This offers a gentle bridge between a picture book and an independent-reading book for young learners. In format it has 16 "chapters", each only a pagThis offers a gentle bridge between a picture book and an independent-reading book for young learners. In format it has 16 "chapters", each only a page or two, with illustrations. The total is 64 pages and the small format keeps it in very readable range for this audience.
In this thoroughly twisted, contemporary take-off on the THREE LITTLE PIGS and the Big Bad Wolf, Willa is the delightfully talented and ambitious little pig who just happens to transform into a werewolf at midnight each night. She is self-aware and finds the magical properties and super powers of that nightly adventure to be a prefect vehicle for traveling the fashion centers of the world, finding inspiration for her unique and original designs.
In fact, her reputation spreads and she is offered the opportunity of her young life- to enter a design contest for the remarkable singing group, the PIGLET TRIPLET. After preparing and arranging for her final judging night, one delay leads to another and Willa's transformed identity comes to light, terrifying her parents, the trio, and the entire village. You can just imagine, can't you? Maybe not, but the humor and resolution will satisfy young readers. Those who are looking for a unique new character, some high adventure, and a lively reading experience will enjoy Willa the Werewolf.
I can't say often enough that traditional fairy tales, nursery rhymes, and other iconic literature need to remain in the lives of even the most digital-contemporary of kids, and this is fun way to do so. Share and compare various original versions of the three pigs with modern twists. What's more, Willa's design interests and globetrotting adventures are very powerful encouragements for young readers with such dreams. ...more
This combines the bests of ghost story, mystery, action/adventure, and family concerns in a chapter book series that features slightly older characterThis combines the bests of ghost story, mystery, action/adventure, and family concerns in a chapter book series that features slightly older character Sly (10 years old). The ghost/danger components are both compelling and "safe" enough to allow young readers to enjoy the suspense and heightened concern while feeling confident that the resolution will be a page turn away. The seat-up at the end of this particular title invites readers back to continue to follow Sly in his real-world worries (divorced parents) and in his newly-aware identity that claims his "witch" heritage and family stories. With book length just under one hundred pages, combined with larger print, plenty of white space, and short chapters that invite readers to pursue just one more, this is ideal for developing confidence and commitment to read often and fort longer periods. ...more
This new chapter book series features a near-future situation in which two scientist parents are able to include their two young children in an extendThis new chapter book series features a near-future situation in which two scientist parents are able to include their two young children in an extended stay on a a large space station. This includes schooling and other aspects of daily life that will take a futuristic plot and make it feel more familiar to young readers. As well, the situations of confusion and blame, sibling disagreements, school tasks, and parental concerns will feel familiar and make this exciting, diverse adventure feel easy to imagine and connect with as readers engage with the characters and their problems....more
Fenway is a truly appealing dog (speaking as a dog-lover) and that is true whether you enjoy dog stories or not. Told through Fenway's voice and perspFenway is a truly appealing dog (speaking as a dog-lover) and that is true whether you enjoy dog stories or not. Told through Fenway's voice and perspective, he is devoted to his "short human" but also is a curious, adventurous character by nature. The humor emerges from this distinct point of view and mitigates some of the anxious worry that might emerge when his opportunity to run free results in his getting separated from his "short human". In his case, he not only attempts to make that connection again but to prevent his human from "wandering off" and getting lost again. This is a series kids will really enjoys across many ages, with enough plot and character complexity to lay the groundwork for longer/older novels....more
I read the original A FRIEND FOR HENRY, a picture book, and I loved it. That important presentation of a neurodivergent boy at home and in school whosI read the original A FRIEND FOR HENRY, a picture book, and I loved it. That important presentation of a neurodivergent boy at home and in school whose individual needs make him seem "different" did a wonderful job of connecting readers to Henry and recognition/acceptance of his differences as both familiar and even appealing. In this launch of a new chapter-book series featuring Henry his intense concern for structure and consistency produces some stress in his life and among his peers. His teacher demonstrates strong understanding of his needs, his classmates display recognizable variations in their reactions, and the eventual resolution is both simple and satisfying in significant ways. Highly recommend this new title and I look forward to subsequent adventures from henry and his friends and school....more
This series features Priya, a young girl who is a party-fan and also an entrepreneur and go-getter. Throughout the 70+ pages the "story" is told in diThis series features Priya, a young girl who is a party-fan and also an entrepreneur and go-getter. Throughout the 70+ pages the "story" is told in diary format, with a page or so of narrative, supplemented by charts, notes, illustrated scene inserts, labeled diagrams and more. The complexity of the content and the presentation style allow this early chapter book to serve older reading audiences who benefit from the simpler text and visual supports but seek content suited to a preteen interest rather than early elementary audience. Even so, readers of any age are likely to find the characters, premise, and execution to be appealing enough to read eagerly and also to reread or refer to in their own potential diary-writing or party planning....more
This early chapter book has everything going for it that I love in books for these audiences. The characters provide both appealing familiarity and yeThis early chapter book has everything going for it that I love in books for these audiences. The characters provide both appealing familiarity and yet distinctive personalities, the illustration style is a mature-cartoonish approach with a touch of sophistication that does not appear to be "too babyish" for older readers who need engaging materials to read that allows them to develop more sustained meaning and fluency. It is written by an author with other highly successful novels that underscore the authenticity and high-quality of this storytelling material. The friendships convey, by analogy, that we can all get along even if we come from very different points of view (dogs and cats). The humor is effective in illustration, in extended text set-ups, and in one-line hits. Understanding of the slightly complex story is supported by short chapters with some subtle subplots, all of which build skills for more challenging non-illustrated text. This is the kind of book that can be reread with added discoveries in that second (or third) pass, and the repeated readings enhance confidence and fluency in natural ways without drill-and-kill approaches needed. The characters are winners and they appear in an extensive list of titles at varying lengths and developmental levels. The length of this book (90 pages), with its hard cover binding, makes it feel satisfy to early readers' hands, like a "real" book. Don't miss the last page of "cat tips" for napping!...more
This is a very realistic and direct narrative featuring MILES LEWIS, a kid from a healthy, encouraging family. This title in the series provides sceneThis is a very realistic and direct narrative featuring MILES LEWIS, a kid from a healthy, encouraging family. This title in the series provides scenes and discussions that encourage healthy approaches to fitness and competition, as well as friendships and self-worth. There is fun to be had, too, and fans are likely to await new titles eagerly....more
This is a unique early chapter booklet set in Lagos, perhaps one of the largest urban areas in the world but rarely portrayed in typical American textThis is a unique early chapter booklet set in Lagos, perhaps one of the largest urban areas in the world but rarely portrayed in typical American texts. In this series, and now this title, Tola's loving family is portrayed realistically in both dialect and circumstances that provide a window into daily life that is not unusual for the time and place portrayed. In this case it is set in circumstances surrounding the outset of the Covid pandemic and lockdown. The most unusual part of this early chapter book is not the rarity of material in this locale, or this cultural portrait, but the fact that Tola is the central character yet the older siblings/family/characters carry the storylines through several chapters. Those sequences portray challenges that are much older than young Tola would have faced. In fact, though, this is a valuable presentation that proves to be engaging, appealing, and broadening in the natural and authentic way in which the story is told and the events unfold....more
This latest title in an extensive series for early chapter book readers provides a strong base for readers to deal with somewhat more complex plot linThis latest title in an extensive series for early chapter book readers provides a strong base for readers to deal with somewhat more complex plot lines, work on prediction, and and note character development in early stages. The fantaasty/sci-fi aspect of the premise will be welcomed by many and meets a need for such topics and motivating text. ...more
A delightful new character and her squirrel/park family launch a semi-plausible world of adventure, excitement, and caring support. Looking forward toA delightful new character and her squirrel/park family launch a semi-plausible world of adventure, excitement, and caring support. Looking forward too more from this....more
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