Picture Book PIck: Fly!

fly!
by Mark Teague
Beachlane Books
2019
40 pages
ISBN: 97815344451

fly! is a story done with illustrations and  no words. Illustration bubbles above the mommy bird and baby (teen) bird tell the entire story. Teague captures animal behavior well and develops character for both birds via personality through their actions and "dialog" between them.

Baby bird doesn't want to leave the nest where his mother feeds and protects him. Mother tells him he's getting bigger and birds are birds. Birds fly. Soon they will migrate to Florida (Welcome to Florida sign), and he needs to learn to fly. Baby bird imagines flying on a hang glider or using superhero powers complete with cape to fly, or maybe he can take a train or skateboard to Florida. Mother tells him in order to get food and stay safe from predators like cats and owls, he must learn to fly. That does it! The image of an evil owl sends baby bird into the air.

A sweet animal story and a mother's love for her child make fly! a special book. Young readers will have a blast creating dialog for each two-page spread. Early learners and creative writers could use the picture book to develop their own stories.

Highly recommended for all young readers and creative writers.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received the book from the publisher. I did not received monetary compensation for this review.

Picture Book Pick: Thomas Jefferson and the Mammoth Hunt

Thomas Jefferson and the Mammoth Hunt:
The True Story of the Quest for America's Biggest Bones
by Carrie Clickard
Illustrations by Nancy Carpenter
A Paula Wiseman Book
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
2019
40 pages
ISGN: 9781481442695

Thomas Jefferson and the Mammoth Hunt is a delightful romp in history that highlights American history and one fascinating facet of forefather Thomas Jefferson. Just one year after winning independence from British rule, Thomas Jefferson touts America as the greatest place to live. It's a beautiful country with land and riches for settlers. In King Louis' court in France,  Count Baffon begs to disagree. He says America is a swampy, dirty place. Jefferson makes it his job to prove Baffon wrong.

Jefferson begs his scouts to find the largest animal in America to show how much bigger and better America is. Soon, Jefferson receives pelts from every type of animal imaginable and giant bones arrive. When they assemble the skeleton, it's a giant sloth. Count Baffon is unimpressed. Then the most amazing discovery, the bones of a giant mammoth!

Fascinating author's note and a list of who's who are included for future history buffs. Whimsical illustrations by Nancy Carpenter breathe life into history. The illustrations are so deftly handled that people jump off the pages! Rhyming content is fun and will keep younger readers interested. This picture book has wide appeal for any readers who love history, archeology, dinosaurs, adventure and touches of whimsy. Much more than a picture book, this is a must read and a must have for all collections.

Highly recommended for early readers. Pre-school age may not sit still for the entire read, but a young one who loves dinosaurs and bones will find this fascinating. Grade K-up (depending on child's attention span).

Picture Book Pick: Hedgehog Needs a Hug

Hedgehog Needs a Hug

by Jen Betton 

Illustrations by the author 

G.P. Putnam's Sons 

2018

32 pages

ISBN: 9781524737122

Jen Betton's debut children's book is a true treasure. Captivating art and winsome characters will leave young readers in stitches. 

Poor Hedgehog. He wants a hug in the worst way. He wakes up in a sad state and knows that a hug will make him feel so much better. He approaches forest animals and asks for a hug. No one wants to hug Hedgehog. They are afraid of his prickles, but they give him excuses why they can't hug him. Rabbit, Raccoon and Turtle turn him down, but Fox agrees to hug him. Hedgehog realizes Fox wants to eat him and scurries away. Finally, Hedgehog finds a hug from Skunk and they become fast friends. 

Young readers will love the sound and rhythm of new words not usually present in children's picture books: toddled, scram, scuffle, scoot, scampered, trudged, shuffled, and drawled. 

Each animal has its own way of moving that children will memorize and love to repeat. Rabbit hops away, "hippityy-skippity-scram." Raccoon left Hedgehog  by "scuffle-scoot-scampered." Fox moves by "sly-slide-slinking" and Hedgehog "tip-patter-padded" over to Skunk for a hug. 

This is a fun book to read for read aloud. For children who may not know forest creatures, it's an adventure. Hedgehog Needs a Hug is my favorite picture book this year! 

Highly, highly recommended for every bedtime and story time. You MUST read this book out loud and you MUST read it many times! 

Picture Book Pick: The Honeybee

The Honeybee
By Kirsten Hall
Illustrations by Isabelle Arsenault
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
2018
48 pages
ISBN: 9781481469975

This beautiful cover pops and the book's end papers are decked out in the bees' signature colors: yellow and black and will catch your eye, but the happy illustrations and text that follows the production of honey and the bees' lives will keep young readers entertained. The honeybee is one of the world's endangered species and young readers will cheer for the bees after reading all about them. The bees are shown working and on the production line where they, "Chew, chew--we're changing its makeup,/ We're giving the nectar a chemical shake-up." The faces and features of each bee is unique and children will love their personalities.

Did you know that bees can smell fear? The book instructs people to stand still and be calm and the bee or bees will most likely fly away. However, bees are territorial, so it warns not to get too close to the hive.

A page from the author with bee facts and what children (and adults) can do to help the bees and save them is included.

A cute must-read for the budding animal activist, environmental warrior, budding young scientist or beekeeper, or anyone who loves animals and nature.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

Picture Book Pick: A Creepy Pair of Underwear

A Creepy Pair of Underwear
by Aaron Reynolds
Illustrated by Peter Brown
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
2017
32 pages
ISBN: 9781442402980

Jasper Rabbit and his mother go to the store to buy him new underwear. Mother buys him the usual white underwear, but Jasper sees glowing green underwear and pleads for her to buy them because they are, "so creepy. so comfy." He brings out his full arsenal of I'm old enough and I'm not a baby. Jasper wins and later wears his underwear to bed. He doesn't realize until he's in his dark room that his underwear glow. Jasper is freaked out. He keeps trying to throw the creepy green underwear away even trying to ship them off to China! He cuts them into a million glowing pieces. Problem solved.

He is finally free of the creepy underwear but now there's a new problem. His room is too dark! Jasper goes back to the store all by himself and buys more creepy green underwear and uses them as "flags" or decorations to light his dark room. The illustration of Jasper in his decorated room will take readers by surprise and is genius! Jasper faces his fear of the dark and the underwear and embraces both. The underwear which used to be a problem have now become a solution. He is no longer afraid to sleep in his room.

Illustrations by Caldecott Honor winner Peter Brown are spectacular. The book is done in black, white and shades of gray except for the florescent green underwear which make a statement on every page! Winsome and fun, kids will love turning the pages for each two page spread and pointing out the underwear.

Young readers love books about underwear and this one is a sure winner! It is funny, charming and beautiful. This is the perfect bedtime book for anyone still afraid of the dark.
Highly, highly recommended beginning readers and everyone else.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

Picture Book Pick: Bad Guy

Bad Guy
by Hannah Barnaby
Illustrated by Mike Yamada
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
2017
32 pages
ISBN: 9781481460101


Devious, dastardly and devilish, Bad Guy is a delight! A young boy has great adventures being a bad guy. He is a pirate and treasure hunter, he captures superheroes, he goes to space and swallows astronauts and on Friday, he even eats his sister's brain! Bad Guys always get in trouble, and when Mom lays down the law, even a Bad Guy can turn Good.

Mom takes the children to the library where the Bad Guy gets books with all kinds of ideas and he begins to plot his Bad Guy strategy. But sometimes even Bad Guys are outsmarted! Readers will love the unexpected and fun plot twist. This is a book that both young boys and girls will cheer for!

Smart illustrations with inside jokes are sure to please adult readers. The book Alice is reading is titled Eat, Prey, Love (wink)! This author and illustrator team is a winning one!

Highly, highly recommended ages 1-up. Great fun and sure to be Audrey-approved! (Audrey is my 2 year old niece who KNOWS what she likes!)

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

Early Reader Pick: Bently & egg

Bently & egg
by William Joyce
Illustrations by the author
Atheneum Books for Young Readers (Reissue edition)
original copyright 1992 (Harper Collins)
2017
(The World of William Joyce series)
32 pages
ISBN: 9781481489492


Bently & egg is a story that should, no, MUST be shared with every young reader. It is that good!

A singing frog is asked by his best friend Kack Kack to egg sit so she can go to visit her sister who just had her own ducklings. Bently is not thrilled to watch an egg but agrees. He thinks the egg is silly and is so bored watching it until he paints it making it a piece of art. A boy comes to the garden and snatches the egg away thinking that the Easter Bunny must have left it. Bently is beside himself! He must get that egg back. It is his best friend's child and he promised to guard the egg with his life.

Bently is afraid of the house, but enters anyway in order to save the egg. Through a series of mishaps, Bently ends up outside atop a woman's Easter bonnet with his egg intact. He and the egg sneak away disguised as appetizers.

When Bentley returns to the  pond he sleeps and wakes up to a baby boy duckling. Kack Kack has returned and thanks Bently for his heroism in protecting her baby. It seems a gnat, a goldfish, a butterfly, a stuffed elephant, and a rabbit told Kack Kack of Bently's fierce courage and devotion. Bently closes the book with a song.

Beautiful illustrations capture Bently and his antics. Mother duck radiates from the pages. It is no wonder that this book has stood the test of time. This one is a true keeper.

Highly, highly recommended for all young readers. Recommended as an Easter story or an anytime story.

Picture Perfect Pick: Back To School With Bigfoot

Back To School With Bigfoot
by Samantha Berger and Martha Brockenbrough
Illustrated by Dave Presser
Arthur A. Levine Books
40 pages (page count from Amazon)
ISBN: 9780545859738

Available June 27, 2017

. Back to school is tough for anyone, but can you imagine if you were Bigfoot?

Quirky illustrations will win readers over including a favorite on the first spread depicting a young student coming unglued over a pile of texts including the titles: Learning Is Hard, Hard Math, Impossible Math, Vague Geography, and Grammar Ain't Easy.

Bigfoot is worried about school. Shopping for clothes and shoes is impossible for someone his size. He decides school is overrated and he'll just stay home, but he will miss his teacher, Miss Sierra Nevada! And his friends. He thinks about all the fun he will miss with his friends and even dreams of becoming the Valebigtorian of the class! Bigfoot happily agrees to go back to school where he can meet his friends and have fun.

Bigfoot is an affable character smiling on each page. He is lovable and winsome and every reader will want to meet him.

This little charmer would be a great read for a child who is afraid of going to school for the first time or to a new school.

Highly recommended for young readers.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received the F & G from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

Picture Book Pick: Watersong

Watersong
by Tim McCanna
Illustrated by Richard Smythe
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
2017
32 pages
ISBN:9781481468817


Watersong is a brilliant work of art! They symphony of  watercolors capture the power of a rain storm and a young fox as he wanders his forest home. He watches the storm listening  to the raindrops and the wind. He sees the changes that the rain brings.

Tim McCanna's use of onomatapoeia will excite young readers to follow along and make the sounds on each page. This is book that needs to be read ALOUD over and OVER again. In fact, children will demand it to be read out loud.

Readers will love reading, "Drip, drop, plip, plop, pitter, patter, pat," and the sounds throughout the storm. After the storm, the young fox observes a rainbow before coming home to his mother and family. Facts about foxes and ecosystems are included on the last page.

Kirkus called this book "Beautiful," and no one will disagree.  In fact, Watersong is an early contender for the Caldecott Award.

This book is a must for language arts and poetry. Art classes will be dazzled by the beauty of the illustrations. Young readers will learn a few facts about ecosystems and the water cycle.

Highly, highly recommended for all young readers and all library collections.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

Perfect Pick: If I Had a Little Dream

If I Had a Little Dream
by Nina Laden
Illustrations by Melissa Casrillon
A Paula Wiseman Book
2017
32 pages
ISBN: 9781481439244


Rhyming verse tells  a sweet story--a song if you will--that sings off the illustrated pages. A little girl narrates, "If I had a little land...." and rhymes the verse. After that first rhyme, she  inserts a new noun: house, garden, pond, boat, bicycle, table, chair, dog, cat, brother, sister, book (my favorite, of course!), nest and dream. The book page reads, "If I had a little book,/I would name it Friend./Friend would go wherever I went,/our story would never end."

Magical illustrations look  like an illuminated manuscript with the borders (marginalia) used effectively to frame the characters and story. The illustrations help to give this little keeper a nostalgic feeling of easier, less troublesome times.

 If I Had a Little Dream is a tender and loving story that celebrates life's simple treasures, Simple children's book magic done right!

Highly recommended for young dreamers everywhere.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

Picture Book Pick: Are Pirates Polite?

Are Pirates Polite?
by Corinne Demas and Artemis Roehrig
Illustrations by David Catrow
Orchard Books
2016
40 pages
ISBN: 9780545628747

Available November 29, 2016

Vibrant illustrations and fun loving, raucous pirates paired with rhyming text makes this book a real keeper. Even though pirates plunder, fight, and are loud, they do share. Pirates use their manners according to this book.

Pirate manners include: knocking before entering a door, showing respect and being a good sport. There are twelve manners in all and they are listed for young readers on the last page.

So much fun! Any child who loves pirates and ships will love this gem of a story.

Highly recommended for all young sea-going lads and lasses. This is a great read to help instill manners and have that discussion about always eating with your mouth closed, saying "excuse me," sharing, and other polite behaviors.

Picture Book Pick: Penguins Love Colors

Penguins Love Colors
by Sarah Aspnall
The Blue Sky Press
2016
ISBN: 9780545876544

Available November 26, 2016

Bright, lively, bouncy, and fun, Penguins Love Colors is sure to be a hit with young readers who love animals and colors. Sweet illustrations will captivate and children will want to embrace a warm bunch of siblings and their loving mother.


Six penguin siblings love colors.  Living in a land that is covered with white snow,  the penguins decide to paint their world and make it a more vibrant place. Each penguin is named after a colorful flower: Dandelion, Broccoli, Tulip, Tiger Lily, Bluebell and Violet. Each penguin loves their color and paints with that color.

Their world becomes a brilliant landscape of flowers and colors which they are happy and proud to show Mama. She is overjoyed to see their work and young readers will be,  too! Aspinall's illustrations are BOLD and bursting with color. She is the most brilliant penguin of them all.

Although this book is targeted for young readers, the preschool and kindergarten ages, art classes of any age could read and critique this book for illustrations and learning primary colors. Penguins Love Colors embraces smart design layouts and vibrant colors that children will love and want to visit again and again. Questions in the text will engage readers to answer them.

Highly, highly recommended for young readers and all art classes. I shared this F & G with my art teacher who raved over the book. So, there you  have it, art teacher approved! Five stars from me!

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received the F & G from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)

Passover Pick: More Than Enough (A Passover Story)

More Than Enough: A Passover Story
by April Halpin Wayland
Illustrations by Katie Kath
Dial Books for Young Readers
2016
32 pages
ISBN: 9780803741263


from the Publisher's page:

"This warm, affectionate story embraces Passover in the spirit of dayenu, and offers a comprehensive glossary—it’s a perfect read for the entire family in anticipation and celebration of the holiday."

My review:

Foods make memories. Your grandma's homemade dumplings, her cat head biscuits (because they were the size of a cat's head), Your aunt's favorite beef stew, potato doughnuts, homemade chorizo. Each food brings back a particular memory. More Than Enough celebrates Passover and how it is celebrated in the Jewish synagogue.

The family gathers at the table, the heart of the home. A song is sung, and father reads from the Haggadah. The children listen to the story of the Jews escaping from Egypt, and the family eats food from the Seder plate, each food symbolizing a part of the story. Children will search for the Afikomen, a hidden piece of matzah, that represents a prize.

Complete with glossary this book not only entertains, it educates. Dayenu is the song that the kids sing and its literal meaning is "It would have been enough." The family counts their blessings at the dinner table as one. This is a sweet story of thanksgiving. Illustrations by Katie Kath bring the characters to life.

For Jewish families tradition is important. More Than Enough will help non-Jews and those who do not celebrate Passover understand the customs, language and tradition.

 

Sweet and charming, More Than Enough explains the symbolism of each type of food. Matzah is unleavened bread and represents fleeing from Egypt and slavery. Jewish people had no time to wait for their bread to proof (double in size). 

 

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Illustrated edition
by J.K. Rowling
Illustrations by Jim Kay
Arthur A. Levine Books
2015
256 pages
ISBN: 9780545790352

Beautiful illustrations along with the beloved story of Harry will have Hogwarts fans clamoring for a copy. This is a great book to introduce younger and newer readers to the world of Harry Potter. Truly a book worth sharing, it is well crafted and one of the most beautiful books in publishing.


Mere words cannot capture the magic of Jim Kay's illustrations! Many are two page centerfolds and there is not one area of the book that has not been planned and decorated. Book one promises another out of the park hit for Rowling. The rest of the series will follow and it is my hope that no corners are cut in developing them. There are over 100 illustrations to capture the imagination.

Although it's too late to buy for Christmas, think about gifting a copy of this to any Harry Potter fan or any child who has yet to discover the magic of Potterville.

Highly, highly recommended for all readers!

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received the sneak peek from the publisher. Later, I purchased a copy for myself and am delighted with it! I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)

Blog Tour and Book Giveaway: The Wild Swans

Book Tour: Visit the next stop on the book tour

Rockin' Book Reviews

 

The Wild Swans

by Jackie Morris

Full color illustrations

Francis Lincoln Children's Books

(Janetta Otter-Barry Books)

2015

173 pages

ISBN: 9781847805362

 

 I have 5 copies of The Wild Swans up for grabs. What a beautiful book! Everyone will want a copy of this one!  For a chance to win, you simply post a comment to the blog. Please include first name, city, state and email contact. Deadline for posts is November 2 at noon MST. Winners are chosen randomly by Randomizer. Winners will be contacted Nov. 2. Please check your email on that date. Books will ship from New York. Good luck and start posting!
Pamela
 

MORE ABOUT THE BOOK AND AUTHOR

 

 

The Wild Swans

Retold and illustrated by Jackie Morris

 

This very beautiful and lyrical extended version of the fairy tale 'The Wild Swans' by Hans Christian Andersen is the much anticipated companion to East of the Sun, West of the Moon. With strong characterization of the heroine and also with more rounded characterization of the wicked stepmother than in the original version, and with delicate watercolor paintings throughout, this is both a wonderful story and delightful gift.

 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jackie Morris lives in Pembrokeshire, Wales, with children, dogs and cats. Ever since leaving college, Bath Academy of Art, at least one cat has watched over her while she works. Big cats and small are a passion in her life, and it was while reading and watching her cat Pixie sleeping in winter that the idea for I am Cat came about. Among her many books for Frances Lincoln are The Ice Bear, The Snow Leopard, and Tell me a Dragon.

 

AUTHOR WEBSITE

http://www.jackiemorris.co.uk/blog/

Bedtime Pick: Putting the Monkeys To Bed

Putting the Monkeys To Bed
by Gennifer Choldenko
Illustrations by Jack E. Davis
G.P. Putnam's Sons
2015
32 pages
ISBN: 9780399246234


Hilarious, warm, and comforting with a bit of silliness and sass, Putting the Monkeys To Bed is a sweet story of how one boy is finally  able to calm himself and his "monkeys" down for the night.

Sam is unhappy about having to go to sleep. He still has a million questions and wants his mom to come in and answer them. He would like another story, but Mom is adamant. She tells Sam to go to sleep and that she will answer his questions in the morning. She tells Sam to practice his breathing--deep, calming breaths. Sam's monkeys have other ideas and soon make the breathing part of a happy monkey song. When Sam decides to "read" his favorite book---one that he knows by heart--the monkeys cuddle up closer and soon all are  fast asleep. Never doubt the power of a book! If a book  can calm Sam and his monkeys, it is powerful indeed!

This is a cute read  for all those little ones who positively hate bedtime and will use any excuse to stay awake. When the deep, calming breaths don't help, a story will.

Highly recommended pre-school.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)

Bath Time Pick: Ten Pigs An Epic Bath Adventure

Ten Pigs An Epic Bath Adventure
by Derek Anderson
Illustrations by the author
Orchard Books
2015
 40 pages
ISBN: 9780545168465

Published reviews: what others are saying

Just DELIGHTFUL! Ten Pigs An Epic Bath Adventure is everything a children's book should be. It's entertaining, fun, charming, colorful, silly and bursting with heart!

One lucky pig has the huge bath tub to himself--which is fine, indeed. One by one he is joined by number two, number three, number four, number five, and so on until there is no little piggy wiggle room! One clever pig fixes the problem with a super slick sly move.

The illustrations are the stuff dreams are made of! It is not often that an author/illustrator gets it so right! Anderson is able to tell the story simply through the illustrations. Each page is a gem. Children may even beg to take a bath like the pigs in the story.

This is a must have book for any child. If you buy one bath time book, make it Ten Pigs An Epic Bath Adventure. So much fun!

Highly, highly recommended! I give this children's book the highest praise. ONE of the very BEST I've recommended!

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received the F & G from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)

100 Things That Make Me Happy
by Amy Schwartz
Illustrations by the author
Abrams Appleseed
2014
40 pages
9781419705182

Joyful, whimsical, fun and fresh, 100 Thing That Make Me Happy made me happy! Who doesn't remember what fun it is to slide on slippery floors? Remember the funny tickle of a puppy's wet nose and the giggles it produced? The softness of Grandma's lap and the feeling of family? The beauty of starry nights out in the open air?

This book reminded me of all the little things that children love and adults have a hard time remembering. It is nice to take a moment to cherish the little things that make life beautiful and share them with a child through this fun jaunt of rhyming couplets and miles of smiles.

100 things would seem to take a long time, but this book is over before you know it, and you will realize that time just flew by and that you were entertained and having a good time reading it. Likely, there will be a smile on your face, too!

Highly, highly recommended for young readers who will beg for this one to be read over and over again. They may want to make their own observations about things that make them smile. I'm going to go make my list now!

This book would be useful in teaching rhyme and rhyming couplets in a classroom poetry unit. Another assignment for English or creative writing class would be to have students produce their own lists of things that make them happy.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)

Christmas Book Giveaway: The Night Before the Night Before Christmas

 

I have one copy of The Night Before The Night Before Christmas up for grabs! For your chance to win, simply post a comment to the blog. Please include your name, city, state and email. One winner will be chosen randomly by Randomizer. Deadline for posts is December 1 at noon MST. The winner will be notified shortly after noon MST. Please check your email on that date. The winner has 24 hours to respond to my email. Your free book will be shipped courtesy of the author.

Book Blurb:

At Santa's workshop, the night before the night before Christmas is hardly a time to rest. The elves work tirelessly to get the final toys made before Christmas Eve, but Elfie just can't keep pace. He spends too much time making his toys perfect, and when Santa comes to check on production, everyone is surprised by his reaction.

Early Reader Pick: How Do Dinosaurs Stay Safe?

How Do Dinosaurs Stay Safe?
by Jane Yolen
Illustrated by Mark Teague
The Blue Sky Press
2014
40 pages
ISBN: 9780439241045

The charming cover says it all! Kids of any age will smile when they see the giant dinosaur trying to balance his humungous body on a small bicycle while  Mama frantically waves her arms and shouts in the background and the dog happily runs alongside and seems to be enjoying every precious minute. Illustrations by Mark Teague shine throughout the book and each dinosaur is labeled in every two page spread. Dinosaurs featured on the endpapers are having a rocking-saurus great time, and kids will want to point at each of them and recite their names.

Jane Yolen has a knack at captivating young readers with her prose. The playful book teaches kids some general rules of safety: how to dial 9-1-1, to be sure and take a bottle of water on a hike, always wear a bike helmet when riding a bike, hold hands to cross the street, always cross with the light, and never climb too high.

The book shows attention to detail:  the parents depicted are sometimes papas and sometimes mamas.  Kids will beg to read this dinostory again and again. It's so great, parents will find themselves smiling along with their children.

Yolen and Teague have a library of dinosaur books, and kids will want to collect all their titles.

Highly, highly recommended for everyone and dinosaur lovers everywhere.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received the F & G from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)