Bonnie Ferrante's Blog, page 79
March 30, 2015
Brown, Marc. The Silly Tail Book. Book Review.
This is a rhyming book, but happily, the rhythm holds tight throughout. The book examines animals that have tails, such as rabbits, turtles, ducks, and even turkeys. It compares these animals to the tailless frog. It examines how animals use their tails, such as cows for swatting a fly. I didn’t think the page about […]
March 26, 2015
Biggs, Brian. Good Night, Trucks. A Bedtime Book (Everything Goes). Book Review.
This little board book features the most common trucks a child might encounter. It has cartoon drawings of a fire truck, tractor-trailer, dump truck, garbage truck, tanker truck, tow truck, ice cream truck, monster truck, flatbed truck, and motor home with white text in simple print. Each page holds just enough detail to keep a […]
March 25, 2015
Goldman, William. The Princess Bride. Book Review.
Since I loved the movie so much, I was excited to read this 25th Anniversary Edition. I didn’t. As in, I didn’t read the book because I was so turned off by the disgusting introduction. Sure, there were some interesting tidbits about the movie and about the actors. There was a lovely little back story […]
March 23, 2015
Melling, David. Just Like My Dad. Book Review.
This short, simple board book is both funny and sweet. On each page a lion cub explains how he is just like his dad. The adoration and affection between the two of them is apparent in both words and illustrations. There are moments of humor that seem aimed toward the adult reader, such as “and […]
March 20, 2015
Huser, Glen. The Elevator Ghost. Review.
This is a delightful little Halloween themed early chapter book. Several stories are enclosed within a story. An eccentric woman, Carolina Giddle, moves into town. She is a combination of Mary Poppins and the Munsters. She quickly gains the reputation as a storyteller and competent babysitter of the most difficult children. She tells diverse stories […]
March 18, 2015
Squire, Preston. Isecas the Dream Cat and the New School. Illustrated by Dixie Albanez. Book Review.
Sahar is new to Canada and worried about school so Lodi gives her a dream cat. “It makes your fondest wish come true.” The toy cat, which is wrapped in bandages like a mummy, comes alive and speaks to Sahar. It hides in her backpack and accompanies her to school. The cat watches through the […]
March 16, 2015
De Lint, Charles. Seven Wild Sisters. Book Review.
Seven Wild Sisters tells the story of Sarah Jane Dillard who develops a special friendship with an elderly woman living in a rustic cottage in the woods (no running water, no electricity). She learns the joy of working with your hands, eating what you grow, and becoming self-reliant. She calls the woman Aunt Lillian and […]
March 13, 2015
Loufrani, Nicolas. My Things That Go. Illustrated by Kyung-ah Park. Book Review.
This tiny board book features bright and simply drawn vehicles, one per page it includes a car, train, submarine, truck, school bus, tractor, taxi, bicycle, police car, airplane, helicopter, ice cream truck, fire truck, and rocketship. Each vehicle is drawn with eyes and a wide smile. Although the cute smiles do draw in toddlers, I […]
March 11, 2015
Haddon, Mark. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. Book Review.
I seem to be reading a lot of book about Asperger’s syndrome and autism. If you have read House Rules by Jodi Picoult, you may think this book will have nothing new to offer, but you will be pleasantly surprised. Christopher Boone is a 15-year-old with autism. He tells the story of his discovery of […]
March 9, 2015
Dzamtovski, Diane. Little and Big. Book Review.
This is an early toddler board book consisting of seven simple pages. The first page shows a canary and says “little bird”. The second is an ostrich, “big bird”. Then we have “little cat” featuring a black and white domestic cat and “big cat” featuring a lion. The next spread says “very little animal” and […]
