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The big bad wolf is coming! As shadows lengthen, the wolf is getting closer and closer. All the animals of the forest run away and hide, but this story has an unexpected ending! Here is a suspenseful story where you might think the wolf is out to get everyone, and as you read each page, the suspense builds. Kids will hang on every word and will want to read it again and again.
Recommended for ages 4-7.
by Jodi Moore Illustrated by Howard McWilliam
“If you build a perfect sandcastle, a dragon will move in.” This is exactly what happens to the lucky little boy in this book! Dragons can be very helpful (by being a built-in marshmallow toaster and scaring beach bullies away), but they can also get you in trouble (by eating all the peanut butter sandwiches and spraying sand all over your sister and getting you blamed for it).
This book was very funny and enjoyable! It is written a lot like the book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and its sequels by Laura Numeroff. The illustrator also does a fabulous job of depicting what is going on in the story. He even depicts real-life explanations for what is going on (Dad is toasting marshmallows and chasing the beach bullies away in the background). Overall this is very good read!
Recommended for children ages 4-7
Jacquline (Schimelpfenig Library)
Children develop a knowledge of the purpose and meaning of reading through writing.
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Title: The Key and the Flame
Author: Claire Caterer
What I thought about it: I thought it was well written. <3 <3 <3
Reviewed by: Sara
Title: My “D” Sound Box
Author: Jane Belk Moncure
What I thought about it: I like it. I like the pictures and words.
Reviewed by: Shreya
Title: Ramona Quimby, Age 8
Author: Beverly Cleary
What I thought about it: It was great and intresting even after I saw the movie.
Reviewed by: Julia
Title: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Author: J. K. Rowling
What I thought about it: It is a great book because it is exciting, olympic, and funny. I <3 J. K. Rowling!
Reviewed by: Francesca
![mzl.cenlgfzi.480x480-75[1]](http://www.kidsbrainplano.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/mzl.cenlgfzi.480x480-751.jpg)
Build A Train (Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Requires iOS 3.1.3 or later.)
Build A Train fits an entire train set into the palm of your hand!
First, you’ll pick an engine (everything from old-fashioned steam engines up to modern diesels are options) to get your train started. Next, you’ll decide which of a number of different train cars you would like to add behind it (passenger cars, car transports, coal cars and cabooses are just a few of your choices). Once you’ve put your train together, you can pick all sorts of different locations in which to run it; explore the countryside, the dock yards, cities and mountain passes–even a desert island! You’ll be able to control the speed of your train using a slider, as well as honk your horn or ring your bell, and if you guide your train in the right direction to pick up cargo, you can earn points to open up bonus content.
Great interactive fun for train lovers!
![mzl.advavnah.480x480-75[1]](http://www.kidsbrainplano.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/mzl.advavnah.480x480-751.jpg)
![mzl.mgadiqme.480x480-75[1]](http://www.kidsbrainplano.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/mzl.mgadiqme.480x480-751.jpg)
Full version: $1.99 / Lite version: FREE!
Recommended for ages 2-6
Reviewed by Lara (Haggard Library)
Take Me Out To the Yakyu
by Aaron Meshon
A boy experiences the traditions of baseball (yakyu) with his pop pop in America and with his ji ji in Japan. Some things about baseball are the same in Japan as in America, but a lot of things are different! In America, baseball fans eat hot dogs and peanuts; in Japan, they eat soba noodles and edamame. In America, the speed of a fastball is measured in miles-per-hour; in Japan, the speed of a sokkyu is measured in kilometers-per-hour. What is the same about baseball in both countries, though, is people’s love of the game, and the power of the game to bring people together.
At the end of the book, readers will learn baseball words in English and in Japanese, as well some facts about the particulars of baseball in both countries.
A notable and enjoyable book on baseball, family, and cultural differences, with illustrations that are bright and expressive.
(Jocelyn, Davis Library)
By Catherine Stier
Illustrated by Karen Sapp
Barnaby lives in a shelter, but he dreams of being a hero. Though he’s very eager to show visitors to the shelter what a good dog he can be, they always walk by. They say he’s “Too rowdy” and “Too wild” and pick other dogs to take home with them. One day, he meets a lady named Martha. She doesn’t think he’s too excited, she thinks he’s perfect.
Martha teaches Barnaby how to find bedbugs. It’s a very important job and Barnaby is excited to start. He learns that bedbugs are nasty creepy-crawlies that live in people’s furniture. They bite people and leave red marks on their skin. Can Barnaby be the hero he’s always dreamed of by hunting down these bad bugs?
He may be a little dog, but Barnaby has a big heart. This is a wonderful tale about giving shelter pets a chance to shine and chasing your dreams.
Recommended for ages 4 and up.
Nicole P. (Schemilpfenig)
Saturday is Dadurday by Robin Pulver, illustrated by R. W. Alley
Mimi has an awesome dad. After her younger twin siblings were born, Mimi still gets to feel special on at least one certain day of the week. It comes after Friday and is called Dadurday. She and her dad sneak out of bed early (just the two of them!), make silly shaped pancakes, read the comics, and do whatever awesome activities they feel like – ride bikes, splash in rainy-day puddles, and play chess.
But then Mimi’s dad tells her he has to start working on Saturdays, and as Mimi deals with the disappointment, Dadurday becomes BADurday, MADurday, and SADurday. Don’t worry, though. Mimi eventually finds a way to still make the day special for both her and her dad, and learns how to entertain herself in the meantime.
This is a cute book just in time for Father’s Day, and a great one for kids dealing with a parent transitioning back into work. Sweet and simple.
Reviewed by: Cecily (Davis Library)
written by Bridget Heos
illustrated by Joy Ang
Funny mustaches make for great picture books…(see Mustache! by Mac Barnett or Moosetache by Margie Palatini for other mustache comedy). However, the idea of a baby being born with a mustache is hilarious in its own right. At birth baby Billy’s mustache is rather puzzling as his nurse explains to his parents that the mustache can take on two forms: a “good-guy” or “bad-guy” mustache. Billy’s facial hair takes on a “good-guy” form for a while, but it soon grows, curls up and Billy becomes rather villainous. While in good- guy form Billy is a law abiding citizen, who helps injured animals (his unstitched teddy bear). His bad-boy mustache leads to a path of destruction; he becomes a “cereal” criminal (dumping other people’s cereal bowls). The ending of the book is just as funny as the beginning and the tongue in cheek humor in this book will have most adults laughing out loud. Some of the humor may go over young reader’s heads, but the bubbly cartoon-like illustrations make up for any missed opportunities for giggles.
The reader interest for this book is kids ages 4-8….and for most parents!
(Vanessa, Davis Library)
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