"Lawn to Lawn" by Dan Yaccarino

Yes, I did read this book because it had a lawn gnome and a flamingo on the cover, wouldn't you? Lawn to Lawn is the story of Pearl's lawn decorations and their quest to get back to Pearl when her family moves but forgets to take some very important friends. It's silly but a great story about the power of love and perseverance. Throughout the course of the book, the decorations are given many opportunities to find a new home as they make new friends on their journey. But each time they think of their best friend Pearl and they keep going.

Kids will love Dan Yaccarino's illustrations (and will probably love this book even more if they know that Yaccarino is involved with shows such as The Backyardigans and Oswald). There are plenty of fun moments that show the decorations trying (emphasis on trying) to blend when they are surrounded by people. I love when children's writers find new perspectives to write from. I would never have thought to write a book from the point of view of lawn decorations, but what a fun book this idea has become!



Happy Reading!
-Melly

"My Cat, The Silliest Cat in the World" written and illustrated by Gilles Bachelet

Kids will get a kick out of this book! The narrator is a little confused and doesn't realize that the pet cat is actually a pet elephant. The silly cat enjoys nothing more than eating and sleeping and eating, but sometimes the cat just can't avoid getting into trouble. Kids will delight in the craziness as we find out that the cat does not land on it's feet and sometimes has issues aiming correctly for the little box. This is a great book to share and ask kids questions about the story (what's going on in the picture, and that sort of thing).

I read some reviews that complained because the narrator never realizes that their cat is actually an elephant, but I thought that was part of the fun with this book. We know from the cover that the cat is likely not a a cat at all so I think the reader should just have fun with this book and not over analyze a children's picture book. My Cat, The Silliest Cat in the World is such a fun read and I look forward to reading When the Silliest Cat was Small and any other books that might come out.

Happy Reading!
-Melly

Spike: Ugliest Dog in the Universe by Debra Frasier

Read this book, even if just for the pictures! Spike: The Ugliest Dog in the Universe tells the story of Spike, a dog who wins the ugliest dog award and then is abandoned by his owner. Spike is almost adopted by a boy named Joe, but Joe's mom says that it is just too expensive to have a dog. More than anything, Spike wants to avoid going to the dog pound so he enlists the help of cat to try and avoid it. Thankfully, even if he is ugly, he is a really smart dog and will manage to save himself, and someone else too!

This book is really sweet. Kids will learn that it's not what is on the outside that matters, but what is on the inside. Kids may not appreciate the illustrations as much, but adults will absolutely love them! Debra Frasier created each page using found materials, the majority of them jeans. More than once I found myself having to go back to the previous page because I had been so caught up in the images that I had forgotten to read the text (something that has never once happened to me). It's not very often that I go back and re-read picture books unless I am reading them to someone, but I think this is going to be one of those books that I'll need to revisit once in awhile. I love it!

Seriously, coolest illustrations!

Happy Reading!

-Melly

"Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama" by Selina Alko

This book is fabulous!  I didn't know anything about Hanukkah until reading Ann M. Martin's Little Sister series and learning about Nancy's Jewish celebrations.  I loved Selina Alko's Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama and how Sadie gets to celebrate each holiday with all of the members of her family.  They hang candy canes on the menorah and put gelt under the Christmas tree.  They eat foods traditional for each holiday and give presents for the eight nights of of Hanukkah and on Christmas mornings.

There were quite a few things I liked about this book.  First, I love how it incorporates elements of the two holidays.  It covers food, traditions, and how the two can be intertwined.  The second thing I loved was the art style.  I am realizing that I am quite a fan of mixed media.  I especially loved the way images were pieced together from found objects (I really loved the painted over crossword puzzle).  I think this a definite must for the holiday reading list.

Happy Reading!
-Melly

"Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel" by Virginia Lee Burton

Can you believe it took my nearly 24 years to find the time to read this book?  I am disgusted with myself as this book is brilliant!  Written and illustrated by Virginia Lee Burton, Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel is the story of Mike and Mary Anne, the steam shovel that supposedly can dig in a day what would take 100 men a week to do.  Mike and Mary Anne are put to the test when newer technology begins to push them out of jobs.  They have one last chance when they find a job in Popperville.  If they can dig the basement for the new town hall in one day, they will get paid for the job and no longer be useless. If they can't they will not be paid.  Will they succeed?

This story is very similar to The Little House (makes sense, same author).  It discusses how things are changing and how the next bigger and better thing is always coming, but that doesn't mean we should just discard the past.  I know that had I read this book as a child, I would have wanted to know more about the era the book is set it (this is how I reacted to The Little House at least).  I can't believe I didn't read this sooner.  My only experience with this book was the references made in Beverly Cleary's Ramona series.  On more than one occasion I have been introduced to one book thanks to another.  Why this book didn't make the list, I'll never know.  I f you haven't read this book yet, you must!  If you have read it, I applaud you!

Happy Reading!
-Melly