Dragon Tales

Dragons seem to be a big deal on the book shelves these days. So here are two quick reviews of books for your kids to enjoy.

"How to Train your Dragon: How to Steal a Dragon's Sword"

By Cressida Cowell

For Ages 8 - 14

Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III and his dragon, Toothless star in the very entertaining ninth adventure of the "How to Train your Dragon" series. A dragon rebellion, featuring Tonguetwisters and Vampire Ghouldeaths that are attacking the Archipelago. Can Hiccup save the day? To do so, he’ll have to outwit a witch, beat his arch nemesis and with one sword battle an angry horde of dragons. 

What’s good: Compelling action and adventure and that will keep even reluctant readers enthralled.

            What’s bad: After nine books some of the content seems predictable.

"Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy"

By Tui T. Sutherland

For Ages 8 - 12

Fans of the “Warriors” series should find “Dragonet Prophecy” series equally entertaining. Follow this diverse world of dragons as they try to avert war. The action is plentiful, as is the adventure. They always seem to go hand-in-hand. The dragons show all the traits of humans – selflessness, bravery, anger, rage and more. Kids will be able to relate to the dragons and eagerly read their continuing tales as the series progresses. 

What’s good: Interesting characters and plenty of adventure.

          What’s bad: Dark, moody and possibly too violent for younger readers.

One Week Until Election Day

I know the storm is on everyone's mind – as well it should be. We're all concerned for the people affected by Sandy. That said, we're one week away from electing the president of the United States. So I'm going to review one more picture book on the presidential election.

"Grace for President"

By Kelly DiPucchio

Illustrated bu LeUyen Pham

For Ages 5 – 8

        Why can't a girl be president? Grace sets out to prove that they can as she runs for class president and learns all about campaigning. Rated 3.5 (politics, election, elementary school)  

When Grace’s teacher unrolls a large poster of the American presidents, Grace is shocked to learn that there are no girls on it. After sitting and thinking at her desk, Grace finally makes the announcement that she will be president one day. This spurs her teacher to organize an election. Each student in her class represents a state and can cast the allotted number of electoral votes for that state. Grace’s opponent turns out to be a very smart and popular boy who has shrewdly studied the electoral map and knows that boys hold a higher vote total. Then the campaign begins and Grace pulls out all the stops. She gives stump speeches, hands out cupcakes and even begins fulfilling campaign promises before the election. Does it all pay off? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

Since this book is about politics you might wonder about agendas or bias. I’m sure you can find some if you look. Maybe it’s the name of the elementary school – Woodrow Wilson Elementary, the fact that it’s a popular white boy running against an African American girl, or possibly that the book only discusses the electoral college and not the popular vote. It’s sad that we adults think in those terms. We end up missing the real take away from the story. If you believe in yourself, don’t take anything for granted, don’t expect anything to be given to you, and work hard for what you want, you can accomplish anything in the United States of America.

Every Vote Counts

Since we just finished the vice presidential debate and are awaiting the second presidential debate of 2012 I will get back to the promised reviews of election inspired stories. I hope you're not too sick of seeing election stuff yet.

"Amelia Bedelia's First Vote"
By Herman Parish
Illustrated by Lynne Avril
For Ages 4 - 8
      Every day school is an adventure. When you add in a lesson on voting things can turn from adventuresome to exciting. And when Amelia Bedelia is in the mix, silly and unpredictable become the best way to describe the situation. Rated 3.5 (election, elementary school, humor for young and early readers)
     The excitement of voting day is a little much for Amelia. When asked to deliver a note to the principle, Amelia runs through the halls. Everyone knows you should never run in the halls. But Amelia was running and she crashed right into the principal.
     While in the nurses office she has a great idea and can help but tell her principal. He should let the students vote on the school's rules. So Amelia's class spend and entire period thinking up suggestions, including: ice cream sandwiches for lunch, a class trip to the circus, a fish tank in every room and homework-free Wednesdays. The last one was Amelia's suggestion.Thanks to a sick student everyone gets to learn about absentee ballots and the "swing vote." Since Amelia takes everything at face value, discussions of run-offs and swing votes conjure up plenty of humor and fun for young readers in this pleasant, if uninspiring, introduction to voting.

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New Computer. New Post.

I apologize for being away so long. My computer died recently. So after a quick but moving funeral and a proper mourning period I obtained a new computer. Now here I am with a backlog of reviews. I should be able to post several over the next week or so. 

Where did I leave off? Oh yes, with books about elections. Well I don't feel like talking about the election today so you'll have to wait a little longer for more picture books about the election. Today I want to talk about why dinosaurs went extinct.

Dinosaurs Love Underpants
By Claire Freedman
Illustrated by Ben Cort
For Ages 4 - 8
             Like ""Dinotrux" by Chris Gall, this picture book takes a lighthearted look at the life and times of dinosaurs and throws in some underpants humor. Rated 3.5 (humor, dinosaurs, fiction)

What really happened to the dinosaurs? You have probably heard the meteor impact theory. And you may be familiar with the global climate change idea. I don't think either of those theories are accurate. Believe it or not, underpants were the downfall of dinosaurs.

When cavemen decided they no longer wanted to be naked, one of them created underpants. Most likely something with an animal print or camouflaged with the surrounding vegetation. One or two polka dots might have slipped in as well. The cavemen were happy with their underpants, but the dinosaurs were not. They wanted all the underpants for themselves. Before long the dinosaurs stole, bit, ripped and tore until it was an all out underwear war.

Although the verse seems a little forced, the underpants scenario is quite funny and the illustrations do well to highlight the hilarity. Young readers will have giggle fits, especially young boys.

Red, White and Blue

Over the next couple weeks we will be inundated with political conventions. Then the real campaigning for the presidency begins and politics will take over all media. So over the next couple weeks I am going to highlight a few picture books about voting and running for president. We might as well have a little fun with it.

“Madam President”
By Lane Smith
For Ages 5- 10

     Text and visual comedy marry to deliver a steady dose of political satire even young elementary school children will enjoy in Lane Smith’s “Madame President.” Rated 4.5 (politics, humor, government)

     Katy explains the ins and outs of being the president with refreshing candor and behaves as if she is not going to become the president, but already is the president. At one point she attends the “state funeral” of a pet frog and turns an oral report into a press conference. Humorous attitude is plentiful in this romp such as when Katy wields her veto power over tuna casserole. One bit that stuck with me was the lyrics for “Hail to the Chief.” I love when they praise “her rad administration.

     Not unlike Smith’s “John, Paul, George and Ben,” this tale knows how to have fun with politics. So much so that it will make members of both major parties laugh… and their children too.

Dog Days of Summer

I am currently reading "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again" with my boys. Expect a review when I am finished. Also expect to see a review of "Priscilla the Great: the Kiss of Life," by Sybil Nelson, from my 12-year-old son and myself in the next couple weeks. Until then here is a review of a picture book for pet lovers.

"The True Story of Ten Dogs: Stay"

By Michaela Muntean

Photography by K.C. Bailey and Steve Kazmierski

For Ages 4 – 8

            Learn about 10 rescue pups their owner as they put on a circus act that will have you smiling from ear-to-ear. Rated 4 (non-fiction, dogs, circus)

If you could capture the magic of the circus in a picture book you’d end up with "Stay." This fascinating tale tells the story of Luciano Anastasinia, a seventh-generation circus performer, and his loveable canine crew. Anastasinia rescues his pups from the pound and decides to learn a thing or two about them before deciding how to put an act together. He discovers that Penny is a cross-eyed bichon fries and Bowser is a kleptomaniacal beagle mix. Not a trainer, Anastasinia shows remarkable patience with his animal buddies and develops a true understanding of how to work with them. If you find something you like to do, work is fun. And that is how they put together a successful circus act.

The vivid photographs that illustrate "Stay" tell a wonderful story of understanding and love. When combined with playful text a fantasy trip to the big top develops with a tale about overcoming obstacles and second chances that even young readers can understand and enjoy.