Judy Katschke

It’s a book based on a movie that was based on a book. The dismal thing is that I loved the original book, My Friend Flicka, what it is to see it reduced like this. No depth, subtle nuance, descriptive language . . . However I suppose it does get the basics of the story in front of younger readers. I noticed years ago that there was this new film made of the novel, with a girl as the main character, and the horse a black wild mustang, not a golden range filly. I knew a lot more of the show more story was changed, so I had no interest in watching the film. I’m sure this little movie-to-book angle has left a lot out, and it rackets through the narrative pretty darn quick, but it was enough to let me know I was right. What’s the same: it takes place on a Wyoming ranch, the main character is struggling in school and has a hard time pleasing her disciplinarian father. She sets her heart on catching and taming the young horse, which everyone else sees it as a dangerous undertaking. There’s a mountain lion encounter (way more dramatic and close-at-hand than I recall in the original, though I admit I don’t remember it so clearly) and a storm, and an illness, and that dramatic scene where she hears a gunshot from her sickbed and misinterprets the meaning . . . Changes I noticed (beyond the main ones mentioned above): the original character (Ken) had admired a picture on the landing of a duck, not wild horses running (small detail, but it was significant in the first story). I don’t recall there being a wild horse race at a rodeo (maybe there was, but it sure didn’t include Flicka). I think this story blended some things about Flicka with another horse from the ranch in the original novel, the very fast black mare that someone bought hoping to turn her into a racehorse. The taming of Flicka happened over injury and lying in cold creek water, not being coaxed with apples in the dark of a corral.

There’s more I’m sure, but I’ve forgotten too much by now. However, it was enough unfamiliarity mixed with a beloved narrative, that I felt perplexed, irritated and bored throughout the slim fifty-odd pages. I’m probably being too harsh. Someone who’s never read the original, will probably find this a heartwarming story with a good message. show less

Charlie Brown constantly gears up to kick a new football but Lucy always pulls it away from him at the last second, resulting in him falling on his back with a scream and a spinning head.

If you are a fan of the classic Peanuts comic strip or cartoons, you are likely to enjoy this book. A good deal of the original characters are included, and the illustrations that match Schulz's original style.

The story is pretty slim, but there are opportunities for parents, educators, and other adults to show more discuss bigger messages about helpful and unhelpful actions with young children through Lucy's bullying behavior, Charlie Brown's indefatigable perseverance, and the cheerful support of Charlie's friends.

The inconclusive ending may bother some, but it will also provide children and adults with opportunity for creative musings on how they think the story concluded for Charlie. show less

Possibly because of my nonstandard schooling, I never got into the whole Magic School Bus thing. However, I see a lot of nostalgia for it from parents, requests for the original books by teachers, and younger kids who have rediscovered it. So I was definitely interested when Branches offered a tie-in series and it turned out to be quite popular.

Arnold is suffering through yet another day of winter when Ms. Frizzle suggests they take a field trip to somewhere else - like Hawaii! Wanda is show more disappointed, since she wants to visit the Arctic and save a rare fern, but changes her mind when she finds a cute little fish in the ocean. As Wanda tries to protect the fish, she and her classmates learn about how fish (and friends) can work together.

The black and white illustrations are rather bland - I would venture that only kids who grew up on the movies and original books will recognize each kid, who has a distinctive personality. Ms. Frizzle has apparently straightened her hair, which even I noticed, and the cast is carefully diverse, although, at least in this adventure, the white kids take the main roles. A glossary, dialogue with Ms. Frizzle with additional information, and discussion questions are included at the end of the book.

Honestly, I wasn't particularly impressed with this. I felt that the text was flat and bland, as was the art. The theme of the book wasn't well-defined, which left me wondering why Wanda was trying to "save" a random fish, without even researching its status. The kids are stereotyped and there's a little too much teasing of the characters for their various quirks for my taste.

However, none of this bothers the kids who recognize familiar characters, enjoy the touch of science, and like the nature-themed adventures.

Verdict: If you purchase all the Branches series, I wouldn't leave this one out, but if you can only get a few focus on other, more popular and better-written titles.

ISBN: 9781338194456; Published December 2017 by Scholastic; Purchased for the library show less

I think it is really interesting to note that the illustrators are listed as “The Pope Twins”, I wonder why if they are recognized this way in all of their books or just this book because it is about sisters. This is a pop-up book about sisters, both big and little sisters. Each page shows the perspective of a big sister and a little sister. So for example, one page talks about how being the big sister is awesome but also hard when your little sister wants to borrow everything you own. show more But it is also great being the big sister because then you can try out nail polishes and makeup on your little sister. The other issues include: borrowing clothes, sharing friends, maturity differences, responsibility differences, differences in things big sisters and little sisters are able/not able to do, and sharing the same room with your sister. I think the fact that both perspectives are iterated on every page is a really great writing technique. This persuasive/debate writing technique of showing both the pros and cons is perfect for a parent/teacher/family/friends to read to young girls. I only have brothers, but I know that having siblings can be a hard relationship to manage and help grow. However, this book could help parents talk about important issues for instance like how one sister might be feeling. This book can also help show children another side of the story, which is crucial because in the preoperational stage of development most young children display preoperational egocentrism. Egocentrism is the inability to see things from others perspectives, children can only think about issues from their frame of mind. This book might be a way for parents to overcome this obstacle. The illustrations in this book are awesome! They are very lively and colorful, the flaps open and surprises pop out on every page. On the back of the book it pictures both the authors and illustrators who all have sisters. I love how it describes The Pope Twin’s illustrations, “Combining Kate’s eye for color with Liz’s whimsical drawing style, the Pope Twins design an eye-catching world for children”. This is true, the book really is eye-catching for young children! show less