76. Walter the Baker

Walter the Baker by Eric Carle

Walter invents a delicious bread-based snack.

Mom's Review: Cute book with Eric Carle's signature artwork. Great art, baked goods as the topic, a kitty prancing through the pages...add some knitting and you've got my ideal book!

Daughter's Review: I liked it because he invented pretzels.

75. Market Day

Market Day by Carol Foskett Cordsen Illustrated by Douglas B. Jones

Mis/adventures on market day in simple verse.

Mom's Review: Super fun book. I love this book. There are no frilly superfluous words. Each word is perfect and expertly chosen. The illustrations are quirky,fun and colorful. There's a sort of vintage flair to the illustrations. They remind me of Little Orphan Annie. I know Abby enjoyed it because she said, "I wish we could keep this book." (We borrowed it from the library.) I'm pretty sure I'm going to order it tonight because I have to order a book for school anyhow...

Daughter's Review: I liked it because they had a sale. I want to do that some day.

74. Music, Music for Everyone

Music, Music for Everyone by Vera B. Williams

A girl and her friends form a band.

Mom's Review: Pretty illustrations. Long and wordy book that barely held even my attention.

Daughter's Review: I liked the music in it.

73. Beatrice Doesn't Want To

Beatrice Doesn't Want To by Laura Numeroff illustrated by Lynn Munsinger

A little girl doesn't like the library, or does she!?


Mom's Review: Cute story about a reluctant reader who eventually succumbs to a good story. I liked it a lot.

Daughter's Review: I liked it because it had a library and books in it.

72. Have You Filled a Bucket Today?

Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud Illustrated by David Messing

A guide to daily happiness for kids.

Mom's Review: A bit granola-crunchy, but still a great read. While reading it, Abby actually turned to me and said, "I want to try it!" That made me really happy. So yeah, the books is a bit hokey, but it's really sweet and it really is "feel good." I'm looking forward to bucket filling. (Making others feel good by your words and/or actions). Give it a read and then try it out.

Daughter's Review: I liked it because they were filling buckets and I want to do that.

71. The Dream Jar

The Dream Jar by Lindan Lee Johnson Illustrated by Serena Curmi

A little girl is plagued by bad dreams and her sister helps her through them.

Mom's Review: I bought this book because I thought it would be helpful for the child since she has scary and vivid dreams (sorry, kiddo, that's from my genetic contribution). Dreams that the shopping carts in the grocery store move by themselves. Dreams that one of her toys is trying to eat her. And this dream, oh this dream had her crying the next day: a caterpillar in our kitchen refused to eat the pierogies I made for him. (???) Two nights ago she woke up from a bad dream crying and she said to me, "Mom, when's morning? I don't want to sleep anymore. I hate my dreams." So, I did some book research and this one seemed to get the best reviews. The illustrations were dream-like and lovely. The word placement and text selection was artistic and fun. The idea to solve the little girl's bad dreams was cute and possibly helpful, but the description of her nightmares had my little one worried. (Great job, mom!) I usually scan books before we read them...didn't do it with this one. (Duh.) There's a part where an elevator tries to eat the girl..that's scary to even me! So, after the book, we talked about it and we remembered how to solve bad dreams and turn them into "dreamy dreams." Thankfully, no bad dreams resulted from the man-eating escalator.

Daughter's Review: I didn't like the crocodile steps [man-eating escalator] but I liked how the girl imagined it turned into a slide.

70. Room on the Broom

Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

A witch has lots of company on her broom.

Mom's Review: Love it! It rhymes (yay!) it's got a cute story and the illustrations are fun. The rhymes aren't forced, they're natural and flow smoothly. It's really fun to read.

Daughter's Review: I liked it because it had a witch and other neat stuff.

69. Dream Dancer

Dream Dancer by Jilly Newsome & Claudio Munoz

A little girl hurts her leg and in unable to dance, but lives vicariously through her doll.

Mom's Review: The idea of this book is a good one, I just feel like the story was too simplistic and flat. The book wasn't bad, it was just "there." Luckily, the illustrations made up for the mediocre story.

Daughter's Review: I liked it because she dreamed of dancing. And, it had a cheetah in it.

68. Delicious!

Delicious! A Pumpkin Soup Story by Helen Cooper

A group of friends try different soups.

Mom's Review: This was just OK. I wanted to love it! But I didn't. I wanted it to rhyme. But it didn't. OK, it did occasionally but not consistently, which I found annoying. A few times I kept thinking it was me; I kept struggling reading this. It read like it wanted to be in verse, but it just wasn't there. Maybe I should reread it without the expectations of verse...
As for as the illustrations, they were beautiful and warm! There is a soup recipe, but it's a beet soup recipe, not a pumpkin soup recipe like you'd think.

Daughter's Review: I liked it because it had a recipe that we can cook.

67. Why so Sad, Brown Rabbit?

Why So Sad, Brown Rabbit? by Sheridan Cain Illustrated by Jo Kelly

Story about a rabbit who finds his family... and it's not the critters he thought they'd be!

Mom's Review: This story has a good moral: people don't have to be related to you to be family. I understand why it's done,but I find repetition in children's books annoying. By that I mean, the main character asking a variety of other characters the same question, and receiving the same sort of response. Anyhow not a big deal, just one of my least favorite things in kids' books. Overall, the book was OK, but we probably won't read it again.

Daughter's Review: I liked the bunny and I liked the story.

66. The Art Lesson

The Art Lesson by Tomie dePaola
borrowed from the library

Autobiographical(?) story of the author.

Mom's Review: While a bit wordy at points, this book held Abby's interest. (Mine too, to be honest.)I liked it because I knew it was based on the author/illustrator's own experiences. As an aside, sometimes I feel guilty or selfish when I select books for Abby to read because a lot of times they're about my own personal interests (looking down, shuffling foot), but I do not force her into anything, I swear! Do I recommend this book? You betcha!

Daughter's Review: I did like it because it had a boy who liked art, just like me.

65. If You Give a Moose a Muffin

If You Give a Moose a Muffin by Laura Joffe Numeroff Illustrated by Felicia Bond
borrowed from the library

Moose wants a muffin and then things just go from there.

Mom's Review: I really like this one by Laura Numeroff! Moose is super cute and creative. Felicia Bond's illustrations, as always, are top-notch! Moose is so lovable and sweet. And honestly, I think I was more drawn to this one more than the other Numeroff/Bond "If You Give..." books because moose and me have lots in common: we like muffins, and jam, and sewing, and ghosts, and sweaters. Oh, and I really like the kitchen in this book. I think this one is replacing If You Give a Pig a Pancake as my favorite.

Daughter's Review: I liked it because it had a puppet show.

64. Llama Llama Mad at Mama

Llama Llama Mad at Mama by Anna Dewdney
borrowed from the library

Llama doesn't want to go shopping with his mama.

Mom's Review: I've heard good things about these books, so I was excited when I saw them in the library. I selected the "mad at mama" one because, well, for one reason or another, the offspring is mad at me: won't let her have another cup of coffee, won't let her wear make up to school, won't let her stand on a ball. Ya know, the usual stuff. Anyhow, I enjoyed the verse, and the perspective of Llama. It amazes me when adults can accurately put see a child's view. Sure, we all remember when we were kids, but this line really got me: "Yucky music, great big feet. Ladies smelling way too sweet. Look at knees and stand in line. Llama Llama starts to whine." Blah! I used to *hate* shopping with my mother. So boring. Good job, Anna Dewdney! The illustrations were cute, but a bit freaky because, to me, Llama and his mama look like human/llama hybrids.

Daughter's Review: It was good because it had a mommy and a baby.

63. Olivia Forms a Band

Olivia Forms a Band by Ian Falconer
(borrowed from the library)
Another adventure with Olivia.

Mom's Review: I will freely admit, I thought I'd hate Olivia, not the pig, the books. But, it's the complete opposite. I adore these books! Olivia is precocious and smart. Just like some one else I know and love. I love how her parents respond to her: often resignation, but always with love.

Daughter's Review: I liked it because Olivia had fancy clothes on.

62. The Fierce Yellow Pumpkin

The Fierce Yellow Pumpkin by Margaret Wise Brown Pictures by Richard Egielski
(borrowed from the library)
Halloween-ish tale by Margaret Wise Brown.

Mom's Review: This book is absolutely nothing like The Runaway Bunny or Good Night, Moon, Margaret Wise Brown's, other super popular children's books. So, I was a bit disappointed reading it because I wanted it to be cute, simple, and minimalist like the others, but it wasn't. After realizing the difference, I reread the book and decided that I like it. It's about a growing pumpkin and his evolution into a jack o'lantern. I really enjoyed the continuing description of the pumpkin, "fat little, round little, yellow little pumpkin..." This is one I would like to purchase. The illustrations were cute, but I longed for the drawing by Clement Hurd.

Daughter's Review: I liked it because it had a pumpkin in it. (note to self: try to ask daughter questions about book while not watching "Sponge Bob")

61. The Cats Kids

The Cats Kids by Kay Chorao

A book with three separate stories about cat siblings.

Mom's Review: In short, I hated this book. In long, we read one story, "The Orange Dress". It was wordy and pointless. The story was so uninteresting. It could have been good, but it was flat and boring. I actually skipped a page and no one (Daddy or Daughter) even noticed. On the plus side, the illustrations were cute and colorful.

Daughter's Review: I liked it because of the orange dress.

Question for those who actually read my blog...

Would you find it easier if the "Books Reviewed" list is sorted by author instead of book title?

I tried to do both; however, blogger does allow that, or, if they do, I cannot figure out how to do it.

Which would you prefer, organization by title or by author?

Please let me know. :)

60. The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog

The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog! words and pictures by Mo Willems

Another pigeon book by Mo Willems.

Mom's Review: I totally love these books. If I had to marry a children's book, (I don't know why that would happen, but work with me here...) I'd have difficulty choosing from among Mo Willem's pigeon books. I just love pigeon. He's a quick witted smart ass. Delightful!

Daughter's Review: I liked it because he had a hot dog. (rolling eyes...)

59. If You Take a Mouse to School

If You Take a Mouse to School
by Laura Numeroff Illustrated by Felicia Bond

Mom's Review: Cute "If You Give..." book, but not one of my favorites. Not sure why I didn't love this one, but If You Give a Pig a Pancake is still my favorite.

Daughter's Review: Loved it because the mouse packed cookies for a school snack.

58. The Jellybeans and the Big Book Bonanza

The previous interruption was brought to you by a rereading of The Wizard of Oz. Now, back to our regularly schedules blogging...

The Jellybeans and the Big Book Bonanza by Laura Numeroff and Nate Evans Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger
(borrowed from the library)

A group of four friends who call themselves "The Jellybeans" must prepare for a book report.

Mom's Review: Abby selected this book, and therefore, wanted it to be the first one we read. I was happily surprised when I saw that Laura Numeroff is the author. It's a cute story of four completely different friends (one paints, one plays soccer, one loves to read, one loves to dance)who get along and support each other during book report preparations. The beginning of the book was cool because it's mainly about Anna, the book lover, and why she loves books. Go, Anna!

Daughter's Review: It was nice because they dressed up like princesses.

57. Dandelion

Dandelion by Don Freeman
Dandelion the lion is invited to a tea and taffy party and told to "come as you are."

Mom's Review: This is one of my recent thrift store finds. It was originally published in 1964. This copy is from 1977. I really liked this book because of its moral of "just be yourself." I love that. Dandelion gets all jazzed up for his friend's tea and taffy party (wish I was invited to one of those 'cause it sounds awesome) but his friend doesn't recognize him with his dapper jacket, cane, cap, and, curled locks. He gets caught in the rain and then gets transformed into his usual non-flamboyant self. He and his friends all have a good laugh about the misunderstanding. Cute book, looking forward to reading it again.

Daughter's Review: I liked it because he got dressed up.

56. Kittens are Like That

Kittens are Like That by Jan Pfloog
A book from 1976 all about kittens.

Mom's Review: I hit up a thrift store tonight after work and bought a bunch of new-to-us books. Thirty-five cents a piece! I got excited when I saw this book because it was a book I used to have at my grandmom's when I was little. Lots of cute kitty illustrations. It was fun to read through this book with Abby because we'd read about what cats do and then think about the cats in our immediate and extended family and their activities.

Daughter's Review: It was cute.

~
We also started rereading The Wizard of Oz!

55. The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum Illustrated by Charles Santore
borrowed from the library.
Is a summary needed?!

Mom's Review: This is the first time in my life that I have read any version of any Oz book. That's just wrong. When Abby saw this book in the young adolescent section, she got excited and we decided to borrow it. I explained to her that it would take awhile to read and she was OK with that. I was surprised that the book held her interest because, as is true with just about every book and movie partenership, the book is different than the movie. I enjoyed reading this because it was different than the movie. The illustrations were stunning. Bold colors (my favorite) and subtle details. I loved the various two-page spreads of just illustrations. We would spend time and just look at the pictures. Abby wants to read this book again, so we may buy it. Very happy about this find! As an aside, while we were waiting for Abby's Daddy to join us we were looking at the book jacket and reading about the illustrator. Turns out he is from Philadelphia and that had her excited!

Daughter's Review: It was pretty neat. I was surprised it was different from the movie. I liked all of it.