“Book Reviews,” Friend, Jun. 2015, 16
Book Reviews
Picture Books
The Seven Silly Eaters, by Mary Ann Hoberman, illustrated by Marla Frazee. The children in the Peters family all have picky tastes. As the seven children grow, Mrs. Peters can’t keep up! Find out what the seven silly eaters do to surprise their busy mom.
Where Go the Boats? Poems by Robert Louis Stevenson, pictures by Max Grover. Colorful, modern pictures are paired with the timeless poems of Robert Louis Stevenson. You’ll find out that children from the 19th century aren’t so different from you!
Transitioning Readers
Chrysanthemum, by Kevin Henkes. Chrysanthemum loves her name. But on the first day of school, some of her classmates think it’s not so perfect. It takes a special teacher to help Chrysanthemum feel good about her name again.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, by Judith Viorst, illustrated by Ray Cruz. Ever gotten gum stuck in your hair? That’s how Alexander starts his day, and things just get worse from there. Follow him through his mishaps as he finds out that sometimes days just don’t go very well (even in Australia).
Fiction
Violet Mackerel’s Brilliant Plot, by Anna Branford, illustrated by Elanna Allen. When Violet finds a red button, she knows it’s the beginning of a brilliant plot to become a famous archaeologist and earn enough money to buy the blue china bird from the man who never smiles.
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, by Betty MacDonald, illustrated by Hilary Knight. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle has a cure for everything: the won’t-pick-up-toys illness, the selfishness sickness, and even the never-want-to-go-to-bed ailment. All the children love visiting this special lady because she makes even the most boring chores fun with a little bit of imagination and creativity.
Nonfiction
Alex the Parrot: No Ordinary Bird, by Stephanie Spinner, illustrated by Meilo So. Read the true story about a parrot named Alex—short for Avian Learning Experiment. A scientist sets out to prove that parrots are truly intelligent by teaching Alex letters, numbers, colors and shapes, and how to communicate with humans.
Megastructures: Tallest, Longest, Biggest, Deepest, by Ian Graham. Ever wondered how the world’s tallest skyscrapers and longest bridges are built? Find out in this fact-filled book. Learn about huge sports stadiums and record-breaking tunnels—and the dangers that come with them.