Sylvie, a rabbit, and True, a water snake, are best friends. They live together in a small apartment on a quiet street in a big city. Like a lot of best friends, Sylvie and True are different in many ways. Sylvie sleeps in a bed; True sleeps in the bathtub. Sylvie leaves the apartment by going through the door and down the stairs; True slides out the window and down a drainpipe. But, of course, they have things in common, too – they both love food and bowling – and together they make quite a team. Told in four short and easy-to-read chapters, this is a sweet and funny story about the give-and-take of friendship.
Rating: 4 ****
This book does a good job demonstrating the everyday friendship. How sometimes they get along and other times are misinterpreted and other times help out.
The Story of Ferdinand
Reviewed by Children’s Book List
A true classic with a timeless message, this story about a docile bull who would rather smell flowers than engage in the bullfights in Madrid is now packaged with a compact disc featuring a professional reading of the unabridged story.
Rating: 5 *****
Ferdinand stays tried and true to who he is no matter how much they provoke him. This is a nice story focusing on individuality.
A highly diverting picture book about an agreeable pet boa constrictor that earns the affection and gratitude of a French village. Crictor the boa constrictor, lives with Madame Bodot. He is a very helpful pet, especially when there are burglars in the neighborhood.
Rating: 5 *****
This book is really cute because it’s a little bit offbeat. Who would think of an elderly lady as having a snake for a pet?
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
Reviewed by Children’s Book List
Lyle the crocodile lives in a house on East 88th Street in New York City. He likes it there, and his hosts, the Primms, like having him around–he helps young Joshua with his homework, jumps-rope with the neighborhood kids, and browses through antique shops with Mrs. Primm. Much to the affable reptile’s dismay, however, he makes his neighbor’s cat Loretta crazy, which in turn makes Mr. Grumps, Loretta’s owner, even crazier. One day, Mrs. Primm and Lyle are shopping, when Lyle–through no real fault of his own–ends up infuriating department-store bigwig Mr. Grumps who turns red and blue and purple with rage. This unfortunate eruption lands the rollicking reptile in the Central Park zoo where Lyle fights back his crocodile tears. In an elaborate sequence of events, Lyle finds himself back with the Primms on East 88th Street, a neighborhood hero, and, startlingly, even a friend of the mistrustful cat Loretta.
Rating: 5 *****
How anyone could not like Lyle is beyond me. This is a good book to teach that you can’t please everyone and just be the best person you can be.
Harry the Dirty Dog
Reviewed by Children’s Book List
There’s never been another dog as delightful — or dirty — as Harry. Whether he’s a white dog with black spots, or a black dog with white spots, Harry is sure to steal your heart (and your scrub brush, too, if you’re not careful).
Rating: 4 ****
There’s not much to this story. It’s actually kind of sad because the family doesn’t even recognize the dog when it’s all dirty.
“I am Eloise/I am six.” So begins the well-loved story of Eloise, the garrulous little girl who lives at New York’s Plaza Hotel. Eyebrow raised defiantly, arm propped on one jutting hip, Eloise is a study in self-confidence. Eloise’s personal mandate is “Getting bored is not allowed,” so she fills her days to the brim with wild adventures and self-imposed responsibilities. An average Eloise afternoon includes braiding her pet turtle’s ears, ordering “one roast-beef bone, one raisin and seven spoons” from room service, and devising innovative methods of torture for her guardians.
Rating: 4 ****
I’m not sure if this was a commentary on residents of the Plaza and how horrible they are, but that’s what it seemed like. I felt bad for this little girl who obviously was lonely and whose parents weren’t around. It’s actually rather sad.
When Stevie must adapt to being around the little boy that his mother looks after during the week, he is resentful. Eventually, the little boy’s family moves away, and Stevie realizes that the boy had come to mean a great deal to him.
Rating: 5 *****
A wonderful book about a young boy who’s not used to having another child around. Additionally, the author has a wonderful story about himself as well and how he came to write this book.
And to Think that I Saw it on Mulberry Street
Reviewed by Children’s Book List
As little Marco describes the horse and wagon he saw on Mulberry Street, they are transformed into an elephant and a band wagon with a retinue of police.
Rating: 5 *****
Another great Dr. Suess book about imagination and impressing your father.
