Archive for November 20, 2014

I’m Gonna Climb a Mountain in My Patent Leather Shoes

Written by Marilyn Singer
Illustrated by Lynne Avril

Determination and attitude rule the day for the heroine of this cute little rhyming book. Sadie loves her clothes almost as much as she loves camping with her family. The title gives a good feel for the theme of the book. On the way to the campsite, her sparkly new suitcase takes up too much space to suit her brother. Later, she says she’s “helping pitch our pup tent in my fancy ruffled pants.” She does many other activities in favorite clothes. The colorful and sparkling illustrations go right along with Sadie’s seemingly boundless energy, holding the reader’s attention. Bigfoot, magic wands of gold, silver crowns. They’re all here. What more could the reader want?

Fun rhymes highlight the many literacy skills enhanced by the text. First graders should be able to tackle the text on their own. Or just get the story from the pictures. This also a fun read aloud.

Buy on Amazon

  • Climb a MountainTitle: I’m Gonna Climb a Mountain in My Patent Leather Shoes
  • Authors: Marilyn Singer
  • Illustrator: Lynne Avril
  • Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2014
  • Reviewer: Sue Poduska
  • Format: Hardcover, 32 pages
  • Genre: Fiction, humor, family
  • ISBN: 978-1-4197-0336-2

Full Speed Ahead! How Fast Things Go

Written and Illustrated by Cruschiform

Admit it. You’ve always wondered what IS faster than a speeding bullet. This book will answer that crucial question. Also, what is slower and what goes at the same speed as the bullet. This unique approach allows the reader to learn about the world without really reading. Each two-page spread depicts several objects that travel at approximately the same speed. A legend tells what each object is. The reader can then learn more about each object in the “Glossary” at the back of the book. The approach is multilayered, allowing the reader to come back and learn more later. Colorful illustrations make the process easier.

First graders will have fun picking up this book and comprehending that a peregrine falcon moves at the same speed as a high-speed train. They may be curious why the illustration are not to scale, however. A hornet looks bigger than a skydiver.

By the way, a shooting star is faster than a speeding bullet.

Buy on Amazon

  • Full Speed AheadTitle: Full Speed Ahead! How Fast Things Go
  • Author/Illustrator: Cruschiform
  • Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2014
  • Reviewer: Sue Poduska
  • Format: Hardcover, 64 pages
  • ISBN:  978-1-4197-1338-5
  • Genre: Nonfiction, numbers, speed
  • Grade level: 1st and up
  • Extras: Ten-page Glossary that discusses each object depicted

Someday I’ll Fly

Written and Illustrated by Rebecca Evans

In this poignant story directly out of World War II, the author employs many themes to show the good hearts of the people surrounding Pam. Pam is fascinated by the airplanes that inhabit her father’s air field, but girls aren’t allowed to fly or even work on airplanes. When Pam encounters the pilots of the Women’s Air Force Service Pilots (WASPs), the prohibitions go out the window. With the help of the WASPs, Pam works on an old plane and studies the math and physics involved. One of the WASPs is stricken with polio and needs an iron lung to breathe. Since it’s wartime and mechanical parts are hard to find, Pam sacrifices parts from her beloved airplane to help complete the breathing machine, saving her friend’s life. Pam knows she has time and that someday she will fly.

The illustrations by Evans have the look and feel of the 1940s. Details such as the wooden-sided red wagon, the mom’s house dress, and the realistic iron lung help that feel. The kitchen cabinets and appliances look right for the time. And the airplanes are certainly right. Even the names are right for the time.

First graders and older can learn about the WWII era, women’s roles, and polio. Literacy and comprehension are enhanced by the lively illustrations.

Buy on Amazon

  • SomedayTitle: Someday I’ll Fly
  • Author/Illustrator: Rebecca Evans
  • Original Author: Joyce Faulkner
  • Publisher: Red Engine Press, 2014
  • Reviewer: Sue Poduska
  • Format: Hardcover, 34 pages
  • Genre: Picture book, fiction, history, flying
  • ISBN: 978-1-937958-66-4