Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

A sudden sound of wings and screech sends our hero on an adventure of his life time

Orris and Timble: The Beginning by Kate DiCamillo

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Orris and Timble: The Beginning is pure Kate DiCamillo. Part Romeo and Juliet (enemies to friends), part the Lion and the Mouse (a rat saves an owl) and part a grandparent/grandchild relationship (even though there is a grumpy older rat and a young owl). This story is sweet, funny, and a little bit tense (after all, even if an owl says it is too scared to eat you, can you really believe it? Especially with those large and dangerous talons?). When Orris, the rat, hears […]

The Picture Book Graphic Novel Read

Author vs. Illustrator by Bob Lentz and Donald Lemke

The Unlucky Kid by Bob Holt

Like Lava in My Veins by Derrick Barnes

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There is a new genre, (or at least newish to me) that I call “Picture Book Graphic Novel.”  I am sure there are others out there, but I have recently found three within a few weeks of each other. This means that the graphic novel panel format is done in the larger, traditional sized picture book and aimed at the picture book crowd, but can allow the older reader access as well. The first two were read via online reader’s copies and the last in […]

It’s time for book roundup! Get along little bookies!

The Midnight Mitzvah by Ruth Horowitz

Bo Keeps the Beat: The Piano Pedal Problem by Andrew Bambridge

A Bold Pumpkin Plan by Katy Hudson

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It’s time for a book roundup! Each book is good for all types of readers and listeners. Not only that, they are nice companions to each other with their softer toned stories, illustrations and less traditional “action” stories. This mixture of books is one of the reasons why I love books. You never know what delightful treat you will find. The first and last titles are more traditional picture books, while the middle one has a chapter format and is part of a series. All […]

Jackson and Irwin the Thylacine: Adventures! Mystery! Gross Foods!

Jackson's Wilder Adventures Volume 1 by Sarah Davidson

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Jackson’s Wilder Adventures Volume 1 by Sarah Davidson is probably my favorite book read this week. Or even this year. Now, granted it is not because it was some elaborate affair of great worldly writing, but because it was a simple book that was a great introduction for the science reader. This fantastic science book works for the younger reader aged 6 to young 9. You are exposed to a situation (“gross food” or “scared of moving”) and then how animals can have a similar […]

Talkin’ ’bout my best friend

Built to Last by Minh Lê,

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Built to Last by the fabulous author, Minh Lê, and the amazing illustrator, Dan Santat (no, I’m not biased at all), is an adorable story about friendship and the true and important things that cannot be broken. Sure things might fall and crash, and that can sometimes be funny, but there are few things that cannot have a do-over. Most things are able to have a fresh start, mostly because you have learned from any mistakes and know what is really important. The narrator is […]

Pippi Longstocking meets the 21st century

Two Friends, One Dog, and a Very Unusual Week by Sarah L. Thomson

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If you are looking for a book that is Pippi Longstocking for the modern age, Two Friends, One Dog, and a Very Unusual Week by Sarah L. Thomson is the book you are looking for. If you like that clueless, tornado of a child character, you will love this early chapter book. Best for ages 8 to 10, it could work as a read aloud as well. The chapters are shorter, with a few, cute, simple illustrations (by Vin Vegel) to highlight plot points, allowing […]



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