Category: children

Author: Kathy Littlemore
Illustrator: Helena Crevel
Publisher: Bad Bunyip Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9942452-0-5
Pages: 32
Price: $2.99 (Kindle)
Note: Outside of Australia, please contact the author directly to order paperback copies

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ABC is a big, bad bunyip who enjoys wallowing in the mud at Big Black Boogie Swamp. He’s very unhappy when he find out that Farmer Joe wants to mine all the rich, black mud from his home. Big, bad bunyips don’t let anyone mess with them, so ABC takes action to make sure Farmer Joe can’t mine the swamp.

As ABC is detaining Farmer Joe, Archie the dalmatian and Raymond the little black pig show up, looking to play in the mud. With his two new friends and Farmer Joe’s son, Joey, to help him, ABC negotiates terms with Farmer Joe, saving the swamp.

ABC Bunyip Saves the Big Black Boogie Swamp shares this frightening Australian creature with the rest of the world. The legendary bunyip has been reported to hide in swamps, giving terrifying howls to scare everyone away. However, ABC Bunyip is anything but scary for children. In fact, ABC’s biggest weapon is the ability to huff and fluff objects high into the air, inspiring smiles and giggles. Kids will enjoy reading how ABC saves his home, making some new friends in the process.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Marilyn Singer
Illustrator: Greg Pizzoli
Publisher: Abrams Appleseed
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-4197-2140-3
Pages: 24
Price: $12.95

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This red fruit may be ordinary to adults, but to children, it can be an object of wonder. In rhyming verse, this cute book describes all the many ways one can use an apple. You can eat it, juice it, or smell it in an apple pie. But you can also use it as ball, or an object in a relay race, and even juggle it.

Preschoolers are curious about everything, and introducing apples in such a fun and imaginative way will allow them to enjoy these fruits even more. What’s an Apple? is a delightful and delicious read.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Authors: Luis Carlos Montalván, Bret Witter
Photographer: Dan Dion
Publisher: Post Hill Press
Genre: Children / Dogs / PTSD
ISBN: 978-1-68261-106-7
Pages: 48
Price: $17.00

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Luis Carlos Montalván is a military veteran who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Living a normal life is stressful, so he relies on his service dog, Tuesday, to help him cope with difficult situations. Tuesday loves to travel and eagerly leads the way.

Luis and Tuesday travel around New York City and Washington, D.C. using a variety of transportation methods to see the sights. Tuesday loves riding on the bus, the subway, a ferry boat, and a helicopter, along with many others. Their travels are photographed, showing the many interesting places they visit.

Their final destination is a classroom, where Luis and Tuesday explain the importance of service dogs for veterans suffering from PTSD. Tuesday loves the hugs he gets from the kids. Tuesday Takes Me There is interesting on many levels, touching on transportation, tourist attractions, and the friendship between man and dog. Kids will enjoy reading about Luis and Tuesday’s travels.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author & Illustrator: Rebecca Dudley
Publisher: Peter Pauper Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-4413-1572-4
Pages: 32
Price: $16.99

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In this follow-up to Hank Finds an Egg, Hank shares his dream with his friend, a hummingbird. In the dream, Hank flies in a hot air balloon, all by himself along a path to the sea, higher and higher. As he tells about his dream, he acts out the motions on the ground, showing his friend what happened. Finally, the hummingbird begs to hear it again, and Hank begins, “Last night I dreamed we flew…”

Unlike in Hank Finds an Egg, this story is told with words. Hank is hand-made from fabric, and his environment is also hand-created to set the stage. Sharing dreams and friendship, this sweet tale is perfect for beginning readers and all those who enjoy artfully illustrated books.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Mary Amato
Publisher: Holiday House
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-8234-3553-1
Pages: 256
Price: $16.95

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Alexander H. Gory Jr. is excited to own a new blank book. He convinces his classmates to help him fill it with ideas about their teacher, the vampire. As everyone takes turns helping to write in the book, the truth about their teacher finally comes out. Then something new happens to divert their attention, and they continue to write it all down during the school year.

Although Alexander is the owner of the book, everyone is equal in making their voices heard. The group is made up of distinct personalities which comes out in their thoughts and words. A bookworm, a perfectionist, a class clown, a new kid, and others all have something important to say. But when a substitute teacher arrives, he threatens their fun with the book. Their only choice is to make him part of the team.

Our Teacher Is a Vampire and Other (Not) True Stories demonstrates how much fun it is for kids to keep a shared notebook. They will see what it takes to write a good story, through the wise words of an author who writes letters to the students and encourages their efforts. Kids may have trouble identifying with one particular student since no one is a true main character, but they may naturally gravitate toward the one who most resembles their own personality. This book would be a fun read and also a great classroom resource in teaching creative writing. Teaching guides are available at the author’s website.

Reviewer: Alice Berger