Book Reviews
Squirrel's New Year's Resolution
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The concept of making a resolution may be difficult for young children to grasp; however, Miller does a terrific job of capturing this meaning as Squirrel faces a new year and wants to learn more about them. Ember's illustrations make this story worthwhile, as the plates are vibrant, detailed, and very cute. The story is straightforward and easily understood by younger audiences. This would be an excellent book to teach about resolutions in a fun way. Recommended. --Library Media Connection
The happy pictures and the (possibly new) knowledge that a resolution is an important, attainable goal carry the day. Perfect for those tired of pumpkins and Santa. --Booklist The simple dialogue and predictable plot make this a good read-aloud, and the brightly colored, acrylic cartoons are full of fun details and expression, giving the woodland creatures anthropomorphic characteristics. This introduction to the tradition of resolutions is a strong addition to holiday collections. --School Library Journal Should get kids considering resolutions of their own. --Publisher's Weekly |
Substitute Groundhog
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This whimsical story is sure to please. Ember's pictures add much life to the various animals as well as to the humor of the search. In the end, Groundhog is forced to think about what makes him perfect for the job, and his wise appointment of a substitute results in an unlikely friend. --School Library Journal
Kathi Ember's warm drawings enhance the story from Pat Miller, Substitute Groundhog, telling of a young groundhog who gets sick the day before Groundhog Day and is told by Dr. Owl to stay in bed. His search for a substitute groundhog leads to a new assessment of his many unique qualities to fit the job description in this fun story. --Midwest Book Review Those searching for a spot of cheer in the gloomy cold months may find a serviceable holiday selection with Squirrel and her forest friends. --Kirkus Squirrel's quest for a New Year's resolution leads to good deeds and food for thought for children wanting to make resolutions of their own. A great read-aloud for the first of January! -- Nancy Dickinson, Librarian, Hillsboro Elementary School, Hillsboro, TN I found Squirrel's New Year's Resolution when searching for something to do with my grade two and three students after Christmas break. It is refreshing to find excellent storytelling with beautiful illustrations that also have meaningful support resources. This is a great book and will become a yearly tradition for my teaching. I will be stocking my classroom library with more of your books!--Patrick Guindon, Kemptville Public School, Ontario, Canada |
We're Going on a Book Hunt
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We’ve all read bear hunt stories, probably too many to count. Now here comes Pat Miller with a great new hunt for us to happily read again and again--a book hunt! With classic illustrations by Nadine Bernard Westcott, this great book sings us through the process of visiting the library--beginning with appropriate behavior to choosing a book that is just right and all the steps in between. Not only is this a great title to use to begin a school year orientation, but it also contains an additional pamphlet containing seven mini-lessons, one to go with each verse, should you want to make this an extended unit. This is an essential purchase for any elementary library program, no matter how you use it. Highly Recommended. --Library Media Connection, November/December 2008
PreS-Gr 2-Using the ever-popular action rhyme "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" as a model, Miller teaches young listeners how to be thoughtful library users. Arriving quietly, using shelf markers, page-turning and book handling, using the five-finger rule, and remembering to return the borrowed book are all clearly explained through the rhyming story of a class of bear cubs becoming library users for the first time. Children will quickly pick up the story motions and learn the catchy refrain: "We're going on a book hunt./We're going to a find a good one./We know how./Not too easy,/Not too hard,/But just right." Westcott's illustrations are chock-full of humorous detail that children will enjoy poring over. The library's woodland setting abounds with a variety of animal characters, each of whom finds an appropriate book for its size and species. "Just right" sums ups this addition to library-etiquette titles perfectly.
--School Library Journal, September 2008 For library professionals, introducing procedures to wiggly kindergarteners doesn't top the list of favorite activities. That may change with the help of this creative Going on a Bear Hunt adaptation by school librarian Miller, in which hand motions and onomatopoeia, such as the "beep boop beep" of the scanner, will help children take ownership of library-day routines. Topics, including how to behave and how to choose a book are reinforced with Westcott's friendly watercolors of bear students visiting a woodland library. --Booklist, July 1, 2008 |