Magnus and the Fire

A pretty book with a confusing message

Armstrong, Jennifer. Magnus and the Fire. New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2005.

Plot: Magnus works as one of a four-horse team at a fire station. They provide constant service, but cannot compete with changing technology. A motor engine replaces the team. Most of the horses accept going to pasture with good humor. Magnus, however, refuses to accept his retirement. He continuously escapes his field to join the firefighters. Eventually, he proves his worth, although he must make way for technology. A retired fire chief adopts him, allowing the faithful horse to eventually discover a sense of peace.

Genre: Picture Books, Animals, History

Reading Level: Grades 1-4

Similar Titles: Winter's Gift, Mrs. Mack

Personal Thoughts: While the text included beautiful and elaborate illustrations, the ending seemed a bit confusing. The story seems to focus on the ineptitude and limits of technology, but the motor vehicle stays while the horse must leave, despite his heroism and effectiveness. As a result, the story falls flat and leaves the reader disappointed.  

The Unbreakable Code

In the lower right corner, we can observe the leg of the feral blogger

Miner, Julia. The Unbreakable Code. Flagstaff, AZ : Northland Pub., 1996.

Plot: John fears leaving the Navajo reservation for school, since it means leaving everything he knows. His grandfather, though, wants to tell him a story before he leaves. In World War II, he, like many Navajos, left their homes to help fight the battle. Their power did not come from their arms, strength, or schooling. It came from their own culture. Using the Navajo language as a base, they managed to produce an unbreakable code for the army. Eventually, he and most of his people returned home, without the parades or fanfare given to most veterans. Still, leaving taught him much about home, culture, and identity. John's grandfather assures him that leaving will strengthen him and his culture, instead of weakening it.

Genre: Picture Books, History

Reading Level: Grades 4-6

Similar Titles: The Silent Storm, The Girl Who Chased Away Sorrow

Personal Thoughts: The story offers an introduction to a vital, but still often overlooked, group of people in one of the worst wars in history. It also includes views into the horrors of a realistic battle and the importance of remembering history. Overall, the text is a dour, but effective, reflection on code talkers.

Blanca's Feather

It's a dragon and a duck reading a book about a chicken

There's a joke here, somewhere

Madrigal, Antonio Hernandez. Blanca's Feather. Flagstaff, Ariz. : Rising Moon, 2000.

Plot: The Feast of Saint Francis is coming. Everyone wants their animals to receive a yearly blessing during the celebration. However, Rosalie's pet chicken, Blanca, is missing. Rosalie fears Blanca may get sick or hurt by coyotes if the bird misses the festival. Desperate to protect her pet, Rosalie brings one of Blanca's feathers to be blessed. The priest complies with her request, which may save more than just Blanca.

Genre: Picture Books, Animals

Reading Level: Grades 1-4

Similar Titles: Minnie Moo and the Mask of Zorro, Henrietta and the Golden Eggs

Personal Thoughts: A brief, cute story about a Mexican tradition. For curious readers, Blanca is Spanish for White. 

The Good Little Bad Little Pig

 The classic story of a boy and his pig

Brown, Margaret Wise. The Good Little Bad Little Pig. New York : Hyperion Books for Children, 2002.

Plot: Peter wants a pet pig. However, he does not want a good pig or a bad pig. He wants one that is both, because that pig will be the best pig ever. A local farmer appears to have the ideal animal. The pig squeals, makes a mess, and stops traffic. However, he also finishes his dinner, takes a bath, and walks nicely on a leash. Most importantly, he is the best pig Peter could every hope for.

Genre: Animals, Picture Books

Reading Level: Grades 1-4

Similar Titles:  Poppleton, Dragon's Fat Cat

Personal Thoughts: The text provides a cute story from the writer of Goodnight Moon and the illustrator of An Octopus Followed Me Home. Highly recommended for fans of pigs. 

Cinderella's Dress

Sprite is entirely too interested in the princess

Willard, Nancy. Cinderella's Dress. New York : Blue Sky Press, 2003.

Plot: The familiar tale of Cinderella gains a new twist through this retelling. While Cinderella continues to labor under the demands of her stepfamily, two magpies observe her. They adopt her as their daughter and create a beautiful paper dress so she can go to the ball. Her sisters cruelly destroy the birds' labor, though, leaving the heroine dejected. However, a final gift from the magpies could ensure a happy ending for their beloved daughter.

Genre: Fairy Tales, Picture Books

Reading Level: Grades 1-4

Similar Titles: The Rough-Faced Girl, The Talking Eggs: A Folktale from the American South

Personal Thoughts: The book provides a sweet, sad, pretty retelling of the famous fairy tale.   

The Jewel Fish of Karnak

 We read the book before bedtime. So Sprite dreamed about it.

Base, Graeme. The Jewel Fish of Karnak. New York : Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2011.

Plot: The great Pharaoh Cat offers two petty thieves a chance to redeem themselves. They must retrieve the magnificent Jewel Fish of Karnak from the evil Crocodile Prince. Before the two leave, she warns them to keep the fish dry and to avoid taking anything other than the fish. Unsurprisingly, the two fail to observe either warning. However, a careful reader may rescue them from their eternal attempts to retrieve the fish.

Genre: Picture Books, Animals, Puzzles

Reading Level: Grades 1-4

Similar Titles: The Eleventh Hour, Tough Boris

Personal Thoughts: The title seems typical of Graeme, which is certainly a good thing. The story is exotic, but relatable. Gorgeous illustrations coat the book and complement the story. Additionally, the story includes a puzzle that I could not figure out to save my life that will undoubtedly amuse readers. However, I do not think the book is quite on par with Animalia or The Eleventh Hour. The tale lacks the same degree of whimsy as the older titles. Still, the text offers an amusing experience to readers.

Island: A Story of the Galapagos

A dragon and a turtle

Chin, Jason. Island: A Story of the Galapagos. New York : Roaring Brook Press, 2012.

Plot: A brief history of the creation and settlement of the Galapagos Islands. The text, separated into several parts, begins with the geographic aspects of the islands. After a time, they become settled by plant, bird, and reptilian life. Due to changes on the islands, the foreign creatures gradually shift in behavior and physical features. Eventually, the animals become unique to the island chain, and inspired scientists throughout the world.

Genre: Science, Picture Books

Reading Level: 1-4

Similar Titles: Meadowlands: A Wetlands Survival Story, Far from Shore: Chronicles of an Open Ocean Voyage, Redwoods

Personal Thoughts: A pretty, well-written introduction to the islands of the Galapagos. The title is expected to win several awards this year.

The Loathsome Dragon

Sprite says racist stereotypes are harmful and are everyone's problem

He is a very sensitive dragon

Wiesner, David and Kahng, Kim. The Loathsome Dragon. New York : Clarion Books, 2005.

Plot: The title retells a classic English folktale. After the passing of his beloved wife, the good king eventually remarries, granting Princess Margaret and Prince Richard a stepmother. However, the new queen, jealous of the king's pride in Margaret, curses the princess and transforms her into a terrible dragon. To save her, the prince must return despite the fury and manipulations of his stepmother. He must also kiss his bewitched sister three times.Yet, how can any prince trust a loathsome dragon?

Genre: Folklore, Picture Books

Reading Level: Grades 3-5

Similar Titles: The Well at the End of the World, The Great Smelly, Slobbery, Small-Toothed Dog: A Folktale from Great Britain, The Green Mist

Personal Thoughts: The title is lovingly filled with the story staples never really seen anymore. Perhaps I am being cynical, but what last, popular, non-parody title featured a genuinely malicious dragon, wicked stepmother, or heroic prince? Anyway, the elaborate illustrations complement the story without distracting from it, making it an enjoyable picture book.

The Phantom Tollbooth

Fantastic title (double-points for word play)

Juster, Norton. The Phantom Tollbooth. New York : Random House, 1961.

Plot: Milo, bored with school, toys, learning, and life in general finds an unexpected package waiting for him. After assembling the gift into a cardboard tollbooth  with a guidebook and some coins for toll, he drives his toy car through it. He finds himself in a nonsensical world of words, math, senses, philosophies, and peril. The land is plagued due to the banishment of the good princesses Rhyme and Reason. Determined to save the land, Milo seeks to save the princesses with the help of the noble watchdog, Tock, and the reluctant know-it-all, Humbug. However, the rescue will require the assistance of every source of benevolent power in the kingdom.

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Growing Up, Humor

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Journey to the Blue Moon, The Wayfinder, Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarian

Personal Thoughts: After viewing this book in nearly every library in existence, I finally got the nerve to read the title. I discovered why it is found everywhere. The story itself contains a pleasant mix of creative characters, clever plot devices, and smart word plays. Also, the moral of the tale remains highly relevant over fifty years after its creation. While the current generation enjoys enormous amounts of information and entertainment, like Milo, it needs to learn the value of such opportunities. However, the plot manages to display the lesson without becoming a dull morality play. I may need to purchase this title.

The text inspired several plays, musicals, operas, and films.

Side Note: I wonder if current readers will compare the Terrible Trivium to Slenderman.