A Videogame Stole My Sister: An Early Reader LitRPGMetaverse Legends Book 1
Written by Justin M. Stone
This book is targeted for an eight to twelve-year-old audience. Classified as a beginning reader, it would be an excellent choice for reluctant readers. I believe the plot especially appeals to tween boys, particularly those who have sibling rivalry with a sister.
Lucas is a tween boy who has a sister, Madison, who is one year older than he. Like many boys his age, Lucas loves video games. One day he is playing his favorite, when he gets distracted for a minute. Next thing he knows, his sister Madison is missing. You guessed it, she has been taken by the game.
The short chapters of the book alternate point of view with story being told by Lucas and Madison. The adventure is funny and humorous. One note of caution for parents and teachers. The book includes language like “piss” and mentions “running like hell.”
I think the book will appeal especially to the younger middle-grade audience and reluctant readers who prefer shorter chapters with less challenging vocabulary.
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This book is part of an adventure, detective series. Steve, Matt, and Jenny are twelve-year-old amateur sleuths who love to solve mysteries. They call themselves, The Decoders.
In this selection, Book 2, the detectives are thrilled that they have been invited to be extras in a movie. When they begin filming, the trio discover that a saboteur has been destroying equipment and causing mischief on the set.
Young detective readers will enjoy figuring out the clues to solve the mystery.
Middle-grade detective and adventure story fans should enjoy this series.
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PB&J is a fifth-grader who has a strange super power. Since first grade, he can hurl peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with uncanny accuracy. This strange ability gets him into trouble more often than not.
PB&J meets his nemesis when an evil villain begins attacking with green goo. Dr. Vile changes children and adults into tasty treats like lemon cream pie and stale bread. PB & J valiantly tries to use his super power to defeat the evil scientist.
This book is filled with superhero tips, and funny illustrations. The dialogue is simple and typical of the book’s audience. I suspect fifth-grade boys will love the crazy antics and humor.
I would highly recommend this book and the series for reluctant readers. It has appeal for beginning chapter book readers as well.
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Aye- Aye Gets Lucky: Endangered and Misunderstood Animals Book 1
Written by Terri Tatchell
Illustrated by Ivan Sulima
Aye-Aye, a lemur, enjoys pulling pranks on the people who live in the villages of Madagascar. After a time, the inhabitants tire of his pranks and ban Aye-Aye. He wanders around scared and hungry.
After a while, Aye-Aye encounters a flying fox who terrifies him. The fox did not mean to frighten the lemur. He turns out to be a friend trying to teach Aye-Aye a valuable lesson. Aye-Aye becomes brave enough to attempt to regain the villagers approval. He hides for a while, building up his courage. Will he discover a way to obtain their forgiveness?
This rhyming, picture book for elementary school age children teaches them about endangered species and encourages children to get involved in their protection. A portion of the book’s profits go to that cause. As a bonus, readers learn how to draw lemurs and flying foxes, discover fun facts about them, and learn different ways they can protect them.
Recommended for elementary age readers who enjoy books about animals, the environment, and community involvement.
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THE LIGHTHOUSE CATS OF MAZATLAN (TALES OF MAZATLAN)
Written and Illustrated by Carolyn-Watson Dubisch
Sisters, Ana and Luna live in Mazatlan, Mexico by the sea. Everyday, they climb the winding steps of the lighthouse. Most people travel there for the view, but the sisters have a different reason. They make the journey to feed and play with the numerous stray cats that inhabit the lighthouse and its surroundings.
One day, after a terrible storm, the town and its lighthouse are left flooded and without power. The disconcerted sisters cannot reach the closed lighthouse. They worry their cat friends will not survive.
When the lighthouse finally reopens, the girls cannot find one of their cats. Readers will be surprised to find out what surprise awaits these compassionate sisters.
This multlicultural picture book is available in Spanish and English. It teaches primary grade readers about empathy, compassion, and the problem of animal homelessness.
Recommended for ages two through six.
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A charming picture book with simple but colorful illustrations that features animals that would be found on a safari adventure trip to Africa.
Toddlers and preschoolers are introduced to animals like lions, elephants, hyenas, snakes, parrots, and zebras. Each animal makes a distinctive sound to communicate their messages. The young readers are encouraged to imitate the sounds
Rhymes are short and easy to understand. This interactive book transports its readers to the jungle.
Recommended for the youngest readers from infants to preschoolers.
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Dogs Counting Activity Book: Count to 20 with this Fun Activity Book about Dogs
Written by Frances MacKay
I have previously reviewed this author’s count to ten with dogs book and found it useful. This book can be viewed as a logical extension of that book.
Here, the child not only learns to count to twenty but is provided lots of other learning opportunities that involve comparing and contrasting, more advanced language concepts, dot to dots, mazes, identifying differences, coloring, and simple math equations. The book would be a good supplement to kindergarten learning concepts as a means to prepare or supplement classroom curriculum.
Recommended for ages three through seven.
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Dogs A Counting and Comparing Book: A Funny Counting to 10 Book about Dogs
Written by Frances MacKay
One of the best toddler and preschool teaching tools that I have come across lately. The author uses vibrant illustrations and interesting scenarios with dogs to teach children how to count up to ten and then count backwards.
She also introduces positional and size concepts as well as simple emotions like happy and sad. Interactive activities included are access to a ten-page coloring book and freebies that can be downloaded.
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If you have never read one of the Junkyard Adventure Books, you might want to start with this one. (Book 5)
Eli and Grace are siblings who love to visit their Uncle Larry’s Antique and Junkyard Store. This is not an ordinary store. Each time the children visit, they discover a magic porthole that takes them on an adventure to a wonderful new world.
In this offering, the children experience a trip on a submarine to an underwater adventure. Their teacher is a mermaid who exposes them to a world filled with musical instruments. Readers learn quite a bit about music but also experience the fear of these two siblings to find a way out that will lead them back to Uncle Larry’s shop.
This series is targeted for ages eight through eleven, but I believe it suitable as a beginning chapter book reader as well. Perfect for readers who love adventure and fantasy.
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Publisher’s Synopsis: Patient, peaceful Phoenix tries to take care of rambunctious and cold-ridden Dragon, which leads to hilarious and sweet results (with vibrant illustrations by the Caldecott Medal-winning creator of Beekle).
Everyone knows that dragons are fierce, capable of taking on the world!
But this dragon can’t stop sneezing long enough to get a roar out. Even with friendly Phoenix insisting that Dragon get some rest, this powerful creature refuses to stop for any orange ginger tea or a drop of bone broth soup.
It’s only when Dragon realizes Phoenix has caught the same cold that they are both able to take the break they so badly need. This tale of helping your friends and valuing differences is a sure-thing for story time.
Charlotte Cheng’s writing credits include Night Market Rescue, Explore China: A Mulan Discovery Book and BoBo Loves Dumplings, and she has illustrated the picture books Silly McGilly and A Moment in Time. In the field of education, she has written and illustrated K-12 curriculum for a variety of companies such as LeapFrog, Disney, and Wonder Workshop. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, daughter, and two dogs.
Dan Santat is the National Book Award-winning, Caldecott Medal–winning and New York Times–bestselling author and illustrator of The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend and the middle grade graphic memoir A First Time for Everything. His artwork is also featured in numerous picture books, chapter books, and middle-grade novels, including Dav Pilkey’s Ricky Ricotta series. Dan lives in Southern California with his wife, two kids, and many, many pets.
MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK:
HEAR MY ROAR
Roar-Choo!
Written by Charlotte Cheng
Illustrated by Dan Santat
The powerful dragon insists on spreading fear by letting out a blood-curdling roar. But what happens when this dragon is infected with a terrible cold? Dragon’s friend, Phoenix endeavors to take care of this affliction by resting, sipping tea, and imbibing bone broth soup. The situation reaches a climax when Phoenix suffers the same illness and can no longer take charge.
The tale of the Dragon and the Phoenix is a familiar one in Chinese mythology. It poses the opposing forces of strength and boldness versus gentleness and empathy. It teaches young readers about the value of friendship and moderation in all things.
The powerful images portray the character features accurately producing a feast for the eyes and the perfect mood for the plot.
GIVEAWAY
Enter the giveaway for the chance to win a copy of Charlotte Cheng’s captivating book, Night Market Rescue, a $100 visa gift card, and a free 30 minute children’s book writing consultation.
June 2, 2024
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