The Sisters Grimm

The Sisters Grimm: The Fairytale Detectives

by Michael Buckley

HNA Books (2005)
Interest Level: Ages 8 to 12

Summary:

After their parents disappear, the Grimm sisters live with their grandmother whom they had long believed to be dead. The Grimms learn that they are descendants of the Brothers Grimm whose stories are not "tales" but history. They find themselves embroiled in the mystery and intrigue of Ferryport Landing where they join the family tradition of investigating the Everafters who are trapped there.

Online Connections:

1. Sisters Grimm official website: http://www.sistersgrimm.com/newsite/index.html

2. Author Michael Buckley introduces the series on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2u9iTZpy8ko

Book Connections:
1. The Usual Suspects (Sisters Grimm Series #2) by Michael Buckley

2. The Problem Child (Sisters Grimm Series #3) by Michael Buckley

Keywords: Grimm, fairytales

The Ugly Duckling

The Ugly Duckling
by Jerry Pinkney
HarperCollins Publishers (1999)
Interest Level: Ages 3 to 8

Category: Traditional Tale
Type: Picture Book

Summary:
A swan who grows up as an unwanted "duckling" learns his true beauty and the meaning of happiness when a flock of swans returns after a long, cruel winter.


Online Connections:
1. Information about the author/illlustrator http://www.friend.ly.net/users/jorban/biographies/pinkneyjerry/index.htm
2. Jerry Pinkney discusse illustration and children's art: http://www.readingrockets.org/books/interviews/pinkneyj

Book Connections:
1. Aesop's Fables by Jerry Pinkney
2. Little Red Riding Hood by Jerry Pinkney

Keywords: duckling, swan, ugly, beautiful

My Dog May Be a Genius

My Dog May Be a Genius

by Jack Prelutsky

Almost Forever

Almost Forever
by Maria Testa

beast feast

beast feast
by Douglas Florian
Harcourt Children's Books (1998)
Interest Level: ages 5-10

Category: Poetry
Type: Children's

Summary: A whimsical poetic exploration of the animal world with excellent illustrations.

Online Connections:
1. Author website: www.douglasflorian.com
2. StoryArt.com "Meet Douglas Florian" http://www.storybookart.com/meet_dflorian.html

Flotsam

Flotsam
by David Wiesner
Houghton Mifflin (2006)
Interest Level: 5 to 8 years

Award: 2007 Caldecott Medal

Category: Children's Literature
Type: Picture Book

Summary: A boy at the beach discovers a fanastic new world when he develops the film from an underwater camera that washes ashore.

Online Connections:
1. Author website:
http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/authors/wiesner/home.html
2. Caldecott Medal website: http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/awardsscholarships/literaryawds/caldecottmedal/caldecottmedal.cfm

Book Connections:
1. Tuesday by David Wiesner
2. Sector 7 by David Wiesner

Keywords: ocean, beach, photography, sea life, legacy

Up, Down and Around

Up, Down and Around

by Katherine Ayers. Ill. by Nadine Bernard Westcott

Candlewick Press (2008)

Interest Level: infant to preschool

Recognition: Texas 2x2 Reading List

Category: Children's Literature

Type: Picture Book

Summary: A whimsical introduction gardening, this book illustrates for young children what happens as plants grow above ground and below. Great for young gardeners who wonder what is happening with their plants underground.

Online Connections:

1. Author website: http://personal.chatham.edu/faculty/kayres/

2. Booktalk link for this book http://booktalk.tandemlibrarybooks.com/viewBook.aspx?bookId=413

3. Texas 2X2 Reading Lists http://www.txla.org/groups/crt/2X2intro.htm

Book Connections:

1. A Long Way by Katherine Ayres. Ill. by Tricia Tusa

2. What's Alive? by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld. Ill. by Nadine Bernard Westcott

Keywords: garden, gardening, plants

Little Peace

Little Peace
by Barbara Kerley
National Geographic Society (2007)
Interest Level: 6-12 years

Category: Children's Literature
Type: Picture Book

Summary: A photographic tour of the small ways each of us can bring peace to our communities and the world around us.

Online Connections:
Author's website: http://www.barbarakerley.com/
National Geographic Society http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/

Book Connections:
A Cool Drink of Water by Barbara Kerley
Greeting from Planet Earth by Barbara Kerley. Ill by Istvan Banyai

Keywords: peace, children, photography, world

Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!

Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!
by Laura Amy Schlitz
Illustrated by Robert Byrd
Candlewick Press (2007)
Interest Level: ages 9-12

Category: Children's Literature
Type: Monologues, Juvenile Drama

Summary:
A collection of monologues serve as an introduction to the people of a Medieval village. Witty and keenly observant, Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! enlivens history with memorable characters and accurate historical representation.

Online Connections:
1. Author Laura Amy Schlitz discusses winning Newbery Award: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/22665745#22665745
2. Newbery Award website: http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/awardsscholarships/literaryawds/newberymedal/newberymedal.cfm
Book Connections:
1. The Hero Schliemann: The Dreamer Who Dug for Troy by Laura Amy Schlitz
2. A Drowned Maiden's Hair by Laura Amy Schlitz

Keywords: juvenile theatre, medieval, middle ages, monologues

One Potato, Two Potato

One Potato, Two Potato

by Cynthia DeFelice

Farrar, Straus, and Giroux (2006)

Interest Level: ages 4-8

Texas Bluebonnet Award 2008

Category: Children's Literature

Type: Picture Book, Fairytale

Summary:

Mr. and Mrs. O'Grady have little, but their generous hears shine when they discover a magic pot which doubles whatever they place inside it.

Online Connections:

1. Author website: http://www.cynthiadefelice.com/

2. Texas Bluebonnet Award Booktalk: http://booktalk.tandemlibrarybooks.com/viewBook.aspx?bookId=401

Book Connections:

1. Three Perfect Peaches by Cynthia DeFelice

2. Pugdog by Andrea U'Ren

Keywords: folktale, magic, potato

Welcome!

Please be patient as I begin posting my book reviews. As time goes on, I will add reviews for books of all genre and for all ages.

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