Kaye UmanskyRecensioni

This is such a fun way to introduce poetry to kids. The theme is cute and interesting for children (boys and girls) and the poems are well done.

This book was pretty good. It was well developed and well paced as a chapter book. I think 3-6 is the perfect level. The language is simple but not too simple and there’s complexity added with the language of the witch. This story is cute and full of magic reminding me of maybe a Disney movie. The dialogue between the characters provides comic relief and we get to see the stereotypes like when clover first meets the witch and looks for moles and extra fingers. Overall I think this is a pretty good read.

Probably really 3.5 stars. My 6yo and I liked the first book a bit better than this one, but it was still entertaining and fun.

One thing I think British authors do really well is younger middle grade. Fun, light-hearted, magical stories for kids about 7 to 9 who aren't ready for the hefty, intense middle grade doorstoppers but have moved beyond beginning chapters. One of my favorite authors for this level is Kaye Umansky and I especially love this series I've just discovered.

Elsie Pickles lives a happy, if crowded, life in her town of Smallbridge. Her family runs the local shop, Pickles' Emporium, and it's, well, not much good. Elsie is minding the shop one day, wishing a customer would show up who wanted to buy lots of cheap, boring things so her family will have enough to eat, and maybe even enough for just one pair of special shoes, when Magenta Sharp, the Red Witch, blows in. Literally.

Several of my favorite books by Umansky feature young girls, in boring jobs, who are practical souls and handle unexpected events well. Elsie is the epitome of this, as, after some hesitation, she decides to house-sit for Magenta Sharp for a week. After all, she says she doesn't HAVE to do magic and she'll pay her twenty-one gold pieces! Armed with her common sense, the Pickles' rules for customer service, and eagerly anticipating a week of reading, Elsie sets out into the woods and arrives at the Red Witch's tower.

Of course, things don't work out that way! Between self-absorbed woodcutters, a very odd lady pretending to be a wood nymph, the light-fingered Howler sisters, and a stray dog, Elsie has a very exciting week indeed! By the time the story ends, she's not only discovered a lot more self-confidence and a knack for magic, she's well on her way to a possible new profession.

Verdict: This is just perfect for young readers who want a fun, magical story that's not too involved or intense. I enjoyed it immensely and purchased the rest of the series to read and donate to the library.

ISBN: 9781471160905; Published in the UK October 2017 by Simon and Schuster; Purchased myself and donated to the library

Papa Bear promised Baby Bear's chair is going to be fixed, but when it came to picking out which Chair to get him, the decision is harder than what Mama and Papa Bear thought. But, at the end, Goldilocks leaves Baby Bear with a surprise at his door.

This book is a folktale with some great poetry rhymes inside. This book is about pirates and it explains the folktales about pirates living on the seas in a fun and clever way while introducing poetry. The pictures are bright, fun, and they match well with the story.

I loved this book! The book is about a dog name Calvin and a cat named Gloria. Calvin is very upset that nobody asked if Gloria could live with him. Throughout the story, Calvin explains his frustrations about Gloria. For example, he says, “Nobody remembered my walk today. They were too busy with Gloria.” I also really liked how the illustrations went perfectly with the text. For example, on that page, there was a picture of Calvin’s “sister” hugging Gloria and Calvin was just sitting there, looking upset, with his leash in his mouth. There were also only a couple of words on each page, which made the book a short and fun read. At the end of the book, the family got a rabbit named Jeffrey. Calvin then says, “Now, nobody’s paying any attention to me OR Gloria. They’re too busy with Jeffrey.” The book ends with Calvin saying, “I still don’t like Gloria and Gloria doesn’t like me. But, at least we agree on one thing… We REALLY do not like Jeffrey!” Children can easily relate to this story because they may feel the same way Calvin did when they get a new sibling. Newborns require a lot of care so typically the older sibling does not get as much attention as before! There is no overall message in this book as it is a fun, silly book about feeling left out.

eh.

From the I Am Reading series, this is a short book about an alien named Alby and his companion Squee. The two have plenty of things to play with, but they prefer to play in the muddy swamp down by the garden. They're not allowed to go down there, but they continue to sneak down there. The two get caught when Squee forgets to wipe his paws and he leaves muddy footprints.When he gets caught, he gets sent to the squeeble house and gets banished from Alby's bed. Alby gives his buddy Squee his stuffed animal Purpy to sleep with so he wouldn't be lonely.
Good perspective presented on the differences and similarities of human and alien life. This book is fo readers just starting to read chapter books. The book is fun because it comes up with these crazy alien names for everything like, Groobleblaster.
Recommended grades: K-3

Clover Twig is the organizer, the tidy one, the one who takes charge in a large and messy family. When she starts working for the local witch, Mrs. Eckles, she will need all of these qualities - and more - to make it through her first week!

Clover Twig is a brisk and cheerful heroine, always ready with ideas, cleaning supplies, and common sense. Her tidiness is frequently endangered by the unbelievably clumsy and accident-prone Wilf, but she likes him anyways. Mostly.

The plot is as tidy and well-constructed as Clover Twig's newly cleaned witch's cottage and the characters are fun and memorable. Mrs. Eckles is as endearing a personality as Clover Twig, although she's not without her little secrets. The villains are satisfyingly villainous without being cartoonish and the plot twists and turns are funny and exciting.

Oh, and my only complaint is the cover. If we could have fewer covers featuring girls, it would be easier to get boys reading fun books like this! The British cover is better, although it gives away the plot rather badly. Just my opinion.

Verdict: An excellent step-up from beginning chapter books. Fans of Suzanne Selfors, Angie Sage, and Katie Speck will enjoy this story.

ISBN: 978-1596435070; Published August 2009 by Roaring Brook; ARC provided by publisher at ALA 2009; Purchased for the library; Added to my personal wishlist

This silly tale will make you laugh out loud as you see what unfolds when responsible Clover moves in as housekeep for the local witch. Clover never dreamed a simple housekeeping job would be so exciting and full of adventure.

Clover Twig, an ordinary girl, is housekeeper to a witch in her town. She is eager for this job because she is used to share a room with all her siblings, and never had any money to spare. But life gets turned upside down when the witch's evil twin, Mezmerda, tries to take over the magical cottage. Will clumsy Wilf and ordinary Clover be able to save the flying cottage?

Clover's family could use some extra money, but that's not the reason she takes a job cleaning a witch's house; mostly she's eager to have her own bedroom and take responsibility for getting the magical cottage ship-shape. All goes well until the witch's evil sister appears, sending Clover and the clumsy but endearing Wilf on an adventure that involves a flying house, a dungeon, and the craziest set of characters you could ever hope NOT to meet!

An amusing twist on a traditional tale. The lisp adds to the amusement. Even more enjoyable as an audio book.½

When Clover Twig takes a job cleaning a witch's cottage, she and her friend Wilf must defend the cottage from the witch's evil sister.

“Pongwiffy is a very smelly witch of very dirty habits.” This is our introduction to Pongwiffy, one of the most endearing, and unlikely, stars of children’s literature. The first book of the Pongwiffy series documents our heroine’s attempts to make up with her no-so-best friend Sharkadder after a fight, her search for a new Familiar (and subsequent humiliation at Coven meetings when that Familiar turns out to be a cute, fluffy, Dutch hamster called Hugo), and her ongoing battle with the goblins who move in next door.

This first book sets the theme for the remainder of the series (‘Pongwiffy and the Goblins’ Revenge’, ‘Pongwiffy and the Spell of the Year’, ‘Pongwiffy and the Holiday of Doom’, ‘Pongwiffy and the Pantomime’, ‘Pongwiffy and the Spellovision Song Contest’ and ‘Pongwiffy Back on Track’) – Kaye Umansky describes in hilarious detail the misadventures of Pongwiffy, Hugo and her friends as they bumble from one situation to the next. And the result is a witty, entertaining and charming read, suitable for children as well as adults enjoying their second childhood!

I was first introduced to the Pongwiffy books as a child, and still find that they put a smile on my face when I choose to re-read them (which I do very often!) Thoroughly recommended for readers of all ages.½

Ten-year-old Clover Twig is a practical girl. She knows how to cook and clean and likes things neat and tidy. When she sees a classified ad for a housekeeper, she knows she is the girl for the job, even if it means moving in with the local witch, Demelza. Of course Clover Twig did not anticipate the many downsides to this job. Like the fact that this witch might be the most disorganized woman on the planet, or that a clumsy delivery boy would make her life difficult, or that a feud with Demelza’s evil sister – who has a PLAN – could put her in a lot of danger. This whimsical, exciting story will easily capture readers both young and old with its lighthearted magic and sense of humor. Johannah Wright’s wonderful illustrations are the icing on the cake. For sure, Clover Twig is a character you will not forget.½

A group of children reunite for more adventures in a Dickensian England as they try to save Prudence's father from being transported for poaching . They are smarter and morally better than the adults in around them.

SPOILER: Buried in the story are hints of a tragic love story: When the infant prodigy is given a toy rabbit, Miss Bunnikins, she transfers all her affection for Mr. Skippy, a rabbit, to the doll. When the doll is destroyed at the end of the story, the prodigy has already lost interest in her, and tells Mr. Skippy that she still loves him. But, Mr. Skippy? Was he following the prodigy or her doll throughout the book? Is his utter lack of expression at the end indifference or catatonic shock.? The author tells us we will never know.½

Calvin the dog does not like Gloria, the new cat at his house. He does not want to share his things or his house with her! When she eats out of his bowl, Calvin growls at her and HE gets in trouble! She sleeps on his special cushion, she took over his yard and he cannot do anything about it. But when Jeffrey moves in, Gloria & Calvin bond!

Only a couple of sentences per page with nice double page illustrations. Good for toddlers probably or kids reading by themselves.

Wonderfuly read by Jenny Sterlin, an amazing narrator with many voices and a relaxed reading style - no fancy modulations, just subtle tone and style changes to signify each separate character

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