Children's Books Review Roundup

Princess Madeline and the Dragon
After a season of battle and rebuilding, the Kingdom of Soron is exhausted. With the return of the exiled wizards, the Spring Faire, and her upcoming wedding, Princess Madeline is looking forward to a peaceful season of celebration. When the mysterious green dragon reappears, threatening the kingdom and the king, Princess Madeline and Prince Braden won’t rest for long.

Faced with this incredible new danger, Princess Madeline and Prince Braden must find a way to lead their kingdom and secure their future. Can they find the answers hidden within their mother’s cryptic messages from the past, or will the dragon destroy everything they hold dear? 

Follow Princess Madeline as she embarks on a dangerous new adventure to save her kingdom and her family.

My Review:
This is by far one of my favorite series EVER for kids.  This is the 3rd book in the trilogy.  This is a clean series that is free of profanity and sexual situations.  This is a series that is also a smart book.  Which means to me, that the author does not dumb down the story line or situations.  She allows the reader to use their imaginations and allows them to see the good and bad in the world.  There is something for everyone in this series!!!  Pulioff is a natural storyteller.  This series is a gift she has given to her readers.  I am so glad their are authors out there writing stories like this.  Pulioff is a force to be noticed and has set the bar high in this genre!  5 stars

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The Lonely Lake Monster
Pearl doesn't mean to be a troublemaker. Trouble just seems to find her.
Pearl Petal and Ben Silverstein can't wait for their first official day as apprentices of Dr. Woo, veterinarian for imaginary creatures. That is, until they are tasked with clipping the sasquatch's toenails. Gross!

Then Pearl spots a monster in the lake behind the hospital. Even though they were told not to leave the building for any reason, Pearl sets off for a closer look, with Ben trailing cautiously behind.
The outing goes awry when Ben is captured by the creature and held hostage on an island in the middle of the lake. It's up to Pearl to hatch a rescue mission. Will she save the day or cement her reputation as the town troublemaker? And will the hospital's secret patient be able to help?
Suzanne Selfors takes readers on an incredible adventure full of mythical creatures and astonishing discoveries that are anything but imaginary.

My Review: 
This is a quirky and fun book (the second in the series).  This book sparks imagination and mystery in your young reader.  There are some great elements to this book; fun creatures, mystery and some nice lessons. They have such an engaging story...my boys and I cannot get enough of this series.  There is another book coming out in July and we are biting at the bit to get our hands on it!!!  Pearl and Ben are such great characters that any child can relate to.  This is the best of this genre.  Clean, great story, great characters and a series that keep you wanting more.  5 stars

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The Secret Dinosaur
On a trip to a museum Marlin Maxton discovers a forgotten room with a dusty old dinosaur display. To his astonishment and delight his interest sparks the huge models into life! These are dinosaurs for today - life sized animals and metal machines combined. They are as awesome as their prehistoric predecessors - and best of all they befriend Marlin. 

Together boy and dinosaurs embark on a series of thrilling adventures - the first being to protect them from the immediate danger of hunting humans. Some adults believe these animals are a menace to be destroyed - and Marlin is the only protection they have.

With exciting illustrations throughout, this dinosaur book is perfect to engage and encourage independent and newly independent young readers moving fully into chapter books. It is also a delightful story to read aloud to younger dinosaur fans. 

It combines action and adventure with dinosaurs in both urban and rural settings - in these books, the dinosaurs are the heroes!

This is Book 1 in a series.

AN EXTRACT FROM THE BOOK.......

"Marlin woke up suddenly. It was the middle of the night and there was a noise outside his window. He sat up and blinked. He was dreaming. No! There it was again! 
TAP...TAP TAP...TAP...
He slipped out of bed and crept over to the curtains. The floor was cold under his feet and the air was chilly but he hardly noticed. He reached out with one finger and nudged a crack in the curtains.
WOOOOSH!
Something very fast flashed past - silver in the moonlight - and was gone. Marlin jumped back, his heart racing. "What was that?!" He edged forwards again. He pulled the curtains open wider this time and peered out. At first he saw nothing, but then he noticed the strange marks on the lawn. All over, the grass was churned up and muddy as if something heavy had been racing around on it. Then he saw it. A creature standing at the end of the garden. Just under the apple tree, next to the back garden gate, was a little silver dinosaur with a long whip tail and a slender neck. It cocked its head to one side, blinked and looked right at him.
There was no mistaking it.
It was one of the Troodons from the museum."

My Review: 
This is a great book for children starting to read chapter books.  It has a great story, with short chapters and black and white pictures which keep the children engaged.  My boys loved reading this books with me and are looking forward to reading the others in the series. 4 stars

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Pink Flamingos All Around
Dr. Matthew J. Anderson, a flamingo expert, brings us this fantastic frolic full of fabulous flamingos -- Pink Flamingos All Around. This educational and entertaining book is targeted for pre-K children.

My Review:
This is a great book for so many reasons.  It is cute and original, a great early reader book and a PERFECT book for me to create a lesson plan around for my Art Through Stories class.   The pictures are adorable.  My kids and I really enjoyed this book!  I think this is a MUST for kids who want something that is new and exciting! 5 stars

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