This is It is a poetic story of a young ballerina and how she explores herself through dance. The author-illustrator, Daria Peoples-Riley, also tells the child to be strong, that when you are you there is nothing you cannot do. The illustrations match the text with their soft colors, yet at the same time, they pop off the page. They are as bold as how the narrator wants the child to be. The publisher description says that this is a book about movement, individuality and […]
Monster Power
Science is made fun in Magic School Bus Rides Again: Monster Power: Exploring Renewable Energy (based on Joanna Cole’s original series). This time Judy Katschke takes this new series for higher chapter book readers through the types of renewable energy. Due to this being the second book, there are a few characters the reader from the original series or the original cartoon watcher might not recognize. However, that does not take away from the story plus it is a stand-alone title as well. What we […]
The Poet X
First, this book is not due until March of this year (this is a perk of working in an Independent Bookstore: getting to see some books before they are officially out). Second, this is told in prose poetry, so the format will not be for everyone. However, for me (as an alleged poet and a lover of good stories regardless of format) this is a great way for an author to tell their story by saying so much with few words. Finally, it is also […]
Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol
Andres and his parents have moved again. This time, next to a boy his age. Great! Right? Well maybe not as Desmond seems a bit… odd. To say the least. Especially for someone as normal as Andres. However, when supernatural things start to happen, Desmond is exactly what Andres needs to save the day in this first of a new series. Very basic text and basic illustrations scattered through the book mark this as a book for that early chapter readers (ages 7-9). Andres breaking […]
Nick the Knight, Dragon Slayer
Nick the Knight wants to fight a dragon. And just his luck, there is a dragon, Breakhorn, that everyone is afraid of that lives on top of the mountain near his home. This is the perfect chance for him to prove how brave of a knight he really is. However, Breakhorn does not feel like fighting. Nick comes up with clever ways of trying to get Breakhorn to fight. However, Breakhorn just does not want to fight. No matter what Nick tries. What is a […]
Libba: The Magnificent Musical Life of Elizabeth Cotten
I have one word about this book: Chills. It gave me chills to read. Chills to look at the illustrations. Chills to hear the story of Elizabeth Cotton. She had always heard music, but when she was a child she borrowed her brother’s guitar and taught herself to play. But not just in the usual way. She was left handed and had to play her brothers guitar “upside down and backwards” to make it feel right. Over the years she played and wrote songs. But […]