A true and heartwarming story comes from the aftermath caused by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. No one knows for sure how the tailless cat and pup became friends. Did they live in the same house when the storm hit or meet afterwards? What is known is that these two animals share a remarkable friendship and probably would not have survived without each other. Four months after the hurricane, a construction worker found the two of them scrounging food scraps at the site where he worked and took them to a temporary animal shelter. It was there a vet named them Bobbi and Bob Cat. When they were separated, each to a 'dog' or 'cat' room, Bobbi spent the night whining and barking while Bob Cat paced relentlessly. Finally, the workers, hoping to ease the animals' anxiety, relent, and place them in the same cage where they are happily reunited. What they learn next will amaze you!

Awards nominated: Monarch Award Nominee 2011

Reviewed by: ewl

Date read: 3/18/2010

ISBN-10: 0802797547

ISBN-13: 9780802797544

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Given that 99% of all the species that ever existed are now extinct, it is truly amazing to learn about the 1% who not only survive, but are thriving. This book explores these creatures and their ways of adapting in poems. Did you know that the immune systems of sharks are under scientific study? How about that there are more ants than any other animal in the world? 'Ubiquitous: Something that is (or seems to be) everywhere at the same time.' This is a nice combination of poetry and information.

Reviewed by: mec

Date read: 7/1/2011

ISBN-13: 9780618717194

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What would it be like to have Andy Warhol as your uncle? The author grew up in a family of seven children. His father owned a junk business in the country. Whenever they would visit their Uncle Andy, and Bubba (grandma), in New York, they always brought a unique piece of something that could be used as 'art'. Uncle Andy took ordinary things, and portrayed them in an art form that today is called pop art. One morning he woke up in a room full of soup boxes. These were actually wood boxes built, and painted to look like soup boxes, for an exhibition. His uncle encouraged the children to paint, and be creative. He also taught them that art can be full of 'clutter' but, someday, it might be worth something.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/14/2009

ISBN-10: 0142403474

ISBN-13: 9780142403471

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Are you a budding artist? Do you like to create works of art? If so, you will love this book! Many famous works of art are pictured, with a short description of the work, and a brief look at the artist. After each picture is an art project you can do to create your own masterpiece in the style of the featured artist. Most projects do not require a lot of materials. All types of art work are featured: paintings, masks, tiles, collages, and mobiles. The artists come from many different time periods, and worked in many different media. Your creative juices will be flowing after reading this book! Have fun!

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/14/2009

ISBN-10: 0794514529

ISBN-13: 9780794514525

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A beautiful introduction to the wide world of vegetables for children, this picture book features an incredible variety of vegetables and provides simple facts about them. With brightly colored illustrations and informative text, the author introduces the eight different parts of a plant from which we harvest vegetables and provides examples of each. For instance, in the section on root vegetables, the author tells us, 'The roots of these vegetables are eaten. They grow beneath the ground.' On the two-page spread, multiple varieties of beets are pictured along with parsnips, carrots, radishes, a turnip and a rutabaga. The book also includes segments on planting and harvest of vegetables.

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 10/28/2010

ISBN-10: 0823420019

ISBN-13: 9780823420018

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