MADreads for Kids

Book reviews for children by library staff and guest contributors

Word adventures

Cover of The Adventures of the Plot
A review of The Adventures of the Plott Family: A Decodable Stories Collection by Kristina Smith & Heather Vidal

The six realistic stories in this slim collection follow 10-year-old twins Ash and Mel and their younger brother Calvin. With carefully chosen and decodable words, this is a great option for both beginning readers and emerging readers looking to hone their skills. A list of content words (words that enhance the story but may not yet be decodable by all readers) is included at the beginning, and rich vocabulary words are bolded and defined in the text. And did I mention that the stories are fun and relatable?

Posted by Abby R on Jan 2, 2025

Do we have a preposition for you

Cover of Catside up, Catside Down:
A review of Catside up, Catside Down: A Book of Prepositions by Anna Hrachovec

Oh, those pesky prepositions….In, Out, Up, Down, In Front, Behind….there are only so many ways to illustrate these concepts, right? Well, if including adorable, chonky knitted kittens is one of those ways, then we agree. Anna Hrachovec is a long time designer of tiny creatures known as “Mochi Mochi”, knitted (rather than crocheted) Japanese inspired toys known as Amigurumi. She has written several books of adorable patterns which can be found at Madison Public Library.

Posted by on Dec 23, 2024

This books will give you jiggles (joy and giggles)

Cover of Give Me a Snickle!
A review of Give Me a Snickle! by Alisha Sevigny

What do you get when you combine a snuggle and a tickle? That’s a snickle! And what do you get when you read Give Me a Snickle! by Alisha Sevigny? Just about the best feeling ever and the cutest board book around! This beautiful book pairs colorful photographs of babies and toddlers being cuddled by their loved ones with silly, rhyming, made-up words that describe different kinds of snuggles. Give Me A Snickle! is gorgeous and fun and captures the joy of snuggling. It is sure to delight little ones, ages 0-3, and their caregivers.

Posted by Madeleine on Dec 13, 2024

Sharing with love

Cover of Read Together
Read Together

I've been thinking a lot about gratitude and family so I'm really excited to share two new picture books especially for young readers ages 4-8 that combine these concepts to beautifully illustrate one of the oldest and most human arts of all: fixing something precious with the help of someone who loves you.

Posted by Abby R on Dec 6, 2024

The danger of being an unreliable narrator

Cover of I Do Not Eat Children
A review of I Do Not Eat Children by Marcus Cutler

"I would never eat a child. What do you think I am...a monster?" proclaims the main character of this book who, admittedly, looks an awful lot like a monster. 

The orange creature stands in a line with a bunch of kids. Ten kids, to be exact - this is important, so pay attention. Each kid has some sort of accessory - a kite, a soccer ball, knitting needles, etc. 

Posted by Holly SP on Nov 8, 2024

Many stories to share

Cover of What's in a Bead?
A review of What's in a Bead? by Kelsey Borgford
Tessa Pizzale

Tessa, a young Cree girl, wants to learn beading from her grandmother, or Kohkom. But her mother informs her that first, she must learn why beads and beading are important to them. The two of them visit Kohkom, and she proceeds to lovingly teach Tessa all about the stories behind the beads. Written by a Nbisiing Nishnaabe author, What's in a Bead? shares indigenous words and customs alongside clear, bold illustrations.

Posted by Janelle C on Nov 4, 2024

Holding on to what matters most

Cover of Tree. Table. Book
A review of Tree. Table. Book by Lois Lowry

This is a touching story that starts with a day that is not like the others. Eleven-year-old Sophie Winslow is best friends with her neighbor, eighty-eight-year-old Sophie Gershowitz. Eleven-year-old Sophie is an unusual child - she's an old soul and hypochondriac. She loves using traditional library reference tools such as looking up medical ailments in the Merck Manual and memorizing quotes from Bartlett's Familiar Quotations.

Posted by Molly W on Oct 18, 2024

Earl's pumpkins, peppers, plums and eggs

Cover of The Last Stand
A review of The Last Stand by Antwan Eady
Jarrett & Jerome Pumphrey

This picture book is perfect for sharing during farmers' market season, especially when pumpkins are ripe. A boy and his Papa head to the last remaining stall at the farmers' market with their pumpkins, peppers, plums and eggs. A year ago, there were two vendors. The year before there were five. The community still needs the fresh produce and the boy and his Papa head to the market every Saturday while Granny makes baskets from sweetgrass on the front porch of the farmhouse. Familiar, friendly faces start lining up and their orders are ready before they even have to ask.

Posted by Molly W on Oct 14, 2024

Pages

Subscribe to MADreads