Category Archives: Power of pets

Waiting for the Magic

Posted on March 29, 2012 by

Okay, here’s a book recommended to me by my nine-year-old. I admit, I didn’t expect to like it. The cover didn’t draw me in, but the first paragraph, and then the first chapter and then the next chapter filled me … Continue reading →

Posted in Chapter Books, Character-driven, Love that prose, Power of pets | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Little Beauty

Posted on January 24, 2012 by

Who says a kitten and a gorilla can’t be friends? Former UK Children’s Laureate, Anthony Browne, wrote and illustrated Beauty, which shows an unlikely friendship between two peaceful animals that are more alike than different. It also provides a brief, poignant insight into … Continue reading →

Posted in Books with social studies links, Love that art, Picture books, Power of pets | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Catwings

Posted on November 28, 2011 by

Born in an alley,  Mrs. Jane Tabby’s kittens all had wings.  Sent off to the country to fend for themselves, Harriet, Thelma, James and Roger fly to the woods, discovering predators, food and the beginnings of friendship with a girl … Continue reading →

Posted in Chapter Books, Power of pets, Series | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Detective LaRue: Letters from the Investigation

Posted on March 18, 2011 by

Ike is writing letters again.  Wrongly accused, as always, Detective Ike LaRue is determined to find the missing cats and clear his reputation. Full of twists and turns, Mark Teague’s funny mystery gives the reader everyone’s side of the story.  In … Continue reading →

Posted in Picture books, Power of pets | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters from Obedience School

Posted on March 15, 2011 by

Ike, Mrs. LaRue’s dog, has an active imagination that makes for more interesting letters to his owner than reality.  Sent to obedience school, Ike feels he is unjustly imprisoned and so he escapes.  Colourful illustrations show what’s really happening, while … Continue reading →

Posted in Picture books, Power of pets, Series, Word choice | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Goggles

Posted on January 19, 2011 by

Very few picture books have an action-packed story such as Ezra Jack Keats’ Goggles. Peter stars in this book; his sidekicks are Archie, who doesn’t say anything, and Willie, his extra-smart wiener dog.  Set in an urban junkyard, Peter, Archie … Continue reading →

Posted in Love that art, Love that prose, Picture books, Power of pets, Voice | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Olivia and the Missing Toy

Posted on January 5, 2011 by

Sometimes an education in books requires an extremely popular book that most people know already, but could use several more reads.  This is my favorite Olivia book, possibly because it uses the “it was a dark and stormy night” line … Continue reading →

Posted in Character-driven, Love that art, Love that prose, Picture books, Power of pets, Series | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

What Do You Say?

Posted on December 28, 2010 by

    Mandy Stanley has a simply fun book in this question-answer format.  It has so much going for it:  sparse prose, bright pictures, predictable answers, and the surprise at the last page.  What do you say to a fish anyways?  We … Continue reading →

Posted in Books with science links, Picture books, Power of pets | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Officer Buckle and Gloria

Posted on December 1, 2010 by

Who doesn’t struggle with popularity?  Officer Buckle thinks his safety tips have become funny and enticing, but really, it’s the oomph Gloria, his police dog, that adds to his presentations.  Peggy Rathmann times the pictures, dialogue and storyline perfectly in … Continue reading →

Posted in Books with social studies links, Picture books, Power of pets | Tagged | Leave a comment

Smoky Night

Posted on October 27, 2010 by

  Sometimes life isn’t about cuddly kittens and messy pizza.  Sometimes life is scary, unpredictable and discordant.  If you’d like to address the latter with children, Eve Bunting’s  Smoky Night is an honest story about the Los Angeles riots through … Continue reading →

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