Wake Up, Baby Bear!

Wake Up, Baby Bear!
Written by Lynn Plourde
Illustrated by Tori Weidner

Although it's time to wake from hibernating, Baby Bear's family and friends just can't get the tired bear to wake up. It takes a mother robin with a few well=placed pecks to get this bear awake.

This is a cute companion book to "Baby Bear's Not Hibernating." The pictures are soft and beautiful and the story is cute. Highly recommend this one for families and libraries.

I read a copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

4.5 stars.

War Horse

War Horse
By Michael Morpurgo
Scholastic, 2007/Scholastic Audio, 2010. 165 pgs/4 hrs. Middle grade fiction

Joey, a horse, narrators the story of his life, from when he was bought at an auction by a farmer and then cared for and trained for by the farmer's son, Albert. With the outbreak of World War I, however, he is sold to a cavalry captain and sent off to war. A devastated Albert vows to find him, but in the meantime, Joey gets an up-close look at the death and destruction waged by the war.

This is a fine piece of historical fiction. It's sad and sweet at the same time, and in the audio version, listeners will be equally drawn in by Joey's story as by John Keating's narration.

4 stars. Clean read.

The One and Only Ivan

The One and Only Ivan
By Katherine Applegate
Harper, 2012. 305 pgs. Middle Grade Fiction

Ivan is a gorilla who has spent 27 years in captivity, living in a cage at The Big Top Mall and Video Arcade. For most of his life, he's been content with this. His "domain" isn't too bad--he can do artwork and watch TV and talk to his friends Bob (a dog) and Stella (an elephant). He's had little chance to be a true silverback, the head gorilla who protects his family. But when Ruby, a baby elephant, becomes the newest attraction, she opens Ivan's eyes, helping him see that made his domain isn't all it's cracked up to be. Soon, Ivan is finding out what it means to be a silverback as he tries to make things better for Ruby.

Awwww cute! Let me say that again--AWWW! I loved this one. It's actually one of those books that I absolutely can't wait to read with my children. I love Ivan! He's so sweet, and Ruby is an adorable little friend for him. Besides being beautifully written (and includes great illustrations, too), this book manages to carefully consider the issue of animal imprisonment, while not becoming didactic. It's thought-provoking and sad and happy and hopeful and I love it! Great choice for fans of Kate DiCamillo.

5 stars. Clean read.