Karen GoatKeeper's Blog, page 3
August 12, 2025
"Basket Moon", "The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors" and "Can I Be Your Dog?"
These books sounded interesting and fun. They were.
Basket Moon
5 stars
Author: Mary Lyn Ray
Illustrator: Barbara Cooney
Weaving wood baskets is an old art in the Appalachians and the Ozarks. This is the story of a young boy growing up in a basket making family. It tells of how these baskets are made. It also speaks to how these mountain folk were seen and treated when they sold their baskets.
The illustrations are slightly soft fitting with the setting. The people reflect the older times the book is set in. They show some of the many steps used in creating these wood baskets.
The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors
5 stars
Author: Drew Daywalt
Illustrator: Adam Rex
Rock Paper Scissors is an old game. This story brings three separate entities from three different places together. Each reigned supreme at home, but must challenge the others in this new place. Each has strengths and weaknesses.
The illustrations are bold reflecting the champion status of each of the contestants. The fonts used emphasize the bold images.
Can I Be Your Dog?
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Troy Cummings
A homeless dog longs to belong to someone. It writes letters to people living along the street asking to be someone's dog.
The illustrations make the dog really appealing. Each turn down is a disappointment. Won't anyone offer a home to this dog?
Shelter dogs and cats do need someone to pick them out and offer a home. There is a checklist at the end about how people can help with this.
Basket Moon
5 stars
Author: Mary Lyn Ray
Illustrator: Barbara Cooney
Weaving wood baskets is an old art in the Appalachians and the Ozarks. This is the story of a young boy growing up in a basket making family. It tells of how these baskets are made. It also speaks to how these mountain folk were seen and treated when they sold their baskets.
The illustrations are slightly soft fitting with the setting. The people reflect the older times the book is set in. They show some of the many steps used in creating these wood baskets.
The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors
5 stars
Author: Drew Daywalt
Illustrator: Adam Rex
Rock Paper Scissors is an old game. This story brings three separate entities from three different places together. Each reigned supreme at home, but must challenge the others in this new place. Each has strengths and weaknesses.
The illustrations are bold reflecting the champion status of each of the contestants. The fonts used emphasize the bold images.
Can I Be Your Dog?
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Troy Cummings
A homeless dog longs to belong to someone. It writes letters to people living along the street asking to be someone's dog.
The illustrations make the dog really appealing. Each turn down is a disappointment. Won't anyone offer a home to this dog?
Shelter dogs and cats do need someone to pick them out and offer a home. There is a checklist at the end about how people can help with this.
August 8, 2025
"Zoe Gets Ready", "Silly Tilly" and "Sea of Dreams"
Fun and fantasy were in this selection.
Zoe Gets Ready
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Bethanie Deeney Murguia
When Zoe goes to school or out on rainy days or other set places, her outfit is chosen for her. But, on Saturday, she gets to choose. She has so many choices. How can she pick just one?
The illustrations are bare, yet rich in detail. Zoe's outfits and what they are for make the book fun to read.
Silly Tilly
4 stars
Author: Eileen Spinelli
Illustrator: David Slonim
Silly Tilly is a goose that is always doing something crazy. Her shenanigans get on the nerves of the other animals until they ban her antics. Does this really make things better?
The illustrations are exaggerations, filled with color and little details adding to the story. Silly Tilly's antics are funny and will make you laugh.
Sea of Dreams
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Dennis Nolan
There is no text in this book.
A girl builds an elaborate sand castle. As dusk falls and the tide rises, she leaves. And a light comes on in one of the windows. Does anyone really live in a sand castle? How do they escape the tide?
Zoe Gets Ready
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Bethanie Deeney Murguia
When Zoe goes to school or out on rainy days or other set places, her outfit is chosen for her. But, on Saturday, she gets to choose. She has so many choices. How can she pick just one?
The illustrations are bare, yet rich in detail. Zoe's outfits and what they are for make the book fun to read.
Silly Tilly
4 stars
Author: Eileen Spinelli
Illustrator: David Slonim
Silly Tilly is a goose that is always doing something crazy. Her shenanigans get on the nerves of the other animals until they ban her antics. Does this really make things better?
The illustrations are exaggerations, filled with color and little details adding to the story. Silly Tilly's antics are funny and will make you laugh.
Sea of Dreams
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Dennis Nolan
There is no text in this book.
A girl builds an elaborate sand castle. As dusk falls and the tide rises, she leaves. And a light comes on in one of the windows. Does anyone really live in a sand castle? How do they escape the tide?
August 1, 2025
"Pinduli", "Thunder Rose" and "Peanut Butter and Homework Sandwiches"
Another week of many assorted picture books.
Pinduli
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Janell Cannon
Pinduli is a young hyena. She goes exploring on her own only to become embroiled in a web of grievances. The ending is really nice.
The illustrations are special with color ones highlighting the story and pen and ink sketches to add to it.
An information page at the end of the book tells about different kinds of hyenas and some of the other creatures in the story.
Thunder Rose
4 stars
Author: Jerdine Nolen
Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
Tall tales are a part of American literature. Think of Pecos Bill and Paul Bunyon. This story is patterned on this type of tale.
The story is very exaggerated as are tall tales. Thunder Rose is a fun character. All of the illustrations feed into this tall tale format.
Peanut Butter and Homework Sandwiches
5 stars
Author: Lisa Broadie Cook
Illustrator: Jack E. Davis
Martin is a rather casual student, but loves his teacher. Then the teacher is injured and a no nonsense substitute appears. Martin is in trouble. Somehow he finds a new way every day for a week to lose his homework.
The illustrations are like cartoon drawings. They are colorful and fun, adding a lot to the story.
Pinduli
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Janell Cannon
Pinduli is a young hyena. She goes exploring on her own only to become embroiled in a web of grievances. The ending is really nice.
The illustrations are special with color ones highlighting the story and pen and ink sketches to add to it.
An information page at the end of the book tells about different kinds of hyenas and some of the other creatures in the story.
Thunder Rose
4 stars
Author: Jerdine Nolen
Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
Tall tales are a part of American literature. Think of Pecos Bill and Paul Bunyon. This story is patterned on this type of tale.
The story is very exaggerated as are tall tales. Thunder Rose is a fun character. All of the illustrations feed into this tall tale format.
Peanut Butter and Homework Sandwiches
5 stars
Author: Lisa Broadie Cook
Illustrator: Jack E. Davis
Martin is a rather casual student, but loves his teacher. Then the teacher is injured and a no nonsense substitute appears. Martin is in trouble. Somehow he finds a new way every day for a week to lose his homework.
The illustrations are like cartoon drawings. They are colorful and fun, adding a lot to the story.
July 29, 2025
"Triangle", "Turtle in the Sea" and "Itse Selu: Cherokee Harvest Festival"
These books looked interesting and were.
Triangle
4 stars
Author: Mac Barnett
Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Triangle plans to play a trick on Square. It ends with Square playing a trick on Triangle - maybe.
Many sizes of triangles and squares along with shapes with no names carry the action as Triangle and Square play a simple game.
Turtle in the Sea
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Jim Arnosky
Follow an old sea turtle on her way to lay her eggs. Along the way you find out about the scars on her shell.
The illustrations are very nice and try to capture the feel of the ocean. The story reflects some of the dangers faced by sea turtles.
Itse Selu: Cherokee Harvest Festival
5 stars
Author: Daniel Pennington
Illustrator: Don Stewart
Corn was the major crop for the Cherokee. A good harvest would keep them for the coming winter. This harvest time marked the end and beginning of the year.
The story follows a young boy as he celebrates Itse Selu. There are several Cherokee words with their pronunciations in the text. At the end, the book has a page about Sequoyah and the alphabet he devised.
The illustrations are well done.
Triangle
4 stars
Author: Mac Barnett
Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Triangle plans to play a trick on Square. It ends with Square playing a trick on Triangle - maybe.
Many sizes of triangles and squares along with shapes with no names carry the action as Triangle and Square play a simple game.
Turtle in the Sea
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Jim Arnosky
Follow an old sea turtle on her way to lay her eggs. Along the way you find out about the scars on her shell.
The illustrations are very nice and try to capture the feel of the ocean. The story reflects some of the dangers faced by sea turtles.
Itse Selu: Cherokee Harvest Festival
5 stars
Author: Daniel Pennington
Illustrator: Don Stewart
Corn was the major crop for the Cherokee. A good harvest would keep them for the coming winter. This harvest time marked the end and beginning of the year.
The story follows a young boy as he celebrates Itse Selu. There are several Cherokee words with their pronunciations in the text. At the end, the book has a page about Sequoyah and the alphabet he devised.
The illustrations are well done.
July 25, 2025
"Raccoons and Ripe Corn", "Hurry!" and "Beatrice's Goat"
Agriculture past and present, both here and abroad is a good topic for young children so they appreciate where their food comes from.
Raccoons and Ripe Corn
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Jim Arnosky
Masked bandits. The bane of any corn grower. This is a good look at how raccoons attack a stand of ripe corn.
The story is simple and direct. The illustrations have a soft look. Raccoons in pictures look so cute. Each illustration has lots more in it than just the raccoons and corn.
Hurry!
5 stars
Author: Jessie Haas
Illustrator: Jos. A. Smith
Before tractors and hay equipment arrived on the scene, hay was cut by hand. It was gathered up with pitchforks onto a big horse-drawn wagon and taken into the barn. Rain was the enemy as it would ruin the hay.
This book is a rich tale of a farm family trying to get their hay into the barn before the rains begin. The illustrations bring out how this was done.
Beatrice's Goat
5 stars
Author: Page McBrier
Illustrator: Lori Lohstoeter
Heifer International has been donating farm animals to rural people around the world for decades. This is about a young girl whose family receives a goat and how this animal changes the family's circumstances, especially changing Beatrice's life.
The illustrations are richly colored. The goat is adorable. They are a good introduction to how people in other places live.
Raccoons and Ripe Corn
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Jim Arnosky
Masked bandits. The bane of any corn grower. This is a good look at how raccoons attack a stand of ripe corn.
The story is simple and direct. The illustrations have a soft look. Raccoons in pictures look so cute. Each illustration has lots more in it than just the raccoons and corn.
Hurry!
5 stars
Author: Jessie Haas
Illustrator: Jos. A. Smith
Before tractors and hay equipment arrived on the scene, hay was cut by hand. It was gathered up with pitchforks onto a big horse-drawn wagon and taken into the barn. Rain was the enemy as it would ruin the hay.
This book is a rich tale of a farm family trying to get their hay into the barn before the rains begin. The illustrations bring out how this was done.
Beatrice's Goat
5 stars
Author: Page McBrier
Illustrator: Lori Lohstoeter
Heifer International has been donating farm animals to rural people around the world for decades. This is about a young girl whose family receives a goat and how this animal changes the family's circumstances, especially changing Beatrice's life.
The illustrations are richly colored. The goat is adorable. They are a good introduction to how people in other places live.
July 22, 2025
"Brroms Are for Flying", "Exploring the Deep, Dark Sea" and "Dinner at Magritte's"
An eclectic selection for hot days.
Brooms Are for Flying
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Michael Rex
This is a fun Halloween book. The text invites a young person to join in on the fun.
The illustrations are filled with friendly monsters. Are they really monsters? Find out when you get to masks.
Exploring the Deep, Dark Sea
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Gail Gibbons
The illustrations take the reader into a submersible and down into the sea. Each layer is introduced as light gradually disappears until there is only darkness.
What lives in this water world of cold, little light and tremendous pressure? They are strange.
This is a good book to pique interest in the oceans.
Dinner at Magritte's
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Michael Garland
Magritte was a surrealist painter. In this story a young neighbor boy visits and so explores the world of surrealist painting.
Every illustration requires careful exploring to see what is really in it.
Brooms Are for Flying
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Michael Rex
This is a fun Halloween book. The text invites a young person to join in on the fun.
The illustrations are filled with friendly monsters. Are they really monsters? Find out when you get to masks.
Exploring the Deep, Dark Sea
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Gail Gibbons
The illustrations take the reader into a submersible and down into the sea. Each layer is introduced as light gradually disappears until there is only darkness.
What lives in this water world of cold, little light and tremendous pressure? They are strange.
This is a good book to pique interest in the oceans.
Dinner at Magritte's
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Michael Garland
Magritte was a surrealist painter. In this story a young neighbor boy visits and so explores the world of surrealist painting.
Every illustration requires careful exploring to see what is really in it.
July 18, 2025
"Emma", "The Dog Who Cried Wolf" and "A Magical Racquet Ride"
Aspirations give life goals and are good at any age.
Emma
5 stars
Author: Wendy Kesselman
Illustrator: Barbara Cooney
Emma was given a painting of her home town for her 72nd birthday. The problem was that the painting didn't show the town the way she remembered it.
In the quest to see the town the way Emma remembered it, she bought brushes, paints, canvases and an easel.
The illustrations have a British look to them. They compliment the story well.
The Dog Who Cried Wolf
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Keiko Kasza
Moka ia a happy dog and was happy living with Michelle until she read a book about wolves to him. A wolf's life seemed so great. Moka decided to become a wolf.
Be careful what you wish for.
The illustrations almost replace the text for much of the book. They are very nicely done.
A Magical Racquet Ride
3 stars
Author: Marissa Irvin Gould
Illustrator: Mark Brayer
The book is too short. It drops in lots of terms used in and about tennis. The two children visit each of the four Grand Slam Tournaments for a couple of quick comments about each.
This book would be better read to or by those with a bit of knowledge about tennis.
The illustrations are first rate.
Emma
5 stars
Author: Wendy Kesselman
Illustrator: Barbara Cooney
Emma was given a painting of her home town for her 72nd birthday. The problem was that the painting didn't show the town the way she remembered it.
In the quest to see the town the way Emma remembered it, she bought brushes, paints, canvases and an easel.
The illustrations have a British look to them. They compliment the story well.
The Dog Who Cried Wolf
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Keiko Kasza
Moka ia a happy dog and was happy living with Michelle until she read a book about wolves to him. A wolf's life seemed so great. Moka decided to become a wolf.
Be careful what you wish for.
The illustrations almost replace the text for much of the book. They are very nicely done.
A Magical Racquet Ride
3 stars
Author: Marissa Irvin Gould
Illustrator: Mark Brayer
The book is too short. It drops in lots of terms used in and about tennis. The two children visit each of the four Grand Slam Tournaments for a couple of quick comments about each.
This book would be better read to or by those with a bit of knowledge about tennis.
The illustrations are first rate.
July 15, 2025
"No Such Thing", Yuck! That's Not a Monster!" and "Arrow to the Sun"
Monsters and gods ruled this week.
Arrow to the Sun
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Gerald McDermott
This is based on a Pueblo Indian tale. A young boy, the son of the sun, is ostracized by his peers as they say he has no father. He goes in search of his father.
Becoming an arrow, the boy is sent to the sun. After overcoming obstacles, his father rewards him and sends him back to Earth to teach his people.
The illustrations are very geometric. The colors are brilliant shades of oranges and reds, primarily, and blues and greens. The figures reflect traditional Pueblo figures.
Yuck! That's Not a Monster!
4 stars
Author: Angela McAllister
Illustrator: Alison Edgson
Three monster eggs hatch. Two are traditional monsters. The third is pink, small and cute.
Can being cute still let one be a monster?
The monsters are well drawn, colorful and not very scary.
No Such Thing
5 stars
Author: Jackie French Killer
Illustrator: Betsy Lewin
Howard likes his new house: It's old with lots of rooms, nooks and crannies. When he goes to bed, he is positive a monster is underneath. His mother assures him there is no such thing as a monster.
Under the bed Monster's mother is telling him there is no such thing as a boy. He is positive a boy is on the bed.
Of course Howard and Monster just know the other must exist. This leads to a delightful ending.
The illustrations are casual, but lend themselves to the fun feeling of the story.
Arrow to the Sun
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Gerald McDermott
This is based on a Pueblo Indian tale. A young boy, the son of the sun, is ostracized by his peers as they say he has no father. He goes in search of his father.
Becoming an arrow, the boy is sent to the sun. After overcoming obstacles, his father rewards him and sends him back to Earth to teach his people.
The illustrations are very geometric. The colors are brilliant shades of oranges and reds, primarily, and blues and greens. The figures reflect traditional Pueblo figures.
Yuck! That's Not a Monster!
4 stars
Author: Angela McAllister
Illustrator: Alison Edgson
Three monster eggs hatch. Two are traditional monsters. The third is pink, small and cute.
Can being cute still let one be a monster?
The monsters are well drawn, colorful and not very scary.
No Such Thing
5 stars
Author: Jackie French Killer
Illustrator: Betsy Lewin
Howard likes his new house: It's old with lots of rooms, nooks and crannies. When he goes to bed, he is positive a monster is underneath. His mother assures him there is no such thing as a monster.
Under the bed Monster's mother is telling him there is no such thing as a boy. He is positive a boy is on the bed.
Of course Howard and Monster just know the other must exist. This leads to a delightful ending.
The illustrations are casual, but lend themselves to the fun feeling of the story.
July 11, 2025
"A Weed is a Flower","The Goose Man", "The Girl Who Thought in Pictures"
Somehow I ended up on the biography shelf this time.
"A Weed is a Flower: The Life of George Washington Carver"
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Aliki
George Washington Carver was a strange man. Born a slave, he was sickly, but consumed with curiosity about everything. Plants were his big love.
Carver found a way to get an education. He ended up as a teacher at Tuskegee University. Although most people who have heard of him now know him for his work with peanuts. He did so much more.
This is more of an illustrated book than a picture book. Still, the many illustrations highlight some of Carver's experiences.
The book is a good introduction to this extraordinary man.
The Goose Man: The Story of Konrad Lorenz
3 stars
Author/Illustrator: Elaine Greenstein
No one knew much about geese before Lorenz started working with them. He began almost by accident when he imprinted a newly hatched wild goose.
Although Lorenz became a doctor, geese were his love. He soon abandoned his practice to devote his life to studying geese and discovered many things about them besides imprinting.
The illustrations bring parts of the storyline to life. The geese are the highlights. I found the book a bit too general with too few of his important findings.
The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin
4 stars
Author: Julia Finley Mosca
Illustrator: Daniel Rieley
An autistic child faces many difficulties both in their personal endeavors and the attitudes of society around them. Dr. Grandin was lucky and determined as she found ways to cope with her learning challenges. She also had the support of her mother who tried to counter the social attitudes.
The text is in rhyme. This sometimes seemed a bit strained. It follows Dr. Grandin as a child for most of the book with only a few pages devoted to her many accomplishments. The book ends with pages about Dr. Grandin including a personal note from her.
The illustrations are stylized, easy to understand, engaging and colorful.
"A Weed is a Flower: The Life of George Washington Carver"
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Aliki
George Washington Carver was a strange man. Born a slave, he was sickly, but consumed with curiosity about everything. Plants were his big love.
Carver found a way to get an education. He ended up as a teacher at Tuskegee University. Although most people who have heard of him now know him for his work with peanuts. He did so much more.
This is more of an illustrated book than a picture book. Still, the many illustrations highlight some of Carver's experiences.
The book is a good introduction to this extraordinary man.
The Goose Man: The Story of Konrad Lorenz
3 stars
Author/Illustrator: Elaine Greenstein
No one knew much about geese before Lorenz started working with them. He began almost by accident when he imprinted a newly hatched wild goose.
Although Lorenz became a doctor, geese were his love. He soon abandoned his practice to devote his life to studying geese and discovered many things about them besides imprinting.
The illustrations bring parts of the storyline to life. The geese are the highlights. I found the book a bit too general with too few of his important findings.
The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin
4 stars
Author: Julia Finley Mosca
Illustrator: Daniel Rieley
An autistic child faces many difficulties both in their personal endeavors and the attitudes of society around them. Dr. Grandin was lucky and determined as she found ways to cope with her learning challenges. She also had the support of her mother who tried to counter the social attitudes.
The text is in rhyme. This sometimes seemed a bit strained. It follows Dr. Grandin as a child for most of the book with only a few pages devoted to her many accomplishments. The book ends with pages about Dr. Grandin including a personal note from her.
The illustrations are stylized, easy to understand, engaging and colorful.
July 8, 2025
"It Takes a Village", "The Very Busy Spider" and "Duck & Goose"
These were a fun selection.
It Takes a Village
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Jane Cowan-Fletcher
Yemi is to watch her baby brother while her mother sells mangos at the market. She is proud of having such a responsibility and determined to do her best.
Her little brother presents a problem. As Yemi gets food for him, he wanders off. She is left searching for him as he visits with many of the vendors at the market.
Yemi's mother knows Yemi tries hard, but all the adults know everyone is needed to watch a busy little boy.
The illustrations give a clean, colorful depiction of this African village and the people who live there.
The Very Busy Spider
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Eric Carle
A little spider finds a good place to build a web and gets started. Various others come by asking her to stop and do something else. She ignores them, except for the last idea: having a fly for dinner as it gets caught in her finished web.
The illustrations are figures done in patterned paper. The web strands and spider are touchable.
Duck & Goose
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Tad Hills
Duck and Goose are not friends. when they find a large, round object they assume is an egg, the competition gets fierce. Their compromise changes attitudes and their new friendship survives finding their object isn't an egg after all.
Both the text and the illustrations have gentle humor in them. The illustrations are colorful. Duck and Goose are cute.
It Takes a Village
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Jane Cowan-Fletcher
Yemi is to watch her baby brother while her mother sells mangos at the market. She is proud of having such a responsibility and determined to do her best.
Her little brother presents a problem. As Yemi gets food for him, he wanders off. She is left searching for him as he visits with many of the vendors at the market.
Yemi's mother knows Yemi tries hard, but all the adults know everyone is needed to watch a busy little boy.
The illustrations give a clean, colorful depiction of this African village and the people who live there.
The Very Busy Spider
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: Eric Carle
A little spider finds a good place to build a web and gets started. Various others come by asking her to stop and do something else. She ignores them, except for the last idea: having a fly for dinner as it gets caught in her finished web.
The illustrations are figures done in patterned paper. The web strands and spider are touchable.
Duck & Goose
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Tad Hills
Duck and Goose are not friends. when they find a large, round object they assume is an egg, the competition gets fierce. Their compromise changes attitudes and their new friendship survives finding their object isn't an egg after all.
Both the text and the illustrations have gentle humor in them. The illustrations are colorful. Duck and Goose are cute.
