Children's Book List

Reviews of Children's Literature

Not a Box

By Antoinette Portis

Not a Box
Reviewed by Children’s Book List

A box is just a box . . . unless it’s not a box. From mountain to rocket ship, a small rabbit shows that a box will go as far as the imagination allows.

Rating: 4 ****

The cover itself is great because it looks and feels like a cardboard box. On every other page it shows the rabbit in relation to the box and on the next thing what the box is imagined to be. The sad thing is my son now looks at the first page and says what it’s supposed to be.

Suggested Activity: Play with a cardboard box of your own and try to think of all of the great things it could be.

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The Moon Jumpers

By Janice May Udry

The Moon Jumpers
Reviewed by Children’s Book List

Four children play in the moonlight before bedtime on a soft summer night.

Rating: 5 *****

The children’s actions are almost like a poem with lines such as “We climb the tree, just to be in a tree at night.”

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And to Think that I Saw it on Mulberry Street

By Dr. Suess

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.

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It Looked Like Spilt Milk

By Charles Green Shaw

It Looked Like Spilt Milk
Reviewed by Children’s Book List

The white shape silhouetted against a blue background changes on every page. Is it a rabbit, a bird, or just spilt milk? Children are kept guessing until the surprise ending — and will be encouraged to improvise similar games of their own.

Rating: 5 *****

This is a fun book that lets children interact with the story. The pictures are more important than the words so you’re child will have just as much to add to the story as you do while reading it.

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Harold and the Purple Crayon

By Crockett Johnson

Harold and the Purple Crayon
Reviewed by Children’s Book List

One evening Harold decided to go for a walk in the moonlight. But there wasn’t any moon, and Harold needed a moon for a walk in the moonlight. Fortunately, he had brought his purple crayon. So he drew a moon. He also needed something to walk on.

Rating: 5 *****

A great story about imagination and the visualization of two-dimensions versus three.


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Andy and The Lion

By James Henry Daugherty

Andy and The Lion
Reviewed by Children’s Book List

In this retelling, Andy meets a lion and wins his friendship by removing a thorn from his paw.

Rating: *****

A great book about imagination, but a little antiquated.


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Elizabeti’s Doll

By Stephanie Bodeen

Elizabeti’s Doll

As she watches her mother care for her new baby brother, Elizabeti decides that she needs a doll to look after. Since she doesn’t have a traditional doll, she picks up a nice, smooth stone, names it Eva, and takes good care of it.

Rating: *****

This is a wonderful book that can teach your child not only about imagination but also materialism.


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Pete’s a Pizza

By William Steig

Pete’s a Pizza

Pete’s father starts kneading the dough. Next, some oil is generously applied. (Its really water.) And then some tomatoes. (They’re really checkers.) When the dough gets tickled, it laughs like crazy.

Rating: *****

A great book for inspiring imagination and play.

Suggested Activity: Make pizzas. Your child will have fun thinking of toppings and decorating the pizza.


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I Am Not Sleepy and I Will Not Go to Bed

By Lauren Child

I Am Not Sleepy and I Will Not Go to Bed

Night owl Lola likes to stay up coloring and scribbling and wriggling and bouncing and chattering. Lola never gets tired. How can big brother Charlie convince her it’s time for bed?

Rating: ****

This book was much better than I thought it was going to be. The illustrations are very detailed and cleaver. And the girl, Lola is not as bad as the title makes her seem, she just has a routine.


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Is that Josie?

By Keiko Narahashi

is-that-josie

Is that Josie?

A little girl named Josie pretends to be all sorts of animals and birds from the time she wakes up until bedtime.

Rating: *****

A nice book that encourages creativity and play.


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