Posted by Jordan
Categories: Fiction, Picture Books, Review, Younger Readers
Tags:Animals, Birds, Dr. Seuss, Easy Read, Funny, Good Read Aloud
Add a comment »
Our rating: 
Four silly stories by Dr. Seuss about some rather interesting subjects.
The Sneetches, the title story, is about birds. Half have stars on their bellies, the other half don’t. The ones with the stars lord it over the ones without. One day, a man offers to add stars to those with none.
The Zax is a tale of two creatures who won’t budge from their tracks to let the other through.
Too Many Daves is a crazy poem about a woman who named all of her sons Dave.
Finally, What was I Scared of? tells the story of “a pair of walking green pants with nobody inside them.”
This is probably my favorite Seuss book. I’ve always loved The Sneetches, and Too Many Daves is a poem that I can partially recite. Anyway, some great stories.
Posted by Jordan
Categories: Adventure, Fiction, Older Readers, Review
Tags:Animals, Good Read Aloud, Indians, Quick Read, Scary, Scott O’Dell, Seafaring
Add a comment »
Our rating:
El Manta Diablo is nothing more than a scary story about a giant manta ray, right? When Ramon Salazar finds the largest pearl ever known, he is not so sure. An old Indian claims Manta Diablo will take back the pearl, and Ramon’s life.
I believe this story is a great example of why you shouldn’t be superstitious, however, the ending proves that Ramon doesn’t learn that lesson. Whatever. Scott O’ Dell has another winner, although a rather short one.
Posted by Jordan
Categories: Adventure, All Ages, Fantasy, Fiction, Review
Tags:Animals, Cats, Edward Eager, Funny, Good Read Aloud, Turtles
Add a comment »
Our rating:
Jane, Mark, Katharine, and Martha of Half Magic fame are back. On vacation at a lake, Mark catches a turtle, and Jane dreamily wishes for a magic lake. The next thing the children know, the turtle tells them that they’ve gotten their wish, and they’ve made a huge mistake: A lake full of magic is way too much magic! After adding some rules about days when the magic will happen, the turtle leaves them to their fate – with hilarious results.
Next to Half Magic, Magic by the Lake is my favorite Eager book so far. It’s probably the most exciting Eager book I’ve read. Unfortunately, the ending is a bit predictable, but other than that, this book is a lot of fun.
Posted by Jordan
Categories: All Ages, Fiction, Incredibook!, Review
Tags:Animals, Birds, Funny, Good Read Aloud, Henry Reed, Indians, Keith Robertson, Out of Print
1 Comment »
Our rating:
Henry Reed is coming back to Grover’s Corner, but in a whole new way. Instead of flying directly to Grover’s Corner, he’s going to San Francisco, where his friend Midge’s family is. They all plan to drive back, across the continent back to New Jersey. But with Henry and Midge having a way of starting innocent accidents, and souvenirs for their travel museum piling up, Mr. Glass might not survive to drive them home!
Personally, this is my favorite Henry Reed book. Everywhere the car stops, Henry and Midge cause an accident or get pulled into something. From Midge starting a gold rush, to Henry saving a hotel swimming pool, Henry Reed’s Journey is a definite winner. Too bad it’s out of print.
Posted by Jordan
Categories: All Ages, Fiction, Review
Tags:Animals, Dogs, Funny, Good Read Aloud, Henry Reed, Keith Robertson, Rabbits
Add a comment »
Our rating:
Henry Reed’s father is an American diplomat to Italy, so Henry hasn’t ever seen the USA. This year, his Uncle Al and Aunt Mabel invite him to stay in Grover’s Corner, New Jersey, for his summer vacation. Being an industrious young man, Henry and the neighbor girl, Midge, start a research firm, Henry Reed, Inc. But Midge isn’t a full partner until she can catch the rabbit she promised to the firm. Henry thinks catching it will be easy, but this bunny has a mind of its own!
Henry Reed, Inc. is a hilarious string of events, some resulting from the pursuit of the rabbit. Henry and Midge also have to battle the grumpy Apples, the next door neighbors to the firm, making for even more fun. The silliness continues in four more books about Henry’s attempts to make money during the summer.
content rss
