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Friday, December 3, 2010

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson


Title/Series:   The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Author: Barbara Robinson
Pages: 81 pages
Copyright  Date: 1972
Reading Level:  5th grade
Interest Level: 3rd – 6th grade

Summary:  The annual Christmas pageant is changing this year.  The worst kids in history, the Herdmans, will be involved and learning the Christmas story this year.  When the Herdmans become the lead roles in the pageant, things really get interesting.  It will be amazing if the town can put together the pageant this year.

Educational: poor –introduces bad ideas that kids may not think of on their own (burning down building, stealing from church, blackmailing peers), teaches the Christmas story
Content: poor– includes the word “hell”, tells how mom forces dad to watch his children in the pageant, Mrs. Herdman avoiding her children, describes the Christmas story including King Herod, the end of the book shows the Herdman children beginning to change for the better
Message: Good – take time to really think about the Christmas story and what it means

      

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

A Plump and Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman

Title/Series:   A Plump and Perky Turkey
Author: Teresa Bateman
Pages: 31 pages
Copyright  Date: 2001
Reading Level:  3rd grade
Interest Level:  K – 6th grade

Summary:  Where are all the turkeys?  The people in Squawk Valley need a turkey for their Thanksgiving meal, but the turkeys are getting smart and disappearing in the fall.  The town decides to try to trick a turkey into coming into town for a job as a turkey model.  Who will be smarter, the turkey or the citizens of Squawk Valley?

Educational: Average– rhyming words
Content: Good – illustrations are very enticing with lots of bold colors and action on each page, fun Thanksgiving story
Message: Average– use teamwork to solve a problem



Monday, November 22, 2010

Thanksgiving Mice! by Bethany Roberts


Title/Series:   Thanksgiving Mice!
Author: Bethany Roberts
Pages: 32 pages
Copyright  Date: 2001
Reading Level: 1st grade
Interest Level: Preschool – 3rd grade

Summary:  It’s Thanksgiving time and the mice are putting on a play!  The mice start with preparing for their two act play “The Story of Thanksgiving”.  We then enjoy the play with the mice’s animal friends.

Educational: Good –shows a brief history of Thanksgiving including the vocabulary words England, Pilgrim, Mayflower, and Plymouth Rock
Content: Good – colorful pictures, the story told as a play makes the book interesting
Message: Average – Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Words Are Not for Hurting by Elizabeth Verdick


Title/Series:   Words Are Not for Hurting
Author: Elizabeth Verdick
Pages: 24 pages
Copyright  Date: 2004
Reading Level: Board Book Version
Interest Level: Baby - Preschool

Summary:  We all use many words each day.  This book shows the different kinds of words we use such as loud and soft.  It also shows what hurtful words do and what you can do to stop the hurtful words.  The last two pages give good tips on how to use this book in starting a positive discussion with a child.  The ideas suggested are age appropriate for the baby to preschool audience.

Educational: Excellent– the entire “Best Behavior” series promotes positive character building
Content: Excellent– words are simple yet powerful, vivid illustrations, great parent discussion and behavior tips
Message: Excellent– not only points out the problem with hurtful words but also gives positive ideas (what to do instead, what to do if you didn’t stop words), promotes good character traits without preaching the skills
                Note: The entire board book series “Best Behavior” promotes and teaches positive behavior in an easy to understand way to young children.  It gives the child options on how to improve their mistakes.  This board book series is intended for the age range baby through preschool.  The parent and caregiver tips in the back of the book are intended for this age range.  For older children, many titles in the board book series are also available in a more in depth paperback version.  These paperback books are approximately 40 pages long and aimed at children 4 to 7 years old.  They include the same powerful language and options on what to do if mistakes happen.  These books also include parent and caregiver tips.  The tips are geared more towards children ages 4 – 7.

Board Book Version (baby-preschool)
                                    












Paperback Version (ages 4-7)  

Rainbow Magic - The Fun Day Fairies - #2 Tara the Tuesday Fairy by Daisy Meadows

Title/Series:   Rainbow Magic – The Fun Day Fairies - #2 Tara the Tuesday Fairy
Author: Daisy Meadows
Pages: 67 pages
Copyright  Date: 2006
Reading Level: 3rd  grade
Interest Level: K- 2nd grade

Summary:  Jack Frost has stolen the magical Tuesday Fun Flag from Fairyland!  It’s Field Day at school and everyone is miserable without the Fun Flag.  Can Rachel and Kristy help the fairy Tara find the Fun Flag in time to save Field Day?

Educational: Average– solve one riddle
Content: Average – story moves quickly
Message: Poor– teaches that magic is needed to have a good day instead of creating a positive outlook, teaches that misplacing something can ruin a celebration (medals and certificates are misplaced in the beginning of the day)

All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon

Title/Series:   All the World
Author: Liz Garton Scanlon
Pages: 40 pages
Copyright  Date: 2009
Reading Level: 2nd grade
Interest Level: PreK- 2nd grade

Summary:  A small community of family and friends show active illustrations of many things to enjoy in the world.  The characters enjoy the little things at a beach, meal time, and family time. 

Educational: Average– rhyming words, shows words that are related (body, shoulder, arm, hand)
Content: Average – illustrations are beautiful and full of action
Message: Good– appreciate all of the small and large things in life 


Tuesday, November 16, 2010

The Boxcar Children #123 The Amazing Mystery Show Created by Gertrude Chandler Warner

Title/Series:   The Boxcar Children # 123 The Amazing Mystery Show
Created By: Gertrude Chandler Warner
Pages: 111 pages
Copyright  Date: 2010
Reading Level: 3rd  grade
Interest Level: 3rd  – 5th grade

Summary:  Join the four Alden children as they work together to win on the TV show “The Amazing Mystery Show”.  They travel to Philadelphia to solve clues which lead them to gold coins.  Something seems fishy when their map has been tampered with and Benny’s special pink cup goes missing!  Will they be able to overcome someone misleading them and still win the show?

Educational: Great –teaches the history of Philadelphia (historical landmarks, Betsy Ross), shows using small clues to come to a good conclusion
Content: Good – easy to read fun mystery series
Message: Good – working together can accomplish large tasks