Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, Jr., Illustrated by Eric Carle

Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, Jr.
Illustrated by Eric Carle
Henry Holt and Company
Published in 2003
ISBN 0805092927
32 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Hardback)
Barnes & Noble (Hardback)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

APART OF THE GOODREADS 2011 READING CHALLENGE.

Review/Rating:

2 out of 5



Ease of Reading Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 2 out of 5
Plot: 1 out of 5

A dreaming child sees all kinds of endangered animals.

I love Eric Carle's books since they are always so cute and almost fun, even now, even though I am an adult. Though, this one of the first ones that I have read where he works with another author. However, this time, instead of Eric Carle of writing this book, Bill Martin, Jr.

This book was really too simple compared to other children's books. In order for your child to be interested in this book, I think that they will have to be under the age of five. Why? Because if they are any older, I think they will think it is as boring as I thought it was. I think the plot of showing different types of endangered animals was a very good idea, but it was poorly used to make it more interesting and less boring.

The illustrations are really very simple, but they are also kind of boring at the same time. However, I think it is creative how he can illustrate his own books with tissue paper, but it is still a little too simple for me to enjoy. The only thing that was well done for this book was how easy it was to read/see the text.

Anyways, I found this book kind of average and not really worth reading, but it is up to you if you think it is worth reading to your child. However, be warned that any child under the age of 5 might find it a little too boring. :|

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Bill Martin, Jr.
Eric Carle
Goodreads: Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, Jr., Illustrated by Eric Carle
Library Thing: Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, Jr., Illustrated by Eric Carle
Kids' Book Review: Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, Jr., Illustrated by Eric Carle

Moon Demon by Lynne Ewing (2nd)

DAUGHTERS OF THE MOON SERIES BOOK 07

Moon Demon by Lynne Ewing
Volo
Published in 2002
ISBN 0786808497
289 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Currently out of print. There is currently no book with books 7-13 in them. Just wait, I'm sure there will be one with them in 2011-2014.

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

APART OF THE GOODREADS 2011 READING CHALLENGE.

2ND REVIEW. 1ST REVIEW IS HERE.

Review/Rating:

5 out of 5



When Vanessa's sixteenth birthday is almost here, she starts feeling upset and uneasy because there is only one more year until she has to make a decision that will change her life forever. With these depressing thoughts, she begins to doubt anything and everything in her life and herself. Though, when she meets Hector, she discovers a side of herself she never knew existed.

I decided to do a better review of the Daughters of the Moon series by Lynne Ewing since my first ones weren’t done very well. This book is really a fast read, but since I really didn’t like this one, it took longer than the other books.

In this book of the 13 book series, it kind of starts with a mythology story, but not really. Even though it really isn't a mythology story, it was still pretty interesting to read about it. I miss the mythology stories in the beginning, but the information about the characters' past in the prologue are also very good to know.

Anyways, in this book, we continue to learn more about the Daughters of the Moon, Atrox, and what's more, we get to learn more about Vanessa's dark/hidden side. We even get to learn a little bit more about Maggie's past and her ex-lover. :X The plot of this book is very interesting, especially with more information about Maggie in it. Also, you get to know a side of Vanessa that isn't shown that much in the other books of the series, which shows the characters do have growth throughout the series. I like how the author shows Vanessa's inner self, and how she tries to show that everyone has a little bit of darkness in them --- even the people who seem to be goody-goods. ;) I also like how she reveals a little bit more information about Maggie and her past.

The tone and dialogue still reminds me a lot of my teenage years and my high school, so the author did a really good job at writing the book in teenage words and their world. The descriptions were also very well done, and both of these things made the book go a little bit faster than most other young adult books. So, I really like this book from these points. Another thing I liked about this book is the mythology that is incorporated in it. Also, the character growth and their personalities are believable (for a supernatural book).As the books/series goes on, you get more information about the Daughters of the Moon and the Atrox, which is good because it won’t overload you with information with just one book.

Anyways, this book is one my favorites in the Daughters of the Moon series, and is a very good read. So go ahead and go read this book and series.

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Lynne Ewing
Goodreads: Moon Demon by Lynne Ewing
Library Thing: Moon Demon by Lynne Ewing
Rashel's Reads: Moon Demon by Lynne Ewing
SFA: Moon Demon by Lynne Ewing

Dear Vampa by Ross Collins, Illustrated by Ross Collins

Dear Vampa by Ross Collins
Illustrated by Ross Collins
Katherine Tegan Books
Published in 2009
ISBN 9780061355349
32 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Amazon (Hardback)
Barnes & Noble (Hardback)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

APART OF THE GOODREADS 2011 READING CHALLENGE.

Review/Rating:

4 out of 5



Ease of Reading Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Plot: 5 out of 5

It's hard to find good neighbors. Though, when the Pires get the Wolfsons as new neighbors, they discover they are as different as day and night. They think the Wolfsons have strange rituals --- staying up all day, liking sunshine, and other non-nocturnal activities. What does this Vampire family do in response to this new neighbor problem?

Who doesn't have problems with new neighbors or neighbors in general? This book puts a new twist and outlook on neighbor problems by using vampires and what appears to be humans. Though, you will find out later that these humans are more than they appear to be. ;) The plot might seem very simple, but it really is very cute and a little bit funny --- it actually made me smile a couple of times.

You can also see/read the text pretty easily, but it gets a little bit hard to see/read when it is against a black background with little white lines on the black. And the type of font they used for the book matches the vampire/supernatural theme of the book very well, which I liked a lot. However, I just wish they made the font a little bigger or made it in bold to make it even more easier to see/read. The illustrations of the book are also very well done and cute.

Overall, I like the book very much, except the font could have used a little work. However, it is still a good read despite that, and I like the twist and supernatural use of the classic neighbor problem since it made the story a lot cuter than if it was just ordinary people. :)

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Ross Collins
Goodreads: Dear Vampa by Ross Collins, Illustrated by Ross Collins
Library Thing: Dear Vampa by Ross Collins, Illustrated by Ross Collins
KinderScares: Dear Vampa by Ross Collins, Illustrated by Ross Collins
Maw Books: Dear Vampa by Ross Collins, Illustrated by Ross Collins

The Lost One by Lynne Ewing (2nd)

DAUGHTERS OF THE MOON SERIES BOOK 06

The Lost One by Lynne Ewing

Volo

Published in 2001

ISBN 0786807075

274 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM:

Barnes & Noble (Paperback): Second Three Books
Amazon (Paperback): Second Three Books

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

APART OF THE GOODREADS 2011 READING CHALLENGE.

2ND REVIEW. 1ST REVIEW IS HERE.

Review/Rating:

2 out of 5



When Tiana wakes up one day, she finds that all of her memories are missing, including who and where she is. However, the only clue she has is a note, in her own handwriting, to the police that someone is trying to kill her. She then finds out that she isn't like other people --- she has the gift to move things with her mind. But when the Daughters of the Moon notice her, will she discover she is apart of a greater destiny?

I decided to do a better review of the Daughters of the Moon series by Lynne Ewing since my first ones weren’t done very well. This book is really a fast read, but since I really didn’t like this one, it took longer than the other books.

Like the previous book, this one doesn’t begin with a mythology story. Instead, it begins with Tiana's past. Also, you can tell that the author was trying to make this book like the previous one because she was trying to put a different spin to the series that you wouldn't thought would happen.

However, for me, it wasn't a good spin or that interesting. In fact, I think it made the series a little worse than it I have come to expect from this series. With Tiana added in to the mix, it made the storyline more complicated than I would have liked, I guess. I get that she is need to try and save Catty, but to let her have a choice of becoming a Daughter of the Moon because of that, her power, and past is a little annoying. However, at least Tiana had to prove herself worthy first, but it is still annoying. ^^;

Anyways, the tone and dialogue still reminds me a lot of my teenage years and my high school, so the author did a really good job at writing the book in teenage words and their world. The descriptions were also very well done, and both of these things made the book go a little bit faster than most other young adult books. So, I really like this book from this stand point. Another thing I liked about this book is the mythology that is incorporated in it. Also, the character growth and their personalities are believable (for a supernatural book). Despite the descriptions, there is very little growth, and it is not as interesting as the other books. However, it’s better than most books that have a series. :( As the books/series goes on, you get more information about the Daughters of the Moon and the Atrox, which is good because it won’t overload you with information with just one book.

Anyways, this book of the series is my least favorite one because of the character, Tiana, and the small amount of character growth. The only reason why I would read this book of the series is just to see what happened in the series in order of the books.

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Lynne Ewing
Goodreads: The Lost One by Lynne Ewing
Library Thing: The Lost One by Lynne Ewing
Rashel's Reads: The Lost One by Lynne Ewing
Natalie's Bookshelf: The Lost One by Lynne Ewing

The Sissy Duckling by Harvey Fierstein, Illustrated by Henry Cole

The Sissy Duckling by Harvey Fierstein
Illustrated by Henry Cole
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Published in 2002
ISBN 0689835663
40 Pages

PLACES TO BUY FROM: 

Amazon (Paperback)
Barnes & Noble (Paperback)

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

APART OF THE BANNED/CHALLENGED BOOKS CHALLENGE.

APART OF THE GOODREADS 2011 READING CHALLENGE.

Review/Rating:

5 out of 5



Ease of Reading Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Plot: 5 out of 5

Elmer is different from other male ducklings --- he likes to cook, clean, paint pictures, and other non-masculine things. And because of this, everyone calls him a sissy, even his own father. But will they learn that Elmer is just fine the way he is?

This book is on the ALA Banned and Challenged book list, and I kind of understand why, that is, if I was one of the narrow-minded type of person. Anyways, it has been banned/challenged because it has "gay tendencies", which I could see in some ways.

However, to me, it is just teaching people, children mostly, that it is okay to be different and not like things based on the stereotypical views of today's society. In my opinion, this book teaches a good lesson. Why? Because of the fact that no one likes being judged based on a mold that has been around for decades.

Anyways, besides liking the "don't judge people by stereotypes" lesson, I like the illustrations. They matched the words very well, and were cutely drawn and very bright. Also, the text was very easy to see and read, which is always a plus with children's books since most of them have text that's hard to see/read.

That said, this book is very good if you want to teach your kids not to judge people by stereotypes ans other unfair things.

Other Reviews/Author Site:

Harvey Fierstein
Henry Cole
Goodreads: The Sissy Duckling by Harvey Fierstein, Illustrated by Henry Cole
Library Thing: The Sissy Duckling by Harvey Fierstein, Illustrated by Henry Cole
See the World in Rainbows: The Sissy Duckling by Harvey Fierstein, Illustrated by Henry Cole