The Official Eragon Coloring Book by Christopher Paolini and Ciruelo - ADVISABLE

Paolini, Christopher, and Ciruelo (illustrator).  The Official Eragon Coloring Book.  No page numbers (publisher says over 40 illustrations).  Alfred A. Knopf (Random House), 2017.  $15.99.  Content: G. 

Fans of the Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini and fans of adult coloring books will love this book.  Adjacent to every illustration/coloring page is an excerpt from one of the four books from the Inheritance Cycle (Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr, Inheritance).  The excerpt explains the action going on in the illustration.  The illustrations/coloring pages are detailed and have patterns that both teens and adults will enjoy coloring in.  Because it is a coloring book, in my opinion, this lovely book is not library material.  However, it would be a great prize for a library contest or a lovely gift for a fan of the series. 

MS, HS, ADULT-ADVISABLE.  Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS. 

The Extincts by Veronica Cossanteli - ADVISABLE

Cossanteli, Veronica   The Extincts  Illustrated by Roman Muradov. 230 pages. Henry Holt Co., 2016. $16.99. Language: G; Mature Content: G ; Violence: PG

When his bike is stolen, and he realizes that he must earn the money himself if he wants to replace it, George Drake sees a curious green-penned Help Wanted sign in the Candy Shop window and feels confident he is the right person for the job. He's interested in wildlife, like the sign requests, and though he doesn't know what a squamophobe is, he's pretty certain he is not one, like the sign requests. Thus begins his time at Wormestall Farms where the most unusual animals reside. It turns out, though, that he is not the only right person for the job. The new girl from school, Prudence, also follows the Help Wanted sign to the farm. Unfortunately, her stepmom is a crazed taxidermist who is determined to stuff the most amazing creature ever, even if she has to steal rare animals to do so.

This story has three main plot strands: the work at the farm, learning about and caring for the unusual animals (which are thought by others to be either extinct or mythological); George's home and school life, including a budding friendship with Prudence; and thwarting the stepmother's evil schemes. A British import, this is a quirky, imaginative book with lots to recommend it.

EL - ADVISABLE. Reviewed by P.K.Foster, teacher- librarian

Gray Wolves: Howling Pack Animals (Comparing Animal Traits Series) by Rebecca Hirsch –OPTIONAL

Hirsch, Rebecca Gray Wolves: Howling Pack Animals (Comparing Animal Traits Series) Lerner, 32 pages, 2015. $24.99 NON-FICTION
This book features information about the gray wolf, including habitat, diet, life cycle, and behavior. The photographs are bright and fresh, with bright page frames and text variation to add some flair to the read. The main focus, however, is on comparisons. There are numerous comparisons to other creatures, with tons of information about the other animal and a chart for visual comparison. This includes manatee, panda, red fox, and more.
This book has great cover appeal and students love to check out wolf books. However, the information about wolves is dry, unappealing, and rather sparse. Students will be confused and disappointed when they discover that the majority of the book is actually about other animals. Teachers however, required to do science units on comparisons will LOVE this book, and is a great curriculum connection for their classrooms.
EL(K-3), EL –OPTIONAL Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

Opposites by Ingrid and Dieter Schubert –NO

Schubert, Ingrid and Dieter Opposites 32 pgs. Lemniscaat USA, 2013. $14.01.  Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G. PICTURE BOOK.

This book presents one-word opposites, with large illustrated pages. It features tons of animals to create the events for each scene. Examples are asleep and awake, normal and crazy, brave and scared.

The illustrations are muted and very odd. The Sad scene shows what appears to be a dead Owl and a little open grave! The Brave scene features a raccoon with a club waiting to hit something hiding in a cave. It also shows a pig hold two crocodiles with their mouths tied up so that his pig friend can run on their backs. Some of the other scenes are just confusing. Wet is pretty good, but Dry features a river and a bucket of water! This book is just flat out not clear enough for the students that need these concepts presented very clearly.

PRE-K, EL (K-3) -NO Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

Iron Hearted Violet by Kelly Barnhill –NOT RECOMMENDED

Barnhill, Kelly Iron Hearted Violet 432 pgs. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2012. $11.55  (Rating: G)

An unexpected princess, Violet, is quite a surprise to the kingdom. She is nothing like a “real” princess, instead she is ugly and unruly. Together with her kind best friend Demetruis, they discover a creepy room in the castle. After some tragedy, Violet takes a deeper interest in the darkness found there –the Nybbas. As the kingdom falls about around her, she must face her true self and make friends with an ailing dragon.

What a chore to read.  At first I was kind of intrigued by the ugly princess thing –but quickly found I disliked Violet, and really could care less as to the outcome of her depressions. This book could have been reduced by 75% and I might have enjoyed the combination of this pathetic character and the semi-redeeming ending. I will wade through about anything, but students won’t. The cover is intriguing, but the book is a drawn-out and hard to relate to.

ELEMENTARY–NOT RECOMMENDED Reviewer: Stephanie School Librarian & Author.

DRAGONCON!

Okay - Faithful readers know I hardly ever post anything personal, but I am just too excited!  For my birthday this year my husband is taking me to Dragoncon in Atlanta!  My fav author of all time - Anne McCaffery - was supposed to be there, but we found out she had to pull out because of health issues.  Heartbroken, but undaunted, there are still LOTS of great things and wonderful authors to see there.  Timothy Zahn, Jodi Lynn Nye, Cinda Williams Chima, Marley Gibson, Elizabeth Moon - just a few who I am going to seek out.  I have overbooked my Events pages, so I should be running in at least three directions at any one time!

If I score any great photos, I will be sure to share.

Let me know if you are going to be there too!

--CINDY