Wendy Wax (2)

Told in rhyming verse, City Witch, Country Switch is a witchy re-interpretation of the classic Aesopic fable, The City Mouse and the Country Mouse, in which two rodents see how "the other half" lives. In Wendy Wax's story, however, it is two witch cousins - country-bred Muffletump and city-slicker Mitzi - who visit one another, before making the inevitable discovery that they prefer life at home. A happy "compromise" is reached, however, through the use of the "Far-No-More" spell, allowing show more them each to stay where they are, and to also be neighbors.

I was really quite surprised to see the almost universal praise heaped upon this title, in the online reviews I've been reading, as I myself found it a mostly mediocre offering. The story didn't really involve me, the rhyme scheme felt forced, and the illustrations by Scott Gibala-Broxholm were unappealing. Young readers with a strong interest in witchy tales might still find this interesting, but with so many superior examples of the genre out there - Arthur Howard's Hoodwinked, for example, or Valerie Thomas' Winnie the Witch - I wouldn't recommend going to any great lengths to obtain it. show less

Secret Agents is book number 3 that is part of a series of books about the Backyardigans adventures. The Backyardigans are a group of fictional friends who adventure all over the world starting in their backyard and end right back there just in time for snack. Throughout their adventures they sing, encourage and help each in whatever might come along. This specific book, Secret Agents, is about Pablo, Tyrone, and Uniqua going on a secret mission to bring this mysterious bone back to the show more Treasure Museum. In their time in the museum, the trio highlights how to be sneaky and a good secret agent.
This book in my opinion doesn't have a deeper meaning or agenda other than friends going on a adventure together and using to team-work to get the job done. The tone and feeling you get from this book is overall very happy and excited. The bright colors in the book express how the author wants you to feel when adventuring with the Backyardigans - happy and ready for a fun trip in the backyard. This book really helps children use there imagination.
Using this book in the classroom would be fun to do in my opinion. You could really expand this story and have to children interact and take an adventure of there own. show less

This is one of our favorite Backyardigans shows, and has several of our favorite songs (many of which are on our ipods so the kids can listen in the car). However, the Backyardigans don't translate well to books. Without the songs, the stories lose all their charm.

Arlo is an adorable armadillo who gets lost on his way home from flying kites with a friend Jack, a happy rabbit. On a dreary, windy day Arlo laments his having to stay inside to play, but then Jack suggests going to fly kites together. On their way to a nearby grassy hill Arlo takes notice of various sights and smells along the way, such as the neighboring skunk's burrow and a rosebush. Once a thunderstorm arrives Jack and Arlo decide to leave their kites tied to a rock and return home, but show more Arlo secretly goes back for his kite. This is when the armadillo gets lost. Watching Arlo find his way home shows problem-solving skills to readers through a situation that children can identify with. Using his memory and critical thinking Arlo is able to retrace his steps back home. Once there, Arlo learns a valuable lesson about paying attention and finding your way. Children will love the animals found throughout the picture book, especially the main character and his family. The illustrations are also very well designed. Relf’s use of bright color spreads across each page will keep readers’ attention. show less