All Aboard!

The Polar Express
Written and Illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg
Published by Houghton Mifflin
ISBN: 0395389496
Rating: 7/10

The Polar Express is holiday favorite: the ideal fantasy of going to the North Pole. A mysterious train shows up on Christmas Eve and brings children to see Santa and his workshop. The reader follows the main character of a little boy who no longer believes in Santa and the innocent magic of Christmas. Throughout this trip his faith starts to strengthen, and by the end of the story it gives the message that seeing is not believing- believing is seeing. I believe this story is great for children of all ages. Although the plot is pretty predictable, this book is one that all children should experience not only to get them in the Christmas spirit, but to show them to that having a little faith is not a bad thing.

Do You Believe in Magic?

Matilda 
By Roald Dahl
Illustrated by Quentin Blake 
Published by Puffin
ISBN: 0141301066
Rating: 7/10


Roald Dahl is an author who is known for his unique and fantastical books and Matilda is a popular of one. Matilda takes the word prodigy to the next level- with her incredible mind she was able read and do advanced school work before she was even five. She also has the magical power to levitate and move objects, which thickens the plot. The reader follows her through her interesting family and school life where she just wants to be noticed and cared for.

Matilda is a great book for children who are ready to read chapter books. The magic makes it intriguing and exciting, but the plot allows readers to follow characters and really feel for them.

Born to Be Wild

Where the Wild Things Are
By Maurice Sendak
Published by Haper Collins Publishers: 1964
ISBN: 0-06-025492-0
Rating 10/10

 Where the Wild Things Are is a perfect example of children's fantasy books. It is a household classic- I believe I still have two copies of it in my house to this day. This book vividly depicts the fantasy that every child experiences when they get in trouble- to run away. When Max's mother sends him to his room, his imagination takes over, and as it grows so do the illustrations. His mind takes him to a new world with wild creatures who he befriends, but by the end of the story he discovers that his world is where he belongs, and returns to his room, where he finds supper waiting for him.

I believe this is an excellent book for young children. It shows them the power of imagination, but also the lesson that running away from problems is not the answer.

The Art of the Dot

The Dot
Written and Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Published by Candlewick
ISBN: 0763619612
Rating: 7/10

The Dot is a realistic fictional book aimed towards younger readers. It tells the tale of a girl who thinks she cannot draw. Her teacher encourages her and she ends up drawing a dot. The teacher frames it and the girl realizes that she can draw! No matter how simple it may be, it is still art. This allows her to have confidence in herself and abilities and to encourage others to do the same.

The story sends a nice message to children about self-worth and personal creativity.

Diggin Up Them Holes

Holes
By Louis Sachar
Published by Yearling Books
ISBN: 9990833087
Rating: 10/10

I seem to be getting a lot of good ones lately, but here is another great example of realistic fiction: Holes. It tells the story of a boy who gets in trouble for something he didn't even do and has to go to a disciplinary camp and dig holes. There is the subject of curses when a promise is broken and crazy characters, but still is something that can happen.

It teaches children to stick to their word and always be honest. The good guys win in the end because they fix the broken promise from the past. Older children should definitely read this book and check out the Disney movie!

Anyone Can Be a Princess

A Little Princess
By Frances Hodgson Burnett
Illustrated by Graham Rust
Published by David R. Godine
Rating: 10/10

This story has always meant so much to me. I remember reading it as a child and watching the movie. Laughing, crying, and thinking that I myself too could be a little princess, too. It's about young girl who goes off to boarding school when her wealthy father has to go to war. She is unfairly judged by the headmistress because of her wealth and when new arrives that her father has "died" in battle she becomes a pauper and the maid to the boarding school. The story tells the journey of this kind and bright spirited girl who does not give up on her dreams and finding if her father really is alive.

Though this book is rather lengthy, I think it is a realistic fictional book that older children definitely should read. She is not technically a "princess" her actions and how kind she is- especially when she was poor and suffering. It shows good morals and the possibility that anything can happen.

A Disney Favorite

Sleeping Beauty
Adapted by Michael Teitelbaum
Illustrated by Ron Dias
Published by Golden Books
ISBN: 978-0-7364-2198-0
Rating: 10/10

Although there are many different adaptations, this version of Sleeping Beauty is the one I have always known. Aurora was born, Maleficent cast a curse on her, and she and her castle shall sleep for one hundred years until she is awoken by true love's kiss. She eventually gets rescued by Prince Phillip and lives happily ever after.

This is the Disney version so not much surprise with the illustrations or content. However that does not make it a bad read. It is quick, simple, and a perfect way to tell children the story of Sleeping Beauty.

Scupting Rapunzel

The Fairy-Tale Princess: Seven Classic Stories from the Enchanted Forest
Rapunzel
Retold by Wendy Jones
Illustrations by Su Blackwell
Published by Thames and Hudson
ISBN: 978-0-500-65006-6
Rating: 7/10

This retelling of the beloved fairy-tale Rapunzel was different than other versions I had seen/read. It starts off the same with the witch taking Rapunzel away from her parents and locking her in a tower where a Prince visits her daily. However, I was a little thrown off when after the witch discovered this, she chopped off Rapunzel's hair and left her to die in the woods. Thank goodness after the Prince was injured by the witch he founded Rapunzel he was cured and they lived happily ever after at his kingdom. I was disappointed that she never went back to her own though.


I would recommend this version not necessarily for its content, but for the unique illustrations by Su Blackwell. Instead of regular painting or cartoon like images, Blackwell used paper sculptures to tell go along with the story. It is such an interesting and original way to display this well-known fairy-tale that I think would children would really be fascinated by.

Thumbs Up for Thumbelina

Thumbelina 
Retold by Brian Alderson
Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
Published by Candlewick Press
ISBN:978-0-7636-2079-0
Rating: 9/10

I was not too familar with the classic fairytale Thumbelina, so I opened the book with a fresh slate. Thumbelia came from a flower and was taken care of by a woman who could not have children. Because of her beauty and size, she is kidnapped by various creatures- toads, maybugs, mice, and a mole. She cared for a sick sparrow and in the end got rescued by it to be united with crystal fairies just like herself.

The story was simple, charming, and had beautiful detailed illustrations. For someone looking for a good version of this tale, Nat definitely recommends this one.

Running Away Comes to Life

The Runaway Bunny
by Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrated by Clement Hurd
Published by HarperFestival
ISBN: 987-0-694-01671-6
Rating 10/10

I still remember my mother reading this book before bedtime. I still own the oversize-book to this day.  It is a hold-hold classic in my opinion. The cute little bunny wants to try his own sense of independence and he does so by running away. However his mother counters each of his arguments by saying she will follow where him wherever he goes. So, he decides to stay!

The illustrations switch from sketchily-drawn and black and white when with the text, but then magnificently come to life with bright radiant colors. Those pages tell the story so well I understand Brown did not include any words on those pages. Beautifully drawn, beautifully painted images, and beautiful story. A+

Fine By the End of the Day

One Fine Day
By Nonny Hogrogian
Published by Aladdin Paperbacks
ISBN: 0-606-01196-X
Rating: 6/10

One Fine Day was not as "fine" as I expected it to be. I was immediately enticed by the warm colors and adorable fox on the cover, but as I kept reading I felt myself starting to get just as discouraged the fox. The fox found himself very thirsty after an adventure through the woods, and drank some milk he saw as he came out. Turns out the milk belonged to an old who then-in my opinion- aggressively chopped off his tail. In order to get his tail back, he had to get replacement milk which took him on a long discouraging journey bargaining with others. By the end of the story with the help of a nice old man, the fox accomplished his mission. So lesson learned: do not steal boys and girls.

The illustrations were what originally attracted me to the book. They looks as those someone freshly painted then on the pages. One can see the brush strokes in every character and background scenery. The images are simply and not super realistic, but that is what I like about it. I think children would enjoy looking at the pictures themselves thinking- "Hey! I can paint something like that!"

I did judge this book by its cover and even though it wasn't what I initially expected, it had a good moral lesson and beautiful pictures.

The Lonely Yet Lovely Firefly

The Very Lonely Firefly
Written and Illustrated by Eric Carle
Published by Philomel Books
ISBN: 0-339-22774-1
Rating: 10/10

The Very Lonely Firefly is a classic by Eric Carle. The story of the lonely firefly is told not only with words, but with beautiful illustrations as well. Carle is known for his specific artistic style. The pictures are so vivid and detailed, but with a jagged-cartoon-like quality. Seeing the journey of this firefly doesn't even need words- can be shown through the pictures alone. The illustrations of this book make you really feel for the firefly, and enjoy his excitement at the end when he unites with all the other fireflies.

A Bit Hit was a Hit!

A Big Hit
By Emily Hutchinson
Illustrated by Valeria Pertone
Published by Harcourt School Publishers
ISBN: 0-15-364088-X
Rating: 8/10

A Big Hit is a cute one. It is about four animal friends- a dog, pig, cat, and elephant- who are playing baseball together. This decodable book has a quick story-line that is easy to follow. Each character has a name and a specific role in the baseball game. There are high-frequency words, but mainly decodable ones with the short vowel sound /i/.

I liked this one because of the narrative aspect. Although the book is only eight pages, the reader gets to know the names and genders of the few characters. It is simple, but still personable and hits the vowels sounds that it needs to.

"Awing" Over Max

Max Cat
By Nancy Furstinger
Illustrated by Laura Logan

Published by Harcourt School Publishers 
ISBN: 0-15-364086-3
Rating: 10/10

This book is about an orange cat at named Max. The story follows him through his day and the little adventures he has. This story subtly utilizes words with the vowel sound /a/. Very detailed and colorful illustrations go right along with the text.

I thought this was a great example of a decodable book. Though the the sentence structure is very simple and straightforward, it has a clear narrative that makes reading this book more enjoyable than other decodables that I have seen. I love the illustrations and I believe they pull the reader into the story. It is a short, sweet, and adorable way to teach children learn the phonetics of  the vowel /a/ .

Sappy Sounds

Sam and the Sap
 Written by Lili Henderson
Illustrated by Fred Volke
Published  by Learning Page, Inc.
www.readinga-z.com
Rating: 5/10


Sam and the Sap is an online decodable book that focuses on the /s/ consonant sound. There is not really much to the story: a man and cute puppies are getting sap from a tree. It was not something I would enjoy reading, and I do not see children enjoying it either. However, it does its job working with phonetics!