National Geographic Readers: Ants – pretty pictures but kind of boring. I imagined my brother, the ant fanatic, reading this when he was little. I think he’d have been bored though he probably would have been amused by the jokes at the top right corner of some of the pages. If you have a kid who hasn’t yet taken an interest in ants, this would be a good beginner ant book. For those who’ve already dug into the ant pile, skip this one.
Fly Guy Meets Fly Girl – Ahhhhh, so much potential, such a let down. OK it’s not as bad as all that. I just wished for more. Just a little more personality from the flies. Or something. I’m not saying don’t read it, I’m just hoping the other books in the series go a little deeper, make me laugh a little more. So much potential.
Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa. Well. It is what it is. A little girl with a horse. The horse talks to her (and she to it) but the other animals do not seem to speak. This is what I’ve never really understood about some of these talking pet books. I’m also confused because Cocoa always starts out kind of grumpy and maybe not very smart but within a few sentences, turns around completely. It seems like if Cocoa is going to be a grump she should grumpily admit that the dog is nice, or the baby owls are cute – not to jump wholeheartedly into love when three seconds ago she was grouchy. I know, I’m an adult over-thinking a picture book. I can’t help it. I want perfection in my children’s lit. Heh.
Last, but never least, the man (and pig and elephant) who never disappear — no matter how much I might wish they all would. I say it every year, I like Mo Willems (or I used to) but people. Please. Does he have to be on the Cybils short list every year? And is he really only writing Elephant and Piggie books? Because GAH! I’m so done with them. Or I was… until We Are In a Book. I can’t believe I’m saying this but…. Awesome. Brilliant. Willems, Piggie and Elephant (and the Cybils selection committee) have redeemed themselves this year. But please. That does not mean this series should be on the list next year. Enough already. Except “Banana!” hahahahahaha.
One last book from the Cybils shortlist – except it is a book from last year’s shortlist. The book I reserved last July, the book that never came. The book the library website said was ON THE SHELF for six months. The book that was NOT on the shelf where it was supposed to be. (Parents in Glenview who take their kids to the library, a little clean up would be appreciated. Restack those books in the right place, please.) I had given up hope for The Day-Glo Brothers. I also couldn’t quite bring myself to buy it. And then suddenly, there it was, on my pick up list. Yippeee! And thank goodness, it was interesting! I’ve never wondered how Day-Glo paint was invented. Have you? The guys behind the Day-Glo, great story. It’s written for a pretty young set, and I wish it was written a little “older” – it’s missing just a little bit of depth that would have been nice.