Book Review - Gator, Gator, Second Grader

Gator, Gator, Second Grader: Classroom Pet or Not?

By: Conrad J. Storad
Illustrated by: Alex Lopez
Publisher: Little Five Star
Publication Date: December 2014
ISBN: 978-1589852716
Reviewed by: Ellen Feld
Review Date: November 6, 2014

Oh my goodness! Is it true? Is there really an alligator in the classroom? I don't think a second grade classroom is a good place for a gator. Do you?

There are all sorts of animals that make very good classroom pets, but there are others that simply are a bad idea. This is the story of one such classroom, all the pets that live there, and of the new pet that arrived one day. Told by Sue the gerbil, who prefers to be called Snoozer because, well, you know, she likes to sleep A LOT, and "translated from gerbilish to English" by author Conrad J. Storad, this is a silly, sweet, and fun story of just what makes a good classroom pet.

Snoozer begins by introducing the reader to all the animals that live in Mrs. Nichols' classroom. There's Lola the red knee tarantula, two white mice, a tank full of goldfish and oh yes, let's not forget about Nat the cat who visits the school and likes to peek through the windows at Snoozer and the other animals. All was well with the animals, and the students learned a lot about various creatures by watching/studying them. What could be better? But then one day Benny and Jacob came to school with a little surprise - a baby alligator! Some of the other kids thought the baby alligator was the absolute coolest creature to enter the classroom. Names were tossed around - what should they call the new addition to the class? Whoa! Wait a minute! Mrs. Nichols had to put a stop to this dangerous idea right away. A classroom was NO place for a baby alligator!

Gator, Gator, Second Grader is a wonderful introduction to the world of classroom pets. With the teacher's help, students, and readers, learn about what makes a good pet, and why an alligator is NOT a good idea. Once Mrs. Nichols explains the concept, the students take turns listing an animal that would make a good pet, followed by an animal that should be left in the wild. At the end of the story are over ten pages of additional facts, from proper hand washing after handling an animal, information on gerbils and alligators, the often confused alligator vs. crocodile quandry, plus a curriculum and activity guide. Add in the fantastic illustrations and there's no doubt that this book should be in every classroom!

Quill says: Gator, gator, you belong in the wild, not in a second grade classroom! Read and learn all about various animals in this charming book about just what makes a good pet.

Book Review - Story Monster and Friends

Story Monster and Friends: Creatures to Color from Five Star Land

By: Conrad J. Storad
Illustrated by: Jeff Yesh, Michael Hagelberg, Nathaniel Jensen, Nadia Komorova, Alex Lopez
Publisher: Little Five Star
Publication Date: January 2015
ISBN: 978-1589852259
Reviewed by: Ellen Feld
Review Date: November 6, 2014

Oh, no! Watch out! Story Monster is out and about and he just might be heading to your neighborhood! Should you run? Should you hide? No, there's no need to fear...Story Monster, a.k.a. "Little Greenie," is actually a wonderfully friendly creature who devours books!

Story Monster and Friends is a coloring book that includes an adventure through many of the young reader books that Little Five Star Books has published recently. Not just an introduction to the various books, this project is a collaboration between eight award-winning authors and five fantastic illustrators.

With the help of Little Greenie, children are guided through Five Star Land and meet many of the stars of the featured books. From a cute and fluffy Elf owl to brightly colored lizards and buzzing bees, readers will be introduced to all sorts of creatures. Mama Rattlesnake is busy teaching her baby rattlers all the rules that young snakes must learn to survive while Cheery the leopard frog swims around her pond. Georgy the Gambel's quail strolls through the prickly pear plants while an adorable squirrel looks for a safe place for her young.

This unique coloring book isn't just chock full of neat pictures to color. Instead, it combines the drawings, just begging to be colored, along with factoids about the various animals. Readers of Little Five Star Books will recognize these animals from past books. And just in case you haven't read those books, or perhaps missed one or two, the title, author, and illustrator of each book is printed along the side of each page. At the back of the book is information on each featured title, plus the authors and illustrators who contributed to Story Monster and Friends.

Quill says: Visit 'Five Star Land' for a coloring book that is both fun AND educational!