The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Plot Summary:

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick picture book mixed in with a graphic novel producing a masterpiece. The details alone in each picture can create a story on its own. Although this book contains very little to no dialogue, every time I viewed the graphics in the book, the story changed, making this an outstanding book. The story is about an orphan boy who helps his uncle tend to the clocks at the station. Hugo loves to go behind the wall repairing the clocks. He see the world pass by and is intrigued by the toyshop keeper and a girl that is with the toy keeper. He soon finds out that her name is Isabelle, and she is the goddaughter of the toyshop keeper. While looking in the attic, he discovers an automaton that was left by his father before he died in the fire. He also discovers his father’s notes on how to repair the machine. The toyshop keeper catches him stealing and he now has to pay for this theft by working at the shop. There he discovers that his father and the toy keeper had a connection. The toy keeper inquires about the notebook and takes it away from Hugo. Isabelle helps Hugo get it back. This would definitely appeal to all.

Impression about the book:

This book contains rich sensory illustrations. The intricate details of each illustration come to life in the black and white pictures. The soft gray tones complete the graphic novel.

Reviews / Reviews Excerpts:

This is great recommendation for students who are apprehensive to read “thick” books. The storyline is so involving that the reader forgets there is reading involved.

Suggestions for library use:

A Librarian can show one spread of the pages to promote the genre of graphic novels.

It's So Amazing! A Book About Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families by Robie H. Harris and Illustrated by Michael Emberley

Plot Summary:

It's So Amazing! A Book About Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families by Robie H. Harris and Illustrated by Michael Emberley. This is a book about the human body. The detailed graphics and comic book style make it easy to explain small story lines about the human body. Each chapter is a plethora of information about the birds and the bees. The graphic on the difference between male and female bodies is insightful and eduactional. Chapter 4 depicts the aging process from infancy to becoming elderly. It is so easy to use as a lesson if children have questions about their bodies or the bodies of the opposite sex or even the body of the mommy or the daddy.

Impression about the book:

The book is so well written. It is easy for a child to comprehend what is going to happen to their bodies as they get older.

Reviews / Reviews Excerpts:

I liked this book so much; it is now part of my daughter’s repertoire of books. The graphics and the explanations are so elementary that it almost makes it a school lesson rather than a suppression of the book due to its content.

Suggestions for library use:

Librarians can use this book when a patron is inquiring about sexuality and changes in their body for young children.

Heather Has Two Mommies by Lesléa Newman illustrated by Diana Souza's

Plot Summary:

Heather Has Two Mommies by Lesléa Newman illustrated by Diana Souza's is a book about a little girl, Heather, who has two mommies. Jane, Heather’s biological mother, and Kate, her mother’s lesbian partner celebrate nontraditional families. The book describes the process of how the family acquired Heather. The teacher, Molly, encourages the children in her class to draw their family. Soon everyone is sharing and discussing the different types of families.

Impression about the book:

Heather Has Two Mommies was to forward for the typical young readers. I was shocked to read the graphic details of artificial insemination. For a young child, this book seems inappropriate.

Reviews / Reviews Excerpts:

Heather Has Two Mommies is fine up until the part where Mommy Kate’s special doctor puts sperm in her vagina. I do like the used of proper names for the body parts to explain the process, but I am not comfortable with explaining the process to a small child. I liked the way the teacher (Molly) made every child feel special. The pictures were not very appealing, yet the message was too forward for me.

Suggestions for library use:

Librarians can use this book when a patron is inquiring about homosexuality for young children.

And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson

Plot Summary:

And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson is a book about two “gay” penguins raise a baby penguin and become a family. And Tango Makes Three explains how both male penguins loved each other and became a family of two. Soon, all the other penguins were laying eggs and they too wanted an egg. They used a rock as an egg but nothing ever hatched. Penguins can only take care of one egg at a time and one female penguin actually laid two. To save the other egg, the zoo keeper replaced the rock with a real egg. Eventually, the egg hatched! They became parents of a baby girl penguin. She joins their family, and Tango Makes Three is born.

Impression about the book:

This book is a non-threatening way was to explain homosexuality to children. I was impressed by how the story unfolded without forcing the subject of homosexuality.

Reviews / Reviews Excerpts:

I enjoyed this lovely book. More so when I discovered that this is actually a true story. This book is recommended for those seeking an inventive way to talk about homosexuality.

Suggestions for library use:

Librarians can use this book when a patron is inquiring about homosexuality for young children.

unie B. Jones and Her Big Fat Mouth by Barbara Park

Plot Summary:

Junie B. Jones and Her Big Fat Mouth by Barbara Park is a book that lacks self control. Junie B. gets in trouble for interrupting the teacher. She continually blurts out what she is thinking causing her to get into more trouble. She also threatened to hurt a fellow classmate that he does not like and the teacher has a conference with her. Consequently, she punishes Junie B. and puts her in time out.

Impression about the book:

Students what are acquiring a new language will be confused at the expression Junie B. Jones makes. The sentences the little girl says are inaccurate and her language is filled with the words like stupid, dumb bunny and hate. The story line is funny but because of the inappropriate use of language.

Reviews / Reviews Excerpts:

This book is not recommended to emergent reader due to the inaccuracies in the grammar. These funny readers can help students who have mastered the English language. I do not recommend are these readers for those who are learning to read.

Suggestions for library use:

Although Junie B Jones’s books are quite funny, they can be used as a read aloud rather than a recommendation to an emergent reader. This series is good for children K-6 or upper elementary students.

Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business by Barbara Park

Plot Summary:

Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business by Barbara Park is a book about the new present for Junie B. The present ends up being her baby brother. Junie B. is livid and cannot stand her baby brother. When grandma comes to visit, she class the little baby “a cute little monkey.” Junie B get the idea to tell her class that her mother gave birth to a real live monkey. Eager to see the monkey Junie B.’s friends shower her with gift exchanges in order to see the “little monkey.” Finally, the Junie B.’s parents visit the school. There the students see the real monkey for what he is, a beautiful baby! Because of all the attention and accolades, Junie B. is finally proud to have a little brother.

Impression about the book:

Students what are acquiring a new language will be confused at the expression Junie B. Jones makes. The sentences the little girl says are inaccurate and her language is filled with the words like stupid and hate. The story line is funny but because of the inappropriate use of language.

Reviews / Reviews Excerpts:

This book is not recommended to emergent reader due to the inaccuracies in the grammar. These funny readers can help students who have mastered the English language. I do not recommend are these readers for those who are learning to read.

Suggestions for library use:

Although Junie B Jones’s books are quite funny, they can be used as a read aloud rather than a recommendation to an emergent reader. This series is good for children K-6 or upper elementary students.

Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus by Barbara Park

Plot Summary:

Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus by Barbara Park is the first book in the series. Junie B Jones is just about old enough to go to school She seems excited until she finds out that she must ride the “Stupid Smelly Bus.” She pleads with her mother to not let her ride the bus but fails. While on the bus, she soon sees that her nightmares about the bus are true! Junie B. decides to hide in the school so she won’t have to ride the bus finally she is found and all is well.

Impression about the book:

Students what are acquiring a new language will be confused at the expression Junie B. Jones makes. The sentences she says are inaccurate and her language is filled with the words like stupid and hate. The story line is funny but because of the inappropriate use of language.

Reviews / Reviews Excerpts:

This book is not recommended to emergent reader due to the inaccuracies in the grammar. These funny readers can help students who have mastered the English language. I do not recommend are these readers for those who are learning to read.

Suggestions for library use:

Although Junie B Jones’s books are quite funny, they can be used as a read aloud rather than a recommendation to an emergent reader. This series is good for children K-6 or upper elementary students.