Opposites by Ingrid and Dieter Schubert –NO

Schubert, Ingrid and Dieter Opposites 32 pgs. Lemniscaat USA, 2013. $14.01.  Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G. PICTURE BOOK.

This book presents one-word opposites, with large illustrated pages. It features tons of animals to create the events for each scene. Examples are asleep and awake, normal and crazy, brave and scared.

The illustrations are muted and very odd. The Sad scene shows what appears to be a dead Owl and a little open grave! The Brave scene features a raccoon with a club waiting to hit something hiding in a cave. It also shows a pig hold two crocodiles with their mouths tied up so that his pig friend can run on their backs. Some of the other scenes are just confusing. Wet is pretty good, but Dry features a river and a bucket of water! This book is just flat out not clear enough for the students that need these concepts presented very clearly.

PRE-K, EL (K-3) -NO Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

Grasshopper Magic (Book #2) by Lynne Jonell –ADVISABLE

Jonell, Lynne  Grasshopper Magic 112 pgs.Random House Books for Young Readers, 2013. $10.95.  Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G ; Violence: G.

When Abner is dared to eat a grasshopper, he can’t say no, not if he wants to prove how brave he is. But the children in house know that magic sometimes happens, and in this case it’s not limited to the Willow family siblings. Abner is off on bouncy adventure to stop a toddler from eating the same grasshoppers –before it’s too late!

This book was wholesome and fun with a simple plotline that is perfect for readers just moving past early reader books. The siblings personalities are distinct and enjoyable. I think students will be intrigued by the inclusion of magic and all the problems that come along with it. I could see this book making a great read aloud, including some interesting discussion questions such as, what is our responsibility when something we start gets out control?

EL, Elementary –ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

Iron Hearted Violet by Kelly Barnhill –NOT RECOMMENDED

Barnhill, Kelly Iron Hearted Violet 432 pgs. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2012. $11.55  (Rating: G)

An unexpected princess, Violet, is quite a surprise to the kingdom. She is nothing like a “real” princess, instead she is ugly and unruly. Together with her kind best friend Demetruis, they discover a creepy room in the castle. After some tragedy, Violet takes a deeper interest in the darkness found there –the Nybbas. As the kingdom falls about around her, she must face her true self and make friends with an ailing dragon.

What a chore to read.  At first I was kind of intrigued by the ugly princess thing –but quickly found I disliked Violet, and really could care less as to the outcome of her depressions. This book could have been reduced by 75% and I might have enjoyed the combination of this pathetic character and the semi-redeeming ending. I will wade through about anything, but students won’t. The cover is intriguing, but the book is a drawn-out and hard to relate to.

ELEMENTARY–NOT RECOMMENDED Reviewer: Stephanie School Librarian & Author.