Readers Preference Reviews

Following on the success of "I Wish I had Freckles like Abby" and "I Wish I had Glasses like Rosa" comes "I Wish I Was Tall Like Willie".  As with the earlier books this one focuses on the common childhood desire to be just like your best friend.  It is the story of a young boy who tries everything to try to appear taller like his friend Willie.  From walking on stilts to putting socks in his shoes he tries everything but of course nothing works.  With the complete text in both Spanish and English readers of either language can appreciate th

This is basically a Mexican version of the traditional Jack and the Beanstalk story.  Although it is a Mexican adaptation it is written in English with an occasional word in Spanish.  For each Spanish word the readers can figure out the definition based on the context.  The author introduces a vocabulary of 32 Spanish words to help young readers learn Spanish in a easy, intuitive way.  Paco and the Giant Chile Plant is recommended.

Title:  Paco and the Giant Chile Plant
Author:  Keith Polette
Publisher:  Raven Tree Press

This story is in both English and Latin-American Spanish.  It educates the reader about Washington, DC and the sights to be found there using the format of postcards written home by a child who is visiting.  While the "postcards" are English only the facts that are included are in both languages.  This is an excellent book for teaching young children about Washington, DC and its importance to the citizens of the United States while also introducing them to the Spanish language.  With many pictures that invite dialog it is a recommended purchase.

This is basically a retelling of the story Clever Elsie from the Brothers Grimm.  When mother and father bear leave the children alone while they visit their grandmother they are given specific instructions for what to do while their parents are gone.  Well, one incident follows another as they make a mess, destroy the pond wall, and lose their parents' life savings to peddlers who trick them.  Desperate to set things right they head off into the woods to get the money back and that is where the fun really starts.  This is a delightful, humorous story for children and re

More than just a rhyming story the rhythm and cadence produces a strong chant that children fall into naturally. The rhyming pattern is set on the first two pages and follows that pattern throughout the rest of the book. The illustrations are great and create a personality for each fish while at the same time staying true to their basic shape and color so that the reader can identify them. Brightly colored, finely detailed, the illustrations themselves are exceptionally well done.

This is just what most children want in a favorite book; a humorous story and hysterical illustrations. Hilda Mae Heifer lost her moo, how can she discover the sound she is supposed to make? This is the story of how she lost her moo, her attempts to find out what sound a cow is supposed to make, and how Hilda Mae Heifer got her moo back. “Moo Who?” is highly recommended for a laugh out loud time with your child.

Author: Margie Palatini
Publisher: HarperCollinsPublishers
1350 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019-4703
Copyright: 2004
ISBN: 0060001054
Pages: 40
Ages: 4 - 8

Written in the style of an old Phillip Marlow detective story but for young children, Mystery at the Club Sandwich is a great story with plenty of amusing word play. Even the pictures are black-and-white like the old movie series. It is the story of Club Sandwich singer Lola Gale (a fox) who lost her marbles - her six lucky marbles. It is up to Nick Trunk (an elephant) to solve the mystery and locate her marbles. With only the clues of a peanut butter smudge and an ostrich feather it will be a hard case to solve.

Farmer Dale is heading for town in his red pickup truck full of hay. Along the way he meets various animals that need a ride and he is more than happy to help. But what happens when the truck is full and more animals need a ride? And what happens when the old truck is not able to carry any more animals without breaking down? A fun read with each animal having their own unique personality, Farmer Dale’s Red Pickup Truck is recommended for children ages three through seven.

Author: Lisa Wheeler
Publisher: Harcourt, Inc.
15 East 26th Street
New York, NY 10010
Copyright: 2004

An educational book about dragonflies, Eliza and the Dragonfly is a well-crafted children’s book. The story teaches the reader about the life cycle of the dragonfly from nymph to adult. It also introduces them to the occupation of entomologist. At the back of the book is additional information on dragonflies as well as resources to learn more about them. Eliza and the Dragonfly is a recommended and educational read for young children.

Author: Susie Caldwell Rinehart
Publisher: Dawn Publications
12402 Bitney Springs Road
Nevada City, CA 95959
Copyright: 2004
ISBN: 1584690607

Aaaarrgghh! Spider! is a humorous read about a spider that just wants to be a family pet. However, he has one small problem. Every time he tries to do something to show how good he would be as a family pet the family screams and he is put out of the house. Written from the spider's point of view it is creative imagination at its best. Aaaarrgghh! Spider! is a highly recommended read for young children and sure to be one of their favorite books.

Author: Lydia Monks
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company
215 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10003
Copyright: 2004
ISBN: 0618432507
Pages: 32