Karen GoatKeeper's Blog
October 7, 2025
"How to Babysit a Grandma", "It's a Book" and "Ma Jiang and the Orange Ants"
Books are great, but what can a book do?
It's a Book
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Lane Smith
This is a banned book because of one word. Silly.
Two characters are in the room. One is reading a book. the other keeps asking if this book can do the things a computer or a cell phone can do. Of course, the answers are no. But a book can do things those tech things can't, as the character discovers.
The illustrations are simple with the three characters found in the story talking to each other.
How to Babysit a Grandma
5 stars
Author: Jean Reagan
Illustrator: Lee Wildish
A little girl is going to visit her grandma. She has lots of ideas about what they can do while she is visiting to babysit her grandma.
The illustrations are colorful and fun. The ideas are very much age appropriate for a little girl. the grandma is a good sport and both have a good time.
Ma Jiang and the Orange Ants
5 stars
Author: Barbara Ann Porte
Illustrator: Annie Cannon
Insects find oranges tasty. Those growing them need to protect their crop. A species of fierce ants is used to protect the oranges.
Families entice the ants into traps and sell them to growers who place them in their groves.
The illustrations have an Oriental flavor to them. They are in pen and watercolor.
It's a Book
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Lane Smith
This is a banned book because of one word. Silly.
Two characters are in the room. One is reading a book. the other keeps asking if this book can do the things a computer or a cell phone can do. Of course, the answers are no. But a book can do things those tech things can't, as the character discovers.
The illustrations are simple with the three characters found in the story talking to each other.
How to Babysit a Grandma
5 stars
Author: Jean Reagan
Illustrator: Lee Wildish
A little girl is going to visit her grandma. She has lots of ideas about what they can do while she is visiting to babysit her grandma.
The illustrations are colorful and fun. The ideas are very much age appropriate for a little girl. the grandma is a good sport and both have a good time.
Ma Jiang and the Orange Ants
5 stars
Author: Barbara Ann Porte
Illustrator: Annie Cannon
Insects find oranges tasty. Those growing them need to protect their crop. A species of fierce ants is used to protect the oranges.
Families entice the ants into traps and sell them to growers who place them in their groves.
The illustrations have an Oriental flavor to them. They are in pen and watercolor.
October 3, 2025
"Splat the Cat: Good Night, Sleep Tight", "The Leaf Men" and "Do You Have a Hat?"
Lots of good reading on many topics occupied last week.
Splat the Cat: Good Night, Sleep Tight
5 stars
Author: Natalie Engel
Illustrator: Robert Eberz
This is a beginning reading book about a backyard camping trip. Splat wants to sleep outside and has all his things ready. His mother invites two friends to join him.
Unfortunately, Spike is something of a bully. He does his best to ruin the night. It doesn't work as the tables turn on him.
The illustrations are fun. They tend to be in grayer shades as much of the action is at night.
The Leaf Men
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: William Joyce
This is a fantasy save-the-garden book. The garden belongs to an old woman who falls ill. The garden is dying from neglect. The ones to help might be only a myth, but the doodlebugs are willing to try to call them. The Spider Queen is opposed and tries to stop them.
The illustrations are very good. They reflect both the reality of the garden and the fantasy leaf men.
Do You Have a Hat?
5 stars
Author: Eileen Spinelli
Illustrator: Geraldo Valerio
How many kinds of hats can you think of? Who wears these hats? Each page tells of a kind of hat in verse with the final line asking: Do You have a hat?
The illustrations are fun as many creatures show up on the pages besides the people mentioned. All of them are wearing hats.
Splat the Cat: Good Night, Sleep Tight
5 stars
Author: Natalie Engel
Illustrator: Robert Eberz
This is a beginning reading book about a backyard camping trip. Splat wants to sleep outside and has all his things ready. His mother invites two friends to join him.
Unfortunately, Spike is something of a bully. He does his best to ruin the night. It doesn't work as the tables turn on him.
The illustrations are fun. They tend to be in grayer shades as much of the action is at night.
The Leaf Men
4 stars
Author/Illustrator: William Joyce
This is a fantasy save-the-garden book. The garden belongs to an old woman who falls ill. The garden is dying from neglect. The ones to help might be only a myth, but the doodlebugs are willing to try to call them. The Spider Queen is opposed and tries to stop them.
The illustrations are very good. They reflect both the reality of the garden and the fantasy leaf men.
Do You Have a Hat?
5 stars
Author: Eileen Spinelli
Illustrator: Geraldo Valerio
How many kinds of hats can you think of? Who wears these hats? Each page tells of a kind of hat in verse with the final line asking: Do You have a hat?
The illustrations are fun as many creatures show up on the pages besides the people mentioned. All of them are wearing hats.
September 30, 2025
"wordy Birdy", "vulture View" and "A Beetle Is Shy"
Creatures ruled the week, both real and imaginary.
Wordy Birdy
5 stars
Author: Tammi Sauer
Illustrator: Dave Mottram
Wordy Birdy loves to talk about everything. The comments come fast and thick, so thick they drown out what others say. This is not always a good idea, could even land you in trouble.
The illustrations take wood characters and make them whimsical. Wordy Birdy is fun with her feather headdress and three feather tail.
Vulture View
5 stars
Author: April Pulley Sayre
Illustrator: Steve Jenkins
There are lots of myths about vultures found in folklore, books and movies. The truth about turkey vultures show them to be remarkable birds.
The text is simple, but tells much about this bird with a range from the northern states into South America.
Turkey vultures are one of the only birds with a sense of smell, and it is acute. They have great eyesight just as raptors have. Watching them soar across or circling high up in the sky is special.
The illustrations are collages out of cut paper. They show the magnificence of these birds.
A Beetle Is Shy
5 stars
Author: Dianna Hutts Aston
Illustrator: Sylvia Long
Insects are among the most numerous creatures on Earth. Half of all insects are beetles. They range in size from under a quarter inch to six inches. They are found everywhere except Antarctica. The range of colors and body designs is huge. And this book shows the diversity.
Every page has many life like illustrations of beetles and their habitats. The beetles have their names along side them. This is a richly illustrated and informative book.
Wordy Birdy
5 stars
Author: Tammi Sauer
Illustrator: Dave Mottram
Wordy Birdy loves to talk about everything. The comments come fast and thick, so thick they drown out what others say. This is not always a good idea, could even land you in trouble.
The illustrations take wood characters and make them whimsical. Wordy Birdy is fun with her feather headdress and three feather tail.
Vulture View
5 stars
Author: April Pulley Sayre
Illustrator: Steve Jenkins
There are lots of myths about vultures found in folklore, books and movies. The truth about turkey vultures show them to be remarkable birds.
The text is simple, but tells much about this bird with a range from the northern states into South America.
Turkey vultures are one of the only birds with a sense of smell, and it is acute. They have great eyesight just as raptors have. Watching them soar across or circling high up in the sky is special.
The illustrations are collages out of cut paper. They show the magnificence of these birds.
A Beetle Is Shy
5 stars
Author: Dianna Hutts Aston
Illustrator: Sylvia Long
Insects are among the most numerous creatures on Earth. Half of all insects are beetles. They range in size from under a quarter inch to six inches. They are found everywhere except Antarctica. The range of colors and body designs is huge. And this book shows the diversity.
Every page has many life like illustrations of beetles and their habitats. The beetles have their names along side them. This is a richly illustrated and informative book.
September 26, 2025
"Lemons are NOT RED", "The Lost Children" and "Library Lion"
Sometimes picking books up at random really pays off. It did this week.
Lemons are NOT RED
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Laura Vaccaro Seeger
This is a concept book about colors. It has thick pages with cutouts so the objects 'magically' change color from wrong to right.
Each section begins with an object or animal pictured in the wrong color saying "___ is not ___". When the page is turned, the cutout object becomes the normal color. An object with the original color is named.
It is a fun concept book.
The Lost Children
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Paul Goble
Many Indian tribes and other peoples around the Northern hemisphere have stories about the Pleiades. In this story the stars were orphaned boys ignored and laughed at by their tribe. They leave their village and go up into the sky to become the star group.
This story is to teach the value of children to the tribe. It is commemorated on the teepee smoke flap.
The illustrations are typical for Goble's books. They are beautiful watercolors rich in detail.
Library Lion
5 stars
Author: Michelle Knudsen
Illustrator: Kevin Hawkes
One day a lion goes into a library to look around. He loves story hour and begins to come every day. Soon library patrons and staff find him useful. Then, one day he breaks the rules and the desk person sends him away.
The images make the lion very personable and friendly. The library is made a place any reader would love to visit.
Lemons are NOT RED
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Laura Vaccaro Seeger
This is a concept book about colors. It has thick pages with cutouts so the objects 'magically' change color from wrong to right.
Each section begins with an object or animal pictured in the wrong color saying "___ is not ___". When the page is turned, the cutout object becomes the normal color. An object with the original color is named.
It is a fun concept book.
The Lost Children
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Paul Goble
Many Indian tribes and other peoples around the Northern hemisphere have stories about the Pleiades. In this story the stars were orphaned boys ignored and laughed at by their tribe. They leave their village and go up into the sky to become the star group.
This story is to teach the value of children to the tribe. It is commemorated on the teepee smoke flap.
The illustrations are typical for Goble's books. They are beautiful watercolors rich in detail.
Library Lion
5 stars
Author: Michelle Knudsen
Illustrator: Kevin Hawkes
One day a lion goes into a library to look around. He loves story hour and begins to come every day. Soon library patrons and staff find him useful. Then, one day he breaks the rules and the desk person sends him away.
The images make the lion very personable and friendly. The library is made a place any reader would love to visit.
September 23, 2025
"Fat Bat and Swoop", "Storm Boy" and "Frog Girl"
Fun antics and interesting tales of the Northwest Indians made good reading this week.
Fat Bat and Swoop
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Leo Landry
This is a just-for-fun Halloween type tale. Fat Bat and Swoop the owl play a trick on Emily the cow. She ends up playing a trick on the two culprits.
The illustrations are definitely not realistic, but are still fun in this tale.
Storm Boy
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Paul Owen Lewis
This tale is told in the fashion of the Northwest Indians. This is totem pole country. A young prince is caught in a storm and carried off to a strange place of giant people in masks and ritual clothing. After a night exchanging gifts, the prince returns to his village to find a year has passed.
The illustrations are very good. They reflect a culture where figures were carved on totem poles, a culture where animals had souls.
At the end of the book is a page explaining about these people and their culture.
Frog Girl
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Paul Owen Lewis
Another tale told in the fashion of the Northwest Indians. A young chief's daughter is near a lake when she hears a voice calling her. It is a frog seeking her help.
Together they go to the frog's village to find all the residents are gone except for his grandmother. She asks the girl to bring back her family before something terrible happens to the girl's village.
The illustrations are beautiful reflecting the totems and buildings of the Northwest Indians.
At the end of the tale are pages explaining the imagery in the tale and about the Indians and their culture.
Fat Bat and Swoop
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Leo Landry
This is a just-for-fun Halloween type tale. Fat Bat and Swoop the owl play a trick on Emily the cow. She ends up playing a trick on the two culprits.
The illustrations are definitely not realistic, but are still fun in this tale.
Storm Boy
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Paul Owen Lewis
This tale is told in the fashion of the Northwest Indians. This is totem pole country. A young prince is caught in a storm and carried off to a strange place of giant people in masks and ritual clothing. After a night exchanging gifts, the prince returns to his village to find a year has passed.
The illustrations are very good. They reflect a culture where figures were carved on totem poles, a culture where animals had souls.
At the end of the book is a page explaining about these people and their culture.
Frog Girl
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Paul Owen Lewis
Another tale told in the fashion of the Northwest Indians. A young chief's daughter is near a lake when she hears a voice calling her. It is a frog seeking her help.
Together they go to the frog's village to find all the residents are gone except for his grandmother. She asks the girl to bring back her family before something terrible happens to the girl's village.
The illustrations are beautiful reflecting the totems and buildings of the Northwest Indians.
At the end of the tale are pages explaining the imagery in the tale and about the Indians and their culture.
September 19, 2025
"Frankenfrog", "Mother Goose Bruce" and "Pumpkin Day"
Books for fun reading were the picks this week.
Frankenfrog
4 stars
Author: Kim Kennedy
Illustrator: Doug Kennedy
As this book has "Frankenstein" as a basis, the story will not be as good for small children unacquainted with the other.
Still, it is a fun story about a mad scientist who invents crazy experiments including one that creates a monster fly. Frankenfrog is created to eat this fly, but is more interested in going to the swamp. The fly follows him.
The illustrations are bold, colorful and enhance the fantastical tale well.
Pumpkin day
4 stars
Author: Candice Ransom
Illustrator: Erika Meza
This is a first step level reading book.
A family wants Halloween pumpkins. This is the story of going to get the pumpkins and creating the Jack o'Lanterns.
The text is simple. The illustrations are colored for fall.
Mother Goose Bruce
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Ryan T. Higgins
Bruce is a grouchy bear that loves to cook. He finds a recipe calling for goose eggs. The problem is that the eggs hatch and the goslings imprint on Bruce.
What is a bear to do when he is Mama to four goslings?
The illustrations are great. Bruce is so full of expression. The goslings are persistent pests. The ending is fun. It is a quietly humorous book.
Frankenfrog
4 stars
Author: Kim Kennedy
Illustrator: Doug Kennedy
As this book has "Frankenstein" as a basis, the story will not be as good for small children unacquainted with the other.
Still, it is a fun story about a mad scientist who invents crazy experiments including one that creates a monster fly. Frankenfrog is created to eat this fly, but is more interested in going to the swamp. The fly follows him.
The illustrations are bold, colorful and enhance the fantastical tale well.
Pumpkin day
4 stars
Author: Candice Ransom
Illustrator: Erika Meza
This is a first step level reading book.
A family wants Halloween pumpkins. This is the story of going to get the pumpkins and creating the Jack o'Lanterns.
The text is simple. The illustrations are colored for fall.
Mother Goose Bruce
5 stars
Author/Illustrator: Ryan T. Higgins
Bruce is a grouchy bear that loves to cook. He finds a recipe calling for goose eggs. The problem is that the eggs hatch and the goslings imprint on Bruce.
What is a bear to do when he is Mama to four goslings?
The illustrations are great. Bruce is so full of expression. The goslings are persistent pests. The ending is fun. It is a quietly humorous book.
