Little Red Reads

Children’s Book Review- Groundhog’s Special Secret

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by Iris Kiskey Arno
Paperback, 32 pages
Published 2003
by Scholastic Inc
ISBN-13-978-0-545-15210-5
ISBN-10-0-545-15210-0
Book Source:  Bought
Rated: 5 Stars

Book Overview: When Lila, a young groundhog, objects to going to sleep for the winter, Uncle Wilbur tells her to rest so that she can try to be the first one to wake up in the spring and discover a big secret. She is indeed the first groundhog to awaken and quickly runs up the tunnel and outdoors, where she is greeted by all of the animals that do not hibernate and learns from them how important her shadow is. Lovely, warm illustrations, created with gouache, colored pencils, and acrylics, depict the groundhog household as well as a variety of winter animals
Mary’s Review:  Can you keep a secret?  This quaint paperback book tells the story of Lila Groundhog.  She doesn’t want to go to sleep for the winter with the rest of her family.  She wants to play and stay awake.  She also wants to know why Uncle Wilbur is always the first one awake and Above Ground before everyone else.  His reply to her is that it’s a secret and Lila wants to know the secret because she loves secrets.  Uncle Wilbur tells her that if she wants to know the secret then she needs to make sure she is the first one up and Above Ground before anyone else.  Does Lila make it Above Ground before everyone else?  Does she learn the secret of the Groundhog?  Well, you will have to read the book and see for yourself.
This book is illustrated by Renee’ Graef with lovely and warm illustrations depicting the groundhog family and many of the beautiful winter animals. 
I recommend this book for ages 4-8.   
About The Author:  Iris Hiskey Arno began her career as a classical singer. She toured the US, Canada, and Europe singing opera, medieval, and contemporary music. When she became a mom, she took off her traveling shoes and started writing children’s books. She also combined her interest in music with her interest in children’s literature and wrote several musicals for children to perform. Iris lives with her family just outside New York City in a house with a rainbow-colored porch.
About the Illustrator: Renee’ Graef received her Bachelor’s Degree in Art from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  She has illustrated over 40 children’s books, including the Laura Ingalls Wilder series, and the “Kristen” books and paper dolls from the American Girl Collection.  Renee’ lives in Wisconsin with her Husband and their two children.

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Children’s Review- Goodnight, My Angel: A Lullabye

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by Billy Joel

Paperback, 32 pages

Published 2005
by Scholastic Inc.
ISBN-0-439-78898-6
Book Source Bought
5 Stars

Book Overview: The words of Billy Joel’s song are printed in this book with beautiful colored pencil illustrations to highlight the words of a father’s love for his child.

Mary’s Review: I love this book.  What more can be said when a father expresses the love he has for his child through song?  What a beautiful legacy to leave your child. I think my favorite part is “”Someday we’ll all be gone, but lullabies go on and on…They never die. That’s how you and I will be”.  I love the thought of as a family we will go on and on. 

This book is also beautifully illustrated by Yvonne Gilbert.  Illustrations you would love to pull out and hang on the wall of your daughter’s room.

I recommend this book for ages 1-8.

About The Author:  William Martin “Billy” Joel (born May 9, 1949) is an American pianist, performer, singer-songwriter, and composer. Since releasing his first hit song, “Piano Man”, in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to the RIAA.[3]

Joel had Top 40 hits in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, achieving 33 Top 40 hits in the United States, all of which he wrote himself. He is also a six-time Grammy Award winner, a 23-time Grammy nominee and has sold over 150 million records worldwide.[4] He was inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame (1992), the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1999), the Long Island Music Hall of Fame (2006), and the Hit Parade Hall of Fame (2009). In 2008, Billboard magazine released a list of the Hot 100 All-Time Top Artists to celebrate the US singles chart’s 50th anniversary, with Billy Joel positioned at No. 23. With the exception of the 2007 songs “All My Life” and “Christmas in Fallujah,” Joel discontinued writing and recording pop/rock material after 1993’s River of Dreams, but he continued to tour extensively until 2010.


Children’s Book Review- My Grandparents Are Special

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by Jennifer Moore-Mallinos
Paperback, 32 pages
Published 2006
by Barron’s Educational Series
ISBN-13-978-0-7641-3506-4
ISBN-10-0-7641-3506-6
Book Source Bought
4.5  stars

Book Overview from Amazon:  This book explores the extraordinary loving relationship that typically exists between very young children and their grandparents. The sensitively written Let’s Talk About It Books encourage preschool-age and early-grades children to explore their feelings, and speak openly to a parent or other trusted adult about things that trouble them. Each title discusses a particular concern or anxiety that children often encounter in the course of growing up. All books in this series have appealing color illustrations on every page, and are available in both English and Spanish language editions. A short section at the back of each book offers advice to parents.

Mary’s Review:  I really enjoyed this children’s book.  As it has said some of us only have one grandparent, some of us have two or more grandparents and some of us like myself, do not have any grandparents.  Whatever the case may be, grandparents are special people who teach us many different things like traditions.  They play with us and tell us stories and help us to remember who we are.  It also lets us know that some day as our grandparents get older we will eventually be the ones setting  and teaching the traditions.  There is also a page at the back of the book especially for parents to help tell them the importance of grandparents and great-parents and how this book can be used interactively. This book has some very cute and colorful illustrations done by Marta Fabrega.

About the Author:  Jennifer was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, but is currenlty residing in the Chicago land area, with her husband and three children. Jennifer graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work Degree from Ryerson Poltechnical University in 1994. Jennifer worked as a Child Welfare Social Worker, investigating child abuse allegations for more than 10 years. Jennifer began her writing career in 2001 and is still writing today. Jennifer writes non-fiction childrens books that focus on family situations, life skillls, development disorders and everyday situations. Working as a social worker, Jennifer was able to work with many children and families, and therefore saw a need for literature to be made available to families on topics that matter to them most. Jennifer’s books are writen in 10 different languages and are available all around the world!!  Jennifer enjoys all sports, reading and spending time with her family.