ReFoReMo 2018 Day 2 Book Reviews

I haven't read NOT QUITE NARWAL as I was unable to get a copy of it from our local library, so this list includes only the other five books pictured here.

AFTER THE FALL: How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again by Dan Santat

Have you ever wondered what might have happened if the king's men had been able to put Humpty Dumpty back together again? What would his life have been like?

Well, author Pierre Collet-Derby answers that question. Not surprisingly, when Humpty Dumpty was put back together, there were cracks in his shell and there were a few parts missing. Also not surprisingly, HD developed a fear of heights. Who wouldn't, right?

The title of the book sort of gives away the ending as it says that Humpty Dumpty got back up again. But the way it happened might surprise you.

BARNABY NEVER FORGETS by Pierre Collet-Derby

Barnaby takes great pride in his memory. He always remembers to brush his teeth and he always remembers to feed his grasshoppers. He never forgets when it's ice cream night and he never forgets to write a letter to Santa every year. But, maybe he forgets things occasionally, like where he put his glasses, or that his books are due at the library, or that he needs to wash his dirty hands. But, that's not really a problem, because sometimes it's fun to find things you've forgotten - like a dollar bill he left in his pocket, or an old stuffed bear he finds in a box, or an old lollipop left in his backpack. But, one day he forgets something really important. How will he react?

ESCARGOT BY Dashka Slater

Escargot, the beautiful French snail, wants two things: He wants to reach the end of the book where there is a lovely salad waiting for him to eat, and he wants you, the reader, to choose him as your most favorite animal.

As you read through the book, Escargot asks questions and interacts with the readers. He makes a case for why snails should be your favorite animal.

The text is creative, the illustrations are delightful, and there are even French words and phrases sprinkled throughout, making this a perfect book for young readers.

PRUDENCE THE PART-TIME COW by Jody Jensen Shaffer

"Prudence looked like a full-time cow," but Prudence didn't act like one. Sure, she ate grass and chewed her cud, and got milked, just like all of the rest of the herd. But, she just didn't fit in with them. She was interested in so many other things that the other cows didn't care about, like wind speed and air temperature and how to make a hat and all sorts of things that had nothing to do with grazing all day.

Prudence is an outcast until she makes a "cow-culator" that every member of the herd thinks is pretty nifty.

TWINDERELLA: A Fractioned Fairy Tale by Corey Rosen Schwartz

Author Corey Rosen Schwartz, who is being well-known for her creative take on well-known fairy tales, with such titles as THREE NINJA PIGS, NINJA RED RIDING HOOD, and GOLDI ROCKS AND THE THREE BEARS, brings us yet another twist on an old tale about Cinderalla.

Did you know Cinderella had a twin sister named Tinderella? Neither did I. But, both of the girls lived with their nasty step-mother and their nasty step-sisters, and both of them shared the nasty chores. They divided them in half, fifty-fifty. Also, both of them went to the ball and the handsome prince danced with them both. They both wanted to be with the prince, but there were two of them and only one of him. How could their fairy godmother fix this problem? You'll have to read the story to find out.

Schwartz mixes rhyming verse, a twist on an old favorite fairy tale, and fractions (Did you notice the sub title? It says "A Fractioned Fairy Tale.") for a winning combination that will be sure to entertain and delight. My only criticism (sorry, Corey), is that the word "bedding" doesn't rhyme with "splitting," but as far as I'm concerned, if the editors are fine with it, so am I!