Different Dragons by Jean Little

Title: Different Dragons

Author: Jean Little

Publish Date: May 2007

Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)

Pages: 112pp

IBSN: 0143312308

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Annotation: Timid Ben faces many challenges on his first stay away from home without his family. He confronts his fears and becomes friends with a Labrador Retriever named Gully.

Plot Summary: Ben is not looking forward to his stay with his Aunt Rose while his family goes away. During this stay, Ben will have to sleep alone, deal with the bossy girl next door, live through a thunderstorm, and deal with his fear of big dogs, all by himself. Aunt Rose had meant the big dog, Gully a Labrador Retriever, as a gift but Ben doesn’t like this gift, he is scared of the big dog. Then, a thunderstorm hits and Ben and Gully survive together underneath the bed. This begins a beautiful bond.

Personal Response: A simplistic plot with a sweet message about overcoming your fears and finding the courage that lays within. I especially liked the bond Ben makes with Gully, very sincere and touching. I think this is a good story for younger children who are experiencing fears. As adults we so easily forget what it is like to be little with fears—the world can be scary place.

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Overcoming fears.

Age Range: 8 to 12

Subjects: Dogs, Fear, Thunderstorms, Family, Family Relationships, Friendship, Courage, Realistic Fiction

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Stand in the Wind by Jean Little

Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang by Mordecai Richler

The Kitty Ran Up the Tree by Denis Lee

Title: The Kitty Ran Up the Tree

Author: Denis Lee

Illustrator: Nora Hilb

Publish Date: April 2009

Publisher: Key Porter Books

Pages: 16pp

IBSN: 1552638138

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Children/Action Poetry

Annotation: Action poetry about movements and incorporating cats and dogs.

Plot Summary: Action poetry utilizing dogs chasing cats up trees and a child dressed as a cat.

Personal Response: Part of the series, Alligator Tales, Dennis Lee’s action poetry is both witty and delightful. If I had a child I think I would have lots of fun reading this to them, and acting out the

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Fingers, toes, tickles, and laughter during the reading experience

Age Range: For infants or children in preschool

Subjects: Cats, Dogs, Action Poetry, Poetry, Children

Spot Giant’s Treasury by Eric Hill

What's the Most Beautiful Thing You Know About Horses? by Richard Van Camp

Title: What's the Most Beautiful Thing You Know About Horses?

Author: Richard Van Camp

Illustrator: George Littlechild

Publish Date: April 2003

Publisher: San Val

Pages: 32pp

IBSN: 0613709888

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Picture Books

Annotation: On the coldest day of the year, a boy decides he wants to find out about horses, so he asks those closest to him what the most beautiful thing they know about horses is?

Plot Summary: A member of the Dogrib nation from the Northwest Territories in Canada seeks information regarding horses as he is a stranger to horses, only knowing about dogs. On the coldest day in January, he goes to his friends and family members, asking them what they know of horses.

Personal Response: Folksy text by Richard van Camp combined with gorgeous artwork by George Littlechild, this story asks a series of questions that the reader may have fun answering. Overall, I felt the story was insightful and sweet with the last question of "What's the most beautiful thing that you know about you?"

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Think about what special and beautiful attributes are.

Age Range: 4-8

Subjects: Horses, Curiosity, Cold, Dogs, Cowboy, Poem, Picture Books

This Land is my Land by George Littlechild

A Man Called Raven by Richard Van Camp