The Elephant Family Book by Oria Douglas-Hamilton

'The Elephant Family Book' by Oria Douglas-Hamilton is a book about two elephant twins who really lived on a preserve in Africa. This is life in it's brutal honesty with real consequences.  The low point of the book is a picture of the writers two children playing nude in the mud, which is a bit odd given what the book is about. 

Other than the nudity this book is great for all readers. Otherwise parents need to decide if that is something they find appropriate for their children. As are the themes of morality and conservation. 

Who should read this book: People who are okay with naked children.

Books read: C

"Rosie the Dragon and Charlie Say Good Night" by Lauren H Kerstein

 

"Rosie the Dragon and Charlie Say Good Night" by Lauren H. Kerstein is a children's book about a boy and his dragon.

This is a colorful book about bedtime, pets, and a childhood sense of wonder that transcends the book. I think this may have started as a child with a stuffed animal who said that his pet was afraid of a storm. 

This is the story of a boy who has to get himself and his dragon ready for bed, and he does things like brush is teeth and bathe. 

I would have loved this book when I was a child, and I once even had to ask my mother how often I should wash my body. Where as this book does not answer that question it brings bath time into the conversation. I call this a read.

Who should read this book: Everyone. 

Books read: 233 of 5,000

'Amazing Grazing' by Cris Peterson Book Review

'Amazing Grazing' by Cris Peterson is a straightforward book on farms and agriculture which makes it more of a text book than anything else. The larger issue

 with this book is that the subject is kind of dry and so the book is as well meaning that your child will not be inspired by what they read. 

You have to look at it this way, if this were a book on rockets kids who love rockets would eat it up. Not every kid loves rockets so they have to be invested before they start reading. However this is a book about farms and more kids love rockets than farms. 

For what this is it is competently written it's just not for everyone. 

Who should read this book? Kids who love farms. 

Books read: 212 of 5,000

"Mommy's Little Star" by Janet Bingham

"Mommy's Little Star" by Janet Bingham is a story about things

you find in the sky. The story is told by two foxes a mother and child. The child learns about the world from the mother as we take a journey higher and higher into the sky. 

This is a great bedtime story featuring rich images that bring joy, but don't over stimulate.

Who should read this book?
Everyone

Books read:  208 of 5000

Hello! Hello! by Matthew Cordell Book Review

'Hello! Hello!' by Matthew Cordell is the story about a girl who

suddenly finds herself without the internet. She first reaches out to her family and then, when they ignore her, she goes outside and finds a world of magic in her own mind. 

This is a book grounded in the idea that you shouldn't live your life online but also shouldn't live it entirely in the real world. 

This is a book that kind of tells the techofile to take a breath and feel the real world every now and again. 

Who should read this book? Everyone.

Books read: 170 of 5000

Cyclops by Don Nardo and Bradley Steffens

'Monsters: Cyclops' by Don Nardo and Bradley Steffens is one of a

group of books designed to inform children about mythology, it's likely origins, and it's impact on our culture in the modern world. 

This book is well made and can stand a pounding from a child with no dust jacket and a hard cover. The art work and images are not made for the book but, like those you would find in any textbook, taken from other sources. 

The truth about Cyclops is that it has a lot of information that I didn't have going into the book. It will expand your understanding of the one eyed monsters from myth and film. 

Who should read this book? Folks who want to learn about Cyclops.

Books read: 152

Ask Mr. Bear by Marjorie Flack

'Ask Mr. Bear' by Marjorie Flack is a book about a boy looking for

a gift for his mother. In his quest he asks the animals on his farm, and they all pass him along to the next animal offering nothing that his mother doesn't already have. 

In the end, the boy decides to ask Mr. Bear who is a wise old animal and would know what the boy can get his mother.

It's kind of clear where this book is going so if getting an ugly tie is your idea of a good gift then this isn't the book for you. This is the kind of hippy story that is all about love and rejecting materialism. 

Who should read this book? Folks aren't hung up on belongings. 

Books read: 149 of 5000

'The Inch High Samurai' Book Review

'The Inch High Samurai' retold by Ralph F. McCarthy is a little

book of Japanese folklore that goes about telling people not to let their faults slow them down. This telling has little in the way of danger and is likely not a full layout of the original story but is a perfect pep talk for your little person. 

The Japanese artwork is very nice, rich, and full of color. The book, however, is small for a children's book and is not an easy thing to read to your child if you want to have story time. 

All and all, this is a book that make the perfect gift for the child who loves to read. 

Who should read this book? Everyone. 

Books read: 132 of 5000

I Call My Grandma Nana by Ashley Wolff book review

'I Call My Grandma Nana' by Ashley Wolff is a great book for the

future linguist. For the rest of us this book is a fun read, but not a useful learning tool. 

Again, this is a simple idea for telling a child what everyone calls their grandmother in language after language. That is a reasonable premise for a story book but how useful will it be in the future? 

It may open the imagination of children to the world of linguistics and so give them a job in the future. That is assuming the job isn't taken by computers. 

I don't no. I'm really on the fence with this book but it was a fun read. 

Who should read this book? Children who's parents want them to become linguists. 

Books read: 122 of 5000

Finding a Friend in the Forest by Dean B. Bennett book Review

'Finding a Friend in the Forest' by Dean B. Bennett is the story of a

couple who spend time at a cabin in the woods and their observation of a relationship between their dog and a dear. This is based on true events and is one of those happy stories that are great for children. 

Past that this is a nice wide format book with rich illustrations perfect for bedtime story reading.  It's a nice calming tale that will help put your child to sleep. 

Who should read this book? Everyone

Books read: 120 of 5000

What's So Bad About Being an Only Child? by Cari Best

"What's So Bad About Being an Only Child?" by Cari Best is a

book about a little girl who is the focus of her family because she is an only child. She never gets brothers or sisters to fill the void in her life but finds another way.

This is a fun book with a muted color scheme that will lend it self well to bed time. It should be noted that your child may want a pet after reading this book.

Who should read this book? People who don't mind owning pets. 

Books read: 86 of 5000

Interjections by Ann Heinrichs

"Interjections" by Ann Heinrichs is a book that defines interjections

as a part of English speech. This is an informative book that entertains you with images. I have to say that if I had this book when I was a kid I would have loved the monsters inside of it. Now as a grown man I still love them.

This is a great example of how learning can be made fun.

Who should read this book? Kids who love monsters. 

Books read: 85 of 5000

'The Moon' by Allison Lassieur Book Review

'The Moon' by Allison Lassieur is a book about the moon. It covers both the Moon and our

investigation of it throughout history.  As a book for children this lacks a story and is not particularly fun so if your children are not into the Moon and space you're not looking at a good book for them.

Then, I've never heard of a kid that didn't look up at the stars and want to know about them.

Who should read this book? Everyone. 

Books read: 65 of 5000

Old Cover Letter

You will note this is a letter written before I knew better format. I’m sick so I’m not editing this one.

Dear (Book publisher),

What you have here is a children's picture book manuscript written in rhyme and teaching children the difference between pear the fruit and pair as in two things with some mention of to pare.

I yield to your better authority how it is all to be edited and produced. I have only the experience of reading to children as my guide in the area. I do know something of art work and printing so I can easily understand what limitations you set up. The poem is fifty-two lines but how many lines appear on one page is up to you.

I have been published three times in the past as a poet in periodicals. Once with my junior high school and twice in high school but have submitted nothing professionally.

Thank you for your time.

Richard Leland Neal
04/21/2010