Kids' Book Roundup

Hello lovelies. Today I bring you a different kind of blog post: children's books! You see, my girlfriend (as I type) is "cleaning" her room. Also known as: is living in nostalgia and showing me things from her youth. So what am I doing while this is happening? Am I reading the beta books that I should be? Nope. I'm helping her sort books, and I'm reading some too. This post is going to be full of whatever picture/beginner books I happen to read.


Title: The Ledgerbook of Thomas Blue Eagle
Editor: Jewel Grutman, Thomasson Grant
Format: Hardcover, 72 pages
Pub. Date: August 6th 1996
Source: Emily's room

★★★★★

This book tells the story of Thomas Blue Eagle, and his life as a Native American on the plains. After a battle, he is asked to move to Pennsylvania to attend a school to learn the ways of the white man. Though fictional, this illustrated book gives a historically accurate insight into the life of a young native. The illustrations are beautiful, and look as though they were done by a child in a spiral notebook. Equal parts informative and emotional, this is a great read for kids.

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Title: Clifford's Kitten
Editor: Norman Bridwell
Format: Paperback, 32 pages
Pub. Date: January 1st 1992
Source: Emily's room

★★★

This is a cute book about who else- Clifford the big red dog! Emily Elizabeth finds a kitten and the normally red Clifford gets a bit green with envy, and finds himself in all sorts of shenanigans when he tries to fit in with the new feline. This is a cute read but there's not much to it- it's not a must have for kids.

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Title: Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?
Editor: Dr. Seuss
Format: Hardcover, 27 pages
Pub. Date: August 12th 1970
Source: Emily's room

★

This book follows Mr. Brown as he makes noises.

It is annoying for kiddos
And adult readers too
I do not need a book
To tell me to moo.
This is a book I will not be getting for my children in the future, lest I get headaches.

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Title: No Copycats Allowed!
Editor: Bonnie Graves
Format: Paperback, 64 pages
Pub. Date: April 15th 1998
Source: Emily's room

★★★★

Gabrielle doesn't want to go into Room 6 with mean old teacher Mrs. Dean. She just moved out of the city and into the suburbs, and has heard rumors that the kids from Room 6 aren't so nice. Her fears are reaffirmed when they tell her that her name is weird, and too long. Eager for friends, she tries to blend in with the other girls in her class by changing her name's spelling and even wearing her hair different. Labelled a "copycat", Gabrielle has to learn that being brave and being yourself is the best way to make friends.

I actually really enjoyed this read. Aimed for second/third grade readers, this small chapter book has a positive message. It doesn't matter what your name is, where you come from, or even what hobbies you have. The most important thing is to never sacrifice your individuality to impress people.

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Title: The Velveteen Rabbit
Editor: Margery Williams
Format: Paperback, 40 pages
Pub. Date: April 1st 1987
Source: Emily's room

★★★★★

This is a book that every child should read or own. The Boy gets a new toy, the velveteen rabbit, and soon finds that he cannot even sleep without it. He loves the rabbit until its fur is shaggy and its seams are popping. The velveteen rabbit teaches a valuable lesson on being loved, realism, and what happens to things that are lost to us.

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Title: Millions of Cats
Editor: Wanda Gág
Format: Paperback, 32 pages
Pub. Date:October 5th 2006
Source: Emily's room

★★★

A very old man and a very old woman are terribly lonely. The old woman suggests that the man go and get a cat, to make their lives less sad. He wanders along and finds a group of MILLIONS of cats. He wants to pick just one beautiful kitty, but soon finds that they're all too beautiful, and must take them all. The old woman, the old man, and the reader will learn that what's pretty isn't always what's best, and don't just a kitty by his fur.

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Title: Find the Cat
Editor: Elaine Livermore
Format: Hardcover, 46 pages
Pub. Date:February 1st 1973
Source: Emily's room

★★★

This is a fun and whimsical search-and-find book, regarding a dog who is rather angry and searching for the cat, who hid his bone. Admittedly, one of the illustrations tricked even me for a moment! I love the pictures, but the text is really only "Find the cat."

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Title: Stranger in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy
Editor: Carl R. Sams II, Jean Stoick
Format: Hardcover, 48 pages
Pub. Date:November 28th 1999
Source: Emily's room

★★★★

Stranger in the Woods is the story of woodland critters who find a mysterious creature made of snow in their forest. The text leaves a bit to be desired, voicing the opinions and worries of all of the animals. However, the photography within this book is simply beautiful. These wintery landscapes are stunning, and I admittedly looked more to them than I did at the text! This is a great Christmastime read for a child of any age.

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Title: The Rainbow Fish
Editor: Marcus Pfister
Format: Hardcover, 24 pages
Pub. Date:January 27th 1999
Source: Emily's room

★★★★★

This kids' book will always be a favorite of mine. The rainbow fish is the most beautiful fish in the sea, with scales that shimmer in every color. But he's also very vain, and when a little fish asks for a shimmering scale, the rainbow fish says no! Then he learns that people won't want to be with him if he's selfish. In the end, he learns that sharing is the ultimate source of happiness. With beautiful illustrations and an important message, every child should have this book.

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Title: Clifford Takes A Trip
Editor: Norman Bridwell
Format: Paperback, 32 pages
Pub. Date:January 1st 1992
Source: Emily's room

★★★★

In true Clifford style, the familiar big red dog just CAN'T be without his loving owner, Emily Elizabeth, while she goes on a family vacation. Lonely, nothing will stop him from finding her- and when he does (with some mischief on the way) he might just be in time to save the day! This is a cute read that shows just how important we humans are to our canine counterparts.

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