Marty Kelley

Hilarious, from the farting unicorn on the cover (such glee!) to the facial expressions of the interior fart victims. Good scans on the language (I was going to say rhymes, but it's not exactly rhyming when most of the lines end in fart.) and an amusing argument for who doesn't fart.

Kelley’s is a charming little rhyming picture book for early primary students. It makes a great introduction to the topic of rules and why we need them: for order, civil social interaction, safety, and health reasons. The book was a consistent hit with all the grade-one classes I read it to, largely because of the colourful, over-the-top illustrations of some of the more outrageous things kids do (picking their noses, eating dirt and dog food) and the fact that almost all the kids were so show more familiar with some of the lines, including those of parental frustration: “Don’t talk back.” (Always a confusing one for me as a little kid.) “Don’t look at me that way!” “Did you hear what I just said?”

My only caveat: don’t read this to very young children. It may actually give them ideas. I’m thinking here of sticking peanuts up their noses or sucking their toes. I’ve known more than a few kids who would see commands not to do these things as reasons for trying them. I’m glad touching your tongue to metal (a fence or a slide) in winter was not included. I’ve seen more than my fair share of that sort of thing! show less

This is a book really written for younger middle graders with full-speed imagination, determination and simple, exciting fun.

Stevie...or more correctly said Commander Universe is determined to get one of the 1000 limited edition copies of his ultimate, favorite comic series. But first he has to come up with $75 (and that before his arch-enemy does). When his neighbor agrees to let him dog sit her pug for even more than the needed money, Commander Universe finally has a way to save someone's show more day (and earn his comic book). Things don't go as planned as someone steals the pug from its super, cozy house. Commander Universe is off to save the day...but being a superhero isn't an easy task.

I love finding kidlit which is really written for kids and not what adults think kids would like, and this book is exactly that. Stevie's determination to be Commander Universe might seem over the top, but it's exactly what my own child or a couple nieces and nephews have done...just more in other directions like animals and such. Stevie embraces his own idea of fun without allowing others to ruin it with their poking and bullying attempts. And he has friends, who are ready to jump into his world with him. So, this alone made it a great read in my eyes.

Of course, this one is well-written and very nicely paced. There's a lot of dialogue, little description (just right for the age group), tons of woven in humor, and adventure pure. It's not clear what has happened to the stolen pug or who the true villain. It is clear that Stevie's so caught up in his own world that he makes some mistakes along the way. It's a great mix, which keeps the reader in the pages...and even more reluctant ones.

This book is an interesting mix of graphic novel and classic novel form. The illustrations are very well done and let every moment shine. These are placed just right with the other text, so that the different moments develop as they need to. It's interesting, and it works. I received an ARC copy and found it to be an very, fun tale. show less

A deciduous tree meditates on its life cycle throughout the seasons. Winter, spring, and summer are easy transitions compared to fall, because changing the color of your leaves is tricky! The tree tries several times to get the colors right, with humorous results, before its leaves drop and winter returns. Each page features a single line of pleasingly poetic text accompanying an expressive watercolor vignette of the tree in its seasonal milieu. Keep an eye out for cameos from a family of show more red-breasted robins and a gray squirrel. Enjoy the inevitable giggles and squeals of recognition at the tree's autumnal artistic attempts. A hidden gem of a book that's perfect for all-ages autumn storytime.

Song pairings: "Autumn leaves are falling down," "The leaves are falling down," "Rain on the grass"
Read-alike: Wonderfall also offers poetry from a tree's perspective and takes a similar approach to the visual layout. show less