The Shrunken Head

The Shrunken Head
(Curiosity House #1)
Written by Lauren Oliver & H. C. Chester

My rating: ★★★★

ISBN: 978-0062270818
Publisher: HarperCollins
Date of publication: September 29, 2015
Age: Grades 4 - 6
Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction

Themes: murder, thievery, curiosities & marvels, orphans, New York City,

Three orphans have happily called "Dumphrey's Dime of Freaks, Oddities, and Wonders" home. Of course, that's because they're quite extraordinary—Phillipa with her mind reading, Sam with his amazing strength, and Thomas with his contortionist body. But when a fourth orphan shows up, a girl named Max who can throw knives with frightening accuracy, strange things begin to happen. The newest exhibit—Mr. Dumphrey's prize shrunken head—is stolen, and leaves in its wake a trail of deaths and murders. Could the head really be cursed? The four orphans are determined to solve the case, and in the process, stumble upon the shocking truth about their pasts.

The book itself is an "oddity and wonder"—I'm still trying to figure out just how to describe it! It's so perfectly quaint with endearing characters and a fascinating storyline, yet is punctuated with touches the weird, the terrifying, and the gruesome. Basically, it feels like you're cuddling with the Addam's family (snapsnap). I reveled in its uniqueness. Plus the periodically-placed illustrations are just fantastic. Look at that cover!

The four orphans are just about my most favorite characters that I've read in a juvenile mystery. Yep, I said it. Their individual "powers" are not distracting or awkward in the story, but really contribute to their personality, depth, and endearing qualities. Then, their interactions with each other just build on all that and make me love them all the more; there's punches of humor, touches of the emotional, and surprising discoveries. Having the chapters be told in their alternating points-of-view helps, too. Seriously—you get invested in these kids!

Which is why I may have gotten frustrated with some elements of the story. It does drag a bit in the middle ("oh wow yet another murder...and yet no one is particularly worried about the kids") and is weighed down by some confusing side elements and discoveries ("yet another possible clue!"). I wish that some of that bulk had been trimmed down so that the ending was that much more of a pow (fantastic twist there at the end, by the way).

So overall, yes, I do want to know what happens next! I would definitely recommend it, but I bet I'd have to push the sell a bit harder. The extra murders and length make me wonder if younger kids will really go for it, yet the cover/marketing is targeted at them—turning away some older readers. A bit of tough sell. But a fantastic read for sure!

A good pre-read to Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.

Find it at your library or on Amazon

The Terrible Two Get Worse

The Terrible Two Get Worse
Written by Mac Barnett & Jory John, illustrated by Kevin Cornell

My rating: ★★★½

ISBN: 978-1419716805
Publisher: Henry N. Abrams
Date of publication: January 12, 2016
Age: Grades 3 - 7
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Themes: pranks, consequences, friendship, principals

On their own, pranksters Miles and Niles were pretty devious. Now that they’ve formed a pranking duo, they’re terrible! But their powers will be tested when their favorite nemesis, Principal Barkin, is replaced by his stern and cunning father, Former Principal Barkin. Now Miles and Niles will do just about anything to get their old antagonist back—including pranking alongside him.

"It is only a prank if we react." And so begins the downfall of the Terrible Two. And it was actually pretty sad! Former Principal Barkin is a hard-nosed dictator with preposterous demands and unfair biases, an utterly ridiculous character that really made me mad. I understand that's how I'm supposed to feel about him...but seriously! It really takes away from the humor and joy of the last book. Of course, there are still some great lines and jabs of humor, but I'm going to stick with my gut and say the first one was better (it was a top favorite of mine last year). This one had less pranks, and the climax prank was far less impressive and somewhat out-of-nowhere. But I'm glad it happened in terms of the story.

Overall, kids who loved the first book will definitely pick up the second one and still enjoy it. There's some added depth to the characters, particularly Niles and Principal Barkin, that I really appreciated. The sporadic illustrations are fantastic and add much to the humor of the story. I probably wouldn't recommend it in and of itself, but to those who enjoyed the first, I'd say give it a go.

Find it at your library or on Amazon

Cockatoo, too

Cockatoo, too
Written and illustrated by Bethanie Deeney Marguia

My rating: ★★★★

ISBN: 978-1499801026
Publisher: Little Bee Books
Date of publication: January 5, 2016
Age: 3 - 6 years

Themes: birds, word play, dancing,

Two cockatoos meet two more cockatoos in tutus and two tutued toucans. And then two more! Can they all can-can? They can! The cockatoos and toucans join together for a dance and ask the reader: "Can you can-can too?"

The back of the book says, "Whew, it's a jungle in there." Yep, that about sums it up. The text is really simple...tongue-twisting-ly simple. I admit, my brain hurt after reading the book. I mean, even the book summary takes some effort! Ha! But that's all what makes the book so fun. It would make a good readaloud, just prepare yourself beforehand for all the tongue twists. Younger crowds will think it's just silly, but this might be fun for older crowds, too; grade-schoolers would enjoy the wordplay.

The other huge plus is the fantastic illustrations. The watercolor is bright and SO beautifully done, perfect for the colorful birds of the jungle. And also perfect to showcase tutued toucans can-canning. Yep. There are toucans in tutus doing the can-can. Go and read it.

Good for fans of grammar and words, a readalike for E-mergency! or Brian P. Cleary's Words are Categorical series

Find it at your library or on Amazon

5 Ways to Encourage a Baby's Love for Books (and a Sweepstakes!)

Start 'em young. No joke, people.

Of course you can encourage a love for literature at any time or age! But why not start right away? I must admit after having a baby that my job as a children's librarian became that much more exciting. It's so much cuter to have a picture book reading buddy.

So here are some ways that parents can help their newest additions and librarians can help their youngest patrons build a love for reading.