BOOKS FOR CHILDREN: How do you know what's good?

While there are many places (especially on the internet) where you can read book reviews, how do you really know if it's a good book or not when a single book might receive anywhere from one to five stars?
The answer: read the reviews of a book-addicted teacher librarian.


NOTE:
** The age recommendations are guidelines only; whether or not a certain book is suitable for a particular child depends on multiple factors, including their maturity, reading level, interests, and in some cases their experiences.
** While the ratings are largely based on my own personal appreciation/enjoyment of the book, they are also influenced by my experiences as a teacher and the potential attraction for the target-aged child (acknowledging that what one child may love, another may find exceptionally boring). A rating of 5 indicates the book is likely to be popular with the majority.


Friday, October 18, 2013

The Santa Trap (PB)

AUTHOR: Jonathan Emmett ; ILLUSTRATOR: Poly Bernatene
PUBLISHED: 2010, c2009

PLOT:
Bradley Bartleby is bad, and the older he got, the badder he became. He's greedy and naughty and selfish and spoilt -- and Santa Claus knows it. But when beastly Bradley empties his Christmas stocking to find nothing but a pair of socks, he does quite the baddest thing he has EVER tried to do. He builds a trap -- a SANTA TRAP! With guillotines, dynamite and a tiger or two, Santa doesn't stand a chance. Will Santa be forgiving?

REVIEW:
Most children love it when the bad kid gets what's coming to him in stories. The simple karma of a child who gets trapped in his own trap is a winner, not to mention the story is told beautifully, with illustrations to match.
AGE: 4-8
RATING: 4 1/2 stars

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