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EPISD & LLR Professional Book Reviews by EPISD librarians
UP THE CREEK by Nicholas Odland. (Grades 1-3) Readers familiar with Oldland's books, will find the illustrations (Photoshop) and friendly font (Animated Gothic and Handysans) similar to that of previous books in his "Life in the Wild" series. A bear, a moose and a beaver, who are the best of friends, decide to take a canoeing trip one sunny day. After agruging over who will steer, how to paddle and how to make it to shore, the three friends finally do make it, with a little bit of teamwork along the way. After a fine meal of fish, twigs and grass, the three decide it is best to walk home. Readers unfamiliar with canoeing vocabulary (stern, portage, portside) may get discouraged with the story. Overall, this story about friendship and teamwork falls flat. Marginal Recommendation by Martha Rico
SCAREDY SQUIRREL GOES CAMPING by Melanie Watts. (K-3) Fans of Scaredy Squirrel will appreciate another addition to the series. Scaredy Squirrel plans a safe camping trip by watching a camping show on t.v. Unfortunately he runs into a problem: where to plug in his television. This leads to a trek through the woods to look for an outlet and in true Scaredy Squirrel fashion, he lays out a plan.Will he make it in one piece to the outlet and fall in love with camping? Read Scaredy Squirrel's adventure to find out. Highly Recommended by Martha Rico
THIS BOOK JUST ATE MY DOG by Richard Byrne (K-3) Bella decides to take her dog for a stroll along the page, when suddenly, he disappears into the book! Ben comes along and he disappears into the book, too! Bella realizes she must do something when the Dog Rescue truck, the police and even the Fire Brigade disappear into the book. But the book swallows Bella as well then lets out a loud BURP! A note flies out of the book asking the reader to shake the book and shake the book again. And then, what do you know? The book spits everyone and everything out. Things go back to normal, well almost. Simple sentences will have emergent readers wanting this book over and over again, but everyone will enjoy the story! Recommended by Martha Rico
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY by Lisa M. Herrington. This Rookie Read-About book discusses Martin Luther King, Jr. and his contributions to the civil right movement. This easy-to-read book includes fast facts, illustrations, show what-you- know and the features of a non-fiction book. It also includes a Make a Dream Display. This book is a great way to introduce preschool through second grade to nonfiction reading and learn about Martin Luther King, Jr. as a civil right leader. Highly Recommended by Annette Schatzman