A Library Book for Bear

A Library Book for Bear
by Bonny Becker; illus. by Kady MacDonald Denton
32 pages; ages 3-7
Candlewick, 2014

"Bear had never been to the library. He has seven very nice books at home..." And as far as bear was concerned, those were all the books he would ever need.

Themes: friendship, pickles, books

Opening: "One morning, Bear heard a tap, tap, tapping on his door. When he opened the door, there was Mouse, small and gray and bright-eyed." Mouse is ready to go to the library, but now Bear is having second thoughts. He doesn't need any more books.

What I love about this book: Mouse's insistence that there are "many delightful books in the library" - and his never-give-up attitude. Also his never-ending assistance in finding books for Bear.
"Rocket ships! Ridiculous!" says Bear.
"I am not interested in wooden canoes!" declares Bear.
All Bear wants is to go back home.... until he hears the story lady reading a book about his very favorite thing: pickles.

Beyond the book: When was the last time you went to the library to look for a book? And was it the same kind of book you always check out? If so, maybe you need to go on a Library Adventure. Here are a few ideas:

• Look for the biggest book in the library. Then take your picture next to it. 
• Travel somewhere exotic. Spin the globe and choose a country. Then find some travel books to check out for an armchair adventure. Hop on the computer and look for photos of the country you've chosen. Make a map of your "travels" and draw some "photos" to show what you did or where you went.
• Go to the cookbook section and find a new recipe. Then go to the store (and farmer's market), get the ingredients, and get cooking. 
• Look through the books on plants and animals and learn to identify something new. Then go out and look for it.
• Find a book of Baby names and make a list of funny name combinations. Then adopt a new name for the day.
• Check out a book by an author you have never read before.

Today we're joining PPBF (perfect picture book Friday), an event in which bloggers share great picture books at Susanna Leonard Hill's site. She keeps an ever-growing list of Perfect Picture Books.  Review copy provided by publisher.

Frank Einstein and the Antimatter Motor

Frank Einstein and the Antimatter Motor

By Jon Scieszka; illustrated by Brian Biggs

192 pages; ages 8-12

Amulet Books (Abrams), 2014

Frank Einstein loves figuring out how the world works by creating household contraptions that are part science, part imagination, and definitely unusual – at least that’s how the book jacket introduces this book.

But Frank wants to build something grander than a toaster and more intricate than his Rube-Goldberg alarm clock. He’s busy building a robot that learns to learn – or, in the parlance of I. Robot, a robot with artificial intelligence. But one that still follows Asimov’s three rules of robotics.

But what he really wants to do is build something awesome enough to win the Midville Science Prize and maybe save Grandpa’s Fix-It shop.

With Klink and Klank (robots, not car guys) and a lot of work, Frank develops an antimatter motor. But evil-genius T. Edison steals the smartbots for his own nefarious purposes. If you know nothing about subatomic particle physics or Higgs-Boson, never fear. All you need to know is that this book is full of science fiction adventure that will keep you turning pages till the end.

Even science fiction books have back matter. This one has Robot notes at the end and some bad robot jokes, plus some graph paper to sketch your own designs for smart bots – or whatever you plan to build for the school science fair.

Today we're joining other bloggers at the Marvelous Middle Grade Monday Round-up over at Shannon Messenger's blog. Review copy provided by publisher.

Penguin's Hidden Talents

Penguin's Hidden Talent
by Alex Latimer
32 pages; ages 4-8
Peachtree publisher, 2014

"The BIG annual Talent Show was just around the corner... and everyone was practicing."

themes: friendship, finding your own gift

Everyone has a talent except Penguin... he can't bake or read a map or knit a sweater. Bear juggles, rabbit does magic tricks, and albatross can swallow humongous fish.

What I love about this book: Penguin is a good sport. He tries many things... but they just don't suit him. So while his friends practice their acts for the show, Penguin helps organize the show.

I also love the art. I love Penguin and Bear... how simple they are and yet how much expression is squeezed into their spare illustrated selves. This sort of art gives me hope that I might discover my hidden talent.

Beyond the book: What sort of talents do you and your friends have? Can you juggle? Do card tricks? Dance on a tightrope? Build things out of blocks or recycled toilet paper tubes? Draw? Write poetry? Sing? If you're not sure, try a few things. Hint: if you've never tried to juggle before, don't start with toasters or tomatoes.

If you have a pet, what sort of talents do they have? Can they do tricks? Locate lost items? Count to three?

Put on a talent show. Gather a group of friends, and have some fun. Make some posters and invite people to enjoy the show. Does someone have the talent to make popcorn?

Today we're joining PPBF (perfect picture book Friday), an event in which bloggers share great picture books at Susanna Leonard Hill's site. She keeps an ever-growing list of Perfect Picture Books.  Review copy provided by publisher.