Monkey

Monkey

by Gerald McDermott

Monkey wants some mangoes but a hungry crocodile has other plans for him!    As Monkey tries to find ways to reach an island full of mango trees, he must also outsmart the hungry crocodile.    Will Monkey get his mangoes or will he fall into Crocodile’s trap? 

This is a fun trickster tale with great illustrations!   Gerald McDermott uses bright collage-style pictures to illustrate this amusing tale of Monkey and Crocodile as each character battles to outwit the other.   This trickster tale from India will be a great addition to my folklore units. 

Author's website:  http://www.geraldmcdermott.com/

Green

Green

by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Green is all around us!   This picture book shows the many forms and shades that green can take, from the expected green shades of everyday items such as peas and limes, to the humorous possibility of a green and white striped zebra.    

The illustrations in this book are amazing!  Large, beautiful pictures show the many uses of the color green.  The wording is simple, with each illustration only having two words to describe it (with one of those words being “green”), yet the pictures are done so well they barely even need words to describe them.  

Author's website:  http://www.studiolvs.com/website_root/StudioLVS_Home/Home.html

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Nothing Like a Puffin

Nothing Like a Puffin

by Sue Soltis

illustrated by Bob Kolar

A newspaper is nothing like a puffin...or is it?     This humorous story shows how a lot of different things have something in common with puffins!   What do snakes, fish, and a pair of jeans have in common with puffins?   Read Nothing like a Puffin to find out!

This story takes a unique approach in comparing different things!    It certainly shows that, if we look hard enough and use our imaginations, we can find similarities in just about anything.     It's a fun story with great illustrations and I look forward to using this as a read aloud with many of my classes!
 

Jack and the Baked Beanstalk

Jack and the Baked Beanstalk
by Colin Stimpson

The traditional story of Jack and the Beanstalk takes many twists in this fun version!   Our main character Jack works with his mother in their lunch truck, but when business goes down Jack risks them losing everything by using the little money they have left to buy a can of magical baked beans.   Predictably, the next morning a large beanstalk is waiting to be climbed, only this magical vine is growing cans of baked beans!   When Jack reaches the top of this unusual beanstalk he meets a  lonely giant who just wants company and someone to cook for!   

I loved this humorous  retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk!   In addition to be full of funny twists, it had a satisfying and entertaining ending as well as great illustrations.   I can't wait to use this version when I do my Jack and the Beanstalk unit with my 2nd graders later this year.  

Author's Website:  http://www.colinstimpson.com/

Hidden

Hidden
by Helen Frost

When Darra and Wren meet each other at summer camp each girl recognizes the other.   They have met before, but never face to face.  Six years ago they were brought together in a way that changed both of their lives forever when Darra's father stole a van, not knowing that Wren was hiding in back.   As Wren silently hid in the garage of the man who stole her mother's car, Darra realized the missing girl was in her family's garage.   Without ever seeing each other, the two girls formed a lifelong connection as Darra continued to bring food and supplies to the hidden Wren.   Now, six years later, the two girls are brought together unexpectedly at camp, bringing back years of difficult memories for both.


I had a hard time putting this book down!   The storyline and the two main characters were amazing.   I felt very connected to both girls.  What I liked best about this story was that it was told in two voices as the chapters alternated between Darra and Wren as the narrators, with each girl having her own distinct narration style.    This is a great choice for readers who enjoy realistic fiction stories about friendship and relationships.  

Author's website:  http://www.helenfrost.net/

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In a Glass Grimmly
by Adam Gidwitz
illustrated by Hugh D'Andrade

Jack and Jill went up a hill, but first they must climb up a bean stalk and compete against a group of giants before Jack even falls down!   In this twisted retelling of Jack and Jill, the two characters experience a series of wild adventures, including evil mermaids and a fire-breathing salamander, as they seek the magical Seeing Glass.   

Fans of author Adam Gidwitz's A Tale Dark and Grimm will enjoy this book!   As in A Tale Dark and Grimm, this new book takes a traditional tale and mixes in parts from other familiar stories, including Jack and the Beanstalk and The Emperor's New Clothes.  In a Glass Grimmly is full of unexpected twists and the occasional gory parts that made A Tale Dark and Grimm a favorite among many readers!  

Author's Website:  http://www.adamgidwitz.com/

Book Trailer: 

Kristy's Great Idea

Kristy's Great Idea (Baby-Sitters Club Graphic Novel)
by Raina Telegemeier
based on the series by Ann M. Martin

Kristy loves to baby-sit and, when she sees her mother struggling to find a baby-sitter for her little brother, she comes up with a great idea: a club for baby-sitters!   She and her friends and fellow baby-sitters Mary Anne, Claudia, and Stacey form the Baby-Sitters Club.   As the club begins to bring in new baby-sitting jobs for the four friends, they experience the challenges of unusual clients as well as difficulties in their personal lives.    Will the club be able to survive despite these challenges?

I was very excited to read this graphic novel version of the Baby-Sitters Club!  I became a huge fan of the original series many years ago when I read my first BSC book in 5th grade.  It's great to see that the series is still going strong!   I loved the graphic novel version just as much as the original and found that the pictures brought the story more alive for me.    It's wonderful to see students in my library enjoying a story that I loved when I was their age!  

Author's Website:  http://goraina.com/

Jeremy Bender vs. the Cupcake Cadets

Jeremy Bender vs. the Cupcake Cadets
by Eric Luper

Jeremy Bender has a big problem.  He and his best friend Slater accidentally sprayed paint all over the engine of his father's boat.   Now they need to come up with the money to fix the boat before Jeremy's father finds out.  Unfortunately, even after combining all the money they have, they don't have nearly as much as they need.  When Jeremy spots an ad for the Cupcake Cadets annual Windjammer Whirl, he decides they need to enter so they can win the $500 prize.  However, in order to enter they must join the girls-only Cupcake Cadets!  Despite Slater's resistance, Jeremy convinces his friend that they must pretend to be girls so that they can win the money to fix the boat.   As the two friends struggle to survive cupcake sales, camping trips, and baking, they realize that being a Cupcake Cadet is not as easy as they planned!   Will they be able to keep up their act long enough to win the money they need?

This was a very funny book!   Jeremy and Slater's multiple botched attempts at their Cupcake Cadet duties were hilarious.   I recommend this book to anyone looking for a humorous story.

Author's website:  http://www.ericluper.com/

Book trailer: