Funny Early Chapter Book

Early chapter books are hard to write.  While the nature of the limited word choices and lower word count will simplify the story, there is simple done well and well, simply stupid.  That is why all of us in the library/blogging world get so excited when an early chapter book is as clever as the one I am profiling today!

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Title:Dory Fantasmagory

Author:Abby Hanlon

Target:Grade 1-3

Series:This is the first book in a planned series

What this book is about:  
Dory is the little sister who desperately wants her big brother and sister to play with her.  She snorts milk, pretends to be a dog and fishes thing out of the toilet, all in the desperate attempt to get her siblings to include her.  They, however, complain when Dory breaths on them.  In a attempt to get her out of their hair, they make up an evil baby stealing robber, Mrs. Gobble Gracker, who will come and get Dory if she is not careful.  Of course Dory’s  fabulous pretend world starts to include the nefarious Mrs. Gobble Gracker.  But when Dory’s sister’s doll goes missing, Dory must cross over the line and come back to reality where family tops her pretend world any day.

Why I love this book: 
I love this book because Dory acts like a real kid and not a kid devised for a story.  Her unrelenting attempts to get her brother and sister to engage with her feel absolutely real.  In fact you will probably feel like you are looking into a mirror!  Of course it is a lot funnier when it happens in someone else's family and the laughs are plentiful in this story.

For anyone worried about the baby stealing Mrs. Gobble Gracker, fear not.  She is just as preposterous as all the other make believe characters Dory envisions and she will not induce any real fear in your kids.   Of course Dory’s fairy godmother Mr. Nuggy in a dress is a little scary …. but it also will have your kids laughing with glee.

Who this book is for: 
Great for kids who are reading early chapter books.  Pictures are on almost every page.  If you have a child who is just starting early chapter books it would make a fun read together or read aloud.  You will probably enjoy the story as much as your child.

Final thoughts:
I’m still kinda happy I was an only child. 

To purchase this book:

Click on the following link to connect to Amazon: Dory Fantasmagory  A portion of each purchase will go back to support this blog at no cost to you.  Thank you for your support.

Wonderful Fantasy Book for Kids

Fantasy books are really hit or miss for me.  I probably fall more clearly in the realistic fiction camp, so I am willing to give more leeway to those stories, while fantasy books have to be exceptionally good to get the thumbs up from me.  Try as I might to be balanced, there are always a few biases that creep in ...

The good new is, for those of you who have kids who love being taken away to another world, well I bring you only the books that pass my ridiculously high bar.  Luckily there is some good stuff brewing out there, so buckle up.  It's a good ride, especially today with The Luck Uglies.

I have included the official book trailer below so check it out!

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Title:The Luck Uglies

Author:Paul Durham

Target:Grades 4-7

Series:This is the first book in a planned trilogy

What this book is about: 
Rye has grown up in Drowning with her mother and sister.  She has no memory of when the Bog Noblins terrorized the town and only knows that the Luck Uglies chased them away, only to be banished themselves by the Earl.  However, an encounter with a wayward Bog Noblin makes Rye realize that everything she knows may be wrong and that the good guys and bad guys are not so easy to recognize.

Why I love this book: 
This book is wonderfully written, the characters are appealing and complex and there is some humor to lighten up the scary parts of the story.  I was on the edge of my seat with this one, and I can’t say there was a single character I didn’t appreciate!

Durham has created this rich and spooky world, but even more than that he got me invested in this story and completely wrapped up in these characters.  Of course there is plenty of action, humor, monsters and secret societies.  What is not to love?

Who this book is for:
Great for any kid who loves the fantasy genre.  This book is a perfect fit for kids who loved The Night Gardner and How to Catch a Bogle.

Final thoughts: 
The cover did nothing for me and I would probably not have picked the book up if it hadn’t been chosen as a Cybils finalist for Elementary and Middle Grade Speculative Fiction.  Check out all the contenders here: Cybils

To purchase this book:

Click on the following link to connect to Amazon: The Luck Uglies  A portion of each purchase will go back to support this blog at no cost to you.  Thank you for your support.

Great Football Book for Boys

With the Superbowl this coming weekend, why not get your kids reading a book about high school football.  There are no under inflated balls involved, but for kids who love the game, this one is a great read.  And I promise it won't deflate their expectations.  (I kinda had to!)

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Title: The Walk On

Author:John Feinstein

Target:Grades 6 and up

Series: This is the first book in a planned trilogy

What this book is about: 
Alex has just moved into town and with his amazing arm he has high hopes of making the varsity football team as the new quarterback.  However, he quickly learns that not only does the team already have a solid quarterback, but the quarterback is also the coaches son, making a starting position virtually impossible.  While Alex wants to hate the quarterback, he can’t, because he turns out to be a great guy and a talented team leader.  But Alex can’t say the same thing about the head coach.  The coach’s obvious favoritism means that Alex will have to be a team player, even if that means sitting on the bench. 

Why I love this book: 
I know almost nothing about football, but I still got completely caught up in the games, which are pivotal to this story.  Some of the terminology eluded me, but it didn’t matter in my enjoyment of this book.   

I liked Alex.  He gets frustrated, he makes mistakes but you are rooting for him throughout.  I also really enjoyed that they didn’t make the other quarterback the bad guy.  So often in books it is another team member who is the bully, but in this case it is actually the adult in power that is making questionable decisions, and I think that makes Alex’s situation feel even more complex.

I also enjoyed the fact it was a book with a kid in high school, but it was appropriate for middle school kids.  They want to read about more mature situations, but sometimes the books with high school athletes focus too much on issues that may not be relevant to younger kids.  This book crossed over nicely.

Who this book is for: 
Great book for athletes, and it works for both middle school and high school kids.

Final thoughts: 
I really liked this one.  I am looking forward to basketball season for book two and baseball season for book three!  Yes, Alex has quite an arm.

To purchase this book:

Click on the following link to connect to Amazon: The Walk On (The Triple Threat, 1)  A portion of this book goes to support this blog at no cost to you.  Thank you for your support.

The British Are Coming!

I have to admit that I do love a good story from across the pond!  My trip to London last summer just left me wanting more, and thankfully many of the delightful books that have been a success over there are now available stateside.  How lucky are we?

I ran into a friend the other day who also enjoys scouting out good book finds for kids in the UK.  She reminded me of another series I profiled for early readers several years ago which her kids have just discovered and adore. You're a Bad Man Mr. Gum.  Scroll down to the end of the blog where I have reprinted it for those of you who can't get enough of anything British.

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Title: Digby O’Day In the Fast Lane

Author: Shirley Hughes 

Target: Kindergarten - Grade 2

Series:This is the first book in a planned series

What this book is about: 
This is a charming story in the vein of tortoise and the hare. Digby takes good care of his car, keeping it well oiled and shiny.  His neighbor Lou Ella buys a new fancy car every year.  When Digby’s car breaks down, Lou Ella is too busy to help.  However, during the big car race, friends of Digby help him discover a clever short cut which leaves Lou Ella in the dust, with no one to blame but herself.

Why I love this book: 
First off the illustrations by the author’s daughter are absolutely charming.  They have included a map of the race route so kids can follow along, interviews with all the main characters, and bonus activities.  These all add to the fun.

The story itself has cars hanging off of cliffs and a race to the finish, which means lots of action.  Lou Ella was the unexpected villain as her entitled attitude is put to the test and fails to get her the desired results.

Who this book is for:
Great for kids starting chapter books.  Cartoon like illustrations on every page with only a few sentences will make success feel attainable.

Final thoughts: 
Just love this import from the UK.  I can’t wait until Digby rides again

To purchase this book:

Click on the following link to connect to Amazon: Digby O'Day in the Fast Lane  A portion of each purchase goes back to support this blog at no cost to you.  Thank you for your support.

Title:Claude at the Beach

Author:Alex T. Smith

Target:Kindergarten - Grade 2

Series: Yes

What this book is about: 
Claude is a dapper dog whose busy owners rush off every morning.  Claude decides that he and his best friend Sir Bobblysock, who is literally a sock, will have an adventure and go on vacation to the beach that day.  With bags packed they set out to find that things are not quite as they expected.  Claude saves a man from a shark, enters a sandcastle contest and helps pirates find buried treasure.  All in a days work.

Why I love this book: 
The Claude books are fun adventures with cartoon drawings that are extremely appealing.  While no big life lessons are covered, there are giggles, extravagant escapades and humor throughout.  It is a fun romp with a book that most children will enjoy.

Who this book is for: 
Good early chapter book, but some of the words are for more advanced readers.  There are illustrations and only a sentence of two on every page so the story is not intimidating, but read it aloud or with your child if you have a new reader.

Final thoughts: 
Another import from the UK.  How lucky are we?

To purchase this book:
Click on the following link to connect to Amazon: Claude at the Beach  A portion of each purchase goes back to support this blog at no cost to you.  Thank you for your support.

Title:You’re a Bad Man Mr. Gum

Author:Andy Stanton

Target:Grades 2-5

Series:Yes

What this book is about:

Mr. Gum is a dirty, filthy, mean hearted man who keeps his home a mess.  However, his garden is immaculate because a little fairy comes and whacks him with a frying pan if the garden is ever out of order.  When the local dog decides that Mr. Gum’s garden is an ideal place to romp, Mr. Gum is bruised and battered from the fairy whackings he receives.  He decides to poison the dog (because he is a very bad man after all) but when a little girl Polly get wind of the situation, she tries to come to the dog’s rescue.

Why I love this book:

Well this book is silly done oh so well, and as many of you know, doing silly in a clever way is not always that easy or successful.  The descriptions are marvelous, the characters are absurd without loosing the point of the story and of course who can resist a book with a super bonus story at the end!

This book was originally published in the UK and it still has many the British expressions (and all of the British humor), but the author has added a glossary for the Americans which “tells you what words mean by explaining them using other words.”

Who this book is for:

Kids just moving into more advanced chapter books will enjoy this.  However, I actually think reading this book aloud may be the best way to experience it.  It reads so well to an audience, and allows the kids to get some of the more advanced humor without skimming by it.

Final thoughts:

This book is a whopper of a good time, with the occasional oddity thrown in.

To purchase this book:

Click on the following link to connect to Amazon: You're a Bad Man, Mr Gum! Special Edition  A portion of each purchase goes to support this blog at no cost to you.  Thank you for your support.

Nonfiction Book Kids Will Love

I thought I would share one of my favorite nonfiction books today!  This book is amazing, full of science, replete with interesting creatures and absolutely slimy and gross.  I can't think of a more perfect combination to intrigue kids.  Both my daughter and I couldn't put it down.

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Title: When Lunch Fights Back

Author: Rebecca Johnson

Target:Grades 3-6

What this book is about: 
This book profiles several animals who have unique ways of defending themselves from predators.  There is the hagfish who slimes sharks away, the Spanish ribbed newt whose ribs actually poke out of his body with tips of poison and the fulmar chick who sends a stream of putrid vomit out on to anyone who might do him harm.

Why I love this book: 
I really enjoyed the way the book was laid out.  First Johnson shares the story of what these animals do to defend themselves against a typical aggressor, and then she delves into the science behind the story.  Kids learn both the physiology of the animal that allows them to perform a physical feat and the chemical reactions that occur to make the toxins they use work.

Also the stories she has found are frankly amazing and a little gross.  This makes them all the more fun and fascinating to read about.  The one that I actually found the most interesting was the mustard plant.  You will be amazed at how a plant that cannot move and has no brain has found a way to survive.  Incredible!  And no, I am not giving it away.  You have to read the book.

Who this book is for: 
Any kid interested in animals or science should love this book.  However, even if they aren’t interested in these things to begin with, this book will certainly peek their curiosity!

Final thoughts:
This book is not for the faint of heart.  It is amazing the creative ways animals use to stay alive, and that their battles are waging all around, unseen, every day.

To purchase this book:

Click on the following link to connect to Amazon: When Lunch Fights Back: Wickedly Clever Animal Defenses  A portion of each purchase will go back to support this blog at no cost to you.  Thank you for your support.

Get Your Kids to Snuggle Up With a Good Book

With the temperatures getting colder, who doesn't want to snuggle up with a good book?  With less opportunity to be running around outside, this is a great time to get kids into some engaging books to fill the time they have to spend indoors.  Cue book about a girl who lives in a zoo and wrangles crocodiles in her free time.  Not your typical day in the suburbs.

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Title:How to Outrun a Crocodile When Your Shoes Are Untied

Author:Jess Keating

Target: Grades 4-8

Series: Yes

What this book is about: 
Ana is in seventh grade with a family that is well known for their work with animals.  Their fame is her shame.  While the rest of her family is charismatic and outgoing, Ana is awkward and scared of having too much attention placed on her.  When her grandfather makes his family the star of his new reality show, all Ana’s fears are realized.  She must live in a zoo (mortifying), she must talk in front of strangers (embarrassing), and she becomes more of a target for the girls in school who have it out for her (impossible)!  Can Ana turn things around, or will she always be the kid who can’t live up to the accomplishments of her family?

Why I love this book: 
Ana is the perfect tween.  She embodies all the things that tweens worry about - their parents embarrassing them, not being able to look as cool or great as the other kids, having to put themselves out there and be outgoing in public.  I can’t imagine a kid not seeing something of themselves in Ana.  I think we forget as adults some of the worries and challenges kids face in middle school, because we have moved passed them, but they are very real for these kids.

The book also has humor and fun and will be so relatable for kids.  Anna has some tough challenges, but she is a good kid with nice friends, and she has a sense of humor!  Of course there is also a substantial amount of animal poop.  You have been warned.

Who this book is for: 
Great for middle school kids who like realistic fiction.  Also nice for girls who like animals.  The author includes relevant animal facts at the start of every chapter. 

Final thoughts: 
A lovely surprise of a book.  Both my daughter and I were completely caught up in the story and are looking forward to the sequel which was just published!

To purchase this book:

Click on the following link to connect to Amazon: How to Outrun a Crocodile When Your Shoes Are Untied (My Life Is a Zoo)  A portion of each purchase goes to support this blog at no cost to you.  Thank you for your support.

Funny Picture Book Alert

Time for a fun picture book!  This one is so clever that it had me and my daughter giggling all the way through.  I love it when readers are asked to actively engage in a story, and this one doesn't disappoint.  How often does your picture book misbehave and your child must set things right?

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Title:This Book Just Ate My Dog

Author:Richard Byrne

Target:Preschool - Grade 1

What this book is about: 

Bella is casually walking her dog across the page when he suddenly disappears!  Her friend Ben goes to investigate, and he too vanishes.  Cue rescue vehicles and they too are lost from sight.  When Bella takes matters into her own hands she finds she needs the readers help to set things right … well almost right.

Why I love this book:  

While interactive stories where readers shake and wiggle the physical book have become all the rage, this book stands out.  The reason I like it is because it uses the actual fold in the book’s center to provide a clever twist to the story.  Embracing a books physical limitations to create an engaging mystery is very clever indeed.

You see, everything in the book disappears into the book’s fold and it isn’t until Bella sends out a note to the reader asking them to shake everyone loose, that order is returned.  But of course not everything rights itself perfectly, just adding to the fun.  

Who this book is for: 

Fun book for kids who like to laugh and who like interactive stories.  Now could that be your child?

Final thoughts: 

I love the endpaper where the book must write over and over again “I promise not to be a naughty book.” 

To purchase this book:
Click on the following link to connect to Amazon: This book just ate my dog!  A portion of each purchase will go back to support this blog at no cost to you.  Thank you for your support.

Arctic Adventure for Kids

Today I have an exciting action and adventure book on the blog.  I very much appreciate that this series takes kids around the world to experience both the people and culture of other geographic areas.

I also like that there is an internet tie in.  While I often get frustrated when kids are directed to a computer after reading a book, I mean isn't the point of a book to get them off the computer, these videos have some great footage of the places visited during the story.  Somehow seeing the actual places made the story feel all the more real.

Don't forget to Follow One Great Book on Facebook, Twitter, Google + and Pinterest for all the books that show two brothers hamming it up around the globe.  I want their job.  And don't forget to check out the video clip at the end of the blog to see their adventure in Greenland!

Title:Greenland: Travels With Gannon & Wyatt

Authors:Pattie Wheeler and Keith Hemstreet

Target:Grades 4-7

Series:Yes

What this book is about: 
Gannon and Wyatt are twin brothers who are on an arctic adventure to cross Greenland on their own dog sleds.  However, when their journey begins, they learn from their guide that a group of Inuit families have become stranded even further north than the boys were headed, so they agree to make the trek to try and rescue them.  While the boys learn about the culture and heritage of Greenland, they are also literally experiencing the physical environment as they work through a terrible storm to try and save the locals from certain peril.  

Why I love this book: 
There is actually a Gannon and Wyatt, they are real kids and they take trips to places featured in the books.  I really appreciated the website with actual footage from the real Gannon and Wyatt’s trip to Greenland.  It is not often that I feel a real connection with internet material that accompanies books, but in this case it was well done.  While the actual adventure in the book is fiction, the details about their surroundings are taken from their trips and kids can see them in the video footage online.

The story itself is told in alternating journal entries from the two brothers.  They include actual photos throughout the book from Greenland showing people and places they met on their adventure.  While they pack in a lot of information, the story never gets bogged down because of the very readable format.

I like that the story is suspenseful and that there is some tragedy.  I feel as though kids get so used to a perfect ending that they begin to get jaded when they read books, so I appreciated some honest drama.

The book is also a lovely blend of information about culture, geography and climate changes wrapped up in a suspenseful adventure.  Gannon and Wyatt feel like real teenagers, so there is also plenty of brotherly ribbing and jokes.

Who this book is for: 
Nice for reluctant readers because of the format and videos that accompany the book.  However, even voracious readers will get caught up in the adventures of these two intrepid explorers.

Final thoughts: 
If you ever thought Greenland was named for its rolling green hills, then you really need to read this book.

To purchase this book:

Click on the following link to connect to Amazon: Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Greenland (Travels With Gannon & Wyatt)  A portion of each purchase goes back to support this blog at no cost to you.  Thank you for your support.

Kid's Books Where the Con Is On

Today I have fun one.  There is just something about a book where cons are being played and you are never quite sure who to trust that makes for a can't put down read.

Of course to con someone you have to have charm and who doesn't like to read about someone who is so charismatic.  Also, you have to understand human behavior and it's entertaining to see how someone else is taken in by traits and insecurities we all posses.

Don't forget to Follow One Great Book on Facebook, Twitter, Google + and Pinterest for all the books that are really great reads.  No I'm not conning you ... no really.

Title:Trust Me, I’m Lying

Author:Mary Elizabeth Summer

Target:Grades 6 and up

Series:This is the first book in a planned series

What this book is about: 
Julep Dupree attends a private school in Chicago, but she is anything but swanky.  In fact, she and her father are con artists, and this school is her attempt to turn her life around.  However, when her father mysteriously disappears, she has to turn to her grifting ways, not only try and find him, but also to earn enough money to pay tuition and keep a roof over her head.  Thankfully her school is full of marks, but also friends who will help her at every turn.

Why I love this book: 
This is just a fun caper story filled with cons and twists.  I actually enjoyed the con she did for her fellow classmate the best - getting the most popular girl in school to go to the dance with the established nerd.  However, the meat of the story is Julep’s attempts to find her father and to do that she has to outwit the mob!

I do have to note that there is one instance where the word “bitch” is used in the text.  It is almost at the end and there were no other swear words in the book, so I was so bummed.  Not needed and now I have to let you know about it.  Other than that everything was age appropriate.

Who this book is for: 
Kids who liked Loot and Heist Society will absolutely enjoy this one.  

Final thoughts: 
I really appreciated Julep’s understanding of human behavior.  Most of her cons are based on simply understanding how people think.

To purchase this book:
Click on the following link to connect to Amazon: Trust Me, I'm Lying  A portion of each purchase goes to support this blog at no cost to you.  Thank you for your support.

Historical Fiction for Kids

Ok, let's talk historical fiction.  I am a big fan.  I love it when kids get caught in an engaging story with action and excitement, only to realize that they have actually learned something about a moment in history.  I call that a win/win.

Today I have a book by a master of the genre, Kirby Larson.  I have yet to read a book she has written that has not thoroughly engaged and charmed me.  Of course being a Newbery Honor winner is no small feat, so she does have some serious credentials on her side.  This latest offering is absolutely lovely and reminds me of books I would have devoured as a kid, but not old fashioned, I promise!

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Title:Dash

Author:Kirby Larson

Target: Grades 3-6

Series:No

What this book is about: 

Mitsi Kashino is a young girl of Japanese descent who is quietly attending school in Seattle when the attack on Pearl Harbor occurs.  She is swept up in the anti Japanese sentiments and forced to leave her home and beloved dog to move to the internment camps set up around the country.  This is her story of life in the camps for a Seatle born girl who had never even left the country, and how her dog remains her friend and companion, even though they are miles apart.

Why I love this book: 

I didn’t know much about the Japanese internment.  I remember my mother telling me of a family who had to move away from her neighborhood during the war, and after reading this story I wish she were still alive so I could ask her more questions about their experiences.  

Mitsi is a wonderful main character.  She is extremely likable as she tries to find comfort in her art, books and dog.  She sees her family changing in the camps and she wants to hold on to everything she knew.  Her letters to and from Dash, her dog, are a charming connection to life outside her captivity.

This book is one of those delightful historical novels that remind me exactly of what I read as a kid, but without feeling old fashioned.  I would have devoured this one as a tween and begged my mom for a dog. 

Who this book is for: 

Girls who like the American Girl historical books will immediately fall in love with Dash.  Kirby Larson does historical fiction for kids oh so well. 

Final thoughts: 

“Dash” out and pick this one up.  A winner.

To purchase this book:

Click on the following link to connect to Amazon: Dash  A portion of each purchase goes back to support this blog at no cost to you.  Thank you for your support.

2015 Newbery and Caldecott Contenders

Well the New Year brings with it the announcement of the Newbery and Caldecott award winners.  Bloggers from around the country love to discuss, analyze, debate and create their lists of who they think the winners will be.  You didn't expect me to be different did you?

What follows are my predictions.  Feel free to follow along when the awards are announced on February 2nd.  You may mock, debate, or generally applaud my guesses, but whether they bring home the shining sticker or not, these choices represent some of the best writing for children out there.  They may not appeal to all (or many) of your kids, but they maintain a high bar for what children's writing can be.

Newbery Winners

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacquiline Woodson
If this book doesn't win the big prize you will be able to knock me over with a feather.  It has already claimed victory at the National Book Awards.  Written in verse and detailing the author's life as a young black girl in the 70s, this book is a gem.  I still don't have a good read on how kids are embracing the story, but as an adult, I found it beautifully written and poignant.   With the current emphasis on diverse books, which has become the hot topic of late, this book is a perfect example of how a story written about a girl of color can deeply touch us to the core.

The Night Gardner by Jonathan Auxier
If you had asked me at the beginning of the summer which book I thought would bring home the Newbery, this book would have been at the top of my list.   It is spooky, full of wonderful imagery and life lessons wrapped up in a bone tingling narrative.  In fact, if diversity weren't such an important topic for kids books at this point in time, I think this book would have had a chance to win it all.   This is the Graveyard Book, but with a bit more whimsey and old fashion fun.  However, at this point I don't think it has enough gravitas to bring home the shiny sticker, but I am hoping for an Honor!

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
I rarely get overly excited by a book written in verse and this year I have two, count them two books with the poet's touch.  Where Brown Girl Dreaming paints a vivid picture in words of moments in the author's history, The Crossover is bolder and stronger in the language it uses, evoking the feelings of a brother who is figuring out how he fits into his family.  They couldn't be more different, but they each remain incredibly powerful stories.  The Crossover is exciting with action packed basketball games, but it still touches us with it's honest portrayal of a middle school boy and his struggles of growing up.  I think more kids will respond to this story because it will feel more relevant for them.  This one is my favorite of the two, but I still think that Brown Girl Dreaming may have the emotional edge over The Crossover.

Caldecott Winners

This one is hard for me because I rarely enjoy the books selected.  The prize actually goes only to the illustrator, so while the words play a role, it is the drawings that actually must stand on their own and convey a significant part of the story. Every once in a while a book such as This Is Not My Hat wins, but in general I am left feeling a little disappointed with the winner.  However, that will not dissuade me from my task of giving you my picks!

Three Bears in a Boat by David Soman
This book is my number one pick for the shiny sticker.  The illustrations are drop dead gorgeous, awe inspiring and fit perfectly with the story.  Of course any pick of mine must have a sense of humor about itself, and while this book won't have you rolling in the aisles, it has a subtle humor that is not lost on the reader.  It even has some odes to adults who will enjoy the references to other great works of literature.  Three bears break their mother's shell and go in search of a replacement, rather than fess up to their crime.  Their quest leads them on quite an adventure, only to find that doing the right thing was probably the best course of action to begin with.

The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
Ok, this one is a hail mary.  I haven't seen it discussed often in the panels, but I am putting it out there none the less.  I love that in this new era with an emphasis on STEM, there is a charming, female centric book that focuses on creating things.  But not only creating things, the creative process.  What we see in our heads is never what ends up being built, and Spires doesn't cheat in this book by making everything happy and easy.  It is difficult, frustrating and painful to create and we don't always get it perfect.  Oh, and the book is funny too, with charming illustrations.  Bravo!

Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio, Illustrations by Christian Robinson
Gaston is the story of a little dog who doesn't look like anyone else in his canine family.  A trip to the dog park quickly uncovers that two little pooches were switched at birth, but when Gaston is reunited with the family that looks like him it just doesn't feel right.  His first family is where he belongs.  This one is a long shot, but I put it in because I wanted three books (see the high criteria to which I hold myself.)  There are other books being talked about more strongly for the Caldecott, but I just don't feel they speak to children in a compelling way, no matter how gorgeous or touching they may be.  So Gaston it is!  I absolutely love the illustrations in the this book.  They feel European in the best, most innovative way.

Let me know what you think and let's see how I did on February 2nd.  Who knew a book competition could be so much fun?