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Looking for a good book? You've come to the right place for Book Hunting!

Looking for books for teen readers? Visit A Harvest of Books or the Teen Scene!

 

If you loved Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See? as a child, then you and your child will enjoy Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What do you Hear? by the same creative team of Bill Martin and Eric Carle. Rather than seeing one colorful animal after another, this story takes place at the zoo and focuses on hearing. A polar bear, elephant, zebra, hippo, lion, walrus, flamingo, and boa constrictor, among others, are asked, What do you hear? and each response leads to the next animal on display. Children love the repetitive pattern and can ask the question aloud with the reader. They will also enjoy imitating the sound the zoo animals make, just as the children in the book do. In the end, the zookeeper comes upon a garden of children dressed as their favorite animals. While Brown Bear focuses on sight, this book focuses on sight and sound. A fun way to get your child thinking about all the senses.

Sam Patch: Daredevil Jumper by Julie Cummins will capture the attention of a wide range of readers due to vivid phrasing and exciting facts told in the tone of a tall tale. Cummins has dug deep into the history of nineteenth-century New York to share the life of a local hero who became a popular daredevil entertainer . Michael Allen Austins acrylic paintings add a folklore feel to the historic details behind the legend of Sam Patch. Once Edward learns to read he reads everything in sight.

In Edward and the Pirates by David McPhail, Edward gets so wrapped up in his books that he feels hes part of the story. When he finds a dusty old tome at the library it promises the secret to buried treasure. The pirates in the book invade his room at night, demanding he turn the bookand its secret for fortuneover to them. Edward holds out until he realizes the pirates cant read and so, he should help them, shouldnt he? This is a fun, imaginative story that promotes reading and library use in as a fun, positive light. What other secrets are hidden in the unread books at your local library?

In Boostie Barker Bites by Barbara Bottner (illustrated by Peggy Rathmann) this is what the main character discovers. While her mother and Mrs. Barker visit, the main character and Bootsie are sent off to play together. But Bootsie always gets her way and soon all the games turn into Bootsie-dinosaur chasing the main character as her next meal. When she complains about Bootsie to her mother she is told to learn to get along with all kinds of people and tell Bootsie you dont want to play that game. Now that Bootsie is coming to spend the weekend, the main character puts her mothers advice into action. Anyone who has ever been bulliedyoung or oldwill cheer the main characters resolve in dealing with the bully in her life. Any bullies listening will learn that a bit of their own medicine is something they never want to taste. Rathmanns humorous illustrations provide memorable impact to Bottners clever story.
Its tough to get along while playing but when youre the littlest kid on the block its harder to join in playtime fun. This is what Andy discovers in Andy: Thats My Name by Tomie de Paola. Andy has a wagon full of blocks that spell his name. The big kids want to play with them and Andy agrees. Theyre having so much fun that Andy wants to play, too, but hes not included. When Andy decides to head for homeand plans to take his wagon of blocks with himthings change. Youngest children will relate to Andys dilemma and learn how to deal with getting left out. In Flower Garden by Eve Bunting (illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt), the story blooms as a father and daughter buy and plant flowers in a window box. The sight adds some color and charm to their city street, but the surprise doesnt end there. The flowers are a gift for someones special day! Clear, oil illustrations burst with color and detail, such as the bus ride from the store, the planting session, and the cat scaring off pigeons as the father and daughter hang their window box from the third floor. Bullies come in all disguises. Even the cute daughter of your mothers best friend.

Click the links below for a few of my other book reviews on the web, or visit Found Favorites for both past and present titles.

Wool Gathering: A Sheep Family Reunion by Lisa Wheeler for my Book Nook column.

Life in the Fat Lane by Cherie Bennett for BookPage.

Board book concepts series by World Wildlife Fund for BookPage.

"Surviving Summer Reading"


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