Children’s Book Review: Mordant’s Wish by Valerie Coursen

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Mordant's Wish

Mordant’s Wish by Valerie Coursen
Photo from Amazon.com

Review by Sandra Horning

Just this week I saw a turtle trying to cross the road. I stopped the car, and my older son hopped out and helped the turtle across the road.

This reminded me of one of my favorite books, Mordant’s Wish. When we came home that night we read Mordant’s Wish and that led me to write this review, which came about in the true spirit of the story, as it is about the way one thing leads to another in an unpredictable, but, nevertheless, interconnected way.

As the story opens, we see Mordant the mole staring at a turtle-shaped cloud in the sky and wishing for a turtle friend. Mordant’s wish is set in motion by blowing on a dandelion puff and thus begins a wonderful chain of events. Because, at that very moment, Calum is riding by on his bike and he sees the dandelion seeds, which remind him of snow, and this makes him decide to stop and get a snow cone. Peanut the bird sees the drips of Calum’s snow cone in the shape of a hat, which reminds her of Aunt Nat, and so off she flies to visit her aunt.

The story continues with each character unknowingly affecting the actions of the next until we get to a turtle being helped across the road and Mordant’s wish finally coming true. It’s a lovely story of serendipity!

Coursen’s beautiful watercolor illustrations flow from one page to the next. Young children of all ages will enjoy this book and, perhaps, it will inadvertently lead you on to a new adventure or to make a wish yourself.

Ages 3-8

Children’s Book Reviews: The Children Who Smelled a Rat by Allan Ahlberg

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The Children Who Smelled A Rat

The Children Who Smelled a Rat by Allan Ahlberg, illustrated by Katharine McEwen
Photo from Amazon.com

Review by Sandra Horning

The Children Who Smelled a Rat is the fourth book in the Gaskitt series by Allan Ahlberg.

The Gaskitt family, Mr. and Mrs. Gaskitt, the twins Gus and Gloria, the baby Gary and the cat Horace, each have their own zany adventure within the book.

First, Mrs. Gaskitt finds a mysterious package in the back of her taxi, next Mr. Gaskitt loses the baby, then Horace meets a bird. Finally, Mrs. Fritter, the twins’ favorite teacher, turns into a crazy lady.

Each chapter zig-zags in and out of each adventure. The twins, Gloria and Gus, are determined to solve the mystery of their teacher gone crazy. Some triplets make a surprising appearance near the end of the story!

My seven-year old-son is having a great time slowly reading each chapter – an excellent book for children just starting to read chapter books. My son was especially fond of chapters 2 ½ and 2 ¾, each of which is only a half page long.

The spreads have lots of interesting little pictures and additional cartoon text to keep young readers interested. My three year old listens in too. Although he misses some of the humor, he gets more than would be expected, and he thoroughly enjoys studying the bright watercolor and crayon illustrations. And the crazy, twisting story easily brings on the laughs.

The book includes many examples of literary devices: chapters, a glossary, a table of contents and even footnotes referencing previous Gaskitt adventures. It’s a great introduction to reading and writing.

The Children Who Smelled a Rat is a fun read with lots of twists to keep children hooked, as well as guessing and laughing, Of course, we’ll now have to find and read the previous Gaskitt stories!

Ages 5-9

Children’s Book Review: Now & Ben by Gene Barretta

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The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin

Now & Ben by Gene Barretta
Photo from Amazon.com

Review by Sandra Horning

Now & Ben, The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin is an ideal book for the little inventor or scientist in your house. And, in my mind, all children are inventors at heart. My two sons are always “inventing” new drinks by mixing juices together or “inventing” a device to send items up and down to each other’s bunk bed.

The book begins with Ben Franklin standing in the past and then moves to a picture of Ben Franklin standing in a busy street in the present. Readers can try to pick out Ben Franklin’s inventions on this page.

The spreads that follow each have a “now” page depicting a modern device or concept and a “Ben” page depicting Ben Franklin with his invention that led to the “now”. This easily helps younger children see the connection between the now and then. Bifocals, electricity, lightning rods and odometers are just a few of the many inventions covered in the book.

Barretta’s enjoyable watercolor cartoons bring the inventions to life on each page. The playful ending spread leaves the reader to imagine how today’s inventions will look in the future. Your children are sure to get busy “inventing” after this read.

Ages 5-9

Children’s Book Review: The Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoberman

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Review by Sandra Horning

The Seven Silly Eaters
Photo from Amazon.com

Does your child go for days eating nothing but macaroni and cheese? If so, then you can easily identify with Mrs. Peters and her seven, picky-eater children in The Seven Silly Eaters.

First born is Peter, who likes his milk not hot and not cold, but only warm. Then comes little Lucy, who only likes pink lemonade, freshly squeezed of course. And the picky eaters continue to be born through to the twins, Fran and Flo, who like eggs, one poached and the other fried. As the children keep popping out, Mrs. Peters becomes more and more overwhelmed by her children’s culinary demands.

Finally, the children resolve the chaos when they attempt to make their mother a birthday cake combining their favorite foods. A very satisfying ending follows that gives every mom hope that the chaos will some day end and suggest that while you are in the midst of the chaos, at least you should have a sense of humor about it.

The wonderful and amusing illustrations supporting the fun rhyming text perfectly depict all that goes on in a home with seven children. Parents and children alike will enjoy this entertaining tale.

Ages 4-8

Children’s Book Review: Mama Mama by Jean Marzollo

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review by Sandra Horning

Mama Mama by Jean Marzollo
Mama Mama by Jean Marzollo, illustrated by Laura Regan

image from Amazon.com

In honor of Mother’s Day this weekend, I couldn’t resist my favorite book celebrating moms and babies. Mama Mama is a heartwarming and gentle poem to comfort you and your baby.

Both of my sons loved this book when they were one and two.

The rhyming text on each page describes how each animal mama cares for and loves its baby. The illustrations portray realistic animals, such as a panda bear cuddling with her baby and a koala bear carrying her baby on her back.

This dear board book is a part of the “Harper Growing Tree” series. (Jean Marzollo also happens to be the author of the popular I Spy books.)

Mama Mama is a lovely tribute to all mothers and their babies.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Ages 0-2

Children’s Book Review: It’s Spring by Samantha Berger and Pamela Chanko

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Review by Sandra Horning

It's Spring book cover
It’s Spring by Samantha Berger and Pamela Chanko, illustrated by Melissa Sweet
image from Amazon.com

With the daffodils blooming in my yard, It’s Spring has been on my mind all week. It’s the perfect book to celebrate spring with your little ones.

Rhyming text and darling illustrations tell the story of the robin singing to the rabbit that spring is here. The rabbit tells the deer, and the news of spring continues among the animals until they finally wake up the bears. Each animal along the way notes another sign of spring — the same signs you may have noticed in your own yard or nearby park.

This is a wonderful board book for toddlers, and it was also printed as a Hello Reader, Level 2, which means it would also be great for the beginning reader in your family. Happy Spring!

Ages 3-7

Children’s Book Review: The Biggest Bed in the World by Lindsay Camp

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Review by Sandra Horning

The Biggest Bed in the World book cover
The Biggest Bed in the World by Lindsay Camp, illustrated by Jonathan Langley
image from Amazon.com

Have you ever woken up with a little foot in your face or stomach? If you answered yes, The Biggest Bed in the World is a must read for you and your children.

Little Ben starts off sleeping in bed with his mom and dad, but as Ben gets bigger, Ben’s dad has trouble sleeping. A bigger bed solves the problem, that is, until Ben’s brother is born. Then they get an even bigger bed and the twins are born.

And after that triplets arrive!

As you can imagine, the bed just can’t handle the crowd. So dad makes the biggest bed in the world and still can’t sleep. Finally, all of the children are put in beds of their own. But dad still can’t sleep because the bed feels too empty.

Langley’s gentle pencil-and-watercolor illustrations bring out the warmth and humor of Camp’s text. This silly story poking fun at the realities of life with young children is sure to please children and parents of all ages.

Ages 3-7

Children’s Book Review: Punk Farm by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

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Review by Sandra Horning

Punk Farm
Punk Farm by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
image from Amazon.com

If you want to spice up the traditional version of “Old MacDonald Had a Farm,” then add , a rock-n-roll version of “Old MacDonald,” to your reading list.

Tired from working hard all day, Farmer Joe goes to bed, but Sheep, Pig, Goat, Chicken and Cow’s night has just begun as they get their band together to rehearse. After rehearsing, they perform a rock concert, featuring “Old MacDonald,” for the rest of the farm animals.

The illustrations start off with farmyard colors and become jazzy and bold as the story continues. The recommended age is 4-8, but my three-year-old sure loves this book. The fun illustrations with short and simple text easily keep the attention of preschool children. You can even listen to the song on the book’s website.

Ages 4-8

Children’s Book Review: Mop to the Rescue by Martine Schapp

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Review by Sandra Horning

Mop to the Rescue at Amazon.com

Mop to the Rescue by Martine Schapp, illustrated by Alex de Wolf
image from Amazon.com

Fans of Ladybug magazine will be happy to learn that the comic strip stories of Mop the dog and his redheaded twin owners, Julie and Justin, can be checked out of your local library. Schapp and de Wolf, a husband-and-wife team, create silly and simple stories with cheery and fun watercolor illustrations, just right for young children.

The first cartoon begins with Mop joining the family. The cartoons that follow range from Julie and Justin performing a puppet show with Mop to Mop’s snores scaring Julie and Justin’s cousin. Cartoons can sometimes be hard to read aloud, but my children have always enjoyed hearing the adventures of Mop and the twins.

Ages 2-6

Children’s Book Review: Sweet Jasmine, Nice Jackson by Robie H. Harris

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Review by Sandra Horning

Sweet Jasmine, Nice Jackson
Sweet Jasmine, Nice Jackson: What It’s Like To Be 2 – And To Be Twins! by Robie H. Harris, illustrated by Michael Emberley
image from Amazon.com

Sweet Jasmine, Nice Jackson (from the Growing Up Stories series) follows the energetic day-to-day activities of two-year-old African American twins, Jasmine and Jackson. They shout “No,” learn to get dressed by themselves, ask questions, throw tantrums and even pee on the potty as they grow up and experience life at the age of two.

Each spread includes a box of factual text providing interesting information about twins and explaining why two-year-olds do the things they do.

Emberley’s watercolor, pastel and ink drawings cheerfully portray the twins as they go about their life at this stage. The text is written for an older sibling or child, but some patient younger children may also enjoy listening. Parents and children will all learn something from Jasmine and Jackson.

Ages 4-7