The Book That Eats People

Tricycle Press
John Perry; Illustrations by Mark Fearing

This is a very different sort of book. A mean, nasty, no-good people eating type. Honest. This book eats humans, and is not particular about its diet. It likes children, librarians and security guards - people of all sizes and nationality.

You will need to be very cautious with this book. Oh, you'll want to read it. You be intrigued once you see those slanty eyes and that crooked mouth, not to mention the police tape of a title! And gosh, this book surely wouldn't eat YOU, would it? Well, it might. But you can move pretty fast if you need to, right? So go ahead, ignore the beware stamp and crack open that shiny red cover.

First of all, this book is always hungry. If books had tummies, this one would be growling. Sammy Ruskin from Arkansas made the fatal error of touching this book with fresh peanut butter on his fingers. He's a goner. And it attacked sweet Victoria Glassford, the girl with eyes as round as marbles, whose hair gleamed like butter. If this book could attack a doll like that, you better believe it would eat YOU right up!

This is a bad book with teeth and claws, always hungry for the human touch. Worst of all, it has a way of being engaging and clever that makes humans hungry for it! Best be extra careful and steer clear of this fabulous read. Don't be swayed by the bright illustrations and funny text. Be safe and pick up a boring book about fairies and bunnies instead, not this tantalizing, toothed tale.

Mmmmm .... oh so Fraiche

Fraiche

Fraiche (pronounced fresh) soaps sprung from humble beginnings - the kitchen of founder Johnan Ratliff. Her desire was to create healthy bars of soap without harsh chemicals. The goal was to formulate luscious and captivating bath products using only botanical and certified organic ingredients. How can products that smell this amazing also be good for your body? It's true. All Fraiche soaps are made of the purest ingredients the earth has to offer, meaning no harsh chemicals or fillers.

Why do they feel so smooth on your skin? Fraiche uses more goats' milk and aloe vera than many other soaps to ensure more moisture for the skin, and a richer, creamier lather. Why do they smell so good? They work hard at seeking out nature’s most nurturing elements to turn them into small works of art.

Indeed, they are miniature works of art! We love the artistic swoop at the top of each bar - almost like waves on an ocean. Each bar is neatly sliced, so that all the color variations are nicely displayed. Some bars are swirly like Lavender Fields while others are beautifully striped like Peppermint (shown below). It's obvious that a lot of thought goes into these bars, to capture the visual essence of each scent.
Choose from thirty-one soap scents for $12.50 per bar or three for $33. Or try three at once by sampling one of the prepackaged trilogies for $18. Each trilogy contains three different petite soaps bundled together in complementary scents. We couldn't get enough of our Bare Naked bar, but we couldn't resist the divine Autumn Trilogy either.

In addition to traditional bar sap, Fraiche also offers Swizzles, the ultimate bath bombs. Drop one of these in your tub to feel the fizzing of rich minerals soothing your skin. Swizzles are offered in fifteen scents, for $7.50 each, with a price break for larger quantities ordered. Talk about upping the spa experience of your bath!

These soaps are beautifully cut and packaged, which makes them feel luxurious even before they touch your body. Finally, an excellent gift for a multitude of women - even those that are typically hard to buy for. Fraiche has taken an ordinary product and made it extraordinarily beautiful and a joy to use. The only downside are the choices. Which to give away and which to hoard for yourself?

Faces of the Moon

Charlesbridge Publishing
Bob Crelin; Illustrated by Leslie Evans

Children are naturally captivated by the moon. Unfortunately, some of the parents (guilty as charged) don't know nearly enough about the subject to answer their questions in a knowledgeable way. Enter an informative and lovely solution in book form.

We do know that the moon can look very different, sometimes large and round while other times small and thin. Why is this? These changing looks are called phases - created by the sun shining light on the moon as she orbits Earth in space. Each phase lasts twenty-nine days, moving from thin to thick and back again.


The moon's first phase new is actually invisible to us on Earth. After that, we see a bit more revealed as the waxing crescent grows. Even more of the surface is revealed to us as it moves into the first quarter phase. Waxing gibbous is next, until we get the whole surface at full moon. This is the moon's most famous phase and greatly enjoyed by all. Past full moon, we see less and less through the rotation of waning gibbous, and last gibbous. Waning crescent moon completes the full circle and the orbit is complete.

Die cutouts of each moon phase help readers understand which piece of the moon is visible during each phase. This is a wonderfully informative read that serves to explain and illustrate a big piece of the night sky. Rhyming explanations and bright pictures make this an enjoyable book for all ages.

Barney: Book Fair

Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment
$14.98

This really is the best of both worlds! Instead of the usual plastic case, this Barney DVD is tucked just inside a nice hardback story book. We all know how wonderful and important it is to read to your children. What better way to get them on board with a new book than with some of their beloved characters?

Barney and his friends are holding a book drive in the park. Each time they crack open a book, it begins a new story on the DVD. Their imaginations soar and lead them to put on a fantastic circus and build a make-believe rocket. They are even inspired to create their very own books!


The book is a custom reprint of Barney's storybook Count to 10. Barney and friends visit Professor Tinkerputt at the toy factory for some number fun. Children will enjoy counting the toys with Barney, from one toy elephant to ten blocks.


Children have adored Barney for over twenty years, with good reason. The characters and show promote sharing, caring, and the importance of using your imagination. Even today, Barney and Friends continues to be one of the top-rated preschool programs on television. The book/DVD combo is a great idea and would be make an excellent gift for any young Barney fan.

Lulu the Big Little Chick

Paulette Bogan
Bloomsbury USA

Lulu is just plain tired of being the smallest chick on the farm. She is constantly being told she is much too little to do anything fun. She's not big enough for laying eggs, playing in the cornfield or climbing the big fence! Fed up, Lulu loudly announces she is big enough to go far, far away from her mama. She packs her pink bag and sets off down the lane.

Lulu finds the pig pen awfully messy, though she can clean herself up with no help from Momma, thank you very much. The sheep pen is terribly crowded ... and it turns out the cow and horse are, gulp, rather large up close. In her haste to escape from those situations, Lulu finds herself smack dab in a dark forest and she's quite alone. She discovers it to be quite scary, even for a big chick like herself.

Just as Lulu is feeling miserable and terrified, she hears a familiar voice. Her momma is there to scoop her up with soft wings and hug her tightly. And Lulu knows home is where she wants to be, safe and sound in her coop. After all, there's plenty of time to be big later. Maybe being big isn't all it's cracked up to be. Sometimes it can be fun to be the little guy and just be loved and taken care of.

This book is Lulu's second book, as she previously starred in Goodnight Lulu. Fans of the first book will be happy to see the format of fresh, bright colors and subtle humor is continued here. I love how one hen is knitting pants with the appropriate dimensions to fit chicken feet, and the pigs cavort on the fence in the background. Children will easily identify with how desperately Lulu wants to be recognized as a big chick, and yet how scary the process can sometimes seem. A tale with a great lesson: Don't be in such a hurry to grow up!

Bob the Builder: Built for Fun

Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment
$14.98

Your budding builders will learn about the values of teamwork, positive thinking and lending a helping hand with Bob and the Can-Do Crew. Bob always equips his crew with the necessary tools to get the job done right while having fun in the process. Can they build it? We know they can!

This disc contains five great episodes where the crew builds a radio station complete with a sky-high broadcast tower, plays skidsies with Roley and Muck, designs greenhouses out of recycled material and much more. Alongside Bob, Scoop, Benny and the rest of the team, kids see that they can accomplish anything with a Can-Do attitude.

Plus, right on top of this box is a bonus collectible toy vehicle. Kids will love this little extra that comes along with all of the usual crew fun.

Episodes: Radio Bob, Super Slasher, Roley Brings the House, Scrambler Gets Prepared
Special features: Build with Bob The Game; Building Buddies Read-Along

Tickle Monster

Live Inspired
Josie Bissett; Illustrated by Kevan J. Atteberry

Now THIS is a clever idea. Pairing a book about a tickle happy monster with a matching set of fuzzy mittens for which to tickle your own little readers. The book/mitten combo is so adorable that they end up being completely and totally irresistible. I think this is some sort of parent trap.

This colorful character comes straight down from Planet Tickle in his spaceship. He's a monster all right, but not the scary kind. There's only one thing this fuzzbucket has his sights set on - tickling every inch of your body! He starts with the piggies and footsies and moves right along to your knees and the tummy. A quick nibble on your neck and a grab at your underarm-pitties!


Honestly, the book is so adorably silly - the kids involved will be giggling like mad. I think the language chosen (footsies, little tum-tum, etc.) shows the book is aimed at a younger set, though older children may enjoy donning the mitts and acting as tickler. The illustrations are vibrant and cheery. The main monster features rainbow striped horns and tail, with a big orange nose that looks ripe for honking. His tickle prey is equally cuddly, with a small orange body and striped ears.


The tickle monster mitts (sold separately) are a genius addition to the book. Alone, the book is cute, but the matching tickle gloves really kick it up a notch. These are made from super soft baby blue fur, with a soft pink underbelly. Slip the ribbed, rainbow cuffs (just like the monster in the book!) over your wrists, fingers right out the slots, and tickle away! The design makes it possible to turn the pages AND do some heavy tickling.

The book paired with tickle monster mitts certainly make this an interactive read. Kids will be wriggling and giggling each times the mitts make an appearance. A really great package that was a huge hit at our house!

Watch author Josie Bissett reading Tickle Monster:

The Day Glo Brothers

Charlesbridge
Chris Barton; Illustrated by Tony Persiani

Sometimes it can be difficult to find a non-fiction children's book that can be both educational and entertaining. And even then, most of these are typically about animals or nature. Finding one about an everyday household item is even more unusual. Meet the Day-Glo Brothers.

We are all familiar with the eye-popping greens, yellows and oranges that are created with daylight fluorescents. They appear on life jackets, running shoes, traffic cones, hunting vests, sports equipment and more. But have you ever wondered how this process works or how it was created?


Brothers Bob and Joe Switzer couldn't have been more different. Joe had his sights set on becoming a magician while Bob wanted to be a doctor. Bob's dreams were dashed in an accident at work, when he fell and hit his head, causing seizures and double vision. He began to help Joe expplore the possibilities of using fluorescence to jazz up his magic act. The Switzers built an ultraviolet lamp and started to experiment with chemicals to make glow-in-the-dark paints. These paints only showed up under ultraviolet light, but not in ordinary daylight.


Though trial and hard work, the brothers discovered a process to make those same paints glow in ordinary daylight too! Called "Day-Glo" these were in demand during World War II - used to send signals, mark water buoys, and to aid on lifeboats and aircraft carrier crews. After the war, day-glo colors were marketed to the general public and showed up in our everyday life.


Overall, an excellent and educational book in one package. Pair that with the brilliant and colorful illustrations from Tony Persiani and this is a great addition to your bookshelf. The small details make this a fascinating read, which makes a great story for kids of many ages.

DVD Lunch Box Series

Lionsgate
$19.98

How cool are these? Soft sided lunchboxes created expressly for the preschool set. Choose from Bob the Builder, Barney, Thomas & Friends or Care Bears to make your little one's lunch time a lot more fun. Each one is insulated, easy to clean, and just the right size for a tot-sized lunch.

The lunchboxes themselves are pretty neat, but more so is the fact that each ones comes stocked with three DVDs featuring episodes from that particular series.

Bob the Builder Lunch Box contains The Big Game - Bob and his machine team are ready to play! Prepping for the big soccer match, a line-marking machine suddenly runs amok. Can the Can-Do Crew fix it in time for the opening whistle? Celebrate With Bob - Looks like Bob is in for a busy, busy day! There’s a dance contest, a surprise birthday party, a really messy office and a broken computer, but it’s all in a day’s work for our favorite Can-Do builder. Can We Fix It? - It’s harvest time and there’s plenty to do: Farmer Pickle’s barn is about to collapse and needs repair before the impending rainstorm, Travis gets stuck in the mud, a golf course needs constructing and Bob builds himself right into a windmill!

Thomas & Friends Lunch Box contains: Tales from the Tracks - Ride the rails to adventure as Thomas and his engine friends attend a birthday picnic, discover a ghost engine and learn the legend of a very special lamp. Best of Percy - Learn more about the junior member of the railway, a faithful friend of Thomas’ from the very beginning, and celebrate all of the special traits and qualities that make Percy a fan favorite. Races, Rescues & Runaways - You’ll find that life on the Island of Sodor is never boring, especially when the engines get into trouble. But no worries, as friends are always there to lend a helping hand for each other.

Barney Lunch Box contains Adventure Bus - Hop aboard and get ready for the ride of your life as bus driver Barney takes you to some of the gang’s favorite imaginary destinations, including a castle, a pizzeria, a circus and the Old West! Imagination Island - A storybook adventure comes to life when Tosha and Min discover that their wish to sail to a magical island is possible with help from Barney and his friends. Everyone is Special - Join Barney and his friends for a dino-mite day in the park as they celebrate all the things that make them, and you, special!

The Care Bears Lunch Box contains Journey to Joke-a-Lot - Follow Funshine Bear, who, frustrated by too many jokes gone wrong, travels to faraway Joke-a-lot where the community of kooky characters quickly crowns him King. His fellow Care Bears leave the comforts of Care-a-lot behind and embark on a quest to coax their friend to return home. The Gift of Caring - In seven heartwarming episodes, the Care Bears tumble through birthday parties, reunite with long-lost friends and even search for a valley of gold! They are wrapping up some fun they can't wait to share with you! Fitness Fun On Your Mark...Get Set...Go Have Fun! Join in active adventures that teach everyone how to be a good sport. In five fun-filled episodes, the Care Bears and their Cousins share lessons in friendship, fair play and fitness. The whole family will love getting into the game!

It's a Secret

Candlewick Press
John Burningham

This is a book about a very ordinary house cat named Malcolm. No, wait, make that an extraordinary cat who only projects the illusion of being an ordinary house cat. By day, he spends much of day sleeping on the couch curled up in a ball, but by night .... why, that's a very different story.

Each night Malcolm dresses himself in fancy duds and steps out on the town with his friends. Marie Elaine, his owner, just happens to catch him leaving one night and discovers his secret. She begs to come with him. He relents, but only if she wears appropriate party attire and "gets small" to fit through the cat door.


Mary Elaine happily meets Malcolm's conditions and they flee through the night - only to be caught red-handed by the neighbor boy, Norman Kowalski. Or course, Norman demands to come as well, and now three of them are nearly late to the secret party. They rush past a pack of dogs, narrowly escaping by dashing up a fire escape and sliding down a wire.

The feline celebration is wonderful, complete with balloons, an accordian player and festive dancing. They share a wonderful midnight feast and the Queen of the Cats presents everyone with small gifts. Nobody wants the party to end, but they reluctantly say their goodbyes and travel homeward. In the morning, Mary Elaine's mother says to her "You look as if you were out all night with the cat." Oh, if only she knew!

What a wonderfully magical story. This takes a seemingly ordinary pet and gives them a secret existance! Beautiful mixed media illustrations complete the fantasy, making this a truly lovely book. What are your own pets up to while you sleep? It's a secret!

Being a Pig is Nice

Random House
Sally Lloyd-Jones; Illustrations by Dan Krall

Are you tired of being nagged by your parents to wash your hands, sit up straight and mind your manners? You should consider becoming a pig - they don't have to deal with that nonsense. When you are a proper swine, it is imperative to be dirty and just a wee bit rank. Pig parents value filth and stink. Or if pace is your problem, you could become a snail instead. Snails kids are encouraged to dawdle and lag behind the others.

This book touts the advantages to becoming part of any number of animal families. Elephants get to splash in the tub as much as they want, flinging water in all directions. Monkeys get to be all sorts of crazy, and owls stay up all night long! Monsters are the very best because they are bad and naughty all the time. If you are a monster, you must be dreadful and disgusting and rude as they come. What could be more fun that that?


The little girl in this story has oodles of imagination, which makes for a super fun read. It's a pretty hilarious concept for kids to picture themselves being part of another animal family, and to expound on what the expectations for that animal would be. Getting in trouble for being too neat or going to bed early? Expect a lot of hooting and howling when reading this one.


The bright illustrations are a perfect match for this wild animal story. Definitely an awesome read for kids of all ages! Check out the trailer below to get a great feel for this one. Super fun and just generally hilarious and enjoyable.

Sing & Dance with Barney

Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment
$14.98

It's Barney's party and he'll dance if he wants to! And since he's having such a good time onscreen, it's a safe bet that his viewers will hop up and dance with him! The songs are fun and the beat is catchy, which means kids will be unable to resist joining this very special sing along party.

This disc is filled with 55 minutes of a sing and dance free for all. Songs include old favorites such as Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, If You're Happy and You Know It and You Can Count on Me. In addition to the songs, Barney and his friends travel off site on some fun adventures - a farm, a campsite in the woods and a storybook land.

There's a reason Barney has been around for twenty plus years. Kids love him and parents appreciate his values of promoting sharing, caring and learning. In addition to the DVD, there is also a musical CD included, which contains five of the best songs. The DVD special features are an interactive matching game, Catch up with the Barney Reunion Cast and Barney Boogie Music Video.

A Small Surprise

Random House
Louise Yates

I really like this book. I like the bunny's quiet confidence, and how the other animals seem to be rooting for him. I like how there's a real storyline to follow, told with very few words. I love the illustrations and the surprise ending. Truly, this is a little bunny masterpiece!

The beginning is a little unusual as the story actually starts out on the inside cover, instead of the first page. Because the drawing is rendered in pale blue and white, it's fairly easy to overlook, but it actually sets the background for the story. A huge billboard boasts the magnificent menagerie of a circus which includes the biggest, tallest, longest and largest animals of all. A vagabond bunny passing through is drawn to the notice tacked in the corner announcing "Jobs available, apply within ... small animals need not apply."


With a bow to the larger animals, the bunny allows he is indeed very small. He unties his brindle to reveal a pint sized pair of clown shoes, umbrella and red nose. He demonstrates how he is too small to wipe his own nose, or tie his own shoes. He's too small to walk very far on the tightrope without needing a rest and even too small to eat without making a mess. But he's just the right size to disappear and reappear in the most unlikely places. Ta-da, he amazes the other animals again and again with his agility and speed.



Though the words are few, the illustrations tell a great bit more of the story. At first the animals seem surprised by the bunny's appearance, then sort of charmed and finally mystified by his considerable talent. The moral of the story is being small doesn't mean you can't be amazing! The inside cover at the back of the book shows the bunny amending the circus poster to reflect his appearance.

Overall, an excellent, quirky, wonderful, lovely book that I wholeheartedly recommend!

Big Cat Pepper

Bloomsbury Children's Books
Elizabeth Partridge; Illustrated by Lauren Castillo

If you are both a parent and a pet owner, the very worst is bound to happen at some point. Your beloved furry or feathered companion will pass away and your children will very likely be left confused and scared. This book is a friendly way to introduce the idea that animals don't live forever.

This sweet little boy has a soft gray cat named Pepper. His entire life has been spent with his cat, never a day away. They play secret games together daily and the boy has come to depend on the friendship. But one day Pepper isn't quite so peppy and starts to sleep more and eat less. The next week he quits his rumbly purr and refuses to drink any water. The boy's mama explains what Pepper is going through and what will probably happen in the next couple days.


After Pepper dies, the boy and his mama choose a special spot and bury him in the flower bed, covering him with blossoms. He is nervous for Pepper, but she reassures him that Pepper's spirit will live forever. Every day the boy mourns for his cat and misses him terribly at bedtime. He feels close to bursting with his sadness, and the ache in his chest just won't go away.


It is a long time before the boy is able to focus on the good times with his cat and the tight hold on his chest loosens. He pictures Pepper's spirit flying free and can hear his purr in the wind that whispers through the air. He is content knowing that although Pepper does not live here on Earth any longer, he will live on in his heart forever.

This is a very touching and well thought out book. The mixed-media illustrations are warm and realistic, printed on uncoated paper. Altogether, a lovely and therapeutic choice for any family.