Fantasy Books Continued

Picture Books

Children Make Terrible Pets by Peter Brown
  Lucy the Bear was walking in the woods and found a little boy that she named "Squeaker" because he made squeaking noises.  She asked her mom if she could keep him and she said only under one condition: He was her responsibility.  They did everything together; napped, played and ate.  Squeaker was tough to potty train, he ruined furniture and caused problems.  One day she lost squeaker, but found him with his family.  She learned that children do make terrible pets. I liked this book because it was really enjoyable and humorous.

Aliens Love Underpants by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort
  They love underpants but there are none in space. The big surprise is that when aliens fly down to Earth they don't meet people, they just want to underpants.  Their radar beeps, they land in your backyard, dance around and try them on.  They also put them on their heads, feet and other silly places.  They played games with them and with the dog.  They zoom away when mom comes to get the laundry.  Alway check for aliens that are unseen! I loved this book because it is really funny and interesting, plus something to think about!

Strega Nona's Harvest by Tomie de Paola
  During the winter Strega pulled out small packets of seeds and planted them when "the moon said so".  She says some things in Italian and repeats them in English while planting.  The secret ingredient is to blow three kisses to the moon.  Big Anthony made his own little garden behind the goat shed to show Bambolona he can do it.  His plants were growing well but not so beautifully, it looked like a jungle! The family harvested their crops and were all going to rest but Anthony still had work to do.  The next morning Strega found a lot of vegetables outside her door and they gave them away because other's didn't have a good growing season like they did.  At the end of the book Strega was in bed wondering where the extra vegetable came from while Anthony was outside putting them all in front of the door once again. This book can be long and boring to many students, but personally I did enjoy it.

The Pout-Pout Fish in the Big-Big Dark by Deborah Diesen
  Ms. Clam lost her pearl.  Mr. Fish tried to find it.  He swam deeper and deeper, but he was scared of the dark.  He said he was fast, strong and smart but still afraid of the dark.  He swam deeper to the slopes where Miss Shimmer help him with his fear and found the pearl with Mr. Lanturn's help.  We are always bigger than the dark. I loved this book because it was sweet and funny.

Curious You: On Your Way! by H.A. Rey
  George wondered the town because everything was up to him.  There are message in the book like follow you dreams, and things may not always work out, but don't worry, find your style, give to other and you will make new friends.  In the end, the message is to just be you! This book was wonderful to read.  I loved this book because after I read it I felt a lot better with being me.  Even though this is a little kid's book, it is very inspiring. 

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians) by Rick Riordan

This book is a fun adventure about a boy named Percy who finds out he is a demi-god with powers.  I travels the magical world to save it from an evil demi-god and learns about himself as well as others.  This is a great book for many ages because it is fun and exciting. 

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Coraline has always wondered what is behind the locked door in the drawing room. It reveals only a brick wall when she finally opens it, but when she tries again, a passageway mysteriously appears. Coraline is surprised to find a place just like her own, but strangely different. When she finds her parents in this alternate world, they are much more interesting and creepy black button eyes. Coraline ends up having to rescue her real parents and three children imprisoned in a mirror with the help of a cat. Coraline  gets over her fears and defeats the monsters.  I liked this book because it was different than anything I have read before and really interesting to read.

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

The story takes place in the magical realm of Alagaesia. Eragon, an ordinary farmer’s boy, needs to get food on the table. He lives with his cousin, Roran, and his uncle, Garrow.  While Eragon is out hunting, he finds a sapphire-blue stone lying in a ruined glen. Eragon, thinking he could sell the stone in exchange for some meat and takes it back to his uncle’s farm. The stone splits open and a dragon hatchling emerges and when some strange bird-like creatures, called the Ra’zac, arrive at the local village and destroy everything. Before Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, spend the rest of the book seeking revenge on the person that killed Garrow.  I liked this book because it is mystical and takes you to a different world while reading.