"The Crocodile and the Scorpion" by Rebecca Emberley, illustrated by Ed Emberley

This book actually surprised me. I am familiar with the tale itself, but when I first started to read this re-telling, I couldn't help but assume it would have an altered, happy ending. I am pleased to say that this take on The Crocodile and the Scorpion was true to the old tale that I have heard many times before.

Neither the crocodile nor the scorpion is very intelligent. The scorpion wants to cross the river but knows he can't do it without help. Crocodile is able to help, but also know the risk that the scorpion has a deadly stinger. And the scorpion knows that crocodiles like to bite. Will the two be able to trust each other and get across to the other side of the river?

So what makes this version stand out from any other version? For me, it was the beautiful illustrations. Every page is an absolute work of art. Rebecca and Ed have created an absolute masterpiece. If you are familiar with the story, then you know it has a somewhat tragic end. I wouldn't recommend this book to the youngest of readers and I would count on kiddos asking questions about the ending,but I also think that book discussions are good at any age. Hope you like this book as much as I do!

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

"The Invention of Hugo Cabret: a Novel in Words and Pictures" by Brian Selznick

I realized that I had not yet reviewed The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick.  This is a real shame since this book was excellent!  On first glance, it is an intimidating novel- over 500 pages!  But since it is about 50% text and 50% pictures it's not that big of an undertaking (I make it a point to show kids and parents the inside of the book as quickly as possible otherwise their eyes may pop out due to shock that I am suggesting such a long novel).  The story centers around Hugo, an orphaned boy living in a Paris train station.  When he finds that he is all alone, it is up to him and him alone to survive.  Hugo is responsible for the station's clock and is trying desperately to repair the automaton his father left behind.  Hugo becomes friends with Isabelle, the goddaughter of Papa Georges (the man who runs a toy booth in the Gare Montparnasse train station and who may hold a secret to repairing the automaton.

I quickly fell in love with this book.  I loved the story and I especially loved the style of this novel (and note, this is the only novel to win a Caldecott novel- all other winners have been specifically picture books for young readers).  Having read the book, I know desperately want to see the movie (maybe next year instead of book challenges, I should do movie challenges- then I'd actually watch some of these films I would like to see).  If you love children's literature, amazing illustrations, and books with a bit of mystery then this is the book for you!!

Get a sneak peek of the novel here!