library – Page 6 – One Chapter

There Was An Old Scientist Who Swallowed a Dinosaur by Lucille Colandro

2 stars Children’s Picture Book

take on I Know An Old Lady, this book adds pages of information between the traditional rhyming storyline which my grandchildren did not like. In the traditional rhyming storyline, a person swallows various items, correlating to the previous swallowed item and then, at the end, they spit everything out. In this book, between each of the pages of the scientist swallowing items, there is a two-page spread of two children questioning each other about dinosaurs.

This questioning is told in a rhyming format, and it is informative, but it does throw off the pace /rhythm that a reader gets into when reading one of the “I Know an Old Lady” books.

The illustrations are fun and colorful also. There’s a glossary of terms at the back of the book which is informative.

There is also a game of Search and Find which is outlined in the back of the book, where you can go back through the pages in the book and find about 20 items that are listed and illustrated in the pages at the back of the book.

I think the reason why I didn’t care for this book was the interruption in the flow of the rhythm of the book and the ending. The scientist had been swallowing all this “stuff “ throughout the book and the last couple items that she swallows, there are no tie ins into the previous items that are already inside her. What happened to that sequencing? It suddenly stopped. What finally happens to this scientist who swallowed all this “stuff” inside her at the end? Who knows.

My feelings: don’t mess with a good series. If you want to be creative, make another book and make it different but don’t tie it in with a series, if it doesn’t follow the same format.

There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Rainbow by Lucille Colandro

3 stars Children’s Picture Book

A take on I Know An Old Lady, this book follows the same rhyming storyline. A person swallows various items, correlating to the previous swallowed item and then, at the end, they spit everything out.

We thought while reading this version of the story, that some of the items that she swallowed items were strange. She swallowed glitter to brighten the cloud (which shows clouds sparked with glitter) and in the next few pages, she swallowed a cone to catch the glitter.

Why would she want to catch the glitter that is now brightening the cloud? She’s then swallowing a pole to lift the cone.

I understood at the end what the purpose was but perhaps she could have swallowed something different to create the final scene.

We weren’t fans of this version. 3 stars

Three-Inch Teeth by CJ Box

3.5 Stars Mystery

Ha! Three-inch teeth….that was just part of the problem. I have to give it to him, he was smart, almost too smart. He had a gift, and he used it to his advantage. Clever guy, oh yes he was. This was one of those books where things were falling together and I didn’t realize it until the gloves were off and bodies were falling.

He got out of prison, and he wants revenge. He’s not doing it alone which added some excitement to this book. The bodies start piling up, but something is just not adding up, the authorities are baffled. Who can connect the dots and figure this one out?

I liked Dallas’ idea as it was creative and innovative. Realistic? I’m not so sure but perhaps someday we’ll get there. As they were unraveling the mystery, I felt that it was done quickly, and swiftly. Listening to this book, I did feel that there were a lot of individuals to keep track of, and it was hard sometimes to keep everyone separate. 3.5 stars

Nine Open Arms by Benny Lindelauf

3 stars YA

To be completely honest, I got lost a few times reading this book. There were stories that led me down paths that I got completely absorbed in, only to realize that they were just a part of the bigger picture. I got used to the strange names that were used within the book and the glossary at the beginning of the book clarified things when I first started reading. If you’re willing to take a chance, you just like this adaptation and enjoy the stories that grandmother shared.

Dad was a dreamer. A job-hopper. Dad was always looking for the next best deal, because you never knew when you might land on “ the one.” “The one” that would be his family’s next ticket, his dad’s dream come true. Unfortunately, every switch in employment meant another move, another city, and another home. The rest of the family was tired of moving, but father, he never got tired of searching or dreaming.

It is 1937, the land that was before them was drier than dirt. Almost two months without rain and well, dad saw inspiration in all the bleakness around them. As they walked down Sjlammbams Saharon, they were pulling their large handcar. They hoped their new home would appear soon. Hidden, they spotted the house, the large house. Its condition sufficient but there was something about the old house that seemed off. Located away from town, it’s located next to the local cemetery, just down the road from the border of Germany. If there was one good thing about this house, it was that each of them would have their own room.

Grandma has brought her Crocodile bag of goodies with her and what a great place to unpack them, inside a house which has lots to offer. Grandma is a true storyteller and she had me along for the ride as she reflected on the lives of the individuals inside her bag.

From the stories that Grandma pulled from her Crocodile bag to the happenings of the family, the family seemed to be always busy. I was confused at times while reading, the narration pulling me off into a direction I wasn’t sure where. It was a different book for me, 3 stars

The Imposter by Kelly Collier

5 stars Children’s Picture Book

Oh, how funny! He only wanted a family. His own family, someone who would want and love him. Perhaps he might just get his chance. Seeing a Lost Poster for Max, a black and white dog, he wonders if perhaps he might take the place of Max. Would the owners of Max even know he is not Max? It is worth a shot.

So, Skunk, yes Skunk tries the idea out and soon, he has some animal friends who decide to help Skunk.

They try to teach him how to look, sound, and act like a dog. It’s time to approach Max’s owners and pretend to be Max, can Skunk be Max?

Hilarious! The ending is sweet, and you’ll love this book!!

My grandchildren and I have read this book over and over again as it’s funny and the illustrations are cute and fit perfectly with the story. 5 stars

Sleepy, the Goodnight Buddy by Drew Daywalt

5 stars Children’s Picture Book

Do not read this before bed especially if it’s your first time reading the book as you’ll be laughing and want to read it again. My grandkids laughed and wanted to read it again. I wasn’t thrilled with the book cover, but the inside of the book is fantastic! Roderick hated going to bed and came up with every excuse to stay up. His parents decided to get him a goodnight buddy to help him sleep.

The buddy’s name was Sleepy.

Roderick didn’t like Sleepy. While trying to hide him, he discovered that Sleepy could actually talk and carry on with a conversation. That could be cool except that Sleepy began to be annoying and want Roderick to do things for him.

Roderick thought that Sleepy was supposed to provide him comfort and not be so needy. The tables have been turned and now, its Sleepy that needs Roderick to get to sleep. Ha! Will Roderick and Sleepy ever get to sleep?

The illustrations are funny and the facial expressions are hilarious. A great story that you’ll laugh over. 5 stars

How Will I Get To School This Year? by Jerry Pallotta

5 stars Children’s Picture book

My grandson is addicted to Who Will Win? Series so I found this book at the library which is also written by the same author. With a fun, lively storyline, the story is about a girl who doesn’t want to take the smelly school bus this year. She took it last year and she’s thinking she wants something different this year so….what about a giant mosquito, a bald eagle, a hammerhead shark, a pride of lions, or the list goes on with a wide variety of animals.

Each two-page spread tells what animal she would take and what that animal would do and has a bright, colorful illustration of her on that mode of transportation.

It’s a fun and entertaining book for all ages. What does she decide to ride this year to school?

Read the book and find out. My only clue is that she has more fun when travelling with her friends so she needs something her friends can ride on too. 5 stars

Butt or Face? by Kari Lavelle

5 stars Children’s Nonfiction

What a fun book. “Can you tell which end you’re looking at?” Animals have evolved throughout the years and it’s no surprise that animals use their bodies so that they can survive in their environments. Author Kari Lavelle presents readers with a variety of pictures asking readers to decide whether they are looking at a close-up look at the butt or face of an animal.

They are also asked what animal they think they are looking at. Turning the page, the reader is given the answer and a picture of the animal. The reader also gets some interesting information on that animal.

Most of these animals are not your typical animal, like a hippo or a giraffe. These animals are specific and unique. A Cuyaba dwarf frog, a star-nosed mole, or my favorite the Mary River turtle. I enjoyed reading all the interesting information about each animal and I loved how they covered different parts of the globe.

The different text fonts added a fun element to the book too. The vocabulary might be challenging for some younger readers, but it might also encourage younger readers also.

Advance words: delicacies, coincidental, deceptive, amplifying, parasitic, etc. I thought this was a great book and one that makes nonfiction learning fun. 5 stars

Butt or Face? Volume 2 Revenge of the Butts by Kari Lavelle

5 stars Children’s Nonfiction

What a fun book. Just like its predecessor, this book continues with the question: “Can you tell which end you’re looking at?” Animals have evolved throughout the years and it’s no surprise that animals use their bodies so that they can survive in their environments. Author Kari Lavelle presents readers with a variety of pictures asking readers to decide whether they are looking at a close-up look at the butt or face of an animal.

Most of these animals are not your typical animal, like a bear or an elephant. These animals are specific and unique. An Indian peacock, dugong, saiga antelope, or my favorite the spicebush swallowtail caterpillar. I enjoyed reading all the interesting information about each animal and I loved how they covered different parts of the globe. The different text fonts added a fun element to the book too.

The vocabulary might be challenging for some younger readers, but it might also encourage younger readers also. Advance words: intimidating, dependent, bodacious, regenerate, bulgy, etc. I thought this was a great book and one that makes nonfiction learning fun. 5 stars

As Cool As It Gets by Jory John

5 stars Children’s Picture Book

What a great book with a fantastic lesson! It’s the holiday season which brings stress upon Cool Bean. Not everything about the season stresses him out, it’s the gift exchange. The dreaded gift exchange.

All the beans have entered their names into a hat for the gift exchange. As they each draw a name to see who they get to find a gift for, Cool Bean draws Beanadette J.’s name. She is one of the coolest beans in town and immediately, Cool Bean starts to feel the pressure. She is going to want something expensive and cool.

With no bean-bucks to spend and no luck finding anything on his treasure hunt, panic sets in. What will Cool Bean do? Ah-ha! Cool Bean decides he will be creative and make something for Beanadette J. and he’s quite proud of it, for the moment. As time passes, his self-esteem starts to fade and on the day of the party, his panic returns. I could totally relate to his emotions as he mingled in the party just waiting for the ball to drop.

This was a great book dealing with self-worth, stress, peer pressure and acceptance. I liked how the author dealt with Cool Beans emotions as they swung in every direction and Cool Bean didn’t have an easy way out. Definitely a 5-star read for me.