Bats in the Band

What a night we had almost two weeks ago when Brian Lies came to the Blue Bunny in Dedham! My husband and Ivy were outside the store ready with the a guitar and ukelele to greet the esteemed author who drove up in his BATSmobile (a car decorated with scenes from the new book complete with a playable "sewer pipe organ". Atticus was happily banging the plethora of instruments strewn on a table outside of the store. Once inside all the children were enthralled by Lies's new book, Bats in the Band. I think the best part for me was learning about all plays on words and hidden musical references scattered throughout the book. However, the best part by far was when Lies pulled out a drawing that he had made in the 2nd grade. It was a typical 2nd grade drawing, without a hint of the artist that he would become. This really resonated with Ivy who often considers her own artwork to be just scribbles.

Wemberly Worried

My husband got me this book for a present. Me. Not Ivy. I am so worried because Ivy will be starting Pre-K at a new school. I think I am more scared than she is. The Pre-K is 1/2 day, and Ivy will have to be in a lot of aftercare. I am just heart-broken.


This book is about a mouse who worries about everything.

Big things.
Little things.
And things in between.

If you ever know someone who worries, this book is for them. A perfect back to school book that has helped both me and Ivy. At one point Ivy said, "Mom, stop worrying. Think aboutWemberly Worried."

Cinder Edna

Ellen Jackson has created a clever retelling of the Cinderella story. In this tale there are two neighboring damsels with wicked stepsisters and stepmothers who handle their fates in two distinctive ways. Cinderella is portrayed as a silly and vacant girl who cannot get to the ball without her stepmother's help. She wears her elegant glass slippers to the ball and meets the handsome yet pompous Prince Randolph. Cinder Edna, on the other hand, saves money earned cleaning parrot cages, buys a dress, and takes a bus to the ball in her sensible shoes. She meets the goofy and kind Prince Rupert, Randolph's brother who lives in a cottage in the back of the palace and runs a recycling plant. When a sensible shoe and an elegant slipper are left behind, only one couple will live happily ever after. This spunky tale about self-reliance and finding your own happiness is a great read.

Flare

This is a seriously cute book, and not just because I was a Classics major. Kallie George has written a lovely book called Flare about a baby Phoenix. He rises out of the ashes singing, "I am tough. I am strong. My name is Flare." Flare is an orphan, but he is lovingly raised by a cloud, the sun, and the wind. Each of these three tries to teach Phoenix it is o.k. to cry. Their attempts fail until the sun shines on an injured and sad baby bird. It is through this experience that the Phoenix is truly able to understand the power and magic of his tears. Ivy was just fascinated by this book. It appears to be a series - I will be ordering the rest today! It is also simple to read for a beginning reader.

I Feel Five

This new book by Bethanie Deeney Murguia speaks to Ivy, who often probably feels five. With the big birthday looming in October, Ivy is often wondering what it will be like to be big. On the eve of Fritz's fifth birthday, Fritz wonders how he will be different the next day. Throughout the course of the day he is disappointed that he still feels four. Each piece of his day is illustrated with dashing water colors, helping the reader to see that perhaps growing up is a gradual process. In the end it is finding friendship with a girl that helps him to feel perhaps a little bit 5. Adorably sweet.

The Most Wonderful Doll in the World

Phyllis McGinley published this book in 1950, but it was still a hit for Ivy. It is about a young girl named Dulcy, who always wanted the next best thing. She adored dolls, but was always asking for more. One day a neighbor gave her a doll named Angela with a box of clothes. Upon losing it the first night, Dulcy proceeded to misremember her doll to the dismay of all of her friends. No doll could compare to the precious Angela. What will happen to Dulcy? Will she ever find Angela? Find out in this beautifully illustrated chapter book for beginner readers.

What! Cried Granny

An Almost Bedtime Story by Kate Lum has attracted Ms. Ivy. Although she has been more into chapter books as of late, I got this because she loves books about grandparents. When I read this out loud, she made me say "Grammy" (like her Grammy) instead of "Granny" each time. I think it wasn't the actual story that attracted her, but the very last page. She was semi-interested until the last page. She then perked up and asked me to read it four (yes...four) times in a row. In this story young Patrick is having his first overnight with his Granny. As the night progresses, the two realize that Patrick is without quite a few items, including a bed. How will he ever get to sleep...or will he? WHAT?!