The Dad of the Dad of the Dad of Your Dad

Moss, Jeff. The Dad of the Dad of the Dad of Your Dad. New York : Ballatine Books, 1997.

Plot: Moss' collection of poetry about kids and their dads. The book follows a mythical chronological order of fathers interacting with their children, beginning with a prehistoric father and son playing together and ending with a great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather teaching his children the joy of individuality. Throughout the collection, the themes of common father-child issues, such as change, bonding, and growing up enjoy attention through rhymes. A simple, sweet collection.

Genre: Collections, Poetry

Reading Level: Ages 4-9

Similar Titles: The Butterfly Jar, Beneath a Blue Umbrella, Grasshopper Pie and Other Poems

Personal Thoughts: Apparently, Jeff Moss originally wrote songs for Sesame Street, and the influence shows, though not in a "babyish" manner. Instead, much like the lyrics in the show, the stories contain universal appeal in their subject matter, simplicity, and, for lack of a better term, "catchiness." Much like the works of Shel Silverstien, the poems' illustrations are simple, but appropriate and inviting. While some critics fault the simplicity and traditional aspects of the poems, they still credit Moss for creating an easily-approachable series of poems.

Falling Up: Poems and Drawings

Silverstien, Shel. Falling Up: Poems and Drawings. New York, N.Y. : HarperCollins, 1996.

Plot: A collection of poems and illustrations by Shel Silverstien. Much of Silverstien's work echoes the common hopes, fears, and daily lives of its readers. It then promptly switches tones to the comedic, ironic, or unexpected in a natural, but still surprising, manner. Such poems include the tale of a haunted house, the punishment of a boy who took a nap, and the day a student replaced his teachers. To complement the poems, Silverstien includes hand-drawn illustrations, which often add to the poems themselves, particularly in the case of a rogue eel, track team coach, and greeting-eager monster.

Genre: Collections, Poetry

Reading Level: Grades 4-8

Similar Titles: Where the Sidewalk Ends, Fearless Fernie, The Frog Wore Red Suspenders

Personal Thoughts: A poetry book for a non-poetry reader. Many of the poems follow more conventional styles of literature, such as songs, ballads, stories, and jokes, so readers new to poems may find them more accessible than traditional collections. Additionally, the poems focus on real fantasies, fears, and experiences of the readers, while making the entire situation funnier through twist endings and comedic illustrations. Overall, the book reflects the best aspects of Silverstien's style.

Winter Eyes: Poems & Paintings

Douglas, Florian. Winter Eyes: Poems & Paintings. New York : Greenwillow Books, 1999.

Plot: A collection of poems regarding the coldest time of year. The joys of the season, such as sledding, snow, maple syrup, and fireside moments enjoy multiple references. However, the poems also reflect the downside of winter, especially the lack of sunlight and natural life. Still, winter remains an important, introspective time of the year, as the poems suggest. Each page also contains paintings relating to the literature. The art has a simple, Americana-style, which enhances the rustic style of the poetry.

Genre: Poetry, Collections

Reading Level: Grades 2-5

Similar Titles: Winter Poems, Handsprings, Beast Feast

Personal Thoughts: This was a difficult read. Many of the poems simply did not engage the reader in an interesting manner. The collection quickly turned into a monotonous series of rhymes about winter sports or winter grudges. While the poems themselves were not bad, some readers will quickly tire from the lack of variety. In addition, the art falls into the trap of similarity. If shown individually, the illustrations may stand out, but together, they eventually blend without any proving distinct or eye-catching. While the items provide examples of classic poetic methods, other collections may offer the variation necessary to maintain readers' attention.

The Headless Haunt and Other African-American Ghost Stories

Haskins, James Haskins and Otero, Ben. The Headless Haunt and Other African-American Ghost Stories. New York : HarperCollins, 1994.

Plot: A collection of African-American ghost stories originating in the deep South. Most of the stories take a first-person narration, adding to the suspense and believability of the tales. Ghosts taunt ruined cabins, over-curious children, and superstitious characters. Other stories feature "haunts," restless, but sometimes protective, ghosts taking the form of animals or mangled corpses. Themes in the book include respect for tradition, proper burial rites, and acknowledgment of the supernatural. A frightful, and occasionally insightful, read.

Genre: Collections, Short Stories, Horror, Folktales, African-American

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: Scared Witless, The Man Who Tricked a Ghost, Raw Head, Bloody Bones: African-American Tales of the Supernatural

Personal Thoughts: I tend to spook easily, so I thought the book was pretty scary. Other reviewers find the stories mellow or even comical. Still, the collection offers a view of the supernatural in a unique manner. The book relates the stories, but it also describes their origins. Many of the tales emerge through a mix of African, American, and European superstition and beliefs. As such, the stories offer a view of a unique culture during the post-Civil War period.

More Bones: Scary Stories from Around the World

Olsen, Arielle North Olson; Schwartz Howard Schwartz; and Gist E. M. More Bones: Scary Stories from Around the World. New York : Viking, 2008.

Plot: A collection of frightening stories from different cultures. Some stories echo traditional themes, such as being careful what to wish for, obeying parents, being kind to others, and avoiding strangers. Others seem a bit more foreign, such as the story of the grey, hairy arm and the tale of the iron scorpion. Even traditional motifs, such as headless horsemen, restless ghosts, and grim challenges take elaborate variations. Perhaps the only consistent theme in every story is the twist ending.

Genre: Horror, Folktales, Fairy Tales, Monsters

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: Scary Stories: Tales to Chill Your Bones, More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Personal Thoughts: I have never really been a fan of horror stories (I spook easily). Still, the collection kept my attention without creeping me out too much. The twists kept me guessing, because, like the best horror, the protagonist was not guaranteed to survive the ending. Yet, the majority of the stories end on poetic justice with monsters defeated and unfair bargains broken. Still, every once in a story, someone does not make off quite as well as would be expected...

A Book of Dragons

Manning-Sanders, Ruth. A Book of Dragons. New York : E. P. Dutton & Company, 1964.

Plot: A collection of folk and fairy tales involving dragons. The stories range from the cruel princess devour in "The Thirteenth Son of King Erin" to the benign companions in "Pepito". Some, like the Yellow Dragon and Chien Tang, possess a near-deity status, bringing rain and prosperity to those who gain their favor. Others use their powers to steal whatever or whoever they see fit, such as in "The Nine Doves," "The Three Dogs," and "Baskets in a Little Cart." However, all manage to provide opportunities to raise heroes and create legends.

Genre: Folklore, Fairy Tales, Fantasy

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Similar Titles: How to Train Your Dragon, Grimm's Fairy Tales, My Father's Dragon

Personal Thoughts: The collection manages to include stories capturing every major literary dragon type. Dragons may act as villains, heroes, providers, and problems in the tales and, unlike many collections, Manning-Sanders does not seem to favor one role over another. Instead, readers enjoy each of the variants in a single resource.