Ivy and Bean - #6 in a Series of many more

Ivy and Bean
Doomed to Dance
by: Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall
Ages: 6-10

This book is great to pick up without having any prior knowledge of the series or who the characters are. This book is directed towards girls and travels through the adventures that two friends (Ivy and Bean) have and how they get out of the messes that they get into. The chapter length varies (around 7-10 pages) and is broken up with black and white pictures which could keep an early chapter book reader excited about what will happen next. The pictures are also helpful for this specific book in the series because ballet positions are often referenced. This way, a child could see what Ivy and Bean are talking about when they say, "first position." The author does a good job of being descriptive about specific items in the book and about different action scenes that take place. One thing I found slightly age-inappropriate was the fact that the author references to a dancer who committed suicide by stabbing herself. I felt that this might not be something that a parent or teacher would know by looking at the front cover, reading other books in the series, or reading the inside panel. For this reason alone, I would be hesitant to give this to a child who may be a more advanced reader, but who is under the age of 10. The book is a quick read, but a great introduction to young girls who are moving from simple chapter books to more advanced ones.

Chapter Book

Judy Moody No.1
by: Megan McDonald
Age: 2-3rd grade (but could be read to younger children)

Judy Moody is a beginner's chapter book that has about 150 pages with larger text and shorter chapters. The chapters are between 5 and 6 pages long and include illustrations on some pages. The book follows Judy as she goes through school, family life and becomes friends with unlikely classmates. This book is great for relating to how many students may feel at times and gets across the messages that things are not always as bad as they seem. Judy has many preconceived notions about all kinds of things and people. The book follows Judy as she discovers for herself how she may have been wrong about what she may have originally thought. This could help students realize how to be less judgemental about people they may not know much about. The book also talks a lot about how Judy overreacts which can be a theme for many kids in middle -upper elementary. She discovers that things may not always be as difficult or challenging as they look. The illustrations keep the beginner (at chapter books) engaged and ready to pick up another Judy Moody book.

Mr. Putter and Tabby Spill the Beans
by: Cynthia Rylant and Arthur Howard
Age: 2-3rd grade

This book is one of man in a short chapterbook series that would be great for readers just graduating to chapter books. Each chapter is only about 2 pages long with limited text that would help children transition into more difficult reads. The book keeps the child engaged by not allowing for too many details to be leaked about what is going to happen at the end of the story. The book is centered around a cooking class that Mr. Putter takes with his friend and the exciting things that happen when they decide to bring their dog and cat to class with them. It is a funny story that will make the reader want to pick up another Mr. Putter book and find out more about his adventures.

What Atheletes are made of
by: Hanoch Piven
Age: 3-4th grade

This book would be great for begining a biography unit for a class. It gives brief descriptions of atheletes who have all worked hard to achieve thier goals and each athelete is "made of _____" (a different word for each). There is a great range of different people from a variety of sports and eras. The images in the book are innovative and use different images to to create faces and bodies of the atheletes. From trucks and dentures, each of the atheletes that is described has a funny picture that keeps the reader engaged. Each of the atheletes is described as working hard toward a goal and some even include interesting quotes that the atheletes are known to have said. This book would be great for grades 3 and 4 and would be a perfect intro to learning about biographies.

Officer Buckle and Gloria
by: Peggy Rathmann

Officer Buckle and Gloria would be a great book for a safety week at school! The book uses a police officer and his German Shepard, Gloria to teach a school about safety. The book includes different safety tips and explains how important safety tips can be for students. The Shepard, Gloria is talented and can do a variety of tricks that will keep students engaged. The book also discusses all of the letters that are given to the officer after he visits which would provoke students to be more interested to write to their local fireman/policeman to thank him/her after a visit to school. The point that is driven home at the end of the book is about teamwork and how Gloria and Officer Buckle need each other in order to get the job done.

Trouble at the Dinosaur Cafe
by: Brian Moses
Illustrations by: Garry Parsons
Age: K-2

With bullying becoming more prominent in school and even more talked about, this book would be great for a lesson about how to treat others. The book uses different types of dinosaurs (The T-REX as the bully) and their specific traits to show different ways to fend-off bullies and stick up for friends (without using violence). This book is great for a dinosaur unit as it covers a descriptive end of the subject with exciting pictures and graphic text. This is a sure hit to get kids excited about dinosaurs or to teach about how to be a good friend to other classmates. Either way, the book has vibrant colors and illustrations and even more enhanced text that will keep children engaged.

Watermelon Wishes
by: Lisa Moser
Illustrated by: Stacey Schuett
Age:K-2

With beautiful illustrations of a watermelon garden, this book keeps the reader going with vivid images of watching the way that plants are cultivated and grown. The reader follows throught the book, watching the relationship of a grandson and grandfather grow strong, much like the watermelons that they are trying to grow. This book would be great for talking about relationships that children build with thier family members and the activities that they may participate in with family. The plant growing aspect of this book would also be great for a science unit that is less focused on the specifics of how to grow plants and more of an example of what the experience is like. This book would be great for lower elementary students.