March 2017 - Page 4 of 12 - Anastasia Suen

Count Your Chickens
by Jo Ellen Bogart (Author) and Lori Joy Smith (Illustrator)

Booktalk: Follow a family of chickens as they prepare for their big outing. You’ll see chickens wondering what to wear, baking pies, painting their toes and knitting socks. A stroll through town reveals that everyone else is excited for the festivities too. There are so many sights to see! Over there we see racers sprinting to the finish line. Over here, farmers showing off their best crops. Clowns, entertainers and musicians take the stage. And don’t forget the rides: the Ferris wheel, super slide and merry-go-round.

Snippet:
Chickens, chickens everywhere
going to the county fair.
Turn the page to join the fun —
count some chickens! Start with one.

King & Kayla and the Case of the Secret Code
by Dori Hillestad Butler (Author) and Nancy Meyers (Illustrator)

Booktalk: Kayla and Mason both got mysterious letters, written in code.

What does Kayla know?

1. The same person left both letters.
2. It’s someone she and Mason both know.
3. The two letters are the same, except for the second word.

A lovable dog helps his human girl solve a mystery.

Snippet:
“Who would leave a strange letter on
our doormat?” Kayla asks.

Sniff…sniff.. The
paper smells like
oatmeal. I LOVE
oatmeal. It’s my
favorite food!

It also smells like
Kaya’s friend Jillian.

Could Jillian have
left it?