25 Sep 2011 No Comments
My First Cavity Search
In the great tradition of “Go the F*#k to Sleep” comes a new informational book for the little ones.
Helping little travelers understand security protocol.
*Note — Not an actual book. Yet.
comedy
25 Apr 2011 No Comments
“Gooney Bird Greene” by Lois Lowry
THE BOOK MAMA BASICS
For ages: 6 -10
Gender specific: Girl friendly
Any pictures?: B&W illustrations
How long?: 96 pages
Are there more?: Three more books
Similar to?: Clementine or Moxie Maxwell
What’s it cost?: $5.99 on Amazon
Synopsis: Gooney Bird by Lois Lowry (ages 6 -10) appears in Mrs. Pidgeon’s second-grade class one October, asking for a desk “right smack in the middle of the room” because she likes to be in the middle of everything. She dresses the part, too: it’s pj’s and cowboy boots that first day, green stretch pants, a polka-dot T-shirt, and a tutu the next. And she loves to tell stories, every bit of them “absolutely true,” from the tale of how she got her name to how she got her diamond earrings (gumball prizes) from the prince. The tales themselves, about moving, pets, and neighbors, are multilayered. They not only amuse but also illustrate characteristics of good storytelling. Before she’s done, our heroine has even found ways to elicit stories from her classmates from the silent Felicia Ann to the twitchy Barry. (edited from Booklist)
Review: As a parent, sometimes it’s frustrating when your child decides to read a book beyond their reading level. Sadly, this was just such a book at my house. But, lo and behold, apparently it wove such an enchanting tale that my struggling reader stuck with it the whole way through. Gotta love a book like that. Perhaps not Lois Lowry’s best, but she once again demonstrates that she understands kids and what they respond to. Gooney Bird has her own website that little fans may want to check out. http://www.loislowry.com/goonybird.html
18 Apr 2011 No Comments
“The Trouble with Chickens” by Doreen Cronin
THE BOOK MAMA BASICS
For ages: 8 -12
Gender specific: Fun for all
Any pictures?: Black and white illustrations by Kevin Cornell
How long?: 128 page
Are there more?: Stay tuned…
Similar to?: The Adventures of Nanny Piggins
What’s it cost?: $9.67 on Amazon
Synopsis: In “The Trouble with Chicken” by Doreen Cronin, retired search-and-rescue dog J.J. Tully is enjoying the simple life on a farm when his world is turned upside down by an annoying hen, Moosh, and her two equally obnoxious chicks, Dirt and Sugar, who hound him to help locate Poppy and Sweetie. They fear that the missing chicks have been kidnapped and are being held hostage inside the house where ferocious Vince the Funnel-an aptly named canine-lives. When Moosh appears with a note stating it “behooves” the chickens to “rendezvous” to get back her peeps, J.J. muses about the likelihood of birdbrains with sophisticated vocabulary, and he must sniff out the true offenders. (Edited from Booklist)
Review: Bestselling author Doreen Cronin (Click, Clack, Moo) uses her deadpan humor in “The Trouble with Chickens” to pitch-perfect effect in her first novel for young readers. Heavily illustrated with black-and-white artwork from Kevin Cornell, this new series is destined to become a classic. A tiny bit convoluted, but enough fun that you don’t really care. A narrator switcheroo in the middle of the story is a bit jarring. Overall, this is a delightful canine mystery.
25 Mar 2011 No Comments
“Big Nate in a Class By Himself” by Lincoln Pierce
THE BOOK MAMA BASICS
What’s it called?: Big Nate in a Class by Himself by Lincoln Pierce
For ages: 7 – 11.
Gender specific: Very boy friendly
Any pictures?: Packed with cartoon illustrations
Are there more?: Five in the series with more to come.
What’s it cost?: $5.20 on Amazon.
Synopsis: Nate is a sixth grader who has a problem with organization. Everything is going wrong, and he’s piling up detention after detention. Things start to improve when he gets a fortune cookie with a message stating that he will “surpass all others,” giving him a purpose for the day and leading to humorous incidents such as when he tries to beat a speed record for eating green beans, and when he tickles his science teacher with a feather duster. (Library School Journal)
Review: There’s no question that “Big Nate” is something of a “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” copy. Despite it’s lack of conceptual originality, if you have a Wimpy Kid fan at home, now you’ve got a whole new series for them to read. Peirce, who took Nate from his spot as a long-running daily comic strip to a book, uses a mix of prose and cartoons to tell the “day in the life” tale of an extroverted, impish kid. The cartoon drawing provide plenty of laughs at the expense of adults and classmates. Nate’s a likable protaganist for any and all young misfits out there.
06 Jan 2011 2 Comments
"The Adventures of Nanny Piggins" by R.A. Spratt
Mary Poppins, move over—or get shoved out of the way. Nanny Piggins has arrived!
Why didn’t I come up with this idea? The Adventures of Nanny Piggins by R.A. Spratt (grades 3 – 6) is irreverent fun that is impossible to resist. This is a most excellent choice for out loud bedtime reading that I guarantee will have both parent and child giggling.
As the story opens we learn that Nanny Piggens was most recently employed at the circus as the pig shot out of a cannon. She assumes the title Nanny when she spies a “Help Wanted” sign on the lawn of the Green family. Mrs. Green is dead, and Mr. Green is so tight-fisted he refuses to pay a human nanny. So when a pig with no criminal record who will work for ten cents an hour applies, Mr. Green is delighted.
The children—Derrick, Samantha, and Michael—promptly fall in love with Nanny Piggins because she lets them eat sweets all day, watch as much TV as possible and stay up quite late. She also comes up with the most marvelous ideas, like taking a boat to China to get Chinese takeout.
Even when things don’t exactly work out as planned (and they rarely do), the high-jinks and hilarity make them excellent adventures. Stuffing adjectives into this review is as easy as watching Nanny Piggins stuff pies into her mouth. This smart, sly, funny book is marvelously illustrated with drawings that capture Nanny’s sheer pigginess.
Readers may worry that this first novel is so full of stories about Nanny Piggins that there won’t be enough left for sequels. Never fear! The last line of the book predicts Nanny will be stirring up more adventures, possibly even before breakfast. (synopsis excerpts stolen directly from Booklist)
19 Dec 2010 No Comments
I am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I want to be your Class President
“If War and Peace had a baby with The Breakfast Club and then left the baby to be raised by wolves, this book would be the result. I loved it.” –Jon Stewart.
I guess to be fair, it should be noted that Mr. Lieb is a producer on the Daily Show. Nevertheless, Jon Stewart is spot on.
“I am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I want to be your Class President“ by Josh Lieb (12 – 15) is a deliciously wicked YA book that will appeal to the 12 and up crowd but also to those finicky, difficult-to-please middle school boys.
Twelve-year-old Oliver Watson’s got the IQ of a grilled cheese sandwich. Or so everyone in Omaha thinks. In reality, Oliver’s a mad evil genius on his way to world domination, and he’s used his great brain to make himself the third-richest person on earth! Then Oliver’s father—and arch-nemesis—makes a crack about the upcoming middle school election, and Oliver takes it as a personal challenge. He’ll run, and he’ll win! Turns out, though, that overthrowing foreign dictators is actually way easier than getting kids to like you. . . Can this evil genius win the class presidency and keep his true identity a secret, all in time to impress his dad? (product description)
I dare you to click here
How much of Oliver’s elaborate world as a 7th grade evil genius is in his mind and how much is actually happening remains a bit unclear. But then again, I suppose the simple fact that a grown woman is even pondering this question demonstrates just how fully realized Oliver’s world feels to the reader. Although Oliver’s incredible universe is bigger-than-life, the theme of a boy striving for his father’s love is subtle and touching.
Lately it seems that the list of anti-hero, evil geniuses is growing. I’m pretty sure Oliver is my favorite one yet. Loved this one.
09 Nov 2010 1 Comment
"Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth" by Jeff Kinney
Wimpy kids unite! Again. Actually, uh, for the fifth time. …Not that I’m counting.
This fifth book in the incredibly popular “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” illustrated novel series, “The Ugly Truth,” is due in stores nationwide today. Woo-hoo.
Because it was so highly anticipated, Scholastic even allowed kids to pre-order it directly from them which means that scads of third and fourth grade teachers across the nation will be handing out freshly pressed copies to their eager little readers today.
The “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series by Jeff Kinney focuses on a sixth-grade boy dealing with the various hurdles of childhood and tweenhood. In this newest book, he faces the pressures of (gasp!) boy-girl parties, among other things.
This past March, the popular series was turned into a (incredibly mediocre) live-action film creatively titled “Diary of a Wimpy Kid.”
For those of you who just can’t get enough, go to www.wimpykid.com. Sadly, this will surely include my own household.
31 Oct 2010 No Comments
"Evil Genius" by Catherine Jinks
Who doesn’t love a great anti-hero? Evil Genius by Catherine Jinks (11 and up) introduces us to the notorious but lonely Cadel Piggott who could easily be pals with Artemis Fowl or Draco Malfoy.
At age seven child, prodigy Cadel finds himself in a shrink’s office for illegal computer hacking. Child psychologist Thaddeus Roth privately delivers startling counsel, “Next time, don’t get caught.”
As it turns out, Thaddeus is actually an agent of Cadel’s real father,Dr. Phineas Darkkon, a brilliant criminal mastermind who’s been imprisoned for years. Darkkon arranges to place Cadel at the secret “Axis Institute for World Domination” founded by himself and run by Thaddeus.
By age fourteen, Cadel, along with a colorful cast of evil comic-book-like fellow student, are studying for their World Domination degree, taking classes in embezzlement, forgery, and infiltration at the institute.
Although Cadel may be intellectually advanced beyond his years, at heart he’s a lonely kid who doesn’t fit in with his peers. When he falls for the mysterious, brilliant and beautiful Kay-Lee, he begins to question the moral implications of his nefarious studies.
But the question remains is it too late to stop his own father, Dr. Darkkon, from carrying out his evil plot?
Young comic-book fans ready for something a little more substantial will enjoy the school’s aspiring villains including one who floors foes with deadly B.O. Cadel’s moral turnabout is convincingly hampered by his difficulty recognizing appropriate outlets for rage.
Over-the-top evil fun with just enough heart to make anyone anyone root for young Cadel.
04 Oct 2010 No Comments
YOU'RE A BAD MAN, MR. GUM by Andy Stanton
Book 1
Mr. Gum is an old rotter. He’s absolutely grimsters.
You’re a Bad Man Mr. Gum (ages 7 and up) by Andy Stanton had my book baby laughing so hard milk came out her nose. This irreverant series is most certainly not for those of the prim and proper persuasion.
But if your kids like to laugh then these Roald-Dahlesque books are guaranteed to get them reading.
Mr Gum is a truly nasty old man. But the stories are not just about him. There’s also a little girl called Polly, an evil butcher, heroes and sweets and stuff, and Jake the dog, who must be saved from terrible, terrible evil.
I love the Mr. Gum series beyond words! Author and stand-up comic Andy Stanton’s books have been called “Monty Python for kids”. Originally published in Europe, it was difficult to get them for a while, but as their popularity has grown, the series is now readily available.
In the first book, You’re a Bad Man Mr. Gum, we meet the old rotter right away. Mr Gum lives in a disgustingly filthy house where “he slept, scowled, and picked his nose and ate it.” Even the bed isn’t made—Mr. Gum chucked “bits of wood on the floor and dumped a mattress on top.”
But his garden is the most beautiful in the town. Why? Some speculate that he likes to garden, but the real reason is the angry fairy who gives him “pan whacks” if the garden isn’t perfect.
The Original British Cover
Unfortunately for Mr. Gum, the neighborhood dog, Jake, frequently messes up the garden—causing Mr. Gum too many whacks with the frying pan. So Mr. Gum leaves spoiled cow hearts laced with rat poison and sweetened with lemonade powder in the center of the lawn. Jake takes the bait, but is ultimately saved by nine-year-old Polly and some magic chocolate (a questionable remedy, since chocolate is dangerous to dogs).
English author Stanton provides flawless narration of his books. His deadpan delivery and comic timing are perfect. With its quirky cast of characters and silly sense of humor, these stories are a great choice for reluctant readers. (Library School Journal)
There are 8 books in the series so far. Hopefully, there will be many, many more!
Book 2
Book 3
Book 4
03 Sep 2010 No Comments
Take Cover! Bad Kitty Gets A Bath.
Hey, did you know that a cat’s tongue is covered with hundreds of little fishhook-shaped barbs called “papillae” that help them clean their fur?
Me neither! At least not until I read Nick Bruel’s hysterical “Bad Kitty Gets a Bath.” (ages 8 -11)
“This follow-up to Bad Kitty (2005) pairs Bruel’s witty asides and spastic, tongue-in-cheek commentaries with laugh-outloud, high-energy cartoon illustrations. With hyperbolic humor, Bruel describes the dangerous process of cat bathing, from collecting the necessary tools (including cat shampoo and a “suit of armor” for humans), to finding and coaxing Kitty into the water, to dealing with your now-clean-though-very-unhappy animal. (One illustration suggests checking your sneakers for “something awful inside.”)
Following all of the scratching and hissing and spitting, a brief epilogue depicts bathing Puppy, a ridiculously simple process that cleverly highlights the elaborateness of Kitty’s ritual. Packed into the chaos are fun facts, such as explanations for why cats hate water and the hows and whys of hairballs; a “glossary of common cat sounds”; a few strategically placed editor’s notes; and a not-so-serious glossary.
Whether they prefer cats or dogs, young and reluctant readers will get plenty of laughs from this comic and informative chapter book.” (booklist)
Super fun! Great for reluctant readers too.
12 Aug 2010 No Comments
I ♥ "Going Bovine." A thinking-teen's novel.
If you’re looking for a smart, entertaining book that will make your teen think then “Going Bovine” by Libba Bray (ages 13 – up; references to sex and drugs) is just what the doctor ordered.
Unfortunately, not far into “Going Bovine” our angst-ridden, 16-year old, slacker of a hero Cameron gets some seriously bad news from his doctor: he’s got Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease. A.K.A. Mad Cow. Which totally sucks.
Hope arrives in the winged form of Dulcie, a super hot, cheeky, neon-pink punk angel(or possible hallucination) with a bad sugar habit. She confides that there’s a secret cure to his otherwise fatal disease—if he’s willing to go in search of it.
With the help of a death-obsessed, video-gaming dwarf and a pint-sized yard gnome, Cameron sets off on the mother of all road trips through a twisted America into the heart of what matters most.
This “quest” story has clear parallels to the hopeless but inspirational efforts of Don Quixote, about whom Cameron had been reading before his illness.
Libba Bray’s voice is strong, confident and clever. She crafts a road-trip story that is original, laugh-out-loud funny, and gorgeously poignant.
The voice is so fresh, the imagery so intriguing, and the conclusion — inevitable — yet profound leaves one wondering what exactly was reality and what was hallucinatory.
Recommended to teens and adults alike.
It’s not a perfect book. A bit too long and perhaps a tad too fantastical in places, but Cameron is ultimately a kid with a heart the size of Cleveland. He will leave the most cynical teen (or adult) thinking about what they’re thankful for and pondering what really matters to them in this mad-cow, crazy world.
