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(3)
K-3
I Can Read Book series.
Illustrated by
Anne Kennedy.
A torn map shows Riff Raff and his crew that the treasure they seek is on a street that starts with "PLU" (combining an easy-to-read adventure with spelling). Spoiler: "It's PLUM, by gum!" The treasure is a music box, which is just fine with these rhyme-prone pirates. The merry drawings feature seafaring mice aboard a bottle-turned-ship.
(3)
K-3
I Can Read Book series.
Illustrated by
Anne Kennedy.
Captain Riff Raff and his mice-pirate crew learn their stolen hunk of cheese was spotted someplace that "sounds like HAT!" They sail to Roly-poly Mat, Bat Cave, and Rat bunker, but "no cheese." Are they brave enough to look on Cat Island? Repetition, lots of sound-alike words, and context clues in the friendly illustrations keep this adventure-filled easy reader afloat.
198 pp.
| Simon
| May, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-689-87688-2$16.99
(4)
4-6
Fog Mound series.
Illustrated by
Jon Buller.
In this conclusion to the fantasy trilogy, Thelonious Chipmunk and his friends prevent the Dragon Lady and her ratmink minions from invading the protected Fog Mound. Chapters alternate between comic-panel format and text with spot illustrations. There's an unsubtle message about ecology and how "unforeseen consequences" nearly wiped out life on Earth.
195 pp.
| Simon
| September, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-689-97686-8$15.99
(4)
4-6
Fog Mound series.
In this post-apocalyptic animal fantasy, Thelonious Chipmunk and friends journey to determine what happened to the people of Earth; the implied backstory involves global warming and genetic engineering. The character of Bill, a pint-size human saved from apparent extinction by cryogenics, adds tension the first entry lacked, but the alternation between marginally illustrated text and statically composed comic panels remains inexplicable.
(3)
K-3
Smart about History series.
This kid-friendly book, presented as an elementary-age student's school report, begins with a history of human attempts at flight before focusing on the basic facts about the Wright brothers' lives and work. The book ends with a brief look at "how flying changed the world." An informal, light tone; childlike drawings; captioned photos; and word balloons enhance the appeal of this offering.
32 pp.
| Golden
| January, 2001
|
LibraryISBN 0-307-46213-7$$11.99
|
PaperISBN 0-307-26213-8$$3.99
(4)
K-3
Road to Reading series.
In this rather slight story, Cat and Rat receive ice skates for Christmas but are disappointed when the weather never gets cold enough for the pond to freeze. The duo then join an indoor rink and get to be skating snowballs in an ice pageant. The rhyming text is accompanied by cartoonlike illustrations that contain vivid color and movement.
48 pp.
| Random
| November, 2000
|
LibraryISBN 0-679-99461-0$$11.99
|
PaperISBN 0-679-89461-6$$3.99
(3)
K-3
Step into Reading series.
While burying a pet fish in the back yard, Perry and his friend Cosmo (both aspiring cartoonists) discover two magic pencils that bring their drawings to life. Without thinking, Cosmo draws his character Baron von Fishhead and transforms into the villainous creature. So Perry must draw his superhero Captain Zap and transform into him to save the day. The colorful cartoon illustrations complement the lively text.