Froggy Fun

Froggy Fun, written by Treva Jean Edwardson, is a cute little story about two frogs, Freddy and Fanny, who share a “cozy home in the hollow of a tree” in Fernleaf Forest.

Freddy and Fanny spend their days swimming in a nearby pond. In the evenings, Freddy gets out his autoharp and plays sweet tunes for Fanny.

Fanny wants Freddy to share his music with the other creatures in the forest, but he’s too shy. He plays only for Fanny, safely and quietly inside their tree home.

That changes at the end of the book when Freddy finally plays his autoharp outside where the other creatures can hear him.

The illustrations by Carolina Seth are bright and colorful and very cute.

What I Like: I love the illustrations.

What I Dislike: The text is written in rhyme, and as many of you know by now, I’m not a big fan of books written in verse as they are very difficult to do well. Unfortunately, the rhyme schemes in the text are forced in several places, throwing off the rhythm of the text.

And, although the illustrations are delightful, and the story is a cute one, there is not much conflict or resolution. Freddy is initially too shy to play and sing in public, and that is rectified at the end of the story. However, the resolution is weak.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: 4-8.

Publisher Info: Tate Publishing and Enterprises, 2009; ISBN: 9781615665686; Paperback, $11.99.

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Bailey's Peoria Problem

Bailey's Peoria Problem is a unique and entertaining mystery in Barbour Publishing's upbeat Camp Club Girls series.

When Alexis joins Bailey on her uncle's sheep farm, she learns more than how to shear sheep. She and Bailey stumble upon sheep marked with puzzling clues, and they can't resist trying to solve the mystery. Bailey's cousin, Brian, is happy to help, and the other Camp Club Girls help them research a missing millionaire. Alexis and Bailey bravely explore a run-down, abandoned ranch, but the girls are soon in over their heads. The girls want to solve the mystery on their own, but when three of Uncle Nathan's sheep are stolen, they have to tell police what they know.

Soon, the missing millionaire is discovered, thugs are arrested, and Alexis and Bailey can focus on the upcoming sheep-shearing contest.

What I Like: The mystery in this Camp Club Girls episode is very interesting, and full of twists. I enjoyed being surprised.

I also love Linda McQuinn Carlblom's characterization of Bailey. She is the youngest Camp Club Girl, and is sweet and consistently encourages Alexis. However, she is tough enough to wrestle sheep and shear them. Bailey also makes the tough decision to tell her uncle about the mystery, even though they haven't solved it yet.

What I Dislike: I do wish kids in books would tell their parents or trusted adults about things that are going on. Many times, in adolescent literature, the protagonists find themselves in dangerous situations, but choose not to tell anyone about it. I suppose there wouldn't be much of a story if they told right away, but in real life, I'd rather have them be safe than sorry.

Overall Rating: Very Good

Age Appeal: 8-12

Publisher Info: Barbour Publishing, 2010; ISBN: 978-1-60260-272-4; Paperback, 157 pages, $5.99

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Special Info: You can read our reviews of the other Camp Club Girls books here.

Brother Jerome and the Angels in the Bakery

When Abbott Pasqualino wants to open a bakery, he has Brother Jerome bake the breads, muffins and other goodies to sell, because Brother Jerome is an excellent baker. With the help of his guardian angel, Gus, Brother Jerome gets up early every morning and bakes the breads for the monks. Now, he’s baking extra bread to sell in the bakery.

But, the monks have no money for advertising and no money to paint a sign to let everyone know their bakery is open. So, they just cut out a door that faces onto the street where the wonderful scents from the bakery can fill the streets. They hope to attract some business in this manner.

The wonderful aromas don’t attract any customers, but they do attract other angels, because, as one angel says, a bakery is the place “that smells the most like heaven.” No customers enter the shop the first day, but on the second a lady stops long enough to smell the wonderful smells of fresh-baked goods. Brother Jerome is getting discouraged, but the Abbott tells him to keep baking breads and to keep up the faith.

So, on the third day, Brother Jerome bakes even more goodies. No customers come, but he sees the woman who had stopped outside the bakery the day before. When she doesn’t enter the store, one of the angels in the bakery flies outside, pulls her hat off, and throws it into the bakery. The woman is then forced to enter the establishment where she is, of course, captivated by the enticing aromas wafting through the air. She becomes the first customer, and then soon others follow.

Brother Jerome and the Angels in the Bakery, is written by Dominic Garramone, OSB. Richard Bernal painted the wonderfully expressive illustrations, done in muted colors.

What I Like: I really like the illustrations as they are delightful.

I also like the prayer that is printed on the back cover of the book: “Angel of God, my guardian dear, To whom God’s love commits me here, Ever this night be at my side, To light, to guard, to rule and guide. Amen.” It seems appropriate to the story.

What I Dislike: I like the book, but I think the storyline could have been stronger. Brother Jerome is the main character and he has a problem. But he doesn’t have to figure out a solution as one of the angels does it for him. I think a better storyline would have been for Brother Jerome and the angels to work together figuring out ways to get customers in the store. Perhaps one of the angels could have given Brother Jerome a great idea that he could have implemented himself. Just a thought.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: 9-12.

Publisher Info: Reedy Press, 2010; ISBN: 9781933370644; Hardcover, $16.95.

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Henley: The Book of Heroes

Like many 9-year-old boys, Henley wants to be hero. And, like many 9-year-old boys, he’s able to accomplish this somewhat through playing video games, which he greatly enjoys doing.

It’s nearly Christmas, and all Henley wants is the Getchu 2000 video game. He already has an older version of the game, but he wants the newest version and can’t wait to get his hands on it so he can “level-up” and be a hero in the game. Of course, he’s told Grandpa that he wants it and he’s convinced he’s getting it for Christmas, especially when Grandpa brings in a big box, with a red bow, with his name on it. He can’t wait to open it!

But, he doesn’t find a Getchu 2000 in the box. Instead, he finds a book, The Book, The Living Tale. Even though Henley loves to read, the last thing he wants for Christmas is a book, and the last book he wants is this book, this stupid book. Every member of his family, with the exception of his younger brother who can’t read yet, loves the book and talks about how great it is and how much it helps them day by day. But, to Henley, the book is worthless. Nothing in the book could save his father from having to go to Iraq to fight the war and it didn’t stop his Grandma Rose from dying, either. What good will the book possibly do him? How could Grandpa be so mean?

Little does Henley realize The Book is the key to his survival and that of his family, when he gets to be a real-life hero. He has to find a way to get his hero’s heart without falling prey to the many evils and temptations along the way. And, he must rely on help that is available only in The Living Tale.

Henley: The Book of Heroes, written and illustrated by Jane H. Smith, M.D., is an allegory about our spiritual journey through life, written as an adventure story. Several pencil-sketched illustrations are scattered throughout the text.

What I Like: The writing style is lively and easy-to-read and the story is full of enough twists and turns to satisfy anyone.

What I Dislike: Although I liked the book overall as it is a good read and there are many truths to be found in it, I don’t believe it is well-suited for the suggested reading audience. The publisher doesn’t give an age group, but Amazon lists it as 9-12-year-olds. Henley is not quite 10 years old. Generally speaking, 9-12-year-olds want to read stories with main characters who are older than they are, not ones who are younger or the same age.

And, if Henley doesn’t get his hero’s heart in time, Grandpa will die. Even though “no man is an island” and our actions can and do impact others, I think it’s rather a heavy burden for a 9-year-old to learn his actions are directly related to the health and well-being of his grandpa. How is such a young boy supposed to deal with that?

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: 9-12.

Publisher Info: Tate Publishing and Enterprises, 2009; ISBN: 9781607998761; Paperback, 433 pages, $22.99.

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Special Info: This is book one in the publisher’s The Living Tales Series. The next one is titled Henley: The Book of Overcomers.

Where the Jewels Are

"How do you say 'no' to a Princess who has everything and wants more? This Princess has a wise Father who sends her on a journey to find the one thing she doesn't know she's missing ..."

Where the Jewels Are is the first of ten books in the "Tales from the Throne" series by Diana Symons. It introduces readers to a princess and her servant Winifred. The two girls are about the same age and once were great friends, but as the princess grew, she acquired a sense of superior entitlement, relegating her dear friend to the shadows of servanthood. When the princess spots a glorious star through a powerful telescope, she desires to have a jewel just as beautiful. When she asks her father for such a jewel, he says she may have it, but only if she gets it herself. This will require a long, difficult journey to a strange country. The king insists that Winifred accompany her on the trip. The princess balks at his proclamation, but finally agrees.

As the two girls travel, the princess learns much about her own pride and selfish nature. She slowly learns to value the wisdom and humility of her simple friend. Throughout the journey the princess discovers she doesn't need a spectacular jewel because she already possesses the greatest treasure of all: friendship.

The book ends with a short Q&A section that encourages readers to think more deeply about the themes and lessons within the text.

What I Like: My daughter really likes this book. It's one of the first chapter books she has completed entirely on her own. Anything that gets my kids to love reading is a "top pick" in my house! The chapters are short, but filled with wonderful details and a stretching vocabulary. I love the illustrations. There aren't many and they are black and white, but they exhibit true skill and detail. Very well done.

What I Dislike: This book doesn't follow the standard rules of capitalization. The author consistently capitalizes "princess," "father" and "king" as if these were the characters' given names or as if this were an allegory and these terms referred to deity, which it isn't and they don't. This bothers me because (1) it's distracting and (2) it sets a poor example for emerging readers (like my daughter) who are still learning the proper rules of writing, capitalization and sentence structure.

Also, while I appreciate the Q&A section at the back, I wish the author hadn't supplied all the answers so freely and specifically. I would have liked a little more space for the readers to speculate and come to their own conclusions.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: 7-12, though my 6-year-old enjoyed it immensely. I would say 6-10 depending on the child's personal reading skills and maturity.

Publisher Info: Gold Pen Press, 2010; ISBN: 1934995029; Paperback; 54 pages; $5.99

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