Beth Bracken

Too Shy for Show-and-Tell is a story about a giraffe who likes many things, but never expresses that to his peers in school. Show-and-tell day is approaching and his fears about expressing himself, and the students reactions to his expression, cause him to try to get away with not having to present. His mom and teacher encourage him anyway and he presents and realizes that none of the horrible things he thought would happen did.

I like how this book had an undertone of stage freight and that show more the giraffe was able to overcome it and have a positive experience.

This would be a great story to lead into a written assignment where children recall times in their lives that they were so afraid to do something, did it anyway, and the outcome/lessons that came from that experience. For younger children this would be a great book to read prior to a show-and-tell so that children who are shy can be put more at ease and also as an example of expectations from the audience after someone has presented. show less

Pete has terrible, awful, horrible manners. He burps and he toots, and he picks his nose. Mom and Dad are secretly horrified. Okay, maybe not that secretly, but Pete, he just doesn’t care. To him, good attention, bad attention, it’s all attention, and he loves attention. Pete talks with his mouth full, never saying “thank you,” “please,” or “you’re welcome.” He loves a good toot, especially when other people are around. To Pete, it is nothing but good clean fun. Dinner is show more the best time to give everyone he loves a show. He burps, he toots, he picks his nose, and food flies out of his mouth until mom and dad finally have had enough of Pete’s terrible, awful, horrible manners.

LOVE this book. Rotten manners have never been so funny for the younger set. Pete is, dare I say, a cute monkey who has the most delightful expressions when he toots. The illustration of Pete with his mouth full cracked me up—and I hate it when someone talks with her mouth full. The best part of the story is when Pete’s parents finally decide to set Pete straight.

I envy the kids who will have this read to them by their parents. The readers who act out what they read will have so much fun cracking up their kids. Terrible, Awful, Horrible Manners is one of those books kids will want to read over, and over, and over again, and again. No fear parents, this is one book you will enjoy reading over, and over, and over again, and again.

Note: digit book received from netgalley, courtesy of Capstone.
http://kid-lit-reviews.com/2012/02/25/terrible-awful-horrible-manners-by-beth-br... show less

In Beth Bracken’s Cinderella: The Graphic Novel, illustrations and plot combine to present a dark Dickensian rendition of the classic fairy. Unlike the popular Disney version, Cinderella’s mistreatment at the hands of her stepmother and stepsisters begins while her father is still alive. What support she receives is not from him, however, but from a series of unusual events – such as a flock of birds aiding her in an impossible task set by her stepmother – centered around the grave show more of her mother. Jeffrey Stewart Timmins’ predominantly brown illustrations and grotesque stepsisters lend themselves well to the dark nature of the story. An interesting retelling, this Cinderella might be best suited for more mature readers in a transitional reading phase to tackle themselves, instead of as a picture book for younger children. In support of this, Bracken includes a glossary of difficult terms, history of Cinderella, discussion questions, and sources for further writing and research. show less

Like Rapunzel, Cinderella is illustrated by Jeffrey Stewart Timmins and he shines here as well. I especially loved how he treated the women's hair and silhouettes in Cinderella. He has again used watercolor to create these beautiful washes of color but small details too. Thought again I would have wished the speech bubbles be hand drawn.

I love the story of Cinderella and with the addition of Jeffrey Stewart Timmins's illustration this is a winning rendition. Like the other Capstone offerings show more from the Graphic Spin line in the back of the book you will find a history of the fairy tale, discussions and writing prompts. Cinderella is a reading level of 2.1 or I. show less