the sun.

At other times, they wildly flyl
Until they nearly reach the sky.
Twisting, turning through the air
Till all the trees stand stark and bare.
Exhausted, drop to earth below
To wait, like children, for the snow.



from Sing a Song of Seasons
A Nature Poem for Each Day of the Year
selected by Fiona Waters
illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon
Candlewick Press, 2018

The Squirrel (Monday Poem)

Anonymous


Whisky, frisky,
Hippity hop,
Up he goes
To the treetop!

Whirly, twirly,
Round and round,
Down he scampers
To the ground.

Furly, curly,
What a tail!
Tall as a feather
Broad as a sail!

Where's his supper?
In the shell,
Snappity, crackity,
Out it fell!



from Sing a Song of Seasons
A Nature Poem for Each Day of the Year
selected by Fiona Waters
illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon
Candlewick Press, 2018