WEIRD! by Erin Frankel, illustrated by Paula Heaphy

Lexile     540          Pages     48          Ages     5 - 9

Luisa is being bullied at school by Sam, a girl in her class.  No matter what Luisa does, or says, or wears, Sam tells her she's weird.  At first, Luisa believes her and each time Sam tells her she's weird she stops doing whatever it is that Sam is making fun of.  Pretty soon Luisa doesn't feel like herself at all but doesn't know what to do about it.  Finally, she talks to her mother who tells her that she is perfect just the way she is. Luisa thinks about it and decides she is going to ignore Sam and see what happens.  To her surprise, all of her friends are happy to have the old Luisa back - they saw what was happening but didn't know any more than Luisa what to do about it.  Luisa discovers that the more she ignores Sam, the less Sam picks on her.

Weird! is the first book of a trilogy about bullying, a problem that seems to be growing in our schools today.  Children who have been subjected to a bully will quickly identify with Luisa, recognizing her hurt and confusion.  Luisa's story should help them see there is a solution and that the issue is not theirs in the first place - that the bully is the one with the problem.  The story should also help other children understand just how devastating bullying can be, and that they should be friendly with everyone and treat them with respect. 

Weird! should be a must-read for elementary grades and if it is an indication of how good the trilogy is, Dare! (number two), and Tough! (number three) should be added to your shelf as well.

Happy Reading!

Miss Laurie

Weird! can be checked out at any Lake County Public Library, or click here http://tinyurl.com/al34zps   and with your library card number and PIN you can place a hold for easy pickup at your favorite branch.

Dare! explores bullying from the bystander's point of view. It is on order and can be placed on hold by clicking here: http://tinyurl.com/b4oh82b

Tough! is the viewpoint of the bully. You can place your hold here:  http://tinyurl.com/be74z7g

BEING FRANK by Donna W. Earnhardt, illustrated by Andrea Castellani

Lexile     Not Rated          Pages     32          Ages     5 and older
 AR Quiz No. 154904 EN Fiction
  IL: LG - BL: 3.3 - AR Pts: 0.5
  AR Quiz Types: RP

Young Frank is, well . . . . frank.  He believes honesty is the best policy - in ALL things.  In his honesty, Frank is alienating everyone - his friends, the principal, and even his mother!  When people start avoiding him he is unhappy.  Hoping to feel better he goes up the street to visit with his Grandpa Ernest.  He tells Grandpa how everyone is upset with him and that he isn't so sure that honesty is, in fact, the best policy.  Grandpa tells him that when he was younger he had felt that way too. Then by example he teaches Frank the fine art of tact. When Mrs. Peacock walks by in a massive, flowered hat and asks Grandpa how he likes it he tells her, "There are an awful lot of flowers up there.  But my favorite is the purple one in the middle."  Frank thinks his grandpa has lied but Grandpa tells him that no, he didn't lie.  He really does like the purple one best. He goes on to explain how to talk about the good things instead of the not-so-good.  The next day Frank tries out Grandpa's approach and finds out that it works!  Everyone is happy again and Frank has learned a valuable lesson.

How often have you experienced the precocious and sometimes embarrassing "out of the mouths of babes" moments?  This is a book that is loads of fun for both children and adults, while teaching the meaning and necessity of tact.  Kids will giggle when Frank tells his teacher her breath smells funny and the principal that his toupee looks like a weasel!  I laughed right out loud when Frank told the police officer that had stopped his mom, "Yes, officer.  She knew how fast she was going.  I told her."  Andrea Castellani's illustrations are brilliant and add to the fun.

I enjoyed Being Frank and think it would be a great addition to any reading list.

Happy Reading!

Miss Laurie

Being Frank can be checked out at any Lake County Public Library, or click here http://tinyurl.com/a8ex9h3  and with your library card number and PIN you can place a hold for easy pickup at your favorite branch.

DOG IN BOOTS by Greg Gormley, illustrated by Roberta Angaramo

Lexile     AD680          Pages     32          Ages 3 - 6

 AR Quiz No. 143289 EN Fiction
  IL: LG - BL: 3.4 - AR Pts: 0.5
  AR Quiz Types: RP

After reading Puss in Boots, Dog decides he needs a pair of fancy boots too so he goes to the shoe store and buys himself some. However, when he gets home and tries to dig up his bone he discovers that boots aren't so good for digging.  He takes them back and exchanges them for rain boots, but those are no good for swimming.  Back he goes to the store and this time he comes home with flippers, which are great for swimming but are of absolutely no use for scratching.  Finally after several exchanges, Dog asks the clerk for something that is good for ALL the things he likes to do.  The clerk replies, "I don't have anything like that, but you do - they're called PAWS!"  Dog is so happy he runs home and does all his favorite things - digging, running, swimming, scratching.  Blissfully worn out, he goes inside to rest and read another book, this one about a girl with a beautiful red cape.  "Hmmmmm . . . ." dog thinks . . . .

Children will love all of the funny shoes Dog wears while learning that sometimes, even though something looks better, what you already have is the best.

With words like splendid, magnificent, awful, and perfect, Dog in Boots will help your child expand their use of descriptive words, and the story lends itself to expansion, letting children use their imaginations to come up with other types of shoes Dog could try and why they would or wouldn't be good choices.

I enjoyed Dog in Boots and think you and your little ones will too!

Happy Reading,

Miss Laurie

Dog in Boots can be checked out at any Lake County Public Library, or click here http://tinyurl.com/9hwzc3q  and with your library card number and PIN you can place a hold for easy pickup at your favorite branch.

JUNGLE HALLOWEEN by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

Lexile     Not Rated          Pages     32          Ages 3 - 5
 AR Quiz No. 64296 EN Fiction
  IL: LG - BL: 2.3 - AR Pts: 0.5
  AR Quiz Types: RP

This book is just plain fun.  In bright, enjoyable, two-page spreads, Cocca-Leffler shows the jungle animals engaged in the fun of preparing for Halloween.

"Jungle painting, Jungle sewing, Jungle carving, Jungle blowing."

Kids will get a good laugh at the costumes - a rhino in a hula skirt, a fairy giraffe, a cowboy crocodile, an elephant in a jester's hat, and more.

If you're looking for a story time hit, Jungle Halloween will do the trick!

Happy Reading,

Miss Laurie

Jungle Halloween can be checked out at any Lake County Public Library, or click here  http://tinyurl.com/8apsm6z  and with your library card number and PIN you can place a hold for easy pickup at your favorite branch.

VAMPIRINA BALLERINA by Anne Marie Pace, illustrated by LeUyen Pham

Lexile     Not Rated          Pages     40          Ages     3 - 7

 AR Quiz No. 153451 EN Fiction
  IL: LG - BL: 3.1 - AR Pts: 0.5
  AR Quiz Types: RP

Vampirina is a little girl vampire who wants to be a ballerina.  She has obstacles to overcome - first, being a vampire, she needs a class that meets at night!  Also, she is nervous about meeting new people, and there is the challenge of her classmates being afraid of her because she is different.  Ballet is hard work but in the end, through practice and perseverance, Vampirina performs beautifully at her recital and is proud that she accomplished her goal.

I like so many things about this book that it's difficult to know where to begin!  First, I guess, is that although she is a vampire, Vampirina is just adorable with her big eyes and glittery hair bow and cape. She knows what she wants and doesn't let anything stand in her way. Even when difficult Vampirina perseveres, knowing that "it doesn't matter if you take one giant leap or many tiny steps, as long as you are moving toward your goal."  There is other good advice, including "Once class begins, keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth closed," and "A mistake here or there is not a reflection on your talent."  I also liked that the story stressed respect for both the other students and the teacher, and it shows Vampirina's support group in Mommy and Daddy vampire, the Frankenstein chauffeur, and even the family pets!

Full of good, practical advice accompanied by charmingly fun illustrations, Vampirina Ballerina is a great addition to any book shelf.

Happy Reading!

Miss Laurie

Vampirina Ballerina can be checked out at any Lake County Public Library, or click here  http://tinyurl.com/98z88v3  and with your library card number and PIN you can place a hold for easy pickup at your favorite branch.

THIS LITTLE PIGGY'S BOOK OF MANNERS by Kathryn Madeline Allen, illustrated by Nancy Wolff

Lexile     Not Rated          Pages     32          Ages 3 - 7

 AR Quiz No. 74246 EN Fiction
  IL: LG - BL: 1.6 - AR Pts: 0.5
  AR Quiz Types: RP

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"This Little Piggy said 'Please,' and 'Thank you,'   

This Little Piggy did not.

This Little Piggy closed his mouth while he ate . . ."

"This Little Piggy forgot."

This book is a great introduction to manners, covering most of the good manners we try to instill in our children. I like that it shows both the good and bad manners, giving a chance to compare the consequences of each.

The illustrations are bright and imaginative, making This Little Piggy's Book of Manners a fun way to learn the mannerly way to behave.

Happy Reading,

Miss Laurie

This Little Piggy's Book of Manners can be checked out at any Lake County Public Library, or click here http://tinyurl.com/9kszmd7 and with your library card number and PIN you can place a hold for easy pickup at your favorite branch.

MISS MINGO and the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL by Jamie Harper

Lexile     AD660          Pages     32          Ages     4 - 8

 AR Quiz No. 108712 EN Fiction
  IL: LG - BL: 3.6 - AR Pts: 0.5
  AR Quiz Types: RP

You know that elephant in the room that no one wants to talk about?  Well, in Miss Mingo (the flamingo)'s class he's joined by a hippo, an alligator, a giraffe and many other fascinating creatures!

On the first day of school, to break the ice Miss Mingo has everyone in the class share something special about themselves.  She starts things off by telling how what she eats is what makes her pink and that she always eats . . . . . upside down! 

So begins the tale of 3,000 teeth (alligator,) an 18 inch tongue (giraffe,) and other fun animal facts.  At the end of the day everyone has made friends with one another and Miss Mingo is excited about the wonderful year she will have with her fabulous class.

In Miss Mingo and the First Day of School, Jamie Harper weaves the perfect mixture of fact and fiction into a fabulous and fun story filled with delightful, humorous illustrations that will show children how being unique is a good thing and that diversity makes life interesting.  Miss Mingo can be applied not only to the first day of school, but to any happening that is scary and new and help your child be less stressed about it.  

Happy Reading,

Miss Laurie

Miss Mingo and the First Day of School can be checked out at any Lake County Public Library, or click here http://tinyurl.com/9qeym9k  and with your library card number and PIN you can place a hold for easy pickup at your favorite branch.