✰✰✰✰ Andrew is a very busy little chickadee. He joined the drama club because he loves putting on plays. In order to do better at play rehearsals, Andrew also signs up for debate club, ballet lessons, and karate class. There are so many interesting things to do; Andrew signs up for everything.
Soon Andrew has little time to eat, sleep, or play with his best friend, Edie. When an exhausted Andrew misses out on one of his favorite activities, he must make a choice. How will Andrew turn his life around from over-scheduled to just right? Read the book and find out what Andrew decides to do.
The Bottom Line: School kids today lead very hectic lives. There are so many activities and clubs to join. It's difficult to pick just a few. Kids in grades K – 3 will identify with Andrew's dilemma. This story focuses on the importance of friendship and taking time to unwind. The digitally rendered artwork is crisp and colorful. Great for classroom story hour.
Details: Over-Scheduled Andrew written & illustrated by Ashley Spires. Hardcover picture book published by Tundra Books in 2016. 32 p. ISBN: 9781-77049-484-8 NOTE: I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible via the Early Reviewers program at LibraryThing.
✰✰✰✰½ The little red hen is no stranger to work, but why should she do everything herself when she has friends to help her? Passover will be here all too soon, and preparing for it is a lot of work. The little red hen is not worried; she has many friends. Always one step ahead of everyone else, the little red hen begins preparing for the holiday by planting grain. Who will help her? "Not I," said the Sheep, the Horse, and the Dog. The little red hen soon learns that it is up to her alone to plant, harvest, and carry the wheat to the mill.
As the months go by the little red hen becomes more and more disappointed in her lazy friends. She even has to bake the matzah all by herself. Just when it is time to sit down for the delicious Seder meal, who should show up at her door, but her lazy friends. What is a good hen to do? Turn them out or invite them in? Learn about the real meaning of the celebration in this charming picture book.
The Bottom Line: This little book blends the classic tale of the little red hen with aspects from the Jewish holiday of Passover. Meisel uses simple, colorful artwork in watercolor, pastel, and ink to illustrate this clever story with a twist at the end. The large print is helpful for new readers. This picture book also includes information about the Jewish holiday of Passover, a recipe to make Matzah, and a brief glossary of Yiddish words used in the story. This is perfect for classroom storytime as an introduction to the holiday.
Details: The Little Red Hen and the Passover Matzah written by Leslie Kimmelman & illustrated by Paul Meisel. Hardcover picture book published by Holiday House in 2010. 28 p. ISBN: 978-0-8234-1952-4
✰✰✰✰½ Punxsutawney Phyllis knows everything there is to know about the weather. When she wakes up on April Fools' Day, she notices that something is just not right. Spring should be in the air, but there's a blizzard coming instead. Unfortunately, no one listens to her. After all it's April Fools' Day, and everyone thinks she's joking. Or is she?
To the dismay of Phyllis, the other groundhogs proceed with the Spring Treasure Hunt as planned. As they begin to solve the riddles, the snowflakes begin to fall. Just when they reach the end of the clues, they must find another answer. With the raging blizzard making it impossible to see, how will the little groundhogs ever find their way home? It's up to Phyllis to find the way back as well as the answer to all the riddles. Phyllis also gets the very last laugh...April Fool!
The Bottom Line: Kids will love this amusing story of a clever groundhog. Ebbeler's charming and colorful illustrations are full of details making it perfect for story hour. Additionally, the last page in this picture book explains the history of April Fools' Day. This is an engaging and fun read for kids in grades K - 2.
Details: April Fool, Phyllis! written by Susanna Leonard Hill & illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler. Hardcover picture book published by Holiday House in 2011. 28 p. ISBN: 978-0-8234-2270-8
