Pre- and Re- , Mis- and Di- by Brian P. Cleary-ADVISABLE

 Cleary, Brian P, ill. By Martin Goneau. Pre-and Re- Mis and Dis-, pgs. 32. Millbrook Press, 2013. $16.95. INFOEMATION.

What is a prefix and what does it mean? This book explains this and ore in a catchy, simple text for young readers or for those struggling with the language concept. The illustrations are colorful, fun, and complements the text well. A useful for teachers and young readers alike, this book would make a great addition to an early elementary library. EL (K-3). ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Jessica Moody, Library Media Specialist, Olympus Jr. High

Good Night, Mouse by Jed Henry -- ADVISABLE

Henry, Jed Good Night, Mouse! PICTURE BOOK. HMH Books for Young Readers, 2013.  $16.99. Content: G.

Little Mouse can't sleep. Good thing he has a whole cast of woodland friends eager to help him beat his insomnia. Each takes turns giving Mouse suggestions, from filling up on bugs before bed to finding a soft, cozy place to sleep. But it takes Bat -- and a little creativity -- to finally get Mouse to drift off.

Good Night, Mouse! is a nice addition to the selection of books addressing the topic of insomnia. The illustrations are pretty and the text is very lyrical, although the two don't completely come together. This makes the story unclear at times, and I often found myself having to explain who is saying what -- and why. Still, it's a sweet pre-bed book that's great for lap readings, especially during the third or fourth reading, when the story is already understood and the words and illustrations can be enjoyed for what they are.

Pre-K, EL (K-3) -- ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Caryn.

Charlie's Snow Day by Ree Drummond -- ADVISABLE

Drummond, Ree Charlie the Ranch Dog: Charlie's Snow Day, illustrated by Diane deGroat, 32 pgs. PICTURE BOOK. HarperCollins, 2013. Content: G.

What an exciting day! Charlie the ranch dog has woken up to discover that snow fell during the night. He can't wait to go play, but it turns out that the snow is, well, cold. And deep. And hard to run in. And basically not as fun as it looks. Just as he's ready to go back inside, though, Charlie learns his friend Walter is missing -- and he's the only one who can find him. Suddenly there's something a lot more important than warming up his frozen ears and paws: saving the day.

This simple story is told in the dog's viewpoint. It would be especially good to use near the first snow of the year, when many kids charge out into the cold with enthusiasm but, like Charlie, end up overdoing it and become chilled and fatigued. Would also make a good opener to lessons about proper winter protection (hat, gloves, etc.) or overlooking temporary discomfort to help others who are in need.

EL (K-3) -- ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Caryn.

Dig, Dogs, Dig: A Construction Tail by James Horvath - ADVISABLE

Horvath, James  Dig, Dogs, Dig: A Construction Tail HarperCollins, 2013.  $15.99  PICTURE BOOK  Content: G.  

In this construction book, dogs wake up and get ready for the day.  Then they use all of the big construction trucks to build a dog park.  While building they find a dinosaur bone that they later use in the center of the park.  

This book rhymes and has bright and colorful illustrations of a construction site.  It combines dogs and trucks which will hold most any little boys attention.  

PREK, EL (K-3)-ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

Just Big Enough by Mercer Mayer - ADVISABLE

Mayer, Mercer  Just Big Enough  HarperFestival, 2013.  $3.99  PICTURE BOOK  Content:G.  

Little Critter is annoyed because the big kids at his school have taken his place on the bus, they won’t let him play with them at recess and they hogged all the cupcakes at lunch time.  He builds a growing machine, because he figures if he grows taller then he will be able to do all the things big kids can do, but it doesn’t work.  When he goes to visit his grandpa at the farm his grandpa shows that sometimes smaller is better.  

Little Critter books are great ways to talk with little kids about their feelings.  The illustrations are adorable and the story is simple with issues that are important to kids.  This is another great Little Critter book.  

PREK, EL (K-3)-ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

Everyone Sleeps by Marellus Hall - ADVISABLE

Hall, Marellus  Everyone Sleeps Penguin, 2013.  $16.99  PICTURE BOOK  Content: G.  

A pug dog watches everyone in his home go to sleep, but he can’t go to sleep.  So the dog goes outside and watches all kinds of different animals and the different ways they sleep.  He comes across a herd of sheep and while counting them gets tired, so he heads home to where his owner is upstairs in her room, also having trouble sleeping.  The pug finally falls asleep.  

This book is told in rhyme and is a fun read aloud.  The adorable illustrations of the pug dog and other animals make for a sweet goodnight story.  The storyline isn’t compelling, but it’s soothing and perfect to put little ones to bed to.  

PREK, EL (K-3)-ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

Robots, Robots, Everywhere by Sue Fliess - ADVISABLE

Fliess, Sue  Robots, Robots, Everywhere Illustrated by Bob Staake Golden Books, 2013.  $3.99  PICTURE BOOK  Content: G.  

Robots are everywhere-at work, outside and in the home.  They do all sorts of jobs-vacuum, make donuts and build cars.  Everyone wants a robot.  Told in rhymes this book shows all sorts of fun made up robots.  The colors are bright and cartoonish and the robots and kids seem to be having lots of fun.  There are only 1-2 sentences per page layout making this a quick read.  

PREK, EL (K-3)-ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

This Is the Rope: A Story of the Great Migration by Jacqueline Woodson - ADVISABLE

Woodson, Jacqueline  This Is the Rope:  A Story of the Great Migration  Illustrated by James Ransome Penguin, 2013.  $16.99  PICTURE BOOK  Content: G.  

This is a story about a rope that spanned three generations of women from the South through their migration to the North.  The grandmother used the rope to play jump rope under her tree in the south, then sent it with her daughter when she moved north with her family.  When the daughter lived in the north, she used the rope to hang the laundry and then when the granddaughter was little she also used the rope to play jump rope.  When the granddaughter played jump rope at the end, her grandparents and parents are watching her.  

There is a lot of implied history throughout this book.  It doesn’t explain what the Great Migration was, or what it was like to live it, but it gives a simple feel for generations being connected even when time is changing and they live in different places.  This is a great start to introducing the idea of the Great Migration to little kids.   The illustrations are beautiful as well.  

EL (K-3)-ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.    

Man of Steel: Superman's Superpowers by Lucy Rosen - ADVISABLE

Rosen, Lucy Man of Steel: Superman’s Superpowers  Illustrated by Andie Tong  HarperCollins, 2013.  $3.99 EARLY READER  Content: G.  

This early reader concentrates on Clark Kent when he was growing up and coming into his powers.  His parents always knew he wasn’t going to be a normal little boy because they found him in a crashed alien vessel, but when Clark started to get x-ray vision and laser eyesight he was upset because he wanted to be like everyone else.  His parents taught him that he could use his powers for good or evil.  Clark Kent decided to use his powers for good and became known as Superman.  

This is a fun look at how Superman decided to become a superhero.  The illustrations are comic strip style.  There is between 2-5 sentences depending on the page, so it’s a more advanced early reader, but a great addition for your superhero section of the library.  

EL (K-3)-ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

I'm a Frog by Mo Willems -ESSENTIAL

Willems, Mo I’m a Frog 53 pgs. Random House Books for Young Readers, 2013. $14.99  Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

Gerald is pretty worried, why? Piggie has turned into a frog! How could this happen. Finally Piggie talks to him about Pretend. Now that the air has been cleared, Piggie wants Gerald to pretend to be a frog too. But Gerald is having none of that! Will he give in and pretend to be a frog, of does he have a better idea?

Is it cliché to always rate Mo Willems books as essential? Because I am a willing to be called corrupt. This book is a must have to add to your library collection! Not only because the author is wildly popular with students of all ages, but because this book is funny, silly, smart, and has a big heart. I have been able to add many of his books into various lessons, so they are useful and much loved.

EL (K-3) –ESSENTIAL Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

Barbie: A Boo-tiful Halloween! by Mary Man-Kong and Emily Ocasio

Man-Kong, Mary and Emily Ocasio  Barbie: A Boo-tiful Halloween! Illustrated by Kellee Riley  Random House, 2013.  $4.99  PICTURE BOOK Content: G.  

Barbie and her three sisters are celebrating Halloween by decorating the house, eating tasty treats and dressing in their costumes.  They go outside to join the neighborhood parade and trick or treat.  When they get to their friend’s house they are scared because a ghost comes running at them, but it’s just their friend’s dog.  They have a great holiday together.  

This is a typical Barbie book with lots of dressing up and hanging out with friends.  There is not really a story line, just a basic description of Halloween.  Some of the pictures can glow in the dark after you put them up to the lamp for 30 seconds.  If your kids like Barbie, they will not be disappointed.  

EL (K-3)-OPTIONAL.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

1-2-3 Peas by Keith Baker - ADVISABLE

Baker, Keith  1-2-3 Peas  Beach Lane Books, 2012.  $16.99  PICTURE BOOK  Content: G.  

This is a counting book from 1-10, then counting by tens to one hundred (it skips the teens).  The counting is done with some rhyming and there are peas to illustrate the number amount.  The peas are ADORABLE!  

I think kids will have fun counting the peas, but the kids would have to be older to count as high as one hundred.  Which brings me to the conundrum of this book-it’s cute and fun for preschool kids learning how to count, but because it skips the teens and then starts going by the tens it would have to be for older kids who might think they are too old for the cute little peas.  It’s an adorable book and a fun concept, so regardless of my worries I think it’s advisable.  

EL (K-3)-ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

Miracle Mud by David A. Kelly - ADVISABLE

Kelly, David A.  Miracle Mud  Illustrated by Oliver Dominguez  Millbrook Press, 2013.  $16.95  PICTURE BOOK  Content: G.  

In the 1910’s a man named Lena Blackburne was a baseball player then he became a coach and over his time on the field he recognized a problem with the baseballs.  In an attempt to get the balls to not shine, players would soak them in water which would make them hard to predict and baseballs were a complaint throughout the game.  Blackburne while fishing noticed some special mud next to his favorite fishing hole and took it back to the baseball field to try on the balls.  It worked perfectly and since then baseballs fields have been using his mud for 75 years-it’s the only thing officially allowed on baseballs.  

This is an interesting aspect of the game of baseball that I think few know about.  The pictures are fantastic and the story is short and concise.  The ending of the book has a couple of detailed pages about Lena Blackburne and the mud that made it into the hall of fame.  

EL (K-3)-ADVSIABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

Batman: Battle in Metropolis by John Sazaklis - ADVISABLE

Sazaklis, John  Batman: Battle in Metropolis HarperFestival, 2013.  $3.99  PICTURE BOOK  Content: G.  

Batman and Superman come together to thwart the evil plan of the Joker and Lex Luther.  Joker steals a precious stone from the museum and Lex Luther wants in on the trouble, but Joker decides he doesn’t want to share and kidnaps Luther.  Superman comes to figure out the problem, and the Joker puts the precious stone around Superman—it turns out to be kryptonite and Batman has to save Superman.  The two heroes eventually save the day.  

This is a fun superhero book because you get Batman and Superman working together.  The storyline is interesting and action packed.  There are about 5-6 sentences per page, making it longer and harder than an early reader, but my kids enjoyed listening to the story.  Great for kids who like the superheroes.  

EL (K-3)-ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson. 

Black and Bittern was Night by Robert Heidbreder - OPTIONAL

Heidbreder, Robert Black and Bittern was Night Illustrated by John Martz  Kids Can Press, 2013.  $16.95  PICTURE BOOK  Content: G.  

In this book, the skeletons scare all of the town people on Halloween night, so they won’t let their kids out to trick or treat.  The kids will not be deterred, however, and decide to scare the skeletons right back.  In the end the kids in their costumes out scare the real skeletons, and then they are able to go trick-or-treating.  

This is a rhyming story using nonsensical words that have a good cadence.  It sounds fun when read aloud, but it’s mostly confusing because the words used aren’t real words.  The pictures are clean and simple and it is a Halloween book, but there are better Halloween books out there.  

EL (K-3)-OPTIONAL.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

Up the Creek by Nicholas Oldland - ESSENTIAL

Oldland, Nicholas  Up the Creek Kids Can Press, 2013.  $16.95  PICTURE BOOK  Content: G.  

Moose, Bear and Beaver are best friends and they often disagree, so when they decide to go for a canoe trip together it turns into a big adventure.  They have to learn to get along to survive and they each end up using their strengths to get them safely down the river.  In the end they decide to walk back up the river instead of using the canoe.  

This is a humorous look at the need to work together.  These three animals are adorable illustrations and when they have trouble on the river the pictures make you laugh.  This is my favorite kind of picture book-humor, short text with a good moral and clean illustrations.  Great addition to any library.  

EL (K-3)-ESSENTIAL.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

Epic: Welcome to Moonhaven by Annie Auerbach - OPTIONAL

Auerbach, Annie  Epic: Welcome to Moonhaven  HarperFestival, 2013.  $3.99  PICTURE BOOK  Content: G.  

This book introduces the reader to characters from the movie Epic.  Mary Katherine is a human who finds tiny forest creatures living in her yard.  She is magically shrunk down and finds herself involved in saving the forest from the evil Boggen.  She meets many new friends and learns from her father that just because you can’t see something doesn’t mean it’s not there.  

The illustrations in this book are picture frames from the movie.  The storyline is based on the characters, but still does a good job of summarizing the conflict from the movie.  This is similar to other Epic picture books so if you already have one this isn’t anything new.  I think that if you have kids that liked the movie they will like this book.  

EL (K-3)-OPTIONAL.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.  

Fancy Nancy: Apples Galore! by Jane O'Connor - ADVISABLE

O’Connor, Jane  Fancy Nancy: Apples Galore!  Illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser and Ted Enik  Harper, 2013.  $16.99  EARLY READER  Content: G.  

Nancy’s class goes to an apple orchard for a field trip.  Her partner is Lionel, and he is a prankster.  Because he pranks so much, when he finally does get himself in a precarious situation and actually needs help nobody believes him.  Nancy helps him though and she ends up getting some Gala apples like her dad loves.  

This is a typical Fancy Nancy in the fact that it has adorable illustrations and Nancy is a good girl who likes to help others, but Lionel is a bit naughty and frustrating.  He doesn’t listen to the teacher and he has to suffer the consequences.  This is an easy reader with around four short sentences per page layout.  

EL (K-3)-ADVISABLE.

Jumping Penguins by Jesse Goossens - OPTIONAL

Goossens, Jesse Jumping Penguins Illustrated by Marije Tolman  Lemniscaat, 2013.  $19.95  PICTURE BOOK  Content: G.  

This is a book full of random animal facts.  The facts are interesting such as, giraffes have no vocal chords, but some are disgusting like a caterpillar throws its poop to get wasps to leave it alone.  There are only a sentence or two on some animals, others have a paragraph or two. 

This is not a comprehensive look at animals, but a bunch of random and interesting facts.  The illustrations are whimsical and not scientific.  The colors are pastel and light, except there are a few pages that show animals eating bloody meat which is not consistent with the style.  The facts are fascinating and I find myself spouting them off randomly to my family, which would make the book advisable, but the pictures and facts feels disjointed.  Overall, it’s an interesting blend of styles-scientific fact with fantastical drawings.  

EL (K-3)-OPTIONAL.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

The King of Little Things by Bil Lepp - ADVISABLE

Lepp, Bil  The King of Little Things  Illustrated by David T. Wenzel  Peachtree, 2013.  $16.95  PICTURE BOOK  Content: G.  

There is a king who rules over the small things of this world.  He doesn’t care to have the big extravagant things that kings normally have.  Then there is a king who likes to have beg things and he takes all the kingdoms in all the land so he can have the biggest kingdom. He has the biggest army and when he learns that the King of Little Things is still in his kingdom he tries to lock him up.  The little things start causing havoc throughout the land until the people insist that King Normous let the King of Little Things go.  

This is a book about not taking little things for granted.  Sometimes bigger seems better, but we need to look around us and appreciate the little parts that make the whole.  The illustrations are detailed and there is an I Spy element to the book. 

 EL (K-3)-ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.