I Don't Believe It, Archie

I Don't Believe It, Archie
By: Andrew Norriss
128 Pages
Ages: 7-10

Summary:
Life is anything but predictable and boring for Archie. You never know what will happen. However, you do know that if you hadn't seen it with your own eyes, you wouldn't have believed it.

Every day it's something new. From a piano delivery going wrong, to being mistaken for a kidnapped boy who looks just like him, to getting his hands glued to the library door handles. The possibilities are endless.

Now you get to spend a week with Archie. On Monday you'll see the craziness that involves a piano, a little girl stuck in a car, and tons of stones. On Tuesday you will see a misunderstanding involving Archie and a dog take one bizarre turn after another. Wednesday will have an innocent trip to the library end up with a protest involving superglue. On Thursday, a case of mistaken identity will occur. Friday will show you how a toy rescue involves a real lion and a real leopard. On Saturday will interrupt a real robbery when he tries to watch a staged robbery. When Sunday arrives, while it pails in comparison to the other days, chaos arrives no less.

If you like to laugh and giggle while you read a book, then this is the book for you. I Don't Believe It, Archie was fun from cover to cover. Children will love seeing all the crazy things that find Archie.

Star Wars Jedi: Volume 1 The Dark Side

Okay all you Star Wars fans. A new graphic novel has hit the bookstores and Kids Korner has enlisted our resident Star Wars reviewer to tell you what you should know about it. We present to you...

Star Wars Jedi: Volume 1 The Dark Side

120 Pages

Ages: Teen & Up

Star Wars: Jedi is a graphic novel (compilation of comic books) that takes place in the Star Wars time line before Episode 1. In Jedi, we follow Qui-Gon Jinn and his padawan learner, Xanatos, who are paired with another Jedi master and another padawan. The group must travel to Xanatos' home world of Telos IV where a political assassination must be investigated. Once there, the group is attacked and ambushed, all the while Xanatos must face his biggest trial: choosing between his birth family and his Jedi family.

Jedi is fast-paced, illustrated well, and informative for background knowledge of the characters. It gives more detailed information about the life lessons and struggles between Qui-Gon and the padawan he had before Obi-Wan Kenobi, Xanatos, whom we first really see in the second book in the young adult series Jedi Apprentice. The plot is well thought out, the character interaction is good, and you get to see a younger Mace Windu, with hair! The writing leaves the ending open for future volumes, which, if you are like me, you always want more Star Wars. Anyone interested in Star Wars graphic novels should take a look at collecting this at book stores.



Mrs. Noodlekugel

Mrs. Noodlekugel

By: Daniel Pinkwater

72 Pages

Ages: 5-10

Summary:

What sort of person lives in a small cottage surrounded by tall buildings? What kinds of wondrous things happen there? Find out when you read Mrs. Noodlekugel.

Nick and Maxine live in a tall apartment building. All around them are tall buildings. So imagine their surprise when they notice a small house in the backyard of their building. Curiosity gets the better of them and they go investigate.

As they walk through the gate of the house, they see normal things. There's the birdbath, statues, flowers... and a skinny black cat that talks. Not only does Mr. Fuzzface talk, but he bakes and plays the piano, as well.

Now, if that doesn't surprise you, just wait until you attend one of her tea parties. Among the guests will be you, Mr. Fuzzface, Mrs. Noodlekugel, and 4 farsighted mice. And be come prepared for anything but a normal baking time when she invites you to bake gingerbread mice cookies.

Mrs. Noodlekugel is such a fun, charming read. The way the ordinary becomes the extraordinary will capture readers of all ages. I loved meeting her and spending an afternoon with her. I hope this is the first of a new series, because I would lover to have further adventures with Mrs. Noodlekugel.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again!

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again

By: Frank Cottrell Boyce

214 Pages

Ages: 9-12

The Tooting children are on Summer Vacation and Dad has just lost his job due to his fingers being too big. When Dad's "home improvements" don't work out well, Mom Tooting beings home an old 1966 camper van that is literally falling apart. The idea is to get it up and running, then travel the world in it.

When Dad and Jem take the car for a spin, they realize a little fixing is in need before the world travels can begin. A visit to the auto parts place leads to a discovery that changes everything. Dad finds an old, big engine in a tree. It still works, so the new discovery is put into the camper van. Soon the family is en route to Paris, among other places.

Wacky adventures await the Tootings at each destination. The family discovers that they aren't driving the car, but the car is driving them. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang lands them on top of the Eiffel Tower, in front of the Sphinx, and even plunges them underwater. The question is: what is Chitty Chitty Bang Bang up to?

Kids will enjoy the cute adventures. A little bit of history is thrown in at each destination, so it's a fun way to learn about famous places. It was a cute book.

Isabella: Girl On The Go

Isabella: Girl On The Go

By: Jennifer Fosberry

32 Pages

Ages: 4-8

RELEASE DATE: February 1, 2012

Isabella's Daddy has a list of jobs to be done around the backyard. She can't help him because she is busy with her numerous own jobs. Astronomer, painter, and other careers keep Isabella on her toes. Going all over the world with such jobs helps her decide where her favorite place to be is.

I loved this book. I plan to buy this book for my own daughters. Isabella has such a wonderful imagination and she was a joy to read. I look forward to reading more about this charming character in the future.

Rating: Buy It!

Scaredy Squirrel

Scaredy Squirrel

By: Melanie Watt

42 Pages

Ages: 4-8

Scaredy Squirrel has never left his tree. No, he's too afraid of what the unknown could have in store. So in his tree, Scaredy is content to stay. But, should he encounter a green martian, a shark, poison ivy, a killer bee, or germs, Scaredy always has a firm hold of his emergency kit. However, one day, a bee flies into his tree. In his shock, Scaredy drops his trusty safety kit. But, when Scaredy jumps after his kit, he learns he can fly.

This book was adorable. I think young kids will love Scaredy and enjoy his story of bravery. I loved this pictures, as they brought the cute story to a whole new level. Scaredy Squirrel is a great way to show children the fun that awaits them when they try something new.

Scaredy Squirrel is the first of several books about this adorable little guy. I look forward to reading more of the adventures he has.

Stealing Magic: A 68 Room Adventure

Stealing Magic: A 68 Room Adventure

By: Marianne Malone

243 Pages

Ages: 8-12

Summary:

Ruthie and Jack thought that their adventures in the Thorne Rooms were over . . . until miniatures from the rooms start to disappear. Is it the work of the art thief who's on the loose in Chicago? Or has someone else discovered the secret of the Thorne Rooms' magic? -- bn.com

The Art Institute Museum in Chicago has had it's share of excitement, and there's more to come. Ruthie and Jack are the children a box of artist Edmund Bell's work. They also found the magic that allows them to shrink and wander the miniature rooms of the Art Institute. When pieces of the rooms begin to disappear and affect the rooms magic, they go in search of answers. What they find is one adventure after another and walks through history.

In the Paris Room, they meet Louise and her family. Being Jewish, they are beginning to feel the rumblings of of Pre-World War II in 1937. Knowing the fate that lies in the years to come, Ruthie and Jack race against time to get the family out of Paris. Do they succeed?

The pair meet Phoebe in the Charleston room. It's Pre-Civil War time, and Phoebe is a slave. Can they do anything for her?

While doing what they can for Louise and Phoebe, the pair also have to find out who is stealing things from the different rooms. Will it be someone they know? Can they return what's been stolen and restore the magic?

This is an absolutely delightful read. Your imagination will have a blast as you read one page after another. Marianne Malone takes you on one adventure after another while making you feel like you're right there among the characters. She turns history into a backdrop and pulls you in before you even know what's hit you.