THIS IS NOT MY HAT, by Jon Klassen

  

THIS IS NOT MY HAT
by Jon Klassen
Candlewick Press, 
October 9, 2012
978-0763655990
40 pages, Age: 4+




 





Another winner from Jon Klassen has delighted my classes.  THIS IS NOT MY HAT, is a eye catching picture book about a little fish takes a perfectly sized hat for his own head from a rather larger sleeping fish.   Swimming around as he tries to escape,  the little fish believes he has the perfect solution to hide from the big fish.  Does he keep his little hat? Readers will be on edge trying to figure out what happens at the end. The story provides a perfect opportunity to ponder a moral question. 


Jon Klassen won a Geisel Honor Award from the ALA in 2012, and the E.B. White Read-Aloud Award for I WANT MY HAT BACK.  Even before Klassen's awards were announced my students wanted to share I WANT MY HAT BACK over and over. They were enchanted by bear, little rabbit and friends in this story.  

I was therefore, overjoyed to receive a copy of THIS IS NOT MY HAT by the publisher.  I knew immediately it would be well received. At storytime, my students lit up when they saw the cover, with obvious recall to his first book.  You will find that children want to read these two books over and over. They act it out and are able to recall details with little prompting. 

THIS IS NOT MY HAT is adorable and children love how the little fish boldly takes what doesn't belong to him, even though it appears to be an ideal fit.  His seemingly careless attitude will end with a comical chuckle.  THIS IS NOT MY HAT stole the hearts of my listeners and the reader as well.  Don't miss it!!

© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2008-2012].
  

Oh No, George! by Chris Haughton

Oh No, GEORGE!
by Chris Haughton
Candlewick Press
978-0-7636-5546-4
To be released 2012
$15.99/$18.00CAN






I received a surprise package from Candlewick Press today with the book Oh No, GEORGE.  I couldn't help but flip it open to read about the boldly colorful owl-eyed dog called George.  Harry, his owner goes out and George copes with numerous temptations that test his resolve.  As the author allows us to listen in on how George thinks, you just know trouble is inevitable.  Chris Haughton, hits the nail on the head with simple text, making this a perfect early reader and read aloud. With humor and perceptive expressions, the author captures the essence of George- a "wanabegood" pet who struggles with the ultimate test of will power.  Children will empathize with George's feelings,  when he gets into mischief.  A fun, lovable story for anyone who has tried to understand what goes on in their own pet's mind. This character should have a long life in the artful hands of Chris Haughton.

The copy of this book was furnished for free by the publisher. My review is my honest and unbiased point of view.

© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2008-2011]. 

Sunday Salon, July 27th...Tracking Daddy Down

Happy Sunday to all my friends!!! Some of you may have missed the review of Woman of a Thousand Secrets by Barbara Wood on an earlier post this week. It is due out in September and fans of historical fiction will enjoy this one. Check out the review for details.

I read a couple of new children's books this week. One is reviewed below which I have to tell you is hysterical. If you have kids, this will be released on September 16th. I believe this is her first book and I know judging from this book, we should be seeing more from her. This writer defines each character with perfection by giving them a natural voice that is believable. I love her writing style and wit. I hope this becomes a character series because the main character is too good to say goodbye to.


Tracking Daddy Down,
by Marybeth Kelsey is too outrageously entertaining.

I couldn’t get to the end fast enough. I fell in love with all the characters, but most especially Billie Wisher. Billie is the daughter of a bank robber and she desperately wants to find him so that she can persuade him to give himself up. Her tenacity and loyalty are commendable, but not without serious consequences. Beneath the humor is a serious lesson that Billie learns when she finds her daddy, and discovers more than she was looking for. You can’t help but chuckle when this mighty master of the mouth speaks. She is the future captain of the debate team without a doubt. Billie made me think of Galadriel(Gilly), from The Great Gilly Hopkins, by Katherine Paterson. Both have the same, comical, quick witted, sassy backtalk that you must love because it is so genuinely real. I know we will want to see more of Billie Wisher in future books.

This book would be suitable for a class read aloud in grades 3-6 and for independent readers ages 8-12. Teachers will find this ideally suited for literature circles or readers’ workshop.