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READING STYLE GUIDE

Kitties: You Got This

9/21/2020

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Kitties on Dinosaurs by Michael Slack


​Three adorable wide-eyed kitties have scaled to the top of everything nearby: the cat climbing tree, an actual tree, even an old out-of-the-way litter box. They are ready for a new challenge. They decide to climb the dinosaurs on Dinosaur Island. This is a daunting proposition. Dinosaurs are huge and fearsome. These cute little felines are warned by the narrator “They will eat you alive.”
Not to be deterred, the brave little trio set sail for the island of dinosaurs in their cozy covered cat box, also known as the litter mobile.
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​Things do not go well. The monstrous lizards frighten the kitties away. But these are determined felines. They are not ready to give up. With cell phone and notebook in paw, they huddle inside the litter mobile and devise a new plan of attack. Actually, they try and fail multiple times. The inventive kittens try a lasso, camouflage, parachutes. Nothing works. The dinosaurs intend to eat them.
​Until... the prehistoric beasts realize just how cute and cuddly these little furballs are.
It would seem that the story has arrived at a happy ending. However Slack has a surprise for readers that will keep them wondering about what will happen next. Youngsters may be inspired to create their own dramatic Kitties escapades. Retellings with Kitty and Dinosaur puppets would be SO MUCH FUN.
​Bold oversized font and a generously wide trim size of over eleven inches make this picture book perfect for read-alouds. The narrator speaks directly to the kitties, issuing repeated warnings. Sound effects from the frightening rawrs to soft mews encourage audience participation. Illustrations are part of the fun: kitties in red cowboy boots, cat puppets made from twigs, and tiny drones whizzing through the air. The amazing litter mobile with periscope for aquatic travel and wheels for land transport is genius.
Kitties on Dinosaurs is a delightful romp into the land of make-believe. Be prepared to frequently stop while reading, as kids point out all the clever things they notice on each page. Be ready for giggles galore and cries of “read it again” the moment the story ends. A sure-fire hit with this test audience.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: September 22, 2020  Publisher: Dial Books, Illustrated Edition ISBN: 978-0593108383
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A Quest

11/12/2019

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The Perfect Seat by Minh Lê ill by Gus Gordon

“Can you read to me?”
​This simple request sets in motion a quest.
Adult moose and a young mooseling sporting a shirt with the numeral four (hinting perhaps four years of age?) want to share a story. But where? A search is underway. Readers will recognize a familiar pattern.
One seat too big. The next too small.
Another too old. Followed by one that is too new.
The rhythm breaks with queries such as "Should the perfect seat make you this dizzy?" when big moose's hat goes flying off his head and "Are you okay down there?" when moose is beneath the bridge .
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With gentle humor, the author sends the pair on a search for a solution to their problem. Eventually, the perfect solution falls right into their laps.  
Lots of explore on each page. Gordon chooses to focus on the central characters by sketching supporting cast members with a blue-grey outline. A bird flits from page to page. The map featured on the end pages warrants attention.  There is a street to "nowhere interesting" and a Nessie-like creature floats in the middle of a lake that is "quite wet." 
"Can you read to me?" is an invitation to explore. Lê shows readers that reading brings delightful and unexpected discoveries.
​Looking for a follow-up activity?
After reading The Perfect Seat, bear and I went in search of the best spot for reading.
Invite young readers to select a favorite book and the best place to be while reading. Create a photo gallery of perfect places to read favorite books. Be sure to caption the photo with the book title. Credit the author and illustrator as well. Note: If privacy is a concern, use a stuffed critter for the photo shoot.
​
What's your perfect seat?
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: November 12, 2019  Publisher: Disney-Hyperion ISBN: 978-1368020046
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Outfoxed

10/1/2019

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One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller by Kate Read

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Can a counting book be a thriller? In the capable hands of Kate Read the answer is an emphatic YES.
The title page features paw prints, stealthily walking across the two-page spread and heading into... the first page and one famished fox. Page two zooms in on the face of said fox, shifty eyes focused on its prey. A single feather floating at the bottom of the page is a tantalizing hint as to what will follow.
The page turn confirms our suspicions.
​Three plump hens.
The tension builds as readers follow the items enumerated on subsequent pages: snug eggs, silent steps, on ominous tapping, beady eyes shining in the darkness, and a set of sharp teeth.
What will happen now? Read's theatrical background is evident as a climactic scene explodes in a wild riot of flying feathers. The conclusion will leave audiences sighing with relief and immediate cries from youngsters "Read it again." 
Striking illustrations feature bold colors, textured paper collage, and interesting shapes accented with printed details.  Design composition  and carefully planned page turns  make One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller a visual treat.
Read has elevated the simple counting book format to high drama.  Debut author/artist Kate Read is one to watch. 

Outfoxing a Fox

These classic picture books feature a trio of  hungry foxes.
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Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: October 1, 2019  Publisher: Peachtree Publishing Company  ISBN: 978-1682631317
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Book Fandom

3/26/2019

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The Book Hog by Greg Pizzoli

"You'll...read a book...with me?"
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What's with all the pink? Lately there has been a resurgence of pink, strikingly pink books. For the record, I like pink books. In fact, pink book cover groupings were one of our most popular library displays. People seem to like their book covers pink.  
But let's get back to Greg Pizzoli's latest title for young readers. This charming little piggie travels around town on his Vespa, searching for books. (Okay the vehicle is green. But is serves as a nice color contrast to the omnipresent pink.) 
But here's the kicker: although he has an extensive collection of books, Hog doesn't know how to read.
One day, he happens upon a long low building filled with books. He's in hog heaven! When he attempts to abscond with an armload of books, the gentle librarian, Miss Olive offers to read with him.
He has found unlimited books and a caring person who will share books with him. He is hooked. He brings books from home, borrows books from the library, and with the patient tutelage of the librarian, Hog learns to read. Readers will find several PIzzoli books make cameo appearances: Owl, Number One Sam, Templeton, The Watermelon Seed. The bedtime stack of book spines reveal an extensive reading assortment. Everything from classics such as Harry Potter and Charlotte's Web to the graphic novel El Deafo and picture book Du Iz Tak?  Readers may choose to create their own visual stack of favorite books.
The Book Hog is a celebration of books, stories, reading, learning to read, libraries, librarians, storytime, and Summer Reading. Let the good times begin.  Note: Contrary to Hog, it is best not to read while operating a moving vehicle.
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Go Hog Wild for Pizzoli Books

Can't stop with just one book by Greg Pizzoli? Try these classic picture books.  Also be sure to check out his illustrations for the My Little Cities board book series by Jennifer Adams. The San Francisco book is featured in the Spring 2019 Reading Style Guide.
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Bonus: Buttons!

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The children that I often work with adore buttons. They can't get enough of them and I'm always running out of buttons to hand put into little hands.
This Book Hog button is the best!  I wish that I had a wholesale account and could order a dozen dozen, i.e. a gross. 
My little readers would snatch them up in a heartbeat.
​Any way to get these from a retail source?
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: March 26, 2019  Publisher: Disney-Hyperion  ISBN: 978-1368036894
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Timber!

3/1/2019

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Lumber Jills: The Unsung Heroines of World War II
by Alexandra Davis  ill Katie Hickey

Two hands willing to work and one stout heart.
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During World War II, 8,500 British girls joined the little-known Women’s Timber Corps. They were armed with nothing but four-and-a-half pound axes, six-pound saws, and the willingness to pick them up. The average Lumber Jill was eighteen years old, and while these girls came from all walks of life, most of them had never lifted an axe before.      Author's Note
Lumber Jills: The Unsung Heroines of World War II is the story of women whose service to their country is less well-known. None-the-less, their story is intriguing.
Davis frames her rhythmic text within a numerical construct. Beginning with "one pair of woolen socks pulled up to the knee," she chronicles the work of young British girls who volunteered to support the war effort by felling and cutting trees, then hauling the logs to the mill by wagon teams.
What begins as four brown boots, multiplies into sixteen train cars and then twenty-seven new girls signing up to serve. The number of girls rapidly increases throughout the pages. Two hundred cheerful girls learning the basics of logging, doubles to four hundred and eventually reaches two thousand Lumber Jills.  ​
By the book's conclusion these girls have cut ten million trees, which are used to create telephone poles, roadblocks, pitprops, crates, fences and gates. An extraordinary accomplishment. While the mathematical details are interesting, it is the combined efforts of these young women, willing to leave home, learn new skills, and work together in support of their country that is most impressive.
Hickey maintains a forest-inspired color palette: primarily using greens and browns. Girls wear thick sweaters and loose-fitting pants tucked inside boots. Every face has rosy cheeks. All appear to be smiling. Nothing seems difficult or particularly disagreeable. 
The rhythmic quality of the text makes it an excellent choice for reading aloud.  Numerical factoids scattered throughout the pages could serve as the basis for an interesting Infographic. 
An Author's Note fleshes out the story, providing additional background material.  It is worth noting that Davis mentions women throughout North American who were involved in the timber industry, before and during World War II.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: March , 2019 Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company  ISBN: 978-0807547953
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Animalia: Two Picture Books

2/8/2019

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​The animal kingdom is filled with wonders. Two picture books beautifully capture the magnificence of some of these creatures. Each volume features an innovative approach to subject matter as well as stunning design. 

Contrary Creatures: Unique Animal Opposites
​by James Weinberg

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Weinberg uses bold graphic design to compare animal characteristics. The cover sets the stage with a wave-like separation between life on land and life underwater. The title font remains the same for both words. However, color and text position offer important informational cues. The demarcation between the two environments is neatly pierced with shafts of light streaming from the sky and penetrating the deep water. 
​Interior pages include comparisons of animal size, habitat, as well as distinguishing features and behaviors. There is even a nod to imaginary animals found in stories and legends.
A listing of the creatures along with a brief description of each can be found at the back of the book.
​​Debut author James Weinberg takes his silk screen art to new heights and depths with Contrary Creatures: Unique Animal Opposites. ​His designs are a fascinating study of color, shape, and texture. Take time to look for various textures and the pattern overlays found on each page.
Young readers may enjoy experimenting with some of these elements by creating simple potato prints. This How-To video from #MetKids is an excellent tutorial.
Contrary Creatures can be used to introduce/explore such concepts as antonyms, comparisons, animal characteristics, and design in nature. An excellent choice for inter-disciplinary activities in reading, writing, science, and art.
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Copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: October 16, 2018  Publisher: Page Street Kids  ISBN:  9781624145803

Home for a Penguin, Home for a Whale
​by Brenda Williams   ill Annalisa Beghelli      

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Images of ocean life, both in the water and near the shore, follow a wave-like motion across two-page spreads. Brenda Williams’ rhythmic couplets undulate along with these animals, visually reinforcing the text’s aquatic theme.
Annalisa Beghelli uses various shades of blue as the primary background. Generally the deeper blues are at the bottom of the spreads, with color values becoming lighter near the page top. Animals are depicted with a light whimsical touch.  Sharks and barracudas to not appear particularly menacing.
A fun read aloud with a bonus: a tiny sea snail is hidden on each page, waiting to be discovered.
Back matter is a rich source of additional information. Find facts about sea creatures, world oceans map, infographic of  ocean habitats, and introduction to current issues such as climate change, clean energy and plastic dumping.
Home for a Penguin, Home for a Whale invites readers to explore a wide variety of aquatic animals. Using the back matter as a springboard for discussion, students may want to investigate ways in which they can protect animals who thrive in and near the world's oceans. 
This National Geographic video encourages youngsters to take action and help save marine life.
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Electronic copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: March 31, 2019  Publisher: Barefoot Books  ISBN:  9781782857433
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Here Be Monsters

8/20/2018

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Monster School by Kate Coombs ill Lee Gatlin

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Coombs has applied her considerable talent for creating clever rhymes to the subject of monsters. In this collection, the monsters are students. Common school occurrences are given a slightly macabre twist: a science fair project created by Frankenstein’s grandson, baseball played in the graveyard, a student who constantly misplaces school supplies in addition to losing his body parts. ​These clever and entertaining riffs are monstrously fun.
Verses include a variety of poetic forms and rhyme schemes. Most patterns are predictable, making it easy for students to sense the rhythm and rhyme within each stanza. 
Gatlin captures the zany shenanigans happening at Monster School with full page illustrations. Muted autumn shades of grays, browns, and greens make the ghostly white faces and eyeballs pop out of each page

School is in Session

These poems are too delightful to keep to oneself. They beg to be shared. How about creating some puppets based on the monsters depicted throughout the pages? Gather up a handful of craft supplies, a copy of the book, and a fertile imagination. Viola! You have the beginnings of one monstrously good puppet show. There are endless possibilities for puppets: finger, sock, glove, stick, paper sack, or create something more inventive. The choice depends on what is on hand and the skill level of the puppet makers.
A few of the craft supplies that I assembled: foam squares, felt, yarn, pom poms, chenille stems, goggly eyes, yarn, and even some corn husks. Add some wooden skewer sticks and hot glue gun.  Operation Frankenstein-esque Creature Lab was underway.
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This would make an engaging activity for middle grade students. After reading Monster School, students could select verses to share with younger students. Construct puppets to match the characters in the poem. Then design a creepy-looking school backdrop and prepare for a spook-tacular performance. Tweens sharing poetry with younger students doubles the book’s potential audience.
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I looked for clues in the text to help create my puppets. The head of snakes featured in "Hair Care" was made with chenille stems, shaped by twisting them around a pencil. I used tiny green buttons for the snakes' heads. The purple hair mentioned in "Monster Mash" is a scrap of tulle, tied off at intervals. The hair for "Song of the Freckles" does not follow the image in the book because.... we had some fresh corn and the husks and silk were too funky to throw away. I twisted the damp husk slivers around a pencil and let them dry. They made the perfect curls for a monster girl. 
Went a bit overboard on the freckles. The text specifically mentions twelve freckles on the face. I think the marker took possession of my hand and I couldn't stop. Googly eyes provide the finishing touch to the faces. Wooden skewer sticks were glued to the back of each figure. For safety, cut or sand off the pointed end of the stick before using. These puppets are fun to make and easy to manipulate
​Consider these suggestions: “Steve the Loser" would be a terrific showstopper, with body parts falling off. Maybe secure the appendages with tiny Velcro dots for easy removal. “Fernanda Kabul” poem would be another fun puppet performance. As Fernanda casts her spells, substitute the student character puppet for a puppet resembling the hexed character. 
So many possibilities. So much fun!
Copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: August 28, 2018  Publisher: Chronicle Books  ISBN: 978-1452129389
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Little Lion

4/12/2018

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I'm the Best! by Constanze V. Kitzing ​

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Look at the smug expression on the face of this young lion. Here is one cub who exudes self-confidence, convinced that I'm the Best! He sets off into the wild to proclaim his prowess to other members of the animal kingdom, announcing to each that he is: the loudest, the fiercest, the prettiest, etc.
Each boast from the lion is met with the retort, "oh really?" Eventually he comes to the realization that there are other animals who have some superior attributes.
All ends well. His younger brother arrives and after a playful romp, admiringly announces that his older brother is "the best."
A delightful picture book that celebrates the unique qualities that make each individual special.
Hand-painted illustrations fill the page with over-sized animal images.  Little Lion's facial expressions cover a wide range of emotions.  He moves from pride to doubt, fearlessness to trepidation with each page turn. Animals roar, grunt, snap, and whisper. These descriptive verbs enrich the story experience and provide opportunities for dramatic reading. With limited vocabulary and repetitive text, this book makes an excellent read aloud. A chorus of young voices will joyfully join in the refrain, "Oh really?" 
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Meet Constanze von Kitzing

German illustrator and author Constanze V. Kitzing hosts an interactive website and a newsletter which are chock full of interesting explorations for youngsters. There is one obstacle: the site is in German. However with the assistance of Google translate and some deductive reasoning, it is possible to share some of these creative activities with children everywhere.
Here is a sample of von Kitzing's  fun interactive activities.
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Sign up to receive a copy of the idea newsletter.
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Instructions and animated images for painting carnival faces.
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Spot the differences coloring page.
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Download this family tree template which can be customized for one, two, or three children.

Please may I have some more?

Did you know that there are two additional Little Lion titles? This trio of tales follow this cub who has a major attitude. He taunts boldly Can't Catch Me! and seeks a nighttime playmate when he asks Are You Sleeping?
​Triple reading pleasure.
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Review based on electronic copy provided by publisher
Pub date: April 1, 2018       Publisher: ​Barefoot Books   ISBN: 9781782853947
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Words vs Wordless

3/23/2017

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Be Quiet! by Ryan T. Higgins

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Why am I even attempting to write about this book? If ever there were a book that should to be read aloud and experienced "live and in person," it is Be Quiet! by Ryan T. Higgins. And yes, the exclamation mark is central to the story.
Rupert has decided to make a wordless book, filled with "artistic" illustrations but absolutely NO WORDS. His friends Nibbs and Thistle are intrigued and want to be a part of the book, promising that they will be very quiet.
Their unceasing chatter fills page after page. Rupert's frustration (and the number of exclamation points) increases. Who knew a wordless book could be so hilarious?
The dialog is presented in speech balloons. Panels filled with corny jokes, expressive characters, and escalating drama can only mean one thing: Readers Theater.  Make some mouse ears.  Better yet, encourage students to make ears that fit the personalities of these three wacky rodents. You can also add some pipe-cleaner spectacles and a hat. Viola!
​Side-splitting entertainment that will leave youngsters begging for repeat performances.
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Here is a quick and easy template that you can use to create mouse ear headbands. Follow the links for directions on how to make your own mouse ears.  
No sewing mouse ears.
​Ears requiring some sewing.
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    Barbara Moon

    I like talking about books and  interesting ideas. I like thinking about how books affect my life. Not particularly interested in giving out stars or in rating books. 

    Audio Publishers Association
    2013, - present  Audies judge 
    American Library Association Book Awards and Lists 
    ​2017 YALSA Award Nominating Committee
    2016 Excellence in Nonfiction 
    2014 Margaret Edwards Award
    2012 Odyssey Awards.  
    2009, 2010, 2011 Great Graphic Novels for Teens.

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