My Children’s Book Reviews

A masterpiece among juvenile fiction, the story invites us into the life of young Jess Aarons as he discovers a new friend in Leslie Burke. Together, he and Leslie transform a secret place in the woods behind their homes into the enchanted land of Terabithia, where they reign as king and queen. As the story unfolds, Leslie helps Jess discover not only the magic of friendship, but also the magic within himself. Winner of the Newbery Medal, 1978. Recommended for ages 9-12.

On Saturday morning, the rain came down. It made the chickens squawk. The cat yowled at the chickens, and the dog barked at the cat. Each cause and effect leads up to a huge, noisy, bickering mess . . . until the sun comes out. Shannon’s distinct illustrations keep readers hooked from start to finish. Recommended for ages 4-8.

Bud is 10-year-old African-American orphan in Depression-era Michigan. Fed up with the cruel treatment he receives as a foster child, he decides to run away and find his long lost father, or at least, the man he believes is his father –the famous jazz musician Herman E. Calloway. Join Bud on his adventure to freedom, fortune, and family! Curtis’ writing is both hilarious and touching. Winner of the Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Award, this book deserves all the praise it has received. Recommended for ages 9-12.

A delightfully simple retelling of the Chinese idiom, the frog in the well is king of his watery little kingdom. But one day, a sea turtle comes along and tells him of the wonders the sea holds. Suddenly, the frog realizes that his world of experience is very limited. Written in both English and Chinese, this book is a wonderful introduction to new speakers of either language.

“The important thing about being one is that life has just begun” –thus begins this charming book chronicling life from ages one to six. Brown perfectly captures the excitement a young child feels from of growing, learning, and doing. Raschka’s dynamic illustrations add life to each page. Recommended for ages 1-6.

Humphrey is a young elephant looking for a special place to play. But nowhere seems to be just right –until Mommy comes to the rescue. Hunter’s sunny watercolor illustrations cheerfully invite you to experience the world from a toddler’s intimate perspective. Other Humphrey books are equally delightful. Recommended for ages 1-4.

This is a fabulous collection of American black folktales. Beyond Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox, Hamilton captures a unique ensemble of tales told in authentic dialects reflecting the diversity of the black American experience. Funny, grotesque, and inspiring, these stories will resonate with people of all cultures. Recommended for ages 9-12.

Fanny is a country girl with big dreams –someday she will marry a prince, or at least the mayor’s son, and live a life of ease. But when her fairy god mother fails to appear, Fanny settles for the young farmer next door. Years pass and Fanny stuggles the best she can to raise her family and scrape a living out of the ground. Then suddenly one night, Fanny’s fairy god mother belatedly appaers offering her the opportunity she always dreamed of. But, will Fanny accept it now? This delightful story stands Cinderella up on end. Recommended for ages 4-8.

Babies love to look at faces –especially their own. In this interactive book, each set of pages has it’s own non-breakable mirror inset so infants can mimic the expressions of the characters. Recommended for ages 0-2.

When a young boy builds a snowman in his front yard, it unexpectedly comes to life. The boy shows his snowman around his home, and in return, the snowman takes the boy on a magical journey to the North Pole. This story without words has become a classic Christmas tale and was even made into a short film. Recommended for ages 2-6.