Houston Family Book List - August 2009

Houston Family LogoHCPL's Book Bites column appears monthly in Houston Family Magazine.  Each column features suggested books for toddlers through teens.  Get the new list every month in the magazine, available at all of our branches. Previous columns.

This month our selections are customer reviews from this 2009 Summer Reading Program.

Toddlers (Ages 1-3)

Snuggle Up, Sleepy Ones 

Snuggle Up, Sleepy Ones by Claire Freedman
As the sun is setting, the animal babies snuggle up to their mommies to go to sleep. We LOVE the pictures in this book. It's a very well written book for little ones; it kept my 13 month-old's attention the whole way through. Reviewed by Sarah

 Bedtime for Frances

Bedtime for Frances by Russell Hoban
One of my favorites as a child, now I am reading it to my daughter. My husband thought it was repetitive at first and then was laughing at the humor at the end. Reviewed by Jenna

 The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear

The Little Mouse, the Red, Ripe Strawberry, and the Big, Hungry Bear by Don & Audrey Wood
Great, great book for toddlers! Super imagery and text - great illustrations. Reviewed by Emma 

Picture Books (Pre K-K)

Otto Goes to Bed

Otto Goes to Bed by Todd Parr
I kind of get scared and stuff when I go to bed like Otto, so I like this book because everyone has problems sometimes going to bed. I have to remember how Otto goes to sleep and this book makes me be brave! Reviewed by William 

Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend

Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend by Melanie Watt
I really like Scaredy Squirrel books. I think the friend one is my favorite. I like that Scaredy Squirrel puts an air freshener on his dog friend. I laughed when the dog chewed up his test. They are all funny funny books! Reviewed by Walker 

Wally and Mae

Wally and Mae by Christa Kempter
I liked that two different types of people came together and they learned to work with each other. Reviewed by Rachel 

Early Readers (Grades 1-3)

 Mildred and Sam and Their Babies

Mildred and Sam and Their Babies by Sharleen Collicott
I liked this book about taking care of babies because it makes me think about when my Mom took care of me when I was little. Reviewed by Joleia 

 Amelia Bedelia

Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish
"Amelia Bedelia" by Peggy Parish was a really funny book. I especially liked how she dressed the chicken in clothes instead of dressing it to be cooked. Reviewed by Jaden 

Biscuit and the Baby

Biscuit and the Baby by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Would be a great book for a family getting a new baby. Good book for all dog and baby lovers. Reviewed by Madison 

Children's Fiction (Grades 4-6)

 The Niña, the Pinta, and the Vanishing Treasure

The Niña, the Pinta and the Vanishing Treasure by Jill Santopolo
A book about young detective Alec Flint who's hot on the trail of another mystery. I liked this book and if you like suspense you will too. Reviewed by Dawson 

 Young Samurai: The Way of the Warrior

Way of the Warrior by Chris Bradford
This is a mix between English and Japanese (samurai) in the 17th century. It is certainly an interesting mix between the two, and the adventure and action never stops in this book! This is the first book in the "Young Samurai" series. Reviewed by George 

 Blood on the River: James Town 1607

Blood on the River: James Town, 1607 by Elisa Carbone
Are you tired of hearing the same Pocahontas story over and over again? Well this book is entirely different. It begins in 1606, following the life of Samuel Collier- an orphan who lives on the streets until he becomes Captain John Smith's page. Samuel, and his two acquaintances from the orphan, one a kid and one a priest, start on a voyage to the New World. It's said to wash gold up with every wave, but when the crew arrives, they find out that the New World is nothing like it's believed to be. This book is the best historical fiction book I have ever read. It's truly hard to stop reading. Reviewed by Jacqueline

Teen Fiction (Ages 12 & Up)

 Do Hard Things

Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris
Have you ever wondered why nothing is expected of teenagers? Why the partying teens have given all of us a bad reputation? This book, written by teens, for teens, will tell you why, and what you can do to change it. It calls for us to start a "rebelution" (rebellion + revolution) that is basically a teenage rebellion against rebellion, or low expectations. I give this book a 5 star rating, and it has quickly become my new favorite! Reviewed by Bethany

 The Frog Princess

The Frog Princess by E.D. Baker
The Frog Princess is about a Princess named Emeralda. She is a very clumsy girl who seems she can't do anything right, even the simplest of magic spells. While in the forest, she comes upon a swamp that has a frog that can talk and claims he is a prince who has been put under an evil spell and only a princess can turn him back. The Princess kisses him and she ends up turning into a frog herself. Now the Princess and the Frog Prince have to go on a journey and face an evil witch, dogs, snakes, nymphs, otters and fairies...this is a journey that will leave you on your toes and wanting more! Reviewed by Sarah

 Pendragon: The Soldiers of Halla

Pendragon: The Soldiers of Halla by D.J. MacHale
The conclusion to the Pendragon Cycle! Finally you get to see where the Travelers came from, what happened to Bobby's family, whether Saint Dane was defeated, and what happened to all the people in the Yankee Stadium flume. Please read all the other books in the series before reading this one. Otherwise, hobey-ho, let's go! Reviewed by Teresa