Recently I decided to go on a binge of reading children stories. I was just in a nostalgic mood and ended up reading some books I never got around to reading when I was younger, and some that are newer published.

 

Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows, Sophie Blackall (Illustrator) 

#1 (4 stars)

I was browsing through the kid section of the overdrive library, because I was in the mood for some children/middle grade (possibly nostalgic stuff from my past) and I saw the cover for this book. I thought it looked cute, so I checked it out. I liked it. I think it was silly and fun, and of course cute. I'm in my 30s, but I like to believe I still have a firm grasp on my inner child. I can still relate to younger characters. In the case of these two, I can relate to their imagination and how they get along with family; especially annoying a sibling.

 

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The Adventures of Captain Underpants Dav Pilkey

#1 (5 stars)

I think this book is fun, silly, weird, but I can see why it is a hit or miss with some people. I enjoyed the artwork.

 

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Scream Street by Tommy Donbavand

Fang of the Vampire #1 (5 stars)

 

I thought this series looked interesting and it turned out pretty fun and cute.

Blood of the Witch #2 (4 stars)

I'm on the fence if I liked this one better than the first one or not. It was quite silly, but not in a bad way, and the author is obviously going with his own vampire lore of how vampires are made

and cured.

(spoiler show)

At least they don't sparkle. ha ha

A fun, quick paced read.

 

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The Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne, Salvatore Murdocca (Illustrator)

 

Dinosaurs Before Dark #1 (4 stars)

I never read this series as a kid. It is just one of the ones I over looked and never thought about. But I thought this was cute and fun, especially for the age group it is intended for. The only reason adult me would give it a lower rating is because I would love more details and I believe even as a child reading this, more details couldn't hurt!

The Knight at Dawn #2 (3 Stars)

The only reason I give the volumes after #1 a 3 star instead of a 4 star is because of the repetitiveness. The summery of past books within the new story would be really helpful for a person who hasn't read the series in a long time. I will give this series that! So I understand why it happens, but it takes something from me as an adult reader.

However the books are cute and fun. I can relate to them, even as an adult, because I love books and would love to be in their shoes, to see all the worlds in the books, and who wouldn't want a magic tree house?

Mummies In The Morning #3 (3 Stars)

Now that I have finished the 3rd book in the series, I am starting to wonder... is the magic tree house really there, or are the children making up everything in their heads? Either way, I really like it!

Pirates Past Noon #4 (3 Stars)

So now we know who "M" is. I still wonder if the children are making up everything in their minds. Imagination is a powerful thing! Either way, this series is really fun. Sure, it's simple and short for adult readers, but that is completely fine by me! It is nice to sit down with some books without all the young adult drama. Also, I feel like these "children" books and other nostalgia type books are really good when you are in a reading slump.

 

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

#1 (4 stars)

I think I would have rated this higher if the kid hadn't been such a brat. I know kids can be bratty, but he seemed way over the top! I would even say he has a meanness to him and doesn't care what the coincidences of his actions are. I felt sorry for his so called best friend.

I do like diary format in books. I might read more in the series. I hope he grows as a character as the series goes on.

I loved the Magic Tree house books growing up. Now as an adult, I am slowly making my way through the series, a bit out of order.

I'm not sure if I ever read this one as a kid, but I loved it as an adult. A great adventure story and you finally get to meet the M person. Very exciting.

I also really liked the explanation for why Annie and Jack found the treehouse in the first place. They had to find it together, combining their personalities.

I'm so glad I went back and read this book. It really set up the future books in the series.

A great read.

I am fortunate enough to work in the children's room of an urban library, and most weekdays we have afternoon programs for the local kids to participate in when they get out of school. Many of the children who live near the library come to the library immediately after school and stay until dinner time, because they have nothing else to do and, often, nowhere else to go. We try to provide fun programs for them, because it's much better for these kids to have a safe place that they enjoy going to than it is for them to be running around on the streets. 

 

One of the programs that the kids, especially the boys, love is Lego Club. We hold this every Monday from 5-6pm for kids ages 5-12, and the kids are able to drop in and play with Legos. We then display their creations behind the children's circulation desk for the remainder of the week, and the kids love showing them off to their friends and their parents. We have a theme each week, but the kids are allowed to make other stuff if they would rather do that instead. Today, our youth services manager (aka children's librarian), who is my boss, was unable to be around for Lego Club, and instead of cancelling it, she allowed me to run it. I was SO excited! Read on to see more about my pirates themed Lego Club. 

 

★★★★★Pirates Past Noon by Mary Pope Osborne
We love the Magic Tree House Series. They are easy, read chapter books. My daughter really likes when I read these to her, because I put so much enthusiasm in them.
This is book 4 in the series. It starts on as any rainy day, until Jack and Annie, get to the tree house. They look through the books and see one with a beautiful ocean, and are magically transported there. As the go down to the beach, they see a ship with a pirate flag, and realize they are in trouble. Before they can escape, they are captured by Cap'n Bones, who is mean, and calls them lubbers. He wants the Kidd's gold and will stop at nothing, but will he ever get it...

2.5 stars

My least favorite of the series so far. The pirate captain was too one-dimensionally evil and the "clue" on the treasure map was too ridiculously simplistic for me to give this 3 stars.

It was fun, though, to get to meet the M person. And to learn the purpose of the treehouse and why jack and Annie are able to use it. Although why she would choose a treehouse of all things to use as her time machine is never addressed...