Mind Your Manners, B.B. Wolf is an interesting, funny story about a wolf named B.B. Wolf who gets invited to a tea by a librarian; his friend gives him advice on how to mind his manners at the tea, telling him to smile and to not bite anyone. This story has other fictional characters such as Little Red Riding Hood and the Three Little Pigs, who B.B. tries his best to make a great impression on.

I loved reading this story. Children would really enjoy it because it is funny, has good advice on manners, and has other characters they are already familiar with. This book would be great to read in a first grade classroom with a number of other books about a "big bad wolf", having the students compare and contrast the wolves and other characters in the stories. They can also have a creative writing activity where they write a story about a "big bad wolf".

Description (Goodreads):

In the first book of a middle-grade fantasy-comedy-mystery series, Brodie Adkins is thrown into the wacky world of Monstrovia where he encounters flying serpents, deadly giants and a monstrous murder mystery that only he can solve! In Monstrovia, anything can and does happen! Kids of all ages won’t be able to put it down until the hilarious surprising ending. Join the adventure as related by award-winning author Mark Newhouse from the diary of Brodie Adkins! 

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed reading this book with my children. My girls, thirteen and eleven, took turns with me reading the book outloud to my son, age seven. It held his attention very well.

In this story we meet Brodie who is visiting Monstrovia for the first time. He is staying with his uncle who is a defense attorney. Monstrovia is a fantasy land where fictional characters from books and movies live. Jack, Jan and the Beanstalk, has been accused of murdering the giant from the same story. It is up to Brodie and his uncle to prove his innocence. This is no easy task considering then case is being heard in a Giant Courthouse, the judge is a giant, and the Jack keeps saying things that make him look guilty. Jack's sister also make things difficult by saying and doing things without thinking of how they effect the murder case. 

This story is fast paced. There isn't a single dull moment. Each and every page has something interesting going on. On top of all the action and exploring, the author also makes this educational. He explains legal systems in a way that is easy for choldren to understand. My kids now know what the basic duties of a defence attorney are, and court procedures. I loved that they were learning and didn't even realize it.

This is meant for middle grade readers. I think that is an appropriate label, but this book is also great as a read outloud book for younger readers.

I am so excited that this book is the first book in what will be a series featuring Brodie, his uncle, and Monstrovia. I will definitely read the next book in this series when it comes out.

Recommendations:

I recommend this to middle grade readers. It would make a great addition to any public, school, private, or personal library. This would make a great book to read outloud to group or individual younger readers.

I received a ebook copy of this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have to state right up front that I absolutely hate the made up term "competence porn," but this is still an interesting look at how modern science fiction has more or replaced scientists with heroic types. The trend has invaded TV, movies and publishing. Gone are crusty scientists full of wisdom, or even competent technical engineers who fully understand the workings of a spaceship.

In their place are good-looking athletic types who are mostly good at running, jumping and shooting things. It is irritating that the modern science whiz has an average age of around 26 yet still sports a string of degrees and 30 years of on-the-job experience to draw from. Perhaps these days the emphasis is simply more on "fiction" than on "science?" 

http://io9.com/the-moment-when-science-fiction-split-off-from-competen-1112227008

Presto change-oh...the physicists in Robert Sawyer's "Flashforward" were magically transformed into a team of FBI agents for the TV show. Uh huh, sure, that's believable. Okay, everyone look mean and tough for the camera!