Beginning Readers - Chapterbooks / Fiction

Eliza Prattlebottom of Bunthmather Street wishes for something special on her eighth birthday; she wishes for an elephant to come and take her away. Where to? Anywhere, so she can escape from having to grow up, and that’s exactly what happens—Cousin Floyd, an elephant, appears to take Eliza away and into the jungle where only creatures, animals, and a herd of elephants live. The only problem is Eliza doesn’t realize how much she’s missed at home, and how much Adelle, her 97- year- old Grandmother, needs to be with Cousin Floyd. Adelle decides to search for Eliza and Cousin Floyd while pulling her two-hundred- year- old bulldog, Potato, in a red wagon. Obviously, this is no ordinary ninety-seven year old woman! Adelle knows exactly where to find Eliza, as she visited the same spot with Cousin Floyd when she was a little girl. Adelle is finally able to convince Eliza to return home when she transforms into a young girl the same age as Eliza, and it’s then that Eliza understands only one “wisher” can stay. Eliza realizes Adelle needs to stay, as she’s enjoyed her life for ninety-seven years and wants to live the remainder of it through her memories, whereas Eliza has her whole life to live!

The Elephant Wish is a beautifully written and magically illustrated book that promises life is worth living, and that growing up is always filled with mystery and surprises. Lou Berger, also head-writer for Sesame Street, succeeds in a book that reveals growing up doesn’t have to be scary; instead, it should be embraced as a new adventure. Ana Juan’s illustrations are vividly colorful and playfully stylized, and they work well with the story to emphasize the surreal, yet chaotic feelings of growing up.

This is a perfect book for children leaving the nest to begin Kindergarten, progressing to a new grade level, or simply learning to tie their shoes. To others, even adults, I highly recommend this book to reconnect with their childlike spirit and to remember that life is always a journey. Other such relevant books for the Beginning-Reader are Dr. Seuss’s Oh The Places You’ll Go and Maurice Sendak’s Kenny’s Window, and for the Middle Grade Reader: Barrie’s Peter Pan.

Shelley McRoberts

This is the story of a starving artist who learns humility from his cat. When his housekeeper brings home a pretty, white cat instead of the food he sent her to buy, a poor artist is reluctant to keep the animal, but slowly he grows to appreciate his new companion. And it seems she brings him luck when a priest comes to commission the artist to paint the death of Buddha. Finally some business!

For the project, the artist meditates on Buddha’s life and decides to depict the Buddha with the animals the Buddha showed compassion to during his life, according to the stories. Each time the artist adds an animal to the painting, the cat comes to see his work. “There’s something missing,” she seems to say. The artist wants to add the likeness of his new companion to the painting; however, the decision is not easy because cats are associated with goblins, and it’s said that they did not show respect to the Buddha. If he puts the cat in the artwork, the priest will most likely take offense. Will the artist follow his heart even if it means possibly ruining his career?

The short novel takes place in Japan and is told mainly in the third person from the artist’s point of view, but there are poems told in the housekeeper’s voice between each chapter which foreshadow what will happen next in the story. I must admit to having mixed feelings about the book. I can understand why it won the Newbery Medal; it’s essentially a story about compassion, humility and following one’s heart despite the fear of what others will think of you. But I’m not sure who would enjoy this book more—adults or kids. The adult interested in Buddhism will probably like Coatsworth’s novel. Most of the chapters involve the artist meditating about the Buddha’s life, and there are some neat stories about Buddha woven into the meditations. However, I’m not sure if kids will like this book because not that much happens. At least the book isn’t for a child, or an adult, who wants action and adventure. Another issue I have with The Cat Who Went to Heaven is its sexism. Of course sexism doesn’t necessarily make the book evil or terrible, but you’ve got to have the stomach for it. The artist’s housekeeper is an elderly woman, and while bringing the cat home is an act of rebellion, she’s mostly complacent, concerned with the artist’s well-being. I couldn’t help being annoyed that she has to depend on a young snot-nosed kid for employment. Then there’s the cat. You may have already discerned from the title that the cat, another female, doesn’t make it in the end. I won’t tell you exactly why. The fact that these two women depend on a bossy man left me feeling more disgusted with the artist than empathizing with him. I’m probably being overly critical, but you can take it or leave it. I would be remiss in my duties to the reader if I didn’t mention the gorgeous black and white illustrations by Raoul Vitale that appear throughout the novel. In what looks like pencil, he has drawn detailed pictures that will capture your attention even if Coatsworth’s words do not.

Marie Soriano

This retelling of the folktale “The Twelve Months” has recently been reprinted by Marshall Cavendish. The story comes in many versions, from many different places, including Greece, the Czech Republic, and Russia. Little Sister, a pretty and kind girl, lives with her mother and stepsisters, who, unsurprisingly, are mean and ugly and make Little Sister do all of the work of the farm. They grow so jealous and frustrated that they decide to be rid of her; in the middle of January, the stepsister casts Little Sister out into the snow with no coat, telling her to return with fresh violets or not at all. Although Little Sister is sure she is doomed, she perseveres through the snow until she chances upon the Month Brothers, sitting around their fire. As she is kind and polite, the Month Brothers allow her to warm herself, and they even consent to speed up the seasons just so she can get April violets for her stepsister. From there, the story continues in predictable and satisfying fairy-tale fashion, when the stepsister and mother decide to seek out the Month Brothers for their own gain.

This lovely old story is convincingly narrated, with some nice use of repetition that lends itself to reading out loud (“All day long they hollered and they grumbled and they complained”). The illustrations provide a parallel narration, progressing almost in graphic novel fashion across the page with dialogue and sound effects; for example, Little Sister is pictured doing every single one of her chores, accompanied by captions like “sweep sweep sweep,” “scrub scrub scrub,” and “cook cook cook.” The illustrations themselves are effective, being detailed enough to be expressive and simple enough to carry the story forward without distraction. The tale itself is sure to be a favorite, and this retelling is highly recommended.

Naomi Lesley

The author of the Newbery-winner The Tale of Despereaux and the Newbery Honor book Because of Winn-Dixie here turns her talents to literature for younger readers with delightfully humorous results. Coupled with funny, exuberant illustrations by Chris Van Dusen, this trio of picturebooks is an enjoyable read for all ages. The language is as animated as the art, making for books that are as much fun to read aloud as they are to look at.

Mercy is a pig, designated a “porcine wonder” by her tolerant owners, for she is not the most accommodating of creatures. In fact, she is in all three stories both an accidental menace and an accidental hero. The discrepancy between what the humans think Mercy is doing and the repeated fact that she is actually only looking for more of her favorite food, buttered toast, or dangerously grabbing the steering wheel of the Watson’s pink convertible Cadillac, or foiling a robber’s plot, makes a fine topic of conversation among the books’ readers. In each story, buttered toast saves the day for all concerned (except for one of the grouchy next-door neighbor Lincoln sisters). Would that buttered toast could solve more of the world’s problems.

A. Allison

Just Grace and the Snack Attack is the fifth book of the Just Grace series. In this new book, Grace and her classmates research foods from around the world. Of course, Grace opts to learn more about her favorite food – potato chips.

Grace’s first-person narrative is spot on. Charise Mericle Harper truly captures the curiosity, emotions, and innocence of a young child. Several subtle lessons in the book address issues most young children deal with, including jealously, gossiping, lying, and trouble making.

Other engaging aspects are the charming font, the doodles, and the illustrations. Because it looks like a child’s journal, Just Grace and the Snack Attack will surely keep kids entertained. Readers will want to flip through the pages to see what’is next. The only downside of this book is that, like Grace, readers might get a little bit hungry. So be sure to grab your favorite snack when you curl up to read Just Grace and the Snack Attack!

Kristina Blake

Let’s Make Rabbits is a sweet, craft-inspired picture book for early readers; it beams with charming simplicity. But even more, author Lionni gives children something special; he presents the power of our imaginations and the idea that anything can be “real.” In the fable, a pencil and a pair of scissors have personalities and one day decide to make rabbits. The pencil draws a bunny, and the scissors cuts one out of colorful, patterned paper. Like magic, the rabbits come alive, asking for carrots to satisfy their hunger. Ultimately, the two rabbits become as “real” as the real carrot that they find.

This book is very simple, but the implication that what we make can become real is a fantastic concept. No doubt, it can awaken the imaginations of its young readers, but also inspire some artistic creativity. Lionni’s illustrations are minimal but cute, and many children may want to make a rabbit of their own- and all the better, if each child does.

Marianne Paluso

When Royals Wore Ruffles is an adorable picture book, aimed no doubt at little girls who like to play “dress up.” Each letter is assigned a garment, anything from “Bustle” and the “Little Black Dress” to “Flapper” and “Go-Go boots.” We are treated to the history of fashion and are given a plethora of fun facts and charmingly colorful and zany illustrations. Moreover, we get the overall feeling that fashion can be amazingly creative, fun and beautiful.

Readers are treated to so much that it’s difficult to pinpoint the greatest letter. But in the end, “Y is for You” seems like perfect choice because it says that what’s most important is “You and Your own style.” In other words, stay true to yourself-- a lesson that a girl of any age can appreciate.

Marianne Paluso

The Composer is dead! Instead of “muttering and humming” (otherwise known as composing), he is lying still and not breathing (otherwise known as “decomposing”). It is up to the handsome and intelligent Inspector (also known as narrator Lemony Snicket) to discover which segment of the orchestra was responsible for the composer’s demise. With the aid of the San Francisco Symphony, the Inspector questions each section of the orchestra in turn and uncovers hidden secrets and discontents; for instance, the Flutes are getting a bit tired of playing bird imitations all the time, and the Violas feel neglected and underappreciated, playing countermelodies that nobody hears. However, after the interrogations, the Inspector is no nearer to solving the mystery of who killed the Composer.

This book is accompanied by a CD of Lemony Snicket’s performance of the piece with the San Francisco Symphony. Stookey’s score is clever and entertaining, providing samples of a variety of orchestral music from classical waltzes to jazzy club dance tunes. The end, when the Inspector lists a number of previously murdered composers, contains sly musical quotes from Mozart, Stravinsky, and Schoenberg, among others. The book and CD come together, but can easily be enjoyed separately. Since the book repeats most of the narration, but without the music, this creates some awkward pauses in turning the pages if the book is read while listening; however, the book’s pen-and-ink illustrations of the musical instruments and the kinds of music they play add a great deal of humor to the performance.

The Composer Is Dead is full of fun orchestral facts for those unfamiliar with the instruments and musical in-jokes for those who are already classical music lovers. It will be enjoyed by children and adults, musicians and non-musicians alike.

Naomi Lesley

Meant to be read to very young children, this baby book introduces textures associated with various animals, for example the cover has a tiger with a soft tummy. The audience/readers also get to touch a soft penguin belly and a prickly hedgehog. They get to feel a fluffy ostrich, whiskers on a prickly walrus, and a scaly armadillo. The colorful environmental settings include the white arctic, the green forest, the sandy desert, the blue ocean, and the green jungle. The language describes the textures almost as well as the physical materials used to construct this book do. Betsy Snyder may be familiar to readers as the illustrator for Brian Cleary’s Peanut Butter and Jellyfishes: A Very Silly Alphabet Book which was awarded a Please Touch Museum Book Award in 2007. Snyder has a background as an illustrator for children’s greeting cards.

Linda Salem

This book features a simple story of a young granddaughter walking in the woods with her grandfather. The narrative primarily consists of two expressing affection for one another, and planning another walk in the woods. The text is bilingual in English and Spanish, and the illustrations of the characters are done in a way that makes the pair appealing to diverse audiences. In other words, they could be seen as an all-American Anglo family, or as a Hispanic family.

I would prefer to see a more structured story, or a storyline that has some progression to keep the action flowing. There really is no story, but sentences that try to cleverly play off one another. Perhaps the reason is to keep the text brief and simple so that children of a very young age can follow the story, and learn some words in Spanish. A helpful glossary at the end of the book provides a vocabulary list of Spanish words. The words in Spanish are easy enough for young audiences to grasp and learn.

The illustrations are vivid and interesting, but often overshadow the text itself. For example, on a page with the only text of “You are my question” and “And you are my answer,” there are illustrations of oversized mushrooms, a squirrel, and a small bouquet of flowers. On a page where the two characters are sitting together on a rock, there is a lizard, flying fish, diving birds, turtles, and a mangrove-like tree. It is a beautiful illustration, but it definitely overshadows the text.

I believe the author kept the language so simple and sparse for the purpose of helping young children learn Spanish. But I do think a stronger narrative story that described the grandfather-granddaughter relationship might be more powerful. Perhaps the problem with the book is related to trying to be all things to different audiences: a book that appeals to Caucasian and Latino audiences, and new immigrant families.

Jay Katz

Lawn to Lawn is a delightful and beautiful picture book that follows the voyage of four lawn ornaments: a pink flamingo, a deer, a lawn jockey, and a garden gnome, also known as Flo, Betty, Jack and Norm. Their best friend is a little girl named Pearl, the only one who can see that they’re alive. But when Pearl’s family moves and leaves them behind, the four ornaments must go on a dangerous journey to be reunited with their beloved owner and friend. They encounter everything from a band of helpful gnomes and an intriguing racetrack to mean and fearsome gargoyles. And at all costs, they must avoid the dreaded trash truck! For if the truck picks you up, you never come back. At the end, all seems lost when the garbage man does take them. But to their surprise and elation, he drives them right to their destination, finally reuniting them with their dear friend.

Yaccarino’s book is a sheer delight from beginning to end. The illustrations are absolutely stunning. Done in a style reminiscent of Mary Blair, the pictures are stylized, vibrant and quite adorable. Those who loved Peter Brown’s The Curious Garden’s illustrations should love Lawn to Lawn. The story tells timeless lessons about home and the power of love. To the four lawn ornaments “Home is where the heart is,” and they will not feel at home until they find the one person who makes their hearts full- their Pearl. Most especially, the reader will see through their journey that we can endure even the most harrowing experiences if it means we will once again be with those we love- pretty amazing concept for a book about lawn jockeys and pink flamingos.

Marianne Paluso

Abracadabra! Magic with Mouse and Mole is a delightful story that leaves you with a warm, fuzzy feeling.

Mole is quite excited about going to see the Minkus the Magnificent show. He and his friend Mouse have a great time there. That is, until there’s a bit of an accident, and Minkus’ magic tricks are revealed. Mole becomes sad and disillusioned. To cheer him up, Mouse devises magic tricks of her own, showing him the real magic in nature.

Yee’s story may be on the didactic side, but I don’t see this as a bad thing. Doesn’t every child go through a phase of disillusionment? They find out magic tricks are slight of hand or the tooth fairy doesn’t exist. The magic and wonder of nature is something no one can take away, and it’s a lot more reliable than Santa Claus. Everyone can hear the ocean in a conch shell or relish the beauty of the moon.

Yee gently encourages readers to explore nature in a fun way. This would be a great book for teachers to use with science projects or for parents to read to their reluctant kids before a camping trip. It might even prompt kids to do something besides sit in front of the TV.

Abracadabra! is a perfect book for beginning readers. The short book is divided into four chapters, the text is nice and big and the pictures are in the middle and on the sides of the text, which is brilliant placement because long paragraphs might intimidate and discourage beginning readers. Speaking of illustrations, Wong Herbert Yee does the ones for his own book using charcoal pencil and gouache. His artwork is as delightful as his text, and is a bit reminiscent of Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows.

Marie Soriano