The Watermelon Seed

The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli
Published by Disney Hyperion Books
2013
Shelf: Picture Books

Opening Line: "I love watermelon!"

Blurb:
This croc loves watermelon! He loves it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. He's loved it since he was a teeny tiny crocodile. But, what happens the day he swallows a seed? Will a whole plant grow inside of him? Is his love affair with watermelon over?

Within its pages:
Pizzoli's bright and clean illustrations with close-ups of the croc's facial expressions allow even the youngest of readers to fully grasp the hilarity of the situation. 

The croc's dramatic tendencies and exaggerations are cleverly delivered in sharp and quick lines.

Shelf it!
The watermelon Seed it's a hilarious book.  I've shared it multiple times with tiny bookies at home and at school and they keep asking for it.  Great picture book to read and share during the hot summer days accompanied by a nice cool watermelon slice!

Going Places

 



Going Places by Peter and Paul Reynolds

Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

2014

Age 4-8

Shelf: Picture Book
 

Opening Line: "Rafael had been waiting all year long for the Going Places contest, a chance to build a go-cart, race it....and win."

Favorite Quotes: 

"Rafael, are you thinking what I'm thinking....?"
"To all the great thinkers who have gone above and beyond." (Dedication Page)

Blurb:

It's that time  of year for the Going Places contest.  And Rafael can hardly wait to get his hands on a kit....an identical kit given to every student, that is.   Rafael has a clear vision for this contest:  follow a set of precise instructions(Following directions was his thing),build a go-cart, race it - and win! Sounds like the perfect plan, right? Enter.........Maya!

Will these two classmates be able to put their heads together and cross the finish line?

Within its pages:

The illustrations, compliments of Peter Reynolds, are absolutely delightful (Think of his other bestselling picture books, I'm Here, The Dot, and Ish).  Reynold's illustrations are vivid and colorful, and really capture the characters' emotions and actions.

 

Shelf  it!

Peter Reynolds has teamed up with his identical twin brother, Paul Reynolds to create this jewel of a story.  This charming picture book encourages creativity, ingenuity, and "outside the box" thinking.  The Reynolds' message is apparent here.  Imagination should be valued and appreciated, as well as giving children the gift of time to allow creativity and original ideas to flourish.  One-track bound, we often fail to realize the various possibilities available to us.   Quite often, there can be more than one solution to a problem, especially when we work together as a team. A great resource to teach about creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

 

Even when faced with adversity and scrutiny from others, Rafael and Maya literally rise above all the drama.  A perfect picture book to share with that special graduate(s) in your life.  From the pre-school graduate to one who is college bound.... 'tis the season!  Also, a great read aloud to kick off the school year.  They are all most certainly going places!

 

A fabulous quote by Douglas Pagels that we feel captures the essence and message of this book:

Many of us have road maps we envision for the course we think our lives should take. It's important to get headed in the right direction, but don't get so caught up in the concerns over your destination that you forget to delight in the scenery of each new day. Remember that some of the secret joys of living are not found by rushing from point A to point B, but by inventing some imaginary letters along the way.--Douglas Pagels

 

Three Times Lucky

Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage

Published by Penguin Group

2012

Age 10 and Up

Shelf: Middle Grade 

Opening Line: "Trouble cruised into Tupelo Landing at exactly seven minutes past noon on Wednesday, the third of June, flashing a gold badge and driving a Chevy Impala the color of dirt."

Favorite Quotes: 

"When you feel lost, let the stars sing you to sleep.  You'll always wake up new."

-"It's common knowledge."
-"There's nothing common about knowledge."

Blurb:
Trouble was the last thing on Mo LoBeau's mind.  These were the lazy days of summer filled with the sweet sounds of tree frogs and crickets in Tupelo Landing, North Carolina.  For this rising sixth grader and aspiring detective, serving crepes and peanut butter entrees at the café seemed idyllic.  But when Tupelo Landing becomes a murder and kidnapping scene, Mo's natural detective skills are put to work. 

Within its pages:
Three Times Lucky's magic lies in its narrator.  Mo's southern charm and cadence flow effortlessly through the pages. Mo's voice and use of poetic language makes this a perfect book for lessons in the use of similes, metaphors and personification:

"Miss Lana's voice is the color of sunlight in maple syrup."
"My anti-invitation hanging in the air like eau the skunk." 
"The frost in her voice nipping my ears."
"Her quiet laugh sounded the way she looks without her make-up."
"Spinning wheels and flying gravel chewed up the end of my sentence, spitting it across the parking lot like a fighter spitting teeth."
"Uneasiness ran its fingertips across my shoulders"
"Her silence stretched like old elastic about to give."

It's Mo's power as a narrator that made Three Times Lucky such an enjoyable read.  You find yourself re-reading her descriptions, sometimes laughing out-loud and other times marveling at her wit and ability to find the right word at just the right moment.  


Shelf  it!
If you're searching for a good mystery book, with a strong female character, filled with small-town charm, this book belongs on your shelf. Enter Moses (Mo) LoBeau, a spunky and upbeat character, who has a sensational sense of humor, tons of grit, and an absolutely charming sidekick, her best friend Dale.  You have to admire her strength, determination, and perseverance.  And sometimes having a little luck helps too!    

On a journey, to find her upstream mother, Mo helps us realize that sometimes what we need is directly in front of us. That not all families look the same or come about in the expected ways.  The bonds and relationships we form with others are sometimes immeasurable. The characters and relationships in this book will resonate with you long after you read the last page.  For those of us who have longed for a new Scout Finch, we have found her in Mo.  

The action and suspense are totally gripping.   As the leader of the Desperado Detective Agency, Mo really gets to put her detective skills to good use.  Will Mo and Dale be able to solve this mystery before it's too late?

Three Times Lucky is sure to be a page turner, and one you won't soon forget.  And believe us when  we say, it's even better the second time around.