Book Thoughts: The Funny Little Woman (Mosel)
Type: picture bookAges: 3-6Author: Arlene Mosel (retelling)Illustrator: Blair Lent Almost never do I understand why a book wins the Caldecott Medal–this one being no exception. It was strange!
Keenly Kept
Category Books
Book Thoughts: Bartholomew and the Oobleck (Seuss)
Type: longer picture bookAges: 30+Author/Illustrator: Dr. Seuss The magicians’ first scene has them chanting: Shuffle, duffle, muzzle, muff.Fista, wista, mista-cuff.We are men of groans and howls,Mystic men who eat boiled owls.Tell us what you wish, oh King.Our magic can do…
Book Thoughts: Franklin’s Neighborhood (Bourgeois)
Type: picture bookAges: 3-8Author: Paulette BourgeoisIllustrator: Brenda Clark Franklin has always been one of my favorite picture book series–but only the originals by Paulette Bourgeois. There are many others created after the tv show, some being quite fun but just…
Book Thoughts: Nana Upstairs & Nana Downstairs (dePaola)
Type: picture bookAges: 4-8Author/Illustrator: Tomie dePaola The multi-generational component of this book is absolutely beautiful. The younger generations serving their elders, the children having respect and friendship with the seniors, etc. This shouldn’t be the *only* book used to introduce…
Book Thoughts: The Man Who Walked Between the Towers (Gerstein)
story of Philippe Petit’s walk between the two World Trade Center towers excellent & slightly hair-raising artwork educational yet fascinating convo points: breaking the law clean language Type: picture bookAges: 6-9Author & Illustrator: Mordicai Gerstein My kids and I have…
Book Thoughts: Mirette on the High Wire (McCully)
Type: partially-biographical picture bookAges: 4-8Author/Illustrator: Emily Arnold McCully *This story is half about a fictional girl who becomes the protégée of an historical tightrope daredevil man. His name is changed, but some of his feats are mentioned. This was a…
Book Thoughts: The Best Nest (Eastman)
Type: picture bookAges: 3-5Author: P.D. Eastman The wife (Mrs. Bird) is not very kind to Mr. Bird in this story. There’s also no hint of apology for her behavior, which would have made a nicer ending. Other than that, however,…
Book Thoughts: Hooray for Diffendoofer Day! (Prelutsky, Seuss)
Type: longer picture bookAges: 5-8Author: Jack Prelutsky, Dr. SeussIllustrator: Lane Smith *The first “romance” incident was more creepy than anything, in my opinion. The school principal is “always there to watch” one of the teachers when she’s on a trampoline.…
Book Thoughts: Smoky Night (Bunting)
Type: picture bookAges: 6-9Author: Eve BuntingIllustrator: David Diaz The little boy and his mother have a firsthand experience at the depraved behavior involved in riots. It ends well, but I will reiterate my suggestion for the parent to pre-read first.…
Book Thoughts: Silver Packages: An Appalachian Christmas Story (Rylant)
Type: picture bookAges: 4-8Author: Cynthia RylantIllustrator: Chris K. Soentpiet Quite a unique Christmas book in the ocean of Christmas books! I enjoyed it and only wished that the boy had realized the lessons of his childhood earlier than he did–but…