What Does the Fox Say?

What Does the Fox Say? By: Ylvis Illustrated by: Svein Nyhus

This is a picture book based on the popular song "The Fox".  The illustrations fit this quirky song and make the song come to life for kids.  My children are obsessed with this song and so this was the perfect gift for them from my mother.  I find this song totally annoying, but the illustrations are funny.

My kids were given this as a gift
ISBN: 978-1-4814-2223-9

The Sparkle Box

The Sparkle Box By: Jill Hardie Illustrated by Christine Kornacki

This is the story of Sam. His mother gives him a sparkly box and tell him that this Christmas they are going to be filling it with the things they do for others. So as Christmas approaches Same and his family do things for others in their lives and people they do not even know.  Then on Christmas morning they open the box and read all the things that they did for others.  Sam's mother explains that these things are the gifts they gave to Jesus this Christmas, because in serving others you serve Him.  This is a great story of how we should focus on helping others in our lives. Christmas is about giving to others not just getting yourself. 

I was given this book as a gift.
ISBN: 978-0-8249-5647-9

Towering

Towering By: Alex Flinn

Rachel has been locked in a tower with only her mother as company for as long as she remembers. Her mother says it is not safe to go out that someone will get her.  She also has hair that has to be cut each week for it grows so quickly.  Wyatt is trying to escape his life and the death of his best friends.  He comes to live with a strange old woman, who lost her daughter many years ago.  When Wyatt starts to hear singing in the forest he knows he must find out who it is.  Neither of them are expecting each other and yet they are at the  same time.  Each of them needs each other and together they can save themselves.

I love retelling of fairy tales and Alex Flinn always provides great new twists on the classic stories. I loved this book as much as her others and thought it was perfect.  I enjoyed the focus on not just Rachel but on Wyatt and how he was in need of
rescuing too. Great read!

I borrowed this from the public library
ISBN: 978-0-06-202417-6

The Beatrice Letters

The Beatrice Letters By: Lemony Snicket

This is a book of letters to and from Beatrice and Lemony.  It is part of the Series of Unfortunate Events books.  The letters are from different times and places and somehow connect Beatrice with Lemony, as his love. What I love about this book is that the letters are made to look old and it comes with punch out letters and a poster, so that the book is completely interactive.This book is just another terrific Snicket book, and so unique.

I borrowed this from the public library.
ISBN: 978-0-06-058658-4

Black Gold

Black Gold: The Story of Oil in Our Lives By: Albert Marrin

This is the history of how we began to use oil.  It traces the roots of oil back to its beginning and how it was created.  As an informational book written for middle school readers to high school readers it instantly captured my attention.  I do not believe that most kids know how oil is created and why it is so important in our lives. It also talks about how oil is something that we are not going to create, so we need to know that once it is gone, its gone.  The history of wars over oil are also discussed in this book, the extent to which some people went to, to control oil is quite fascinating.  This is a book that I would recommend to anyone, as I learned quite a bit.

I bought this at the Scholastic Book Fair
ISBN: 978-0-375-85938-7

The Dark

The Dark By: Lemony Snicket Illustrated By: Jon Klassen

This is the story of Laszlo and The Dark.  Laszlo is afraid of the dark, and hopes that the dark will never come to him.  But one night The Dark comes and talks to Laszlo and wants him to do something.  This book is so great!  My children and students loved it, the 5th graders said that it was creepy.  With simple pictures that help tell the story it truly is a winner. One of my good friends recommended this book and it made me smile.

I borrowed this from the public library
ISBN: 978-0-316-18748-0

Cinders A Chicken Cinderella

Cinders A Chicken Cinderella By: Jan Brett

Jan Brett retells the story of Cinderella in a whole new way in this chicken version.  I love the illustrations and the twist in the book.  My students and children laughed about the clothing the chickens wear and how the sisters are named Pecky and Bossy. Great read!

I borrowed this from the public library
ISBN: 978-0-399-25783-4