Letters from Felix: A Little Rabbit on a World Tour by Annette Langen

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Letters from Felix: A Little Rabbit on a World Tour by Annette Langen

Published by Abbeville Press: 1994

Picture Book

Summary:

Felix is the beloved stuffed rabbit of Sophie. While in the airport Sophie loses Felix and is worried she will never see him again. Soon after Sophie received a letter from her beloved Felix – he is in London! Felix is trying to make his way back home. While on his journey Felix visits London, Paris, Rome, Cairo, Kenya, and New York. Felix sends Sophie a letter from each location keeping Sophie updated on his journey home.

Response:

I absolutely adored this story. The one thing I loved about this story was how the book contained actual letters from Felix! A little message from Felix would be tucked inside an envelope attached to the story page. You actually got to read Felix’s letter! I thought this was very neat and really engaging. It adds another element to the story that I feel many readers will enjoy. Though a globetrotting rabbit is not very realistic, it is a super fun story and contains some fun basic facts about the places Felix visits. I would recommend this story for children in grades one to three.

For the Reader:

The book does contain removable parts – the letters. There is the possibility for these to get lost or destroyed and that would greatly affect the telling of the story. Make sure your book has all of its parts and that young readers put everything back when they are done for the next reader to enjoy.

Bubble Homes and Fish Farts by Fiona Bayrock

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Bubble Homes and Fish Farts by Fiona Bayrock

Published by Charlesbridge: 2009

Non-fiction

Summary:

This book explores bubbles and their use in animal life. The book takes the reader through how a variety of different animals use animals, all in somewhat different ways! From sea snails, to seals, and treefrogs each of them use bubbles to help them survive. This fun and informative book adds another element of fun and use to the classic bubbles children enjoy.

Response:

I found this to be a cute and fun book about bubbles. Even as an adult I learned about many new uses of bubbles that I was completely unaware of before. The book is laid out in a very fun manner with animals thought bubbles adding a little humour to the story. The pictures are very appealing and the text is laid out well.

For the Reader:

I would recommend this book for use with children from grade two to four. It can be used as a fairly basic resource book and is written in a more simple language. I am sure a greater range of children would enjoy this book, but I feel it would be primarily appropriate for use in this age range.

The Balloon Tree by Phoebe Gilman

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The Balloon Tree by Phoebe Gilman

Published by Firefly Books: 1997

Picture Book

Summary:

Leora is a young princess who lives with her father, the king, and has a love for balloons. Leora’s father leaves on a trip leaving her in the care of her uncle the archduke. Should anything go wrong she is to release balloons into the sky so that wherever the king is her will see them and come home to her. Soon after the king leaves the archduke tries to take over the kingdom and orders that all balloons in the kingdom are to be destroyed and locks Princess Leora in her room. Once Princess Leora escapes she finds a balloon and plants it using a spell in hopes it will grow into a balloon tree. Magically over night the tree sprout producing more balloons than could be ever imagined. The king seeing these balloons, returns home to save his daughter and his kingdom from the archduke.

Response:

This has been my favourite story every since I was a young girl. I love the fairy tale format and the fact that the girl is the heroine who saves the day rather than the typical male character. A second characteristic I enjoyed was that the main character, and hero, is a child. As a young reader this is something that really appealed to me. Aside from the actual story I find the illustrations (also by Phoebe Gilman) to be absolutely gorgeous. The images are very intricate and detailed and will enthral the reader.

For the Reader:

This is a wonderful story, but one I feel would definitely be more appealing for young girls (especially those who think they are princesses!), rather than boys.

One a side note Phoebe Gilman incorporates her own family into her illustrations. See below for more details!

From: http://www.phoebegilman.com/balloon.html

“My husband, Brian is the king. And yes, he does wear glasses. My older daughter, Ingrid, (whose balloon started it all,) appears on the second page wearing a blue dress. My daughter, Melissa posed as Princess Leora when she was seven years old. Their cousin, Alexis appears on that same page wearing a green dress. The evil Archduke is modeled after a person in a painting by Jan van Eyck. His name was Arnolfini.”

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

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Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Published by Harper Collins: 1977

1978 Newbery Medal Winner

Novel

Summary:

This story follows Jesse, the middle of five children with only sisters, as he befriends the new girl down the road – Leslie. Jesse struggles to find acceptance from his father, who seems to want his only son – Jesse – to be a manly man. Shortly before school start a new family moves in down the road. Their daughter – Leslie – is Jesse’s age and after some time of Jesse trying to avoid it, him and Leslie become close friends. They create their own world, Terabithia, in which they are the rulers of the nation. It is a magical place where their everyday worries melt away. Their friendship grows until a tragic day that threatens Terabithia and all Jesse and Leslie have built.

Response:

I found this book extremely moving and emotional. I began to bond with the characters when they finally began to forage their friendship. Both seemed like somewhat of outsiders (in family or school) and they were able to build a special bond with each other. I felt for Jesse for feeling like he had to hide his the one hobby he truly enjoyed – painting and drawing. This book was first published in 1977 and the use of a somewhat older English language is used. However, I felt that this really added a certain element to the story and the fantasy world of Terabithia that they created. Some days I wish I had my own Terabithia and envy the creative minds that young children have. Leslies death caused my to cry as Jesse lost his one true friend. This may have been emphasized by my own personal experience of losing a friend at a young age. All in all I loved this story.

For the Reader:

As previously mentioned this is an older book and as such is written in a bit of an older English reader. Do not let this turn you away from the wonderful story found within these words.

This book does contain some language that may be viewed as offensive (bitch, damn, hell, lord) though nothing over the top and it is fairly minimal. As well there is some mention of religious beliefs, God and hell. Finally the story does involve childhood death, something which may be emotionally disturbing. However, I my opinion it deals with this in a very appropriate way showing how Jesse works through the death and how he deals with his emotions.

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

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When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

Published by Wendy Lamb Books: 2009

2010 Newbery Medal Winner

Novel

Summary:

This novel follows a sixth grade girl named Miranda through a story she is telling. Miranda is writing a letter to someone, but we do not know who to, or realize what the story is till the end of the book. It starts with Miranda waiting her mother’s upcoming appearance on the $20,000 pyramid. We start with Miranda and Sal who begin to grow distant after Sal is punched on the way home from school one day. Miranda then begins to meet new friends in school, but still longs for her friendship with Sal. Soon after she begins receiving mysterious notes that she does not yet understand. These mysterious notes contain information that no one should know and hint that Miranda will play a part in preventing the death of someone close to here. Follow Miranda as she tells her story of these life changing events.

Response:

I found this book very interesting overall and it was not until the conclusion of the book did I truly come to appreciate the story. Multiple times throughout the story Madeleine L’Engle’s classic A Wrinkle In Time is referenced. However, since I have never read this story I was unable to appreciate this connection. I found the character of Miranda to be very relatable and her friendship struggles very real. The process of growing apart from old friends and gaining new friends is an experience I think most can relate to. I found the patterns in the chapter headings very amusing, and liked how it tied in with her mother’s appearance on the $20,000 pyramid.

For the Reader:

It is a fun and easy read that I think would be appropriate for young readers starting around Gr. 3. I did not find this book amazing by any standard despite the fact it won the 2010 Newberry Medal (which definitely heightened my expectations). However, after reading the book once I think a reader could gain more out of it with a second reading to the nature and organization of the story.   

Sharks by Beverly McMillan & John A. Musick

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Sharks by Beverly McMillan & John A. Musick

Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers: 2008

Non-fiction

Summary:

This is an informational book filled with information about sharks. It is beautifully illustrated with bright, realistic pictures and full of interesting facts. Sharks gives a great overview of sharks as well as their history. The book starts with general information about sharks, what they are, what they look like, and their characteristics. From here it moves on to talk about how sharks live, what they eat, how sharks relate to humans, and explores different species of sharks.

Response:

I am not a shark person by any means so for me this book was just alright. However any shark lover, and many young boys, would love this book. As I started reading I thought back to a Kindergarten student I had in my teaching practicum – he loved sharks and he would have loved this book. The book does a wonderful job of organizing all the information and providing a good balance of facts and information along with fun tid bits. I would recommend this for readers starting right away in Kindergarten. It really addresses a certain category of readers (young boys) that we really want to encourage to read. A book like this I feel would really engage them. Kindergarten is young for them to fully understand everything that goes on in the book, but the pictures are pretty amazing to look at too.

For the Reader:

This is a book about sharks. It is going to show teeth and it may be a little scary. No, there are no sharks eating people, but it does warn you about the possibility. Depending on how you (or parents feel) you may wish to hold back on introducing this book until children are a little older. Personally, I do not see or have a problem allowing children in Kindergarten to be exposed to this. As previously mentioned I saw a book very similar to this in a Kindergarten class where students enjoyed it and parents were fine with it.

Knots in My Yo-yo String by Jerry Spinelli

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Knots in My Yo-yo String by Jerry Spinelli

Published by Alfred A. Knopf: 1998

Non-fiction

Summary:

In this autobiography Jerry Spinelli shares with readers’ highlights and moments from his past. Through the book you get to know a little bit more about who Spinelli really is and where he came from. From his first home, first pet, first grade, first punch, first girlfriend Spinelli shares many firsts with his readers, his love for sports, and how he came to write. Spinelli guides us through the ups and downs in his life – the knots in his yo-yo string – and how he learned to untie them.

Response:

I am not big on biographies, but I really enjoyed this one. Jerry Spinelli tells his story as if it were truly a story. The wonderful thing about this book is that Spinelli is so normal and comes from such a normal background. Spenelli has included personal photos throughout the book which I felt made his story all that more real and helps to show that he is a real person. There are so many things that I could relate to in his story it was amazing. I mean even Jerry Spinelli hated taking out the trash! One thing I found very interesting was how he did so little reading and writing as a child and while he grew up. I sort of assumed it was one of those things you are born with and always do, but it took a while for him to really embrace his calling and passion.

For the Reader:

I would recommend this book for upper elementary children starting at around grade four. One of the neat things about this book is that I think it would really appeal to the boys. Jerry was a typical boy growing up who loved sports, rode his bike, and loved his dog. Many of his stories will be easy for young boys to relate to and it may be a good opportunity to hook them on reading (as Spinelli wishes he had read more) and writing. Also, since I have read some of his books in the past, it was neat to see how his childhood and past have influenced and been reflected in his writing.