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Hugging Hour

January 4, 2010 in 2010-Cybils Award Challenge, Books Read 2010, Reviews-Library Books by buawos | No comments

TITLE: Hugging Hour
AUTHOR:Aileen Leijten
PUB DATE: January 2009

ABOUT THE BOOK:
To Drool, it feels like her mom and dad have been gone an awfully long time. So long that she can hardly taste the fried ice cream Grandma made for dinner, or enjoy hide-and-seek with Kip, Grandmaas pet chicken. Not even playing dress up, having a whole snuggly hugging hour with Grandma, or getting to put the sprinkles on the triple-decker cupcakes can put a smile on Droolas face. aIam an orphan,a she tells Kip.
A childas fi rst sleepover at Grandmaas is given a hilarious and tender treatment in this candy-colored book by talented newcomer Aileen Leijten.

MICHAEL’S THOUGHTS:
This is another Cybil Award contender.

This is a cute story about a little girl named Drew (Drool). She is at her grandmothers house. Her grandmother is a funny lady because she has a chicken for a pet and follows Drool around.

For dinner the grandmother made fried ice cream, marzipan shortcake and for dessert they have belgain waffles.

Drool is spending the night. In the morning she wakes up to the smell of her grandmothers pancakes. She plays dress up with the chicken and then hide and seek. When the chicken doesn’t appear Drool gets upset and cries.

So her grandmother and Drool make cupcakes. Drool thinks she is an orphan and that everyone has left her but really no one has.

Spells Review

January 3, 2010 in 2010-Cybils Award Challenge, Books Read 2010, Reviews-Library Books by buawos | No comments

TITLE: Spells
AUTHOR: Emily Gravett
PUB DATE: 2009

ABOUT THE BOOK:
A lovelorn frog and some very mixed-up spells! A hopeful frog tries to turn himself into a handsome prince by piecing together the torn pages of a spell book. There are lots of laugh-out-loud moments to be had with the mix-and-match pages as Frog struggles through a host of jumbled spell combinations and extraordinary guises (Rabbit! Frabbit? ! Prabbit! ? ! ) In search of his fairy-tale ending. Children and adults will love sharing this wonderfully funny and inventive book.

MICHAEL’S THOUGHTS:
This is another book that was on the Cybils Award list.

We loved Spells. I loved the cover.

Spells is about a lonely little frog who finds a book and uses his imagination to pretend he is a pirate sailing the seven seas. But its just a book of spells and he is just a frog.

He then pretends its abook about castles and he is handsome prince kissing a beautiful princess. But its just a book of spells and he is just a frog.

Then frog realizes it and decides he will cast a spell and make himself a handsome prince. The spell works until he kisses a princess.

Wink The Ninja Who Wanted To Be Noticed Review

January 2, 2010 in 2010-Cybils Award Challenge, Books Read 2010, Reviews-Library Books by buawos | No comments

TITLE: Wink The Ninja Who Wanted To Be Noticed
AUTHOR: J.C Phillipps
PUB DATE: March 2009

ABOUT THE BOOK:
The happiest day of Wink’s life was when he was accepted to the Summer Moon School for Young Ninjas. He is sure that he will be a great ninja. Silence is the first lesson and everyone is very very silent … except for Wink. Stealth is the second lesson and everyone is very very stealthy … except for Wink. Finally, Wink decides that he will be silent and stealthy. But no one notices! What’s the point of being a great ninja if no one notices? Maybe Wink wasn’t meant to be a ninja?

This daring debut is an adventure-lover’s dream.

MICHAEL’S THOUGHTS:
I really enjoyed this book. I loved that the ninja would do anything to try and fit in even though he didn’t.

To be a great ninja you have to be quiet and to blend in both things that Wink couldn’t do. Wink was sad because he wanted to prove to Master Zutsu he was a good ninja.

Coming home one day he heard noises and he went to check it out. A boy was practising his aecrobatics and Wink told him he was too stuff so he showed the boy.

What do you think become of Wink? Did he become that ninja he dreamed he would be?

Abigail Spells Review

January 1, 2010 in 2010-Cybils Award Challenge, Books Read 2010, Reviews-Library Books by buawos | No comments

TITLE: Abigail Spells
AUTHOR: Anna Alter
PUB DATE: April 2009

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Can Abigail spell her way to the top?

Abigail is good at many things. She can dance the cha-cha, make up stories to tell her best friend, George, and strike a fabulous pose. But there is one thing she loves to do most of all: Abigail loves to s-p-e-l-l. When her school announces the annual spelling bee, Abigail spends her days practicing with the help of George, but things don’t go according to plan. Can George convince Abigail that winning isn’t everything?

Anna Alter’s gentle text, which contains fun words to spell throughout, and gorgeous illustrations make for a perfect match in this endearing story of friendship.

Michael’s Thoughts:
We first heard about the Cybils Awards last year and Michelle from GalleySmith is hosting the Cybils Award Challenge 2010. You can go check out her site to find out how to take part.

Abigail Spells is one of the books that is on the list.

We really enjoyed this book. Abigail can do many things such as dance while George plays the maracas. make up stories for George and pose while George paints her all of which she enjoys doing but there is one thing that she loves to do and that is spell.

Abigail is excited when her school has a spelling bee. She practices and practices. Which added to the book as kids can learn how words are spelled. Then on the day of the spelling bee Abigail gets nervous and can’t spell her word “Elephant”. Abigail is really upset. She doesn’t want to dance, pose, read a story or even speak.

Will George come to the rescue and get Abigail to speak?

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Horrid Henry Christmas Review

December 23, 2009 in Books Read 2009, Reviews-Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky by buawos | 1 comment

horrid henry christmas cover

TITLE: Horrid Henry’s Christmas
AUTHOR: Francesca Simon
ILLUSTRATOR: Tony Ross
PUB DATE: August 2009
PUBLISHER: Jabberwocky/SourceBooks
ISBN: 9781402217821
AGE: 7-10

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Horrid Henry sabotages the Christmas play; tries to do all his Christmas shopping without spending any of his allowance; attempts to ambush Santa Claus (to get more presents, of course); and has to endure the worst Christmas dinner ever!

MICHAEL’S THOUGHTS:

We love Horrid Henry and are always laughing when we read the books. This is our 5th Horrid Henry book we have read and we are looking forward to reading much more of Horrid Henry’s adventures.

This is a great and funny Christmas book. Inside it are four stories: Christmas Play, Christmas Presents, Ambush and Christmas Lunch.

Christmas Play is about the day Miss Battle Axe assigns parts in the Christmas Play. Horrid Henry was to be Joseph but gets really upset when Perfect Peter gets the part and Henry is the innkeeper. Henry will do anything to ruin it for Peter. When Henry forgets his line he improvises and you know someone will be upset and mad and Henry.

Christmas Presents- Henry’s mother has allowed henry and Peter to decorate the tree and each of the boys want it done a certain way and Henry tells him to stay on his side while Peter says there is no sides. The boys fight because Henry is claiming all the decorations. Then Henry’s mother asks him if his presents are all wrapped and he lies and says yes. Henry didn’t buy any presents. He didn’t want to spend his allowance on anyone so he decides to make his own presents. What kind of presents did henry give his family? Will they like them?

Ambush- Its Christmas Eve and Henry was very specific in his letter to Santa about what he wanted for Christmas and he was hoping that this year would be the year he would get everything off is list. That night before going to bed he booby traps his room and ambush Santa Claus. How will his plan to ambush Santa work?

Christmas Lunch- Finally its Christmas Day. Henry is excited to see what was left for him by Santa. As you can tell probably Henry didn’t get all that he asked for and is disappointed in his presents. When the guest arrive Henry rushes to the door demand his presents. We all know that is rude to do. What will the family think of Henry’s presents? How will the Christmas Lunch go?

We loved all the stories in this book and what a great book to read the week of Christmas.

Thanks to Source Books/Jabberwocky for sending us this finished copy to read and review.

Mrs Claus Explains it All

December 21, 2009 in Books Read 2009, Reviews-Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky by buawos | No comments

mrs claus explains it all cover
TITLE: Mrs Claus Explains It All
AUTHOR: Elsbeth Claus
ILLUSTRATOR: David Wenzel
PUB DATE: October 2008
PUBLISHER: Jabberwocky/SourceBooks
ISBN: 978-1-4022-1105-8
AGE: Children’s picture book

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Every year millions of letters to Santa reach the North Pole. Many are requests for presents. And many letters have questions about Santa, the elves and workshops, the reindeer, and, of course, the North Pole.

Now Mrs. Claus has her own gift for you – for the first time ever, she’s taking a break from her very busy schedule to answer real questions from children of all ages. Join her on a tour of the North Pole and learn some of the best kept secrets of Christmas from the person who knows it all – Mrs. Claus!

* How does Santa get into my house if we don’t have a chimney?
* What is Santa’s favorite kind of cookie?
* Where do elves come from?
* Can all reindeer fly?

MICHAEL’S THOUGHTS:

I have to admit that I am so thankful for Jabberwocky/Sourcebooks when they contacted me to see if I would read and review this for the blog. I actually didn’t hesitate at all to send my reply back with a huge yes.

Just before receiving this request Michael had asked me one day after school if it was true that there was no such thing as a Santa Claus and that moms and dads bought the presents to put under the tree? I was totally shocked when he asked me. In my head I kept saying “He is only 6 years old, its too soon.”

I say this because apparently my niece was in grade 5 when she found out there was no such thing and I asked a few other friends who had kids and they all said the same thing that their kids were much older.

I admit I am a bad mother (HAHA) and lied and said “Michael there is a Santa Claus and he brings presents to you.” So I think this will be the last year that he will believe in Santa Claus. My little boy is growing up.

Anyways back to the book. This is a great book and after reading it I could see that Michael was thinking of many more questions about the North Pole etc he wanted to know so i told him that he should write a letter and perhaps he would get a reply back.

There was so many great questions that Mrs Claus answered that even I wanted to know the answers too. Such as:

What is Santa’s favorite cookie? Did you know that Santa loves all kind of cookies and he hasn’t come across a cookie he didn’t like? But his favorites are chocolate chip, ginger snaps, peanut butter and oatmeal.

How can I become an elf? Now that would be a job I would love to have. You have to finish school before you can begin Elf training and you have to be good, helpful, obedients, take care of your pets and toys. Only a few get accepted into Elf training.

Plus many other great questions from how does Santa know where I live to how does he get into my house?

This would make a great gift to give children who are curious about Santa Claus.

Thanks again to Jabberwocky/Sourcebooks for sending us this finished copy to read and review.

You’re Mean, Lily Jean Review

November 13, 2009 in General by buawos | No comments

TITLE: You’re Mean, Lily Jean
AUTHOR: Frieda Wishinsky
ILLUSTRATOR: Kady MacDonald Denton
PUB DATE: September 2009

From the Publisher
A new picture book that addresses the problem of bossy friends and the struggle to stand up to them. Sisters Sandy and Carly always play together, but when Lily Jean moves in next door and joins them, everything changes. Now Lily Jean is calling the shots and ordering Carly to be a baby when they play house and a dog when they play king and queen. Although Sandy defends her littler sister, Carly buckles and accepts her roles. But she doesn’t like it, and finally finds a way to combat Lily Jean’s bullying ways, and turn the tables on her behaviour.

Frieda Wishinskys simple text packs a poignant punch, as it authentically portrays the world of little girls and their complicated relationships. And Kady MacDonald Denton’s exquisite illustrations help emphasize the underlying lessons about empathy, loyalty, and fairness. This fantastic story will serve as a tool for young children and parents to identify the difference between having fun and being bullied – or being the bully.

MICHAEL’S THOUGHTS
This is a great book for kids to read or have read to them. The book shows the important friendship that two sisters ( Carly and Sandy). They play together all the time.

The girls are excited when a new girl, Lily jean moves in next door. Then things quickly turn for the worse when Lily Jean becomes a bully. She tells Carly what to do and how to do and she does even though Sandy tries to stand up for her.

It was nice to see that Carly didn’t become a victim of the bullying and was smart enough to out wit Lily Jean.

This was a great book that leads to discussions about bullying and what you should do. I have to say thankfully Michael has not be subjected to a bully but I am sure it could happen and I think preparing your child will help.

I’m Your Bus Review

November 12, 2009 in Books Read 2009, Reviews-Scholastic Canada by buawos | No comments

TITLE: I’m Your Bus
AUTHOR: Marilyn Singer
ILLUSTRATOR: Evan Polenghi
PUB DATE: June 2009

From the Publisher
Howdy, you can count on us. Morning, evening, I’m your bus! Welcome to a day in the life of a school bus and his road-hugging buddies. Morning, noon, and nighttime, too, that golden four-wheeled friend is at your service. Ready to drive you to and from school safely. Cause he’s your bus. And in between those pick-up and drop-off moments, your bus spends time with his friends, other vehicles who drive around town doing what they do best. Sweeping, zipping, parking, creeping.

MICHAEL’S THOUGHTS
This was another favorite of Michael’s. He takes the bus to school and loves it, despite the incident that happened the second day of school.

I’m Your Bus is all about the day in the life of a school bus. The buses wake up early in the morning to pick up the children to take them to school.

Michael so far has been lucky not to forget anything on the bus but we all know that kids will loose something on the bus and that they can be found on the bus.

When the buses aren’t use to take kids to school they are used for field trips.

Finally the end of the day is done and the buses pick the kids up to bring them home. When all the kids are home the buses go back to the lot to sleep so they can start the day all over again tomorrow.

Leaf Trouble Review

November 11, 2009 in Books Read 2009, Reviews-Scholastic Canada by buawos | No comments

TITLE: Leaf Trouble
AUTHOR: Jonathan Emmett
ILLUSTRATOR: Caroline Jayne Church
PUB DATE: August 2009

From the Publisher
When he wakes up one morning to find that his home tree is changing, the little squirrel is scared! Why are all the leaves falling off? Quickly he corrals his sister and they gather up the leaves in colourful pawfuls. But try as they may to stick them back on the branches, it’s hopeless: Yellow, orange, red, and brown, all the leaves keep falling down! It’s only when their wise mama explains what happens in autumn that the two little squirrels understand the seasons are changing. Green leaves will sprout anew in spring!

MICHAEL’S THOUGHTS
The illustrations in Leaf Trouble were beautiful. It seemed like they were popping out of the book.

This is a great fall story about the leaves falling and changing color.

Pip is a little squirrel who wakes up one morning to discover the leaves are falling and changing color. He is very scared and panics trying to gather all the leaves to put back into the trees. When he is over whelmed he gets Blossom his sister to help.

Their mother comes up to them to see what they are doing. They tell her and she explains to them how the tree worked really hard to take care of the leaves all summer and now the tree needs a break. The squirrels want the leaves back and she tells them in the spring they will return.

This was a great story that was used to explain why trees loose their leaves. Now if only they had another way to get rid of the leaves instead of me having to rake them.

Appleville Elementary Book 2 Fire Alarm! Review

November 10, 2009 in Books Read 2009, Reviews-Scholastic Canada by buawos | No comments

TITLE: Appleville Elementary Book 2 Fire Alarm!
AUTHOR: Nancy Krulik
PUB DATE: August 2009

From the Publisher
In this book, Miss Popper’s first grade class is taking a field trip to the firehouse. Carlos wants to play a trick on his classmates, so he hides in the back of the fire truck. But the joke is on Carlos when the alarm rings, and the firefighters are called to an emergency. Lucky for Carlos, it’s not a fire it’s a cat stuck in a tree. The firefighters are too heavy to climb the tree, so it’s up to Carlos to save the day!

MICHAEL’S THOUGHTS
I think we found another series that Michael really enjoys. The only down side is that we got these books in September and discovered that Book 3 The 100th Day is only being released December 1, 2009 and Book 4 Fooled You is only coming out March 1, 2010. So needless to say these are being read all the time.

All kids love playing hide and seek. That is the one game I noticed that they love playing. Michael is like Carlo’s because he always gets upset when he is found, although Michael is getting much better at the game now.

Mrs Popper is teaching the kids about fire safety and what to do. Stop, droop and roll. After school that day they kids all go to J.B’s house to play where they decide to play fire fighters.

The next day at school the kids are excited because they are going on a field trip. Can you guess where they are going? If you guessed the Fire Station you guessed right. How many of our kids have gone on a tour of the fire station? Michael’s school never went which is too bad because I think they kids would have enjoyed it.

Thankfully we live down the street from the fire station and the fire men have been really nice and gave him the tour when we have walked by when he was younger. So he got to see it and was always intriqued by fire men and fire trucks.

The fire man talks to the kids about fire safety and shows them around. This is the time Carlo’s thinks it would be a good idea to play a trick on everyone and goes off to hide. Shortly after that there is an alarm and the fire men leave.

When they are ready to go back to the school they realize that Carlo’s is gone and he is no where in the fire station. Where is Carlo’s? Is he the best hidder after all?

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