Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Halloween

I read Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Halloween: A Safety Guide for Scaredies by Melanie Watt
I received a free ARC from NetGalley
5 stars!

Go figure, Scaredy Squirrel is afraid of Halloween! He is okay with the not scary aspects of it, as long as there are no abandoned houses or monsters. This safety guide will help kids plan a party, pick a costume, and prepare their trick-or-treat route. With real suggestions like using an old television set on a static channel or costume tips of layering your clothes in case of temperature changes, kids will find this book useful AND funny. Parents will laugh along with such witty ideas as “Draw face on photogenic side of pumpkin.” 

I always look for good read aloud books for story time. This is definitely not that kind of book. There is too much going on and not so much of a story. Does that mean I don’t like this book? Absolutely not. It is the perfect picture book for older kids to explore. The older they are, the more humor they will likely find. My favorite part of this Scaredy Squirrel book is the fact that there are chapters. Kids love feeling like they are doing things that older kids do, such as reading chapter books. It also makes for a longer book, a general progression as they get older. From the familiar, adorable pictures and witty humor, to the actually helpful Halloween tips for kids, we end up with a perfectly not-so-scary Halloween book. Like it says at the end, “Happy non-threatening Halloween everyone!”

I Survived the Japanese Tsunami, 2011

I read I Survived #8: I Survived the Japanese Tsunami 2011 by Lauren Tarshis
I received a free ARC from NetGalley
5 stars

The most recent addition to the I Survived series also happens to be the most recent event covered. It isn't the only even that has happened in recent history, so it isn't setting a new precedence in the series. I do like that it is an event younger children might even remember. The main character, Ben, is American visiting his Japanese uncle for a vacation that his father planned before he died in an accident. Ben didn't want to go, and then tragedy struck. He has to use courage that he learned through his father’s stories of life during war in order to help save his mother, uncle, brother, and especially himself.

This quick read is perfect for the recommended age, grades 2 and up. There are some tough situations, so it isn’t for kids who are disturbed by realistic dangerous situations or death. It is very quick-paced with just a little bit of back story. For kids that like history, realistic fiction or adventure and are ready for a real chapter book, this series is the perfect choice. Any child who has liked the other books in this series will surely like this installment as well. The good thing about this series is that you don’t have to read the other books in order to read this one. If some of the other events are too scary, kids can pick up the ones that interest them. The true facts in the back help make this even more educational, something parents love. It also would make this a good book to use in a classroom to teach the subject of natural disasters, storms, etc.

Pete the Cat: The Wheels on the Bus

I read Pete the Cat: The Wheels on the Bus by James Dean
I read it in Target
4 1/2 stars rounded up to 5

I do a sing along at the library where I work. Every week I read a book or two to break up the half hour of songs. Usually, I try to find books that are also songs. The Pete the Cat series is my favorite. While I am eagerly awaiting the next installment of amazing Pete books, I saw what appeared to be a mini series coming out of familiar songs. This was pretty much what I hoped for, a retelling of The Wheels on the Bus with Pete the Cat charm. Sometimes I have a group of older kids, and this will be great for them. Sometimes my group includes quite a few two-year-olds. When the group is younger, I will be able to skip a few pages to make the book shorter without affecting the flow.

Here we have a familiar song with a twist. The kids like books they can sign along to, and they also like Pete the Cat. I haven't had a chance to read this one to the group yet, but it is the perfect mix of what they like. It starts with normal verses with charming Pete pictures. Then it moves to some verses I haven't heard, like the motor. Then Pete and the kitties get involved. The kitties on the bus say "Come on Pete" or "Let's rock out!" Then there is the lone dog on the bus, with the kitties looking at him like he really shouldn't be there. That's my favorite picture.

I really hope that there are more of these familiar songs with a Pete twist. They are the perfect addition to my collection of songs to read for sing along as well as preschool story times. If you want an original Pete the Cat book like the fabulous series, you have a little longer to wait. Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses comes out in October!) If your child just can't get enough Pete the Cat and wants a familiar song to sign and giggle to, this is a winner!

The Caged Graves

I read The Caged Graves by Dianne Salerni
A coworker loaned the book to me
5 stars

Set in Catawissa, Pennsylvania in 1867, The Caged Graves is an historical mystery with just enough romance to keep it emotional as well. It is the story of Verity Boone, sent back to live with her father while she waits to marry the man she knows only from letters. She discovers two graves that are covered in cages, opening up a family, and town, mystery. She must rediscover a relationship with her father, form one with her fiance, and learn about everyone in the town she left 15 years before, all while solving the mystery of her family's past.

Verity is a very realistic character. She is a strong character, but not unbelievably so. She pushes things just a bit, wanting to find out more, but not really stepping out of the role of a young woman in the 1860's. The author does a good job of introducing other characters thoroughly, but definitely keeping the focus on Verity.

I have a soft spot for historical mysteries if they are well written. The Caged Graves is a winner in my book. It wasn't bogged down by too much of a history lesson, but it was still there. While I'm not always big on romance, there was just enough here to keep me wanting more. Then there is the mystery part of it. Perfect! I had a hard time putting this one down because I wanted to know what the significance of the cages was. Throughout the book, I felt it was going to be anticlimactic, very easily solved, and just not nearly as interesting as it ended up being. The story kept me interested though, and thankfully the ending was perfect. The author note at the end explaining where the story came from and the true historical tie-in made me love the book even more.

Great for any teen (or adult) that likes historical fiction or mysteries, and especially those that love both.

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library

I read Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein
I checked it out from my library 
5 stars

Kyle Keeley loves games. Sure, he loves electronic games like the PSP, but he also loves board games. His favorite ones are all created by Luigi Lemoncello. Come to find out, Mr. Lemoncello had a hand in creating the new library, and he is allowing 12 twelve year olds the opportunity to get in a day early and stay the night. All the sudden, Kyle wants in that library. It doesn't matter to him that he doesn't really like reading. While it seemed like a hard thing to get in, once he's in there it becomes even harder to get out. Will he be able to solve the puzzles and find his way out?

I am not the target audience for this book as I am definitely not a child. It was absolutely written as juvenile fiction. Still, I loved it! I geeked out on all of the book and library references (since I work in the children's department of a library.) Even though, unlike Kyle I actually love reading, I related to his love of puzzles and games. It was neat hearing about all of Mr. Lemoncello's different board games.

Like everything mentions, this book was similar to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It is even brought up throughout the book. Kids who read that and want another similar book will love this one. It could also be a great way to introduce the classic to kids who read this one first and want more. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library will appeal to so many kids: Kids who love libraries or books, kids who love puzzles, kids who love board games, and probably even kids who love mysteries. Kids who don't like reading might change their minds when they read this one. On top of all that, there was actually a moral to the story.