Sandy Asher

As a child, I always felt that the two halves of the book were very different, and now I know it's because two different novellas were grafted together. The first half is the same as "Summer Smith Begins" and it's about a girl in an overwhelmingly white and Christian town who advocates changing the boring Christmas program that is a tradition in her school. The second half is a more contemplative exploration of the main character's fight with her best friend, conflict with her mother, and show more first kiss with a boy. I remember this book was first time I learned about "menopause" and "WASPs." I loved it as a kid and I think it holds up well.

Edit: In 2019, my brother had the job of suggesting which books at the library should be de-accessioned. He came home and mentioned one of the books he had recommended to remove was an interesting but very dated book about a girl who tries to get Chanukah celebrated at her school as well as Christmas. When I promptly reeled off the title, author, and full plot description, he reconsidered. The librarian ultimately decided to keep it because it must be a classic. show less

I might be a little biased because I adore chickens, so here's my my children's opinion instead....THEY LOVE IT!

This is one of my youngest daughters favorites. Turning the pages and seeing more and more chickens show up to the library never gets old for her.

The story starts with a chicken outside the library at night reading the story time advert. The chicken shows up the next day, then by word of beak more chickens arrive weekly...children and chickens in masses....the children love the show more chickens, the chickens love the children, they both love the stories. A duck even arrives at one point.

I like anything that encourages reading, and this is a cute and fun way to do it indeed. Well done Asher and Fearing! show less

Rabbit settles in his cozy wing chair by the fire and starts to read a book until he is interrupted by Froggie, who invites himself in and asks to hear the story. On successive nights, Froggie shows up again, makes himself snacks, and plunks down on a pile of pillows to listen to more reading aloud. Then Froggie brings his huge family to the evening storytime, and Rabbit has had enough: "Too many frogs! Too much fuss!" He tells the Frog clan to leave, but guilt catches up with him, and he show more invites the family back. The humorous, repetitive text is well matched by the funny, expressive illustrations. Persnickety Rabbit is appropriately anxious and irritable, while Froggie and his family exude bug-eyed cheerfulness. A good choice for storytimes. Category: Books for the Young--Fiction. 2005, Philomel, $15.99. PreS-Gr. 2. show less

In the absence of her mother, Princess Bee tests out the storytelling abilities of other family members at bedtime, but she ultimately must rely upon herself and memories of her mother to fall asleep.