Title: A Home for Bird Author/Illustrator: Philip C. Stead Publisher: Roaring Book Press Year: 2012 Word Count: 383 When the main reason that I keep reading a book is the desire to know WHAT is going to happen, or whether or not the main character is going to be successful at what they… Read more »
Christie Wright Wild
“Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla” — A Full Circle Journey
Title: Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla Author: Katherine Applegate Illustrator: G. Brian Karas Publisher: Clarion Books Year: 2014 Word Count: 566 A few years ago I read the middle grade novel The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. I couldn’t help but fall in love with Ivan, the… Read more »
“Otto, The Book Bear”: A Charming CHARACTER
Title: Otto, the Book Bear Author/Illustrator: Katie Cleminson Publisher: Disney Hyperion Year: 2011 Word Count: 318 If you’re looking for a great study in character, look no further than Otto, the Book Bear. In this charming story, we meet Otto, a bear who lives inside a book, but who comes to life when no one… Read more »
CONFLICT in “The Midnight Library”
Title: The Midnight Library Author/Illustrator: Kazuno Kohara Publisher: Roaring Book Press Year: 2014 Word Count: 405 The Midnight Library is an adorable story that teaches children about some of the great services provided by our public libraries. I have to give a shout-out to libraries here. They provide so many fantastic services to our… Read more »
WORD PLAY in “Harold Finds a Voice”
Title: Harold Finds a Voice Author/Illustrator: Courtney Dicmas Publisher: Child’s Play Inc. Year: 2013 Word Count: 300 (estimate) Last year I came across this great list of 100 Character Driven Picture Books. I have been steadily making my way through the list with plenty of trips to the local library ever since…. Read more »
