Woods in the Books Blog — Elf Reads

Book Review: Love That Dog by Sharon Creech

Book Review: Love That Dog by Sharon Creech

If that is a poem about the red wheelbarrow and the white chickens then any wordscan be a poem.You've just got tomakeshortlines. Written ostensibly as a class diary, Love That Dog is a simple and brilliant introduction to the nuts and bolts of poetry. Its author, Jack, begins his journal entirely opposed to writing any poems of his own. Then he begins to journal his reactions to the poetry that Miss Stretchberry introduces during class and as he does so he begins to discover what it is about poetry that makes it so special. It's a one-sided dialogue between a...

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Book Review: Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

Book Review: Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

Julián LOVES mermaids. There are mermaids on the train one day when Julián and his abuela are on their way home. Fascinated and inspired, Julián goes the rest of the way home imagining himself as a mermaid with a colourful tail and long flowing locks of hair. When his abuela leaves him on his own, Julián turns his imagination into reality as best he can -- he borrows lipstick, he plucks leaves and flowers for hair, and he takes down the curtains to fashion a tail. When his abuela discovers him, she asks him to wait before she gives him...

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Book Review: Orion and the Dark

Book Review: Orion and the Dark

 About this book: Orion is scared of ... wasps and monsters and girls and sheds and storms and dogs and spiders and heights, but most of all he's scared of the dark! Join Orion on an adventure as he faces his biggest fear and finds out it's friendly! Recommended by Amirah because... Kids will be able to relate to the story. The book opens a space for young readers to talk about their fears. Phenomenal artwork! Studio Ghibli fans will love Yarlett's characterisation of the Dark. Illustrations, captions, and flip-outs combine to make this book a unique read! Activities to...

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Book Review: The Lion Inside

Book Review: The Lion Inside

About this book: A mouse feels small and insecure and determines that what he needs to do is learn how to roar like a lion. He knows he has to act brave when he approaches a lion to learn how. In a hilarious turn of events, the lion is afraid of mice! The mouse comforts the lion, they become friends, and we learn that there's a lion and a mouse inside all of us. Recommended by Christine because... This is a fun book about taking control of your situation, to be able to say "Enough!" and to step out of...

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