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Fingerprint Monsters and Dragons: Fun Art with Fingers Thumbs and Paint – And 100 Other Adventurous Creatures – Amazing Art for Hands-on Fun by Ilona Molnar

Source: Quarry Books
Paperback, 160 pgs.
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Fingerprint Monsters and Dragons: Fun Art with Fingers Thumbs and Paint – And 100 Other Adventurous Creatures – Amazing Art for Hands-on Fun by Ilona Molnar will keep the little artists in your family very busy in the book and outside of it making monsters, trolls, bandits, dinosaurs, and more all with just their fingers and paint.  The quick instructions at the beginning make it clear that this is a book to set kids on their creative way, although they can reference the book if they choose to make something specific and don’t know where to begin.

From one of the pages in the book: The Monster Closet

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Using an ink pad or finger paints, kids can color one or all of their fingers to make a multitude of characters in the scenes within the book or on their own art supplies.  Once the fingerprints are dried, they can then use their markers, pens, pencils, and stickers to create even more hilarious situations and actors.  My daughter loved creating these fingerprint monsters, but we had to make a number of them at one time so that the first ones would dry enough for her to decorate them.  It’s hard for kids her age to wait, but creating more makes it even more fun when they are all dry.

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In this one, you can see some of her faces are hilarious, and there’s even a disabled spider (her words, not mine).  My guess is that he had a run in with the person who owns this closet.

Fingerprint Monsters and Dragons: Fun Art with Fingers Thumbs and Paint – And 100 Other Adventurous Creatures – Amazing Art for Hands-on Fun by Ilona Molnar is a book that we’ll use more and more as she takes time over the summer to have fun before her fresh start in Kindergarten.  I cannot wait to see what creations she comes up with next.  These are even fun for adults, and would be a great addition to classrooms, preschools, and summer camps.

National Geographic Kids: Farm Animals and Rascally Rabbits!

Source: Media Masters Publicity
Board Book, Paperback, 24 pgs., 112 pgs.
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National Geographic Kids: Farm Animals Look & Learn and National Geographic Kids: Rascally Rabbits! are two books focused on animals. In the board book, the authors are teaching younger readers about animals, their sounds, and their habitats. In the paperback, chapter book, kids will learn about animal behaviors — some good, some not so good.

The Farm Animals book has photographs of real animals, like cows and chickens, and the text explains the sounds they make and what role they play.  Mostly that cows give us milk and stuff of that nature, and it tells you some interesting trivia facts about each.  What’s sad, however, is that these animals are only talked about in terms of what they are used for by humans.

Rascally Rabbits!, on the other hand, includes stories of rabbits that run away, escape to the great outdoors, leaving their owners — usually kids — wondering where their pets have gone.  Some have been found in the barnyard, while others are found by others and returned.  There are some great facts included about the animals, as well as how to protect them — such as the microchip system.

These books offer something for kids of all ages, and parents will enjoy reading the funny tales of escaping pets to their younger readers.

Rating for Farm Animals: Quatrain

Rating for Rascally Rabbits: Tercet

Mixed Me! by Taye Diggs, illustrated by Shane W. Evans

Source: Public Library
Hardcover, 40 pgs.
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Mixed Me! by Taye Diggs, illustrated by Shane W. Evans, uses rhyme and vivid color to demonstrate the confidence of Mike, a young biracial boy with loving parents.  While his father has darker skin and his mother has fairer skin, he’s a perfect mix of the two, and those who stare better beware that this kid knows who he is and has no reason to feel like he needs to explain himself.

His parents have given him that confidence, allowing him to be who he wants to be, wear what he wants to wear, and zoom past those who stop to stare.  Young readers will feel the jive in these rhymes as their parents read the book aloud, and even if they read it on their own.  With Evans’ colorful pencil and textured drawings, this is a perfect pairing to illustrate the many ways in which the world can be viewed.

There is nothing resentful or hurtful in these pages, just the beauty of being you.  A story of growing up, noticing people who notice you, and choosing to be yourself no matter what.  Mixed Me! by Taye Diggs, illustrated by Shane W. Evans, sends a great message to all kids — and their parents — no matter what their racial background may be.  My daughter loved this book so much, we’ve taken it out of the library multiple times.

Rating: Cinquain

About the Author:

Taye Diggs was born in Newark, New Jersey, and was raised in Rochester, New York. He is the son of Marcia (Berry), a teacher and actress, and Andre Young, a visual artist. When he was a child, his mother married Jeffries Diggs, whose surname Taye took. He received a BFA degree in musical theater from Syracuse University. Taye made his show business debut in the ensemble cast of the five-time Tony Award winning play “Carousel.” Taye Diggs is the oldest of five. His two brothers are musicians, one sister is a dancer and the other is going to college to be a veterinarian.

About the Illustrator:

Shane W. Evans is the illustrator of several children’s books, including HOMEMADE LOVE by bell hooks and OSCEOLA: MEMORIES OF A SHARECROPPER’S DAUGHTER by Alan Govenar. He lives in Missouri.

 

Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Beth Krommes

Source: Public Library
Hardcover, 40 pgs.
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Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Beth Krommes, is beautifully illustrated and it is visually stunning.  Kids will love the vibrant colors and the surprising shapes in every corner of each page.

Like the author, a self-described observer, kids will start noticing swirls all over the book.  The text can swirl, just like the shell of a snail, or it can be uncurled into a straight line.  Younger readers will learn that some little animals will curl into swirls to stay warm or to hide from predators.  Flowers will uncoil toward the sun.  Swirls, like those of the ram’s horn, can be strong, or they can be used to grab things like the tentacles of an octopus.

Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Beth Krommes, would be a good educational tool for a classroom, but the book really didn’t hold my daugher’s attention with a story.  It’s more of a book that explains the different uses or needs of swirls.  The illustrations are visually arresting, which can be worth the cost of the book alone, perhaps some of the pages could be turned into posters for a room.

Rating: Tercet

About the Author:

Joyce Sidman lives in Wayzata, Minnesota, with her husband and dog, Watson. They have two sons, but they’ve grown up, so she set her mind to creating books.

Santa Clauses: Short Poems from the North Pole by Bob Raczka, illustrated by Chuck Groenink

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Source: Public Library
Hardcover, 32 pgs.
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Santa Clauses: Short Poems from the North Pole by Bob Raczka, illustrated by Chuck Groenink, emphasizes what we already know about Santa Claus and his life as a gift giver, toy maker, husband, and reindeer trainer.  But he has one more talent, a secret talent — he’s a poet who write haiku.  Inside this book, there are 25 haiku poems that illustrate life at the North Pole, giving young readers and inside look at what it is like to be Santa Claus.

Although some of the haiku are not perfect, and one or two are a bit simplistic, overall the haiku are fun to read, and would make a great addition to the holiday reading list with little kids.  My favorite haiku is the one in which Mrs. Claus becomes a young girl again, making a snow angel.  My daughter loves the part when Comet and the white fox return from the woods with their own Christmas tree, helping Santa with his preparations.

Some of the haiku will have readers thinking about the stories they know well, and others will have readers looking at things a little differently.  Santa Clauses: Short Poems from the North Pole by Bob Raczka, illustrated by Chuck Groenink, is a cute book with short poems that could be read one day at a time beginning on Dec. 1.

Rating: Quatrain

About the Author:

Bob Raczka loved to draw, especially dinosaurs, cars and airplanes, as a boy. He spent a lot of time making paper airplanes and model rockets. He studied art in college, which came in quite handy while writing a series of art appreciation books, Bob Raczka’s Art Adventures. He also studied advertising, a creative field in which he worked in for more than 25 years. Bob also discovered how much he loved poetry and began writing his own. His message for today’s kids is to make stuff!”

Normal Norman by Tara Lazar, illustrated by S. Britt

Source: Sterling Children’s Books
Hardcover, 40 pgs.
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Normal Norman by Tara Lazar, illustrated by S. Britt, is a very colorful book about a junior scientist and Norman, a gorilla.  The junior scientist in a lab seeks to define what “normal” is, and in so doing, she comes to learn that normal is indefinable.  Norman is a gorilla who wears eye glasses and carries a stuffed aardvark.  Upon examining Norman, the junior scientist finds that his head size is normal, as are his paws and ears.  However, as the examination progresses, she learns that he doesn’t eat bananas or sleep on leaves in the jungle.

The junior scientist increasingly gets frustrated as she finds her subject does not fit what she deems to be normal.  Eventually throughout the book, she realizes that normal does not necessarily mean the same thing for everyone.  One person’s normal is not everyone’s normal.  The illustrations are engaging and colorful, and my daughter was intrigued about this use of the scientific method.  She giggled when Norman would do something outside the norm.

Normal Norman by Tara Lazar, illustrated by S. Britt, is a good book for parents and children to discuss individuality and what it means to be normal.  At the conclusion of the book, we talked about normal and what it means to us as individuals, and kids will find that Norman’s normal is just as fun and exciting as someone else’s normal.

Rating: Quatrain

About the Author:

Street magic performer. Award-winning ice sculptor. Hog-calling champion. These are all things Tara Lazar has never been. Instead, she prefers baking with her daughters, creating jewelry, and writing stories for children. THE MONSTORE is her first book, inspired by her pesky little brother (who is no longer so pesky). Tara has several picture books to be published in the coming years. I THOUGHT THIS WAS A BEAR BOOK and LITTLE RED GLIDING HOOD were both released in Fall 2015. Next up: NORMAL NORMAN on March 1, 2016.

Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Beth Krommes

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Source: Public Library
Hardcover, 48 pgs.
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Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Beth Krommes, is a collection of poems that rely on imagery and play off the illustrations on the page to help the readers guess what animal or element of the meadow is being talked about.  These colors are gorgeous, and the shadowing in the pictures add depth to the pictures.  While these concepts are a little harder for younger kids, the book does offer some additional information about meadow animals and the life cycle, which can be used to teach younger kids about nature.

Sidman includes a number of poetic styles, and this could help teachers combine earth science and literature teachings, reinforcing concepts and making learning more fun with the riddles.  The poems are at times a little more cryptic than necessary, especially for concepts like xylem and phloem, but there are other poems that accompany just the right picture to help kids visualize what the words are trying to convey.

Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Beth Krommes, is well illustrated and very visual, which is great for younger readers.  The poetry is in riddle form, so that kids can catch on to word clues along with the visual queues to figure out what animal or element of the meadow is being discussed.  The book is aimed at older readers already past kindergarten, but my daughter did have fun trying to guess what animals were being talked about.

Rating: Tercet

About the Author:

Joyce Sidman lives in Wayzata, Minnesota, with her husband and dog, Watson. They have two sons, but they’ve grown up, so she set her mind to creating books.

Teeny Tiny Toady by Jill Esbaum, illustrated by Keika Yamaguchi

Source: Sterling Children’s Books
Hardcover, 40 pgs.
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Teeny Tiny Toady by Jill Esbaum, illustrated by Keika Yamaguchi, is about using your own strengths to solve problems and not comparing yourself to others.  Teeny Tiny Toady is a baby sister to seven brothers, but when their mother is taken by hunters in the swamp, her suggestions are often ignored or usurped by one of her brothers.  Told in rhyming verse, teeny tiny toady follows her bigger brothers into the swamp to rescue their mom.  As they try to push the bucket, they can’t get it to tip over, even with Teeny’s help.  Teeny suggests the climb up and pull out their mother, but her brothers end up falling into the bucket too.  It’s up to Teeny to save the day.

After sobbing and wallowing in self-pity about her inability to push over the bucket or climb to the top on her own, Teeny devises a plan that will save them all.  My daughter and I have read this book several times, and she loves it every time.  We’re happy to see that Teeny is strong even with seven older brothers.  She’s smart and savvy.

Teeny Tiny Toady by Jill Esbaum, illustrated by Keika Yamaguchi, is adorably illustrated, and Teeny is the cutest toad ever.  She’s passionate and plucky, and even when her brothers ignore her, Teeny never gives up.  This picture book sends all the right messages to young kids about believing in themselves and taking a stand.

Rating: Cinquain

Joy in Mudville by Bob Raczka, illustrated by Glin Dibley

Source: Public Library
Hardcover, 32 pgs.
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Joy in Mudville by Bob Raczka, illustrated by Glin Dibley, is a wonderful book about empowering girls to think outside the normal roles of princess and dancer.  Joy is a pitcher for the local baseball team, but she’s an untried rookie.  What happens when the team needs her will surprise young and old readers, as well as the team’s fans.

Joy shows the fans and the team that she’s not only good at baseball, but also other sports.  Jump shots, pump fakes, and more, as she takes the mound by storm.  She has the other team scratching their heads, but none of her moves are considered illegal.  The illustrations are wonderful, and she gets her own baseball card just like the team’s slugger Mighty Casey.

Joy in Mudville by Bob Raczka, illustrated by Glin Dibley, is wonderfully illustrated and tells a great story of courage and originality.  Young girls will be inspired by Joy’s bravery and her ability as an athlete.

Rating: Cinquain

About the Author:

Bob Raczka loved to draw, especially dinosaurs, cars and airplanes, as a boy. He spent a lot of time making paper airplanes and model rockets. He studied art in college, which came in quite handy while writing a series of art appreciation books, Bob Raczka’s Art Adventures. He also studied advertising, a creative field in which he worked in for more than 25 years. Bob also discovered how much he loved poetry and began writing his own. His message for today’s kids is to make stuff!”

Lemonade and Other Poems Squeezed from a Single Word by Bob Raczka, illustrated by Nancy Doniger

Source: Public Library
Hardcover, 48 pgs.
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Lemonade and Other Poems Squeezed from a Single Word by Bob Raczka, illustrated by Nancy Doniger, is an odd little book that makes poems out of single words, but the adoption of an e.e. Cummings style might be a little much for younger readers and even some parents.  Visual poetry forms are often tough to decipher for those unfamiliar with them.

At least in this book, the visual poems have a counterpart on the other side of the page that is more traditional, allowing the parent to review each poem to get the lines before reading the visual poem aloud to the child.  The visual poems can be talked about in terms of what shapes they represent, but in some cases, it is hard to tell what the author intended the shapes to be.

Lemonade and Other Poems Squeezed from a Single Word by Bob Raczka, illustrated by Nancy Doniger, might be better for an older audience than my daughter, probably those children that know more words and can form sentences on their own.  It could be used to create a writing exercise in which the kids take one word and use its letters to create their own poems.

Rating: Tercet

About the Author:

Bob Raczka loved to draw, especially dinosaurs, cars and airplanes, as a boy. He spent a lot of time making paper airplanes and model rockets. He studied art in college, which came in quite handy while writing a series of art appreciation books, Bob Raczka’s Art Adventures. He also studied advertising, a creative field in which he worked in for more than 25 years. Bob also discovered how much he loved poetry and began writing his own. His message for today’s kids is to make stuff!”

Little Owl’s Day by Divya Srinivasan

Source: Public Library
Hardcover, 32 pgs.
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Little Owl’s Day by Divya Srinivasan is a continuation of the previous owl story, only this time, he’s woken up during the day by a squirrel eating nuts.  The owl cannot get back to sleep, so he decides to explore the woods in the daytime.  While his mother tells him to go back to sleep, of course, he ignores her and head out on his own.  He soon finds in the day that things are very busy and very different than they are at night.

He mistakes butterflies for moths and he notices that the flowers are open, the opposite of how they are at night.  She liked the dragonflies, some of which flew backward, and she liked the turtle when he was sunbathing.  When he sees the bear is awake, they talk about how the bear is never able to show the owl a rainbow and the owl is never able to show the bear the moon.

Little Owl’s Day by Divya Srinivasan is a great sequel to the little owl, and it would be great to see him grow up in a bigger and bigger owl.  While there is little to no conflict in these books, they provide kids with a good sense of how the animal kingdom works during the day and at night.

Rating: Quatrain

About the Author:

Check out Divya Srinivasan‘s website.

Little Owl’s Night by Divya Srinivasan

Source: Public Library
Hardcover, 32 pgs.
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Little Owl’s Night by Divya Srinivasan is an adorably illustrated book about the forest at night and all of the animals in it.  As many kids are scared of the dark, this book could be a great teaching tool about what animals are active at night.  Little owl is awake and he goes exploring and saying hello to his fellow night animals.  From bunnies to foxes and hedgehogs, Owl is friendly to everyone as he soars above them.

My daughter liked this book because he followed the animals to find out what they were doing, like the possums.  She didn’t like the skunk much, but we did count the fireflies around the turtle and other animals.  Her favorite pages are where the bunny is sleeping to hide from the fox, and she loved the bats.

Little Owl’s Night by Divya Srinivasan is vibrant and dark at the same time, the darker backgrounds make the animals come alive.  Owl is very friendly, even to animals we consider predators.

Rating: Quatrain

About the Author:

Check out Divya Srinivasan‘s website.