Good Guys, Bad Guys by Joanne Rocklin, Nancy Carpenter

This is a fun read.  A brother and sister each play a bad guy and a good guy.  They and their friends use their imaginations and become pirates and more in the afternoon.

Abrams Young Readers let me read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published on May 5th.

They even act as cowboys!  The good guys are there but don't butt in on the games unless someone needs help.  They have a great day and when bedtime comes, The brother says he'll be the bad guy in the morning.  His sister agrees, she'll be the good guy tomorrow.

They have great imaginations!

A Letter to my Teacher by Deborah Hopkinson

Did you ever have a teacher who brought out the best in you?  I've had several but the one I remember most was my first grade teacher.  She sent me a graduation card and complimented me for being an honor student.  She told me that she could tell when I was in her class I would go far.  I couldn't believe she'd even noticed me!  In this story, it's the student that notices the teacher...

Provato Marketing send me a galley of this book to read for review (thank you).  It has been published.

The story is written from a child's point of view and mentions how she used to tug on the teacher's shirt and whisper in her ear.  Time has passed and now she's writing her a letter.  This is a tribute to her best second grade teacher and it's sweet.  The little girl shows how trying she could be and how the teacher always saw the positive side of it.  The graphics are done by Nancy Carpenter.  They have a secret depth to them.  Do you see the scissors poking out of her backpack?   

This would be an excellent gift for Teacher Appreciation Day or a goodbye gift when moving up to another grade.  Share the positive wherever you can.  There's too much negative in the world today.  Keep your head up, a smile on your face, and learn as you go along.  Maybe you should write a thank you letter to your teacher, too.

11 Experiments That Failed by Jenny Offill and Nancy Carpenter

If your Thanksgiving is too calm, here's a suggestion for a book that will brighten up your children's day!

Schwartz & Wade sent me a copy of this book for review (thank you.)  It has already been published so if you visit a bookstore on Black Friday, grab a copy.

Nancy Carpenter illustrations combine real items with her cartoon girl to show the various experiments.  Ms. Offill has a devious brain and comes up with outrageous, ridiculous experiments that most children wouldn't even consider.  But, boy, are they fun to read about!

Here are a couple of examples of the experiments:  Can a kid make it through the winter eating only snow and ketchup?  What is the best way to speed up a boring car ride?

The answers to both these questions and the others are amusing and silly.  They also have consequences...

Why not have some fun with your little one reading about these silly experiments?  After all, they might have some marvelous ideas, too.  Just make sure you supervise their experiments!

Happy reading.