Review: 102 Days of Lying About Lauren

978-0823453627

Twelve-year-old Mouse calls an amusement park home.

Nobody notices her, and that's the way she likes it. Mouse sweeps the streets and wears a uniform she “borrowed” and sleeps on the top floor of the Haunted House of Horrors. She knows which security guards to avoid, eats the bagel left out each morning for the Ghost of Summer (a popular theme park legend), and even has the taco guy convinced that her lunch is paid for. She has her special hiding methods down to a science.

But one morning, a girl named Cat comes looking for Lauren Suszek. Cat notices her, and Mouse doesn’t like it. Mouse cannot let this nosy pest find out who she really is! If Mouse gets discovered living in the park, Mama might come back for her, and Mouse doesn’t want that. Or—even worse?—Mama might not come back at all.

Mouse knows she can lose this girl without blowing her cover. She just has to follow her rules. A carefully constructed life in the park is all she needs. Right?

Adults may need to have a little suspension of disbelief, but we are not the target audience. The premise of living in an amusement park is sure to intrigue kids of any age, and Jortner gives plenty of details to make the ruse plausible. Mouse sometimes seems a bit younger than her purported age, which could be attributed to her background. That does make it harder to believe that she has passed for a 16-year-old for months, though. 

Mouse's character becomes vivid quickly, and I started seeing her mannerisms and hearing her voice early on. Jortner does a great job of showing, not telling. The action and tension climb quickly, and even while I could predict what was going to happen, I teared up at the climactic scene (which actually happens after the action has slowed.) A strong debut firmly in the middle grade category. Trigger warnings of death, parental abandonment/alienation, and panic attacks. 

Review: The Black Queen by Jumata Emill

978-059-356-8575 (PB)

Nova Albright, the first Black homecoming queen at Lovett High, is dead. Murdered the night of her coronation, her body found the next morning in the old slave cemetery she spent her weekends rehabilitating.

Tinsley McArthur was supposed to be queen. Not only is she beautiful, wealthy, and white, it’s her legacy—her grandmother, her mother, and even her sister wore the crown before her. Everyone in Lovett knows Tinsley would do anything to carry on the McArthur tradition.

No one is more certain of that than Duchess Simmons, Nova’s best friend. Duchess’s father is the first Black police captain in Lovett. For Duchess, Nova’s crown was more than just a win for Nova. It was a win for all the Black kids. Now her best friend is dead, and her father won’t face the fact that the main suspect is right in front of him. Duchess is convinced that Tinsley killed Nova—and that Tinsley is privileged enough to think she can get away with it. But Duchess’s father seems to be doing what he always does: fall behind the blue line. Which means that the white girl is going to walk.

Duchess is determined to prove Tinsley’s guilt. And to do that, she’ll have to get close to her.

But Tinsley has an agenda, too.

Everyone loved Nova. And sometimes, love is exactly what gets you killed.

Emill's debut YA novel catches the reader's attention and leaves them wanting to know what he has coming out next (answer: Wander in the Dark, out last month). The story line pulls you in and keeps your attention throughout. Going beyond the murder mystery thriller genre, it covers everything from racial bias and white savior syndrome to child sexual abuse to wealth/power disparity to teen pregnancy. Sound like a lot? It can be, at times. There is a lot going on, but then, there IS a lot going on in many teens' lives. 

The many twists and turns keep the reader guessing, but leave little time to really flesh out many of the characters. Told in Duchess and Tinsley's alternating viewpoints, at the beginning I had to check the chapter headings to make sure I knew who was talking. Creating distinct narrative voices is difficult for any author, and writing from the POV of a different gender (all characters appear to be cisgender) can make it more difficult. By the end of the book, I had a strong sense of who Duchess is, but Tinsley still felt a bit one-dimensional, as did most of the secondary characters. I actually felt like I knew Nova better than anyone. I haven't found anything stating it definitively, but it looks like Emill's next book is also told in two viewpoints - half brothers - so I am looking forward to seeing how he hones this skill. 

Current slang (no cap, booed up, lit) along with the secondary topics make it extremely relevant...right now. Three years from now, I can see teens picking it up and asking, "Who says 'no cap' any more"?? The story line and subthemes will continue to make it a great read, but the author might want to reconsider vocabulary that will make it feel outdated down the line.

My nitpicking aside, I found it a very enjoyable read, and immediately recommended it to coworkers. I will be ordering Wander in the Dark for the library, and The Black Queen will most likely make it into a few displays. I predict this will be an author to keep an eye on!

Review: A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat

978-153-620-4940

$17.99

Sometimes when you are in the middle of a book and people ask you what it's about, you can give them a simple description that sums it up quite nicely. Perhaps it makes them think of similar books they have read, and they nod and smile and say they might want to read it when you are through.

Other times, you look up, clear your thoughts a moment, and say, "It's a Thai fantasy based on Les Miserables."

Blink. Blink. Crickets.

Need a more detailed description?

A boy on the run. A girl determined to find him. A compelling fantasy looks at issues of privilege, protest, and justice.

All light in Chattana is created by one man — the Governor, who appeared after the Great Fire to bring peace and order to the city. For Pong, who was born in Namwon Prison, the magical lights represent freedom, and he dreams of the day he will be able to walk among them. But when Pong escapes from prison, he realizes that the world outside is no fairer than the one behind bars. The wealthy dine and dance under bright orb light, while the poor toil away in darkness. Worst of all, Pong’s prison tattoo marks him as a fugitive who can never be truly free.

Nok, the prison warden’s perfect daughter, is bent on tracking Pong down and restoring her family’s good name. But as Nok hunts Pong through the alleys and canals of Chattana, she uncovers secrets that make her question the truths she has always held dear. Set in a Thai-inspired fantasy world, Christina Soontornvat’s twist on Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables is a dazzling, fast-paced adventure that explores the difference between law and justice — and asks whether one child can shine a light in the dark.

While it is not likely that many middle school readers are familiar with the plot twists and characters of Les Miserables, as an adult reader I enjoyed the twists. The basic themes - redemption, class disparity, power, changing perspectives, etc. - are still there, but (small spoiler) Gavroche does not end up riddled with bullets! 

Sontornvat weaves a deft tale of realistic fantasy that will please readers of all ages, whether they have never heard of Les Mes, or whether they have had the entire score memorized since college. Three-dimensional characters are seldom all good or all bad (notable but still interesting exceptions in Father Cham and the Governor). A welcome addition to middle grade fantasy fiction, which has long been filled with Caucasian characters centered in Europe or the US.

Review: The Moose of Ewenki by Gerelchimeg Blackcrane and Jiu Er

9781771645386

$19.95

When a Mongolian elder named Gree Shrek hunts a female moose by mistake, her young calf is left behind. Saddened by her loss, Gree Shrek names the calf Xiao Han (“Little Moose”) and the moose and man form an authentic attachment. Xiao Han accompanies Gree Shrek as the hunter-gatherer herds reindeer, sets up camp, forages for food in the forest, and visits his peoples’ village, where many fun adventures happen. But as the little moose grows bigger, Gree Shrek knows he must return his companion to the forest.

We try to have books to represent all different cultures at the library, but I think it's safe to say we haven't had any about the indigenous people of Mongolia. My guess is that children will have many questions both during and after this book (don't reindeer come from Finland?), so there is great opportunity for further exploration here.

The story itself is thoughtful, at times humorous, at times sad, but always with an overlying quiet. That quiet may come from the sense of the vast wilderness, or from the subdued but intricate illustrations. This is the perfect addition to a collection that needs "something different".

Gifting Ideas: Pair it with a moose, of course! Probably not a real one, but maybe a stuffed moose, a puppet, or even a sponsorship of a real one. You can click here to sponsor a moose in Alaska, or here to sponsor one through the World Wildlife Fund.

Review: Hello, Crow! by Candace Savage and Chelsea O'Byrne

9781771644440

$17.95

Franny has a new friend—a crow who brings her presents in its beak. Like a red button! And a silver heart! Franny’s dad doesn’t believe her. He says crows and kids can’t be friends. But Franny knows better. How will Franny prove her new playmate is real? And what will the crafty crow bring next?

Kids will get a chuckle out of Franny's absent-mindedness (shown in the illustrations even more than in the text), and adults may recognize a young dreamer in their life. The story line is a bit formulaic, but younger readers and animal lovers won't care, and will find the ending quite satisfying. Illustrations match Franny perfectly - a little bit messy and scattered at first glance, yet oh so interesting when you look more closely. An afterward gives a little more information about identifying and befriending crows. Gift this one to the budding naturalist or misunderstood dreamer in your life!

Gifting Idea: Pair with an age-appropriate book about birding, or a shadow box to hold some tiny treasures like this adjustable one from Amazon:

Review: Turnabout Shapes by Agnes Baruzzi

9789888341825

$11.99

In this clever book of die-cut shapes, you can see how a watermelon changes into a bird’s beak—or how a tulip becomes a mermaid’s tail. The pages connect to each other not only with their die-cut holes but also with zippy, rhyming text that makes for loads of fun. Filled with colorful art, this is a book that’s pleasing to the eyes, the ears, and the fingers.

I have reviewed and enjoyed Baruzzi's books before, and one even became a Cybils finalist. Unfortunately, this one came as a disappointment.

The text is extremely small for a board book, with choppy rhymes and in unrelated pairings. It seemed very forced in areas. The pictures are cute, but there is a lot of dead space that could be confusing. Generally in peek-through books like this, the area you can see on the next page is part of the next picture: instead, here you see through to a solid or patterned page, with the next picture on the opposing side. I'm afraid this one just isn't as attractive or kid-pleasing as her previous titles, although the high quality of the binding and color is the same.

Review: Peek-a-Who Too? by Elsa Mroziewicz

9789888341818

$11.99

A triangular board book may seem unusual, but Peek-A-Who?, with its cleverly shaped lift-the-flaps, garnered fans from across the children’s book world. This follow-up to the acclaimed original is full of hidden animals, each making different sounds. Can you figure out who each one is? Lift the unique shaped flaps to see who peeks out!

I reviewed the predecessor for this book last year, and said that it might be an exception to my lift-the-flap ban in the library. I wanted to take a picture of it, still holding up nicely despite circulating once a month on average, but...it's checked out!

Not only have the flaps help up perfectly, the shape makes the book stand out on the shelf - without causing a problem for shelvers, like a certain round book did. It is super easy for little fingers to pull it out by the top corner, making me wonder why all board books aren't shaped this way!

As with the first book, the illustrations are beautiful pieces of art, with the bright colors and large eyes that catch a baby's focus. Animal sounds and easy guessing games are always a sure bet with the littles. This would be a fun book to include in someone's stocking!

Gifting Ideas: Pair this with some brightly colored hand or finger puppets of different animals, like these (click here for Amazon link).

Book Review: Grandpa's Top Threes by Wendy Meddour and Daniel Egneus

9781536211252

$16.99

Henry loves talking with Grandpa, but Grandpa has stopped listening. Mom says to just give him time. But Henry wants to talk to Grandpa now. So Henry tries his favorite game: Top Threes. And something amazing happens: Grandpa starts talking again. Out of a tale of favorite sandwiches and zoo animals, outings and trains, emerges a moving story about love, loss, and the wonder of grannies and grandpas.

A beautiful, gentle story that can help parents and children talk about loss, feelings and memories. The loss of Henry's grandmother is relayed through Henry and his grandfather's shared sadness and reminiscences, making it also a great text for teaching inferences. The beautifully illustrated pages hold a great deal of emotion, from deep sadness to joy and laughter.

Book Review: How to Be on the Moon by Viviane Schwartz

978-1-5362-0545-9

$16.99

It’s almost impossible to get to the moon. It’s out in space, which is dark and empty, and it’s very far away. If Anna and Crocodile are going to make it to the moon, they’ll need some special skills, like being able to do math and having a lot of patience. They’ll also need to build a rocket. Not to mention the sandwiches for the journey. Luckily, when Anna and Crocodile put their minds together, nothing can stand in their way. 

We met Anna and Crocodile in How to Find Gold, which I believe I called "delightfully silly".  This new adventure starts basically the same way, with Crocodile cautioning that a trip to the moon will be "almost impossible," and the irrepressible Anna responding with, "I like that! Let's go!"

Of course nothing is completely impossible when you have Skills and Patience. Or a super good imagination and a healthy dose of confidence. Anna and Crocodile are quickly becoming one of my favorite picture book duos, and I can't wait to see what they get up to next! You will definitely want both of these for your classroom or library, and should probably check out the rest of Schwartz's work while you are at it.

Review: Malamander by Thomas Taylor and Tom Booth

978-1-5362-0722-4

$16.99

It’s winter in the town of Eerie-on-Sea, where the mist is thick and the salt spray is rattling the windows of the Grand Nautilus Hotel. Inside, young Herbert Lemon, Lost and Founder for the hotel, has an unexpected visitor. It seems that Violet Parma, a fearless girl around his age, lost her parents at the hotel when she was a baby, and she’s sure that the nervous Herbert is the only person who can help her find them. The trouble is, Violet is being pursued at that moment by a strange hook-handed man. And the town legend of the Malamander — a part-fish, part-human monster whose egg is said to make dreams come true — is rearing its scaly head. As various townspeople, some good-hearted, some nefarious, reveal themselves to be monster hunters on the sly, can Herbert and Violet elude them and discover what happened to Violet’s kin? This lighthearted, fantastical mystery, featuring black-and-white spot illustrations, kicks off a trilogy of fantasies set in the seaside town.

I read this a couple months ago but it took me a while to review it, because my 9yo daughter stole it from me.

I have it (the ARC) back, and I can tell you Sheridan and I both give it a thumbs-up! Herbert and Violet are refreshingly unique characters who are at the same time easy to relate to. Savvy readers may figure out parts of the mystery, but the secondary characters (equally intriguing) will still keep them guessing. While some, such as the blustering hotel manager, lean towards stereotypes, others have more three-dimensional characteristics that will hopefully be expanded upon in future books. Even the Malamander is not quite evil, yet doesn't turn out to be cute and fuzzy either.

My ARC only had a few illustrations ready, but they were vividly drawn and enhanced the writing perfectly.

A promising beginning to a funny and clever trilogy!

Review: Love and the Rocking Chair by Leo and Diane Dillon

Book Birthday tomorrow!

978-1-338-33265-0

$18.99

Simple words and colorful paintings tell the warm, engaging story of new parents who buy a rocking chair when they are expecting a baby. Bright, sunny illustrations show the precious intimacy between parents and their children; the new mother glows with affection, and the new father reads aloud to their young son. 

Time passes, and the boy grows up; the beloved rocker is moved to the attic and gathers dust. But when the boy becomes a man, the cycle begins anew. He and his wife have a baby girl, and the rocking chair is needed again. 

Can your students/children something that was passed on through generations in their family? Start with a conversation about those items before reading, then see if they would like to write or illustrate something about their special family item. If they can't think of one, is there something their family has now that they would like to share with their children some day? For homes without many tangible items, it could be an experience - a certain park they like to play at, for example. Connecting the past and future can be a powerful tool for children whose present holds some challenges.

**Side note: I almost hate to mention it, because I would love to see it so commonplace that it isn't worth mentioning, but...can I just say I am loving all the multi-racial families I am seeing in illustrations lately? Not as a trope of the book, just as the way things happen to be. Bravo to all the authors and illustrators making sure all kids can see themselves and their own families, whether in skin color or in experiences.

Review: Now You Know What You Eat - Pictures and Answers for the Curious Mind by Valorie Fisher

978-1-338-21546-5

$17.99

Valorie Fisher dives deep into the science of what we eat and where ingredients come from by exploring what happens behind the scenes of favorite, everyday foods like pizza, honey, milk, maple syrup, vegetable soup, and more! With the help of bold, eye-catching yet simple graphics, inquisitive minds will love discovering what makes popcorn pop, why bread rises, and how bees make honeycomb. With this book peppered with facts like how many eggs a hen lays in a year and how many gallons of sap it takes to make one gallon of syrup, readers will be fascinated by all the amazing things they never knew about the food they eat! Now You Know What You Eat also includes a glossary, and a graphic about the food groups, as well as an introduction to vitamins and minerals. With a growing focus on STEM for this early age group, this book encourages readers to ask their own questions about the world around them, and to fall in love with discovering the answers!

I can't decide if I am finding this book cluttered and confusing or fascinating and informative. Not helpful? Perhaps I should say it will depend on the reader. My analytical 8yo who loves math and details enjoyed it: my 13yo whole-picture learner not so much. The usage of simple math symbols to show what foods are made up of, and where they come from, was interesting. I had no idea where baking soda came from!

Once readers get the hang of the symbols and structure of the book, all of the information is imparted clearly and with engaging infographics and illustrations. I would definitely hand this off to visual learners and those who, like my 8yo, want to know how things work together. You might also want to look at the first book in the series, "Now You Know How Things Work", also by Fisher. We will be ordering it soon!

Small note on cover design - I missed the "Now You Know" part, and everyone I have handed the book to has done the same. I know the first part is the series name, but it comes up in searches and in OCLC as the beginning of the title, so that could cause some confusion for searching patrons or librarians.

Book Review: Around the Table That Grandad Built by Melanie Heuiser Hill and Jaime Kim

9780763697846

$16.99

This is the table that Grandad built.
These are the sunflowers picked by my cousins,
set on the table that Grandad built.

In a unique take on the cumulative classic “This Is the House That Jack Built,” a family gathers with friends and neighbors to share a meal around a table that brims with associations: napkins sewn by Mom, glasses from Mom and Dad’s wedding, silverware gifted to Dad by his grandma long ago. Not to mention the squash from the garden, the bread baked by Gran, and the pies made by the young narrator (with a little help). 

I KNOW we haven't had Halloween yet, but I have to give you time to order things, right? And you will want this book for your Thanksgiving read-alouds!

We steer away from the Indians-and-Pilgrims books here, so I am always on the lookout for something that talks about tradition and gratitude - the original purposes behind the Thanksgiving holiday. And, you know: food! 

All of these things abound in the easy rhythmic lines of this book. I love that so many things are handmade, or have special memories behind them. Our serving dishes are all handed down from my late mother in law, which makes it feel a little bit like she is still with us. I also love the rainbow of skin colors, and the fact that many of the dishes (samosas! yum!) are not the 'traditional' Thanksgiving fare (we always have dumfkraut!)

The illustrations are colorful and expressive. I love (how many times have I used that word so far?) the kids helping to carry and cook, with the expressions of the adults saying they want them to help but FOR THE LOVE OF PETE DON'T DROP THE GLASSES!

In short, this is a joyful, inclusive book you can read in any classroom or library time. Setting it aside right now for ours!

Review: The Wolf in Underpants by Wilfrid Lupano, Mayana Itoiz and Paul Cauuet

978-1-5415-2818-5

$26.65

In this witty graphic novel, a community of forest animals trades scary rumors about a nearby wolf. Some critters have even gone into business selling wolf traps and anti-wolf fences. But when the wolf appears in a pair of striped underpants, everyone rethinks their fears. This is a heartwarming story about understanding differences, told with an oddball sense of humor.

Umm...that was a little...weird. And...demented.

I like it!

I would call this a cross between picture book and graphic novel. It doesn't read quite like a story, but it also isn't in short panels or strips as kids would expect of a graphic novel. I think I will go ahead and shelve it in graphic novels, more for the target age group than anything else. 

Illustrations are full two-page spreads, with a lot of conversation between animals, funny signs, and action going on all around. The main message is obvious, but delivered with humor. My 9yo loved it, and I think it would be enjoyed by kids younger and older.

Just watch out for the squirrel.

*sequel coming out next year!

Review: Dibs by Laura Gehl and Marcin Piwowarski

978-1-5124-5632-7

$17.99

Teaching your little brother his first word—dibs—is funny. Until he starts calling dibs on everything, from your parents' bed to a real airplane to the White House. What's next? Calling dibs on the moon? Sure enough, Julian's little brother, Clancy, calls dibs on NASA and blasts off into space! Julian is glad to have Earth all to himself...at first. But Julian begins to miss Clancy. Can he harness the power of dibs to rescue his little brother? 

Oh look, another book about my children! Oh my word, the ARGUING that goes on sometimes, over the silliest things. Of course, Julian learns his lesson at the end...wait, no he doesn't. How can we misuse the word "Jinx", boys and girls?

I wouldn't use this book to try to teach a moral lesson, just as a bit of fun! Kids will enjoy the ridiculousness of the situations (Secret Service agents shrugging and saying, "Well he DID call 'dibs'."), and perhaps recognize how ridiculous their own behavior can be sometimes. Or, perhaps not!

Review: The Baby Beast by Chris Judge

978-1-5415-5512-9

$17.99

When an egg arrives on his doorstep, Beast doesn't quite know what to do: feed it? Take it for a nice long walk? Drop it? Doctor Yoko tells him he must keep it warm and just wait, but exactly what he's waiting for is a mystery to the Beast...

Oh, this was cute! Kids will think it's funny (my 9yo's voice got that high squeaky only-dogs-can-hear-it tone when she was extolling its virtues), and their grown-ups will smile at the familiarity of waiting and waiting (but what exactly are you waiting for??), and then the trial and error that results when the waiting is over. The line that made me laugh out loud:

"The Beast bought all the things he would need, plus some things he wouldn't."

Wipe warmers. Really. And shopping cart covers.

The simplicity of the Beast illustrations is a win as well, and begs for a flannel board or related art project. I will definitely be using it in October for our Monsters story times!

Review: Don't Go There by Jeanne Willis and Hrefna Bragadottir

978-1-5415-5508-2

$17.99

They must not have toilets in outer space, because this baby Martian keeps going in the wrong place: a bird bath, a bin, an up-turned hat. Perhaps if he masters "The Toilet Song," he might learn where to go.

No surprise to parents or librarians, toilet training books are verrrry popular! This rhyming picture book is a fun one to read with kids, giggling over the silly mistakes the Martian makes. Little ones love feeling like they know more than someone else, and even toddlers know you don't poop in the goldfish bowl! Of course, if your kids are little smart-alecks like mine, this could backfire a bit, but most kids will get the general idea. The potty song in familiar, but I couldn't tell you what the tune to it is, and none is offered. I tried googling it and came up with a million other songs, becoming completely distracted by these on Fatherly. Do NOT listen to them at your desk at work. Or, do - some of your coworkers may need the hand washing reminder!

Back to the book...super cute illustrations of our confused little Martian, ending with toilet paper flying everywhere as he tries to teach his friends back home. The rhythm is a little bit off in places, so you might practice it before reading it out loud with your little one, but that's just in a couple places. This one already has a place on our parenting books shelf!

Review: Even More Lesser Spotted Animals by Martin Brown

978-1-338-34961-0

$18.99

Just as Lesser Spotted Animals showed you some of the wonderfully WOW wildlife we never get to see, the next book of the lesser known animal kingdom reveals the stories of even more of the world's unseen and unsung creatures. No king-of-the-jungle, fancy-pants, hair necked lions here -- we've got the magnificent maned wolf instead. No blue whales either, we've got beaked whales -- and lorises and dingisos and dibatags and many, many more.

I ordered this book for the library before I received the review copy, and it was checked out pretty quickly. Animals in general are normally a big hit, and kids like the hint of the unusual and unfamiliar. They also like feeling like they know something their friends (or their grown-ups) don't! There is benefit for the animals, featured as well: as the introduction asks, "How can we help something survive if we don't even know it exists?"

Each animal gets its own two-page spread: one side with text, the other with an (often humorous) illustration. Side commentary by the animals and quick facts in conversational terms make this a highly readable - and entertaining - book. Descriptions of size, for example, might go from "guinea pig big" to "long-legged, medium-sized dog - like a chunky whippet."

And, in the words of another famous author, "Chunky Whippets" would be a great name for a band.

This is a must-have for any school library, as it is sure to be a kid pleaser! Of course, you'll also want the original title:

978-1-338-08934-9

$18.99

Now, if you will excuse me, I need to put "pet dingiso" on my Christmas list.

Review: Crayola Crafts Series from Lerner

978-1-5415-1098-2

$27.99

978-1-5415-1100-2

$27.99

Explore science, the outdoors, and more with these Crayola crafts! Easy-to-follow instructions and photos guide readers. QR codes for each project link to a digital landing page showing more detailed steps and photos.

I looked at these over Labor Day weekend, when the three oldest had gone off to a friend's house and the younger two were tired of playing with each other. The art projects included mostly require a parent to at least get things started, but they vary in involvement: from simple tracing objects around the house to creating entire costumes, in "Boredom-Busting Crafts". Shane and Grace tried the tracing activity, turning plastic silverware into silly families.

Shane branched out to tracing other shapes, while Grace stuck with drawing.

I think they both turned out pretty well!

A few of the projects required Crayola products, notably Model Magic clay (even more so in the second title). Not too surprising considering the publisher, but something to be aware of. Each project included a QR code to see more steps or ideas, but there was no way given to access those without a cell phone, which was disappointing.

The projects in "Fun Science Crafts" were a little less "doable" from the standpoint of things found around the house. They were more art-about-science than art-teaching-science, as well. I found the first title something parents or teachers might find easily accessible and actually do projects from, the second not so much (unless you had a lot of clay n hand you were dying to use up!)

Other titles in this series that I did not view: 

Crayola Outside Crafts

Crayola Super Easy Crafts

Review: Be a Maker by Katey Howes and Elizabet Vukovic

978-1-5124-9802-8

$17.99

How many things can you make in a day? A tower, a friend, a change? Rhyme, repetition, and a few seemingly straightforward questions engage young readers in a discussion about the many things we make—and the ways we can make a difference in the world. 

How many ways can you use the word "make"? Make a tower...make a plan...make a choice...make a change! A little girl goes from making a tower into her room to making a friend and becoming engaged in her community in large and small ways. As the book's final pages ask, "Ask yourself this question as the sun begins to fade: in a day of making choices, are you proud of what you made?"

I think if I was teaching again, I might read this book at the beginning of the year and then frequently throughout. Inspiring rather than pedantic, it includes great reminders for all ages about the choices we make and what can happen when we act rather than sitting by passively. My kids really enjoyed it, and I am definitely keeping this one for home! Illustrations are lively and imaginative - and made me now want an apple cheese boat! Another must-have for the classroom or library!