Luba: The Angel of Bergen-Belsen by Michelle McCann

Bibliography
McCann, Michelle. 2003. Luba: The Angel of Bergen-Belsen. ill. Ann Marshall. Berkeley: Tricycle Press.

Plot Summary
Luba by Michelle McCann is a wonderful story of how one person made a difference in fifty-four lives. Set during World War II at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, this true story will inspire everyone. After being separated from her family and taken to the concentration camp for being Jewish, Luba discovers a group of abandoned children in the middle of the night. Knowing she will be executed if the children are found with her, she decides to hide the children in her barracks anyways. Every morning, Luba takes to the task of finding enough food to feed the fifty-four children. Every night, she returns with another miracle...food for everyone.

Critical Analysis
Based on a true story, Luba: The Angel of Bergen-Belsen, is a powerful story of how one person can truly make a difference. Luba has been separated from her husband and son and taken to the concentration camp at Bergen-Belsen because she was Jewish. She finds a group of abandoned children her first night at the camp and risks her own life to keep them safe.

The vocabulary and language used in the book are ideal for the intended audience. McCann's simple writing and narrative form makes this an excellent children’s book. The author's note, prologue, epilogue, and bibliography confirms the accuracy of Luba's story. Finally, the addition of Marshall's illustrations really brings the story to life.

Reviews
Children's Literature: "This is a book about a truly remarkable woman, whose courage and determination not only saved the lives of those five-four Dutch children, but also teaches us all something about the power of loving children and caring for others."

Kirkus Reviews: "One of the beautiful, positive stories that emerged from that awful time, to be remembered and passed on to young and old alike."

Good Boy, Fergus! by David Shannon

Bibliography
Shannon, David. 2006. Good Boy, Fergus! ill. David Shannon. New York: The Blue Sky Press.

Plot Summary
Good Boy, Fergus! is about a dog named Fergus who never seems to listen to his owner. He is always getting into some type of trouble. From chasing a cat, knocking over the plant, or begging at the dinner table, Fergus can't get it right. He is also not very good performing tricks but at the end of the day, his owner still thinks he is a good boy!

Critical Analysis
David Shannon does it again! He has created another hilarious character who can not stay out of trouble. However this time, the character is the fun loving dog named Fergus. From the time he gets up in the morning until he goes to bed at night, Fergus finds it nearly impossible to listen to his owner. He would rather chase cats and motorcycles, run away from bath time, and beg for food from the dinner table instead of coming inside when called or performing the correct trick for his owner. No matter how the day goes, the owner still thinks Fergus is a good boy!

The author also illustrated this story as many of his others. Bright colors are used throughout and the dog is always the center of the attention/page. Shannon's writing is simple which makes this story a great read aloud for any story time. As always, the print seems to be part of the illustrations. Combining the illustrations and writing, makes this a great addition to any collection (even if you are not a dog lover).

Reviews
Publisher's Weekly: "Fergus's expressions and poses will be both funny and familiar to dog lovers, and the predominantly close-up perspective offers an immediacy that makes readers feel included in every second of the tail-wagging action. Paws down, Fergus is one memorable pooch."

Kirkus Reviews: "Preschoolers will enjoy the large-format full of over-sized text and hysterical pictures of the disobedient dog who gets his way every time, right down to holding out for whipped cream on top of his dog food. Yes, Fergus! "

Bed Hogs by Kelly DiPucchio

Bibliography: DiPucchio, Kelly. 2004. Bed Hogs. ill. Howard Fine. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.

Plot Summary: Bed Hogs is a story about a pig family consisting of Mama, Papa, Rose, Flo, Ed, and Runt. Each night they share the same straw bed where Mama and Papa take up most of the space and Runt is underneath them all. Because Runt is squished and squashed, he one by one kicks the other members of his family out of bed thinking he would then get a good night sleep. He soon discovers that what he thought he wanted is not what he wants at all.

Critical Summary: Bed Hogs is a hilarious look at families...a hog family. Runt, the smallest of his family, is buried underneath his family every night as they try to all sleep in the same straw bed. To make room, Runt finds a way to remove his family from the bed making more room for himself. The author's writing is simple and the rhymes flows very easy making this book a great read aloud during story time. It is also a great introduction to poetry because of the free flowing verses. Because the story is also very funny from beginning (Sooey, South Dakota) to "zzz" end, it will quickly catch the listener's attention.

Howard Fine's illustrations really bring the humor of the story to life. He successfully gave each pig their own personality...Rose as Miss USDA and Mama as the two-steppin hog. Combined with DiPucchio's writing, this book will appeal to children of all ages and fly off the shelf.

Reviews
School Library Journal: "With large illustrations and a text that is best read aloud, this book is a prize pick for story times."

Children's Literature: "There's nothing delicate or subtle to the close-up scenes of piggish abundance; just lots of energy expended in comic actions. Runt is particularly engaging as he slyly manages to clear the bed one by one."

Boxes for Katje by Candace Fleming

Bibliography: Fleming, Candace. 2003. Boxes for Katje. ill. Stacey Dressen-McQueen. New York: Melanie Kroupa Books.

Plot Summary: Boxes for Katje is the story how one family in Indiana helped another family and then an entire town in Olst, Holland after World War II. One day Katje receives a box from America with a bar of soap, a pair of socks, and a candy bar. Katje immediately shares her treasures with her mother and the postman recognizing the importance to share the gift that she received. To show her appreciation, she writes to her new American friend, Rosie, thanking her for her kindness and how it truly met her family's needs. Boxes continued to arrive for Katje and she continued to share the gifts with the people of her town until she was able to send a gift of her own to Rosie and her family.

Critical Analysis: Boxes for Katje is a true inspiration. Based on actual events as noted in the author's note at the end of the story. It tells how one family (the Johnson's) from Mayfield, Indiana inspired their town to help another family (the Van Stegeran's) and the town of Olst, Holland after World War II. After receiving a box from American that contained a bar of soap, a pair of socks, and a candy bar, Katje responds by sharing her new gift with her mother and the postman. Katje also sends Rosie, her new American friend, a note thanking her and telling her how much the gift meant to her family.

The Johnson was touched by the great need in Holland and continued to send packages to Katje and her family. The Johnsons also inspired their town to join the effort and soon several boxes arrived for Katje. With each delivery, Katje continued to share the gifts with her family and community. Through the generosity of the Johnson's and Katje's desire to share, the entire community was able to keep fed and warm during the winter. As noted by the author, the winter of 1945 was one of the worst winters for Holland and because of the kindness sent from Indiana, a community stayed warm.

Fleming's writing presents a beautiful story that will inspire its readers. The illustrations added by Stacey Dressen-McQueen brings the story to life. Every detail is included...from how the houses in Mayfield, Indiana looked in 1945 before receiving the gift of tulip bulbs from Holland to how the houses looked after the tulips bloomed in the spring of 1947. Both children and adult will fall in love with this book.

Reviews
Publishers Weekly: "Fleming deftly dramatizes the story with lively conversations among the townspeople and letters between the two girls. In an outstanding debut, Dressen-McQueen immerses readers in post-war Holland, crafting an entirely credible world of cobblestone streets, Dutch architecture and vintage clothing. Primitive in its flattened perspectives, these earth-toned illustrations (which progressively brighten as the situation does) resonate with joy and fellowship."

Kirkus: "Fleming reveals Katje’s character of leadership, resolve, and gratitude through her written communiqués and Rosie’s initiative and inspiration through her active promotion of the charitable effort. Dressen-McQueen captures the flavor and essence of Fleming’s 1945 family experience through her detailed mixed-media paintings delineating fabric patterns, hairdos, emotions, and the general lifestyle of both communities. As heartwarming and uplifting as a bouquet of tulips."