Funny Pick: The Labyrinth of Doom (Once Upon a Tim, Book 2)

 

The Labyrinth of Doom 

Once Upon a Tim, Book 2

by Stuart Woods

Illustrated by Stacy Curtis

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 

2022

160 pages

ISBN: 9781534499287

Although this is book 2, readers are given enough information to understand what happened in book one without having it in hand. I strongly recommend reading both books for entertainment purposes. 

In book 2 of the series, Tim and Belinda must rescue Princess Grace from the Labyrinth of Doom. Tim is a winsome narrator using sarcasm and wit to entertain the reader on every page. Tim explains being a knight is pretty tough, but it's better than being a peasant. 

We meet the knights of Merryland: there's Sir Vyval , SirVaylance, Sir Mount, Sir Render, Sir Fass, Sir Comference, Sir Cuss and Sir Eberal (each name a pun). Tim also includes "IQ Boosters" to help the reader gain vocabulary in an entertaining way. Each IQ Booster includes the definition of the word but used in  a joking fashion as in "laborious." Tim says if your parents are worried you're reading a book with illustrations, "...you can tell your parents this book is educational." He uses laborious to say, "Doing my chores this morning was really laborious, and now I'd like to relax by reading The Labyrinth of Doom."

 With trusty Rover, a fr-dog at their side, the two enter the labyrinth. Their friend Ferkle, the village idiot, decides not to go inside but to search for the person who designed the labyrinth and figure out how to escape it. Belinda and Tim face cave snakes, a giant made of rubble, the scissors of doom, the harpies, the chasm of cave sharks and many other scary tests until they meet Chad, the minotaur, who's anything but scary. 

The illustrations are PERFECT and comical. Stuart Gibbs never fails to deliver a fun adventure that readers will love. Stacy Curtis captures Tim and Belinda's personalities bringing the story to life especially for struggling and reluctant readers. 

Highly, highly recommended grades 4 and up. An amazing read! The Labyrinth of Doom is the most fun you'll have reading a book! 

Winter Pick: Snow Horses: A First Night Story

 

Snow Horses: A First Night Story

by Patricia MacLachlan

Illustrated by Micha Archer

Margaret K. McElderry Books 

Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division

2022

40 pages

ISBN: 9781534473553

From the beautiful cover art to the captivating illustrations by Micha Archer, Snow Horses: A First Night Story is the most gorgeous book of the season. Sure to win multiple awards, this a heartwarming book  capturing the magic of a sleigh ride on New Year's Eve. 

Tim and Tom are big Percheron horses, black as midnight, and they're excited to see Jenny when she comes to the barn. They know they're in for a treat. Jenny leads them out to the sleigh and hitches them up. The sleigh is quite a sight to behold with its sleigh bells and lights. Jenny rides into the town where children are happy to see the sleigh. Children climb aboard for a sleigh ride through the snow. 

Later, Jenny heads to the manor where older people are congregating. They climb aboard and talk about their their childhoods. A golden retriever follows the sleigh everywhere it goes. Jenny returns to the barn and puts Tim and Tom inside. They are so happy because they love the snow and the people. 

Jenny's yellow dog is tired after his travels with the sleigh. He curls up in front of the fireplace on First Night. 

Beautiful story of a community of kind and giving neighbors. The two black horses are magical. Archer captures the snow and the season so well, you can almost feel the snow and hear the sleigh bells. 

Snow Horses: A First Night Story is a gem of a story and a sparking jewel of a book! 

Being from the South, I'd never heard of First Night. You really can learn so much from picture books! 

Highly recommended and should be featured in all art classes as an example of ART. 

Ages 3 and up. 

Christmas Pick: The Magic of a Small Town Christmas

 

The Magic of a Small Town Christmas

by Megan Alexander

Illustrated by Hiroe Nakata

Aladdin e 

Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division

2022

32 pages

ISBN: 9781665929806

In a small town named Heartbeat Falls, neighbors celebrate the season by choosing the right Christmas tree, visiting the town's bakery, ice skating on the pond, decorating their houses, and baking cookies. There are fun arts and crafts projects for little hands, making s'mores and a pot luck dinner the neighbors----their joy and happiness visible in  Hiroe Nakata's beautiful illustrations. 

Heartbeat Falls could be any town where people gather and care for each other. The last line is lovely, "For the beauty of a small town isn't based upon its size. It's the love shared by its people shining brightly in their eyes." 

This  charming book is a great gift for new parents and young readers. Heartfelt and appealing, The Magic of a Small Town Christmas will be a favorite read for the season. 

Highly, highly recommended for Christmas! 

Nursery Rhyme Pick: The Arnold Lobel Book of Mother Goose

 

The Arnold Lobel Book of Mother Goose

Selected by Arnold Lobel

Illustrated by Arnold Lobel

A Paula Wiseman Book

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Originally published in 1986 by Random House, Inc.

2022

176 pages

ISBN: 9781534474352

This book is considered the most concise and best collection of nursery rhymes with over 300 entries with brilliant  illustrattions by Arnold Lobel.  Lobel has little known rhymes like "Hector Protector" and "This Is the Key to the Kingdom" alongside more common ones like "London Bridge" and "Jack and Jill." You may think you know "London Bridge" and "Jack and Jill," but Lobel includes the entire rhyme and you'll be surprised to learn you've been missing entire pieces of the stories. 

There is so much to see and learn in this lovely compendium of rhymes that young readers will beg, "Just one more! Read one more!" Don't read this as a goodnight book unless you want to be up all night! 

Complete with an index of first lines and their corresponding page numbers, readers can easily find a rhyme they're searching for. 

Highly, highly recommended for all collections of poetry and rhyme and this treasure, The Arthur Lobel Book of Mother Goose, should be on every child's bookshelf! All ages but start this book early with toddlers. Early readers will love the rhymes and learn a whole new vocabulary. 

 

Spooky pick: Stories To Keep You Alive Despite Vampires

 

Stories To Keep You Alive Despite Vampires

by Ben Aker

Illusatrations by Scott Buonchistiano

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

2022 

197 pages

ISBN: 9781665917001

A collection of spooky stories that is accessible for both young and reluctant readers. 

Vampires, hitchhikers, witches, a creepy ventriloquist's dummy, ghosts, and werewolves--author Ben Aker offers all the beasties that readers could want. The stories can be read in order or the reader has the choice to skip around as each story is its own tale. 

Reluctant readers will find easy, short stories that will entertain them and give them a sense of accomplishment for reading an entire book (as they are likely to do in the case of this book).

Spooky illustrations by Scott Buonchistiano appear at the beginning of each chapter and chapter titles make it easy for the reader to determine what the story is likely about. Highly recommended for reluctant readers and anyone who loves spooky stories told around the campfire or spooky stories told in the dark. 

Grades 4 and up.