This summer I'll be sharing chapter books that are perfect for a range of readers.
Stop by every Thursday and find a round up of books you'll want to use with your readers!
Kids love books that have animals as the main characters. Here is a roundup of some new dogs and cats as the main character books.
Dear Beast
written by Dori Hillestad Butler
illustrated by Kevan Atteberry
From the author that gave us the King and Kayla series, we have a new set of animal books coming our way.
Dear Beast is written almost entirely in letters, mostly between a cat and a dog. Simon, the cat, lives with Andy and his mom. Baxter, the dog, has been newly adopted by Andy and his dad. Since Simon was there first, he's having a real hard time sharing Andy, even though he doesn't even live in the same house as Baxter since Andy's parents are divorced. Simon does what he can to cut Baxter down, even tries to get other animals involved. However, the other animals can see all of the good things about Baxter and what he is doing for Andy, so they are not as willing to help Simon out.
What I liked about this book is Simon does eventually apologize and help find Baxter when he's gone missing. It seems like lately I've read too many books where the character has seen the error of their ways but does not change behavior and/or apologize.
This book is the first in the series with the second book coming to us next winter.
Snazzy Cat Capers series
written by Deanna Kent
illustrated by Neil Hooson
This series is more clever than I originally gave it credit to be. We meet Ophelia. She's part of the Furry Feline Burglary Institute (FFBI). They are famous for cat burglaring - stealing items, enjoying them for a little bit, and then returning them. The organization often puts contents together to keep their kitties on their feet and Ophelia and her cousin, Pierre, are top competitors. As if that's not enough, there is also the CCIA - Central Canine Intelligence Agency - who are after the clever kitties and want to stop their capers.
In the first book, Ophelia is off on her quest to obtain the Himalayan diamond before Pierre, when the organization sends her a new partner who is an inventor. The problem? Ophelia likes to work alone. Will she be able to accept help in order to accomplish her mission?
This series is clever and fun. I enjoyed Ophelia, who can be a snippy kitty, and her sidekick, Oscar, grows on you. The mystery and adventure was quick and fun and will keep readers' attention. The series does not shy away from some advanced vocabulary. Some of these words are going to go right over the heads of very sharp readers, some will pick them up. Just something to know about the series before passing it along to your readers.
There are two books published and the third will be heading our way this September.
The Fashion Kitty Collection
by Charise Mericle Harper
Another kitty story that was funnier than I thought it would be.
It's a hybrid format, written in prose but lots of illustrations on every page. This collection gives us two stories - Fashion Kitty and Fashion Kitty versus the Fashion Queen.
We meet Kiki and her family, all regular cats except they own a pet mouse... since they are vegetarian cats... and Kiki and her sister have quite the fashion sense. All is normal until Kiki's birthday. When she goes to make a wish, the shelf above her falls and all of the magazines fall on Kiki's head, knocking her out. When she wakes up, she's not Kiki anymore, but.... Fashion Kitty! She has super hearing that lets her know when someone is about to make a fashion faux pas. She always helps the person and sometimes helps others learn a lesson too.
Cute stories and lots of illustrations will keep kids reading this series. Hand it to your readers who love Owl Diaries.
Happy Cat and Dog reading!
All journeys have a starting place.
This is a weekly place to find books and tools
that you may use with readers
at the start of their independent reading journey.
Join in the conversation at #road2reading.
No comments:
Post a Comment