The Lion and the Swallow written and illustrated by Marianne Dubuc, Enchanted Lion Books, 2014.

Recommended for ages 3-8

One autumn day, a lion working in his garden finds an injured bird.“You’re welcome to stay with me,” Lion assures Bird.  Over the winter Lion nurses  Bird back to health and the two share the comforts of Lion’s home and the wonders of the seasons.  When spring returns so do Bird’s feathered friends and, after consulting with an understanding Lion, Bird rejoins his flock. Lion returns home,  lonely but philosophical, musing "And so it goes, sometimes life is like that.” But autumn returns, and as the birds begin their annual migration to warmer climes, Lion wonders if he’ll see his old friend. Suddenly,  Lion hears a chirp (brilliantly illustrated with a single musical note on an otherwise blank two-page spread).  Bird has returned for the winter. “Together, we’ll stay warm again this winter,” Lion assures Bird, as the two settle in the house under a starlit sky dominated by a crescent moon.

Dubuc’s story of a lion who finds and helps an injured bird is a classic story of friendship set against the cycle of the year. The simplicity and spareness of her narrative and the flat, muted color illustrations give it a fable like quality, rendering the story timeless. Dubuc’s layout of the illustrations is remarkable.

Read my full review and find out more abou the author and illustrator at Good Reads with Ronna.

Series Review:

The Timmy Failure series written and illustrated by Stephen Pastis and published by Candlewick Press.

Recommended for ages 8-12.

Introducing “the greatness that is Timmy Failure,” world class detective.

Move over Inspector Jacques Clouseau, author/illlustrator Stephan Pastis has created your youthful equivalent in a humorous series about an overly-confident and hilariously clueless detective who  dreams of taking his neighborhood detective agency global. Unfortunately there are some obstacles: his mother-who insists he goes to school, school-where he’s not doing so well, Rollo-his less than brilliant best friend, and Total- his 1500 pound polar bear partner. A polar bear for a partner? Yes, after hooking up with Timmy, Total  insisted that the agency name start with his. Hence the less than inspirational  agency name of “Total Failure.” (Timmy Fayleure’s name was changed to Failure).

See my full review at Good Reads with Ronna

Big Nate; Great Minds Think Alike

By Lincoln Peirce

Andrews Mcmeel Publishing, 2014

$9.99 (paperback), recommended for ages 8-12.

That mischievous boy with a winning personality is back in a new compilation of colorful comic strips. Nate has a lot of big ideas for fun and achieving greatness and tries his hand at Sudoku, life skills coaching, painting, business, and a world record holder-of anything (the only record he holds is for detention).

Big Nate fans will be pleased to see favorite characters from past volumes: his clueless dad; Mrs. Godfrey, his strict teacher; teacher’s pet, Gina; and Nates best buddies, Frances and Teddy.

See my full review at Good Reads with Ronna, which includes a link to the author's web site and a YouTube video.

Comics Squad: Recess

Written and/or illustrated by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm, Dan Santat, and others. Random House Books for Young Readers, July 8, 2014. Recommended for ages 7-10.

"WARNING: this book may cause excessive laughter and possible silliness

This lively and humorous collection of eight novellas that is Comics Squad: Recess! features comic strip style stories by well-known author and/or illustrators such as Gene Luen Yang, Dav Pilkey, Jarrett J. Krosoczka and Raina Telgemeier. Popular characters like Babymouse and Lunch Lady make their appearance and new characters are introduced. All the stories are tied together by one theme: recess, one of the high points of the school day (second only to dismissal time!).

See my full review at Good Reads with Ronna

The Girl Who was Supposed to Die

by April Henry. Henry Holt and Co., 2013

She wakes up on a rough dirt floor in a remote cabin with the taste of blood in her mouth and two of her fingernails ripped out.  She doesn't know who she is, where she is, or how she got there. She doesn't know why two strange men want to kill her, but she does know she needs to get out of there fast. So begins Henry's dramatic novel of a young teen who has lost her memory and is caught up in chilling story of sanity, murder, biological warfare--and a little romance. Henry's intense, first person narrative and action packed drama move the story at a breathless pace, keeping readers at the edge of their seats. Recommended for grades 7 and up, this novel will engage reluctant teen readers as well as those who love suspense and action. To learn more about the author and her books visit April Henry, Writer.