Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters

By Natalie Standiford. New York: Scholastic Press, 2010.

The Sullivans are a wealthy, privileged family that live in Baltimore. On Christmas Day, the family is informed by their supremely rich grandmother, who they call Almighty, that someone in the family has deeply offended her. She is going to cut the entire family out of her will, unless she receives a confession from the offender by New Year's Day. The family determines it must be one of "the girls" who offended Almighty, and the Sullivan sisters (Norrie, Jane, and Sassy) each write up a confession to deliver to Almighty in the hopes of saving their family from poverty. Who offended Almighty? Will Almighty forgive them and restore the family's fortunes to them? You'll have to read this book to find out!

When I read the premise of this story, I wasn't impressed. I didn't think I'd want to read about poor, little rich girls who might lose their fortune. I mean, there are worse things in the world than this! But, I was intrigued with the idea of confessing to your crime, so I gave it a chance. I have to admit, the writing is really smart. The book is divided into sections, with each sister "confessing" her story. Norrie, Jane, and Sassy "could" be vapid, snooty girls, but instead, they are "real" - I believe a wide spectrum of readers can relate to the Sullivan sisters. There isn't a focus on material wealth in this story; rather, on each sister and their overall character. Yes, the sisters are rich, and yes, they go to a private Catholic school, but they also deal with issues and feelings that all teens go through, and that's what makes them relatable. Overall, this was a fun, quick read!

Clever Jack Takes the Cake

Written by Candace Fleming. Illustrated by G.Brian Karas. New York: Schwartz & Wade Books, 2010.

Jack is invited to the Princess's tenth birthday party. But, there's a problem. Jack is poor, and doesn't have money to buy her a gift. He decides he will make her a cake. He trades his ax and quilt for some flour and sugar, gets some eggs and milk from the hen and cow, gathers some walnuts, dips some candles, and picks the biggest, juiciest strawberry in the land. The cake turns out beautiful, and now Jack has to get it the castle. Easy peasy, right? Not so much. Poor Jack endures some trouble along the way - blackbirds, a troll, and a bear - and his beautiful cake doesn't quite survive the trip. What will the princess say when Jack finally arrives at the castle for her birthday without the cake? You will have to read this to find out!

This is a wonderful book! It uses aspects from different rhymes and tales (like 4 and 20 blackbirds and the troll guarding the bridge) to make a great adventure story. The illustrations are fabulous, and enhance the story. Observant children will notice what is going on in the endpapers. This is a fun read-aloud, and you will be eager to find out whether Jack and his poor cake survive the trip to the castle. Who knew birthday parties could be so stressful? :)

13 Treasures

Written by Michelle Harrison. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2010.

Thirteen-year old Tanya has always been able to see fairies - she is "blessed" with the second sight. These aren't the fairies you're thinking of from princess tales; rather, these fairies like to torment Tanya. And she can't tell anyone she sees them, because they would think she is crazy. Fed up with the distruction and havoc that she thinks Tanya has caused, her mother sends Tanya away to live with her grandmother. Tanya's grandmother has never been especially warm and fuzzy towards her grand-daughter; she is mostly cold and reserved. While at her grandmother's house, Tanya discovers a mystery of the past involving a missing girl and the dark, creepy woods near the house. While trying to solve this mystery, Tanya discovers things about herself, her grandmother, and the fairy realm.

I don't normally gravitate towards fantasy stories, but this was a great story! It hooked me in from the beginning, and I was eager to find out what the mystery was. The fairy element plays a strong role in this story, and if you are hesitant to pick up this book because of that, don't be! There is a nice balance between the fantasy and mystery elements of this story, and the storytelling is quite engaging. It's not too scary, but just right to get you into the Halloween spirit. Now, for pity's sake, don't go into the woods!

The Cow Loves Cookies

Written by Karma Wilson and illustrated by Marcellus Hall. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2010.

The farm has a lot of animals living there. Each animal eats a different kind of food, and they love it! Horse loves hay, chickens love feed, pigs love slop, etc. For some reason, though, cow loves cookies! He "would never eat that stuff. You couldn't pay the cow enough!" And who can blame him? Cookies are yummy! But what could the reason be? You'll be delighted to find out towards the end of the story.

This book is really fun to read aloud. In fact, I need to plan a farm themed storytime soon so that I can share it with the kids at my library. The rhyming text and repetition of lines ensures children will be shouting the lines back at you! The illustrations convey the cuteness of this story (my favorite is cow gently lapping at the plate of cookies through the open window, while mom's back is turned). The animals all have expressions of joy, demonstrating their love of food. Be prepared to want some cookies (or is that just me?) during this reading!

Dirtball Pete

Written and illustrated by Eileen Brennan. New York: Random House, 2010.

Dirtball Pete is dirty and stinky. And that's a fact. His mother said so and his Aunt Marion agreed, along with his sister Amanda and her friend Janine. Normally it would be fine for Dirtball Pete to be so, well, dirty, but today is The Fifty States and Why They're Great! day at school, and Pete is representing the state of Pennsylvania and he has a speech to recite. His mother, armed with a loofah and brush, is determined to get her son clean so that everyone can see what a special and wonderful boy he is under all the filth. But, Dirtball Pete doesn't stay clean for long en route to his school. What will happen when it's his turn to recite his speech? Will he make his mom proud even if he's a dirtball?

This story is absolutely charming! I loved the illustrations, especially the facial expressions. They are done in cartoon style, and kids will pore over all the dirty things attached to poor Pete. Dirtball Pete is just a happy boy, in spite of all his dirtiness. I think that's part of what makes him so lovable. This is a great story about accepting who you are, and being proud of yourself, despite the occasional dirt spot. It's not about what you look like on the outside, but who you are on the inside. Now, kids, go get dirty!

Interrupting Chicken

Written and illustrated by David Ezra Stein. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2010.

Interrupting someone while they are talking is a bad habit, and we are all guilty of it. In the case of this story, Chicken likes to interrupt stories. It's bedtime for little red chicken, but she can't go to sleep without a story. Papa says he'll read her a story "and of course you are not going to interrupt the story tonight, are you?" She assuredly says "Oh no, Papa. I'll be good." So Papa begins the tale of Hansel and Gretel and just as the story gets going, little red chicken pops into the story (literally), in an attempt to save the characters. But, she ends up ending the story abruptly and spoiling the story. Papa tries Little Red Riding Hood and Chicken Little, and even though Chicken promises she will be good, she still interrupts the story. She's not even tired, but Papa is all out of stories. So Chicken reads to her Papa, but is soon interrupted by a loud "zzzzzzz."

This is a fun story! The title immediately caught my eye, as well as the cover illustration. You see Papa and Chicken behind a big picture book; Chicken looks rather fiesty, jumping up, while Papa looks like he's had enough. Chicken says "This book is called Interrupting Chicken, right, Papa?" and he replies, "Yes. Now, please don't interrupt the story!" Right away, you are prepared for what is going to happen in this book. I love this touch! The illustrations are wonderful; towards the end, papa has an expression of complete exasperation and chicken is looking like she knows best, which is why she interrupts. This is a perfect bedtime story that will elicit chuckles from adults and children. Now kids, try not to interrupt while your grown up is reading. :)

That's Not Funny!

Written by Jeanne Willis. Illustrated by Adrian Reynolds. Minneapolis: Andersen Press USA, 2010.

It all started with a banana peel. I'm sure you've heard (or seen) that practical joke. Some poor, unsuspecting soul steps on the peel and - whoops!- down he or she goes! That's how this story begins. Hyena, an animal known in books for being a prankster, decides "just for a joke" to put a banana peel in Giraffe's path. Giraffe, of course, has no idea, and slips on it, skids into a tree - "KER-RANG!" - and says "That's not funny!" And so begins an unfortunate series of events involving many animals. Giraffe's collision into the tree causes a coconut to fall which lands "BINK!" on top of Hippo's head. Hippo stepped on Snake, who bit Ostrich, who kicked Rhino, etc. Each time, the animal exclaims "That's not funny!" But Hyena just "laughed and laughed." Eventually, Hyena gets his just desserts; when waiting to see what misfortune will befall Elephant, he steps into a big, hot pile of Elephant's poo! Of course, the joke is now on him, and he doesn't think it's that funny, but of course, the other animals laugh and laugh.

This is a terrific book demonstrating the consequences of practical jokes and laughing at someone's expense. Kids will really enjoy acting out the animal sounds, as well as the repetition of "that's not funny!" The illustrations are fun and full of color, and they represent the action going on in the story. The expressions on the animal's faces articulate what is happening to them, and children will easily be able to follow along with the chain of events. A very cute book that will make you laugh, and perhaps think twice about what's funny.