Books You Can’t Live Without!
All book reviews have been done by our knowledgeable and fun staff...who love to read children's books!

Don’t Make Such a Pig of Yourself, O.K., Do!
Review by Amber G.

An interesting phenomenon is sweeping our nation; pigs. Not your ordinary curly tailed, snorting, mud slopping kind either. These are educated and talented pigs with big plans. One of which shows up in the Caldecott honor book Olivia by Ian Falconer. This happy-go-lucky, sometimes indecisive little porker is wonderfully drawn in black and whites with a now and again touch of red. The reader can’t help but love this irresistible swine who possesses a mind filled with big ideas. Another book in the porcine family is Puddle’s ABC the newest in Holly Hobbie’s series of Toot and Puddle books. This highly educated pig teaches his friend Otto the turtle the basics of the ABC’s as well as reading and writing. This book would be an especially great addition to any ABC book collection or as a gift for a new baby or beginning reader. Stop by and check out our entire selection of little pink snouts and curly tails (a.k.a. pigs).

Books by Ian Falconer
Books by Holly Hobbie
 

Budgeting the "Green"
Review by Michelle W.

Alexander, Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday by Judith Viorst reveals a great outlook on children’s spending. Although I am well into my twenties, I can still relate to Alexander and his problems with spending. Many things in life are so irresistible that budgeting your "green" becomes a challenge. Alexander learns how desirable things become when you have money in your pocket, and how dull they become after you’ve attained them. Therefore, the things of great worth become more valuable with patience. You can learn a lot about life from a children’s book. More books that relate to kids and money: Little Bill: Money Troubles by Bill Cosby and The Trouble with Money by Stan and Jan Berenstain.

Books by Judith Viorst
 Books by Bill Cosby
Books by Stan and Jan Berenstain

Review from the Desk of Ellen M.

When I was a little girl my dad would read to me every night. We read everything from Dr. Seuss to Encyclopedia Brown The stories I liked the best are the ones that stayed with me and affected me. The simple ones with lessons I understood and, of course, great illustrations. Books like Knots on a Counting Ropeby Bill Martin, Ginger Jumps by Lisa Campbell Ernst, and People by Peter Spier left me feeling like a new and better person. Even now, years later, those books still do.

 Books by Bill Martin
 Books by Lisa Campbell Ernst
 Books by Peter Spier

Silent to the Bone
Review by Michael F.

In the book Silent to the Bone, the author, E.L. Konigsburg,  weaves a story of a strong friendship between two small boys. One of the boys, Branwell, after being accused by his father and the police of causing a terrible accident, falls silent. It is then up to his friend Connor to discover the truth about the accident and about Branwell. As with her other books, Konigsburg incorporates deep issues such as growing up, conformity, segregation, friendship, and believing in yourself into a well plotted story. Silent to the Bone and other books like it give parents and children an opportunity to read together and to discuss the issues presented. It is important for teens and pre-teens to read these kinds of books and to grapple with these various issues. Encouraging children to talk about the books they are reading enables parents to find topics that will help their children gain a better understanding of themselves and society.

Books by E.L. Konigsburg

Read-Aloud, v., adj. 1. read outloud to someone else 2. a book that can be read with animation and dramatics to capture the attention of a group of children

Read-Alone, v., adj. 1. read by yourself 2. a book that is best enjoyed in a quiet room, sitting in your favorite chair with no one around to disturb you

 A classic is a book that has never finished saying
what it has to say. Italo Calvino
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