Posts from the ‘reluctant reader’ Category

A LITTLE BIT OF CHRISTMAS MAGIC

Doodle and the Magic Christmas Float

Written by Cindy Shirley

Illustrated by Cleoward Sy

The heartwarming tale of a family exhibiting true Christmas spirit.

Doodle lives with her grandparents on a farm. Her grandfather is creative and inventive, spending much of his time creating toys and inventions for his granddaughter and her friends. When Doodle and her friends discover an old tractor on the farm, they plead with their grandfather to allow them to fix it up. Soon the entire family is involved in transforming the old tractor into a beautiful Christmas float for the town’s Christmas parade. Doodle and her friends plan to ride on it and distribute candy and Christmas cheer to their community.

This warm, holiday tale exemplifies families who work together and share love and kindness throughout the community.

I highly recommend it for parents and teachers of school-age children.

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JUST TRYING TO HELP

Bacon’s Very Important Christmas Job! (It’s Bacon’s World! Book 2)

Written and Illustrated by Tina Neely

Bacon, a pot-bellied pig, loves his family. He wants to be helpful. When his mom, dad, and grandma begin preparing for the Christmas holidays, Bacon tries his best to get involved. Unfortunately, he only gets in the way and gets rebuffed for his efforts.

This book series is based on the exploits of the author’s pet pig. Children get a preview with a genuine photo included at the end of the tale. I like the interactive feature, which requests readers to count the number of hearts on each page.

This book is a perfect holiday choice for families of primary grade readers.

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IS BIGGER BETTER?

Skelly the GIANT Skeleton: A Hilarious Modern Day Halloween Book Parody Tribute to the GIANT Halloween Community!

Written by Hailee Oman

Illustrated by William Velasco

The illustrations in this book are creative and original. Rhymes hit the mark.

The author uses parody to illustrate the limits some people will go to in celebrating and decorating holidays like Halloween. Skelly is the physical manifestation of overindulgence.

Children and adults will laugh at the ridiculous scenario. The book is appropriate for all ages.

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THE ODD ONE OUT

Written by Leia Barrett

Illustrated by Shannon McKeon

This very short picture book of twenty pages is ideal for young children and reluctant readers.

It relates the tale of a rescue dog who finds herself in an animal shelter. Before her life in a shelter, she learns to survive on her own. Her other animal friends teach her their habits and lifestyle.

One day, the dog is adopted. Her new mom and dad find the dog’s strange habits unnerving, but, in the end, decide to accept her exactly the way her lifestyle has shaped her.

The author teaches young readers lessons of acceptance, love, and the value of being true to oneself.

Recommended for preschoolers and early elementary school-age readers.

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STANDING TALL

Molly Morningstar, Music Show Surprise: A Fun Story About Courage and Kindness (Molly Morningstar Series)

Written by Andrea Coke

Illustrated by M. Fernanda Orozco

Molly is proud of her father. He is entering a singing contest. When her dad decides to write an acceptance speech in case he wins, Molly is eager to assist him.

Molly thinks of questions her dad can use in developing his speech. When the big night arrives, she proudly accompanies her mom and dad. Will he perform flawlessly? Does Dad get the opportunity to deliver his speech?

Read the charming story to get the answer. A lesson of bravery and courage with a surprise ending.

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INSIDE 0UT: A DACHSHUND VIEW

A Tall Tale About Dachshunds in Costumes: How MORE Dogs Came to Be (Tall Tales Book 4)

Written by Kizzie Jones

Illustrated by Scott Ward

A very creative rhyming picture book! It tells the tale of a young girl and her beloved Daschunds.

One day, while playing on the beach, the dogs decide to play dress-up using the vegetation they find around them. Their mistress is distressed that changing their outside appearance might change their personalities. Will they decide to remain this way?

The author uses the tale to explain the many different types of dogs, their physical characteristics, and how they were named. She provides a glossary of each dog type and the vegetation they associate with.

Children who love dogs will enjoy the humorous tale and the wealth of information about each species. An entertaining read for any age.

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A GUIDED TOUR OF THE EVERGLADES

Mouse Visits Everglades National Park (Mouse Traveler)

Written by Tricia Gardella

Illustrated by Ginger Nielson

A delightful adventure for primary-grade readers. A mouse gives us a guided tour of Everglades National Park. This intrepid traveler is delighted to find his bird friend at the park.

The bird volunteers to guide his friend. First, they visit many of the birds that inhabit the swamp. Readers learn about egrets and spoonbills. But the mouse wants to see alligators and crocodiles, so he moves on to the mangrove swamp.

Tired from his daylong adventure, the mouse uses his magic acorn to get home.

At the end of the tale, the author includes facts about the Everglades and questions to measure comprehension.

A fun book that contains an adventure story with knowledge about the Everglades.

Recommended to teachers and parents of elementary-age readers.

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FAMILY, NATURE, HISTORY, ADVENTURE

The Adventures of Kaboose the Rocky Mountain Bear

Written by Papa Rick Harris and Kyra Dumoulin

Illustrated by Simon Goodway

This book introduces Kaboose, a Rocky Mountain Bear.

The approach is unique. First, it is a charming tale about how a community of black bears awaits the birth of a cub. The author relates a story that explores the history of the Canadian Rockies and life in the Arrow Valley, exploring its sights, sounds, smells, and connection to railroad history.

The illustrations are expressive and colorful, and the characters are charming.

Looks like a promising new series for readers ages six to ten.

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QUINCY LEADS THE WAY

Quincy the Quail Leads His Family on an Adventure

Written by Barbara Renner

Illustrated by Amanda M Wells

Quincy, a young quail, is a bit clumsy. He cannot seem to go very far without getting into trouble. His family is patient and kind. Together, they adventure through the Sonoran Desert in Arizona. All the while, a silent guardian is watching their progress.

The author includes a wealth of information about quail and the environment of the Sonoran Desert. At the end of the family adventure, she includes a piece about life in the desert and also a detailed glossary of vocabulary terms from the book.

The book contains a fun adventure, information about quail, and a resource about the animals and life in the region.

Highly recommended for primary-grade children who enjoy reading about animals, but also enjoy nonfiction.

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WHEN DAY MEETS NIGHT

When Sun Met Moon

Written and Illustrated by Vanessa Ireson

This is a beautifully written book that describes how nature reacts during a solar eclipse.

When this rare event occurs, the nocturnal and diurnal animals come together to celebrate the event. They raise their diverse voices in celebration. Through lovely illustrations and lyrical language, the reader is invited to partake of the beauty of this short moment in time.

The author uses alliteration and vocabulary that suit the magical mood. This book combines a sweet tale of nature with science to describe and present a vivid picture of the eclipse.

An excellent choice for teachers and parents to discuss a solar eclipse for children in elementary school.

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