The Adventures of Peter Cottontail by Thornton W. Burgess illustrated by Harrison Cady

My dad read the entire Thornton Burgess animals series to me as a child.  I loved listening to the stories and have fond memories of those story times with him.
So I was thrilled to find a hardcover at a local bookstore.
In this book Reddy Fox relentlessly pursues Peter but Peter outsmarts him each time.  Peter also learns his lesson in being content in how he was created.
There were some aspects to the story/writing that I did not care for as I reread it to my sons.  Please read the "warnings/points to discuss" section.
Points to discuss/warnings: I did not appreciate the use of the word "stupid" throughout the story.  Animals were often mean to each other.  Mother Nature was credited as the creator and source of life.

Patriots, Pirates, Heroes and Spies Stories from Historic Philadelphia Edited by Sandra Mackenzie Lloyd illustrated by Katrina Damkoehler*

My friend, who homeschools,  took her children to Philadelphia recently.  She and her children visited a few spots where a professional story teller told them specific stories about famous people who resided in Philadelphia or historical events that took place there.
This book contains all the stories that one can hear when participating in Once Upon a Nation program.
Stories range from Lenape natives, to a woman accused of being a witch, a Quaker spy, the man who invented television to Boy Scout and Girl Scout stories.  There are twenty stories total.
A perfect book to share when studying PA history or Philadelphia.
Once Upon a Nation's offers its Storytelling program seven days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day (*wish they offered during the school year for field trips!).
Warning: One story is about the nation's obsession with witches for awhile.

Race the Wild-Arctic Freeze #3 by Kristin Earhart illustrated by Eda Kaban*

My third grader read this book to himself.
A team of four children-Dev, Sage, Russell, and Mari-have signed up for the Race the Wild challenge.  All over the world they compete against other teams to finish races which take place in . . .the wild.  In this book the children must survive in Alaska.
My son said he really liked the book.  "I like that the kids raced sled dogs.  I have never done that and think that would be really cool.  I also thought it was interesting that Mt. McKinley grows a  millimeter each year."
The author intersperses "creature features" and geographical fact pages throughout the book.  So the reader can enjoy an exciting adventure and learn some interesting facts about the area.
Other books in the series:
1. Rain Forest Relay
2.  Great Reef Games
4. Savanna Showdown
*Highly recommend.
Guided Reading Level: R (4th grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 4th grade

I, Fly by Bridget Heos illustrated by Jennifer Plecas*

"The Buzz About Flies and How Awesome They Are"
A fly zooms into a classroom and is exasperated how all teachers seem to focus on the butterfly when instructing about insects.  The fly proceeds to inform the students his wonderful qualities.
A humorous nonfiction book!
My kindergartner does not enjoy nonfiction but he liked this one.  He said, "Mom, this is a true book but it is funny!".
Strategies: check for understanding, compare/contrast (between fly and butterfly), nonfiction reading

Float by Daniel Miyares*

A father constructs a newspaper boat for his son.  A gray, rainy day he takes this precious boat outside to float in streams in the street.  Unfortunately the stream currents are quite strong and lead the boat on its own adventure.  After a chase, the boy finds his boat ruined.  Dejected his returns home with the sopping newspaper in his hand.  The story does not end on this dismal note.  Like all great dads, this father comes up with an idea to raise his son's spirits.
Wordless.
Strategies: story elements, inferring, sequencing, cause/effect
I love the end pages (they show how to construct two modes of transportation out of newspaper)!
*Highly recommend.

There Was an Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight by Penny Parker Klostermann illustrated by Ben Mantle*

I loved this retelling of the classic There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly!  Sometimes fractured versions of this story seem forced and contrived.
In the beginning the reader sees a knight gallantly riding his steed, not afraid of the danger that lies ahead.  The dragon proceeds to swallow him, his steed, a squire, a cook, a lady, a castle, and a moat.
I especially like the ending.  It differs from typical fractured versions of this story.
The illustrations definitely support the story and add to the story.
*Highly recommend.

Beauty and the Beast a retelling by H. Chuku Lee illustrated by Pat Cummings

The illustrations inspired from West Africa and the architecture of the Dogon of Mali  are what make this retelling stand out from other Beauty and the Beast versions. 

The retelling itself is not spectacular-good but not a "stand out".