If It Rains Pancakes: Haiku and Lantern Poems

If It Rains Pancakes: Haiku and Lantern Poems
Written by Brian P. Cleary, illustrated by Andy Rowland

My rating: ★★★★

ISBN: 9781467744126
Publisher: Millbrook Press
Date of publication: May 1, 2014
Age: Grades 1 - 4
Genre: Poetry

Themes: humor, poetry, anything and everything

Although a "haiku" just sounds like you're sneezing, and a "lantern" is a lighting source, they're also types of ancient Japanese poetry. And you can have a lot of fun with them. For example: "Haiku:/When you've written one/without enough syllables/you add words. Football." and "Hug:/a gift/that is best/when you return/it."

Brian Cleary may be the newest addition to my favorite-poet list. Yes, right up there with Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky. Why? Because he's hilarious, but totally educational! Just like you should be. My favorites are his "Words Are CATegorical" books, which are just AWESOME (like Hairy, Scary, Ordinary: What Is an Adjective?), Honestly, I wish I had had them when I was trying to figure out English as a kid.

ANYWAY... So I was super excited to see this book and discover Cleary's new series "Poetry Adventures." And I discovered that it is totally hilarious. I think it is so important to be able to laugh aloud while reading. Which this one totally did make me laugh. And feel good. Yes, this book has feel-goods. Plus! It does a fabulous job of explaining how Haikus and Lanterns work, and how kids can try it out on their own. So, great in the classroom, or to laugh at in storytime—either way, I highly recommend it. (This one is probably even more favorite than his others.)

I posted a review for the newest "Poetry Adventures" book today, as well, here.

Find it at your library or on Amazon

My Teacher is a Monster!

My Teacher is a Monster! (No, I Am Not.)
Written and illustrated by Peter Brown

My rating: ★★★★

ISBN: 9780316070294
Publisher: Little, Brown
Date of publication: July 1, 2014
Age: Ages 4 and up
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Bobby is convinced his teacher is a monster. She yells at him, stomps around, and takes away his recess. But then one Saturday, as Bobby plays in his favorite park, he actually sees his monstrous teacher! Outside of school! Could this show Bobby that there's more to his teacher than meets the eye?

Peter Brown's illustrations are my favorite. He always seems to take special care to fit it to the book (like Mr. Tiger Goes Wild, which is amazing) and to add some humor (like Children Make Terrible Pets, which is HILARIOUS). Did this book live up to that? Not in quite the same way, but it awesome in its own way. The subtle change for the teacher's illustration is fantastic. And little Bobby is pretty cute. Overall, it's a good tribute to teachers and those troublesome students. For students, it's a good reminder that teachers are people too!

Find it at your library or on Amazon

Stitching Snow

Stitching Snow
R. C. Lewis

My Rating: ★★★

ISBN: 9781423185079
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Date of publication: October 14, 2014
Age: Grades 8 - 11
Genre: Science Fiction

Themes: alias, planetary war, secrets, drones

Essie has a knack for programming, and likes her job taking care of her seven loyal mining drones on the planet Thanda. But when a stranger, Dane, crash lands in her district, she decides to help him--only to find out that he has different plans. Dane knows her true identity, the one she's been running from, and he wants her to face it. So now she'll be dragged into the interplanetary war between the tyrannical, cruel King Matthias and the feared Exiles. Can she program a way out of this?

It's a sci-fi thriller with a very fairy-tale theme. Rather similar to Cinder, I enjoyed the book and idea behind it. The writing, however, left something to be desired...that I haven't quite figured out yet. It just wasn't all the impressive. There were some strange holes, several "Oh that's convenient" saves, and a pretty cheesy ending. Still, the story has thrills, heartbreaks, and a good romance--all while being clean. The unique solar system setting and high tech descriptions also make it exciting. So I would recommend it, definitely to those who are impatiently waiting for the rest of The Lunar Chronicles.

Pre-order now on Amazon!
...or put a hold on it at your library

(Digital ARC provided through NetGalley)

10 Movies That Were Better Than the Books

Yes, yes, I know that just last week, I said that people who like the movies better than the books are one of my pet-peeves. What I mean is: I'm annoyed by people who like movies better than the books when the books are actually better.

There are, every once in a while, certain cases where, in fact, the movie—sometimes, maybe—is better than the book. Les Miserable is a good example. One thousand pages too much and not enough singing. You see? Okay, we're on the same page (librarian pun!!).