A dog is too loud, a snake is too scary, a horse is too big. A guinea pig? Free verse poems tell us how Theodore the Guinea Pig got his name and how his new owner learns to care for him. Getting to know someone new takes time and patience, but friendship and trust are worth the effort.

Awards nominated: Monarch Award Nominee 2011

Reviewed by: donna

Date read: 4/27/2010

ISBN-10: 0618702229

ISBN-13: 9780618702220

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How can you not love a book that is, as the cover proclaims, 'Dog Approved?' Thirteen very different dogs describe their lives, trials, and triumphs. Lovely illustrations and different fonts contribute to making this a delightful book of poetry for dog lovers, and non-dog lovers, alike. Learn and laugh at their most private confessions as one canine after another admits secret, or not so secret, failings, such as 'sometimes I am bad,' 'I don't like other dogs,' or 'Once I ate a pie.'

Reviewed by: ewl

Date read: 5/19/2009

ISBN-10: 0060735317

ISBN-13: 9780060735319

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This is a book of short poems with such titles as 'My New Bird Book,' 'The TV in the Woods,' 'The Mack Truck and the Shovel,' and 'Popcorn.' Grin, think, feel, giggle, and enjoy!

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 3/27/2009

ISBN-10: 0688152619

ISBN-13: 9780688152611

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Kevin Boland has a secret. Sure, he loves to play baseball. He even hopes to turn pro someday. His secret is that he also loves to write poetry, but not the mushy, boring kind. Usually, his poems do not even rhyme. He keeps them in a journal and they tell of his every-day experiences. His girlfriend, Mira, doesn't really understand. Kevin's dilemma is that he has met a girl, Amy, who shares his love of poetry and even enjoys sharing her poems with him. Kevin isn't sure that he doesn't prefer Amy's company to Mira's. This sequel to Shakespeare Bats Cleaup is a great story of a middle school boy's introduction to the riddle of girls. Kevin's love of poetry is infectious.

Reviewed by: vverscaj

Date read: 7/21/2011

ISBN-10: 0763644358

ISBN-13: 9780763644352

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This book is beautifully illustrated. DiTerlizzi uses black and white to set the mood of horror and suspense. The spider taunts the fly with food, and flattering words, to get it to enter his web. He finally succeeds, and the author proceeds to let the reader know that they should never be taken in by charming words; sometimes the intent is actually evil.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/14/2009

ISBN-10: 0689852894

ISBN-13: 9780689852893

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