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There are many reasons why cats make great characters in kids' books! From the language to the illustrations, the author-illustrators of these books really know their audience.

Happy Saturday to you all! Only 2 books for you this week, hopefully you find something that you like!

Mattoo, Let's Play by Irene Luxbacher

Such a great example of a child's imagination! Ruby, a spit-fire of a little girl, just wants her cat to play with her. She wants Mattoo to ride the rocket ship, enjoy triple-decker jelly sandwiches, and listen to her rock music with pots and pans. But Mattoo is more quiet and shy. But after a jungle safari with her friend Clemente, Ruby realizes that Mattoo may just be the most ferocious animal in the wild!

Though I think the author aimed for this book to be about a girl and her cat, it's definitely more centered on the importance of imagination...which is a great message to be sending out anyways! The illustrations were done nicely and added to the adventurous nature of Ruby.

Overall rating: 3 out of 5


Mattoo, Let's Play!
Irene Luxbacher
32 pages
Picture Book
Kids Can Press
9781554534241
February 2010
Review copy received from publisher

A Paddling of Ducks: Animal Groups from A to Z by Marjorie Blain Parker and illustrator Joseph Kelly

I really enjoy picture books that can teach kids something as they read and this one definitely does that. There are animal groupings that we've probably all heard of, such as "a pack of Wolves" and "a swarm of Yellow Jackets," but most of these animal groups I've never come across.

Did you know that a group of Iguanas are called a colony? Or that like the title of the book tells us, a group of ducks is called a paddling? I knew neither.

I love the expressions on the animal's faces and the silly activities they're participating in, based on their group name. The "band" of gorillas is super cute and the "mob" of kangaroos looks menacing! Definitely check this one out.

Overall rating: 4 out of 5


A Paddling of Ducks
Marjorie Blain Parker
32 pages
Picture Book
Kids Can Press
9781553376828
March 2010
Review copy received from publisher

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Display Comments

Sarah said, on 3/20/2010 9:21:00 AM

My library just received Mattoo, Let's Play. I will admit, it's not the best picture book I've read in awhile. I just felt like the book didn't reach its full potential for some reason I can't really even qualify.

Anonymous said, on 3/21/2010 9:32:00 AM

Hello. And Bye.

Amanda said, on 3/21/2010 9:42:00 AM

Sarah, I totally agree, definitely not the best I've seen. I did think the imagination aspect was done well, though the cat really had nothing to do with it.

And I'm leaving this Anonymous comment on here, only because I think it's hysterical.

毅力 said, on 3/22/2010 9:06:00 PM

以簡單的行為愉悅他人的心靈，勝過千人低頭禱告........................................

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