Dinosaurs Love Underpants

I've been in a bit of a reading slump.  The last few books I've read haven't been worth sharing.  So instead, I am going to share a favorite picture book with you, Dinosaurs Love Underpants.  It is an adorable book.  I love the illustrations, the rhythm, and the humor.  It is what you could consider an alternate theory on how and why the dinosaurs died out.  It all started when the cavemen grew embarrassed about being naked and made themselves some underwear.  When the dinosaurs saw their new attire, they immediately wanted them too.  The problem was, once they procured them from the cavemen, they started fighting over them with each other.  Thus began the "Mighty Underpants War."  When the dust settled, the dinosaurs had all killed each other off, leaving the cavemen to carry on the tradition of the undergarments.  We are reminded at the end of the book to remember that underwear saved mankind so we should treat them with care.  I just think this book is wonderful.  The pictures are vibrant and descriptive.  The story engaging and entertaining.  I think it is a brilliant telling of how the dinosaurs faded into extinction.  I believe it.  After all, the perfect pair of underwear is worth fighting for.  Happy reading!

The Cat, The Dog...

I came across this picture book the other day and just thought it was hilarious.  It is a very fun retelling of Little Red Riding Hood.  Cat is trying to read the fairy tale out loud to Dog, who keeps interrupting with questions and comments.  Dog wants to know why the wolf would go to so much trouble if he planned on eating Red all along.  If he ran into her in the woods, why not just eat her then.  Also, how smart can Red be if she couldn't tell the wolf wasn't her grandmother.  When Dog first hears the part about the cape/hood, he thinks it is a superhero story.  By the end, Cat is frustrated and Dog is disappointed.  The illustrations are simple, yet effective.  They portray the excitement, frustration, imagination and speculation of the animals quite well.  Adults may find it funnier than kids because the jokes the jokes are more subtle, but it is definitely a funny story.  I always love fairy tale retellings.  This one stuck to the story, just made the interpretation comical.  It showed the story through the eyes of someone hearing it for the first time and questioning the logic of it.  The story is a lot of fun.  It was a bit reminiscent of a comic strip, with the simple illustrations and speech bubbles.  Definitely worth checking out.  Happy reading!

The Miss Nelson Collection

A month of so ago when I saw that all three Miss Nelson books were available in one Hardback collection, I was overjoyed.  I prefer my picture books to be hardcovers, they just last longer.  So now I can have all three of these great stories in one volume.  Even better, the list price is only $12.95.  This is starting to sound like the shopping network, so I'll move on now.

These books have been around forever, longer than I've been alive.  That is a lot of kids who have had the opportunity to be introduced to the foibles of misbehaving in class.  My favorite will always be the first book, Miss Nelson is Missing.  We all fear teachers like Miss Swamp, but the kids today need a little whipping into shape, if you ask me.  The fun illustrations help tell the stories of Miss Nelson's elementary class, and the football team.  Since every school class has at least one naughty kid, usually more than that, this book is the perfect book to remind teachers that turning an out of control classroom around is a possibility.  I love to recommend these stories during back to school time.  I think every teacher, not to mention family, should have this in their collection.  If you don't want all three, definitely pick up the original story and add it to your library today.  Happy reading!

My Teacher is a Monster

My Teacher is a Monster is a very cute new picture book from Peter Brown.  I am a huge fan of his, so of course I immediately read this book as soon as I ran across it.  The little boy is convinced his teacher is a monster.  Of course he is a bit of a trouble maker and she occasionally reprimands him for his behavior.  Of course that makes her a monster.  He doesn't like her at all.  The two butt heads.  Then one day they run into each other at the park.  They reluctantly strike up a conversation and soon the little boy realizes she is a lot more like him than he thought.  The illustrations morph from a monster to a lady.  They go their ways and all is well, until they meet in school again and she yells at him for something.  The monster is back in his eyes.  It is a really cute story about seeing people for who they really are.  Teachers are people to, even if they have to be strict in the classroom!  It was fun watching the two get to know each other in a casual setting.  It gave them each an opportunity to understand the other.  The illustrations are wonderful, as always.  Check out this book if you get a chance.  Happy reading!

Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl is one of my all-time favorite children's authors.  His twisted sense of humor and uncanny ability to capture the dark side of people has provided hours of entertainment for me.  He has always been more than successful at captivating me with his characters, both good and bad.  He created unique individuals that aren't soon forgotten.  I only wish he was still alive to create the magnificent adventures of my childhood for generations to come.  He is one of those authors whose work will never go out of print.  When I was young I would listen to James and the Giant Peach over and over again.  That was one of my favorite books.  I longed for the adventure of traveling over the sea in a giant peach.  Matilda speaks to my love of books.  The BFG is another fun adventure, filled with unlikely friendship.  The Twits sees the worlds worst adults get what's coming to them.  All kids can appreciate that.  Esio Trot is such an adorable love story.  These five are my favorite of his books, but I like all of them.  I read the Witches after I had seen the movie a million times and found that I liked the movie version slightly better.  In my opinion Roald Dahl should be a part of every child's library.  I know some parents don't like the dark side of each book, or the consistently horrible adults portrayed in the stories.  I think that all kids will encounter horrible adults at some point, and these books can perhaps help empower them a little.  Regardless of your beliefs on the matter, his books have the power to spark the imagination.  I think that ability is priceless in children's literature.  I have listened to a handful of his books on audio and all of them are fabulous.  If you have a short road trip ahead, these books make a wonderful accompaniment to any drive.  Listen to them with your kids.  Read the books together as well.  They are wonderful.  Happy reading!

Flipped

Flipped is one of the first Young Adult books I ever read.  It is classified as that, but in reality it is probably more for middle grade kids.  The main two characters are in eighth grade, but it is a love story at the core, even if it takes place on the playground.  It is also the first book I can remember reading that has alternating chapters( narration switch), something I have come to love in books.  I guess I just enjoy getting to hear different perspectives on the events in a story.  It is not always successful, but Wendelin Van Draanen nailed it in this book.  Unlike most books with alternating chapters, this one mostly retells the exact same events from both perspectives.  It is hilarious.  Our two narrators are Bryce and Julianne.  The two meet in second grade when Bryce's family moves in next door to Julianne's.  She is instantly in love with him, and he of course can't stand her.  Bryce does things to try to dissuade her, like get a girlfriend he doesn't even really like.  Julianne, in turn, feels it is her duty to save him from said girlfriend.  At the heart of it, the two don't actually really know each other at all.  They are locked in a game of cat and mouse.  As they get older and get to know each other a little better, Julianne realizes she doesn't really like who Bryce turns out to be under the surface.  Bryce, on the other hand, starts to think Julianne is quite fabulous.  It is now up to him to prove to her that he is worth liking after all.  This book is just so cute and funny.  I think this author has a talent for mixing humor with real emotion.  She writes funny books that have a depth to them as well.  While this book is a love story, it also touches on family loyalty, friendship, standing up for what you believe and not being afraid to be yourself.  I have read it a handful of times and enjoy it immensely with each reread.  If you haven't given it a try yet, I highly recommend it.  It will bring you plenty of laughs as you see these two neighbors interpret simple events in vastly different ways.  Enjoy and happy reading!

Tuesday Talk: Read Across America Day

One of my favorite days each year is Read Across America Day.  It is celebrated each year on Dr. Seuss' birthday (March 2), or the closest school day.  Since the 2nd fell on a Sunday, this year's observance was yesterday.  As a lover of children's books and a firm advocate of reading, I just love this day.  The whole purpose of it is to challenge every child to pick up a book and read.  While it is celebrated on just the one day, there are events throughout the entire week.  In fact, Dr. Seuss is often celebrated throughout the entire month of March.  While many schools, libraries and book stores choose to read Dr. Seuss books, the rules don't specify that need.  You can read any children's book or books you choose.  The National Education Association started this nationwide reading challenge 17 years ago to honor perhaps the most influential children's author of all time.  Dr. Seuss has touched the hearts and imaginations of children and adults alike.  What better way to honor him then by picking up a book and reading.  I'd like to end with a quote I got off the NEA's website:  "You're never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read with a child."  Happy reading!

Thursday Three: Valentine's Picture Books

So none of these books are strictly Valentine's stories, but they all have a love element to them.  As with every holiday (except Christmas), I tend to lean toward the books that are displayed with the holiday books, but not exactly holiday themed. 
1.  Falling for Rapunzel
This is such a cute and funny book.  It is an hilarious twist on the Rapunzel fairy tale.  When the prince calls up to her, Rapunzel repeatedly mishears him.  This book will have you laughing at every page turn.  It is just so much fun.  When the prince finally rides off into the sunset, he is heading off to his happily ever after with Rapunzel's maid instead of the princess herself.  The ending is just so funny too.  Rapunzel walks down and opens her door, only showing the entire ridiculous exercise was all for naught.  I did a bad job talking it up, but it is definitely a "princess" book everyone should read.  It is SOOO cute and funny.  Definitely one of my favorite picture books.
2.  The Kiss That Missed
Now this is a cute bedtime story.  While there is no romance element to this tale, it does involve an important kiss.  When the King comes in to bid his son goodnight, he hastily blows him a kiss instead of going to kiss him on the cheek.  Unfortunately, the kiss ends up going out the window.  The Prince cannot go to sleep without the kiss, so the Knight is summoned to track it down.  He must brave the scary forest, battle a dragon and overcome his fears, all to bring the goodnight kiss home.  The illustrations are just adorable.  This is definitely a bedtime story worth reading.
3. Porcupining: A Prickly Love Story
This story should be included in everyone's collection simply for the banjo playing, crooning porcupine.  This poor little guy lives in a petting zoo and longs to be loved and cuddled just like all his neighbors.  Since love isn't coming to him, he sets out in search of it.  At every turn he is scorned and sent packing.  That is, until he meets a lovely lady hedgehog.  She doesn't find him unpleasant at all.  This story has cute illustrations and a fun little song on almost every page.  I think this book might be out of print, but I'm sure you can find it at your local library at the very least.  It is definitely worth a read.

Thursday Three: Caldecott Honor Favorites

There are a lot of Caldecott Honor books among my favorite picture books of all time.  Some of them I have already included in other posts.  The three I picked today are all fun books that I have not mentioned yet.  All of the them are part of my personal library.  You should make them part of yours as well.
1.  Interrupting Chicken (2011)
As a fellow interrupter, I felt I just had to include this one.  The little girl chicken just can't help but interrupt every bedtime tale her father tries to tell her.  Can you blame her for wanting to yell out warnings to fairy tale characters, or change the ending of the story before something bad happens?  Since she is getting worked up instead of calming down for bed, Papa suggests she tell him a story instead.  The book is just so cute, and the illustrations help portray the overly excited little chicken to a tea.
2.  Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type (2001)
This is one of my daughter's favorites.  She has a little black and white cow hand puppet (Mooey) that my husband wears when reading this to her, with silly voices and all.  She just loves it.  The story is just so silly you can't help but love it.  Poor Farmer Brown.  Night after night the cows post demands on the barn door.  They want heated blankets, or no more milk.  The battle continues until both sides are happy.  If only that was the end of Farmer Brown's troubles.  It really is an adorable book.  It will have you laughing out loud.  Farmer Brown's reactions are the best.  You definitely have to check this book out.
3.  King Bidgood's in the Bathtub (1986)
Audrey and Don Wood (husband and wife team) are two of my favorite collaborators in the picture book world.  This is one of their best books.  "Help! Help! King Bidgood's in the bathtub, and he won't get out!  Oh, who knows what to do?"  This line is repeated throughout the book by the King's page.  One by one the members of the royal court take a stab at luring the King out of his tub.  Instead, each of them end up in the tub with him.  After all, why should he get out when everything they suggest can be done in the tub as well (eating, battling, fishing, dancing).  Not a single member of the court, or all of them together, can figure out how to get the King out of the bathtub.  It is left to the Page to come up with the solution.  The vibrant and detailed illustrations are just marvelous.  They perfectly depict the exuberant King and his increasingly perplexed and simpering court.  The pictures of the Page are the best.  You can tell he thinks they are all idiots, and rightfully so.  I just love this book.

Thursday Three: Newbery Honor Favorites

I didn't realize until I picked my three Newbery Honor books that all of them follow a strong female character.  I suppose these selections may not be for everybody, boys especially.  They are still fun books, but boys don't always want to read about girls, so sorry for all you with a house full of boys.

1.  The Great Gilly Hopkins (1979)
This book (by two-time Newbery winner Katherine Paterson--Bridge to Terabithia and Jacob Have I Loved) also won the National Book Award.  I read it for the first time as an adult and I just loved it.  Gilly is such a fun, spunky character.  Trying to survive the foster system, she puts on a tough front.  Her antics and feisty personality had me laughing out loud.  All she wants is to be with her mother, Courtney (great name, but horrible person).  She ends up placed in the house of an old widow, with a younger foster brother.  They live next door to an old blind man.  Gilly fights every step of the way, but she may just end up finding the family she has always wanted.  The transformation she makes throughout the book is fun to watch.
2.  The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle (1991)
This was the only Honor awarded in 1991.  It follows the adventures and troubles of a young, upper crust girl, on a voyage from England to America.  Her character evolves from looking down on the crew to actually joining them.  The book is a high seas adventure with mutiny, murder and mayhem.  I love pirate/sailor adventures set in the 1800s.  They are a bit of a guilty pleasure for me.  So, of course I loved this book.  I heard Avi read a climatic scene at a Children's Literature Conference I attended years ago.  It made me fall in love with the book all over again.  Some people dislike the book because they think her character transformation and her actions are too unrealistic, especially because of the time period it takes place in.  I say, "Posh."  I think it is a fun book that is worth reading. 
3. Our Only May Amelia (2000)
This book connects with my inner tomboy.  May Amelia is the only girl in her pioneer settlement (in Washington state around the turn of the century).  She has seven brothers and can't help but give in to her own adventurous spirit and yearn to join them in all they do.  Her parents want her to be a proper young lady, cooking, cleaning, and worst of all wearing dresses.  I just love the way this book is written.  The characters draw you right in.  The very unique May Amelia is the narrator.  She is so full of life.  You can't help but be dragged in to all her adventures right along side her.  I highly recommend this book, even if you are not generally an historical fiction fan.

Tuesday Talk: Jack Gantos

Continuing with the Newbery theme, today I am going to talk a little bit about Jack Gantos.  He won a Newbery Medal in 2012 for Dead End in Norvelt.  It is a semi-autobiographical account of a crazy summer from Jack's childhood.  It is very funny, which is one of the author's signature trademarks.  While I enjoyed that book, the reason I chose his is for his Joey Pigza series.  The second installment, Joey Pigza Loses Control, was a Newbery Honor book in 2001.  The series is four books long (for now at least).  They follow the antics and misadventures of a young Joey, a sufferer of ADHD.  They are absolutely hilarious.  Told from his point of view, we get a glimpse at the world through the eyes of a kid whose brain is out of control.  The impulses/compulsions are too overwhelming and he just can't help himself.  When they figure out the correct medication for him, his brain calms down and he can function.  That is, until his ADHD father persuades him to stop taking his pills.  His father, Carter, pops in and out of his life, not really fit to take care of himself, let alone his son.  Despite his lackluster parenting skills, Carter is a very interesting and fun character.  In my opinion, Joey's mother is wonderful.  He lives with her and Carter's mother (his grandmother).  His grandmother helps take care of him while his mom works.  She too suffers from ADHD, but has learned to deal with it, at least in comparison to her son and grandson.  This series of books is just so much fun.  Joey's character is hilarious, and I loved getting to see inside a head that is firing at a pace above normal.  Joey's sidekick, his Chihuahua Pablo, is equally hyperactive.  A very fun series that children and adults can both enjoy.  I highly recommend giving it a try.  Happy reading!

Tuesday Talk: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

My favorite Christmas book is The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.  For me, this is a must read.  I reread it every year.  When I was single, it was a Christmas Eve tradition for me to read it before I went to bed.  Now, with a family, I don't quite have the time on Christmas Eve anymore.  Instead I read it, a chapter or two at a time, the week before Christmas.  I have every intention of reading it to my daughter, in full, when she is older.  Every year.    It is such a fantastic book.  A couple years ago the author put out a picture book version.  For those of you who don't want to invest the time for the complete chapter book, or whose children are too young to pay attention for 40 pages without illustrations, I recommend it.  In my opinion it is not nearly as good, or as powerful, as the full version.  You miss a lot of the character build up in the abridgement.  The Herdmans are a family you need to get to know. They will change your life.  This book has the power to evoke the Christmas spirit better than any I've ever found.  If you've never read it, or it's just been awhile, you NEED to pick it up today. I promise you won't regret it.  Happy reading! (and Merry Christmas).

Tuesday Talk: Elephant & Piggie series

The Elephant & Piggie series by Mo Willems is one of my very favorite picture book series.  They are simple stories and even simpler illustrations, but they are hilarious.  They follow two best friends, Piggie (girl pig) and Gerald (boy elephant), through various adventures and misunderstandings.  Piggie is brave and outgoing, maybe a little hyperactive.  Gerald is timid and reserved, maybe a little stuffy.  Each story has a little twist at the end that has me laughing every time.  When I read them I give Piggie a high-pitched squeaky voice and Gerald an uptight British accent.  That is how I see the characters, and my daughter loves the accents.  I'm a Frog! is the most recent installment (there are 20 so far).  Mo Willems puts a new one out every couple months.  They are simply fantastic.  A handful of them are even award winners.  If you are looking for a good laugh, check out this series.  They are excellent for beginning readers to read by themselves, or for entire families to laugh together.  Great read-aloud titles.  The illustrations (facial expressions especially) tell half the story.  Happy reading!

Thursday Three: New(ish) Halloween/Scary Picture Books

1.  Creepy Carrots
This is such a fun picture book.  I first picked it up because I liked other books by the illustrator (Peter Brown), and was definitely not disappointed.  The illustrations are great (won a Caldecott Honor) and they help bring to life this funny story about a field full of carrots that decide they don't want to be picked and eaten anymore by Jasper Rabbit.

2.  I Need My Monster
This book just cracks me up.  This little boy can't go to sleep because the monster under his bed went fishing and left him alone at night.  How can he go to sleep without a monster keeping him in bed and under the covers?  He goes through substitute monster after substitute monster, but none are scary enough for him.

 3.  The Monstore
This is a new book I found a couple weeks ago.  It is a cute little story about a boy who just wants his little sister to stay out of his room and leave him alone.  He heads to the Monstore to buy a monster that can help him take care of his problem.  Unfortunately, his sister is not properly scared.  This leads to purchase after purchase of new monsters, each backfiring as well.  "No returns, no refunds" leaves him with a room full of monsters and his little sister loving every second of it. 

Tuesday Talk: Sammy Keyes

My internet has been down for the last day and half, so this post is a little late, sorry.  Today I want to discuss a very fun, action-packed, and award winning mystery series for young readers/middle grades.  The Sammy Keyes series, by Wendelin Van Draanen is so much fun.  Each adventure follows the 13-year-old amateur detective Sammy as she tries to solve mysteries.  The story lines are fast-paced, hilarious, and full of drama.  The characters are fantastic.  Sammy is a spit-fire with the habit of speaking her mind.  I just love this series.  I will be honest, I have not read every title yet (there are 17 so far).  In my opinion, this series stands out because the author does such a wonderful job of seamlessly weaving humor and drama together.  Most of her books are quite funny, yet they have other layers to them that elevates them to another level.  Her characters come across as real people dealing with real problems.  If you enjoy this series, I recommend giving more of the author's books a try.  Most of her books are for Young Adults.  Flipped and Swear to Howdy are two of my favorites.  Check out Sammy Keyes.  Happy reading.