Commander Toad, 'brave and bright,' commands the spaceship, Star Warts, and its intrepid crew, Mister Hop, Lieutenant Lily and young Jake Skyjumper. In this first book in the series, the Star Warts approaches a planet which turns out to be all water. The crew lands, or dives, and encounters the very unfriendly Deep Wader, who desires to make a meal of our heroes. This very funny adventure will have you wondering if the crew will escape before becoming the monster's supper.

Similar authors: Daniel Pinkwater

Reviewed by: vfv

Date read: 10/3/2012

ISBN-10: 0698113551

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Meet Cowgirl Kate and her cowhorse, Cocoa! Learn how they met, see what surprise Cowgirl Kate has for Cocoa, and see the many ways these two friends always take care of each other. If you like this story, check out other books about Cowgirl Kate and her trusty companion. (Reading Level: 2.4)

Similar books: Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: Partners by Erica Silverman; Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: School Days by Erica Silverman; Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: Rain or Shine by Erica Silverman; Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: Horse in the House by Erica Silverman; Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa: Spring Babies by Erica Silverman

Awards won: Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Honor Book

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 5/26/2011

ISBN-10: 9780152021245

ISBN-13: 9780152021245

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Ike, Mrs. LaRue's dog, has perfectly good reasons for chasing the neighbors' cats, howling until the neighbors complain and 'sampling' Mrs. LaRues' chicken pot pie. But does she listen? No! Off he goes to obedience school ' to him, prison. Of course, this prison is more like a country club, but to hear Ike's letters about the gruesome punishment he is subjected to, he has no choice but to run away. Children will enjoy listening to Ike's version of the story while the pictures show what is really taking place.

Similar books: Read other books about Ike: Detective LaRue : Letters from the Investigation and LaRue for Mayor: Letters from the Campaign Trail.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/28/2009

ISBN-10: 0439206634

ISBN-13: 9780439206631

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Take the branch of a diamond willow tree, carve it down, get to the center, polish it, and there where the scar of a living branch remains you will find the shape of a diamond. A middle schooler named Diamond Willow does not feel as special as her name depicts. She has a hard time making friends at school and feels that her Dad, a teacher, sometimes loves his sled dogs more than her. Willow does love dogs, too, especially Roxy. Willow persuades her friend to go with her to Willow's grandparents' house using three dogs from the team and leaving the other three dogs for her Dad. Of course, there is a problem that needs to be solved which includes dogs and people. Helen Frost makes the story exciting while using an inventive way of telling the story in the shape of a diamond on each page with bold words within the diamond to accentuate the drama. Enjoy this story of dogs and their humans and the intricacies which tell about a middle-schooler's maturity.

Awards nominated: Rebecca Caudill Award 2011

Reviewed by: cj

Date read: 5/3/2010

ISBN-10: 0374317763

ISBN-13: 9780374317768

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This is a hilarious journal that highlights some of the good and bad things about being a worm. For instance, worms can't get cavities (as they have no teeth), but they must be very careful around the dangerous game of hopscotch. This book shows a worm child as he engages in childhood activities like school and vacations, but told with humor from the perspective of the world of worms. Other books by Doreen Cronin include Diary of a Spider, Diary of a Fly and Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/28/2009

ISBN-10: 0060001518

ISBN-13: 9780060001513

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