Book Review #18 :: Trick or Treat, Calico!

Trick or Treat, Calico!

Written by Karma Wilson
Illustrated by Buket Erdogan

Published by Little Simon, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division

Copyright 2009

"It's that spooky time of year. 

Halloween is finally here!

There are trick-or-treaters everywhere. 

Look - a ghost is over there!"

Publisher's Summary:  It's Halloween night, and everyone is trick-or-treating! But where is Calico? Is she disguised as a ghost? No! Is she in a witch's costume? No! Young readers will love lifting the study flaps to find out where Calico is hiding.

Mary Elizabeth's Musings:  Babies and toddlers will be delighted again and again by finding Calico the cat in this sweet, lift-the-flap board book! Babies will adore listening to the words while searching for Calico under a variety of costumes.  Parents will enjoy sharing the rhythmic verse and engaging illustrations with their little ones.  Bright and colorful illustrations paired with Karma Wilson's rhyming prose makes this board book a must-have for any baby or toddler's home library!


To read more about maximizing reading time with your baby, check out my post on Developmental Milestones of Early Literacy :: Part One of Five.


Other books about Calico the cat:

Book Review #17 :: A Nest for Celeste by Henry Cole

A Nest for Celeste: A Story About Art, Inspiration, and the Meaning of Home

by Henry Cole

Published by Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers

Copyright 2010

"Celeste's newest basket was going to be of a design she hadn't tried before, with a side pocket and a fold-over flap to keep things from spilling out.  Her nook was dim, but Celeste was used to it.  From her pile of dried grasses she pulled another long blade and, using her teeth and nimble fingers, began twisting and weaving."

Publisher's Summary:  Celeste is a mouse who is looking for a home.  Is it nestled in the toe of a warm boot? In the shirt pocket of Celeste's new friend Joseph, who is Audubon's apprentice? Or is home the place deep inside Celeste's heart, where friendships live?

Mary Elizabeth's Musings: 
Heartwarming.  Inspirational.  Happy.  Cozy.  Absolutely delightful.
This story about Celeste, a sweet and gentle mouse, will leave every reader with a feeling of comfort and contentment in his or her heart.
Set on a Louisiana plantation in 1821, A Nest for Celeste draws the reader into the unique, artistic, and natural world of John James Audubon and his apprentice, Joseph. 
Both looking for a true friend and a comforting home, Joseph and Celeste form a tender friendship that forges its way through changes and events in both of their lives.
Henry Cole's whimsical, gentle, charcoal illustrations provide the perfect companion to this heartwarming tale of home and friendship.

I recommend this book for ages 7-12 years.


Other books by this author:




Visit Henry Cole's inspiring website to be a part of his incredible world of illustrations!

It's Time for the Fall Catch-Up Read-A-Thon!!

Hooray!! I am so excited about the Fall Catch-Up Read-a-Thon over at The True Book Addict this week!!! I am hoping to catch up on A LOT of reading!!!!

My goals are to finish these 2 books:

And to read at least 20 fall / Halloween books with my children!!!

Check back often this week to see how I'm doing!!!

What My Child Is Reading :: September 18, 2010 :: Giraffes, Paris, Zero, and Planting Apple Trees!

I came across this wonderful meme, "What My Child Is Reading," over at the sensational, Mouse Grows, Mouse Learns! Take a minute to peek inside this wonderful blog ... I know that I am super-thrilled to have found it!

Here are our latest picks:

Johnny Appleseed

Written by Jodie Shepherd

Illustrated by Masumi Furukawa

Publisher's Summary:  This is a story about a real boy who loved eating apples, planting apple seeds, and growing apple trees.  This is a story about Johnny Appleseed!

Zero Is the Leaves on the Tree

Written by Betsy Franco
Illustrated by Shino Arihara

Summary from the School Library Journal:  "Zero is...the sound of snowflakes landing on your mitten. 0 sounds." "Zero is...the kites in the sky once the wind stops blowing. 0 kites." Using these and other evocative examples from children's everyday experiences throughout the seasons, Franco explores the concept of zero.  The gouache illustrations are done in soft, muted tones and have a naive charm that will have substantial child appeal. Most of the scenes are set outdoors, clearly depicting and emphasizing the book's link to the passing seasons. While the idea is a simple one, the presentation is such that it could easily be used to encourage youngsters to think of ways they could use any of their five senses to experience having zero of something.

A Giraffe Goes to Paris

Written by Mary Tavener Holmes and John Harris

Illustrated by Jon Cannell

Publisher's Summary:  Imagine a giraffe who can sail from Alexandria, Egypt, to Marseille, France, in a boat with a special hole cut for her neck.  Imagine a giraffe who can walk 500 miles from Marseille to Paris in forty-one days, wearing stylish boots and a cape.  ... Imagine Belle, a gift from the pasha of Egypt to the king of France in 1827, a giraffe who made history.

What have your children been reading lately??? I would love to know!!!

BBAW :: Forgotten Treasure

From the BBAW site: “Sure we’ve all read about Freedom and Mockingjay but we likely have a book we wish would get more attention by book bloggers, whether it’s a forgotten classic or under marketed contemporary fiction. This is your chance to tell the community why they should consider reading this book!”

And my choice is ...

Chasing Vermeer

Written by Blue Balliett

Illustrated by Brett Helquist

Copyright 2004

Published by Scholastic Inc.

Publisher's Summary:  On a warm October night in Chicago, three deliveries were made in the same neighborhood.  A plump tangerine moon had just risen over Lake Michigan.  The doorbell had been rung at each place, and an envelope left propped outside ... The same letter went out to all three:

Dear Friend:

I would like your help in identifying a crime that is now centuries old.  This crime has wronged one of the world's greatest painters.  As those in positions of authority are not brave enough to correct this error, I have taken it upon myself to reveal the truth.  I have chosen you because of your discriminating eye, your intelligence, and your ability to think outside of convention. ... Although you may never meet, the three of you will work together in ways none of us can predict.

If you show this to the authorities, you will most certainly be placing your life in danger...

The letter was not signed, and it had no return address.

Mary Elizabeth's Musings:  How can that summary possibly make a single, living soul pass up the opportunity to read this book??? Doesn't that letter make you ready to read this book cover to cover in one sitting??
Well, when I first picked up Chasing Vermeer as a fifth-grade teacher several years ago, I was completely spellbound! Filled with mystery, suspense, art history, mathematics, and the great city of Chicago as its setting, I would have to say that this book did not receive the type of recognition I felt it deserved. 
Ms. Balliett's literary style flows as beautifully as the story line.  She takes a seemingly complicated plot along with enormous character development, and successfully weaves it into a unique and extremely satisfying reading experience.

Chasing Vermeer was the first book in a series of amazing art mysteries! As you might have guessed, I highly recommend the other two books that have followed:

Have you read one or more books in this series? Did you enjoy them as much as I did?