Review: Lion vs. Rabbit by Alex Latimer

 

Lion bullies all the other animals until finally they can't take it anymore. They post an ad, asking for help. One animal after another tries and fails to defeat Lion. Can no one stop him? Finally, a rabbit arrives. No one thinks that such a small animal will be brave enough or strong enough to defeat Lion. But perhaps this rabbit is smart enough?

The story itself is simple: Lion is a bully.  He's mean to all the other animals and they can't figure out how to make him stop, until Rabbit arrives. 

I can't wait to take this book to school to read to my students.  The subject of bullying is so predominant right now, but many think that it's the big stuff (name calling, hitting, etc), but in elementary school, it's all the stuff that Lion is doing:  wedgies, putting signs on backs, stealing lunch money.  I can see many students not knowing how to handle a bully, seeing Rabbit and really trying to outsmart their bully.

But, honestly, this book made me think of my two dogs, Skipper (almost 8 years old) and Luna (a puppy).  Skipper has always been the only dog in our house, and when we went to other houses with dogs, he would try to dominate them (not in a mean way, he'd just kind of herd them to another room or jump on someone's lap and push the other dog off).  Until Luna arrived.  She is more than half his size and doesn't take any guff from him.  In fact, I think he's scared of her.  She's his Rabbit (and if she'd just stop biting/chewing everything, she'd be my Rabbit, too)

I also loved the illustrations.  They are detailed, but not so detailed that they are overwhelming.  The little touches like speech bubbles, a note from home, and the advertisement make the story more interactive. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this book.  Like I said, I can't wait to share it with my kiddos (the non furry kind).

I'd like to thank Peachtree Publishers for asking me to be a part of the tour and sending me a copy for review. 

Be sure to check out some of the other blogs on tour:

Mon. August 5

Kid Lit Reviews: www.kid-lit-reviews.com

There's a Book: www.theresabook.com

Blue Owl Reviews: www.blueowlreviews.blogspot.com

 

Tues. August 6

Gidget's Bookworms: www.gidgetsbookworms.wordpress.com

Maestra Amanda: www.maestra-amanda.blogspot.com

 

Wed. August 7

Fun stuff happening on the Peachtree blog - I'm going to post a contest of our own up there, so feel free to link to www.peachtreepub.blogspot.com

 

Thurs. August 8

It's About Time MaMaw: www.itstimetoreadmamaw.blogspot.com

 

Fri. August 9

Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers: www.insatiablereaders.blogspot.com

Review: Penguin's Hidden Talent by Alex Latimer

 

Image and summary from Amazon:

All of Penguin's friends are excited about the upcoming talent show, but Penguin can t seem to figure out what his talent is. He tries juggling appliances with Bear, doing magic tricks with Rabbit, and burping the alphabet with Fox, but he doesn't seem to be good at any of it. Stuck behind the scenes organizing, Penguin leaves the contest saddened, the only one who hasn't received a medal. His friends decide to throw him a party to make him feel better, but their festivities fizzle. That s when Penguin discovers he might have some special skills after all as he sets to work planning them all the best party ever.  

I won this book thanks to Peachtree Publishers and ArmchairBEA, and would like to say a huge "Thank you!" to both!  It unfortunately doesn't come out until August 1, but its one that you will want to check out!  

I really enjoyed this book.  It was simple, but with such a great story:  Penguin would like to join his friends and perform in the talent show.  However, it doesn't seem like he has any talents.  So, to stay involved, he volunteers to organize the whole she-bang...and does a wonderful job!  

It does take a special talent to organize and keep things running.  Not everyone can be the rock star or the pro-athlete, and unfortunately, those are talents that people think of first.  But the person who gets the rock star those gigs/cds/etc is just as talented.  I am the organizer, my husband, the star.  And believe me, it takes a lot to keep him organized!  (He's my 3rd full time job---after the one that pays and blogging!)   

I like that this book explores and explains that everyone is talented in their own way.  Kids need to see that.  It floors me that Mr. Latimer could do it in 25ish pages!  

Like I said, this is one that you'll want to pick up (or at least check out from the library!) on August 1st.