Wiggle and Waggle by Caroline Arnold

Illustrated by Mary Peterson

Rating: Not Recommended

Charlesbridge, 2007, $12.95

ISBN: 978-1596431362

Age Level: 4-8 years

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There seems to be neither a point nor a coherency to this book. The characters are flat and uninteresting, and there are too few lessons to be learned from their adventures. Because the main characters are worms, the illustrations are equally uninteresting. Also, the chapters do not seem to end at satisfactory points or flow well as an overall story. The only real positive thing that can be said for this book is the worm facts on the final page, which at least offer some education if not entertainment.

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

The Terrible Storm by Carol Otis Hurst

Illustrated by S.D. Schindler
Rating: Not Recommended
Greenwillow, 2007, $16.99
ISBN: 978-0060090012
Age Level: 5-8 years
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Terrible Storm is an example of an adult indulgent story that would be of little or no interest to children. The characterization is clever, especially by the end. However, this cleverness may either not be understood or be of no consequence to the young reader. The illustrations go well with the story, but lack any sort of liveliness that might have possibly saved the story from losing a child's interest. Also, these same illustrations are at times too detailed, including close-up drawings of the main characters that almost make them look frightening. Overall, it seems that the writer wanted to share a story that would have best been left as an oral tradition within her own family. I do not see a story of this type circulating well within a library.

Reviewer: Monica Barrette, Orange Public Library

Polo, the Runaway Book, by Regis Faller

Rating: Not Recommended

Roaring Brook Press, 2005, $18.95

ISBN: 159643189X

Grade level: PreK - 2nd

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This is a wordless book that just goes on too long. It is from France, and created by an established artist and illustrator, but I found it to be very awkward and difficult to follow. It is about a little dog who gets a book and then it is taken away from him, and he goes from place to place to place to place to try to get it back. I just didn't have the patience to sit and study each picture to try to figure out where the author was taking me. I was bored and felt that it just went too long and wasn't clear. A wordless book has to be compelling to keep the interest of the "reader," and it just didn't catch me.

Reviewer: Ruth Callahan, OCPL - Rancho Santa Margarita