Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Julia's House for Lost Creatures by Ben Hatke -- ESSENTIAL

Hatke, Ben Julia's House for Lost Creatures. PICTURE BOOK. First Second, Sept. 2, 2014. $16.99. Content: G.

Julia's new neighborhood is a little too quiet, so she makes a sign inviting creatures of all sorts to crash at her place. Only problem? Trolls, mermaids, and dragons -- among others -- make a lot of mess. Julia loves her guests, though, so she is determined to find a way for them to live in harmony.

This story is delightful, both humorous and sweet, and I love the lesson that everyone must help out to make a household run smoothly. All the little details add a nice touch as well, from the mermaid taking a luxurious bubble bath to the dragon making toast. It's the whimsical, lively illustrations that make this one truly wonderful, though. They add many extra layers to the text, and I feel like I could read the book over and over and still notice something new each time.

Pre-K, EL (K-3) -- ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: Caryn

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