Category: children

Author: Sandi Washburn
Illustrator: Yvonne Fetig Roehler
Publisher: Growing Art Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-934367-09-4
Pages: 16
Price: $17.95

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Grandma used to sing the elephant song whenever she wanted to help her grand-kids feel better. But as she suffered from cancer, the children started to sing it to her instead. Grandma is gone now, and the triplet girls need to be comforted after her death. They turn to her favorite song and sing it again–both for themselves and for Grandma.

Children find it hard to understand death, and when they want to talk about their missing loved one, adults aren’t always receptive. When they’re confused or hurting, they may want to sing the elephant song, or maybe find another reassuring ritual that brings them closer to the one they’ve lost. Or a good cry might be what they need to make them feel better.

The illustrations by Yvonne Fetig Roehler portray a warm and loving family environment, as Mother shares stories about Grandma with her kids. Good Night Grandma provides a compassionate and necessary emotional outlet for kids to handle the death of their own loved one.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Thomas Strock
Publisher: Tate Publishing
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-60696-371-5
Pages: 20
Price: $6.99

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Tomato Turtle has always done what turtles do, until one day he sees some children playing in the park. He thinks it looks like fun, and decides to play in the park every day, too.

But, as most folks find out, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, and Tomato Turtle misses his old life of turtle games. Will he be willing to give up the fun he’s having at the park?

As an eLIVE story, access to an audio download of this book is available through the publisher’s website. The illustrations are bright and well-crafted, but the plot is very simplistic. Author Thomas Strock is twelve years old, and Tomato Turtle is his first book.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author & Illustrator: Andrea Skyberg
Publisher: Wooden Nickel Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-615-25177-6
Pages: 48
Price: $17.99

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Three little girls are stuck inside on a rainy afternoon. They’re bored and don’t know what to do, so Papa sends them on a treasure hunt to keep them busy. But the clues he gives them are obscure, and first they’ll need to figure them out before they can find the objects he wants.

Sprinkled liberally throughout the text are colorful descriptive phrases, highlighted in a glossary at the end of the story. Old-time gems like “nooks and crannies,” “the cat’s meow,” and “fiddlesticks” may leave kids scratching their heads in wonder.

The illustrations are photos of uniquely crafted, life-size dolls made of masking tape and paint. These dolls were then placed in the author’s home, surrounded by artifacts and souvenirs acquired on her travels.

Far better than just watching TV on a boring rainy day, Snickeyfritz stimulates the reader’s imagination and presents a team effort in solving Papa’s puzzle. Kids will find this a fun and enjoyable read.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Maria Pavlik
Illustrator: Holly Pavlik
Publisher: Trafford Publishing
Genre: Children
ISBN: 142513200-6
Pages: 24
Price: $12.95

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On a gloomy, rainy day, Penelope Puddle is bored. But when she discovers a straight, black umbrella, it’s as if she’s found a magic wand capable of transporting her anywhere she wants.

Puddle Poof are the magic words, as Penelope waves her trusty umbrella, and she can travel around the world. In rhyming verse, Penelope tells of her adventures, letting her umbrella lead the way.

She never uses this umbrella to shield herself from the rain. Instead it’s a prop she carries with her to use as a broom to fly, a ski in the freshly fallen snow, a boat in the pond, and an object to dance with.

Holly Pavlik’s bright watercolors and sketches cheerfully share Penelope’s world of imagination with us. Penelope’s face is always hidden behind her windswept hair, so everyone can relate to this little girl’s fun on a rainy day. With My Umbrella, I Can… is a delightful book anyone can enjoy, especially when a dose of inspiration and playfulness is needed.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Roger Hackett
Illustrator: Jared Beckstrand
Publisher: Ryan and Robbie
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9820254-6-8
Pages: 64
Price: $15.99

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Ryan and Robbie have new bikes, and can hardly wait to have some adventures. But before they leave, their mother has a special gift for them. She is Chinese, and she gives them each a pendant with a symbol on it, and shares a bit of secret wisdom. As they bike around the neighborhood with their dad, they discover situations that require this wisdom, and they use it to solve problems together.

I liked the fact that this is a multi-cultural family, and that their Chinese mom wants to share her traditions with her children. The message of teamwork and being a good older sibling is also presented in a non-preachy manner. But I had a hard time seeing this bike ride as an adventure. Nothing particularly adventurous happens and their dad is with them the whole time.

Ryan & Robbie’s Bike Ride Adventure also comes with a read-along CD, so kids can listen as they read. Jared Beckstrand’s illustrations are bright and crisp, and complement the text well. Overall, this story is a good read for kids.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Angel Neuschwander
Illustrator: Becky Johnston
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-4389-2886-9
Pages: 24
Price: $12.99

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Have you ever wondered how your car operated? Seven year-old Gretchen isn’t shy, so she asks her mother – an engineer. What follows is mom’s explanation of the internal workings of an automobile.

Using simple illustrations, she shows Gretchen how a car operates similarly to her bike. But unlike the bike, which uses pedals to move it forward, the car has an engine. She then explains how pistons move, acting like bike pedals.

More of an educational tool than a story, this unique book explains cars in an age-appropriate manner. Since I know very little about the inner workings of an engine, I found myself reading as a child might, and found the information easy to comprehend. The illustrations and diagrams provide additional understanding.

I was also pleased to see a little girl asking her mom, rather than the more traditional boy and father. Gretchen Asks, “How Do Cars Work?” would be a terrific resource both in the classroom and the library.

Reviewer: Alice Berger