Book Review Set #9

BookHive. http://www.plcmc.org/bookhive/

    Genre: reader's advisory; Age: adults who work with children or children

Annotation: Do you need a book that's scary? Multicultural? Sports related? Check out the BookHive, where you'll find subject-divided booklists and more.

Review: BookHive is a service of the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. The flashy bee theme might appeal to children, but the reader's advisory lists are definitely for adults who know what they are looking for, with subjects such as "multicultural," "read aloud," "concept," etc. There are a few subject headings that are readily understandable, such as "scary," but the librarian lingo keeps this from being truly kid friendly. Even so, the lists are great and cover a variety of genres and subjects.

Critical Review: Not available.

 

Pancakes for Breakfast, by Tomie dePaola, published by Voyager Books

    Genre: picture book, wordless; Age: 2-5; Pages: 28

Annotation: A little old woman tries everything imaginable just to have the perfect pancakes. What would you do to get pancakes for breakfast?

Review: How do you describe the process of pancake making without using words? Through a series of pictures, and Tomie dePaola does it flawlessly in this wordless picture book. This is a great book to read with your children; follow it up with making pancakes the old-fashioned way—from scratch!

Critical Review: School Library Journal says that the "optimistic determination of the woman… make this an appealing book for the very young," and this is a true assessment of the book. The book is very humorous, yet subtle in its humor. Similarly, the Children's Book Review Corner at superkidsnutrition.com raves about this book saying, "this is a book that has stood the test of time" and points out that the pancake recipe contained within is easily followed, despite the lack of words. This is a great book to read with children, and to help them get involved with cooking.