Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

I am waiting on pins and needles to start reading the Harry Potter series with my daughter.  She is only 6 now, so I have a year or so until we can start reading them together.  In anticipation, I have started reading the books again in my limited spare time.

Author:  J.K. Rowling

Illustrator: Mary GrandPre’

Publisher: Arthur A Levine Books (1997)

Prices: Hardcover-$16.85, Paperback-$7.48, ebook-$5.99

Reading level: Ages 9 to 12

Interest level: Middle and High Grades

Physical Characteristics: 5.2x7.8 inches, 320 pages 

Series: Harry Potter Series

ISBN: 9780590353427   

Genres: Fantasy 

Subjects:

Wizards-Juvenile Fiction

Witches-Juvenile Fiction

Harry Potter



Annotation:  A young boy being raised by a mean aunt and uncle discovers that he in fact is a wizard and goes on a life-changing journey to a wizarding school.

Summary:   Harry Potter is a young orphan living a hum drum life underneath the stairs in his aunt and uncles house.  At the age of eleven he discovers that he is a Wizard and he is invited to attend Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry.  This first book in a series of seven introduces readers to the Houses at Hogwarts, the friends and enemies of Harry, the teachers and the magical world in which Harry lives.

Evaluation: There is not much that can be said about this book that has not already been said.  Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone was and is a remarkable and magical book.  So many universal themes are handled by Ms. Rowling with ease; loneliness, finding ones’ self, friendship, adventure, and acclimating to a new environment.  I love this book, and have since the first time I read it.  I will never forget finishing the first chapter while riding on the #6 train in New York.  I sat on the train crying as I read the line, “Harry Potter, the boy who lived”.



Similar Titles or Authors:

Any of the other books in the Harry Potter series are natural compliments to this book.

Websites:

http://www.jkrowling.com/en_US/



https://www.pottermore.com/en-us/



http://www.arthuralevinebooks.com/book.asp?bookid=32



Awards & Recognition:

ALA/YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 1999
ALA/YALSA Best of the Best 100 (Selected from BBYA 1966-99)
ALA/YALSA Top Ten Books for Teens, 1999 (Ranked #1)
ALA Notable Children's Books, 1999
Book Links Lasting Connections, 1998
Booklist Editors' Choices, 1998
Booklist: Top Ten Fantasy Novels for Youth
CCBC Choices, 1998: Fiction for Children
Publishers Weekly Best Books 1998
School Library Journal: Best Books 1998
School Library Journal: One Hundred Books that Shaped the Century
Parenting magazine: Book of the Year, 1998
Voice of Youth Advocates: Best Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror, 1998
Anne Spencer Lindbergh Prize for Children's Literature
American Booksellers Association Book of the Year (ABBY)
International Reading Association: Children’s Choices, 1999
International Reading Association: Teacher’s Choices, 1999
New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
British Book Awards Children’s Book of the Year (NIBBY), 1997
Shortlisted for the 1997 Guardian Children's Award
New York Public Library’s 100 Best Children’s Books from the Last 100 Years



Professional Reviews:

Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy



Kirkus



New York Times



Notes: In England this book was published under the title, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.



All images (c) Mary GrandPre’ 

Titanic: A Nonfiction Companion to Tonight on the Titanic

After buying the Magic Treehouse book Tonight on the Titanic, I wanted to see what the research guides about.  Also, I am a bit obsessed with the Titanic, and wanted to learn more.

Author:  Will Osborne and Mary Pope Osborne
Illustrator: Sal Murdocca 
Historical Consultant: Karen Kamuda, Vice President, The Titanic Historical Society
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers 
Prices: Library Binding-$11.69, Paperback-$5.99
Reading level: Ages 6-9 years 
Interest level: Middle grades
Physical Characteristics: 5.2x7.6 inches, 70 pages
Series: Magic Treehouse Research Companions
ISBN: 9780375813573  
Genres:  Juvenile Non-Fiction
Subjects:
Titanic – Juvenile Non-fiction
Children’s Non-Fiction
Time travel
History

Annotation:  A Nonfiction Companion to Tonight on the Titanic, a Magic Treehouse book.

Summary: This book gives factual information about the Titanic.  Areas that are examined are details about the vessel, the crew, passengers, icebergs, and the actual crash of the Titanic.    

Evaluation: I think I enjoy the Research Guides that correspond with the Magic Treehouse books even more than the Magic Treehouse fiction itself.  The companion book has so much information for children including pictures, maps, information about ships of the day, icebergs, kids on the Titanic.  There are wonderful illustrations by Sal Murdocca that tie the companion to the Fiction books.  The illustrations also make aspects of the titanic more approachable to children.  This book would be wonderful a as companion to any children’s book about the Titanic or as a stand-alone for research purposes.

Similar Titles or Authors:
Tonight on the Titanic by Mary Pope Osborne

Websites:
http://www.magictreehouse.com/bookdetail-Titanic#bookdetail-Titanic

http://www.randomhouse.com/author/22894/mary%20pope-osborne

All images (c) Sal Murdocca 

Tonight on the Titanic (Magic Tree House, No. 17)

Well, the kids in these books are named Jack and Annie Morgan, and since I go by Annie Morgan people are always telling me about these books.  I had to check them out!

Author:  Mary Pope Osborne
Illustrator: Sal Murdocca 
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers 
Prices: Library Binding-$11.69, Paperback-$3.82, Kindle-$3.62
Reading level: Ages 6-9 years 
Interest level: Middle grades
Physical Characteristics: 5.2x7.6 inches, 70 pages
Series: Magic Treehouse Series
ISBN: 9780375808548  
Genres: Chapter Book, Juvenile Historical Fiction
Subjects:
Titanic – Juvenile fiction
Children’s Fiction
Time travel

Annotation:  Annie and Jack are transported to the deck of the Titanic by the magic treehouse.

Summary:   Morgan Le Fay sends Annie and Jack on an adventure through time back to 1912.  She asks them to get a gift from the Titanic, the gift will help break a magic spell.  On the ship they are assisted by a dog named Teddy. This is book one in the mystery of the enchanted dog arc.

Evaluation: I am a huge fan of historical fiction for adults and think that it could be a useful tool for kids as well.  This book does a fairly good job of giving historically accurate details without being too heavy on the sadness and complete truth of the sinking of the titanic.  In fact, I think the things that are most appealing to younger kids will be the enchanted dog, and the adventure aspects of the book.  When my daughter is a bit older and starts reading chapter books, I will definitely start her on the Magic Treehouse series.

Similar Titles or Authors:
Magic Treehouse Research Guide: Titanic by Will Osborne and Mary Pope Osborne

Websites:
http://www.magictreehouse.com/#BookDetail-Tonight_on_the_Titanic

http://www.randomhouse.com/author/22894/mary%20pope-osborne

All images (c) Sal Murdocca 

Beautiful Oops!

My mother inspired a love of books and reading in me, and has passed that down to my daughter.  Most gifts we get from mom are books, and that makes us very very happy indeed.  This book came to us from Bas Blue, one of my favorite booksellers, for Christmas a few years ago.

Author/Illustrator: Barney Saltzberg
Publisher: Workman Publishing (2010)
Prices: Hardcover - $10.76
Reading level: Ages 3-10
Interest level: Lower Grades and Middle Grades
Physical Characteristics: 7.1x7.1, 28 pages, interactive page folds
ISBN: 978-0761157281
Genres: Toy Book
Subjects:
Art
Toy and Moveable Book
Persistence
Mistakes

Annotation: This book inspires kids to celebrate the oops both art and in life.

Summary: Beautiful Oops! Shows the reader several different ways in which perceived mistakes in art can actually become an adventure in their creativity.   

Evaluation:  I cannot tell you how many times my daughter and I have read this book.  We started with me reading and opening the interactive features, then we moved to me reading and she would do the interactive aspects, and now, she reads the book alone while holding it and uncovering the tactile features.  Her reading progressed every step of the way since we received this book for Christmas when she was 4.  I love the creativity in Mr. Saltzberg’s drawing and the creativity it inspires in my daughter. I am looking forward to checking out more by Mr. Saltzberg!

Similar Titles or Authors:
Press Here by Herve Tullet

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

The Dot by Peter H Reynolds

Websites:
http://www.beautifuloops.com/

http://barneysaltzberg.com/?q=node/103

Awards and Recognitions:
2010 NAPPA Gold Award

2010 Playonwords.com PAL Award (Play Advances Language) 2011 Teacher’s Choice Award for the Family

Professional Reviews:
Arts and Activities

Kirkus

School Arts

All images (c) Barney Saltzberg

Pat the Bunny

Not only is this a quintessentially famous children’s toy book, but it holds a special place in my heart.  My mother’s best friend Pat gave me this book as a shower gift when I was pregnant with my daughter.  Pat has since dies from Alzheimer’s.  Every time I look at this book I think about her and smile.

Author/Illustrator: Dorothy Kunhardt
Publisher:  Simon and Schuster, originally Golden Books (1940)
Prices: Hardcover - $12.78, Plastic Comb - $6.41
Reading level: 1-3 Years
Interest level: Lower Grades and younger
Physical Characteristics: 5x5.6 inches, plastic comb, 20 pages.
ISBN: 978-0307120007
Genres: Toy Book, Touch and Feel 
Subjects:
Infants-Development
Rabbits
Parent and Infants
Touch and Feel

Annotation: The original interactive book.

Summary: Pat the Bunny is an interactive telling of some of the things Paul and Judy can do, as well as things the youngest reader can do.  This includes smelling flowers, touching daddy’s beard and patting the bunny. 

Evaluation: For over 75 years this has been one of baby’s first books.  The simple color scheme, large print and minimal texts are perfect for a baby lapsit reading experience.  The sensory elements, that Ms. Kunhardt was the first to incorporate in a child’s book, are great for toddlers who want to touch and feel everything. By touching the different textures in the book or by looking in the mirror in the book the youngest of all readers can have an interactive and inviting experience with reading.  Pat the Bunny is a must for anyone with a baby on board.

Similar Titles or Authors:
Pat the Cat Edith Kunhardt Davis
Pat the Puppy Edith Kunhardt Davis

Websites:
http://www.randomhousekids.com/brand/pat-the-bunny/

Awards and Recognitions:
One of the best-selling American children's book of all time
 
Professional Reviews:
OLA Quarterly

New York Times

All images (c) Dorothy Kundardt 

Falling Up

As a child I loved all things Shel Silverstein, and have been waiting on pins and needles to share his books of poetry with my daughter.  Recently my mother mailed me a box of books from my childhood bedroom, and this was one of them.

Author/Illustrator: Shel Silverstein
Publisher: Harper Collins (1996) 
Prices: Special Hardcover - $19.99
Reading level: Ages 6-10
Interest level: Middle Grades
Physical Characteristics: 7.2 x 9.5 inches, 171 pages,
ISBN: 9780060248031 
Genres: Poetry 
Subjects:
Humorous Poetry
American Poetry
Children’s Poetry

Annotation: A book of poems and drawings by the famed American poet Shel Silverstein.

Summary: Mr. Silverstein’s last book of poems before his death.  This book consists of 144 poems and illustrations done in Mr. Silverstein’s whimsical, surreal and childlike style.

Evaluation:  I have to say up front that this is not my favorite of Mr. Silverstein’s books of poetry, but I still enjoy it. I feel that his first two collections of poetry for children had more heart and soul, while these seem just silly.  That is not to knock silly, I think there is much merit to this book of poetry.  The familiar Silverstein illustrations and the nonsensical poems are very attractive to children.  My daughter and I love the illustrations and find them wonderful conversation starters, do to their incredible detail.  And the poetry itself lends itself to laughter and repeated reads.  I am looking forward to more reads of this book and in sharing Mr. Silverstein’s other work with my daughter.

Similar Titles or Authors:
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein 
A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein 
Oh, The Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss

Websites:
http://www.shelsilverstein.com/

http://www.harpercollins.com/9780060248024/falling-up

Awards and Recognitions:

ALA Booklist Editors' Choice

Parents' Choice Gold Award

Maine Student Book Award

Professional Reviews:
New York Times


Language Arts

Horn Book Magazine



All images (c) Shel Silverstein

Who was Laura Ingalls Wilder?

The Sacramento Public Library used 3M as one of their partners in digital books. I have the 3M app on my Ipad and used the category search features to find what children’s ebooks they had available to check out.  When I saw the book on Mrs. Wilder I wanted to read it, as I loved the show Little House on the Prairie when I was a child.

Author: Patricia Brennen Demuth

Illustrator: Tim Foley

Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap: Penguin(2013) 

Prices: Library Binding - $12.59, Paperback - $4.44, ebook - $4.22

Reading level: Ages 8-12

Interest level: Middle Grades

Physical Characteristics: 5.2x7.6 inches, 112 pages, illustrations

Series: Who was…?

ISBN: 9780448467061

Genres: ebook, biography

Subjects:

Laura Ingalls Wilder

Pioneers

Little House on the Prairie

Famous children’s books authors

Annotation: The real life story of Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the Little House books.

Summary:  This book traces the complete life of Laura Ingalls Wilder from birth to death.  It highlights all of the various homes and jobs she had as her father and then husband traveled West as homesteaders, until she ultimately settled in Missouri and wrote her Little House books

Evaluation: This is a good book for kids in elementary school looking to learn about the celebrated author Laura Ingalls Wilder.  It is not as thorough as some books about Mrs. Wilder written for adults, but it is perfect for the young reader.  While this ebook has no frills, it is just a straight digitized version of the print book it does have a good account of information and 80 maps and illustrations.  The book also includes a very helpful timeline of Mrs. Wilder’s life, boxes calling out specific terms from the period and bibliographical references.  This would be a very helpful book for a student doing a report on Mrs. Wilder on on the pioneer era in The United States.   

Similar Titles or Authors:

Any of the books in Wilder’s Little House series would be a good compliment to this biography.

Who is Malala Yousafzai by Dinah Brown

Websites:

http://brennan-demuth.com/books/who-was-laura-ingalls-wilder/

http://www.penguin.com/book/who-was-laura-ingalls-wilder-by-patricia-brennan-demuth/9780448467061

www.whowasbookseries.com

Professional Reviews:

None found

All images (c) Tim Foley 

 

Duh! Knights and Castles

One of my favorite blogs is coolmomtech and its sister site coolmompicks.  When they reviewed Duh Books and said, "The growing Duh! collection is full of great information, simple explanations, cool interactive graphics, and links to learn more” I decided to check one of the books out.  I ordered the knights and castles book, because I wanted to show my daughter what real castles are like, as opposed to the Disneyfied versions she sees on TV and in movies.

Author: Jule Lelieveld
Designer: Bas Verhoeven

Publisher: Patsboem! (2013)        

Prices: $3.99
Reading level: Ages 6-10
Interest level: Lower and Medium Grades
Physical Characteristics: Version 1.0, 18 pages
Series: Duh Books
Genres: ebook, non-fiction, textbook
Subjects:
Knights
Castles
Middle Ages

Annotation: A book especially designed for the Ipad with educational information about knights and castles.

Summary:  
Duh! Knights and Castles is an e-book for kids six years and up.  It was created especially for the iPad and contains movies, interactive pictures, sound effects and safe weblinks.  The ebook examines uses and layout of castles, the age of knights, battles and much more in regards to both castles and knights.

Evaluation: 
I really enjoyed this ebook and hope that Patsboem create more books in their Duh! Series.  As my daughter gets further along in elementary school and has to start write reports, doing research projects and creating show and tell type presentations I believe these books will really come in handy.   The best art about Duh! Knights and Castles was that the multi touch aspect makes reading it an interactive and highly engaging learning experience.  There are photos and illustrations to click on with sound effects, and additional pop ups of information specific to those pictures.  Another nice aspect to these books as that it doesn’t provide only information, there are also many questions asked for the reader to answer or research and many prompts to encourage further learning.  A wonderful feature is that harder vocabulary words specific to the time period are highlighted and defined when you click them.  This is a good way to keep younger readers ivolved, even if they do not know much about castles and knights and the relevant vocabulary.  I really liked this book and will be downloading more in the future.

Similar Titles or Authors:
Knights & Castles: 50 Hands-On Activities to Explore the Middle Ages by Avery Hart 
Duh! Horses
 
Castles and Knights by DK Publishing


Websites:
http://www.patsboemeducatief.nl/

http://duhbooks.com/

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/duh!-knights-and-
castles/id743894111?mt=13&ign-mpt=uo%3D4


Professional Reviews:
No peer reviewed reviews.  Only this blog post from coolmomtech.

All images © Poetsboem