Bonnie Ferrante's Blog, page 70
August 5, 2015
Reid, Razel. When Everything Feels Like the Movies. Book Review.
On the cover of this book is a CBC Canada Reads sticker as well as a Governor General’s Literary Award Winner sticker. On the spine, in my local public library, is a young adult sticker. As a result, you might be inclined to pick this up for your teenager. Before you do, consider the following. […]
August 3, 2015
Horowitz, Dave. A Monkey Among Us. Book Review.
My first reaction to this book was, what’s going on? The illustrations and the wordplay were clever. But, I thought, where’s the story? So I decided to hold off writing this review until I read it to my grandchild. Sometimes what doesn’t appeal to adults is loved by children. Although my granddaughter is only 23 […]
July 31, 2015
Lehrhaupt, Adam. Do Not Open This Book! Illustrated by Matthew Forsythe. Book Review.
My 23-month-old daughter’s eyes were big as saucers when we began to read this book. She is just learning about jokes so, to her, this book might have been a serious threat. When the monkeys appeared, and I laughed at their silliness, she realized that nothing bad was actually going to happen and began to […]
July 27, 2015
July 24, 2015
Hatanaka, Kellen. Occupational A B C Work.
The occupations listed in this book are unusual. There are aviator, wedding Singer, horticulture list, and K-9 officer, for example. Each occupation is illustrated on a full page or double-page spread. The letter is part of the landscape and may be part of the action. For example, “A” is a step letter and “L” is […]
July 22, 2015
July 20, 2015
Hassett, Ann and John. Come Back, Ben. Book Review.
This “I Like to Read” book uses simple vocabulary and repetitive text. However, it avoids the monotonous tone that some early reading books have. Ben’s red balloon carries him up through the window, past bees, over the tree, and on until he reaches the moon. Ben fills his pocket with moon rocks in order to […]
July 17, 2015
Krys, Michelle. Hexed. Book Review.
If you haven’t read a lot of witchery magic young adult books, you’ll probably enjoy this. It was well written and comfortably paced. A high school cheerleader, “Indio” discovers that her popular shallow friends are not her true friends. When she is targeted for death, it is the ignored uncool girl next door who stands […]
July 16, 2015
Toddler Picture Book Styles – Your Opinion
I’m creating a new picture book on spatial relationships for toddlers and would like YOUR feedback on the illustrations. There are two styles to choose from. Hand drawn or photo textured. These aren’t necessarily the final pictures whichever is chosen. Which style do you think works best for a toddler’s picturebook? Hand drawn: Or photo textured:
July 15, 2015
Gantos, Jack. Dead End in Norvelt. Book Review.
Although this book is copyrighted 2011, it has the feel of a book written decades ago. It would appeal to young adults who are interested in stories with historical flavor. The narrative takes place during the Cold War. Gantos captures the flavor of small-town eccentrics during an unusual time period of American history. The protagonist, […]
