Category: Children’s Book Reviews

The Snatchabook, written and Illustrated by Helen and Thomas Docherty, is a perfect story book to begin the new school year.

If you would like to read a quaint, little fantasy and stay within the mystery genre, this book is definitely for you and your children or students.

Who’s stealing all the stories?

Who is snatching all the bedtime stories from the inhabitants of Burrow Down?

Eliza Brown, a clever, little rabbit, is desperate to solve this mystery when her bedtime book suddenly disappears during story time one night. However, she isn’t the only one. Suddenly, all the little critters of Burrow Down are missing their books as well.

Not wanting to go without a bedtime story, Eliza decides to set out to discover just who is behind this mystery. That is, until she runs face to face with a Snatchabook, a furry little fairy-like creature who is so desperate for a bedtime story that he decides to snatch everyone’s books for his very own.

Wonder how ideas for such awesome books like this come about? Watch Helen and Thomas Docherty discuss the idea for this adorable read.

A must read aloud. The rhythm and rhyme of this treasure will lure even the most reluctant reader deep into its snatches. If this adorable storyline wasn’t enough, the drawings are supreme. The illustrations utilize the colors Dr. Seuss was so famous for, but with a modern twist of enchantment.

If you have ever wondered what Dr. Seuss’ stories would be like in the modern world of children’s literature, then this is a must read. The author and illustrator team of Helen and Thomas Docherty takes Dr. Seuss’ work to a whole new level, delivering his dream of what great children’s literature should be.

Now, for some awesome fun, DOWNLOAD Thomas Docherty’s guide on how to draw your own Snatchabook. Click below.

The Snatchabook is a must-read for every parent, homeschool mom and dad, elementary teacher, and children’s librarian.

Want more? Please visit Helen Docherty’s Website.

Genre: Fantasy, Mystery

Best Attribute: Rhythm and Rhyme

Accelerated Reader Level 3.3

Be sure to stop by your local library or bookstore and grab your copy today.

Would you love for your students to learn how to write a book review similar to the one above? If so, click the link below to grab your Persuasive Writing Activity – Write a Book Review from our Teacher Pay Teacher’s Store today!

Have Fun, Molly Lou Melon is a splendid book to read to your children or students in order to encourage ingenuity and resourcefulness!

In our modern world of technological gadgets galore, it is so difficult to convince our young ones to use their imagination in order to create their own joy. However, this incredible book, Have Fun, Molly Lou Melon, does just that.

Molly Lou Melon is a darling little girl who decides to not only listen to the advice her grandmother dispenses but to put it into action. For example, when her grandmother tells her, “Back in the olden days, I didn’t have a store-bought dollhouse. I made one in my backyard,” Molly does just that. However, Molly goes a couple of steps further and turns an entire tree into a dollhouse, doing something her grandmother never dreamed of.

Her grandmother’s advice further sparks Molly Lou Melon’s fancy as she takes creative play to a whole new level, from the creation of a gigantic and colorful cardboard box racecar to a “Sky Wide” TV that can only be viewed through the clouds.

If Patti Lovell’s writing wasn’t fantastic enough, David Catrow’s pencil and watercolor illustrations bring the story to life even further through its detailed packed whimsical drawings. Children will have a fantastic time discovering all of the different details Catrow adds to this wonderful work of literature.

For more information about Patti Lovell and Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon, click below.

For more information about David Catrow, click below as well.

After a couple of reads and illustration explorations, my students discovered that Gertie, Molly Lou’s new, reluctant friend, has leg braces, which further deepens the plot of the story. Furthermore, the artistic creation of Molly Lou herself would make any child want to jump in and make Molly Lou his or her new BFF, as well.

Not only is this a definite must-read, but this book makes an awesome resource for STEAM projects for any elementary teacher who would like to add literature to creative discovery.

Best Attribute: STEAM and Literature connection

Accelerated Reader Level 3.4

Be sure to stop by your local library or bookstore and grab your copy today.

Would you love for your students to learn how to write a book review similar to the one above? If so, click the link below to grab your Persuasive Writing Activity – Write a Book Review from our Teacher Pay Teacher’s Store today!