If You Were Me and Lived in Germany

If You Were Me and Lived in…Germany by Carole P. Roman; illustrations by Kelsea Wierenga  35 pages

I have reviewed several other books (there are at least 20) in Carole P. Roman’s “A Child’s Introduction to Culture Around the World” series and have found them interesting, accessible and informative.  This installment takes kids, and their parents, to Germany.

Roman starts with a very short synopsis about the country and the how kids might have gotten their names…but only lists the top three in each gender, a visit to the grandparents’ home and a visit from an aunt and uncle. The family takes the aunt and uncle sightseeing, which makes them hungry. The food is always my favorite part of these little gems. Reader’s parents can expand their child’s knowledge of learning about the German culture is to have a German night and serve German food one night. And now I have a craving for apfelstrudel (apple strudel).  After a few more adventures, the child is required to write a report on five important facts about Germany. This is a perfect way to give the reader information in a creative way.

The illustrations, by Kelsea Wierenga, are well-done, but not overly exciting.

 “If You Were Me and Lived in…Germany” receives 4 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.

Please Bury Me in the Library

Please Bury Me in the Library by J. Patrick Lewis; illustrated by Kyle M. Stone  32 pages

 As I was sauntering through the St. Louis Public Library the other day, the title and cover art of this book caught my eye. Before I was able to pluck it from the shelf, I was already rethinking my decision to be cremated when my time comes. However, realizing that this would never be possible, I simply walked to the Issue Desk and checked it out.

I was expecting a little story of a mouse (after all that is the critter on the cover) who loved to read and seldom ventured outside the library’s walls.  The critter was at home in the shelves of all the various genres and subject. Imagine my surprise when I finally opened the cover and found a delightful little book of poetry (and considering that it’s April and National Poetry Month, it seemed like destiny).

Inside are 15 delightful, humorous poems that made me smile. My absolute favorite is the title poem, as I believe that being buried in the library would be its own paradise.  “Please Bury Me in the Library” receives 5 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.

When the Library Lights Go Out

 

When the Library Lights Go Out by Megan McDonald and Katherine Tillotson   40 pages

It’s night time at the library. All the people have gone home, and it’s very, very quite. Well, except for Lion’s snoring. 

Rabbit can’t sleep; he wants to go an adventure! Lion won’t wake up. He digs deeper in puppet box, looking for Hermit Crab. He wants Hermit Crab to tell him a “get-sleepy story.”  But he can’t find Hermit Crab.

Rabbit looks all over the Library, but he can’t find Hermit Crab. He makes enough noise to wake up Lion. By now, Rabbit knows that Hermit Crab is G-O-N-E or L-O-S-T! Lion and Rabbit begin to explore the library in search of their friend.

A cute little story, I was attracted to it because of Rabbit, who is just adorable, and I work in a library.  I think it could have been a little deeper, therefore “When the Library Lights Go Out” receives 3 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.