Ivan the Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla

Ivan The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla by Katherine Applegate

Illustrated by G. Brian Karas

Published by Clarion Books

2014
Shelf:  Picture Book
Ages:  4-8

Opening Line:  "In leafy calm, in gentle arms, a gorilla's life began."

Favorite Quotes:  "In leafy calm, in gentle arms, a gorilla's life began again."

Blurb:  "In spare, moving words and evocative illustrations, Newberry medalist Katherine Applegate and artist G. Brain Karas present the extraordinary real account of a special gorilla."  This is the true story of Ivan, the shopping mall gorilla who captured our hearts, and captivated our minds.

Within its pages: 
The illustrations are simply astounding and breathtaking, and clearly depict the trials and tribulations of this beloved gorilla.  In fact, Karas spent plenty of time observing gorillas and their behaviors at our very own Bronx Zoo.  Karas does a stellar job of capturing Ivan's emotions in this picture book geared towards younger readers, but surely to be enjoyed and appreciated by all ages. 

 


 

Shelf  it!

To all Bookies who fell in love with the brave and heroic gorilla in the Newberry-winning, The One and Only Ivan by Applegate, this is a must-read, simply put!  This picture book adaptation is a great companion piece to the middle-grade novel, The One and Only Ivan. It could also stand alone and will work as a great way to build background, and spark curisioty that might entice younger readers to give a longer novel a try. We love everything about this book, from the dedication, to the true story in picture book form, and the background information on Ivan.  It is understandable why he has become such a fixture in so many people's hearts.  A must-shelf for all fans of Ivan!

More Bookie Fun:

Book Trailer
Katherine Applegate tells the true story of Ivan in her new picture

            

Isabella: Star of the Story

Isabella:   Star of the Story, Just How Much can a Little Girl Dream? by Jennifer Fosberry

Pictures by Mike Litwin

Published by Sourcebooks

2013
Shelf:  Picture Book
Ages 4 and up

Opening Line:  "Slow down Isabella," the father said, "those books aren't going anywhere."
"Oh yes they are - some lucky books are going home with me!" the little girl said.

Favorite Quotes:  "I know that you will never OUTGROW a good story."

Blurb:  Each day is an epic adventure with the little Isabella.  Join Isabella on her latest journey through the library where she's on a quest to find that "just right" book.  Virtually impossible to choose just one, Isabella likens herself to a variety of timeless storybook characters, such as Peter Pan, Goldilocks, Black Beauty, and many others.  At the end of the day, she's just Isabella, someone who loves a good book....a true Bookie! 

Within its pages: 

Litwin's illustrations are colorful and vivid, with a touch of magic!  Bookies will enjoy trying to figure out who the character will be on the upcoming page, by looking at the clue on each page before a new character arrives.  For example. a bowl of porridge for Goldilocks can be found on the page that precedes this character or a horse shoe for Black Beauty. 

The final pages provide some background, and trivia for each of the characters and stories mentioned along Isabella's literary journey. 

                                   

Shelf  it!

The very spunky and charming Isabella returns in the third installment of this picture book series. True to form, Isabella's spark and zest for life are both delightful and infectious.  A great book to include in a library study, help foster a love of reading, and/or cuddle up with.  After all, Isabella is an extraordinary girl who loves a good book....certainly something all bookies can relate to. 

Be sure to visit the author's page for an interactive read aloud of this story.

"All you need is a library card and a big imagination."

 

 

 

The Midnight Library

                                                              
The Midnight Library by Kazuno Kohara

Published by Roaring Book Press

2014
Shelf:  Picture Book

Opening Line:  "Once there was a library that opened only at night."

Favorite Quotes: 

"I must stay until I finish  reading this book," said the tortoise.  "I only have 500 pages left!"

Blurb:  Meet the Little Librarian who happily works in the Midnight library, only opened at night.  The Midnight library caters to all those nocturnal animals, active and lively at night, searching for just the right book, and the Little Librarian and her assistants, the owls,  know just how to help them.
 

Within its pages:  This picture book is so precious and charming.  The illustrations are simply adorable.  Readers will be able to relate and identify with the feeling of finding that perfect book. 

Shelf  it!

Midnight library is a beautiful book, bursting with cozy charm.  A perfect picture book to cuddle up with at bedtime, kick off the school year, launch a library study, and to help cultivate a love of reading.  Simply idyllic for turning them into bookies!

 

 

 

The Dark

The Dark by Lemony Snicket
Illustrated by Jon Klassen
Published by Little, Brown and Company
2013
Shelf: Picture Book

Opening Line: "Laszlo was afraid of the dark."

Favorite Quote: "You might be afraid of the dark, but the dark is not afraid of you. That's why the dark is always close by."

Blurb:
Laszlo is a little boy, wearing blue footie pajamas, living in a large home where the dark hides in the basement.  He's afraid of the dark but the dark has never come to visit him upstairs in his bedroom, that is until his night-light burns out.  When the one thing Laszlo is afraid of is also the thing that holds the key to ending his fears, will he be brave enough to go down to the basement and face the dark?   

Within its lines:
Lemony Snicket has crafted a wonderful story of a boy dealing with one of the most common childhood fears: the dark.  But this dark, talks to Lazslo and guides him through creaky old hallways, down empty rooms, all the way down to the basement where it offers him the solution to his fear: a new light bulb.

The way the text is placed around the pages is quite remarkable.  Whenever Laszo speaks, his words appear in the areas of the page where the light sips in. And when the dark speaks, his words are, well, in the dark.

Let go back to this whole, "when the dark speaks" we just mentioned.  This is a fantastic book to introduce kids to the concept of personification.  Dark takes on its own persona in this book and the reader can't help but connect with it and befriend it.

The illustrations in sepia tones and inky darks by Klassen are a perfect match. And the lack of any sort of furniture or evidence of any other person living with Laszlo, that emptiness, really adds to the feeling of fear and loneliness that sets up the scene for this wonderful picture book.

Shelf it!
Yes! Shelf it! We don't get tired of reading The Dark.  Share it with a kid who's afraid of the dark, with one who loves the dark, with one who loves creepy stories, with one who loves sweet ending...Just share it!!

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.

 

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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