John and El's Favorite Books

The bears' picks for best books: August 2001
These titles should be available at your local library.

cover
buy the book
in the
US or UK
The Stray Dog by Marc Simont,  
illustrated by Reiko Sassa

The children name the scruffy little dog they find at the picnic. They spend the next week wondering about him until the weekend arrives again and they find out just where Willy really belongs.

 

cover
buy the book
in the
US or UK

Beware of the Storybook Wolves by Lauren Child

The stories Mom reads to Herb are a bit hairy and scary but end "happy-ever-afterly" so it's OK, until…  she leaves the fairy tale books in the room at night after their bedtime story session. When the wolves appear Herb quickly convinces them that little boys are dessert and that they must find something else for dinner first, but it is only the beginning of his harrowing adventure.

cover
buy the book
in the
US or UK

We're Going on a Lion Hunt by David Axtell

Two sisters swish, swash through the tall grass; splish, splash through the lake; and squish, squash through the swamp. For a new twist on an old favorite, try this exciting rendition set in the vibrant African savanna.

cover
buy the book
US only

Big Talk by Paul Fleischman
illustrated by Beppe Giacobbe

Three poems for four voices make big talk. Follow the color coded lines in this rollicking read-aloud for some "toe-tapping, tongue-flapping fun!"

 

cover
buy the book
in the
US or UK

Dancing in the Wings by Debbie Allen
illustrated by Kadir Nelson

Sassy's been waiting in the wings to dance since she was little. This ugly duckling story about a tall girl with big feet and lots of attitude, who wants to dance in the spotlight, is a real winner.

 

For more book reviews, click here!

All of our book reviews are written by respected children's librarian
Barbara Lintner of the Urbana Free Library in Urbana, IL.  AKA, Natalie's Mom.


Back to Bear Tales


All backgrounds and graphic elements
© 1999/2000 by Natalie Lintner
No work may be "borrowed" without permission
cover art used by permission from Amazon.com