Have you ever wondered about the secret life of a snowman? Maybe one morning his hat is in a different place, or his tree-branch arms have drooped, and you might think, 'What do snowmen do at night?' At night, when everyone is sleeping, the snowman games begin. They have races, make snow angels, play baseball, and have the world's best snowball fights. Finally, they are all tired out, and one by one, they go home. So, if your snowman's grin is crooked, you'll know what he's been doing late at night.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 6/15/2009

ISBN-10: 0803725507

ISBN-13: 9780803725508

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In the story, So Far From the Sea, Eve Bunting uses the emotions and wisdom of Laura Iwasaki to gently and simply tell the story of the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II. Through the unique use of black and white illustrations to depict the past and colored drawings to illustrate the present, we are told the story of Laura's family. As she gingerly walks through the deserted Manzanar Relocation Camp, Laura explains to us how her grandfather, father, and mother were taken from their homes after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and kept behind barbed wire to 'protect America'. She attempts to share with us her feelings and those of her family as they visit the grave of her grandfather. Laura's family will soon be moving to Massachusetts, so she must make one last visit to say good-bye to a grandfather she has never met. She tells us of her sorrow at having to leave behind her grandfather, 'a true American', who will be forever, 'so far from the sea' that he loved.

Similar authors: Ken Mochizuki; Suzanne Lieurance; Michael L. Cooper

Similar books: Baseball Saved Us by Ken Mochizuki; Remembering Manzanar: Life in a Japanese Relocation Camp by Michael L. Cooper; The Lucky Baseball: My Story in a Japanese American Internment Camp

Reviewed by: mb

Date read: 6/24/2011

ISBN-10: 0395720958

ISBN-13: 9780395720950

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Dog lived in the noisiest part of Bialystok. When he could take the racket no more, Dog set off for the country to find a quieter place to live. On his first night in his new home, a gang of howling and yowling, hissing and screeching cats terrorize him, destroying his newfound peace and quiet. Inspired by a Jewish folk tale, how Dog outwits the rascally cats makes for a humorous, satisfying story.

Reviewed by: caroll

Date read: 7/13/2009

ISBN-10: 0618159827

ISBN-13: 9780618159826

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Splat is worried about his first day of school and does everything he can to stay home. He goes reluctantly but brings his best friend Seymour, a mouse, for company. To his surprise, the teacher states that all cats chase mice. That day Splat learned that school can be a great place and he proves to the class that a mouse can be a friend.

Awards nominated: Monarch Award Nominee 2011

Reviewed by: rn

Date read: 4/9/2010

ISBN-10: 0060831545

ISBN-13: 9780060831547

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Little Boy goes to spend the night at his grandma's house. He gets scared all alone in the big brass bed so Grandma brings in her menagerie of animals to keep him company. Sit back and let the animals and the squeaky door amuse you. What will the sounds be once the squeaky door is fixed?

Awards nominated: Monarch Award Nominee 2011

Reviewed by: jb

Date read: 3/23/2010

ISBN-10: 0060283734

ISBN-13: 9780060283735

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