children’s books

Gingerbread for Liberty

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Gingerbread for Liberty:  How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution by Mara Rockliff
Rating:  4 out of 5 stars

This picture book was released earlier this year.  It tells the story of Christopher Ludwick, a German-born American patriot who helps feed George Washington and his hungry troops during the American Revolution.  Prior to reading this book, I had not heard of Ludwick.  Throughout the book, Ludwick is only known as “the baker”  who loved his country and who wanted to help his country during the war.  He helped by doing what he did best, baking.  Washington had him bake loaves of bread to feed the soldier.  The story is told using short, simple text that is engaging for even young readers (or listeners).  The illustrations in this book are eye-catching and meant to look like decorated gingerbread cookies.  There’s an informative author’s note at the end of the book with more detailed information about Ludwick.  A recipe for simple gingerbread is also printed on the front and back inside covers of the book.  We read this book during bedtime story time and the kids enjoyed it.

*This book was borrowed from the library.

Greetings from Somewhere Series #1: The Mystery of the Gold Coin

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The Mystery of the Gold Coin (Greetings from Somewhere series #1) by Harper Paris
Rating:  3 out of 5 stars

This is the first book in the currently 8 book Greetings from Somewhere series by Harper Paris.  When Ella and Ethan’s mother gets a job as the travel writer for the Brookeston Times, the twins find out that they will be visiting different foreign cities so she can write about them.  This is the introduction book as the family packs up their belongings and gets ready for their big move.  Grandpa Harry gives the twins bon voyage presents, a journal for Ella and a gold coin for Ethan.  When Ethan discovers that his gold coin is missing, he and Ella go on a search to find it.  This series is geared towards readers between ages 5 and 7, with large text and lots of illustrations.  There’s a glossary in the back of the book with different international phrases used in the story, with the language and its definition.    My almost seven year-old son loved that the print was so large in this book and that it had lots of pictures.  He’s an advanced reader for his age and read this book in about 30 minutes in one sitting.  He enjoyed the book and is looking forward to reading the next one in the series.  This book was only okay for me as a parent.   I am hoping that as the family starts travelling the world, the stories get more interesting and informative.  I think this series has great potential.  We will be reading the second book in the series soon, The Mystery of the Mosaic, which takes place in Italy.

*We borrowed this book from the library.

 

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Andrew Zimmern’s Field Guide to Exceptionally Weird, Wild, & Wonderful Foods

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Andrew Zimmern’s Field Guide to Exceptionally Weird, Wild, & Wonderful Foods by Andrew Zimmern and Molly Mogren
Rating:  4 out of 5 stars

My nine year-old daughter found this book during one of our weekly library visits.  She’s watched a few episodes of Bizarre Foods and recognized Zimmern on the cover.  This book is organized in alphabetical order, beginning with alligator meat and ending with wildebeest.  The first page of each food gives a basic summary of what the food tastes like, where it may be eaten, whether Zimmern likes the taste of it and more.  But then, the book somehow goes off-tangent.  Depending on the food topic, like circus peanuts,  Zimmern then writes about elephant facts and famous clowns.  Similar tangents are featured for almost all of the foods.  You will either find it interesting or off-topic.   Regardless, there’s a wealth of information in this book that was new to me.  In our library, this book is filed under the “Teen-non-fiction” section.  This is a good book for reluctant, older readers with lots of interesting facts and a high “eww, gross!” factor that may keep them reading.

*This book was borrowed from the library.

Recipe for Adventure: Hong Kong!

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Recipe for Adventure:  Hong Kong! by Giada De Laurentiis
Rating:  5 out of 5 stars

This book is the third in Food Network chef Giada De Laurentis’s Recipe for Adventure series.  While most children’s chapter book series don’t have to be read in order, this is a series where I do recommend starting with the first book Naples! This way, readers will get a little background into Zia (Aunt) Donatella and how siblings Alfie and Emilia travel to different countries.  In this book, the brother and sister are transported to Hong Kong and are mistaken for foreign exchange students who are supposed to be visiting Ying and her family.  The two end up helping Ying’s family as they get ready to open a restaurant, The Golden Lion.  The book takes place at the start of the Chinese New Year.  The reader gets an in-depth look into the food, traditions and symbolism of the holiday.  Alfie and Emilia receive new clothes, which is a custom of the New Year (and helps since they never arrive in the selected country with luggage!) and watch parades and fireworks.  As with the other books in this series, De Laurentis really gives a detailed description of the food in Hong Kong.  Red melon seeds, kumquats,  chicken feet and pan-fried oyster cakes are only a few of the foods mentioned.  Alfie struggles with learning how to properly use chop sticks and discovers stabbing the food with the chopstick is considered bad luck.  Other superstitions, like not cutting or breaking long noodles, which represent prosperity are also mentioned.  There’s also a side story that takes place in which Ying disobeys her parents and sneaks around to practice gymnastics, which she’s really passionate about and very good at it.  Alfie and Emilia help Ying show her parents how skilled she is.

There aren’t many food-related, travel fiction books for children.  This is a fun series, geared toward older elementary-aged students (grades 3 through 5) that gives them an in-depth look at the food and customs of different countries around the world.  Alfie and Emilia are characters that children can relate to and the stories are engaging and adventurous. Each book also comes with two recipe cards, which for this book included “Zia’s Scallion Pancakes” and “Zia’s Shrimp Dumplings.”  There are currently five books in this series.  We highly recommend this book, as well as the first two and we will continue to read the rest of the series.

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My Mom Loves Me More Than Sushi

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My Mom Loves Me More Than Sushi by Filomena Gomes
Rating:  4 out of 5 stars

This picture book is a great way to  introduce children (and adults!) to different foods from around the world.  The little girl who narrates the story tells the reader that her mom loves her more than ____ (a different food around the world).  Each food named (sushi, biscotti, samosas, etc.) has an illustration of what the food looks like and a little, white flag with the name of the country it comes from.  For the most part, the foods are described well enough for the reader to get an idea of what the food is.  A map in the beginning and end of the book illustrates where each of the foods mentioned in the book comes from.  I see this book as being a great starting off point in cooking and trying new foods.  “Remember the biscotti from Italy that the girl and her mom ate?  Why don’t we try some?!”  There were foods mentioned in the book that I was unfamiliar with like canja and megadarra.  This book is illustrated, but could me more interesting and educational if actual photographs of the food were shown as well as flags of the different countries.

*We borrowed this book from the library.

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Children’s Books About Gardening

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Spring is officially here and the weather has finally started warming up.  That means it’s time to get ready to garden!  Here is a collection of books that we’ve read recently in preparation.  This year we will be creating home-made earth boxes and doing some other container gardening, for lack of space.  If you need a little gardening inspiration, here are some children’s books that we recommend!

Board Books:

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Planting a Rainbow by Louis Ehlert
Rating:  4 out of 5 stars

This classic picture book is now in board book as well!  The child narrator describes the process of planting a rainbow, starting with bulbs, ordering seeds, selecting seedlings and watching and waiting for the rainbow to grow!  The end of the book contains layered pages with different colored flowers.  Each flower is named.  This book has simple text and bright, colorful pictures.

We borrowed this book from the library.

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The Secret Garden:  A Flowers Primer by Jennifer Adams
Rating:  4 out of 5 stars

This is a colorful board book for very young children.  It’s a great introduction to flowers, with bright,  beautifully illustrated, flowers.  Each set of pages names the flower and contains a quote.  It’s simple yet captivating.

*We read this book at the book store.

Fiction Picture Books:

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The Imaginary Garden by Andrew Larsen
Rating:  3 out of 5 stars

Theodora, a.k.a. “Theo” visits her Poppa in his new apartment.  She loved the garden that he used to have at his old house.  While it’s too windy on his balcony for real flowers, she comes up with the idea to plant an imaginary garden.  Poppa buys a large canvas and the two spend time planning and then “planting” their garden.  My daughter felt “the story was just okay but the book has really pretty pictures of flowers.” I liked that the story focused on Theo and her Poppa sharing a memorable experience.  However,  I think even a city dweller with a balcony can have a small container garden and grow something.

*We borrowed this book from the library.

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Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! by Candace Fleming
Rating:  3 out of 5 stars

In this picture book, Mr. McGreely is excited to plant a garden.  As his garden grows, three bunnies come and “visit” every night eating his vegetables.  First Mr. McGreely builds a small wire fence.  But when that doesn’t work he tries building a wooden wall and finally a fortress around the garden.  He finally outsmarts those bunnies…..or hasn’t he?!!  This was an okay read for us.  Unfortunately, I can relate, but have to fight deer, instead of bunnies!

*We borrowed this book from the library.

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Strega Nona’s Harvest by Tomie dePaola
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Tomie dePaola brings back Strega Nona and Big Anthony in this picture book about gardening.  It is spring and Strega Nona takes out her seeds and gets ready plant this year’s garden.  She has special methods of gardening, including never planting seeds in the same spot, waiting until the full moon to plant the garden and singing a special song.  Big Anthony decides that he’s secretly going to plant his own garden as well.  Strega Nona’s garden brings a bounty of vegetables which she stores for the winter.  But Big Anthony’s garden also does very well and he leaves piles of vegetables outside Strega Nona’s door each night.  The rest of the town’s gardens didn’t do so well, so Strega Nona delivers vegetables and holds a Harvest Feast for everyone.  At the end of the book though, she still doesn’t know who has been leaving all of the vegetables!  dePaola is a well-known children’s author, with many children being familiar with Strega Nona and Big Anthony.  This story is a bit lengthy for very young children, who may not have the attention span to sit through the entire book.  There are several Italian words used throughout the book, but unfortunately, with no pronunciation guide!

*We borrowed this book from the library.

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Tops & Bottoms by Janet Stevens
Rating:  4 out of 5 stars

To help feed his hungry family, Hare comes up with a plan to become business partners with lazy Bear.  Hare and his family use Bear’s land to plant and harvest and the two split the profits.  This sounds agreeable to Bear until he discovers how sneaky Hare is.  When Bear gets tops and Hare gets bottoms Hare and his family get carrots, beets and radishes.  When Bear calls bottoms Hare gets lettuce, broccoli and celery.  This is a cute story that illustrates how different vegetables grow.

* We borrowed this book from the library.

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The Ugly Vegetables by Grace Lin
Rating:  4 out of 5 stars

This picture book is narrated by a young girl who doesn’t like that her mother’s garden looks different than all of her neighbors’ gardens.  They all have pretty flowers while her family’s garden grows ugly vegetables.  But when her mother uses the vegetables to make a tasty smelling soup that has all the neighbors stopping by, the girl’s feelings about her mother’s garden changes.  The author includes a picture glossary of the ugly vegetables that includes their pronunciation, definition, and the names written in Chinese characters. There is also a recipe for Ugly Vegetable Soup.

*We borrowed this book from the library.

Non-Fiction Books:

 

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Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This is a picture book biography about Will Allen, former professional basketball player turned farmer.  The book tells the story of how Allen took deserted greenhouses and turned them into a thriving garden.  He then went on to educate and teach others how to farm.  The book has an afterword that Allen giving young readers pointers in how they can help people around the world have “better, safer and healthier food to eat.”  He also invites them to visit Growing Power Farm, his urban farming project, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  The illustrations and the text in this book teach kids about the importance of urban gardening in a fun and easy to understand way.  It shows how believing in something and hard work can pay off.  I had actually not heard of Will Allen until we read this book.

*We borrowed this book from the library.

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Kid’s Container Gardening:  Year-round projects for inside and out by Cindy Krezel
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

This book starts with a quick introduction of what plants need to survive. Then, starting with spring, author Cindy Krezel provides four container gardening projects for each of the four seasons.  I liked that the list of supplies needed for each project was fairly short.  The directions for each project are simply written for kids  to follow, noting when parental assistance is needed.  A glossary of more advanced terms used in the book is provided at the end. Unfortunately, my daughter wasn’t interested in any of the projects and said she’d like to help  me when I do my gardening.

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The School Garden:  Reason with Shapes and Their Attributes by Sebastian Avery
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

This non-fiction book published by The Rosen Publishing Group is part of the Rosen Readers Common Core Math series.  This book focuses on geometry showing real-life application of skills needed to plan a garden.  The narrator describes the planning of a school garden.  Each class chooses a different size garden to plant and decides on different things to grow in their garden from flowers to vegetables to herbs.  Each set of pages shows how the garden is partitioned and uses fractions and different colors to illustrate.  The book has colorful  photographs and includes a glossary at the end.  This is a good book to reinforce fractions and shows how such skills are useful in “real life”  that can be used both at home or in the classroom.

*We borrowed this book from the library.

If you have any other recommendations for children’s books about gardening, please share in the comments section!  We are always on the look out for new books!

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Taste of Thailand Children’s Book Review

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Taste of Thailand (Secret World Adventure Team (SWAT) series) by Lisa Thompson
Rating:  4 out of 5 stars

Taste of Thailand is part of the Secret World Adventure Team (SWAT) series.  This is one of seven books in the Read-it! chapter book series published by capstone publishing.  The series has an interest level geared towards children in grades 2-4 and takes them on adventures in different countries throughout the world.

In Taste of Thailand, the reader follows Ben and Lulu as they are transported to Thailand in a mission to help chef Meh Dang prepare a special feast for the queen.  On the way to meeting chef Meh Dang the kids see masked dancers preparing for the party, street food vendors, Thai boxing, takraw and Buddhist temples.  Readers are introduced to all kinds of spices and ingredients used in Thai cooking like chilies, curries and coconut cream, as well as being introduced to foods like durian, curries and fried bananas.  The book includes black and white illustrations as well as photographs to help the reader get a clearer picture of the sites of Thailand.  It’s too bad that the photographs are in black-and-white, since Thailand is so colorful and beautiful.  A glossary is included in the back with definitions of many of the words used throughout the book that readers may be unfamiliar with.   My daughter found the book interesting since she learned about Thailand and “foods that we don’t have like durian and live shrimp that jump out of the bowl.”  Please note that this is the only book in the series that focuses on food.  While this is a short chapter book, I think it does a good job of capturing the essence of Thailand and the food, especially for young children who most likely know very little about this country.  We have read several other books in this series and recommend if your child is interested in learning about other countries and cultures.

*We borrowed this book from the library.

 

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Crepes by Suzette

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Crepes by Suzette
Written and illustrated by Monica Wellington
Rating:  5 out of 5 stars

In this picture book, readers are taken on a whirl-wind journey through the streets of Paris, France, as they accompany Suzette.  Suzette sells all different kinds of crepes from her little cart.  We first go to the market with Suzette where she buys the fruit for her crepes.  We then travel with her to the Luxembourg Gardens, along the River Seine, to the Louvre Museum, the Tuileries Gardens, the Opera, and the Eiffel Tower as she sells her crepes.  This book has so many layers that it takes more than a quick reading to appreciate them all.  First, the pictures in this book are mixed-media collages that consist of actual photographs, memorabilia including stamps and maps, as well as illustrations.   The kids really enjoyed looking at the pictures and all that was going on.  There’s a French phrase on each page with a glossary at the end that tells what the words and phrases mean.  While my high school French finally came in useful, the book unfortunately does not provide a pronunciation guide for those unfamiliar with the language.   The scenes in all the pictures of this book are based on real places in Paris, which are noted in the back of the book.  The illustrations of Suzette’s customers are all based on figures from famous paintings and sculptures by French artists and artists who lived and worked in France.  These include Vincent van Gogh’s “The Postman” Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” as well as Pablo Picasso’s “Three Musicians” among many.  A recipe for crepes is also included if you are interested in trying out these delicious treats!  The author was clever with the title of her book, naming the main character Suzette, one would assume after the famous French dessert Crepes Suzette.   This book really takes the reader on a cultural tour of Paris in a fun and engaging way.  The whole family read this book together and really enjoyed it.

 *This book was borrowed from the library.

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Chocolate Themed Reads for Kids

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While February is National Chocolate Month, there’s never a wrong time to eat…….I mean, read about chocolate!   If you haven’t realized it yet, we are a family of book lovers.  Below are reviews of  chocolate-themed books that we have read, as well as a list of additional chocolate-themed books that we found that may be of interest.   Please share in the comments any other chocolate themed kids books you’ve read!

Beginning Chapter Books:

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Snow Monsters Do Drink Hot Chocolate (The Bailey School Kids series, Jr. Chapter book) by Marcia Thornton Jones and Debbie Dadey
Rating:  2 out of 5 stars

Liza, Howie, Eddie and Melody are sledding and snowboarding when they meet an awesome snowboarder named Harry Snowden.  He’s covered in snow and ice and Howie thinks he’s an abominable snowman.  To warm up, Eddie’s grandmother takes the four kids to get hot chocolate (thus the “chocolate” part of the book) where they see Harry Snowden drinking milk shakes.  When sleigh riding another day, the kids test if Harry is a snow monster by giving him some hot chocolate.  This book has short chapter and a lot of illustrations, which is appealing for beginning chapter book readers.  Overall, this book did not really go anywhere but the kids enjoyed it.

*We own this book.

Chapter Books:

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Cam Jansen and the Chocolate Fudge Mystery  (Cam Jansen Mystery series #14) by David A. Adler
Illustrated by Susanna Natti
Rating:  3 out of 5 stars

Cam Jansen (real name Jennifer Jansen) and her friend Eric are selling chocolate fudge bars and rice cakes as a fundraiser (yes, a weird combination of items to be selling!).  While walking around the neighborhood, they notice a suspicious looking woman and a deserted looking house.  Of course the two end up being connected and with the help of Cam’s photographic memory (thus the “Cam” short for camera) Cam and Eric are able to help the police catch a bank thief.  Cam Jansen is a mystery series geared for younger readers (grades 2-4).  The series is over twenty years old though the covers have gotten an update.  This book had little to actually do with chocolate fudge.  As an adult, it seems unrealistic that two young kids would be able to stop a bank thief.  Nor, would you really want them to attempt to do so, nowadays?!!!

*We own this book.
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The Case of the Kidnapped Candy (A Jigsaw Jones Mystery, #30) by James Preller
Rating:  3 out of 5 stars

Jigsaw Jones is a mystery series aimed toward readers on a second grade reading level.  This book takes place around Valentine’s Day.  In celebration of the upcoming holiday and the end of their poetry unit, Ms. Gleason has a special surprise for the class.  However, the Hershey Kisses that were in a gumball machine on her desk are stolen.  Jigsaw and his friend Mila attempt to find the thief.  Since the class is studying poetry, the reader is introduced to what goes into writing a poem (sounds, rhythm, ideas, rhyme, etc.), gets to see different examples of poems that some of the students have written, learns what a haiku is, and learns how songs are poetry are related.  So, there’s more to this book than just the mystery.  This series also has short chapters and lots of pictures which are appealing to younger readers.

* We own this book.

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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Rating:  5 out of 5 stars

This book is a children’s classic in which Charlie Bucket wins a ticket to spend the day at Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory where many adventures occur. We read this as a family at bedtime a couple of years ago, when the kids were about 4 and 6.  While some of it may have been over their heads they enjoyed listening to the story.  We then watched the original movie version together.  We have also seen the updated version of the movie starring Johnny Depp. Since we own the book, the kids are able to reread this book if and when they want.

*We own this book.

The Chocolate-Covered Worms (It’s Robert! series) by Barbara Seuling (also published as Robert and the Chocolate-Covered Worms)
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

This short chapter book series is geared toward 2nd and 3rd grade readers. In this book, Robert’s teacher makes the class do projects on “The Weird and Horrible” after the class gets fascinated with weird and gross things.  Robert does his report on werewolves, while classmate Lucy does a report on unusual food and brings in a box of chocolate-covered worms for the class to try.

*We own this book.

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Chocolate Dreams  (Candy Fairy Series #1) by Helen Perelman
Rating:  3 out of 5 stars

In this first book in the Candy Fairy Series, Cocoa the Chocolate Fairy has been chosen by Princess Lolli to care for the first  spring chocolate eggs that will be used in the Egg Parade.  But after meeting up with some of her candy fairy friends, Cocoa goes back to the nest to find that the eggs are missing.  She has to get them back before the Egg Parade.  With the help of Princess Lolli the two outsmart Mogu, the troll, who stole the eggs.  While I wasn’t impressed with the book, I think young girls will enjoy reading about candy and the different candy fairies.

*We borrowed this book from the library.

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Chocolate Fever by Robert Kimmel Smith
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

This is another classic children’s book, first published in 1972.  Henry Green loves chocolate and eats it at all meals.  One day, he starts breaking out in chocolate spots.  Of course no one has seen such a sight before and the doctors at the hospital are fascinated with Henry and diagnose him with “Chocolate Fever.”.  Tired and afraid, Henry escapes the hospital and ends up catching a ride with truck driver Mac. The truck ends up getting hijacked by burglars but Henry and Mac luckily help get the burglars get arrested.   Eventually Alfred Cane, owner of a candy distributing center, helps Henry cure his chocolate fever.  Henry also learns to enjoy other foods without chocolate…..but replaces chocolate with a possible alternative ingredient.  Reading this book I think you can tell that it’s somewhat dated in the language and scenes.  However, I think the story itself has a good lesson.

*We own this book.

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Sweet Secrets in Pennsylvania (Just In Time series book #2) by Cheri Pray Earl and Carol Lynch Williams
Rating:  3 out of 5 stars

This is the second book in the Just In Time series by Cheri Pray Earl and Carol Lynch Williams.   We have not read the first book in the series, The Rescue Begins In Delaware, and this is one of the rare times with children’s books that I felt lost not reading a children’s series in order.   The reader is missing a large chunk of the back story of what happened to the main characters’, twins, George and Gracie, parents.  The parents are currently trapped in time and George and Gracie must return all the items that their parents had bought for the family museum, in order to help their parents get home.  In this book, George and Gracie must use the time machine to travel to Hershey, Pennsylvania in order to return a rug to Milton Hershey.  They must do this while avoiding the evil Mr. Crowe, who is following them and needs their help to get back to his time of 1879.  Unfortunately, if the kids help him, they may not be able to have their parents return.  The chapters are told  through the alternating perspectives of George and Gracie.  George is turned into a rat in this particular story (why?!!!) and in returning the rug they accidently help Milton Hershey come up with the recipe for his milk chocolate.  Although this is the first book in the series that we’ve read, this reminds me of “The Magic Tree House” series for older kids.  In the first book the kids traveled to Delaware and in this book the kids travel to Pennsylvania.  The end of the book is filled with information and facts about the state.  My eight year old daughter read this and found the book “interesting and exciting.”

*This book was borrowed from the library.

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Thea Stilton and the Chocolate Sabotage by Thea Stilton (Thea Stilton series #19)
Rating:  4 out of 5 stars

This book is the 19th in the Thea Stilton series.  As I mentioned in a Friday Favorites post, my six year-old son is a big fan of this series and the original series Geronimo Stilton.  In this book the Thea Sisters, Nicky, Colette, Violet, Paulina and Pamela travel to Ecuador to visit Paulina’s old school friend Antonio.  He runs a chocolate factory, Cocoa Loco, and invited Paulina and her friends down to visit.  The chocolate factory is in the running to receive the prestigious Chocolate Cup award.  But while the sisters are visiting, it appears that someone is sabotaging Antonio’s factory.  The sisters help Antonio and his cousin Hector find the culprit.  If you are unfamiliar with the Stilton books, I recommend you check a couple out.  Each page of text has words in different colors and fonts.  In this particular book, there were informational pages about the country of Ecuador, the market town of Otavalo and the city of Quito.  Another plus of this book is that children become familiar with organic farming, as Antonio does not use pesticides on his cacao beans.  And did I mention that in these books the characters are mice?!!! Parents may roll their eyes at all of the mouse/cheese/cat humor.  My son enjoys it though and it’s fun seeing him identify the author’s play on words (ex. from another Stilton book that he was reading “Mom, they said paw-cuffs since mice have paws, not hands!).

*This book was borrowed from the library.

Non-Fiction Books:

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No Monkeys, No Chocolate by Melissa Stewart and Allen Young
Rating:  4 out of 5 stars

This picture book gives an in-depth look at how chocolate is made.  Starting with the cocoa beans, the authors show how the survival of the cocoa tree is dependent on all different parts of nature, including monkeys, maggots, fungi, roots and leaves.  The text goes into detail that may not keep the interest of younger readers, however, two little talking worms at the bottom right corner of the pages offer humorous commentary.  Colorful illustrations accompany the text.

*This book was borrowed from the library.

We have compiled a list of other chocolate themed books below.  However, we have not read these books and have listed them for reference only.

Board Books:

Lilly’s Chocolate Heart by Kevin Henkes.  Lilly tries to find the perfect hiding place for her one chocolate heart.

Picture Books:

Chocolate Moose by Maggie Kneen.  Moose starts working in little mouse’s bakery but makes a big mess. He ends up finding a better job with little mouse instead.

Curious George Goes to a Chocolate Factory by H.A. Rey and Margret Rey.  George goes on a factory tour to see how chocolates are made but gets into trouble. 

Max’s Chocolate Chicken by Rosemary Wells.  Easter-themed book where Max wants to eat the chocolate chicken that has been placed in the well.  His sister Ruby wants him to go on an egg hunt first.

Chapter Books:

Cherry Crush by Cathy Cassidy (The Chocolate Box Girls series #1).  Set in the United Kingdom, Cherry moves with her dad to Somerset.  He has a dream of inventing artisan chocolate named The Chocolate Box and currently works in a chocolate factory.  The book focuses primarily on Cherry and her struggles with friendship and family. 

Chocolate-Covered Ants by Stephen Manes.  Adam receives ants for his birthday and his older brother Max bets him that people eat chocolate covered ants.  While carrying out the bet, problems occur. 

The Chocolate-Covered Contest by Carolyn Keene (Nancy Drew series #151).  At an amusement park, Nancy’s friend Bess opens a candy bar with the million dollar prize.  When they go to collect the prize they are told someone has already won and are accused of counterfeiting the wrapper. 

The Chocolate Sundae Mystery by Gertrude Chanlder (The Boxcar Children series #46).  When ice cream and other items start disappearing from the ice cream parlor, the Boxcar Children investigate.

The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling.   A twist on the tale King Midas and the Golden Touch, John Midas loves chocolate so much that he is thrilled when he gets the ability to turn everything he touches into chocolate.  He realizes this may be more of a curse when he accidentally turns his mother into chocolate.

The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop by Kate Saunders. Twins Oz and Lily move into the family inherited Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop magical adventures await them. 

Non-Fiction Books:

DK Readers:  The Story of Chocolate by C.J. Polin.  (beginning reader – Level 3)  Facts and information about chocolate with photographs and a glossary. 

Totally Triffic Chocolate by Alan MacDonald. (chapter book)  Chapter book filled with everything you wanted to know about chocolate. 

Have you read any of these books?  Or do you have more chocolate themed books for us to add to our list?

The Most Disgusting Foods On The Planet

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The Most Disgusting Foods On The Planet by John Perritano
Rating:  4 out of 5 stars

With the not-so-new anymore Common Core Standards, there is a big push for students to be reading more non-fiction books.  For the reluctant reader, I think just the title of this book will help interest them.  This book is part of the Capstone Press “Disgusting Stuff” series.  Other titles in the series include The Most Disgusting Animals, Jobs and Places on the Planet.

The book begins with the author noting that different cultures have different food practices.  Some foods that we may think are gross may be considered delicious to them.  This book has six chapter that include topics such as bugs, soups, drinks and even disgusting desserts.  While the book is thin it is not a beginning reader book as the text is small.  It is aimed towards 3rd and 4th grade readers, but will interest both younger and older readers.  Each page is accompanied by real photographs.  More difficult words are defined on the page and there are occasional facts and additional information boxes provided throughout.  Chicken butts, cow urine cola and poo coffee will surely be of interest to some readers!  Maybe even have your child read this to you.  Even I learned some new things from this book.

*This book was borrowed from the library. 

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