Robot Dreams

Graphic Novel

After a trip to the beach, Robot becomes too rusty to move so Dog leaves him there. As the months pass, Dog tries to replace his friend with things like a snowman and an anteater. Meanwhile, Robot is day dreaming on the beach of better times. Robot dreams was surprisingly sad and tells the bittersweet story of friendship and loss. Being my first graphic, I thought the pictures gave me a clear understanding of what the author was trying to portray.


Title: Robot dreams
Author/Illustrator: Sara Varon
Publisher/Date: First Second 2007
ISBN: 978-1-59643-108-9
Rating: 4 out of 5

The New Kid on the Block

Poetry

Witty collection of poems designed to keep the reader laughing. Children experience all sorts of things from jellyfish stew, to mice on a tricycle, and everything in between! The illustrations are simple black sketches, but do a great job of depicting Prelutsky's playful personality and setting. Even for a child that isn't too fond of poetry, this collection will be sure to get a giggle out of them!


Title: The New Kid on the Block
Author: Jack Prelutsky
Illustrator: James Stevenson
Publisher/Date: Greenwillow Books 1990
ISBN: 0-688-06431-5
Rating: 5 out of 5

Winter Bees & Other Poems of the Cold

Poetry

This book contains poems about what animals do in the winter. On the one page, it has a poem in the animals voice and on the other is a scientific description of that animal. Fine artistic illustrations of the animal are spread out across the two pages, but seemed too digital for my liking. A brief glossary can be found in the back of the book for children to better comprehend the words in the poem. Overall, could be a good read to learn about the survival of animals in the harsh winter, but not my favorite on the shelf!

Title: Winter Bees & Other Poems of the Cold
Author: Joyce Sidman
Illustrator: Rick Allen
Publisher/Date: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN: 978-0-547-90650-8
Rating: 4 out of 5

Here's a Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry

Poetry

Collection of more than sixty poems by a wide range of talented poets such as Margaret Wise Brown and Gertrude Stein. Topics include the daily activities of little children, like sitting in a high chair and playing with grandpa! Poems are kept short and include cute and colorful pictures. Great read when wanting to take a break from the usual nursery rhymes!



Title: Here's a Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry
Author: Jane Yolen & Andrew Fusek Peters
Illustrator: Polly Dunbar
Publisher/Date: Candlewick Press 2007
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3141-3
Rating: 5 out of 5

Wind Flyers

Historical Fiction

Wind Flyers emphasis the heros of WWII - the Tuskegee Airmen. It tells the story of a great-great African American uncle that loved to fly- he would jump off of barns to fly, pay to be a co-pilot, and when he was older enlisted in the Air Force. This story emphasis the role of African American men in war. Illustrations are colorful and provide lots of details. I appreciated the book for its content, but it was a little hard to follow and I felt as though its minimal text didn't fully get the point across.

Title: Wind Flyers
Author: Angela Johnson
Illustrator: Loren Long
Publisher/Date: Simon & Schuster 2007
ISBN: 978-0-0689-84879-7
Rating: 3 out of 5

The Bus Ride

Historical Fiction

Sara is an African American girl that is curious about what is so special about the front of the bus. After sitting in the front, she gets taken away by police and put in the paper. This sparks enough attention that soon people are fighting for equal rights. Based on the legacy of Rosa Parks, this book offers insight to the discrimination between whites and blacks. Beautiful illustrations in acrylic paint go along perfectly with the text to create a book with a great ending!

Title: The Bus Ride
Author: William Miller
Illustrator: John Ward
Publisher/Date: Lee & Low Books 1998
ISBN: 1-880000-60-1
Rating: 5 out of 5

Freedom on the Menu

Historical Fiction

This book tells the story of the Greensboro Sit-Ins that occurred in North Carolina. It is told through the eyes of a young girl named Connie, who is confronted with the harsh reality of segregation when she sees a white girl sitting at the counter eating a banana split, knowing she can't do the same. After hearing the message of Martin Luther King Jr., Connie and her family stand up for what is right. Freedom on the Menu provides a child's perspective on an important historical event, allowing young readers to relate. Great addition to any classroom library!

Title: Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-Ins
Author: Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrator: Jerome Lagarrigue
Publisher/Date: Dial Books for Young Readers 2005
ISBN: 0-8037-2860-3
Rating: 5 out of 5