Mouse Scouts (Book #1) by Sarah Dillard -OPTIONAL

Dillard, Sarah Mouse Scouts (Book #1), 110 pgs Knopf, 2016. $12.99. Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G Violence: G

Violet and her best friend Tigerlily are graduating from the Buttercups to the Acorn Scouts, and they are very excited. They don’t exactly like their new troop leader Miss Poppy, but she helps them to plan and grow their own vegetable garden, something Violet is very happy about. But the mice of the Acorn Scouts must face challenging if they want their garden to work including insects, pesky animals, and watering dilemma’s.

With its appealing cover many readers will choose this series. I am not sure they will stick with it though. It honestly sort of reads like a thinly coated lesson on hard work and chores. I felt bad for the mice as they met Miss Poppy and were assigned gardening tasks. While there was some creative thinking and friendship scattered through, the story didn’t pull me in. I realize this is an early chapter book, but I have read plenty that were just darling and written to appeal to young readers (like Critter club).

EL (K-3)  – OPTIONAL Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

Extraordinary Warren: A Super Chicken by Sarah Dillard - ADVISABLE

Dillard, Sarah  Extraordinary Warren: A Super Chicken, 64 pgs.  Aladdin, 2014. $12.99  GRAPHIC NOVEL  Content: G.  

Warren feels like there is something in this world beyond peeking at chicken feed, so he goes off the farm to find adventure.  He comes across a rat who is dreaming of Chicken Supreme, and Warren misunderstands and thinks that he can be a supreme chicken.  Warren dreams up ways he can be a superhero, but is discouraged when he can’t even fly.  Eventually, Warren finds out that the rat wants to eat chicken and he tries to warn his farm friends that they are going to be dinner.  Warren and his friend, Egg, finally find ways to help others and save the chickens.  

This is a graphic novel for young readers.  The characters aren’t relatable, but the story line is funny and fast.  The illustrations are bright and the text font is clear.  It’s an easy read to give to kids who might like an introduction to graphic novels, but are a bit too young to follow detailed texts.  

EL (K-3)-ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

Make Difference (Mouse Scouts Book #2) by Sarah Dillard -ADVISABLE

Dillard, Sarah Make Difference (Mouse Scouts Book #2), 127 pgs Knopf, 2016. $12.99. Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G Violence: G

In this second book Violet and her best friend Tigerlily are learning how to weave baskets as part of the Acorn Scouts. They are trying to earn a Make a Difference Badge. Violet has an idea to pick up litter at the park as part of this. Eventually they reuse some of the trash in various inventions including helping out someone who is very dangerous to them, a cat.

There are some great lessons here about helping the planet, reuse/recycle, and how to treat others who aren’t very nice to you. This one seems to have to have a bit more personality and fun to it and I liked it quite a bit more than the first book. The cover has a ton of appeal so I may give this series a try in my library.

EL (K-3)  – ADVISABLE Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.