Cupcake Surprise!

Cupcake Surprise! by Lynn Maslen Kertell
Illustrated by Sue Hendra
Published by Scholastic
2012

     Today is Jack and Ana's dad's birthday and they have decided to surprise him and bake some cupcakes.  They find the cookbook, gather the ingredients and along the way they have a couple of unexpected surprises of their own.
     Cupcake Surprise! is an early reader book, a new addition to the BOB books family.  The book has easy to sound-out words, sight words, and simple sentences. The story is engaging and offers many opportunities to check comprehension skills along the way, as well as sequencing and  predicting activities.  The back of the book has 16 cut out flash cards to practice vocabulary and fluency.  Great addition to the early reader libraries at home and in the K-1 classrooms.

Happy Pig Day!

Happy Pig Day! by Mo Willems
Illustrated by Mo Willems
Published by Hyperion Books
2011

     Piggie is beyond excited. She runs to her friend Gerald to share with him the thrilling news: "Today is the best day of the year!"  It's Happy Pig Day! Gerald had never heard of such a day, so Piggie explains how you get to sing and dance, eat pig food, and play pig games. She's even brought some of her friends along to celebrate.  But how can Gerald, an elephant, join in all the fun? He doesn't look anything like a pig!
     Once again, Mo Willems has given us a delightful early reader, full of clever dialogue, overly dramatic line deliveries and tons of fun.  Happy Pig Day! is a wonderful reminder of finding ways to celebrate the joy of friendship.  I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again: Don't miss the Elephant and Piggie books!
   

Aggie Gets Lost

Aggie Gets Lost by Lori Ries
Illustrated by Frank W. Dormer
Published by Charlesbridge
2011

     Ben took his dog Aggie for a walk in the park.  He took the leash off to play fetch and threw his red ball as far as he could.  Aggie went running after it and Ben lost sight of her.  He waited and waited, but Aggie never came back. His parents helped him look for her, made signs and called the neighbors, but that night Ben went to bed sad, not knowing if he would ever see his adored dog again.  When he returned to the park the next day, a blind man showed him how to see with his other senses, and soon enough Ben heard the calls coming from Aggie, deep in the forest.
     Aggie Gets Lost is organized in three short chapters: The Bad Day, The Awful Night, and Found! What I found to be special about Aggie Gets Lost is that it is an early reader book, with simple text, but nevertheless, it captures the pain and feelings of loss that someone who looses a pet faces.  Excellent addition to any Early Reader's library.