Mirabel's Missing Valentines

 

By Janet Lawler

Illustrated by Olivia Chin Mueller

Copyright 2019 Sterling Children's Books

Summary: Mirabel is a shy little mouse who is late for school on Valentine's Day. Little does she realize that on her way to school she starts loosing her Valentine's Day cards that she has made for her classmates. These lost Valentine's make their way into the hands of neighbor's and city workers. Eventually they were returned and she had the perfect Valentine's Day party.

Likes:

1. I loved the illustrations in this story so much that I googled the illustrator. Along with drawing cute creatures she also makes the cutest plush animals https://www.lumichee.com and on instagram @ Lumicheeshop

2. I believe that a lot of young people will relate to this book because when I was a little girl I was always nervous to give and get Valentine's Day cards. I was scared no one liked me and that I wouldn't receive anything.

Dislikes

None, I loved this book.

A Crankenstein Valentine

 

By Samantha Berger

Illustrated by Dan Santat

Copyright 2014 Little, Brown & Co.

Summary:  What happens when the average boy is bombarded with everything that comes with celebrating Valentine's Day, the cheesy cards and heart-shaped everything. He turns into a monster, a cranky monster. That is until he meets a girl that shares his same views. 

I can relate to this story because Valentine's Day is my least favorite holiday. I've always said, "Why is there only one day when you tell someone you love them? It should be everyday."

Likes:

1. The front inside cover is filled with "monster written" conversation hearts and the back inside cover has the "traditional" conversation hearts.

2. The illustrations are wonderful and the book is oversized which is great for teachers because if you are reading the book to the class, every child will be able to see it.

3. His heart underwear, that his mom gives him for Valentine's, appears on a few different pages in the book. This is a laugh-out-loud book.

Dislikes:

None 

The Bat in the Boot

 

Written and illustrated by Annie Cannon

Copyright 1996 Orchard Books

Summary: Based on a true story, a family finds a baby bat in their mudroom and takes care of him until his mother comes back for him.

Likes: 

1.  Beautiful and well written storyline.

2.  Positive message about bats.

3.  An explanation of the wu-fu symbol which has been adopted by Bat Conservation International.

Dislikes:

1.  Illustrations were done in muted tones of brown, gray and black which was fine for the basement but most drawings looked unfinished to me.

Snowballs

By Lois Ehlert

Copyright 1995 Harcourt Brace & Co. 

Summary: A family, whom you never see, creates a snowman family and use items they've collected from around the house. And they address what happens when the sun comes out.

Likes:

1.  I loved the fact that the author used real items such as plastic forks and corn kernels.

2. At the end of the book the author labels each item and has a page explaining how snow is made.

3.  Large print and few words.

4.  The reader has to turn the book perpendicular to look at the snowmen.

Dislikes:

1. The drawings of the birds and squirrel are the only items in the book that aren't "real."

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