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Written by Gordon McAlpine and illustrated by Sam Zuppardi

These mischievous twelve-year-olds are the great, great, great, great grandnephews of Edgar Allan Poe. They are one boy in two bodies or two boys with one mind and have a psychic connection with each other that gets them in trouble as often as it gets them out of it. Whether they’re building a replica of the Pit and Pendulum dungeon to scare the pants off the bullies at school, or trying to talk to their long dead uncle from beyond the grave, the twins are always in the middle of something unusual. Their talents catch the mysterious Ian Archer’s attention, who lures them to the isolated Gale Farm and OZitorium. He has dastardly plans for the twins, but with the help of mystical fortune cookies and their extremely well-trained cat, they can unravel the mystery of  Gale Farm and the professor behind it all.

Packed with fun illustrations and dark, whimsical humor, this book is definitely recommended for those who enjoyed the Time Warp Trio and Lemony Snicket.  This is an action-packed start to a series that promises many adventures with the Poe twins and Roderick Usher, their cat.

Recommended for ages 8 and up.

Nicki P. (Schimelpfenig)

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In this cute counting book app by Harriet Ziefert, children can join Bear at his favorite watering hole by listening to the rhyming text, reading the story for themselves or even by singing along with a musical version! Learn to count from one to ten and back again as the fish appear one by one and then swim away. There’s also an activity that lets kids go fishing with Bear—just tap the fish on the screen to catch the correct number!  The combination of story, song, activity and the bright, fun illustrations by Elliot Kreloff will make exploring numbers, colors and opposites a joy for children and parents alike.

$1.99

Recommended for children aged 2 years and up.

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When two of artist Inhae Lee’s long-lost baby teeth show up at her door, she invites them in to live with her and photographs their daily adventures. What follows is a fanciful collection of photographic tales that can be enjoyed by children, teens, and adults alike. Ickle is a very serious and very responsible tooth (he always does his share of household chores!). Lardee is more easygoing and loves to play (and eat cake!). Children will love the detail of Ickle and Lardee’s miniature world as well as the playfulness of the accompanying stories. Parents will appreciate the upbeat humor and comedic timing (not to mention a great David Bowie reference).

You can also see/read more of Ickle and Lardee’s exploits on Inhae Lee’s My Milk Toof blog.

(Jocelyn, Davis Library)

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Not Your Typical Dragon

Crispin is a little dragon who finds he is not your ordinary fire-breathing dragon, much to his father’s disappointment.  When his birthday comes around, Crispin feels “a tingling inside his tummy.  But when he opened his mouth, fire did not come out.”  Readers will be delighted by the unexpected but fitting things that do come out of Crispin’s mouth!

When Crispin meets a knight who is lacking in fierceness, a friendship may be in the making.  The illustrations are a delight, depicting the funny and surprise items coming out of Crispin’s mouth…and readers will feel satisfied by the ending, where Crispin’s different talent saves the day!

A great read-aloud, suggested for ages 3-6.

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What’s Up, Cupcake?:

Creating Amazing Cupcakes

By Dana Meachen Rau

Want to create some super fabulous cupcakes?  This imaginative new book will teach you and your child how to make such fantastic treats as berry baskets (yum!) and fluffy bunny cupcakes.

Author Rau gives detailed instructions for you, and the pictures of these yummilicious sweets are so vivid that my mouth waters when I look at them! I especially appreciate the Decorator’s Toolbox pages that list all the tools you will need, and the Ingredients Glossary that gives a clear picture of each item you will need to make these absolutely adorable cupcakes.

These treats would be perfect to make at parties, or on a rainy day, but you really don’t need a reason… cupcake designing is loads of fun any time!

If this book sparks the creativity in your kiddos, be sure to check out these other cool and imaginative books:

Eye Candy:

Crafting Cool Candy Creations

Smart Cookie:

Designing Creative Cookies

Enjoy, and happy eating reading!

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By Lisa Wheeler

The Pet Project is not your typical poetry book about adorable and cuddly animals…in fact one little girl tells us just how unfit they can really be. As she searches for the perfect pet she tells us in her own poetic way, why she would never pick some of these animals as a pet.

Turtle

The turtle seems a boring pet.

He sits there in his bowl. He doesn’t beg.

He doesn’t run. He doesn’t even roll.

The turtle has a boring shell. No feathers fur or fuzz.

The problem with a turtle is

 He doesn’t more than does.

The candid honesty of the poetry, along with the humorous illustrations depicting some of the little girl’s misfortunes, makes you laugh out loud. The Pet Project is a nice change of pace from other typical poetry books for children.

Reviewed by Annette (Davis Library)

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Written by Wilson Rawls

Billy is ten when he is “affected by the wonderful disease of puppy love” and attempts to convince his father that he needs a pair of coon hounds. Since his family comes from simple means and can not afford expensive hunting dogs, Billy works tirelessly to earn enough money to buy them himself. Raising his pups to hunt raccoons, the trio forms a deep bond that weathers storms and separation and hardship. When his father and grandfather notice how amazing his hounds are, they compete for the gold cup in a hunting competition. Tireless and faithful, his dogs prove to be the best friends a boy could ask for.

Though considered a children’s classic, Where the Red Fern Grows rarely comes to a child’s attention unless it’s part of a class assignment. This story of unbreakable friendship between a boy and his dogs can just as easily be enjoyed outside of school. The story and life lessons will resonate for years to come.

Recommended for ages 8 and up.

Nicki P. (Schimelpfenig Library)

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Author: Stan and Jan Berenstain

What I thought about it: They ate a little to much junk food

Reviewed by: Presley

 Title: Artemis Fowl

Author: Eoin Colfer

What I thought about it: Halirous & clever. I alread read the whole series & I was disappointed that it had to end.

Reviewed by: Monique

 Title: Out of My Mind

Author: Sharon M. Draper

What I thought about it: It has lots of powerful words and makes you feel like you’re in the moment.

Reviewed by: Alice

 Title: The Stinky Giant

Author: Ellen Weiss

What I thought about it: It’s funny because the kids figured out the puzzle and the giant had dirty undies in his laundry.

Reviewed by: Jonathan

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Compatible with: iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation) and iPad. Requires iOS 6.0 or later. This app is optimized for iPhone 5)

The makers of Pull-Ups® has created a potty training app to help your little one transition from diapers, to training pants, and ultimately to using the toilet effectively.  Pull-Ups® created a previous potty training app, iGoPotty, but this latest invention is a bit more creative as it has 3D technology, not to mention Disney characters! The new Pull-Ups® Big Kid App, helps aid in potty training, but it is also a fun and interactive way for your little one to be entertained in the process.  This can make the overall experience easier on both you and your child.  The underlying theme is to make a party out of potty time.  Some of the features include:

• Interactivity – Equipped with a photo you take of your child, you can create a captured moment of success by framing the photo with Disney characters.
• Potty Reminders and Reward Calls – You and your “big kid” can select a Disney character to call them with potty reminders.  Reward calls can also be made after using the potty from a Disney character of choice.  Furthermore the app is equipped with a “Big Kid Timer”, which counts down  to the next potty break.
• Tracking Progress – This wouldn’t be as useful of an app without this feature.  It provides a snapshot of how your child is doing with a starboard.  Stars are collected upon potty training achievements.  Stars can be earned in order to unlock more games.
• Reward for Success – When training is successfully completed; a potty party celebration takes place featuring Buzz Lightyear and Minnie Mouse.  Take a picture of your child and make them the center of attention at the potty party!
• Potty Training Extras – The extras are full of amusing tools including games, sound effects and music that feature Disney’s: Buzz Lightyear, Minnie Mouse, Rapunzel, Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, and Woody, to sustain your child’s motivation and interest.  The Big Kid App provides complete access to all other previous Pull-Ups® apps, so there is a hearty selection of songs and videos to view.
• Bonus for parents – Included in the app are helpful hints and tips from other potty training parent and articles from experts in the field to help create and maintain an effective potty routine.

This app was reviewed because, for a free app, this is a great resource.  There are other potty training apps on the market for purchase that have higher ratings based on user reviews.  For instance, See Me Go Potty by AvaKid Productions is a highly rated app for a price of $4.99. Though a little pricy  an avatar that resembles your child can be created. My advice:  Experiment with apps that fit your and your child’s style.

FREE app

Recommended for toddlers.

(Vanessa, Davis Library)

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