Category: Easy Readers

Posted in Award Winners, Easy Readers, So Many Good Books

Chick and Brain: Smell My Foot!

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Chick and Brain: Smell My Foot! (Candlewick Press, 2019) written and illustrated by Cece Bell is a hilarious book. It’s also a 2020 Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor Book.

Brain is not as smart as he thinks he is. Chick is trying to teach manners. It’s not going well. Then Spot comes along and even more trouble ensues.

This book is divided into four chapters–Foot, Spot, Lunch, and Other Foot. Kids will really enjoy figuring out things before the characters do. So much better than Dick and Jane. (Read the back of the book to get this reference.)

A sequel Chick and Brain: Egg or Eyeball that came out in March looks funny too.

Cece Bell is the 2015 Newbery Honor winner of the graphic novel El Deafo. Read about her other books here. And you have to check out her studio here. You may also want to read her bio.

Posted in Easy Readers, So Many Good Books

Poodle and Hound

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

poodle and houndCan you resist these best friends in Poodle and Hound (Charlesbridge, 2009) by Kathryn Lasky? I can’t. And I don’t normally like poodles. And it isn’t just how these characters look. The illustrations are by Mitch Vane.
The three stories in this book for beginning readers are fun. Hound surprises Poodle in the first one. In the second they are both annoyed with each other, but of course it works out in the end. The third Poodle comes up with a unique way to get something she wants, but the wonderful part is that what she does helps Hound.
Kathryn Lasky is one prolific author. Her numerous books range from picture books through novels for children and young adults and to nonfiction. She also writes fiction for adults. I love what she says, “All my best ideas for books, one way or another, come from experiences with my family.” Find out more here.
Prolific is the word for illustrator Mitch Vane, too. She’s done three books for Charlesbridge, plus many for other publishers. Check out her books, illustrations and cartoons at http://www.mitchvane.com
P.S. This book was edited by the wonderful Yolanda Scott.