24/ #EPISDlibraries
EPISD Professional Book Reviews continued
WOLF SPIDERS By Josh Gregory / PLAINS ZEBRAS By Lucia Raatma / ARTIC FOXES By Vicky Franchino (Grades 4-6) Each of these books begins with a Fact File with a snippet of information that is covered in more detail throughout the book. These are great for those wanting to know more about the animals in different parts of the world. Vocabulary, specific to the animal, is written in red and is defined in the back of the book in the Words to Know section. These books can be considered the next step for the young researcher or for the youngsters ready to learn more! Highly recommended by Elaine Hayes
DEAR DRAGON GETS A HOLE-IN-ONE /DEAR DRAGON GOES TO THE BEACH / DEAR DRAGON GETS A PET / DEAR DRAGON LEARNS TO READ by Margaret Hiller (Grades K-2) Those familiar with the Dear Dragon books knows the boy and his pet dragon. They go on adventures together and the mother and father are involved in some way. The words used are common sight words and the well drawn artwork helps the child see a connection to what was read and the picture on the pages. There is also extensive help for the parents reading with their child. Activities to enhance the reading and information the parent can use to help their child be a better reader with practice. Highly recommended by Elaine Hayes
I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM! by James Preller. (Grades 3-5) Illustrations go a long way in helping some books portray what the author is telling. In this book the illustrator has done an excellent job with pen and ink and shadows on the ‘dirty gray’ paper on which the printed word is written. Preller has taken a young girl, anxious for the new amusement ride to open, and thrust her into danger no one could expect on such a long anticipated opening day. This tale is wonderfully written with unexpected twists and turns throughout. Highly recommended by Elaine Hayes
HOME SWEET HORROR by James Preller. (Grades 3-5) Once again the illustrator, Iacopo Bruno has captured the scariness in the unknown and put it on paper to enhance what the reader might be seeing in their minds eye. Are there really houses that are evil? Can someone really summon Bloody Mary by spinning around so many times? Can you keep evil out of your room by hiding under the covers? Can a mother come back and leave a warning in time to save the family from this evil? A great addition and bit of a change for the youngsters so fond of R.L. Stein’s Goosebumps. Highly recommended by Elaine Hayes
NINJA! by Arree Chung (K-3) In this fun, entertaining, and graphic novel styled picture book, Maxwell is a ninja. He sneaks, creeps, tumbles, and hides his way into facing many dangers. He surprise attacks his sleeping father, he defeats his dog "the angry beast,", and he must go into enemy territory to capture the cookies and milk sitting on the countertop in the kitchen. When he upsets his little sister, he is dishonored, and he is sent to his room. All is well again when he realizes he will teach his sister the way of the ninja. He says