Posted by Ruth
Categories: All Ages, Fiction, Picture Books, Review
Tags:Don Freeman, Easy Read, Good Read Aloud, music, praying mantis, Quick Read, spiders
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Manuelo the mantis loves music, and he spends a lot of his time listening to outdoor concerts. One day, he decides to try making an instrument that he could play. Try as he might, nothing works out, and he gets very discouraged. Then, a small spider offers her help, and together they try one last time.
I’d never heard of this book until just recently, but I’m glad I found it. It may not be one of Don Freeman’s most popular books, but the story is unique and sweet. I definitely encourage everyone who enjoys this author’s books (or anyone who enjoys music) to look into Manuelo the Playing Mantis.
Posted by Becca
Categories: Fiction, Picture Books, Review, Younger Readers
Tags:Award Winner, Easy Read, Ezra Jack Keats, Good Read Aloud, Quick Read, Snow, Winter
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One day, Peter wakes up and sees snow out his window. He spends the day making funny tracks, building a snowman, and making snow angels.
The Snowy Day is a very enjoyable book about all the fun things to do when it snows. It makes a great read-aloud and will have you wishing for a snowfall so you can play, too.
Posted by Rebekah
Categories: All Ages, Fiction, Incredibook!, Picture Books, Review
Tags:Animals, Don Freeman, Easy Read, Good Read Aloud, Mice, Quick Read
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Norman, an artistically-minded mouse, loves to show his friends all the treasures hidden in the basement of the Majestic Museum of Art. One day Norman decides to make a sculpture out of the mousetraps that the sharp-eyed guard leaves. He enters the “mouse on the flying trapezee” into a sculpture contest the museum is having, and much to his surprise, wins first place!
I love this book. It ends so well, and Norman is such a decent little mouse—and his wire sculpture is really fun.
Posted by Ruth
Categories: Fiction, Picture Books, Review, Younger Readers
Tags:Animals, Bears, blueberries, Easy Read, Good Read Aloud, Quick Read, Robert McCloskey
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One morning, Little Sal and her mother go to Blueberry Hill, in order to pick lots of berries to can for the winter. Mother picks steadily, but Little Sal is more interested in sitting and eating the blueberries. And meanwhile, Little Bear and Little Bear’s mother are coming up the other side of the hill. It’s not long before Little Bear begins to lag behind… A mix-up of mothers is bound to ensue.
Such a fun book, and definitely a classic. It’s a simple but delightful story, with very nice pictures that are plenty big. And I think readers of Blueberries for Sal will find it hard to ever pick blueberries without remembering the book and how Sal drops her berries into her pail: Kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk.
Posted by Rebekah
Categories: Fiction, Picture Books, Review, Younger Readers
Tags:Animals, Award Winner, Easy Read, Good Read Aloud, Maurice Sendak, Quick Read, Seafaring
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When Max is sent to bed with no supper (he was being far too wild) he wiles the time away pretending he is on a voyage. He sails away for almost a year and comes to the place where the Wild Things are. After a wonderful time playing with the Wild Things, Max smells supper cooking and sails for home.
This is one of those odd little books that seem to have no reason, and no structure, but is thoroughly enjoyable. It’s just a little boy imagining, and it’s fun to imagine with him. Some fuss could be made over Max’s being sent to bed with no supper as punishment and then having a fun time, but imaginations are very wild things. And I guess you have to do something while you’re sitting there, waiting.
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