Mr. Wuffles by David Wiesner - OPTIONAL

Wiener, David Mr. Wuffles.  PICTURE BOOK.  Houghton Mifflin Books, 2013. $17.99. 

Content: G. 

A black cat, Mr. Wuffles, has to fight aliens that live in a hole in the wall of his home. This book has no words just illustrations, so it would appeal to children that can infer or create stories without words.

EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL Reviewer: Mindy Tidwell

             

Hocus Pocus takes the Train by Sylvie Desrosiers –ADVISABLE

Desrosiers, Slyvie Hocus Pocus takes the Train  32 pgs. Kids Can Press, 2013. $14.19.  Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.

In this wordless graphic novel an adorable magicians rabbit, Hocus Pocus finds a friend, but alas, it turns out that friend is a stuffed animal –that belongs to a baby. When the train takes off with the baby crying for its toy, the rabbit springs into action to try to reunite the pair. But a fast train and his nemesis, Dog, might just hamper his efforts.

This is a pretty cute book! I like that it invites readers to tell the story to themselves or a parent as they follow what is happening. The illustrations are bright and simple. When students tell you “I can’t read yet”, this might be a fun book to hand them.

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

Bluebird by Bob Staake - ADVISABLE

Staake, Bob Bluebird.  Schwartz & Wade (Random), 2013.  $18.  WORDLESS PICTURE BOOK.  

A young man trudges to and from school with his eyes downcast and a dejected look on his face.  A little bluebird notices and befriends the boy, even helping him make friendly overtures to a few other children.  Bullies interfere, however and things change for the worst – Boy and Bird are not to be together forever. The sweet ending, however, helps to assuage the pain.  

This book is very sweet.  Many of the illustrations are very small, though, so it is best to be “read” on a lap or with a document camera to get the full effect.  Staake’s geometric, retro feeling illustrations are black and white except for that little bird; such talent to be able to illustrate his own message in such a skillful fashion.  

Pre-K, EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher