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.

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.

Being a Captain is Hard Work: A Captain No Beard Story

Being a Captain is Hard Work: A Captain No Beard Story by Carole P. Roman, Illustrated by Bonnie LeMaire   60 pages

In this 10^th episode of the series, Captain No Beard is in a hurry to get to Dew Rite Volcano. He’s in such a hurry that he doesn’t listen to his crew.

Mongo warns the captain about the dark clouds on the horizon.

Zach is trying to raise the flag, but the wind is getting stronger. He’s not sure the flag should be hoisted in such bad weather.

Polly is sent to the galley to make but squawks about the impending storm.

The rest of the crew is hard at work, too.

But Captain No Beard doesn’t care. He doesn’t listen to his crew. And before long, the storm Mongo first warned about is tossed the Flying Dragon around like autumn leaves. There is almost a fire in the galley and he almost loses Zach.

The illustrations are gorgeous. I love the Cloud Key, which identified the various clouds. Who knew there 10 types of clouds? I found only one problem: lack of diversity. Oh yes there were animals and people, but Roman missed a teachable opportunity. The lack of color made the teamwork the crew demonstrated and the lesson the captain learned weak and constricting. That’s why I gave Being a Captain is Hard Work 4 out of 5 stars.