Think Halloween with a few great books for Kids: Rise of Zombert and Return of Zombert; Kara LaRue - Poultrygeist; Eric Geron and Twitchy Witchy Itch; Priscilla Tey

 

 Rise of Zombert; Kara LaRue 

(Book 1 of 3)

Candlewick Press - 2020

(ages 8 - 12)

Nine year old Mellie has twin younger brothers that keep her parents pretty busy.   Mellie has plenty of time to spend with her good friend Danny, a boy who loves everything of about horror movies including making them.  One day the duo comes upon a scrawny looking black cat and Mellie decides to take it home and keep it a secret from her family by keeping it in her room. Big mistake...when the cat she named Bert destroys her stuffed animals and does some other freaky things her friend Danny is convinced Bert is not an ordinary cat and perhaps the renaming of Bert as Zombert  is more appropriate as he is acting like a bit of a zombie cat!

This book will amuse cat loving kiddos who enjoy the antics of a sometimes psycho-cat.  I liked the Danny and Mellie characters a lot and the way the story is told from multiple POVs including that of the cat.  The story does have a bit of a cliffhanger ending but, worry-not as book #2, Return of Zombert, has now been released.

Return of Zombert; Karen LaRue

(Book 2 of 3)

Candlewick Press - 2021

(Ages 8 - 12)

ZomBert is back and now he is an official member of Mellie Gore's household and we know a little more about where he came from and why he was acting a bit wild. Zombert escaped from the YumnCo Laboratories, a company that does not have animals best interests at heart.  Now at Mellie's house Bert is resting, eating and is healthy once again. He looks so good that Mellie is convinced he can win first prize, $200 in a contest, but the sponsor of the contest are up to no good and have other plans for the cat.  Of course Mellie and her friends are not about to let harm come to Bert.  

A very good follow-up with just enough mystery and spooky suspense for the targeted age group. Fun illustrations only add to the overall delight of the series.

Poultrygeist; Eric Geron (Ill. Pete Oswald)

Candlewick Press - 2021

(ages 4-8)

Do you remember the corny joke --"Why did the chicken cross the road?"  Well, the answer, "to get to the other side" has a whole new Halloween, ghostly meaning in this delightful kid pleaser.

Chicken's job is one that no one wants ---scaring people by pretending to be a ghost.  You be the judge -- is chicken a friendly ghost or a spooky one?

I loved the clever premise of this book and it's perfect for younger kids and Halloween.  In some cases adults may need to explain some of the funny, clever parts of the story so the littlest ones can fully enjoy it but, 7 and 8 year olds who enjoy spooky stuff will enjoy the darker elements here.  It's cute, intended to be funny and I thought the art was incredible as well.

Twitchy Witchy Itch; Priscilla Tey

Candlewick Press - 2021

(ages 4 - 8)

It's tea time with friends but, Itch is a bit of a Twitch when it comes to obsessing over preparations before friends arrive.  She get's herself all worked up into a bit of a frenzy.  Is it all that important having everything just perfect?  

There is a great message of friendship here. The story is told with humor and fun tongue-twisting rhymes. Have no fear parents, there is nothing really scary here. The perfect, fun Halloween book for younger children.  The illustrations are outstanding.

Thanks go to Candlewick Press for sending these fun books to me in exchange for my unbiased reviews.

Book Review - Polar Bear in the Snow; Mac Barnett (Ill. Shawn Harris)

 

A Polar Bear in the Snow; Mac Barnett (Ill. Shawn Harris)

Candlewick Press - 2020

A polar bear asleep blends in with the snow, that is until he begins to wake and shows us his dark-colored nose and then is dark eyes and finally his full form. But, where is he going on his journey? Each turn of the page makes the wonder what adventure does the polar bear have in store. Is he traveling to visit the seals or, perhaps he just wants to play?

Sometimes simplicity is everything and, this book is a perfect example. I liked the simple text and the illustrations. Cleverly illustrated with a paper cut and ink design that makes the landscape look quite barren but, then as we turn a page we see the deep blue sea for contrast.

This is a sweet winter treat to be enjoyed in front of the fireplace or with a nice cup of hot cocoa. (Pre-K to Grade 1)

Rating - 4.5/5 stars

Thanks to Candlewick Press for sending this book my way in exchange for my unbiased review

(5) Cute Books for young Kids

You may have noticed that I've taken an interest in books for your children over the past year. Actually, I've loved them even before I knew I was going to be a grand mother. Since many of my readers have young children themselves, I wanted to share some awfully cute books I've read over the last few days. Most of these would be for children in the 2 -6  year-old range, and the one about the death of a pet for children around 4 and over.

Big Cat, Small Cat; Ami Rubinger 

(author and illustrator)

Abbeville Kids 2009 - NetGalley

Lovely rhyming story book that teaches children in a fun manner all about opposites.  It also differentiates colors and shapes.  The fill in the blank concept makes this book for very young children a good educational tool as well.  - Rating -  4/5 stars

Six-Dinner Sid; Inga Moore

(author and illustrator)

1991 - Simon and Schuster - Library

Sid is a cat who is has a pretty nice life. He has six dinners a day, has six different beds, gets pet by at least six different people, has six different names and seems to have his owners unaware of all of this since they don't talk to one another.  Each family thinks this charming cat belongs to them until one day when he gets a cough and is taken to the vet -- six times, and his cover is blown when the vet lets his six owners know what's been going on.  Sid is not happy about his (1) dinner a day, but soon Sid finds a way once again to makes things work out for him.

Inga Moore is a children's author whose stories and illustrations I have enjoyed in the past. This book is another winner. Terrific in every way. - 5/5 stars

 Sneakers, the Seaside Cat; Margaret Wise Brown

Anne Mortimore, Illustrator

Harper Collins - 2003 - Library

Written by the author of Goodnight Moon, the story is about a fat little tuxedo cat who goes to the seashore one day with his family -- a place he has never been.  While he is there he encounters many new things to him: ocean, sand shrimp, seagulls, crabs, seashells  and more.  The next day as his family returns home, he has pleasant thoughts about his trip to the seashore.   

This one left me a tad disappointed. The illustrations were FABULOUS, but the story felt lacking.  I also laughed to myself as I've never known a cat who has enjoyed a ride in the car.

Story - 3/5 stars - Illustrations 5/5 stars

One Foot Two Feet: An Exceptional Counting Book

Peter Maloney and Felicia Zekauskas

G.P Putnam's Sons - 2011 - Library

This was a great introduction to counting book, and also teaches children the plural versions of several words as well. Each page has a single die-cut object on one page and when the page is turned the other objects are shown. For example, One foot/ Two feet (singular and plural) for each object. Mouse/mice; goose/geese; ox/oxen etc... The artwork and illustrations are cool and quirky and have both tiny and large images.  Children will be asked to search for a tiny airplane on each page as well. This is a fun and unique intro book to counting -- one I will most likely purchase. 5/5 stars

The Day Tiger Rose Said Goodbye 

 Jane Yolen; author~Jim LaMarche; illustrator

Random House Children's Books - 2011

This is the most beautiful book I've ever come across to explain the anticipated death of a beloved pet in a non-religious way. It's the story about a cat, Tiger Rose's life from city cat to country cat and what she and her family meant to one another. It slowly eases into the subject of her passing, by celebrating her life as well. Only then do we see that she's gotten older, she's much slower now, has lost her appetite, her legs hurt, her memory is not so good.  Knowing her time left is short, she goes about it in a way only a pet can do. She visits her favorite spots, her outdoor critter friends  and says goodbye to those she loved, eventually passing away peacefully -- leaving her tired body behind and becoming part of the air, earth and sky......

The pastel illustrations are soothing and gorgeous and the story is so tastefully told.  It's a must buy for those who have young children and aging pets. 5/5 stars

130 - The Halloween Kid; Rhode Montijo

The Halloween Kid by Rhode Montijo is a story about a kid determined to save Halloween when some Greedy Goodie Goblins roll into town. The Kid along with his trusty stick horse,  Lone Ranger mask, is determined to get back at those who ruined Halloween. When the Kid finds his job a little tougher than expected,  the neighbors help out to reclaim the day and the fun.

This book is cute, especially the colorful  illustrations with a retro sort of look. The story too, is a cute one, but I had a issue with the terrible grammar which I'm guessing was meant to be cute, but just really bugged me.

"He wasn't afraid if nothin".

"In fact he done did such a good job at wranglin Halloween Hoodlums, that Halloween was just dandy for years".

If you can get beyond the writing style you most likely will enjoy this book.   Recommended for grades K-2.

Rating - 3.5/5 stars - Library Book

97 - It's a Secret; John Burningham

A cute children's book with a cat theme, and I'm in......such was the case when I came across, It's a Secret, by John Burningham (author and illustrator).

In this story, Malcom the cat leaves his comfy home every evening through the catdoor, and does not return until morning. He then spends his days sleeping inside of his comfy home. What does Malcom do at night? "It's a Secret"!
One night little Marie-Elaine sees Malcom getting ready to go out. She and her friend Norman persuade Malcom to take them with him, and they are in for the magical surprise of their lives. Where did they go and what did they do, you ask? Sorry, I can't tell you;It's a Secret, so be sure to read the book for yourself.

Great whimsical illustrations; magical story; ages 3-6.

RECOMMENDED - 4/5 stars (Library Book)