Four Wonderful Children's Books by Clayton J. Liotta

Here are my first four reviews for the Fall Into Reading Challenge.  I don't think I could have picked any better books to begin this fun, laid back challenge.

Reading the four books by Clayton J. Liotta was very refreshing.  It had the same feel of reading a Dr. Seuss book.  The only difference was that Dr. Seuss created his own language.  Mr. Liotta has create story lines that rhyme and roll off of the tongue.  They are fun to read.  I have to say as an adult they kept me on the edge of my seat to see if what I predicted would happen actually did.  What follows is a brief synopsis of each of the four books he sent me,

 

I Thought I Saw a Dragon Late Last Night is the story of a young boy who goes on a quest to find a dragon he thought he saw the night before.  He goes all the places he believes he would find the dragon based upon the knowledge he holds of dragons.  It was a cute book with wonderful pictures, also created by the author.


 

When Verdell Comes to Visit tells the story of a young boy expecting a visit from his friend Verdell.  The fun thing is that Verdell is not your typical friend.  He is an alligator.  The young boy realizes that no matter how much he likes his friend, his friend is difficult to have around.

Up a Tree With Chicken Soup.   A young boy sets out in search of an adventure.  He takes with him some water and chicken soup in his backpack.  As he comes upon a magnificent tree he realizes that it is calling him to climb it.  Every time he goes up a branch or two he realizes there is another creature there and they all love his chicken soup.  A wonderful book about adventures and sharing.

The House at 25 Clearview Drive  was probably my favorite of all of them.  Upon hearing that new neighbors will be moving into the house across the street a young boy becomes very excited.  He can’t wait because they have a kid his age.  He anxiously watches the workers come and fix up the run down house.  Finally the day arrives. The movers tell him the new family will arrive the next day.  He sees all of Bobby’s toys and can hardly wait.  When the family arrives he realizes that things weren’t exactly the way he expected them to be.  This was a fun book.  I kept reading it over and over.

About the author:

Clayton J. Liotta is an Illustrator, Author & Cartoonist.  He currently has six books out.  They include Dubs Goges to WAshigton,   Dubs Runs For President, and the four books listed above.

You can check out what Clayton is up to by visiting his Facebook page or his website. www.Liottastudios.com

Fall Into Reading Challenge

Once again it is that time of year.  You know, the time when you dust off all of those books you've been hoping to get to, create a list, and begin reading them.  Katrina at Callapidder Days has once again set up this wonderful challenge.  It is one of two that I participate in each year.  This is a laid  back challenge.  It is simple.  Just create a list of books you would like to read and start reading.  It starts September 22 and ends December 21st.  You create a post of your book goals and then at the end create a post letting everyone know how you did.  In the Spring I had a  super long list and then was unable to get to them all. With new duties at school I have created a reasonable list and will add to it as I am able.  So let the fun begin.  Below is my list of books for this challenge. I am sure I will be adding books to the list as I go.

Picture Books
When Verdell Comes to Visit - Clayton J. Liotta
I Thought I Saw a Dragon Late Last Night - Clayton J. Liotta
Up A Tree With Chicken Soup -Clayton J. Liotta
The House at 25 Clearview Drive - Clayton J. Liotta
Molly, by Golly! - Dianne Ochiltree
The Dog Show - Sally O. Lee
'CAT'ASTROPHE' - Kathy Johnson
The Amazing Adventure of Paddy Platypus - Tom de Paolo
Quest for Good Manners - Karen LeFranc


Middle Grade/Young Adult/Adult Books
The Wind of Life: Vita - Oliver Neubert
The Chest of Visions:  Secrets of Caperston - Tim Ferguson
When the Lights Go Out - Max Elliot Anderson
The Scarecrow - Max Anderson
River Rampage - Max Elliot Anderson
The Golden Scarab - S.W. Lothian
The Cursed Nile - S.W.Lothian
A Long Walk to Water - Linda Sue Park
The One and Only Ivan - Katherine Applegate
The Upside of Ordinary - Susan Lubner
Stealing Kevin's Heart - M. Scott Carter
Thompson Twins Las Vegas Adventure - Lesa Hammond
The  Land of Whoo - Ryan O'Brien
Pieces of Me - Darlene Ryan
Legend of the White Eagle - Barbara Hay
The Prisoner of Snowflake Falls -John Lekich
Just Breeze - Beverly Stowe McClure
Losing Elizabeth - Tanya J. Peterson
I Want to Fly - Allel Kheroufi
Curse of the Shamra - Barry Hoffman
Katia - Bruce Judisch
Latitudes - Anthony Caplan
Demoneater - Royce Buckingham
Demonocity - Royce Buckingham
Escape to Mars - Greg Krehbiel

Added to List
Demonkeeper - Royce Buckingham
Poppy and the Stranger - Eli Jay
Ella The Pink Elephant - Doris Rueger
Morris the Village Voice - Doris Rueger
Captain Jack's Treasure - Max Elliot Anderson
When the Lights Go Out - Max Elliot Anderson

Student Saturday: The Homework Machine - Dan Gutman

Student Review by Madison D.

This is an okay book to read.  Some people do not enjoy homework, but some people do.  I am one of those people who enjoys homework.  I think if you don’t like homework you should read this book.  If you are like me and enjoy homework you might still like it.  I found that I didn’t like some of the opinions in the book as much.

This book is about a group of kids in school called the “P” Squad.    They invent something called the homework machine.  If you want to know what it is you will need to read the book to find out.  I could make a lot of personal connections to this book.  However, the one thing that stood out the most to me was when Brenton said he didn’t need friends to live.  I am like Brenton.  I realize that I don’t need friends to live either.  There were some good lessons to be learned from this book such as: think before you do things, everything and everyone has consequences, choose your friends wisely, don not choose a friend because of their grades. 

Make sure you check out this book.  It is a quick, easy book to read.