Split! Splat! by Amy Gibson

Who knew that rain could be so fun and cheerful!?!  Amy Gibson proves that rain does not have to ruin your day!  Using lots of upbeat language, Split! Splat! is an adventure in words.

"I sing a little sun song, a sun song, a run song, a cloud-gone, green-lawn, raining-is-all-done song."

Love this upbeat book which will have every reader looking at rain a little different.


Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

Otis and the Tornado by Loren Long

Otis the tractor and his friends on the farm are back again! Life on the farm is peaceful with the exception of the mean bull. None of the other animals want to go near the bull because he is so mean and scary. One day a storm blows in. The sky is dark. The wind starts howling. But Otis knows there is something different about this storm. Suddenly the storm stops and all is quiet....too quiet. Otis hears the farmer yell, "It's coming fast, get down in the cellar!" And that is when Otis realizes what is approaching....a tornado. He quickly springs into action to save his friends and leads them to a safe place to wait out the storm. But once there Otis hears a cry.....the bull is still locked in his pen. Otis must hurry to save the bull, the animal that was always so mean to him and his friends. Great story that some students may be able to relate to if they have ever been in a severe storm. We read ALOT of books at our house (and that is an understatement) BUT this is the FIRST - ONLY book that the 3 1/2 year old has actually tried to sneak in for TWO readings during the same "session"....and then requested to take it to bed with him! I think that means he likes it! I really enjoyed this one too as it is a children's picture book - that has suspense and excitement in it. I am anxious to read it to my kiddos at school to get their reaction.

Text: 5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Check out Loren Long's explanation for creating his Otis illustrations in his first Otis book by clicking HERE!

It's Snowing! by Gail Gibbons

Gail Gibbons is back!! This time she is tackling the cold, blustery, white world of WINTER! Written in her usual style, Gibbons looks at the many scientific parts of winter as well as some of the fun! Gibbons explains the water cycle which contributes to the snowfall in easy to understand terms for the youngest readers. She goes on to explain what goes into the "making" of a snowflake and where snow is most common. My favorite part was the 2 page spread where she shows area around the world that has snow, including Chile's volcano Villarica and Mount Kilimanjaro, which is within sight of the equator. A great nonfiction book for young kids. I plan to use this as intro to nonfiction for my younger grades!

Text: 5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

To see an interview with Gail Gibbons click HERE!