Me and My Robot

By Tracy West
Illustrated by Cindy Revell
Level 1, All Aboard Reading Series
Grosset & Dunlap, 2003
Ages 6-7
4/5

Lucy's kitten is lost, and Reese and his robot must help find it. Lucy and Reese explain to Robot what a kitten is, but Robot keeps leading them to the wrong animals. Finally, Robot discovers that the kitten is the small, fluffy animal that has been asleep inside his metal robot torso the whole time!

This is a fantastic book, with a fast-paced, interesting story and bright, cheerful pictures. Robot's misunderstanding of Reese's and Lucy's attempts to explain the word "kitten" is a simple premise, but one that creates opportunities for the kind of funny mix-ups children find hilarious. The ending is especially fantastic, with Robot's final words: "I LIKE KITTENS."

Something that sets Me and My Robot apart from many other levelled readers is that the book's text works closely with its pictures. Usually this is a characteristic of high-quality children's picture books, rather than books for beginning readers.

This is a great book for kids who are just starting to learn how to read: excellent story and pictures, appropriate vocabulary, and a distinct lack of the "Now you will learn something" vibe that accompanies many other levelled readers.

Baby, I'm Bigger!

By Harriet M. Ziefert
Illustrated by Kae Nishimura
Level 2, I'm Going to Read! Series
Sterling Publishing, 2007
Ages 5-7
3.5/5

Max's little sister can't wait in line or build with blocks or draw pictures. She can't do anything! Max can't wait for Baby to start talking and for her to be big enough to play with him.

This is a cute story with cheerful illustrations. The character of Max expresses frustrations that will be familiar for many older siblings, and the "Word Bank" at the top of each page helps new readers review all the words they have just learned. However, overall the book seems much more focussed on reassuring parents that their children will learn to read and offering suggestions for ways they can help their children learn to read faster. There are several pages of advice for parents at the beginning of the book, as well as detailed explanations of each level in the I'm Going to Read! series. These do not detract from the charm of the story, but in my opinion parents should be careful not to make reading too much like work: Learning is important, but so is introducing children to the joys of reading for pleasure.

Alligator Pie

Poems by Dennis Lee
Pictures by Frank Newfeld
Macmillan Company, 1974
All ages
5/5

"Alligator pie, alligator pie, / If I don't get some I think I'm gonna die." These are actually the first words I learned how to read when I was in Grade One; however, I had never read the rest of Lee's classic book.

The poems are catchy, with sing-song rhythms and silly plots that invite readers to chant them aloud. Many rhymes include Canadian twists, such as the names of Canadian cities or references to the folkloric figure of Oopik. Although Newfeld's illustrations feel a bit dated, there are other versions of the book available.

Overall, I feel Alligator Pie definitely deserves the title of children's classic.

The Prince's Diary

Written by Renee Ting
Illustrated by Elizabeth O. Dulemba
Shen's Books, 2005
Ages 7-12
3/5

Ting's version of Cinderella gives readers a peek into the Prince's diary so they can discover the fairy tale from his point of view.

Although this is an interesting concept, unfortunately it does not really work. The story is supposed to sound as though it has been written by the Prince, but the narrator's voice is stilted or formal and not at all like that of a mischievous boy/young man. Cinderella herself is a compelling character, but her personality is communicated through the illustrations, rather than the text itself. Finally, although I enjoyed hearing a male character's version of Cinderella (since the majority of characters in the traditional story are female), I felt the plot was clunky and unexciting - a retelling should add something new and exciting to a story everyone already knows.

Children who love Cinderella may want to read this, but probably no more than once.

Lucy Maud Montgomery: The Author of Anne of Green Gables

Written and illustrated by Alexandra Wallner
Holiday House, 2006
Ages 7-11
4.5/5

The graduate work I did before I started my MLIS focussed on the life and work of L.M. Montgomery, so I was prepared to be extra critical of Wallner's biography of a celebrated Canadian icon. Not only would I be looking at the criteria that make a good non-fiction book for children, but I knew I couldn't help analyzing pictures and text to see if Wallner had truly done her homework on Montgomery.

I'm pleased to report that I consider this book successful in both areas. Wallner's writing style is simple, with short sentences and a relatively basic vocbulary, but the book still manages to communicate the important facts about Montgomery's life. While sometimes a little date-heavy, the chronological arrangement of the story, from Montgomery's birth to her death, clearly shows how Montgomery went from a little girl in Cavendish, PEI to an internationally-renowned author. The thorough index at the back of the book makes this a good source for children learning to use non-fiction books for research projects, although the lack of headings within the text itself might prove confusing.

However, what really impressed me about Wallner's biography is the illustrations. First of all, it appears as though Wallner has actually researched PEI; the buildings, the beach (particularly the last two-page spread of the Cavendish capes), the home decor, and the red dirt are accurate colours and designs. When Montgomery moves from PEI to Nova Scotia and eventually to Ontario, the landscapes and buildings change too. In fact, Montgomery herself ages in the illustrations, and it is evident from the composition of several pictures that Wallner studied some of the well-known photographs of Montgomery when creating her paintings. In addition, the lightness and brightness of the illustrations reflects the happy, romantic mood Montgomery herself liked to create in her writings.

I also enjoyed several of the small details that might go unnoticed by a child, but would be noticed by a Montgomery fan or scholar. The little black cat on the dedication page looks like the cat Montgomery often drew as part of her signature. The homes in PEI are all wooden and no stone buildings appear until Montgomery goes to school in Halifax. Several of the outfits in which Montgomery is pictured are actually items of clothing she treasured and described in detail in her own journals. Indeed, whenever Wallner writes "Montgomery thought" she quotes directly from the journals.

Because she has often been dismissed as simply a writer for young girls, Montgomery's biographies (for children and adults alike) have not always been of the greatest quality. However, in my opinion, this is good non-fiction book for elementary school children who may be reading Anne of Green Gables (or one of Montgomery's other works) for the first time and might be curious about the author.

Tacky and the Emperor

By Helen Lester
Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger
Houghton Mifflin, 2000
Ages 4-7
3/5

Tacky the Penguin, that odd bird who never seems to fit in, returns in a story about mixed-up identities and true hospitality. The Emperor is coming to visit, and Tacky's companions throw themselves into elaborate plans to entertain him. When Tacky finds the Emperor's crown and robes, he is mistaken for the Emperor and given royal treatment. When the Emperor himself arrives, Tacky provides a much simpler visit than his friends had planned, but it turns out that the Emperor loves being treated like an ordinary penguin best of all.

Once again Lester shows readers how being different can sometimes save the day. In this case, Tacky's unique spin on entertaining the Emperor makes everyone happy. The story also shows that sometimes special "important" people just want to be treated like everyone else.

Not as good as the original Tacky, but still pretty entertaining.

Tacky the Penguin

By Helen Lester
Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger
Houghton Mifflin, 1988
Ages 4-7
4.5/5

Tacky the Penguin is an odd bird who doesn't fit in with his companions, the aptly-named Goodly, Lovely, Angel, Neatly, and Perfect. However, when rough and tough hunters arrive to catch some pretty penguins, it's Tacky who manages to save the day.

This is a hilarious story that can help children see that being different can have its advantages.

Munsinger's illustrations suit the tone of the book and help to show readers the contrast between Tacky and his friends. The illustrations and text complement each other particularly well on the pages where the penguins march in rows and Tacky bounces all other the place.

Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots?

Written by Carmela LaVigna Coyle
Illustrated by Mike Gordan
Rising Moon, 2003
Ages 3-7
4/5

In this book, a little girl asks all kinds of questions about being a princess: Do princesses wear hiking boots? Do they climb trees? Do they do chores? Do they eat their crusts? Her mother replies in rhyme, explaining that princesses do all the things every little girl does and that "A princess is a place in your heart."

This is a simple book with great repetition and rhythm for reading aloud. The pictures are lively and bright, full of the vivacious personality of the little girl. The story contains a positive message about being yourself and believing in your "inner princess" that I think is very valuable in this heyday of Disney princesses.

Saint George and the Dragon

Retold by Margaret Hodges
Illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman
Little, Brown, and Company, 1984
Ages 8+
4/5

This book retells the familiar legend of Saint George's battle with a ferocious dragon. As the champion of the Queen of Faeries, George is sent to defeat a terrible dragon that is destroying the kingdom of a beautiful princess named Una. Although the fight lasts for several days, George is eventually able to kill the dragon and claim Una for his bride.

Hodges has obviously tried to remain true to the tone and style of Spenser's poem in her version of George's story; however, this means that the text is dense, with long, complex paragraphs and the rhythm of the words may be less familiar to some readers. The language is beautifully descriptive, but younger readers may become frustrated at how long it takes to get through the story.

Although I have some misgivings about the story, the illustrations are exquisite! (The book is a Caldecott winner.) The pictures are done in the style of an old-fashioned manuscript or tapestry and expertly portray both the action of the battle and the beauty of the surrounding scenery. The small illustrations that frame each page of text show another story, this one of a Viking ship that voyages across the sea and then returns home.

It's Hard to Be Five: Learning How to Work My Control Panel

Written by Jamie Lee Curtis
Illustrated by Laura Cornell
Joanna Cotler Books, 2004
5/5

I was pleasantly surprised when I realized this book was by Jamie Lee Curtis. I usually assume books with celebrity authors are not the best quality, but in this case my own biases are completely unjustified. It's Hard to be Five is a delightfully silly book about a five year old struggling to learn self-control.

The story is told through rhythmic verse with a nursery-rhyme feeling. Instead of a traditional font, the text helps express the moods of the narrator by getting bigger or smaller, bolder or less bold, and mixing up upper and lower case letters. It also complements the illustrations; for example, on one page the words form a circle around a picture of children sitting in a circle. The illustrations themselves are filled with extra jokes for parents, such as the T-shirt that reads "The 5th Beatle" or the map that shows "Five Around the World".

This is a fantastic book that shows real empathy with a five-year old's attempts to become more responsible and desire to still enjoy some of the perks of being "little".

Don't Forget I Love You

Written by Miriam Moss
Illustrated by Anna Currey
Dial Books for Young Readers, 2004
Ages 3-7
4/5

Billy's Mama is late for work because Billy keeps playing with his favourite toy, Rabbit. Mama is cranky when she drops Billy off at nursery school; she forgets to tell Billy she loves him and accidentally takes Rabbit with her in her coat pocket. Just as Billy, who thinks Rabbit is lost in the rain, begins to cry, Mama comes back: not only did she just realize she has Rabbit, but she knows the most important thing of all is to say, "I love you."

This story is simple, but the rush of getting ready for school and work in the morning will be familiar to many children. Mama's reappearance with Rabbit is a reassurance that parents may sometimes seem to forget things or be too busy, but they still love their children.

Currey's watercolour pictures perfectly complement Moss's writing. The illustrations of Rabbit are particularly expressive, even though he's a stuffed animal, and illustrations of Billy show a little kid dawdling on a rainy morning.

This would be a great story for parents to read with their children.

Dracula

By Bram Stoker
Retold by Tim Wynne-Jones
Illustrated by Laszlo Gal
Key Porter Kids, 1997
Ages 10+
1.5/5

Dracula is a re-telling of Stoker's novel by the same name. Englishman Jonathan Harker discovers that the Transylvanian count for whom he is negotiating the purchase of an estate near London is actually a vampire. When Dracula arrives in England he seduces and destroys the friend of Harker's fiancee. Harker and his friend, Dr. Van Helsing, must find a way to stop Dracula forever.

I had several problems with this book. The first is that although the idea of exposing young people to a piece of classic fiction by converting it into a picture book may seem smart, Dracula is simply too scary for most children, even when attempts have been made to lessen the fear factor. I consider this book unsuitable for children under the age of ten, and some parents may still find it inappropriate.

Secondly, although the story has been extensively edited, it is still very long and complicated. There is a lot of text on each page, and much of it reads with a stilted feeling (although this may be an effort to retain some of the style of the original novel). The several switches in narration would be confusing to a less advanced reader.

Thirdly, Gal's illustrations, while probably meant to enhance the creepy mood of the story, resemble the pencil-crayon drawings of a high school student. They are suitably somber, yet feel 2-D and fuzzy, as though something is wrong with the perspective. Some pages have dark text over backgrounds like falling snow or stone walls, which makes it difficult to read.

Although this book is meant to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of the publication of Stoker's Dracula, in this case I think both the story and pictures are of unfortunately low quality.

Papa and the Pioneer Quilt

Written by Jean Van Leeuwen
Illustrated by Rebecca Bond
Dial Books, 2007
Ages 4-9
4.5/5

Papa has "wandering feet", so Rebecca's family must leave their farm in Missouri and journey west to Oregon. Along their journey, Rebecca collects scraps of cloth - from an apron, Papa's torn shirt, a friend's bonnet - to make a quilt when her family reaches their new home.

Told in Rebecca's voice, this book describes what it was like to travel in a covered-wagon train across the American west. Rebecca talks about how worn out her shoes are, how frightened she is when her father almost drowns, how her mother cries when they have to leave a chest of her fine china by the side of the trail, and how beautiful Oregon is when they finally arrive after six months. The story is enhanced by joyful watercolour illustrations that evoke the changing landscape and express a range of emotions through both people and animals.

The author's note about the pattern of Rebecca's quilt reminds readers that many families did travel across the American west, and that many girls may have made quilts like Rebecca's.

The strength of this book is that it gently teaches children about an important part of American heritage without sounding too preachy or boring. In effect, it makes history into a story.

That Stripy Cat

Written by Norene Smiley
Illustrated by Tara Anderson
Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2007
Ages 2-7
4/5

Smiley's picture book is about a stripy cat in an animal shelter who needs a home. No one wants him, and he almost gets sent to several unpleasant places instead (like the dump). By the end of the story the stripy cat has found a cozy home with an owner who loves him.

Kids will feel sorry for the stripy cat and happy when he finally gets a home. With its repetitive patterns and bright illustrations, this book would be a good choice for reading aloud. In particular, Anderson's pictures do a great job of expressing the personality of the stripy cat.

The Penguin and the Pea

Written and Illustrated by Janet Perlman
Kids Can Press, 2004
Ages 4-8
3.5/5

This picture book is a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, The Princess and the Pea. However, in this version Perlman has recast all the characters as penguins. The Penguin Prince falls in love with a penguin who arrives at the castle during a storm and claims to be a real princess. The Queen is suspicious, so she places a pea underneath twenty mattresses and twenty quilts on the penguin maiden's bed. When the penguin admits the next day she was unable to sleep because of something hard in her bed, the Queen realizes she is indeed a real Penguin Princess. They all live "flappily" ever after.

Of course, the best thing about this book is the mostly anthropomorphized penguins. Although they have hair, wear robes and crowns, sing, dance, and make shadow puppets, the characters also wear "rainflippers", ask for a "fin in marriage", and bruise their flippers and break feathers when they fall. Instead of the classic descriptions of the princess's golden hair and blue eyes, we read the Penguin Princess is beautiful "from the gentle curve of her beak down to her delicately webbed feet". The humour that stems from the idea of penguins acting like humans is present ed through text and pictures that complement each other. This would definitely be a solid read-aloud selection, especially for younger school-aged children.

The Princess and the Pea has never been my favourite fairy tale. I guess I don't like the idea that the only way someone can be a real princess is if she is so delicate and fragile she will be bothered by a pea in her bed. Although my love of penguins made it impossible for me to not enjoy this version of The Princess and the Pea, I think I prefer Perlman's version of Cinderella, titled Cinderella and the Little Glass Flipper.

What Do People Do All Day?

Written and Illustrated by Richard Scarry
Random House, 1968
Ages 4-9
4/5

This Richard Scarry classic describes what the workers of Busytown do each day, from farming corn and building houses to sailing ocean liners and mining coal for creating electricity. The book is divided into sixteen smaller stories, each of which introduces readers to a variety of occupations and shows different parts of life in Busytown. Some examples of story titles include, "Mother's Work is Never Done", "A Visit to the Hospital", and "Wood and How We Use It".

Scarry's illustrations are filled with the kind of comical details that kids love. Most buildings have windows that allow readers to see what is happening inside and almost all of the pictures show activity and movement; the people of Busytown are truly busy. Lowly Worm and Mortimer Mouse can be found in most illustrations, and Wrong Way Roger often flies his plane overhead with banners such as "Finish your meals". In addition, many objects in each picture are labeled so readers can easily identify them and Busytown is filled with amusing street signs. Most of the stories do not contain much plot and would not be exciting on their own, but in combination with the illustrations they are just the right amount of silly.

However, although this book brings back a lot of fond memories from my own childhood, many of the stories and illustrations are extremely dated. For example, the processes described in "Digging Coal to Make Electricity" and "Cotton and How We Use It" are no longer completely accurate. Some parents may also be concerned about the stereotypes presented by Scarry: the women are referred to only as "Mommy", Grocer Cat buys Mommy a new dress because "she earned it by taking such good care of the house", and the speed demon who causes traffic accidents is Wild Bill Hiccup, an Indian who drives a Buffalomobile.

Despite these drawbacks, What Do People Do All Day? is a great book for the reader who loves to know how things work and spends lots of time poring over illustrations.