The Jewels of Sofia Tate by Doris Etienne

This book is a fair take on the mystery genre.  I enjoyed the main characters and watching them develop.  I found the villians a bit ‘pat’.   The ending was a little too neat and tidy.  Teacher librarians need to be aware of the embedded Christian perspective within this story.  The plot hinges on unraveling a [...]

Skellig by David Almond

Dark and creepy are the words which come to mind when reflecting on Skellig.  This is a book with boy appeal.  Michael is moving into a new house after anticipating this event as something wonderful, something unexpected intervenes.  Michael’s mom has a very premature baby.  Now he is living in a run-down house with preoccupied [...]

Matthew’s Dream – Leo Lionni

Matthew is a mouse. His parents have high hopes for him. He wants to see the world. One day, while at school, his class visits the art museum. Matthew is entranced with the paintings. He meets a mouse there named Nicoletta. She shares his love of fine art. [...]

Pezzettino – Leo Lionni

Pezzettino (little piece) believes he is too small and must be a part of something which is bigger.  He looks everywhere and asks all his friends if he is a part of them.  They believe they are whole and tell him so.  Finally, Pezzettino asks the wise-one how he can find out if he is [...]

little blue and little yellow – Leo Lionni

Little Blue and Little Yellow are friends.  They do everything together.  One day when Little Blue goes out to find Little Yellow to play, he can’t find him.  Little Blue looks everywhere for his friend.  When they find each other they are delighted and give each other a hug.  To their surprise they turn green.  [...]

Swimmy – Leo Lionni

Swimmy is a tiny black fish in a school living in a reef.  One day his school is devoured by a large fish and Swimmy, the fastest of the fish, is the only one to survive.  He swims about the ocean and reef looking for companionship.  He wonders at all of the delightful creatures in [...]

Tilly and the Wall – Leo Lionni

Tilly the field mouse wonders about the wall and what is on the other side.  She looks for ways to find out.  Can she break through the wall?  Can she climb it?  Finally, she finds a way and meets the mice on the other side.  Delighted they come with her to meet her friends and [...]

A Busy Year – Leo Lionni

Willie and Winnie make a friend in the winter of Woody the tree.  Throughout the seasons they visit the tree and enjoy the changes the seasons bring to her.

Rating ✓ #1 (Highly Recommended) #2 #3 #4 (Not acceptable)
Interest Level: 1-3 Reading Level: 2
Curriculum Area: Language Arts
Themes/Topics: seasons, friendship, trees
This book would be suitable for ✓ [...]

On my beach there are many pebbles – Leo Lionni

On the beach are many pebbles.  All of them are shaped differently and can be used to imagine and create.
Rating ✓ #1 (Highly Recommended) #2 #3 #4 (Not acceptable)
Interest Level: 1-3 Reading Level: 1
Curriculum Area: Language Arts, Visual Arts
Themes/Topics: imaging, creating, sea, pebbles
This book would be suitable for ✓ Lit Circles ✓ Kit Materials
✓ Read-Aloud [...]

Theodore and the Thalking Mushroom – Leo Lionni

Theodore the mouse lives with his friends near an old stump.  Each of the friends brags about his own skills.  The friends laugh at Theodore when he says his skill is to run.  One day when Theodore is frightened he runs away.  He finds a blue mushroom.  The mushroom says, “Quirp”.  He quickly shows it [...]