Monsters University by Barbara Bazaldua

Mike, the one eyed monster, sets his life goal at first grade:  He's going to be a scarer!  The fact that he's the smallest in school has nothing to do with it.  He KNOWS he's going to be a scarer.

Golden Books/Random House sent me a copy of this book for review (thank you).  It has been published, so check with your local bookstore for a copy.

I never saw the movie, so I had great fun meeting all the monsters that the Disney Pixar team created.  My favorite was Sully.  He's big, fluffy, and likes to bend the rules a bit.  Mike's team for competition is the one least likely to succeed.  They start awful, begin to do better, and when Mike does the final scary moment, they win.  Then Mike finds out Sully cheated so Mike would pass the scream test...

This story is done tastefully and with a good message for children.  It's a delight to read and Monster fans should be happy to see them again.  Give it a try.

Happy reading.

Tangled Rapunzel's Tale by Barbara Bazaldua

Have you ever heard the story of Rapunzel from her side?  Here's your chance...

This is a Stepping Stones chapter book based on the new movie coming out from Disney (thank you for my review copy).  It's illustrated by Dave Gilson and Jean-Paul Orpinas and in gorgeous, colorful graphics.

You can read the book before you see the movie or live the movie again each time you read the story, your choice.  It's a beginning chapter book, so your younger child will be able to read it with ease.

This tale (as with all retellings) is a bit different than any other version I've read.  Rapunzel still has long hair, but it's magical, too.  And instead of a prince saving her, she meets Flynn Rider - who is really a rogue!

It's a fun fantasy story that young ones will enjoy.  Introduce them to this new version of Rapunzel and then perhaps dig out an old classical version of it and let them see the difference.  Fairy tales change over the years.  This is a good opportunity to let them see the change themselves.

You can find it now at your local bookstores.  Get a copy and read Rapunzel's story!

Happy reading.