Happy Halloween!

Book Review #61

 Creepy Pair of Underwear! 

Author: Aaron Reynolds 

Illustrator: Peter Brown 
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 2017
ISBN:978-1442402980 
Reading Level: 4- 8 years

Main Characters: Jasper Rabbit & his underwear.

Plot: Jasper wants to be a big bunny and wear big bunny underwear.  His underwear is a little creepy and causes Jasper problems. He tries to get rid of them, but they come back again and again. 

Settings: Shopping with Mom, Jasper's room, and other various places. 

Genre/Theme/Style: Underwear, & Halloween.

I Gave This Book 5 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 5 Roars? I love this book! It is the perfect combination of spooky and funny. Great for a Halloween Storytime. Underwear always get a laugh, and creepy underwear gets an even bigger laugh. 

Critical Analysis: A great way to entertain young readers. 

"Balances a really spooky premise with the hilarity that accompanies any mention of underwear....Perfect for those looking for a scary Halloween tale that won't leave them with more fears than they started with." 

~~ Kirkus Reviews

Illustrations: The illustrations are primarily black and white but have a mysterious Halloween green glow. 

Connections: Helping young readers make a pair of their own creepy underwear is a great project for kids. 

Book Review #60

Little Witch Hazel: A Year in the Forest

Author: Phoebe Wahl
Publisher: September, 2021  
ISBN: 978-0735264892

Reading Level: 4-8 years

Main Characters: Little Witch Hazel and the creatures in the forest. 

Plot: A tiny witch that lives in the forest helps the forest creatures. 

Settings: The Mosswood Forest. 

Genre/Theme/Style: Children's Books, Children's Folk Tales, and Myths. 

I Gave This Book 5 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 5 Roars? This is a sweet book that helps children discover nature and teaches nurturing and kindness for all. The illustrations are lovely and children will enjoy reading it over and over.

Critical Analysis: The book covers the four seasons with the Orphaned Egg, The Lazy Day, The Haunted Stump, and The Blizzard. The stories connect the reader to each season of the year and bring nature into focus.  

"A thread of loving and nurturing emerges through this treasury of quiet adventures . . . and readers will find satisfaction in seeing the way [Little Witch Hazel's] sturdy care succors her community and results in gentle reciprocation."  

~~ Publishers Weekly

 "These sweet stories are an ode to the calm and peaceful magic of nature. Little Witch Hazel will make you feel as if you have journeyed deep into Mosswood Forest alongside Hazel and her friends." 

~~ BookPage

Connections: Seasons for kids

Book Review #59

Ten Timid Ghosts

Author: Jennifer O'Connell
Publisher: Cartwheel, 2000
ISBN:978-0439158046
Reading Level: 4 to 8 years

Main Characters: Ten ghosts and a witch

Plot: This is a simple rhyming book that counts backwards as the ghosts leave the house. The witch moves in and wants the ghosts to leave. It does not take much to scare the timid ghosts out of the house. One ghost figures out that it is the witch frightening the ghosts away and teams up with the other ghosts to get rid of the witch.

Settings: A haunted house

Genre/Theme/Style: Children's Picture Book, Rhyming Book, Halloween, Beginning Reader.  

I Gave This Book 4 Roars! 🦁🦁🦁🦁

Why 4 Roars? This is a simple book for younger readers that they can easily understand. It was cute, but I have seen so many counting backwards books for young readers that this one became lost in a sea of plenty. 

Critical Analysis: The illustrations are classic depictions of easily recognizable Halloween images. I like the illustrations but the book lacked anything interesting or unique. 

Connections: Ten Timid Ghosts Read-A-Loud