The Dr. Hippo Series by Charlotte Cowan, M.D.

A while back I had the pleasure of reviewing Charlotte Cowan's most recent release in her Dr. Hippo series, The Moose With Loose Poops. It was funny, yet offered great insight for parents and children on a regular run of the mill tummy bug. My daughters and I enjoyed the book, and were absolutely thrilled when the author asked if we'd like to review the rest of her series. Naturally, we accepted without a second thought!

Cowan does a brilliant job of connecting the reader to her stories, and offering a tangible look at the disconcerting feelings and body reactions a child deals with when he or she is sick. Her story style takes the form of entertainment, but hidden within is a concept that even the youngest of readers can understand. No one likes to be sick, especially when it's for the first time. What Cowan does through her stories is helps familiarize her readers with the facts about some everyday common illnesses, and puts an exact name with each. By doing so, she helps take the edge off the unknown, thereby helping to calm the fears and concerns children can feel when they're sick.

Parents too can benefit from checking out this line because each book includes a handy, laminated Parent's Guide. The guides each discuss, in a question/answer format, the concerns the parent may have regarding best caring for their child who happens to be suffering from the illness the character in the story also dealt with. These handy reference guides are not meant to take the place of a real doctor visit, but they may help ease the parent's concern and guide them in knowing at what point they should consult their child's physician and what to do for their child themselves until that point is reached. As with any book, these guides serve as recommendations only, and all parents should always follow their gut instinct when best deciding whether to call the doctor or not.

Now for a quick synopsis of each individual title...


The Little Elephant with the Big Earache by Charlotte Cowan, M.D.
Illustrated By: Elaine Garvin
Geared Towards: Ages 2-7
Published By: The Hippocratic Press
Publication Date: September 2004
ISBN: 978-0-975-3516-04

Eddie the Elephant is preparing for a birthday celebration with his cousins. He doesn't have time to be sick. But an icky ear ache makes him have to slow down and sit out some play time in hopes of getting better. Momma gives Eddie some medicine to help make his ear feel better, but only Dr. Hippo can determine for sure the full extent of Eddie's ache.

Peeper Has a Fever by Charlotte Cowan, M.D.

Illustrated By: Susan Banta

Geared Towards: Ages 2-7

Published By: The Hippocratic Press

Publication Date: October 2005

ISBN: 978-0-975-3516-28

Peeper the Frog is looking forward to going to the big picnic withhis family and friends. He wants to try to win the diving competition. But a nasty fever stops Peeper in his tracks. Dr. Hippo thinks the fever is just the on set of an infection which means that Peeper must stay home and get lots of rest. Will medicine and rest help Peeper get back on his feet in time for the big contest?

Katie Caught a Cold by Charlotte Cowan, M.D.
Illustrated By: Katy Bratun
Geared Towards: Ages 2-7
Published By: The Hippocratic Press
Publication Date: October 2005
ISBN: 978-0-975-3516-35

When Katie the Polar Bear begins to sneeze uncontrollably, she worries that she won't be allowed to skate in the upcoming Ice Show. Dr. Hippo doesn't think it sounds like anything more than a household variety cold, but she still must take care of herself and get better if she wants to participate. Lots of rest and warm fluids can help make Katie better, but will she feel alright in time?

Sadie's Sore Throat by Charlotte Cowan, M.D.

Illustrated By: Katy Bratun

Geared Towards: Ages 2-7

Published By: The Hippocratic Press

Publication Date: November 2006

ISBN: 978-0-975-3516-42

Sadie the Giraffe can't wait for her school's art fair. Her contribution is going to be the beautiful necklaces she's been working hard to make. But when Sadie's throat starts hurting and she comes down with a fever, prepping for the fair is the least of her concerns. Momma gives Sadie medicine to help ease the pain in her throat and to bring her fever down, but only a trip to Dr. Hippo can tell them for sure what's causing Sadie to be sick and how to properly treat her.


One of the commonly shared themes in this series is that each child has some big event getting ready to take place that suddenly gets tossed in the air with the introduction of the child's illness. I think it's a unique way to approach not only the sicknesses themselves but also how each child can expect to deal with them. Life gets put on hold when you're sick, and learning to be patient can be difficult. Each story shows what process a child can expect to go through when dealing with a particular infection or sickness, and shows what kind of behavior they should have despite how unpleasant the situations can be. (An example of this would be how willingly each child takes his or her medicine and visits Dr. Hippo despite the intense desire not to.) When you are sick it can feel like it lasts forever. But what's great about these books is that they show, in each story, that an end is in sight. And even when things don't go exactly like the characters would like, they still find a way to be happy.

OUR RATINGS: 5 hearts (each)

Little Oink by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Jen Corace

Little Oink by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Jen Corace
Geared Towards: Ages 3 and up
Published By: Chronicle Books
Publication Date: February 2009
ISBN: 978-0-8118-6655-2

Little Oink is a cute little pig, but he differs from his friends and family in one big way. As far as pigs are generally concerned they love to wallow in filth and be as sloppy as can be. Not Little Oink. Little Oink prefers everything to be clean and tidy. He doesn't like to have a messy room or wear dirty clothes. He doesn't mind being different, but his parents aren't so easily convinced.

In this cute, unorthodox story we see the family dynamic take an unusal twist. Instead of the classic argument where the child wants to be messy and the parents are constantly calling for him to be more neat and tidy, here we have a child who wants to be orderly and unsoiled while the parents are calling for the clutter and grime. While it wasn't my favorites byRosenthal; it really was quite funny. That being said, kids of all ages are sure to enjoy reading this good-humored, adorably illustrated tale.

OUR RATING: 4 hearts

Starlight Animal Rescue: Dark Horse by Dandi Daley Mackall

Starlight Animal Rescue: Dark Horse by Dandi Daley Mackall
Geared Towards: Ages 8-12
Published By: Tyndale House
Publication Date: February 2009
ISBN: 978-1-4143-1271-2

I picked this series up midway through, and have now read both the third and fourth installments without having first read the debut and second book. NOTE TO SELF: Must remedy that asap. Dark Horse the fourth book in Mackall's Starlight Animal Rescue series told a gripping story with heartfelt emotion. And the focus the author had her characters put on God was powerful and moving.

Hank is not a new character to the Starlight series, but in this book we see him in a new light. Previously the role readers have seen Hank cast in was that of a strong leader, someone with huge amounts of compassion, and a great knack for keeping the positive perspective. But in Dark Horse we see him for the true person he is - human, flawed, and a boy on his way to becoming a man. He is still compassionate and loving, yet we are all human and even the best of us can't maintain a totally cheery outlook on life every waking second of every day.

Even as the dominant child in the Coolidge household, Hank was not raised to inhuman or godly proportions. Like anyone else, he is only as strong as he feels. And when the Starlight Animal Rescue finds itself recovering from a terrible fire that destroyed the barn and everything, non-living, within it Hank finds himself struck down with grief, guilt, fear, and anguish. The ranch can't survive without a place to house the rescues. Not to mention it's nearly Thanksgiving which means Winter is only a short matter of weeks, if that, away. What will the Coolidge's do if they have no place safe and warm, away from nature's elements, for their horses to stay once the storms of Winter arrive?

Hank is only a boy, but he feels the urgency of the situation can not be ignored. Everyone else in the Coolidge household recognizes the importance of rebuilding as quickly as possible; however, their faith in God keeps them positive that all will come together in the end. Hank though has a hard time putting his stock in God. He believes in Him, but his faith isn't as strong as the others. Because of that, Hank feels a nearly unbearable burden to accomplish everything on his own without giving God a chance to take the load from his shoulders. Unable or unwilling to cast his cares upon the Lord, Hank struggles to keep it together and to not go off on his family. Every time they seem lax in their planning or actions Hank wants to scream. He can't do it alone, and if no one else will help him in the way he feels is necessary then he's never going to have the barn up in time.

Compounding Hank's stress is the emotion he feels regarding his rescue, Cleo. Already an abused and injured beast, Cleo was brought to Starlight so she could be free from the terror and pain she'd come to know. But when the fire started, Cleo panicked and in doing so trapped herself inside the burning barn. Hank and his father were eventually able to free her from the structure before it became completely engulfed in the flames, but not before the horse was totally panick-stricken and injured. Now being kept in a field down the road, Cleo remains in a state of wild terror. Hank initially tried to calm the horse, but agitation coursed through her veins making it impossible for him to get near her.

The world weighs heavy on Hank Coolidge, and even a visit from his cousin Catman and Winnie the Horse Whisper doesn't help break Hank from the funk he's allowed himself to get in. What Hank needs is to recognize he is not responsible. What he needs is to know he's not alone. What he needs is God. God is already there, waiting to exchange Hank's grief and feelings of responsibilty for peace and comfort. Will Hank give Him the chance?

This was another incredible story by Mackall. Even though the primary focus of this story was on Hank, all of the other characters each played an integral part in the story. Catman, the ever laid back flower child-esque, one of the bunch brings a lot of calming energy to the story. The brother's Mr & Mr Coolidge bring the laughter with their silly jokes. Kat and Dakota brings their new found faith, strong and beautiful as it is. And Winnie brings with her a wealth of knowledge and perspective. I think Mackall's set up for this installment in the Starlight series couldn't have been done any better. I found myself really aching for Hank (and for Kat and Winnie), as no person- yound or old- should ever have to suffer the feelings of helplessness that Hank felt.

What I love best about these books is that the author really seems to know her characters and her audience. Just because the books are Christian based does not mean that all readers are going to be solidly grounded in a Christ centered life. Even if they are, we are all human, as Mackall so seemlessly shows in this story. Not one of us is perfect, and we all have moments where we should cry out to God to ask for forgiveness, favor, and guidance. Giving up the reins and saying, "I don't know how to do this, Lord; I put it in your hands." is not an easy feat. I'm an adult who has grown up in the church and I still struggle with this frequently. As a child, trying to be independent and willing oneself into adulthood, the pressure to measure up and be self sufficient can be all the more overwhelming. I think it's great that Mackall shows this need through her characters, but then also shows how simple and beneficial it can be to rely a little more on God.


OUR RATING: 5 hearts

Big Rabbit's Bad Mood by Ramona Badescu

Big Rabbit's Bad Mood by Ramona Badescu
Illustrated By: Delphine Durand
Geared Towards: Ages 2-6
Published By: Chronicle Books
Publication Date: March 2009
ISBN: 978-0-8118-6666-8

We all have them- bad moods that is. Some days we know exactly what it is that is bothering us, and it's easy to resolve the inner conflict that causes the bad mood in the first place. Other days we can't quite put our finger on it, but we and everyone else around us knows there's something bothering us because of the big ugly mood following us about everywhere we go.

The latter is what happened to Big Rabbit in Big Rabbit's Bad Mood by Ramona Badescu. Rabbit wakes up one morning feeling grumpy and glum. He doesn't know why he feels this way, only that he does. He can't talk on the phone because his friend won't answer and his mom's too busy. He can't listen to some soothing music on the radio because his bad mood takes away the pleasure. He even tries to watch something on tv, but all he can see is his big bad mood staring back at him. Everything Rabbit tries to do just ends up worse and worse until Rabbit can finally take it no longer. Whatever the reason for his being there, the bad mood must go! With that final thought on the matter, Rabbit begins to devise a plan to free himself of the bad mood once and for all.

Suggesting that Rabbit has a bad mood doesn't really hit the idea home when you're dealing with younger readers, but this is where the work of the illustrator really comes in to play. She has done a wonderful job of capturing the concept of the bad mood and bringing it forth on the page. The hairy gray creature hereforth known as Bad Mood, can be seen following Big Rabbit around throughout each illustration. It's this visual which really takes Rabbit's figurative bad mood and turns it into something totally identifiable for kids. Being actually embodied by a character on the page, boosts the impact of the story because it really allows the kids reading the story to establish a better of understanding of what Rabbit is going through. And that, therein, allows them to sympathize and relate with Rabbit's plight on a much more personal level.

My girls and I thought that Big Rabbit's Bad Mood was a lot of fun to read together, and the fact that the story starts out sad but closes with a happy ending just makes it a real winner. Plus I think other parents like myself will not only enjoy the story on it's basic level, but I think they'll also enjoy it for the author's subtle message about how we sometimes overthink things and cause ourselves to be visited by the bad mood. Because certainly, Rabbit and I can't be the only ones that do this.


OUR RATING: 5 hearts

Dinosaurs ROAR, Butterflies SOAR! by Bob Barner

Dinosaurs ROAR, Butterflies SOAR! by Bob Barner
Geared Towards: Ages 4-8
Published By: Chronicle Books
Publication Date: April 2009 (COMING SOON!)
ISBN: 978-0-8118-5663-8

I simply adore Bob Barner's illustrations, and have since the very first time I laid eyes on one of his books. It's not that they're overly detailed, but their amazingly bright, bold, and eye catching in a very unoverworked way. I'd say that even if a person wasn't drawn in by the actual story he'd still be thoroughly transfixed by the illustrations in one of Barner's books. They're that powerful.

It is the same with his upcoming release from Chronicle Books, Dinosaurs ROAR, Butterflies SOAR! In this story of Earth's prehistoric days, Barner shows how something as small and tender as the butterfly could manage to not only live alongside the dinosaurs but also enhance their way of life. Adding to the already exceptional beauty of nature, butterflies aided in the growth of vegetation by carrying pollen from one blossom to another. In doing so the planet was changed for the better. There was more air and more food first for the dinosaurs, and then for all the other creatures that have come to exist, humans included, since the butterfly first fluttered on to the scene.

This was a very pretty book, yet in my personal opinion this was not Barner's strongest story. To be perfectly honest it was just okay for me- even kind of boring. There were no aspects that really gripped me or made me want to read the story again. I did think it a wise decision on the author's behalf to include the sub text that came outside the story. These additional segments went a bit deeper with the facts and seemed to have more substance. Perhaps that was the author's intent and how he intended to appeal to both the younger ages (4-6) and the older ages (7-8) with this book. If that's the case though I think he should have stuck with focusing on the older age group, because truly neither my 3 or 5 year old had any interest in this story outside of the vivid pastel and paper illustrations. Even the fun fact section at the back of the book seemed geared mostly towards the older age bracket.

One last thing... I want to say that I believe Barner is an exceptionally talented author and illustrator. I was somewhat disappointed by this particular book, but I'm eager to see what he will come up with next.

OUR RATING: 3 hearts

Starlight Animal Rescue: Wild Cat by Dandi Daley Mackall

Starlight Animal Rescue: Wild Cat by Dandi Daley Mackall
Geared Towards: Ages 8-12
Published By: Tyndale House
Publication Date: January 2009
ISBN: 978-1-4143-1270-5

Finding books that are both wholesome and entertaining can sometimes be difficult. Especially at the impressionable age of 8-12 years, we want our daughters reading books that will uplift them and encourage their spirit. Certainly everything doesn't have to have a full on Christian perspective. However, for a young Christian girl finding a book that does yet still matches a more secular book in story and print is a big bonus. Such is what you can expect to find with Dandi Daley Mackall's Starlight Animal Rescue series.

Starlight Animal Rescue is an animal rescue ranch. Amoung its many residents are abused and unwated horses, cats, and dogs that have been taken in from uncertain circumstances. Run by the Coolidge family, the rescue is more than just a safe haven for troubled animals. It's also a home filled with loved for those kids who have no place to go, fit in, or call home.

Wild Cat, which happens to be book 3 in this particular junvenile fiction series from Mackall, introduces us, the readers, to Kat a young girl taken in by Chester "Popeye" and Dr Annie Coolidge. Kat is 12-years old, and struggling to beat the odds. Unlike most kids her age she is small and frail, a victim of cancer. With news of Kat's adoption date looming on the horizon, she is both excited and terrified. God has blessed her with the Coolidges, an amazing family, and she loves them dearly. But being so sick and weak all the time, Kat worries that she isn't deserving enough to be graced with the family name. Everyone else in the family from her sister and brothers to her Dad and Mom, as she has affectionately come to call them, pulls a great weight to make sure that the Starlight Animal Rescue runs as smoothly as possible. And even the smallest jobs at the rescue can be very unnerving and, at times, impossible for Kat. The medicine she takes makes her sick and weak, but she determines not to let it stop her from earning the right to the family name. Everyone else has his or her place, and if she's going to be a Coolidge she determines she too must find her own place within the ranks.

According to Dictionary.com the word WILD can mean any of the following:

• living in a state of nature; not tamed; not domesticated
• frantic or distracted; crazy
• unrestrained, untrammeled, or unbridled
• amazing or incredible
• intensely eager or enthusiastic
• Cards. (of a card) having its value decided by the wishes of the players

I find these definitions very interesting when taken in to consideration up against this book's title.

At first readers might assume the name, Wild Cat, is in reference to cat with the beautiful blue eyes and long white fur on the cover. This correlation could indeed be most accurate. In the story, Kat does spend a good amount of time trying to understand and figure out the inner mental workings of this darling animal. I could see definition number four standing in here. Perhaps, however, there's more to the title than just the obvious reference.

It could also be that the title draws inspiration from the school project Kat finds herself working on. Different from anything she'd ever imagined doing for a grade, Kat and her partner start their own cat clinic. Playing the role of doctor, Kat must put her knowledge to good use so that she can help her fellow students train their cats to be less frantic, more restrained, and more domesticated.

Or maybe still the title refers to the main character herself, Kat- aka Katharine. She is just weeks away from having her adoption in to the Coolidge family finalized. She's intensely eager to make the family proud and earn her right to own their name. The Coolidges love Kat and wouldn't have her any other way, but she feels that she should and could be doing more. Could it be that the title is derived from her incredible need to feel like a equal partner in the family and at the rescue? Is it possible the book's title, Wild Cat, ascribes itself to Kat who perchance feels her value is determined by the amount of work she does at the rescue and the amount of worth the family allots her?

This is a book I can not wait for my daughters to be able to read. It's currently too old for them, but I know that this is a book worth saving for them. Kat's strength and perseverance are edifying. Her immense trust in God is thought provoking and poignant. Filled with many references to God and the scriptures, I was really pleased with how this story came together. I can definitely see this being a great teaching tool for young girls because through the story they'll come to understand compassion, learn the Word, and simply be uplifted in their own personal lives.

OUR RATING: 5 hearts

I Screwed Up!

Okay, guys, I screwed up- big time! I was trying to pretty up Ready Set Read Reviews, but in the process I accidentally deleted all my side and bottom bar add ons. If I was smart I would have saved all the info before I tested the new layout, but nope. That means, my buttons, links, recommended reads, awards, etc are all gone. Eeeps! I have a pretty good idea of what I had, but it's going to take me a couple of days to get everything back in order.

Also, being the brainiac that I am, I can not remember what-so-ever what login info I used for my feedburner e-mail subscription thing. So, if you/are signed up to receive feed updates from me here please watch for another post with more info on what I end up finding out. I'm thinking I'll probably have to sign up for a new feedburner account, and I don't know how that affects the original feedburner linkage I had on here before.

Oi! Long story short, I'm hoping when all this is said and done it will look even better here. For the next few days though forgive the jumble as I work to restore everything I lost. Thankfully I didn't lose the actual content of the blog. That would have been beyond brutal.

-Rebekah

I know a lot of things by Ann & Paul Rand

I know a lot of things by Ann & Paul Rand
Geared Towards: Ages 2-6
Published By: Chronicle Books
Publication Date: February 2009 (reissue pub date)
ISBN: 978-0-8118-6615-6

Published originally in 1956 by Harcourt, Brace & World, Ann & Paul Rand's classic picture book I know a lot of things has been only recently reissued by Chronicle Books. And how lucky for those of us who had never had the pleasure of reading, or even hearing of it, before now. If you're looking for a book that will encourage your little one and get them excited both about reading and learning, this is one I must suggest.

The colorful illustrations are visually stimulating, and the rhymthic rhyme of the text is pleasing and fun. Written on a preschooler's cognitive level, reading this will inspire children to never be satiated with their current knowledge but to always be hungry to learn even more. Parents or teachers can use this book as a lead in with their little ones to see just how much those little brains have already absorbed about the world around them. Grab ahold of your hat though because once this ship sets sail there will be no stopping these kids from taking everything in around them and then quickly wanting to share it all with you.

On a side note... I wanted to say that I love how Chronicle stuck with a very classic feel and appearance with this reprint. The pages, unlike many picture books released these days, have the matte texture and look which do wonders for maintaining the classic air. The illustrations themselves appear to have retained the original rich coloring I am used to seeing in books printed in the 50's and 60's. Having never seen the original I can't say for sure, but it really looks like they didn't amp anything up, but rather stuck with everything from the original. I think this was simply brilliant!

OUR RATING: 5 hearts

Seven Miles to Freedom: The Robert Smalls Story by Janet Halfmann

Seven Miles to Freedom: The Robert Smalls Story by Janet Halfmann
Illustrated By: Duane Smith
Geared Towards: Ages 6-11
Published By: Lee & Low Books
Publication Date: June 2008
ISBN: 978-1-60060-232-0

I acknowledge the importance of paying attention to history so that we can not only understand where we've come from but so we can all the more also appreciate what we now have. Likewise, I believe that if we're not to repeat history's mistakes we must strive to learn from them. An example that beautifully displays this importance is Janet Halfmann's Seven Miles to Freedom: The Robert Smalls Story; a book easily classed as moving, harrowing, and awe inspiring. In sharing Robert's story, Halfmann shows the importance of following your dreams and how doing so can truly change your life and those of the ones around you.

Seven Miles to Freedom is the true story about Robert Smalls, born in to Southern Carolina slavery in 1839. From a very early age, Robert knew that being a slave was not the life he was meant for. When Robert was 17 he met Hannah Jones, a slave from another family. Having worked out an arrangement with each of their masters, Robert and Hannah married. Their union wasn't as simple or easy as that of a non-slave couple, but they had love. Soon thereafter they also began a family, with first a daughter and then a son. The couple was happy, but still they were slaves. Their children too would be slaves. Loving and being dedicated to his wife and children, it was this knowledge that truly pushed Robert to make his dream a reality.

I believe children and adults both will enjoy this book. Accompanied by simple yet stunning oil paint illustrations, by Duane Smith, this is a story of hope and wonder. A book that will capture your attention, break your heart, and yet leave you with a complete and total sense of happiness. This is a tale that shows the importance of dreaming big even when the road to achievement doesn't come free of risks and danger.

OUR RATING: 5 hearts

DUCK! RABBIT! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Tom Lichtenheld

Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Tom Lichtenheld
Geared Towards: Ages 4-8
Published By: Chronicle Books
Publication Date: March 2009
ISBN: 978-0-8118-6865-5

I've always enjoyed looking at optical illusions and trying to see if I could find all of the possible picture scenrios. That's why I was so excited to learn about Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Tom Lichtenheld. The focus of this book, as you likely have guessed by now, is a white creature outlined in a bold black. From one perspective the critter looks undeniably like a duck, but when you allow yourself to step back and consider it a bit more you can also see a rabbit.

The characters in this book are unseen, but the entire book is made up of them arguing over this duck/rabbit creature they spot outside under the beautiful blue sky. Each is adamant that he (or she) is right, and refuses to open his mind to the possibility that perhaps the other is right. Underneath the obvious storyline was a hidden little gem too. I think it served as a good example of why arguing really isn't all it's cracked up to be. Most readers can probably agree that if you look hard enough you'll see both the duck and rabbit. There's no way to tell for sure though which animal it really is. So, perhaps kids reading this can take with them the idea that sometimes you simply can't know who is right and must both conceed to draw.

It's a short little picture book, but Duck! Rabbit! is quite clever and a lot of fun. I personally was able to see both the duck and the rabbit, but as I tend to do with most optical illustions I tended to see one more so than the other. For me it was the rabbit. If I forced myself to see it I could definitely make out the duck though. My 5-year old also saw both but seemed to take note of the bunny more. My 3-year old was the exact opposite, seeing both but claiming to see the duck more so than the bunny.

OUR RATING: 5 hearts