Asha is a giant fish who was originally part of a fountain in the park. Clara, a little girl, makes friends with Asha, and they have adventures together, like flying in the night sky together. Whether you regard Asha as Clara's imaginary friend or see this book as portraying a magical world where a fish in a fountain can become a little girl's friend and accompany her everywhere, this is a great title about friendship and imagination. The story takes place as bed time approaches, and while the illustrations are colorful and dynamic in composition, muted tones and soft lines give the story a calm, gentle feel.

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 2/26/2010

ISBN-10: 1596430311

ISBN-13: 9781596430310

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'Good afternoon, Mister Giant, Sir. I have come to make a bet with you,' says Clever Beatrice. You see, Beatrice and her mom have no food or money. But there is a giant through the woods: he is very rich, but not very clever. Beatrice, who is a clever young girl, decides to go see this giant and take as much of his money as she can by making him bets. Amused, the giant agrees, only to be hoodwinked again and again by this clever, young girl. Is Beatrice strong enough to knock down the front door of the giant's house, throw a railroad rail further, or carry more buckets of water? Let's put it this way: Beatrice and her mom have plenty of food and money. But how did this little girl beat this big giant?

Similar books: Clever Beatrice and the Best Little Pony by Margaret Willey(J 398.20973 WIL)

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 6/29/2009

ISBN-10: 0689832540

ISBN-13: 9780689832543

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Cat, dog, pig, and duck climb aboard Mr. Horse for a ride. 'Faster,' they beg and horse agrees. Will 'faster' lead to disaster? A simple book with engaging illustrations that depicts animals enjoying a ride on a horse in the same way a child might enjoy riding on a parent's shoulders, with a feeling of safety, familiarity, and excitement.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/28/2009

ISBN-10: 1905417039

ISBN-13: 9781905417032

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Living in the town of Chewandswallow was wonderful. All your meals, cooked and ready to eat, rained, snowed, or hailed down from the sky. Each day, the town's people would carry their plates, glasses, and silverware outside to catch whatever the weather served. Sometimes it would rain soup and juice. Other days it would snow mash potatoes and green peas. You never knew what the weather would bring. Each day, the town's Sanitation Department did a remarkable job of cleaning up the leftovers. Life in Chewandswallow was perfect, until one day the weather started to get out of hand. The food falling from the sky started to get larger, heavier, overcooked, or undercooked. A storm of pancakes and maple syrup nearly destroyed the whole town. The Sanitation Department couldn't keep up. So the town's people did the only thing they could do. They made ships out of bread and sailed away to find a new home. After sailing on the open seas for a few days, they finally reached a small town. There, they were welcomed with open arms. Everyone from Chewandswallow was happy with their new lives. However, it did seem odd to them that now they would have to get their meals from the grocery store instead of the sky.

Similar authors: Chris Van Allsburg;

Similar books: The Marshmallow Incident by Judi Barrett Never Take a Shark to the Dentist by Judi Barrett Pickles to Pittsburgh: the sequel to Cloudy with a Chance of Meatball by Judi Barrett Zathura by Chris Van Allsburg

Reviewed by: mb

Date read: 7/1/2011

ISBN-10: 0689707495

ISBN-13: 9780689707490

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In this story set during war time, we meet Ada Ruth, her mother, and grandmother. The family doesn't have enough money, and Ada Ruth's mother needs to leave to find work. She tells Ada Ruth, 'They're hiring colored women in Chicago since all the men are off fighting in the war.' Ada Ruth misses her mother terribly, and while a tiny kitten Ada Ruth and her grandmother find brings her some comfort, nothing can heal her sadness at missing her mother. She and her grandmother hope for the time when a letter will come saying her mother will be 'Coming on home soon.' This is a thoughtful tale, artfully written, about the emotional experience of missing a parent who has to be away. The book received a Caldecott Honor award for its illustrations.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 6/29/2009

ISBN-10: 0399237488

ISBN-13: 9780399237485

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