Ann Hassett

There are 3 reasons that I like this book. First, it is a spinoff of “The Three Billy Goats Gruff.” It makes this traditional tale relatable for children because it is about 3 sisters on their way to school and a bully. Kids can picture themselves as one of the characters in the story, making the message even more apparent. Second, the book is silly and will make both children and adults laugh. The facts that the bully’s name is “Ugly-Boy Bobby” and the girls brought an absurd show more amount of jelly donuts to school for lunch are funny for children because they are unrealistic. The authors specifically played off of things they thought children would find funny, such as when the oldest sister threatens to kiss the bully and he runs away screaming. Third, I think the authors use great descriptive language in this book. Rather than making the text too wordy or difficult for young children to understand, they used obvious adjectives that children could easily visualize to describe the characters’ traits. For example, the authors write, “her extra-large-sized lips” to describe the oldest sisters threat of a kiss. The central message in this story is that children don’t have to give in to bullies. I really like the fact that this book empowers children to stand up to and out-smart bullies. show less

This “I Like to Read” book uses simple vocabulary and repetitive text. However, it avoids the monotonous tone that some early reading books have.

Ben’s red balloon carries him up through the window, past bees, over the tree, and on until he reaches the moon. Ben fills his pocket with moon rocks in order to return to Earth. He waves goodbye to his sister as she begins her own journey with the red balloon.

The illustrations are bright, simple drawings. Oddly, Ben is a drawn, roughly cut show more out, and pasted character on each page. The pictures would appeal to children preschool and kindergarten age. However, the humorous tone would engage a six-year-old as well.

This would be a charming gift for a child who is just learning to read. show less

There are 3 reasons that I like this book. First, it is a spinoff of “The Three Billy Goats Gruff.” It makes this traditional tale relatable for children because it is about 3 sisters on their way to school and a bully. Kids can picture themselves as one of the characters in the story, making the message even more apparent. Second, the book is silly and will make both children and adults laugh. The facts that the bully’s name is “Ugly-Boy Bobby” and the girls brought an absurd show more amount of jelly donuts to school for lunch are funny for children because they are unrealistic. The authors specifically played off of things they thought children would find funny, such as when the oldest sister threatens to kiss the bully and he runs away screaming. Third, I think the authors use great descriptive language in this book. Rather than making the text too wordy or difficult for young children to understand, they used obvious adjectives that children could easily visualize to describe the characters’ traits. For example, the authors write, “her extra-large-sized lips” to describe the oldest sisters threat of a kiss. The central message in this story is that children don’t have to give in to bullies. I really like the fact that this book empowers children to stand up to and out-smart bullies. show less

Nana Quimby has a problem. There's a cat up a tree. So she calls the fire department, but they won't help - and when she looks again there are MORE cats. So she calls various other institutions, ranging from the sensible (police station) to the absurd (library), and finally city hall. Every call results in more cats stuck in her tree, until eventually she gives in and rescues them herself.

And when the whole city calls about the mice infestation... well, let's just say that turnaround is fair show more play and leave it at that. Sweet book, and a bit silly as well. show less