A New Year's Reunion by Yu Li-Qiong

It is time to celebrate the new year and Maomao is waiting for her father, who builds houses in faraway places, to arrive home to join in the celebration. When he finally arrives home Maomao does not recognize him. Papa gets a haircut and Maomao begins to see the papa she remembers. Soon the family is making sticky rice balls, visiting family, cleaning and fixing the house, and watching the dragon dance down Main Street. All too quickly it is time for Papa to return to work. A great glimpse into the Chinese New Year celebration of a family in China as well as the life migrant workers throughout China.

Text: 3 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

Blackout by John Rocco

One hot summer day in the city, the lights go out. Now what? Seems everyone has more time now that there are no distractions. A family climbs to the roof to discover the light - stars - up above. Then down to the street where a party has developed. Family fun with no distractions. But the electric is back on life returns to "normal" but not for long. Very important story given all the distractions in our lives today. Incredible illustrations (yup, Caldecott Comm. I agree with this one - they will be relieved) which truly extends the story, providing a better understanding. Love this one more after my initial reading some months ago.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves (Perfect amount as not to distract from the illustrations)

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye Leaves

Ride Fly Guy, Ride! by Tedd Arnold

We have ALL the Fly Guy books....and go through phases that we read one after another, after another....after another :) So we are now the proud owners of the NEWEST Fly Guy book and this one is PERFECT for Adam...all about different types of transportation. One day Dad, Buzz, and Fly Guy take off for a ride in the car. All of a sudden Fly Guy got sucked out the window and the great chase begins as Fly Guy bounces from a truck to boat to circus train, etc. Will Buzz ever be reunited with his friend Fly Guy? Fly Guy fans will be delighted with this latest adventure.

A Ball For Daisy by Chris Raschka

Yesterday AM I hit refresh MANY times on the computer.....big day for us book addicts.....the announcing of the ALA awards at the midwinter meeting. This years Caldecott went to Chris Raschka's a Ball For Daisy. In this wordless picture book the dog Daisy has a red ball that she appears to like very much. However the ball is damaged and thrown away. Daisy is noticeably upset when the ball is gone. Only on thing can cheer her up. A great book to get kids thinking and writing (or verbalizing) their own words to go with the pictures. Kids will love Daisy and be able to identify with the SAD Daisy when the ball is thrown away!

Click here for an article about his book!

A Friend For Einstein: The Smallest Stallion by Charlie Cantrell and Dr. Rachel Wagner

Einstein is a mini miniature horse. He is so small that he has a hard time finding friends to play with. Einstein tries befriending all the animals at the farm. He was just not big enough to play with the others. Einstein is lonely. Finally he finds a friend, Lilly. Together the two gallop, play tag, and roll on the grass. Sure to be an instant favorite, as many "real" animal books are, with amazing photographs.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Hugs from Pearl by Paul Schmid

Pearl is a porcupine. Pearl LOVES to give hugs. This is a problem. Pearl does not like all her friends saying, "Ouch!" when she hugs them. Pearl decides she must come up with a plan. She tries soaking in the tub to make her quills softer. That does not work. She asks her mom for a quillcut. Her mom explains the quills will only grow back. What is a hugging porcupine to do? Finally Pearl comes up with a plan....A sweet book with equally adorable illustrations. Perfect for upcoming Valentine's Day!

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Endpages: 5 Buckeye leaves

Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet

I will admit, this book has been in our house for a while (from public library).....at one point I was going to read it to Adam but I thought it was much longer and skipped over it. WELL I was a rebel tonight and sat down - ALONE - when Daddy was giving Adam a bath and read it to myself. FASCINATING! Yes, I will admit I am a history buff, but I think this nonfiction book would grab kids because 99.9% of all kids LOVE the BIG BALLOONS in the parades! Ever hear of TONY SARG? Without Tony Sarg the Macy's Day Parade would not have the big, popular balloons each year. Tony was a puppeteer that never grew up. He performed with his marionettes on the streets of New York City. He was soon contacted by R. H. Macy's department store to create a "puppet parade" for the store's holiday display. Macy had another job for Sarg. He wanted to help the many immigrants that worked for his company celebrate their home cultures, thus the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was born. Next Sarg worked on balloons, using his puppet background as a basis, that would be big enough for the many people to see. A great book for elementary students. Full of interesting information/facts and unique fun illustrations!

Text: 5 Buckeye Leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye Leaves

Endpages: 5 Buckeye leaves (with the ad from the New York Times, 1933)

A ++++!!!!

The Best Pet Of All by David LaRochelle

Found this one while browsing yesterday at the library. A little boy wants a dog and asks his mother every day for a dog. Every day his mother says, "No!" Finally when he asks his mom for a dragon. Mom tells the boy if he can find one, he can have one as a pet. The boy sets out looking for one. He finally is able to find a dragon who agrees to come home with the boy after being offered toys to play with. Soon the boy, and his mother, discover that a dragon is not easy to have as a pet. He is quite messy but the dragon will not leave. The boy points out that if they had a dog the dragon WOULD leave because dragons are scared of dogs. And as you would guess, a dog soon arrives! A fun, easy read that kids will enjoy.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 3 Buckeye leaves

Bun Bun Button by Patricia Polacco

I feel as if I have been out of the loop lately (spent half of winter break van shopping so did not get to library as I had planned) and was quite happy to see a new Polacco book on the new book shelf today (although it has been out for a few months...I am slipping!)! Bun Bun Button is a cute story about Paige Elizabeth loves spending time with her Gramma: baking cookies, snuggling in the blue chair, and reading. Sitting in the blue chair becomes even more enjoyable when Gramma makes Paige a cuddly bunny with a button nose to cuddle in the blue chair. Paige and Bun Bun Button go everywhere together until the day that a balloon carries Bun Bun off on an adventure, leaving Paige behind. Will Bun Bun return? An adorable story from one of the greatest storytellers. One thing I really like about this book is the length....it is not too long so I hope Adam will sit through it all (heck I had to read 19 books after lunch...YES 19....so I think he will be quite happy to sit through this one!!). Another great treat from Polacco focused on family and the relationships shared within.

Text: 5 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Endpages: 5 Buckeye leaves (Bun Bun Button in action!)

Doodleday by Ross Collins

He WAS warned....but Harvey did NOT listen. His mom told him NOT to draw on Doodleday but did he listen? NOOOOOO! And everything Harvey draws comes to life and the outcome is NOT good. He starts with a fly which is soon destroying the kitchen. In order to get rid of the fly, he draws a spider. The spider though decides he likes Harvey's dad more than the fly. It continues in this manner throughout the book. Finally mom arrives home and of course, like moms often do, makes everything right again! Good job, Mom!! Funny, unrealistic book. Kid's will love the wild adventure the fun illustrations. I am anxious to share it with my students...1st or 2nd grade....still deciding! Adam enjoyed it!

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Endpages 5 Buckeye leaves

Do Not Open This Book! by Michaela Muntean

This book is a little older....but grade school kids will find it hilarious! If you need a fun book - just for FUN (oh there are people in DC going crazy that I just said that)....this is a great choice. The little pig is trying to write a book....and YOU the reader keep messing him up!! He tries over and over to get you to stop but nothing works. Now as funny as I think this book is, I will admit Adam did not quite get the humor. He laughed, smiled, but probably more because of my reaction (or maybe it was the time of day, day of the week, position of the moon, WHO KNOWS he is 3 1/2 yrs old!!). Funny pictures as well!

Text: 5 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

The Construction Crew by Lynn Meltzer

We read every truck book we can find at our house and this was a recent find on the new book shelf at the library!! Short text, mostly rhyming though some was forced.

Tons if dirt

And Lots of muck

What do we need?

Dump truck!

A great, simple introduction to the world of trucks for kids, and adults like me still learning all the names and functions!!

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves (Bright, colorful, kid friendly)

Endpages: 5 Buckeye leaves (We spent lots of time studying this page and discussing our favorite trucks!!)

It's a small world by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman

The very popular song is illustrated in this adorable book with illustrations by Joey Chou. Each page features words from the song with corresponding illustrations. Many cultures are illustrated throughout the book. A cd comes with the book allowing readers to listen and read.

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves - adorable!! Very colorful!!

Is everyone ready for FUN? by Jan Thomas

Yahoo!! Was so excited to see this on the NEW BOOK SHELF this morning at the library! Jan Thomas' books are always fun and this is no exception. I can't wait to share this with my kinders when I get back in January (so hands off Kinder teachers if you are reading this :) The three cows decide they want to have fun on chicken's sofa. Chicken does not agree. Each "fun" activity is something safe that a classroom of kids could do without trips to the clinic. Love it...get those kiddos up and moving!!

Text: 5 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

The Grizzly Bear with the Frizzly Hair by Sean Taylor

The grizzly bear with the frizzly hair is hungry and there is nothing left because he has eaten it all. He comes upon a itzy-bitzy rabbit which he has decided will be his dinner. The rabbit may be small but what he is lacking in size, he makes up for in smarts. He convinces the bear to come look in the river for a much bigger dinner. Bear arrives at the river and is not the least bit disappointed and sees dinner. The bear decides to jump in after the mocking creature and quickly learns that it is not quite what he hoped for. Clever story. Readers will slowly unravel rabbit's plan. Fun!!

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

Home For Christmas by Jan Brett

Rollo a little troll, who still has his tail since he has not performed good deeds required for it to fall off, decides he will run away rather than help his parents and sister. Rollo lives with an owl family, family of bears, some otters, a lynx and finally a family of moose before he decides he misses his family and needs to return home. On Christmas Eve, the family gathers to enjoy the holiday and realize Rollo has finally lost his tail. Another enjoyable story with incredible illustrations, that you really must look at more than once. Great story that falls in the categories of family and responsibility.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Jeanette Claus Saves Christmas by Douglas Rees

Apparently Santa has a daughter named Jeanette....who knew!?!? But thank goodness he does because on Christmas Eve Santa comes down with a nasty cold and Jeanette must step in to drive the sleigh and deliver toys. Of course Santa is very worried, especially since those reindeer of his can some times be a little difficult to deal with, especially Dasher. Jeanette is up to the challenge and takes off with the reluctant reindeer. Jeanette is feeling pretty good and thinking her job may be finished early when the pin connecting the harness to the sleigh fell out and the reindeer take off, leaving Jeanette stranded. Jeanette does not know what to do. Luckily she soon makes some new friends, animal friends, and is able to return to the North Pole. Santa is quite happy with her performance as well as the new friends she brought home. A new spin on Christmas. Not sure how some reindeer fans may take the reindeer not being so easy to get along with. The illustrations are very cute, bright and cheery. Warning: There is a word on my list of words not approved to be spoken by the younger crowd in our house used in the book - "stupid" - so be forewarned.

Text: 3 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

Good Little Wolf by Nadia Shireen

I found this book to be quite funny....and when you hear what happens, you might wonder about me :) Mrs. Boggins has a "good little wolf" named Rolf. He does everything you would not expect a wolf to do: eats vegetables, nice to friends, etc. Rolf does not know anything about those "other" wolves - the kind that are NOT nice. One day Rolf meets one of those wolves. The Big bad wolf tries to get Rolf to be more like him. Rolf snaps. He realizes he can not be that way - and ties up the big bad wolf until he agrees to be "bad". And then......

well I can't give away the ending....check public library!!

Just a Little Luck by Mercer Mayer

We have a BIG FAN of Little Critters books at our house so when I saw this at the library, I knew we have to check it out. Little Critter finds a penny on the ground but can not remember whether it was heads up or tails up. Little Critter thinks it must be tails up as he has a sting of bad luck: dropping ice cream, flat tire, falling off bike, school project ruined, etc. Little critter starts feeling pretty sorry for himself. On Saturday Grandpa takes him to the fair, and things improve and the string of bad luck has ended. I think there is a message that adults could benefit from as well. A good book to start a classroom discussion.

Pip & Squeak by Ian Schoenherr

Pip and Squeak (2 mice) are headed to celebrate Gus's birthday day! Of course it is snowing so they will need a "sled", also known as an envelope. They are well on their way when they realize they forgot the "gift", also known as cheese! Rather than going home they decide to look along the way. Finally they come upon a snowman with an orange nose....cheese? They finally arrive at Gus's party but will he like the "cheese"? First look at this book may lead one to think this is a book for the very young - the text is short and simple. However the shortness of the text requires lots of "filling in" by the reader. Adam and I had a great laugh at the end of the story as well - Gus very much likes his "cheese".....because he is a rabbit!! Illustrations are super cute!!

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves (Adorable)

The Christmas Song:Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire

Mel Torme and Robert Wells famous Christmas Song is adorably illustrated in this book published in 2007. We enjoy "reading" song books at our house...mainly because I rarely know the REAL words. I will admit that I have been told to "stop" singing....and apparently the 3 1/2 year old has some high standards!! I love the pictures - very cute and compliment the words perfectly. Great book to follow along while listening to one of the most popular Christmas songs!

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye Leaves

Sana's Stuck by Rhonda Gowler Greene

I had great intentions BUT a 3 1/2 year old that continues to fight going to sleep and a little thing call Pinterest has gotten in the way of my good intentions to blog more this week. BUT this book I actually found off a website that I came across thanks to Pinterest. Unfortunately now I can't find the link to the activity for this book. As you might guess from the title, Santa is out doing this job one Christmas Eve, doing as he always does, when he gets stuck in the chimney. The family dog comes to help him but he is not successful. Next the cat and her kittens try to help out. Soon the mouse joins the task and of course POP out comes Santa. The book is older but I think kids will enjoy it for the rhyming as well as the funny content with matching illustrations!

Illustrations: 3 Buckeye leaves

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

The Great Reindeer Rebellion by Lisa Trumbauer

Found this one on the bargain table at Barnes and Noble today! 'Twas the Night Before Christmas with a new spin! Santa's reindeer have decided they have some demands that need to be met.

They said, "We are finished!

We've had quite enough

of pulling your sleigh with

such big, heavy stuff!"

Being under a time crunch, Santa decides to interview other animals for the job. The dogs did a great job until they started sniffing and smelling. The cats were on a roll until a sneaky mouse runs in front of the team of cats and the felines shake out of the harness. Seems no animals can replace the reindeer. In an effort to bring the reindeer back Santa agrees to

"A whirlpool and sauna

would make us quite able.

And real beds, not grass, AND

a heater - and cable."

Santa agrees, the contract is signed, and Santa heads off with his trusty eight. A great addition to any Christmas collection of books. Fun pictures and fun text = enjoyable reading for Christmas time!

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

When Santa Lost His Ho! Ho! Ho! by Laura Rader

Christmas is just a few days away and the North Pole is a busy place with final preparations being made for the big day. Oh no...there is a problem!! Santa has lost his HO HO HO!!! Everyone is eager to help but even the funniest jokes, pies in the face, reindeer kick line, and cocoa do not work to bring back Santa's HO HO HO!! Soon news spreads throughout the world (as is often the case with the media) and ever one is quite concerned. Letters start pouring in from people all over the globe trying to bring back Santa's HO HO HO. Mrs. Claus and the elves find one that they all agree will do the trick....will it work? I thought this was a cute, fun book. Adam and I really enjoyed it BUT....on the back end page there is a picture of the drawing that apparently brought back Santa's HO HO HO.....and the first thing Adam said was, "That is scary not funny." And honestly, I agree with him. I really wish the picture was funny....it is not. WHY?? I would love to hear other kid's reaction to "Holly's picture" because my kid does not honestly scare real easily.....BUT other than that....ADORABLE and FUN book!!

Text: 5 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye Leaves

Front Endpages: 5 Buckeye Leaves - LOVE!!.....

Back endpages: 1 Buckeye leaves

December 1st.....

December 1st brings....

...the 25 days of books. I saw this idea in a magazine years ago - pre-Adam - probably 6 or 7 years ago and was determined that some day I would start this tradition with my child. Adam's first Christmas we brought him home on December 14th, with some jet lag, remains of food poisoning, and an 8 month old that had just gone through over 32 hours of travel and a 12 hour time change, so I did not do it that first year. Each year a bag of 25 holiday/Christmas books arrive at our house, wrapped, and numbered. Each day Adam unwraps one. Where do the books come from? Same ones each year but for the other 11 months of the year the books are hidden away in a crate in the basement. So far, he has not caught on that they are his books and we read them the year before and when he does, that is ok. The excitement of unwrapping a "new" book each day is fun for both of us! I even wrapped them this year and it is always exciting to see which book is unwrapped each day! There are a few new ones sprinkled in each year. His reaction to some of the books are hysterical. Surely worth the 3 packages of Dollar Store tissue paper I used to wrap the books each year!!

Merry Christmas, Mr. Snowman! by Wolfram Hanel

Pip and Squeak (how cute are those names?) are anxiously waiting for the time when they can open their gifts. Since neither can sit still, they decide to go outside and build a snowman. When Mommy Mouse calls them inside, neither feel right leaving Mr. Snowman outside.

"We can't leave Mr. Snowman out here all alone. He'll be sad if he doesn't have anyone to celebrate Christmas with."

"He might catch cold, too." said Pip.

Pip and Squeak then devise a plan so that Mr. Snowman does not have to stay outside alone. After much work Pip and Squeak have moved Mr. Snowman into the house. Before long Mommy and Daddy have discovered a puddle of water by the tree. Mr. Snowman is moved outside where he can still see in to the house through the window. Pip and Squeak still do not feel right excluding Mr. Snowman and devise a NEW plan to include Mr. Snowman in their Christmas celebration. A super sweet story about the spirit of Christmas and the different meaning of "Christmas".

Text: 4 Buckeye Leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves (ADORABLE!!)

Merry Christmas, Curious George

George and the man with the yellow hat are at a Christmas tree farm picking out a Christmas tree. George can not seem to decide which tree he likes the best and swings from one tree to the next. He decides to climb the tallest one and before he knows it, the tree is being cut down and taken away in a big truck. George soon realizes he is at a children's hospital. In true Curious George fashion, George goes "exploring" and leaves no part of the hospital untouched. When George comes upon "his" tree, he decides to decorate it. A nurse discovers George's "creativity" and is not too pleased with the final product. The children in the hospital are able to convince the nurse to allow George to stay, and decorate the tree again, with real Christmas tree decorations. Fans of Curious George will enjoy this fun Christmas adventure with George.

Paul Thurlby's Alphabet by Paul Thurlby

Said it before but....I love ABC books....and this may just have topped the list!! This one is - hate to say it as it sounds pretty weak - very creative. Each letter is incorporated into the letter (as seen above). But beyond that, all the text used seems to somehow fit with letter/word choice. At the end of the book Paul Thurlby explains that this book began as individual illustrations and received such publicity thanks to the Internet/bloggers that he decided to create a book.

For more information about this author/illustrator click HERE!

Overall: 5 Buckeye Leaves - LOVE this one....!!! Do you hear me Santa??

The Twelve Days of Christmas Dogs by Carolyn Conahan

I will admit I am not an animal person....dogs are cute - from afar BUT for the dog lovers this is a cute and fun book! I also love when authors take a popular song/story and change it for a new theme - yes, I have mentioned this before too! As you can probably guess, this book is a new Twelve Days of Christmas. With each new "day" new dogs appear.

"On the fourth day of Christmas my best friend gave to me...

four collie dogs,

three French dogs,

two turtle dogs,

and a pug puppy under the tree."

I think my favorite is on the tenth day of Christmas, "ten Labs a-leaping".

If you or someone you know is a dog lover, this would make a great book to have on the shelf!

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves (some really funny pictures)

Perfect Soup by Lisa Moser

Love this one!! PERFECT (yes, I had to do it) in every way.....any time of year!

Murray the mouse likes everything to be PERFECT including his perfect soup. Unfortunately as he sets out to make it one day, he realizes he is missing a carrot. How can he possibly make perfect soup without all the ingredients? With an ingredient missing it won't be, well, perfect. Murray goes to see farmer in hopes he will return with a carrot. The farmer needs help hauling logs and agrees to giving Murray a carrot if the mouse will help with that. Murray agrees to get the wood moved and heads out to ask Horse for help hauling the wood. Horse agrees if Murray can get him a jingle bell. This pattern continues throughout the book, while a snowman keeps showing up, trying to get Murray's attention. Finally Murray must find a way to cool down hot cocoa for Mrs. Wooley. Murray is so frustrated and about to give up hope when snowman offers to help cool down the hot cocoa. When asked what he wants in return....well, not going to tell you as that is the best part of the book (besides the ending) so you need to check it out!! Truly a PERFECT book to teach children the true meaning of Christmas or any holiday and the art of giving.

Text: 5 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

To visit the author's site, click HERE!

Hocus Pocus by Sylvie Desrosiers & Remy Simard

"Mister Magic" and his dog return from a trip to the grocery store and soon are both napping just as the "rabbit in the top hat" jumps out. The rabbit is ready for a snack - the carrots sitting on the kitchen counter. After repeated failed attempts, usually caused by the dog, the rabbit finally enjoys the carrot, while the dog is put outside. A great wordless picture book for middle elementary students. The book provides a great opportunity for students to laugh while using thinking skills to unlock the storyline. Hilarious and somewhat reminiscent of Tom and Jerry....

Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

Mortimer's Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson & Jane Chapman

Not too early for Christmas books is it? I figured I would start with a BANG....my favorite Christmas book which I discovered last Christmas and since none of our stores here had it, I had to order a used copy (and then ordered another copy for a special little girl that I felt HAD to have a copy). Why do I love this book? Because it is a perfect combination of sweet animals that kids will be able to relate to but yet has the TRUE meaning of Christmas - without going overboard. Mortimer lives in a dark hole in the wall and is not happy about it. One day he goes out looking for a new home. He find a new place near the Christmas tree but it appears to be inhabited by a crowd of people. After attempting to talk to the people, with no response, he realizes the people are actually statues. He soon sets to work moving them out of the area. The next night he returns to find all the statues back in the places he had moved them from. He again drags the statues out of his new house. This continues day after day until one day he overhears the people reading the Christmas story about Jesus and being born in a stable. He soon realizes that the baby statue he has been moving is the statue of Jesus. Mortimer then decides to drag all the statues back to their places. Before he leaves the wood stable, he makes one plea to Jesus, to bring him a house of his own..... Truly a delightful book that kids off all ages will enjoy. The illustrations are adorable and provides a different way of looking at the story of Christmas.

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Text: 5 Buckeye leaves

Red Sled by Lita Judge

Red Sled by Lita Judge is an adorable adventure on a red sled. A child returns to a cabin surrounded by snow, leaving a red sled outside. Soon a bear sees the red sled an the adventure begins. The bear is soon joined by other animals on this downhill adventure. Using limited words, which I personally love as it requires the reader to fill in the blanks and decide what is happening on their own, the adventure is filled with excitement and fun! Red Sled slightly reminds me of Ten on the Sled by Kim Norman, another fun filled animal adventure which students love. Lovely pictures with great, at times funny, animal expressions!

Overall: 5 Buckeye leaves

Author/illustrator website click HERE!

Twelve Haunted Rooms of Halloween

Yes, I know, a little late BUT I had to check this one out this week from the library. It is so cute. I LOVE Halloween books that are not scary or yucky, especially when you are reading them to some of your 1000 students, or your own 3 1/2 year old!!! You might guess from the "twelve" in the title, that the text is patterned after the 12 Days of Christmas.

"Through the fifth haunted doorway I peeked right in to see...
five jack-o-lanterns!
Four skeletons,
Three black cats,
Two wicked witches,
And a bat hanging from a bare tree."

As in the song, this book continues, adding a "new" item in each room. The illustrations are cute, kid-oriented. I will be tucking this book away in my memory until next year.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves
illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

Easy Food Nonfiction! by Catherine Ipcizade

Been slacking a little this week....big election this week....that did not go entirely our way. Very discouraging BUT back to the books....
Found a nonfiction series that I can see kids really liking...ice cream? Pizza? Hot dogs? We got them all! (There is also a mac and cheese one but have not been able to get that from library!) Great illustrations, large print, lower reading level. I am always looking for good nonfiction to share with the 3.5 kid here and the younger kids at school!

"Each American eats enough ice cream to fill 96 cones a year." That is alot of ice cream!
Filled with easy to read and understand facts about ice cream: when it first arrive in the US, when a sundae was introduced, etc.


"Enough hot dogs are sold each year to feed each American 60 of them!" Everything you want to know about hot dogs and more!


Great informational nonfiction book about....PIZZA! Yum!

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

The Herdmans are back!....In picture book format! How does a family of 6 kids, the worst kids in town, that have never even heard the Christmas story, get cast as the leads in the pageant? Same way they get everything else....everyone else is too afraid to stop them. The three wise men will bring pizza. The baby Jesus may have to be stolen from the grocery store? And the Angel of the Lord is from outer space? Is there any hope for this pageant? WIll it be a disaster? Adapted from the chapter book, younger children will enjoy a shorter version of this funny Christmas story.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 3 Buckeye leaves

No Two Alike by Keith Baker

Beautifully illustrated this book looks at of the many things in nature that are similar but not exactly the same. A pair of birds serve as a tour guides in the tour through the wilderness.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves
Endpages: 5 Buckeye leaves

Mouse & Lion by Rand Burkert

In Rand Burkert's new version of Aesop's once again the mouse promises to save the lion some day. The lion of course scoffs at that idea. Of course it is the mouse in the end that is able to save the lion. Great text that could be used to compare and contrast other versions.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

My Rhinoceros by Jon Agee

A boy goes to the pet store looking for a new pet. He quickly learns that his new pet is not really very exciting: no frisbee or fetching a stick. HIs new pet would not roll of over or do anything really. He learns that his pet is good at popping balloons and poking holes in kites. What? The boy is very disappointed. However just like many special gifts and talents in humans, his rhino's special gifts and talents come in handy, and saves the day.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

School for Bandits by Hannah Shaw

Ralph is not like the other raccoons. Ralph says please and thank you, is clean and tidy, and brushes his teeth. His parents are so upset that they decide to send him to Bandit School in hopes he will become more like the other raccoons. Ralph hates it - he just can't be mean, messy, and sneaky like the others. As the first term ends, each raccoon is is given a bag to gather "loot" from others. Ralph still can't be unkind. How will he ever be able to fill his bag? A fun book about raccoons. Will be a perfect beginning of the year, how to treat each other, book.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves