Kid's Book Blog

There once was a dog who had no name, and he had no home.” Thankfully, this down-on-his-luck mutt has cuteness in spades, which comes in handy the day he meets a lonely boy in a city park. Usually he is shooed away and called “fleabag”—the fleas are illustrated as little dots floating above his head—but this particular boy likes him anyway. In fact, as the weeks wear on, the two look forward to each meeting. But then comes terrible news: the boy is moving away. The sadness of the moment is beautifully evoked with a giant green crest of a hill minimizing the city and giving rise to a blue sky empty of all things save a single airplane. Stephens' paint-and-pencil artwork nicely muddles the messy gray areas of a gritty city and alternates multiframe pages with spreads that are surprisingly open. This being a story about loyalty, there is naturally a very happy ending in store.

adorable story of a lonely little homeless dog called Fleabag who finds a new family in a little boy he meets at the park! A perfect read aloud for dog lover's!

PreSchool-Grade 2—In this heartwarming picture book, a grandmother shares stories with her grandson about his dad, who listens and watches with a smile. Once she opens the photo album, readers are engaged in a tender trip down memory lane. Grandma points out the similarities in appearance and behavior between father and son. Both are "puny and red-faced" when they are born. They begin school with trepidation, but with practice learning becomes easier. Some days, Dad could be "sweet," "wild," bossy, or raise a "ruckus," just like his son. Walker's use of layers of acrylic paints creates soft, gentle illustrations. Small details, such as black corners on the photos, provide authenticity to the time span. Characters' facial expressions and body language successfully capture emotions, actions, and reactions. Children will laugh at the spreads of Dad as a baby joyously singing in a bubble bath; pretending to be a race car, a gorilla, a cowboy, or a masked bandit; moping through a time-out; and coping with the disappointment of losing a baseball game.

a softly illustrated read aloud that's perfect for little ones or to share with the family! Also would make a special gift or a great story to share with a new father or even a grandparent!

by Eileen Spinelli
Grades PreS-2

 On a "cold and slushy" March day, a calico cat searches for a place to have her young. She finally settles into an abandoned building and gives birth to five kittens (a scene that's not pictured in the handsome illustrations). After nursing and resting, she leaves her brood to search for food; on her return, she finds the building in flames. Mother Cat is barely able to rescue her kittens, but she and her little ones recover, and the firemen celebrate her heroics and bravery.

Spinelli's simple, short sentences amplify the action and danger. The story is very exciting and Spinelli does not shy away from describing the danger. Young listeners will be reassured by the story of a parent's fiercely protective unconditional love, and the full-spread, realistic pastels offer an almost tactile sense of the felines and their tender bond.

On the last page, the reader is informed in a concluding note this story is inspired by a true story. There is a picture of a tired and singed cat resting with her cute, little, safe kittens. The cats were taken to the animal shelter and adopted into loving homes. It's a happy ending great for any cat loving child!

by Mary Newell Depalma
Ages 4-8

Lori, a tiny bird, has found the most beautiful red strawberry to give her grandmother, but PLOP! it falls into the river. Not even the help of all of the bird's friends can get it back before a hungry crocodile snatches it up. The friends put their heads together and come up with the perfect idea of a new gift for Grandma: they'll create a book about their adventure with the strawberry! Grandma loves the story and so will you.

The illustrations show movement making this a great book for kids with persistent wiggly arms and legs.

The placement of the words on the page is perfect and the font is easy to read.

Most of all, the story is has a wonderful message. Friends help Lori and they work together to make a really great gift. Don't sit around and cry. Get creative and solve the problem.

Also another great book for summer reading. Make a Splash!

by Katharina Grossmann-Hensel
Grades: Kindergarten-2

Here is another great book to go along with our summer reading program theme: Make a Splash!

 A stubbly chinned father claims to spend his days not at the office, but rather taming sea monsters, putting on pirate shows for cruise ships, and talking to his parakeet named Petey (in Petey's little bird heart, Petey is a parrot). This gentle, oversize man tells his skeptical son stories of his life at sea and how he rescued the boy's princess mother.

The illustrations are colorful and detailed. Surprises pop up in the painterly pictures, such as a treasure chest on a sea monster's tail and an electric toothbrush on an island. Children will enjoy examining the artwork to catch the little details.

It's a fun story that is great for Dad to read to the kids!

Mom has a new family! She has a new husband who is not my dad, and worst of all, new kids. Girls!

Just as it feels for the young child in "Do You Sing Twinkle?" living apart from a parent can be a hard adjustment for kids. And, when that parent remarries and has stepchildren, things can get really confusing for kids! This story is told from a young boy's point of view, the book sensitively addresses many questions that children may have while adjusting to remarriage and joint-custody situations. Kids and parents will learn good and easy ways to stay connected all around helping kids to feel special and loved.

A 'Note to Parents' is included that will help parents talk to their children and deal with common but difficult emotions as they adjust to all the changes in their lives. This title addresses directly the kinds of issues kids face when parents divorce and remarry. It tackles difficulties of separated parents, stepparents, and step-siblings. It is a 'read aloud' book that is suitable for very young children but readable by second graders.

This a a great story explaining what it's like to have divorce, remarriage and step siblings in the family. This is written from one little boys perspective from the family. I found this book to be a great book to recommend to those families with these diffcult topics to explain to their children.