Space Travelers Land at Buckingham Palace review 7/08
Space Travelers Land At Buckingham Palace
Peter Lancaster Walker
Bouncing Ball Books Inc. (2007)
ISBN 9781934138120
Reviewed by Brianne Plach (age 10) for Reader Views (7/08)
Have you ever wanted to be an astronaut? Imagine traveling in a small spacecraft with four others. Your fellow space travelers are really adults, even though they only look like Earth kids. You aren???t only traveling from country to country around the world. You are traveling from time period to time period. This is one space odyssey that you won’t be able to forget.
By hopping aboard “Space Travelers Land at Buckingham Palace” you will find yourself seeing the City of London. You will see for yourself if the London Bridge is really falling down. You will visit Big Ben. The Space Travelers find themselves arriving just in time to enter the Oxford-Cambridge boat race. Horse-racing fans will find themselves along with the Space Travelers at the Epsom Derby.
Perhaps the most exciting is when they find themselves at the opening ceremony of the Valpon games. The Valpon games are somewhat similar to the Olympics. It’s complete with even the backdrop of a green, red or yellow sky.
If you like science fiction, you will love “Space Travelers Land at Buckingham Palace” by Peter Lancaster Walker. This book has something that will appeal to most any young reader. It has adventures, traveling to famous places, animals and lots of funny moments. Your seat is waiting for you on the spaceship, so climb aboard today!
The Adventures of Nihu review 7/08
The Adventures of Nihu
Omoruyi Uwuigiaren
Bouncing Ball Books Inc. (2008)
ISBN 9781934138151
Reviewed by Regan Zaborowski (age-8) for Reader Views (7/08)
This long book takes place in a jungle and is about a boy named Nihu that lived in a small village. One day Nihu is out hunting, and his uncle was killed by an arrow that a robber took after Nihu shot it. Everybody thought Nihu killed his uncle, so he was told not to come back to the village. He went to the jungle to live, and met Old Phil. They got to be friends, but Old Phil died. Nihu met many creatures when he was in the jungle. Some were friendly, but some were mean and scary. He finally tries to find his way out of the jungle and falls through a crack in the earth. A very mean creature takes him and puts him inside a stone, with some other prisoners. We don’t find out until the very end if he ever escapes.
This was a long book, and it was hard for me to read by myself. There were a lot of big words, and some parts were hard for me to understand. It was exciting, and sometimes scary. The different creatures that Nihu met were very strange, and some wanted to kill him. But some of the creatures that were the scariest turned out to be nice, so I liked that. The ending was good, too. The words that the writer used made it feel like you were in the middle of the jungle with Nihu. I could picture in my mind what the jungle looked like - very scary, and a place I would not like to visit. I could understand how Nihu felt. I kind of liked this book, because my mom helped me with the parts I didn’t understand. It would be better for someone a few years older than me that could read it without help. Boys and girls that like exciting books would like “The Adventures of Nihu.”
The Misty Forest review 6/08
The Misty Forest
Stephanie LeMonde’
Bouncing Ball Books Inc. (2008)
ISBN 9781934138137
Reviewed by Brianne Plach (age 10) for Reader Views (6/08)
Do you like Dr. Doolittle? Dr. Doolittle is a very popular movie; there was an original movie, then a remake followed by at least two sequels. Don’t you wish you could talk to animals? You look at your pet dog and wish you knew what he was thinking. It would be much easier if he would just be able to put his feelings into words.
Come along and experience “The Misty Forest.” It will be a trip that you won’t soon forget. Running Deer is a young Indian boy who has a gift. Running Deer has discovered that he too can talk to the animals. Some of the animals give off the impression that they are fierce and could tear you apart in seconds. But inside of them is a softer side which Running Deer discovers. He makes new friends with the animals in the forest and has a lot of adventures with them.
I love Grumpy Bear. His grumpiness actually makes him seem cuter all the time. Is it possible that this grizzly could be as tame as your own teddy bear? It doesn’t matter if you are just a kid listening to the stories read to you or you are reading the book on your own, you are sure to learn some things about life in general that you didn’t know before. With each chapter being a story all on its own, you could read them one a night. But I’ll warn you that once you start experiencing “The Misty Forest,” you won’t want to put the book down until the very last page when you have met all the interesting characters there. I hope Stephanie LeMonde writes another book about talking to animals and their adventurous yet soft sides.
There is no need to be afraid of venturing into the forest, the animals in “The Misty Forest,” by Stephanie LeMonde’ will have you falling in love with them!
A Diplomat’s Daughter review 6/08
A Diplomat’s Daughter
Victoria Montes
Bouncing Ball Books Inc. (2008)
ISBN 9781934138144
Reviewed by Mary Johnson (age 15) for Reader Views (6/08)
“A Diplomat’s Daughter” is a fictional book about Veronica Wasp, also known as Ronni, who at 15-years-old, moves to Islamabad, Pakistan. While she lives there she meets new people from very diverse cultures, who become some of her best friends. But, after going on a school field trip to Kabul, Afghanistan a lot of things change. Ronni starts to not feel safe in her new home and fears that an attack on the Embassy is imminent.
On November 21, 1979 Ronni’s fears become reality when hundreds of Pakistanis set fire to the American Embassy, where Diplomats and Marines were trapped, with one Marine fatally shot.
Victoria Montes’ perspective in “A Diplomat’s Daughter” is interesting, probably because she once was one herself. I think Victoria Montes is an excellent author; she really grabs you with the stories about the people in “A Diplomat’s Daughter.”
I think “A Diplomat’s Daughter,” by Victoria Montes is for reader ages 12 and up. I really enjoyed this book and hope others will enjoy it as well.
Author Visit at WH Stevenson Elementary School
Author Visit at WH Stevenson Elementary School PARP Celebration
Ransomville, NY, May 16th, 2008
What a day! I walked into the school and was greeted by walls covered with pictures and posters that the children made and colored. The library wall was draped with a gigantic poster made by the fifth grade class, welcoming me to the school. Pre- orders were taken for the book. I was able to autograph the books in advance, and then call each child up individually o get their copy,.Pre- K - 5 th grade classes were allotted 45 minutes for me to read to them. We also had a question and answer session. During the 4-5th grade session, I gave a short lesson on “Tell all” vs. “Tell all”. I had the students close their eyes as I read an example of each. I also went through the steps on hoe an idea becomes a story. I urged the student’s to continue reading, and told therm that anyone can write a story. As they left the library, many students stopped and told me about stories that they had already written. By the end of the day, my voice was gone, but the memory of the wonderful experience will stay with me forever.
Storm Tunes review 5/08
Storm Tunes (Yes, I Can Read! Nature Series, Book 2)
Tabatha D’Agata
Bouncing Ball Books Inc. (2007)
ISBN 9781934138021
Reviewed by Cayden (age 3-1/2) and Max (age 20-month)
Aures and Mom for Reader Views (5/08)
“Storm Tunes” is Book 2 in the “Yes, I Can Read! Nature Series” and is geared toward beginning readers. In the book, the main character is a boy named Sal who has a fear of storms. As one approaches he hides underneath his bed. His mom tries to get him to come out by bribing him with various items. He finally comes out to sing and dance with his mother.
Cayden: “He is under his bed because a storm is coming! I don’t like storms but I don’t go under my bed!”
Max: “Storm! Thunder!”
Max: “Scared!”
Cayden: “Why does he get cookies and cake? Those look good! Will I get cookies if I hide under my bed?”
Max: “Out!”
Cayden: “Yes Max he came out from under the bed to dance with his mommy.”
Cayden: “That is lightning!”
Cayden: “Those kids shouldn’t be outside jumping in puddles when it is lightning!!”
Max: “No!!”
Parent’s comments:
“Storm Tunes” is a book that addresses a common fear of young children. The illustrations in the book are very simple and serve their purpose and getting the point of the story across. As part of the “Yes, I Can Read!” series there are a lot of repetitive words in the book which is important for those beginning to read.
One thing that Cayden brought up was that on the same page with a picture of a lightning bolt there were also kids jumping around in puddles. Maybe that would have been better to put that part in after the storm was completely over. It isn’t very safe to be outside playing in puddles during a storm.
I am also not a big fan of bribing children to get them to do things. To try to get Sal to come out from under the bed his mom bribed him with a dollar, cookies, staying up late, etc. Cayden even said the next time there is a storm he will hide under his bed so he gets cookies. The part where they were dancing and singing was fun though and my children enjoyed dancing around and doing the actions. All in all, while my children enjoyed the dancing parts of the book, I really don’t think that “Storm Tunes” conveyed a very positive message.
Ick The Stick review 5/08
Ick The Stick (Yes, I Can Read! Nature Series, Book 1)
Tabatha D’Agata
Bouncing Ball Books Inc. (2007)
ISBN 9781934138014
Reviewed by Cayden (age 3-1/2) and Max (age 20-month)
Aures and Mom for Reader Views (5/08)
“Ick the Stick” is Book 1 in the “Yes, I Can Read! Nature Series” and is a great book for the beginning reader. Sal and his mother go to the park to play. While his mother reads, Sal takes joy in scaring various bugs by sneaking up on them and shouting “Boo!” causing them to scurry away or hide. At the end of the book the tables are turned and Sal is frightened by a bug sneaking up on him.
Cayden: “There aren’t bugs at my park. There are just kids.”
Max: “Park!”
Cayden: “What does spooked mean? Why did he scare the worms?”
Cayden: “What’s ‘dart’ mom? The dragonfly flew away, he didn’t ‘dart.’”
Max: “Fly! Scared!”
Cayden: Pointing to the word ‘boo’: “That word is ‘BOO’ mom! I am scared when you say ‘BOO!’”
Max: “Boo!!”
Cayden: “His mom is scared of bugs!”
Cayden: My favorite part was the end of the book because he doesn’t say ‘Boo!’ anymore!’”
Parent’s comments:
My children liked the story line of “Ick the Stick” especially since it involved being at a park which is one of their favorite places to go. The illustrations in the book are simple and my children really enjoyed looking at the different bugs.
Cayden began to recognize a lot of the words used since there was a lot of repetition which is great for beginning readers. I do think that some of the word choices were interesting like the use of ‘spooked’ instead of ‘scared’ which would have been more recognizable to young readers. All in all “Ick the Stick” was a fun book!
Mother’s Day Wide Waters Marina Breast Cancer Walk
12th Annual Mother’s Day Wide Waters Marina Breast Cancer Walk,
Lockport, NY, May 11th, 2008
Over 1500 people walked the 3 mile route at Wide Waters marina, to help wipe out Breast Cancer. New York Senator George Maziarz stopped by and purchased a copy of The Misty Forest for his grand-child. Lockport mayor Mike Tucker also stopped by to say hi. I was interviewed by WLVL hometown radio radio host Mike Melody. Later in the day, the Lockport Union Sun and Journal interviewed my grand-son Jarame and myself. The interview was on the front page of the paper!
I donated $1.00 from every book that was sold to breast Cancer as well as donated several copied to the Chinese auction.
ARegular Bug review4/08
A Regular Bug: The Adventures of Sharp Eye (Book 1)
Rebecca Bell
Bouncing Ball Books Inc. (2006)
ISBN 9781934138083
Reviewed by Matthew Feliciano (age-8) for Reader Views (4/08)
“A Regular Bug” is about a bug named Jacob Bug. He lived in Bugville but decided to go to Palmetto Park after seeing some ants through his binoculars. He was interested in the pink cookies the ants were carrying and how those could be the cookies that were being stolen from his father’s work.
When Jacob and his friends ask the ants why they are stealing, the ants say it’s because the park is closed for construction, so there are no more food crumbs from the humans and the ants have nothing to eat. Jacob tried to explain to Bugville about the ants but it was too late. The ants were under attack by the Bee Brigade. Jacob tried his best to get the bugs to talk and work it out without going to war. The bugs were able to find a way to fix things without fighting. Everyone got something they wanted and they were all happy.
I loved this book. I thought it was really cool how the author used bugs instead of people. I also liked how the book looked like it was done in a kid’s writing and drawing. The pictured made the story look like it was really happening. “A Regular Bug” was a good book.
capitano Ricco review 4/08
Capitano Ricco
Rebecca Bell
Bouncing Ball Books Inc. (2006)
ISBN 9781934138069
Reviewed by Cayden (age 3-1/2), Max (age 19-month)
Aures and Mom for Reader Views (4/08)
“Capitano Ricco” is a story about a boy named Richard who likes school and reading maps. He dreams about being on a boat in the ocean, being a Captain, and being a pirate. He sees fellow classmate Jennifer gazing at the map in the classroom with her own dreams of becoming “Capitana Jenna.” As fate would have it the book ends with both of them grown up on a boat together.
The book is illustrated with simple colored pencil drawings and the text is handwritten. On every other page there is a single illustration with a word below it. On the side of that same page is a list of all of the words illustrated thus far so the list increases as the book goes on.
Cayden: “It’s a pirate! I like pirates! Pirates say ‘Arrrr Mateys!’”
Max: “Arrrr!”
Cayden: “A life buoy is to keep them safe.”
Cayden: “A porpoise is also called a dolphin.”
Cayden: “When is he going to be a pirate?”
Cayden: “X marks where the treasure is.”
Parent’s comments:
My children are fascinated with pirates so when I saw the cover of the book I thought it would be one that they would enjoy. However, both of them got bored by the storyline three quarters of the way through the book.
The running word lists on the pages got to be a little confusing as well. When you get toward the end of the book there is a picture of a sailboat in the middle and then about 15 other words surrounding the picture. The book is for emergent readers and some of the words are a little questionable for young readers like “compass rose” and “porpoise.” When I think of an emergent reader book I think of basic, commonly used words which this book did not have.
My children did like the simple illustrations, especially the ones where Richard was “Capitano Ricco” but other than that they really did not care for the book. It did not hold their attention and after we read it once they did not want to look at it again.
