Mr. Mutt should be Dr. Mutt, as he gives multiple dogs multiple solutions to their problem. Some of his solutions are 'small dogs use teamwork,' big dogs 'look on the countertop,' and 'bark when you are told to and get the treats.' Dogs write Mr. Mutt about their problems, usually about what people expect of them. These dogs are discouraged, but Mr. Mutt tries to give them advice that will help them. Cats are also discussed as part of a dog's life. What do you think of Mr. Mutt's solutions to the dogs' problems? Also, there are pictures of things to find in the book, such as pink bunny ears, paper clips and tennis balls.

Awards nominated: Monarch Award Nominee 2011

Reviewed by: cj

Date read: 4/5/2010

ISBN-10: 0152046283

ISBN-13: 9780152046286

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The buccaneer bunnies who sail the Salty Carrot are bad, bad bunnies indeed. Barnacle Black Ear, the captain, is the baddest of them all, but his son Henry is a disappointment. Henry would rather read than shout, 'Shiver Me Timbers!' or make prisoners walk the plank. None of the pirates appreciate Henry's love for books until the Salty Carrot is lost in a sudden storm and they need Henry's knowledge to survive.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 6/8/2009

ISBN-10: 0763624497

ISBN-13: 9780763624491

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Born into slavery, Henry experiences the heartache of seeing his wife and children sold to other owners. Henry wants to live as a free man, but how can he get to a place where there are no slaves? One day, Henry has an idea. He will mail himself in a large wooden box from Richmond to Philadelphia. Two men help him into the box, nail on the cover, and then Henry's journey begins. The box travels on trains and a steamboat, and sometimes Henry is upside down or sideways, unable to move in the small box! After 27 hours, he arrives in Philadelphia and is helped out of his box. Henry is now a free man! The beautiful illustrations convey the story of this picture book.

Awards nominated: Bluestem 2011

Awards won: Caldecott Honor Book 2008

Reviewed by: msp

Date read: 6/17/2010

ISBN-10: 043977733X

ISBN-13: 9780439777339

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Harry wants a friend, but all the animals he talks to are in too much of a hurry to be friends with a tortoise. Finally, he meets snail! They play slow races, heads in and heads out, and other slow games. This book has gorgeous illustrations, and it reassures us that there is a friend for everyone.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/28/2009

ISBN-10: 0763618020

ISBN-13: 9780763618025

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With bright, eye-catching colors perfect for young eyes, this picture book tells in few words the story of a little girl swinging on swing set. She keeps telling her father, 'Higher, Higher!' and as she swings, she swings as high as a giraffe, a tall building, a mountain, and finally into space, where she encounters a cute, green alien who is also swinging. She gives him a high-five, and then slowly returns to the ground where her father hugs her. Even the youngest children will love the illustrations, and older preschoolers will enjoy the silly concept of swinging so high that you encounter mountains, planes, and aliens.

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 6/4/2010

ISBN-10: 0763632414

ISBN-13: 9780763632410

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