Dino-Football by Lisa Wheeler

In this Super Bowl like game including an explosive musical half time show, the Greenblade Snackers are playing the Redscales for the championship. All the football lingo is here in this delightful colorful and rhyming book. Touchdown. Penalty. Flea-flicker. The illustrator Barry Gott works well with author Lisa Wheeler to make this a charming story begging to be read aloud. It's easy to keep track of which player is doing what for which team as the red dinos names are in red and the green ones in green. The game is exciting and tense up until the end. Love the hint of the next title at the end of the book.


Dinosaurs and football.  Is there a better combination for a dad or grandpa to share with their little ones? Unless of course it's basketball you prefer.  For my review of Dino-Basketball click here written by the same team as Dino-Football.

Read as an ebook arc courtesy of Carolrhoda Books via Netgalley.  Dino-Football will be available beginning August 1 2012.

Introducing Ami Rubinger : author and illustrator of picture books

As a parent I enjoyed reading books to/with my own children that stimulated their brains and made them think. I would read books about choosing books for kids and still do now as an elementary school library specialist. Thanks to Abbeville Press via Netgalley I have discovered a wonderful author/illustrator.  His name is Ami Rubinger and his books are extraordinary.  First is I Dream of an Elephant, a rhyming book about colors.  Hints are given in the rhymes about the color but the reader has to fill in the blanks and children will love doing that.  What a terrific way to explore colors.

    

Next we have Big Cat, Small Cat a book not just about cats.  Written in rhyme it helps young ones stretch their vocabulary to come up with the descriptive words about the cats.  The illustrations are adorable and the faces on the cats priceless.  Lastly is Dog Number 1, Dog Number 10 which uses dogs and rhymes and dogs to teach children to count to 10 while filling in the blanks.  All three books are creative and imaginative and will teach without children realizing they are learning.  Recommended for toddlers through second graders and older for those learning English as a second language.

Oh, Boy, Mallory by Laurie Friedman

Mallory hears through the grapevine that a boy in the next grade likes her.  She's not really sure she likes him or that she is ready for a boyfriend but her friends encourage her to pursue the relationship.  In  one funny scene after another we see what crushes in 4th and 5th grade are like, what happens when you do what your friend wants you to do and how in the end you should be true to yourself.  Laurie Friedman writes what young girls want to read about and her Mallory books are always so enjoyable.  This one is perfect for girls discovering boys.  Perfect for readers in 3rd-6th grade who enjoy contemporary fiction and for reluctant and struggling readers as it's written in diary form with loads of terrific illustrations by Jennifer Kalis.  Read as an ebook arc courtesy of Lerner Publishing Group via Netgalley.

For reviews of other Mallory books click here or here.

Mud Puddle by Robert Muncsh

For me it is impossible to not hear Robert Munsch's voice in my head when I read Mud Puddle!  Thank's to modern technology I have heard him read aloud 50 Below Zero at least 100 times as it is a favorite and I share his reading with my K-6 students every year.

Stephanie's Ponytail is another of my favorites.  

Mud Puddle is quite funny and the illustrations are charming.  Munsch lets the little girl work out this problem of the mud puddle and shows how smart kids can be. I look forward to sharing this book with my students in the next school year and opening up discussion on how to solve minor problems.   Recommended for kids of all ages to read independently or with parents as a read aloud.  Read as an ebook arc courtesy of Annick Press via Netgalley.

I Don't Belive it, Archie! By Andrew Norriss

Day after day for a week we read about the odd and unbelievable things that happen to Archie and his new friend Cyd. While odd things have always happened to Archie, having Cyd there as a witness helps him cope and gets him out of trouble. From being accused of robbing a jewelry store to being mistaken as a kidnapped kid, each occurrence is more bizarre than the previous one. The twist at the end is brilliant! Archie's mother can never understand just why he doesn't complete any task or errand and exclaims time again "I don't believe it, Archie!"

This is a very funny story that will appeal to boys and girls. The chapters are not too long and there are lovely illustrations that help explain the action. There are many British words that may need to be explained to some readers for example trainers are sneakers and pounds are dollars. Recommended for second grade (advanced readers)through sixth grade(reluctant readers). I read this as an advanced readers copy courtesy of Random House Children's Books via Netgalley.

Spunky Tells All by Ann Cameron

As a new dog owner ( 3 1/2 years) I have a different appreciation for stories told in a dog's point of view.  SPUNKY TELLS ALL had me laughing out loud and wondering if my dog had similar thoughts as Spunky.  While a sequel/companion to Ann Cameron's older books about Huey and Julian, readers do not have to be familiar with them although I believe after reading this one they may want more and will look for those older books. Written for readers graduating from easy chapter books this a nice transition book although it is not on the easy side. The chapters are not too long and there are pictures which are adorable.  I would recommended this for second grade advanced readers up through 6th grade for strugglers and definitely for those that enjoy dog stories and humorous books.