The Escape of Robert Smalls by Jehan Jones-Radgowski

Title: The Escape of Robert Smalls
Author: Jehan Jones-Radgowski
Illustrator: Poppy Kang
Genre: Picture Book, Children's Non Fiction, History
Publisher: Capstone Editions
Date: September 1, 2019
Length: 40 pages

Review copy from NetGalley

The mist in Charleston Inner Harbor was heavy, but not heavy enough to disguise the stolen Confederate steamship, the Planter, from Confederate soldiers. In the early hours of May 13, 1862, in the midst of the deadly U.S. Civil War, an enslaved man named Robert Smalls was about to carry out a perilous plan of escape. Standing at the helm of the ship, Smalls impersonated the captain as he and his crew passed heavily armed Confederate forts to enter Union territory, where escaped slaves were given shelter. The suspenseful escape of the determined crew is celebrated with beautiful artwork and insightful prose, detailing the true account of an unsung American hero.

Description from NetGalley

I am kicking myself that I have not heard of Robert Smalls before now. Such a great story and a great fit for multiple units in elementary or middle school. Thank you Jehan Jones-Radgowski for bringing this story to my attention.

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Leave a Comment 4.0, Children's Non Fiction, History, Picture Book, Read Aloud

Children Make Terrible Pets by Peter Brown

Title: Children Make Terrible Pets
Author & Illustrator: Peter Brown
Genre: Children's Book, Picture Book
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Date: 2010
Length: 32 pages

I picked this book up from the library

When Lucy, a young bear, discovers a boy in the woods, she's absolutely delighted. She brings him home and begs her mom to let her keep him, even though her mom warns, "Children make terrible pets." But mom relents, and Lucy gets to name her new pet Squeaker.


Through a series of hilarious and surprising scenes, readers can join Lucy and Squeakers on their day of fun and decide for themselves whether or not children really do make terrible pets.

Description from Goodreads

Lucy is an exuberant, melodramatic, beribboned young bear and she is the best! One day she discovers a little boy and enthusiastically declares him "the cutest critter in the WHOLE forest!" The little boy just squeaks. (Because, really, what would you do when faced with a bear wearing a tutu?) Despite her mother's warnings, Lucy heads off with Squeaker to have THE BEST DAY EVER! And it is always the best day ever when I get to read this story to kids.

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Leave a Comment 5.0, Children's Books, Picture Book, Read Aloud

The Cave by Rob Hodgson

Title: The Cave
Author & Illustrator: Rob Hodgson
Genre: Children's Book, Picture Book
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Date: December 11. 2018
Length: 32 pages

Review copy from NetGalley

There is a cave. A cave that is home to a little creature. A little creature that never leaves its cave…because of a wolf. The wolf tries everything to get the creature to leave the cave, to no avail. But what will happen when he's finally successful? This is a laugh-out-loud story with a BIG surprise!
The big twist at the end and the bright, bold illustrations filled with fun details and visual jokes will make this a firm favorite with both adults and children. 

Description from NetGalley

Hi, Rob! You don't know me, but you've written the type of book that makes me miss being an elementary school librarian. It's colorful, funny, and there's the threat of someone being eaten! I made my kids sit with me while I read it to them (yes, even the 9 year old) and we had a lot of fun.

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Leave a Comment 5.0, Children's Books, Picture Book, Read Aloud, Rob Hodgson

Stuck by Oliver Jeffers

Title: Stuck
Author & Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
Genre: Picture Book, Children's Book, Read Aloud
Publisher: Philomel Books
Date: October 10, 2011
Length: 32 pages

I own this book, I love this book, I have gifted this book many times

From the illustrator of the #1 smash The Day the Crayons Quit comes another bestseller--a giggle-inducing tale of everything tossed, thrown, and hurled in order to free a kite!

When Floyd's kite gets stuck in a tree, he's determined to get it out. But how? Well, by knocking it down with his shoe, of course. But strangely enough, it too gets stuck. And the only logical course of action . . . is to throw his other shoe. Only now it's stuck! Surely there must be something he can use to get his kite unstuck. An orangutan? A boat? His front door? Yes, yes, and yes. And that's only the beginning. Stuck is Oliver Jeffers' most absurdly funny story since The Incredible Book-Eating Boy. Childlike in concept and vibrantly illustrated as only Oliver Jeffers could, here is a picture book worth rescuing from any tree.

Description from Goodreads

 I love Oliver Jeffers with a deep and abiding love. I love the whimsy, fun, and thoughtfulness of his stories and illustrations. I love that they are great read alouds for a class, but also lovely books to snuggle with your kids and read to them as they explore the pictures. This was one of my son's favorite books when he was little and I loved reading it to him. The only downside of Stuck was that the first Christmas after discovering the book. He threw everything into the Christmas tree. We even had a few toys that resembled items from the story, so we were fishing out shoes, trucks, and toy animals.

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Leave a Comment 5.0, Children's Books, Oliver Jeffers, Picture Book, Read Aloud