Category: Children’s Book Reviews

About Children’s Book Reviews @ BeTwinned

Mordant’s Wish by Valerie Coursen
Photo from Amazon.com

Review by Sandra Horning

Just this week I saw a turtle trying to cross the road. I stopped the car, and my older son hopped out and helped the turtle across the road.

This reminded me of one of my favorite books, Mordant’s Wish. When we came home that night we read Mordant’s Wish and that led me to write this review, which came about in the true spirit of the story, as it is about the way one thing leads to another in an unpredictable, but, nevertheless, interconnected way.

As the story opens, we see Mordant the mole staring at a turtle-shaped cloud in the sky and wishing for a turtle friend. Mordant’s wish is set in motion by blowing on a dandelion puff and thus begins a wonderful chain of events. Because, at that very moment, Calum is riding by on his bike and he sees the dandelion seeds, which remind him of snow, and this makes him decide to stop and get a snow cone. Peanut the bird sees the drips of Calum’s snow cone in the shape of a hat, which reminds her of Aunt Nat, and so off she flies to visit her aunt.

The story continues with each character unknowingly affecting the actions of the next until we get to a turtle being helped across the road and Mordant’s wish finally coming true. It’s a lovely story of serendipity!

Coursen’s beautiful watercolor illustrations flow from one page to the next. Young children of all ages will enjoy this book and, perhaps, it will inadvertently lead you on to a new adventure or to make a wish yourself.

Ages 3-8

About Children’s Book Reviews @ BeTwinned

The Children Who Smelled a Rat by Allan Ahlberg, illustrated by Katharine McEwen
Photo from Amazon.com

Review by Sandra Horning

The Children Who Smelled a Rat is the fourth book in the Gaskitt series by Allan Ahlberg.

The Gaskitt family, Mr. and Mrs. Gaskitt, the twins Gus and Gloria, the baby Gary and the cat Horace, each have their own zany adventure within the book.

First, Mrs. Gaskitt finds a mysterious package in the back of her taxi, next Mr. Gaskitt loses the baby, then Horace meets a bird. Finally, Mrs. Fritter, the twins’ favorite teacher, turns into a crazy lady.

Each chapter zig-zags in and out of each adventure. The twins, Gloria and Gus, are determined to solve the mystery of their teacher gone crazy. Some triplets make a surprising appearance near the end of the story!

My seven-year old-son is having a great time slowly reading each chapter – an excellent book for children just starting to read chapter books. My son was especially fond of chapters 2 ½ and 2 ¾, each of which is only a half page long.

The spreads have lots of interesting little pictures and additional cartoon text to keep young readers interested. My three year old listens in too. Although he misses some of the humor, he gets more than would be expected, and he thoroughly enjoys studying the bright watercolor and crayon illustrations. And the crazy, twisting story easily brings on the laughs.

The book includes many examples of literary devices: chapters, a glossary, a table of contents and even footnotes referencing previous Gaskitt adventures. It’s a great introduction to reading and writing.

The Children Who Smelled a Rat is a fun read with lots of twists to keep children hooked, as well as guessing and laughing, Of course, we’ll now have to find and read the previous Gaskitt stories!

Ages 5-9

About Children’s Book Reviews @ BeTwinned

Now & Ben by Gene Barretta
Photo from Amazon.com

Review by Sandra Horning

Now & Ben, The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin is an ideal book for the little inventor or scientist in your house. And, in my mind, all children are inventors at heart. My two sons are always “inventing” new drinks by mixing juices together or “inventing” a device to send items up and down to each other’s bunk bed.

The book begins with Ben Franklin standing in the past and then moves to a picture of Ben Franklin standing in a busy street in the present. Readers can try to pick out Ben Franklin’s inventions on this page.

The spreads that follow each have a “now” page depicting a modern device or concept and a “Ben” page depicting Ben Franklin with his invention that led to the “now”. This easily helps younger children see the connection between the now and then. Bifocals, electricity, lightning rods and odometers are just a few of the many inventions covered in the book.

Barretta’s enjoyable watercolor cartoons bring the inventions to life on each page. The playful ending spread leaves the reader to imagine how today’s inventions will look in the future. Your children are sure to get busy “inventing” after this read.

Ages 5-9

About Children’s Book Reviews @ BeTwinned

Review by Sandra Horning

The Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoberman, illustrated by Marla Frazee
Photo from Amazon.com

Does your child go for days eating nothing but macaroni and cheese? If so, then you can easily identify with Mrs. Peters and her seven, picky-eater children in The Seven Silly Eaters.

First born is Peter, who likes his milk not hot and not cold, but only warm. Then comes little Lucy, who only likes pink lemonade, freshly squeezed of course. And the picky eaters continue to be born through to the twins, Fran and Flo, who like eggs, one poached and the other fried. As the children keep popping out, Mrs. Peters becomes more and more overwhelmed by her children’s culinary demands.

Finally, the children resolve the chaos when they attempt to make their mother a birthday cake combining their favorite foods. The satisfying ending gives every mom hope that the chaos will some day end and suggests that while you are in the midst of the chaos, at least you should have a sense of humor about it.

The wonderful and amusing illustrations supporting the fun rhyming text perfectly depict all that goes on in a home with seven children. Parents and children alike will enjoy this entertaining tale.

Ages 4-8