Oh No, Monster Tomato by Jim Helmore and Karen Wall

A new AND fast favorite at our house!  As in....I picked it up today from library and had to read it 2xs...in a row.  You can tell from the cover why it is such a fast favorite.  Excitement.  Suspense.  Action.  The Great Grislygust Grow-off is coming up and Marvin has hopes set on winning with his tomatoes.  Marvin's siblings though are convinced he does not stand a chance against their pumpkins and beans.  But Marvin's tomatoes are not your average tomatoes.  Soon the MONSTER tomato plant is beaming tomatoes at his brother and sister and continuing to grow.  When the grow-off judges show up, the plant starts hurling tomatoes at them.  Marvin is certain that his winning plans are ruined.  Hilarious book that kids will immediately fall head over heels for.  

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves (Just look at the facial expressions above!)

Vote For Me by Ben Clanton

So this is one that may not REALLY be intended for kids but.....adults will get a kick out of it (or maybe high school/middle school students). See if you can put it together....a DONKEY and ELEPHANT are both running for office, the Big Cheese to be exact.  As these things sometimes do, it gets to be a little, well,  heated with mudslinging (literally).  See why you might want to use this with older kids??  I laughed through the whole thing, knowing what I know....but the 4 year old thought it was funny because even he knew that the elephant and donkey were not being "nice"!  And in the end....the INDEPENDENT MOUSE won.....if only it was that simple!

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

A Is For Zebra by Mark Shulman

A is for zebra?  D is for bald head?  E is for me?  It is when the books is about ENDING letters!  Finally a book that looks at the end of the word.  We have been working on this in "Mommy summer school" here at our house so this fits perfectly.  Great, FUN illustrations with great captions to be read, enjoyed, and extend understanding of ending letters.

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

Library Mouse: A Museum Adventure by Daniel Kirk

Sam and Sarah are back and this time they are headed to the museum next to the library.  Sam convinces Sarah to try keeping a journey.  They are enjoying their adventure, seeing the variety of art and other items, when they run into an enemy, a cat.  They quickly learn why the cat is following them and discover they have a new friend.  Great fun, if you enjoyed the other Library Mouse books, you will enjoy the latest installment.

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

To see the book trailer click HERE!

Dog In Charge by K.L. Going

When the humans leave the house, Dog is left in charge of the 5 cats.  Dog's plans are simple:  sit and stay. The cats have other plans!  Dog spends the entire time hunting hiding cats and cleaning up after the bad cats.  Dog is worried when the humans come home, he will no longer be a favorite.  Kids will love the antics of the cats as well as the dogs reaction to the troublesome cats.  Fun book written in an interesting style - a touch of graphic novel within a picture book.

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves
Endpages:  5 Buckeye leaves - Awesome!  Big points for silly faces on dog by the 4 year old here!

Pass It On! by Marilyn Sadler

Most of us have played the "Telephone" game as a child.  Pass It On! is the book version of the game and as the reader, aware that the message is being changed as it passes from one animal to another, you have the opportunity to watch the message become more hilarious.  Bee starts with the simple message of "Cow is stuck in the fence."  This quickly changes to "Cow put a duck in the tent" and from there more interesting messages.  Funny book with a great lesson.  

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

How to Babysit Grandpa by Jean Reagan

Grandpa is covering over.....he needs a babysitter again!  While babysitting Grandpa, you must remember to take him for a walk, draw a picture for him, etc.  A great book for introducing any babysitter to a child. Funny book that will be enjoyed by children as well as their adult reader.

Text:  5 Buckeye Leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves
Endpages:  5 Buckeye leaves - ADORABLE!  Check it out!

Zoe Gets Ready by Bethanie Deeney Murguia

I can SO relate to Zoe's dilemma.  Zoe is use to being told what to wear.  On Saturdays though Zoe gets to select her own outfit.  Then the trouble begins:  twirling day, cartwheeling day, exploring day, etc.  Zoe is finally comes up with a "solution"!  Cute book which girl especially will enjoy the book.  Simple text and cute pictures makes this a great book for young children.

To see the book trailer click HERE!

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

Pets Go Pop! by Bob Staake

I really enjoy Bob Staake.  His books are always fun and innovative.  Being a pop up book, this one though fun, may not be the most financially responsible choice for my school.  The book contains few words but the illustrations provide such an engaging experience for the reader.  Kids will enjoy this one over and over.


Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

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

What Little Boys Are Made Of by Robert Neubecker

What are little boys made of?  Sticks and stones and puppy dog tails....and "moons and stars and rockets to mars."  Neubecker extends the well-known poem adding in the things that so many boys enjoy, imaginative play.  Simple texts and colorful illustrations makes this book a great book for young boys.  This book has been a great hit at our house.

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

Huff & Puff by Claudia Rueda

3 pigs + 1 wolf + a lot of huffing and puffing = a birthday cake?  A version of the 3 Little Pigs, written in short sentences, with little details, but with a new twist at the end.  The big bad wolf is not huffing and puffing for no reason this time!  This time there are candles to be blown out!  A cute take on a classic tale.  Despite its simple sentences and style, I think this book is best for kids that already know the tale of the 3 pigs.


Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

Cindy Moo by Lori Mortensen

"Hey Diddle Diddle, the cat and the fiddle...."
All the cows at the Diddle Farm are not sure how any cow could jump over the moon!  Cindy Moo decides she is going to prove to the other cows that SHE can jump over the moon.  She works hard and is finally able to jump over the moon one evening after it rained.  The other cows are ecstatic and are soon jumping into the fun!  A fun take on a classic nursery rhyme.

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

Seeing Symmetry by Loreen Leedy

Leedy is once again tackling nonfiction, in this case math, using her picture book format.  In Seeing Symmetry, Leedy is examining symmetry through a variety of pictures:  nature, design, drawing, etc.  A great book for students just learning about symmetry.

Loreen Leedy website click here!

Yoko Learns to Read by Rosemary Wells

Yoko is working hard to learn how to read but she only has three books at home and they are in Japanese.    Other students in Yoko's class is getting to add leaves to the book tree but not Yoko.  When Yoko's mama goes to talk to Mrs. Jenkins, Yoko's teacher, she encourages Yoko's mama to read with her at home.  Yoko's mama must admit that she does not know how to read.  Together Yoko and Yoko's mama work hard so that both of them can become readers.

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

Sophie's FIsh by A. E. Cannon

Have you ever babysat a fish?  If you did, would you know what kind of snack to feed the fish?  What kind of stories do fish like to hear?  What kind of games do you play with a fish?  Jake has agreed to watch Sophie's fish, and is very excited until these questions cross his mind.  He can't possibly be prepared for watching Yo-Yo.  But Yo-Yo is just a fish.....isn't he?  I loved this book.  The illustrations and the text go together perfectly.  You can feel Jake's anxiety about the fish sitting and it builds and builds both in words and his expression.   And the ending...well......you have to see it... :)

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

So You Want To Be A Rock Star by Audrey Vernick

Since our district will not be having art, music, and physical education next year, at least not in the traditional sense, I have started looking at some of the books we read that might fit these areas.  This is a new favorite at our house and one that I think could be used with our kiddos at school.  What things do you need to be a rock star?  Microphone?  Cool electric guitar?  Cool clothes?  Fun interactive text to get the kids up and moving and responding.

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

Bugs Galore by Peter Stein

From the author and illustrator team of Cars Galore comes an equally fun adventure in words, Bugs Galore.

Honey-making,
buzzy bee bug.
Fuzzy, stinging,
time-to-flee bug!

Experience fun bugs of all kinds, colors, and sizes, through the fun words and lively illustrations.  All kids, bug lovers and non-bug lovers, of all ages will enjoy this fun book.

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

Maisy Goes on A Sleepover

Maisy has never been on a sleepover before so she is quite excited when Tallulah invites her to spend the night at her house.  First Maisy has to pack for her overnight.  Once arriving at Tallula's house, she meets Tallulah's friend.  Together the friends enjoy music, a snack, games, a book and ready for bed.  Will Maisy enjoy her first sleepover?  

Animals...and Their Families by Barbara Nascimbeni

Need a truly awesome nonfiction animal book without too much text?  Here it is!  Each 2 page spread includes (as available):  a silhouette of the animal on the left and on the right the animal in its natural habitat, as it applies the name of the female, male, and baby, what it eats, the sound it makes.   This book is simple enough that small children will enjoy and learn from.  Excellent book!!  Check it out!


Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

Animal Masquerade by Marianne Dubuc

The animals are dressed in costume and headed to the party.

"The soft white sheep went disguised as...a porcupine.
The porcupine went disguised as...a wiener dog."

Kids (and adults too) will enjoy the silly costumes each animal selects.  Illustrations are funny with plain backgrounds which allows the reader to really focus on the disguise each animal is wearing.

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

Builder Bugs by David A. Carter

A new David Carter pop-up creation has arrived!  I love Carter's pop ups and this newest one with a popular topic for Adam is a big hit.  Kids will love studying and moving this interactive book.

Who builds the walls on Wednesday?
The Toolbox Bugs work hard all day.

If you have a little fan for BIG construction, this one will be a quick favorite.

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

The Wheels on the Bus by Jeanne Willis

The bus is headed....to the zoo.  The bus has lions, meerkat, skunks, and a croc heading to the zoo.  Unfortunately the bus has a little trouble with a tire.  Thank goodness the bus also has an elephant ready to help.  A fun new look at the well known kid song.  Kids will enjoy the fun, new version.

Text:  4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

I Love My Daddy by Giles Andreae

Need a book for Father's Day?  Look no further.  A simple book about good old dad and all that he does.  

"He sings me all his favorite songs.  I love to dance and sing along."

Kids will enjoy the funny things dad does as well as the bold colorful pictures from Emma Dodd.  

Jo MacDonald Had a Garden by Mary Quattlebaum

As you can probably guess from the title and the cover, this book is Old MacDonald set to a "garden" theme.  Jo starts off with soil and soon there is worms, some patting the soil, sprinkling water, and on and on all under the sunshine.  Great introduction to kids that may have never been involved in planting a garden.  Great spring time read aloud which lends itself to a great flannel board for the kids.

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  4 Buckeye leaves

Suppose You Meet A Dinosaur: A First Book of Manners by Judy Sierra

Great book for those early (or in some cases LATE) manner learners!  In the book a little girl is at the grocery store and runs into...what else...a DINOSAUR!  The little girl and MISS Dinosaur keep running into each other, providing reasons/situations to use their manners.  Two things that make this book great...oh wait - three - #1.  the illustrations are BOLD and COLORFUL....thanks to Ohio's own Tim Bowers!!  #2.  The story continues with the same characters in one situation...very authentic to every day life.  #3.  The set up provides the opportunity for the reader to answer correctly with what each character would say, using great manners, before the character actually does.  A MUST buy for teaching those all important manner skills!!

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5  Buckeye leaves

The Art of Miss Chew by Patricca Polacco

For any teacher that has ever felt undervalued....add this Polacco book (along with quite a few of her others) to the list to boost your morale and to remind you of your POWER!  This book again looks at another, actually two, powerful teachers in "Trisha's" life.  Trisha has begun another new school year and loves her teacher, Mr. Donovan.  He soon recognizes Trisha's struggles and tries to help her by allowing her to have extra time when completing work.  He also soon recognizes her talent in art and sets her up with a special art teacher, Miss Chew, at the high school.  Miss Chew works with Trisha and her art ability grows.  But one day Mr. Donovan receives horrible news that his father in Ireland has passed away.  Mr. Donovan leaves for Ireland and the new substitute is not as understanding or supportive as Mr. Donovan.  She believes Trisha is wasting her time taking art classes with Miss Chew.  Believing in Trisha's talent, Miss Chew works to save her prized student from being taken out of art classes.  Another inspirational book from Polacco - for students as well as teachers. 

"I spy with my little eye...something with big claws." 

This book of under the sea riddles with a "cut away eye" will delight and challenge young children.  Readers will be able to sharpen their counting skills as they explore the creatures below the water.  A great interactive book.  And my favorite 4 year old....LOVES this book!  :)

Text:  5 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations:  5 Buckeye leaves

Waking Up Is Hard To Do

I LOVE THIS ONE! And it will be stuck in your head for DAYS.....Poor Dinosaur is having a hard time getting out of bed. Admit it! You have been there! AND I figured on a Monday this is the perfect book to share. The CD will have you tapping your feet as you go through dinosaur's morning. Colorful, fun illustrations accompany the great lyrics and provide great enjoyment for all ages!

Text: 5 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye Leaves

Scary Mary by Paula Bowles

Mary is very scary. When the other animals ask her to play, she scares them away. She does everything she can to make them go away. She makes signs and makes a big fuss. When she is finally alone she realizes that being scary is also very lonely. She misses the other animals and changes her mind about being scary. Adorable illustrations accompany this simple story about getting along with others. Scary Mary could be used with any level to spark discussion about treating each other nicely.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Secret Agent Splat by Rob Scotton

Splat is back and this time he must use his detective skills to investigate. A number of ducks are being taken and returned with missing beaks. Splat begins his investigation by asking his family about the crime. This turns up no useable clues except the name "Mr. Nobody". Splat decides this is a job for Secret Agent Splat. He devises an elaborate plan and is shocked by what he uncovers. Spike is the duck thief....or is he?

To view a book trailer of Secret Agent Splat click HERE!!

The Jellybeans and the Big Art Adventure by Laura Numeroff

The Jellybean friends are back again!! Bitsy and the other girls are given the honor of creating a mural on the side of Petunia's Candy Store. Each girl decides on what they want to add to the mural but Bitsy has the hardest time deciding what the add because she is worried about others not liking what she adds. Will Bitsy be able to decide?

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves (Lynn Munsinger is one of my most favorite illustrators!)

Blue Chameleon by Emily Gravett

The amazing chameleon....able to change colors....and in this case, shape, to look more like other objects. Fun book with great exposure to colors as well as a discussion about chameleons!

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Artist Ted by Andrea Beaty

Ted is back and this time he is the ultimate "artiste"! Ted decides he needs to spruce up the boring, plain walls around him and creates his own paint and his own brushes to do just that. Ted takes his artistic expression too far when he decides to create a masterpiece on the shirt of the new student Pierre. It is up to Artist Ted, and his friends, to make Pierre feel better and less anxious about his new school.

(Follow up to Doctor Ted and Firefighter Ted)

I Speak Dinosaur! by Jed Henry

A boy decides when he speaks "dinosaur" he does not have to worry about using good manners. He can say what he wants and how he wants it. He quickly discovers that is not the case. What he does discover is when he speaks "dinosaur" he is quite lonely. When he meets other dinosaurs he is surprised to learn that dinosaurs are polite and use good manners. Maybe he needs to change his "dinosaur-language". I Speak Dinosaur! will appeal to dinosaur loving kiddos. The book has a great message about using manners and being polite though at times it was somewhat confusing to follow. Hopefully kids would see beyond that to the deeper message.

Text: 3 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

When Blue Met Egg by Lindsay Ward

"One SNOWY morning, Blue was awakened by something extraordinary flying through the air..."

So begins a journey for Blue, a little bird, and a rather quiet, cold egg. Blue is determined to find Egg's mother, figuring the mother would be very worried. Blue travels all around New York City looking for Egg's mother, without any luck. Blue continues to search for the mother while caring for Egg until slushy April arrives and Blue begins to notice that Egg is getting smaller....and smaller....and one day is gone and in its place something pink (flower) has bloomed and a new friendship begins. Sweet story - with adorable pictures. Small children may miss what "Eggs" truly is.

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Endpages: 5 Buckeye leaves (scenes of NYC!)

Piggy Bunny by Rachel Vail

Liam is a piglet. He is a perfect piglet according to his pig parents.

"We love your squiggly tail and your little black eyes and your snouty nose and your adorably triangular ears."

But Liam does not think he is perfect. Liam does not want to be a pig. Liam wants to be the EASTER BUNNY! Everyone told Liam he could NOT be the Easter Bunny. Everyone that is except his grandparents. Liam's grandparents encouraged Liam. They told him to get a costume, which was ordered on the Internet. And Liam started practicing. Finally Liam became the Easter Bunny he always wanted to be. Such a cute story about believing in yourself and what you want to BE. The illustrations and text fit each other perfectly. Very enjoyable.

Text: 4 Buckeye Leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Wake Up, It's Spring! by Lisa Campbell Ernst

It is that time of year.....SPRING!! The snow is melting, the long cold (well, except this winter) is over and it is time for all things spring to arrive! Once the sun has warmed up, the earth wakes up and "nudges" the earthworm. The earthworm wakes up and "sang" to its neighbor the seed. This continues on and on. A great book for sequencing activities with young children as the storyline is fairly simple to follow. This book would also be a great book for a flannel board story - will put that on my "to do" list for the summer.....

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves (I always enjoy Ernst's illustrations!)

The Duckling Gets a Cookie! by Mo Willems

The Pigeon and his little "friend" Duckling are back! (Yes, it came out today.....and yes, I drove to B and N to get it at lunch....yes, I am probably more excited than the kids!) So this time the Pigeon is upset because the Duckling has a cookie and he does not. How did the Duckling get a coookie? Hasn't the Pigeon asked for things before? Why is he never given anything? It is just NOT fair! The Duckling being a kind Duckling decides to.....share. BUT why? What makes this Duckling sooooo willing to share?? LOVE the Pigeon and his little friend! Can't wait to share this one tonight at bed time....Thanks again Mo!

Text: 5 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves

Kite Day by Will Hillenbrand

Friends Bear and Mole are back and this time they want to fly a kite. Working together the two friends create a kite and are ready to take off. Once the kite is up and flying a bad storm rolls in, causing the kite string to snap. Bear and Mole are disappointed until they realize that their kite served a new purpose for some baby birds. The simple storyline will allow even the youngest reader to understand the main events of the story with some additional explanation for the ending.

(Second book in the Mole and Bear series - first one was Spring Is Here!)

Text: 3 Buckeye leaves

Illustrations: 4 Buckeye leaves

I don't want to be a pea! by Ann Bonwill

I love this book! The illustrations are adorable and the simple story with endearing characters really made this an enjoyable book to read. Now my students....I think they missed part of it...ho hum. Hugo, a hippo, and Bella, a bird, are getting read for the Hippo-Bird Fairy-Tale Fancy Dress Party. They must decide on a costume which is where the trouble begins. Hugo wants to dress as the princess and have Bella dress as the pea but Bella is not in favor of being a pea! Bella has other ideas. Bella thinks she should dress as a mermaid and Hugo could be a rock. Obviously Hugo does not like this idea. It goes on and on until the two friends are not speaking, and not going to the party together. Will they ever be able to come to an agreement and save their friendship?

Text: 4 Buckeye leaves
Illustrations: 5 Buckeye leaves









To check out the book trailer click HERE!



Author's website click HERE!

It's My Room by Robert Munsch

I am trying hard to catch up on the new books I have read....and not doing such a good job. A few second grade classes at school study Robert Munsch so in an effort to prep for their classes tomorrow, I am writing this up. I will admit that I am maybe not the biggest Munsch fan....mainly because I do not always "get it". This one took me a couple times to really appreciate. I am anxious to see what the kid's think.

Matthew is very excited when his mom announces that they will be moving to a new trailer. He is even more excited to hear he will not have to share his room. Of course it is not long before various relatives and/or their pets arrive and Matthew is forced to share his room. Matthew has reached his limit. He knows he must come up with a plan....a lasting plan....that will make a big impact. Though he still has to share his room, it is not with relatives or their pets.