Book 567

Buddy:  The First Seeing Eye Dog, by Eva Moore, illustrated by Don Bolognese, Scholastic Book 1996.

This is a delightful true-life story for a second-grader.  My second-grader was impressed with the friendships in this book:  The friendship between Kiss and Gala, and the friendship between Kiss (now Buddy) and Morris.

The illustrations are tender and action-packed, and add so much to the text.

The only thing that didn't quite make sense was the title.  Buddy was the first seeing eye dog in the US, but she wasn't the first seeing eye dog.

Thomas' 13th Illustrated Story -- Book 4

Once upon a time, there was an owl.  It was a great horned owl.  Thomas didn’t like the owl because he looked angry.  And because the owl was always trying to look into his window at night.

                                                                                                            The End.

Book 566

Humprey's School Fair Surprise, by Betty Birney

I recently won an auction that benefited a public library.  What I won was a copy of this book, signed by the illustrator, and a print of the artwork from this book, also signed by the illustrator.  The reason I entered the contest in the first place, besides wanting to benefit the library, was because my second grade son loves books and has a hamster.

My second grade son has found a new favorite series. 

Humphrey the hamster has such a charming voice, and is every bit as clever as our 'Houdini Hamster'.  In fact, he is more clever, because our hamster isn't much of a reader, and has yet to make sign.  Still, my little boy sees a lot of his Benjamin the Houdini Hamster in Humphrey, and can't wait to read more of the series.

Thomas' 12th Illustrated Story -- Book 4

Once upon a time, Jack Frost visited overnight.  Jack Frost frosted the grass and the trees and the leaves.  And he made our breath visible.  And he killed the ants.  Jack Frost was very good.

                                                                                                            The End.

Thomas' 11th Illustrated Story -- Book 4

Once upon a time, there was a Thomas named Thomas.  Thomas was a storyteller.  Thomas’ stories were magic.  When you read them, they could come to life.

The End.