Little Red Reads

Book Review- Trupp

By Leave a Comment

by Janell Cannon
Hardcover: 48 pages
Published: April 24, 1995
by Harcourt Children’s Books
ISBN-10: 0152001301
ISBN-13: 978-0152001308
Book Source:  Bought
4.5 stars
Book Overview: Trupp, a young Fuzzhead, decides to venture into the world. With a cheeky raven for a companion, Trupp rambles through the city, going virtually unnoticed by humans–that is, until they are confronted by a homeless woman who sees Trupp for who he really is. Before Trupp can decide whether to stay or run away, this unusual woman realizes that he could use a little help. “Fans of Stellaluna, Cannon’s exceptional debut book, will approach her second with high expectations–and those will be met.”–Publishers Weekly

Mary’s Review: Trupp who is an adorable cat-like creature has decided that it is time to go out of his realm and explore a world beyond his own.  He must disguise himself as people not of his world are afraid of him.  He takes the clothes from a scarecrow as a disguise and at the same time meets Krok, a raven who informs him that he goes with the scarecrow’s clothing.  With this Trupp begins his adventure with Krok to lead the way.  Trupp meets several people who don’t realize who or what he is and one, Bernice, who does.  Bernice helps Trupp out of trouble and in turn, Trupp protects Bernice and at the same time realizes that there is no place like home and nothing better to be than himself.

The illustrations are  great.  Trupp is so life-like to me and oh wouldn’t I love to have him for a pet or better yet a friend.

I recommend this book for ages 4-up.

About The Author: Janell Cannon’s picture books have won many awards and are beloved around the world. Before she became a full-time creator of books for children, she designed and produced summer reading programs at her local public library. Born and raised in Minnesota, Ms. Cannon now lives in Southern California.

Ebook Review- Grandpa Hates The Bird- The Battle Begins

By Leave a Comment

by Eve Yohalem
Kindle Edition: 10 pages
Published by Telemachus Press, LLC
Published September 12, 2011
ISBN 978-1-937387-3-7
Book Source: Bought
3 stars

Book Overview :“I am no fool. I knew that if I were wanted to make it to the end of the week alive, I would have to avoid upsetting Grandpa as much as possible. No singing, no playful nips, no jaunty bell.”

Bird and Grandpa stay home in Massachusetts while Mother, Father, Joseph and Maya head south for a winter holiday. When Grandpa determines to set tropical Bird free in freezing February, Bird must use every bit of bird brain power to outsmart him.

 Will Bird become a parrot popsicle?

What’s in the creepy second bedroom where no one ever goes?

 Do Grandpa and Bird play Dig a Hole to China and Send Birdie on a Trip?
In the spirit of Tom and Jerry, Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd, and Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote, here come Bird and Grandpa in the hilarious first short story in the Grandpa Hates the Bird series!

Mary’s Review: This book is about the relationship between a grandpa and a  green cheeked concure bird-a form a parrot who does not speak and who is the pet of his grandchildren.  Grandpa does not like the bird and the bird does not like grandpa.  Bird gets left with grandma and grandpa for a week every year while his loving owners go on vacation.  This year however, grandma has to go on a business trip and Bird gets left alone with grandpa something neither one is looking forward to. 

I am torn with how I feel about this book.  I do not care for the term “hate” and I feel there is too much conflict and contention, something I also do not care for.  It does teach compromise of sorts at the end and it does show love and caring between the children and their pet.

I recommend this book for ages 5-8.

About The Author:  Eve write books for kids. Her first novel is called Escape Under the Forever Sky. It’s about the 13-year old daughter of the American ambassador to Ethiopia who gets kidnapped and has to find her way to freedom. She’s also written a series of dark comic short stories for younger readers, inspired my dark comic dad, called Grandpa Hates the Bird. The book she’s working on now is called Cast Off: The Strange Adventures of Petra de Winter and Braam Broen.