Sunday, April 12, 2026

Hurricane by Jason Chin*

 Mr. Chin tracks a hurricane from the time it begins over Africa until it makes landfall at Cape Hatteras. He alternates pages about its progress and how people are preparing for it and then evacuating. 

Very informative yet engaging. Lots of diagrams and explanations in the back.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.



Thursday, April 9, 2026

Dear Acorn (Love, Oak) by Joyce Sidman illustrated by Melissa Sweet*

 Letter poems from objects with various sizes and purposes  The poems remind readers how everything is made up of smaller things. Everything is connected and is necessary!

Great word choice & figurative language usage

Pairings: oak/acorn, bubble/sky, cloud/droplets, pebble/river, brick/school, button/coat, toes/child, sea turtles/ocean

The author then shares how to create one's own letter poems.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.



The Case of Old MacDonald and His Farm by Mark Teague*

 Old MacDonald summons Officer Busby to his farm. Odd and ridiculous events are popping up all over his farm-cabbages with painted faces, pizza being delivered to his goats... Can Officer Busby figure out who is behind the mischief on this April Fool's Day? 

Fun!

*Highly recommend for its lightheartedness. We need books just for fun!

-Borrowed from the library.



His Fairytale Life by Jane Yolen illustrated by Brooke Boynton-Hughes*

 A whimsical, beautiful book about Hans Christian Andersen

Ms. Yolen writes about his life in one long sentence! Although the words are minimal, the reader learns a lot about this unique and lonely writer.

Lovely illustrations

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.



Island Storm by Brian Floca illustrated Sydney Smith**

 Two siblings leave their home to experience the precursor of the sights and sounds to a thunderstorm on an island. Holding hands, the two roam the island despite the impending danger. The word choice is superb. The figurative language enhances the book's "atmosphere".  Mr. Smith's illustration depict the mood of the different phases of the storm.

A perfect book to read aloud in the spring and summer before a thunderstorm. 

The page layouts are purposeful. I like the repeating refrain too.

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.



The iguanodon's Horn by Sean Rubin**

 Mr. Rubin put a lot of thought and research into creating this book (even his explanation of his art and typeset in the fine print is humorous. The typeface reflects the subject matter-one used for scientific publications in the paleotology beginnings). His art and page layouts are engaging and carry significance.

Before the title page, Mr. Rubin is capturing the reader's attention. Mr. Rubin explains how the understanding of science and dinosours has transformed over time by following what different artists and scientists thought the iguanodon looked like.

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.



Desmond Doss- Conscientious Objector by Frances M. Doss

 The Story of an Unlikely Hero

At an early age Desmond Doss adhered to Seventh-Day Adventist faith. His devotion to God and the Seventh-Day Adventist belief system required him to object to some military requirements. God honored his convictions. Mr. Doss saved many lives during WW II.

This book is written by his second wife. The first two-thirds of the book focus on his childhood, his first marriage, and his service during WWII. The last third section of the book relates how God continued to bless him in his retirement, through health issues and with his second marriage to Frances. As the book progressed it became less interesting. 

When my son was studying WWII, I looked into watching the movie Hacksaw Ridge. We thought it would be too violent to watch. Seeing that the movie was based on a real man, I looked to see if there were any books about him and discovered this one!

I am not highly recommending it is not as well-written as most books. I loved the topic & also loved being amazed by this man!

-Borrowed via ILL.

Consideration: Seventh-Day Adventist beliefs