Book Review: Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie by Julie Sternberg, illustrations by Matthew Cordell

I love the title of this book. The mental image of a pickle juice soaked cookie turns my stomach and puckers my lips. Yuck!

Eleanor is eight years old and her beloved babysitter Bibi is moving away to Florida. Bibi is having a horrible day! She can't believe Bibi is moving away. What will she do? Everything reminds her of Bibi. Her parents try and console Eleanor, but the fact is Bibi is gone.

This is a coming of age story. Eleanor is only eight years old, but this is a pivotal moment in her life. The person she's counted on the most has moved away and Eleanor must learn and new way, a new life without Bibi.

I loved this story.
I want to be Eleanor's friend, and bake cookies with her.....without pickle juice.

It is an endearing story.
It is a story a child can relate to (because we all have to say goodbye to someone.)
She is a normal kid, not over the top in any way, just a normal kid (like most of us.)

Published by Abrams Books 2011
128 pages
For ages 8-10
A Texas Bluebonnet Book 2012/2013

Link @ Barnes and Nobles:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/like-pickle-juice-on-a-cookie-julie-sternberg/1100043689?ean=9780810984240
Hardcover $11.15

Book Review: Togo by Robert J. Blake

As a Siberian Husky pup Togo was not thought to be a good sled dog by Leonard Seppala. Leonard thought him to be "too small, too independent and too wild for his team." Togo would become apart of an important team of dogs that were needed for more than just a race. A Diphtheria antitoxin was needed for an epidemic in Nome. Seppala and his team would need to work harder than they've ever worked, time was their enemy.

I loved this story!
This is the true story of a courageous and resilient dog named Togo.
I enjoy reading stories of areas of our world where I'm not as familiar with. In this way I view the world outside of my "little box" and understand other cultures, peoples, geography, and beliefs.
Togo is an inspiring read. An animal story of a dog that is intelligent, wise, and has the perseverance that some humans do not have.
I feel that children would love this story, it really spoke to my heart. 

Published by Philomel Books in 2002, A Division of Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers
48 pages
For ages 6-9

Link @ Barnes and Nobles:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/togo-robert-j-blake/1005203794?ean=9780399233814&r=1&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-GwEz7vxblVU-_-10%3a1&
Hardcover $13.42

Book Review: The Yellow Star, The Legend of King Christian X of Denmark by Carmen Agra Deedy, Illustrated by Henri Sorensen

When Nazi Germany during World War II invaded Denmark. King Christian X defied the order to fly the Nazi flag. This was resistance against a frightening and powerful Germany. King Christian X was the rallying point for his country. He was a wise and brave king.

I'd never heard this story before. I'd heard little about the country of Denmark during World War II.
It made me wonder if more of the European nations had stood up to Hitler and Nazi Germany, what difference it could have made? 
This is a book where more teaching would be needed to the child, explaining about World War II, Holocaust.
It is a large hardcover book.
Every page has watercolor drawings of Danish people on the street, business people, shop owners, children, and animals. There are also war images---this would definitely spark discussion.
At the end of the book is further explanation about Denmark and its stand they took for the Jew's. 

Link @ publisher:
http://peachtree-online.com/index.php/book/yellow-star.html
Published 2000 by Peachtree Publishers
32 pages
For ages 8-12

Link for book at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Yellow-Star-Christian-Denmark/dp/1561452084/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343409256&sr=8-1&keywords=the+yellow+star+the+legend+of+king+christian+x+of+denmark
Hardcover $12.37