The Hotel Cat by Esther Averill

This is a book nostalgic for a time gone by, written in time that's since gone by. It's the story of Tom, the Hotel Cat, who works at the once regal, but now old Royal Hotel as a mouser. Tom spends his nights walking the upper floors and making new friends. The story culminates with all the cats staying at the hotel throwing a stardust ball in the hotel's grand ballroom.

The story is simple and uncomplicated and that's what makes it so charming. The characters, both the felines and the humans, are sweet and lovable. The story is perfect for a young child. There is nothing even remotely frightening or even mean-spirited in these books. Overall a good read.

Recommend this one as a bedtime story for a sweet little preschooler or kindergartener or as a beginning reader for a child in lower elementary.

The Mouse Family Robinson by Dick King-Smith

John Robinson, a small gray mouse, is about to become a father for the first time and he hasn't a clue what to do. Fortunately his neighbor Mr Brown does, he's been a father, so many times he's forgotten many of their names. "I used to rely on the alphabet. Start with A- let's say Adam or Alice and keep going until you get to Z." John takes his neighbors advice to heart and when he returns home names his 6 new children: Ambrose, Beaumont, Camilla, Desdemona, Eustace and Felicity. The remainder of the book is spent following John's ever growing family and their struggle to avoid the cat.

Honestly the book lacks much of a conflict and after I finished I had to ask myself "what was this book even about?" Despite it's lack of conflict, I still found this book generally enjoyable. The mice are quite likable and thanks to Nick Bruel's (author/ illustrator of Bad Kitty) illustrations they are adorable as well.

A cute, but ultimately forgettable read. Give this one to mouse lovers who are nipping at their first pages, grades 1-3.

Bad Kitty Gets a Bath

Bad Kitty Gets a Bath is Nick Bruel's chapter book sequel to his picture book Bad Kitty, which is one of the funniest picture picture books ever; the sequel, however, fails to meet expectations. The illustrations are still hillarious and reluctant readers will love the way the pictures they break up all the text (It's 120 pages long, but reads like it's 30). But the prose lacks the punch and off the wall humor of the original, if this had been the first book I would have never Bad Kitty and that would have been a shame.

Give this book to cat lovers and children who like to comedy and mayhem combined, for grades 1 to 4.

The lump of coal

"Perhaps miracles only happen to human beings... perhaps I should just bury myself and become a diamond after thousands of years of intense pressure."

This is the story of lump of coal hoping for a Christmas miracle told in Lemony Snicket's usual hilarious and slightly dark manner. The coal is brooding, grumpy and ultimately lovable, never have I felt such a connection with a lump of coal before. This book is short, but it packs a lot of punch per page. Offer this one to youngster who love to laugh. For grades K thru 3.

Junie B Jones and A Little Monkey Business

After doing my best to ignore Junie B Jones for years, I finally read one (the second book, the first was checked out) and I'm so glad I did! It was super funny! I loved the part where Junie B. made her friends keep giving her things for the right to see her "new monkey brother," because it's exactly the type of things little kids do (I know I did). I could also totally relate to Junie B's hatred of "stewie pewie tomatoes."

Give this book to young readers who love to laugh, for grades 1 thru 3.

Bulbasaur's Bad Day

I'm really tempted to just say this book has no redeeming qualities and be done with it, but you know what? I like pokemon. I really and truely do. I think they're awesome little creatures and I wish i had a real live pokemon myself, in particular, I would like a bulbasaur. So while it may be true that the story in this book is mediocre, that the dialogue is mediocre and even the characters are pretty mediocre, it still does exactly what it's supposed to do. And that's serve up a hearty helping of pokemon. Give this one to young poke-fanatics, I'll bet they'll even thank you for it. For ages 6-9.

Martin Bridge Out of Orbit! and Goof-Off Goalie

Martin Bridge Out of Orbit! and Goof-Off Goalie are two solid pieces of realistic fiction for younger readers.

Martin Bridge Out of Orbit! is a part of the Martin Bridge series. The series is kinda like a Junie B. Jones for boys, an easy to read chapter book with a male character boys can identify with. The book contained two plot lines one about organizing a parade and the other about a visit from a comic book artist. Each of the stories ends with Martin learning valuable lesson of some sort. The message was always relevant without being overly preachy or heavy-handed, I liked it. For grades 1-4.

Goof-Off Goalie is a sports story for young readers. The main character Goose wants to play goalie more than anything else, but the coach says he needs to pay attention to the game if he's going to play goalie. "Focus Goose," his coach tells him over again. Over the course of the story Goose learns the value of hard work and persistence. Like Martin Bridge there was a moral, but not a heavy handed one, so I was okay w/ it. Recommend this one to young sports enthusiasts.
For grades 1-4.