Archive for January 23, 2017

Muffy’s Florida Adventure

Written and Illustrated by Devra Robitaille

Muffy returns with a trip to Florida. How does a family with six dogs take a vacation? In an RV dubbed the Great Escape. With a touch of magic so the reader can hear what all the animals are thinking, Robitaille creates a cute and cuddly tale that any kid will love.

On the first day of the journey, Muffy gets loose and nearly gets left at a rest stop. The gang stops at Myrtle Beach. Several of the dogs had never seen the ocean and frankly didn’t believe such a thing existed. Arrival at Sarasota Bay reveals a wonderful place to rest and play with cousins. The resident dog there is a huge help on the flat bottom tour boat his owner runs. During a day out on the boat, the dogs encounter manatees and spoonbills – another thing the dogs didn’t really believe in. When they meet a family of dolphins, they wind up helping save the youngster who gets cocky and is separated from his mother.

Younger children would enjoy having the story read aloud. Third graders and up can enjoy it independently. It’s great for learning about some creatures and the environment plus the importance of helping others.
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Muffys Florida Adventure

  • Title: Muffy’s Florida Adventure        
  • Author/Illustrator: Devra Robitaille
  • Published: The Hologram Library, 2016
  • Reviewer: Sue Poduska
  • Format: E-book, 67 pages
  • Grade Level: PreK to 3
  • Genre: Chapter book, Animals, Family, Travel
  • ASIN: B01LYWDYMR

Muffy & the Dog Catcher

Written and Illustrated by Devra Robitaille

The first book in the “Muffy” series introduces a number of captivating characters. Muffy is just a puppy and the smallest of the litter on the farm. She often gets left behind. To amuse herself, she plays a sort of hopping game with a grasshopper and leads herself way beyond the parameters of her farm. Familiar with the concept of a road, she finds one and follows it. Eventually, she comes on a house with a number of dogs and very welcoming humans. She makes herself at home, but misses her farm and her sister. Through one of the other dogs, she meets a dog catcher who can talk to the animals.

This would be fun as a read aloud for younger kids. The characters are compelling and kids can help figure out how Muffy will find her true home. The illustrations of Muffy are beautiful and soothing enough for bedtime. For independent reading, the language and voice are a bit challenging so should be left to somewhat older kids.

Kids will love the characters and will identify with Muffy’s struggles to fit in. They will enjoy getting into the minds of the dogs, as the dog catcher does.

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  • Title: Muffy & the Dog Catcher         
  • Author/Illustrator: Devra Robitaille
  • Published: The Hologram Library, 2016
  • Reviewer: Sue Poduska
  • Format: E-book, 49 pages
  • Grade Level: PreK to 3
  • Genre: Chapter book, Animals, Family
  • ASIN: B01IUFLQJA

 

 

Smashie McPerter and the Mystery of the Missing Goop

Written by N. Griffin
Illustrated by Kate Hindley

This entertaining mystery teaches a little about math, music, code breaking, and music. Kids will love solving the mystery along with the characters.

Smashie and Dontel’s third grade class return to prepare for a musicale with the other third grade class. To spice up the show, they decide to sculpt everyone’s hair using a magical gel invented by Charlene’s mother. The hair goop (aka Herr Goop) allows Charlene and her mother to sculpt hair into any shape. Every time a new jar of Herr Goop shows up, it immediately disappears. Since the ingredients are expensive and the musicale is coming up soon, it’s important that the jars are found. Smashie and Dontel keep a notebook of clues, motives, and suspects to try to figure everything out. They notice a code written on the jars. After decoding, they follow the clues all the way to the musicale itself.

The characters are lovable, the musical and dance numbers are engaging, and the intrigue is intense. Reading activities could include everything from 60s music to code breaking to baking brownies.
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smashie2

  • Title: Smashie McPerter and the Mystery of the Missing Goop       
  • Author: N. Griffin
  • Illustrator: Kate Hindley
  • Published: Candlewick Press, 2016
  • Reviewer: Sue Poduska
  • Format: Hardcover, 304 pages
  • Grade Level: 2 to 5
  • Genre: Chapter book, Codes
  • ISBN: 978-0-7636-8535-5