Reader Girls Blog

Flood by Alvaro F. Vila Hardcover, 32 pages Published January 1st 2013 by Picture Window Books A beautiful wordless picture book about the effects of a flood on a family and their home. The beauty of Mother Nature can change instantly into something else, something completely different and dangerous. Illustrator Alvaro F. Vila's picture book, Flood , showcases this with its tale of one family as they deal with the preparation for and the subsequent aftermath of a flood. Without one word, the stark illustrations convey the emotion, the details, the feelings and reality of a storm. As a father covers the windows of their house, mother gazes upon her two children as they go about their day watching TV and such. As night falls, the parents worry about those gray clouds rolling in. There is also the importance of community as neighbors drive over the next day to erect sandbag walls to hold back the river.  The author and illustrator of Flood doesn't sugarc...

I'd Know You Anywhere, My Love by Nancy Tillman Hardcover, 32 pages Published August 27th 2013 by Feiwel & Friends There are things about you quite unlike any other. Things always known by your father or mother. So if you decide to be different one day, no worries… I’d know you anyway. Every child is special and unique, but every child also loves to dream of being something different. Bestselling author and artist Nancy Tillman has created another heartfelt masterpiece celebrating the joys of imagination, and the comfort of always knowing that "you are loved." Unique. Different. Special. No matter who we are or what we are like, a parent's love for their child is unconditional no matter what. This is the strongest message found within the pages of author and illustrator Nancy Tillman's latest picture book,   I'd Know You Anywhere, My Love . Look at that cover. Doesn't it do something to you? Pulls at the heartstrings with...

The Very Inappropriate Word  by Jim Tobin, Dave Coverly (Illustrations) Hardcover, 36 pages Published August 20th 2013 by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) Michael loves interesting words (hard words like ELASTIC, little words like VAST, and big words like SMITHEREENS) and is always on the lookout for words to collect. Then one day, he picks up a new word. Abad word. An inappropriate word. At least, that’s what his friend says. But Michael kind of likes the word. He thinks he might try it out. At school. Bad idea. "Michael collected words." From that opening sentence I knew I would really like The Very Inappropriate Word by Jim Tobin, with illustrations by Dave Coverly. Any kid who likes words, just like I did as a youngster, is cool. Michael picks up words from his various surroundings and Dave Coverly's colorful imaginings certainly brings this boy's world to life. The illustrations look like watercolors with black ink outlines which immediately r...

Yenta for Santa by Judy Dulberg Hardcover, 32 pages Published September 30th 2013 by Center Rock Publishing (first published January 1st 2013) It's Christmas time and the children of the house are headed for the naughty list. The elf in residence is worried about the children's mischievous behavior. He calls Santa and asks for reinforcement. Who will be able to join forces with the elf and restore order? Who has the determination and courage to face down this rowdy group of treat stealers? Who can Santa rely on with Christmas just weeks away? Santa knows! It's his old Jewish friend - Yenta for Santa! One look at this cover and it's safe to assume that there will be an abundance of laughs from the story told inside. A Yenta For Santa is the first picture book I've read featuring...well, a 'Yenta.' A Yenta is a Yiddish gossip and writer Judy Dulberg deftly captures the heart of this 'busybody' grandmotherly type with her accent and...

When It Snows  by Richard Collingridge Hardcover, US, 32 pages Published August 27th 2013 by Feiwel & Friends (first published September 27th 2012) When it snows, magic happens. Follow a boy and his teddy bear on a wondrous snowy adventure which will lead readers of all ages to a surprising place. When It Snows is a beautifully illustrated picture book by writer and illustrator Richard Collingridge. The mighty pictures draw the reader in as eyes soak up the wintry palette of whites, grays, and blues. Our narrator is a young boy and his trusty teddy bear as we experience his world during a snow day. But this is no regular day off. The snow blankets not only his immediate space but hills, trails and mountains. We follow his trek as he walks outside, placing his smaller feet into much bigger prints. He passes by cross-country skiers and kids on the backs of polar bears. Yes, I said polar bears and it's these types of images--captured with a touch of whimsy in the...

Personal Experiences by Tracy Lee The Personal series, #1 Elleny Barker and Trevor McHale have loved each other since the second grade. Growing up in a small Georgia town, they had the same group of friends and they all had dreams of leaving Richland. Elle’s life was perfect; going to the perfect college, had the perfect life plan of becoming a doctor and had the perfect boyfriend going to college on a full ride football scholarship. Until the day Elle’s life was turned upside down; making a decision that she thought would be the best for both her and Trevor, she turned to the one man she thought would be willing to help her, Trevor’s best friend, Willie “Bear” Jackson. Seventeen years later; Elleny, brought on by violent abuse and still feeling the sting of losing the only man she’s ever loved; is a changed woman, for the worse. She has locked her heart away and refuses to give it to anyone. Then it happened, a millionaire, whose company just bought out the l...