Tough Books to Review

The most difficult books for me to review or to simply read to provide better readers' advisory for patrons are the 1st-3rd grade books. Board books are easy for me- are the pictures bright and bold and clear? Is the text simple? Picture books are easy for me- Is it funny? Touching? Are the illustrations beautiful? Easy Reader books are easy for me- Is the text in larger print with many sight words? Fiction for 4th grade and up is easy for me- Were the characters well developed and the action great? Was it moving? Funny? Touching? Sad? Could I wait to see what happened? Do I want to read the next one?


All these things are easy for me to relate to when I read these books. Just because I am a librarian does not mean I am a literary expert by any means. The way I appreciate books and share my appreciation for books with patrons is on a very simple, personal level. Does it grab me in some way?


But the books that are written for the 1st-3rd grade group are the most difficult. Characters aren't well developed, the plot is over-simplified and often, silly, and, naturally, there just isn't much meat to them. It's been too long since I was that age to put myself in that child's shoes and determine if they would think this was a great book. I need to hang around more kids this age and get their opinions! :)

Bink and Gollie

This is a mix of a easy reader, a graphic novel and picture book all in one. In three short stories, we are introduced to two friends, Bink and Gollie and their adventures in friendship. Parents, family and school do not seem to exist. I think the stories are humorous, but it is the wonderfully expressive illustrations that bring the stories to life. Perfect for girls in grades 1-3.

DC Super-Pets

Everyone knows Superman,  Batman or even Wonder Woman, for that matter. They’re three of the most recognized super heroes of all time. But did you know that the Man of Steel has an entire collection of pets, including a dog, a cat, a monkey, and even a horse, all complete with the same powers as Superman? How about Wonder Woman’s Amazonian pet kangaroo? Or Aquaman’s pet seahorse with telepathic powers?
This new early chapter book series will sure be popular with the younger audience. The illustrations are bold and bright and the stories are just the right length. I'm sure these won't be found on the shelf often.