My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett

My Father’s Dragon is a creative story that will fire the imaginations of both adults and children alike.  The first of a trilogy, this classic book was new to me.

Elmer Elevator (the narrator’s father) learns of a magical island from a talking cat called Wild Island where animals are keeping a baby dragon prison.  Elmer makes his way to Wild Island and uses his wits to charm the animals and make his way around them with his goal ever in mind to rescue the dragon.

This is the summer pick for the Bookworms Book Club my seven-year-old daughter is in at the library.  She loved this book as did her ten-year-old brother who lingered to hear the tale during Mom and daughter story time.  I also brought this book along with me to Girl Scout camp and it had the opposite effect of putting the girls to sleep as they kept wanting to read more of the story.

I enjoyed that it was such an original and charming tale.  The illustrations were fabulous as well.  I had never heard of this series before, but Penelope and I just picked up the second book.

Overall, My Father’s Dragon is a delightful short children’s book that is a good beginning chapter book.  It has a great storyline that will entice older children and adults as well.

Book Source:  Kewaunee Public Library

The Infamous Ratsos by Kara Lareau Illustrated by Matt Meyers

The Infamous Ratsos is Penelope’s April book club pick for the Bookworms Book Club at the Kewaunee Public Library for children from 1^st grade through 3^rd grade.  Penelope loves going to book club and also loves selecting new books to read afterwards.  My mother-in-law Gert takes Penelope to book club at 3:30 PM after school since I’m still working.  Penelope loves to come home with a pile of books afterwards.  We read her official book right away this time as last month we waited until the last minute!

The Infamous Ratsos is about two brothers, Ralphie and Louie Ratso, who want to be tough just like their Dad.  They go through a series of escapades where they try to do naughty things that they think will make them look tough, to only end up accidentally doing good deeds instead.   The book was pretty funny and had great pictures.

The part Penelope and I liked the best was at the end of the book when their father, Big Lou, learns about all of their good deeds and they talk about how they want to be “tough” like their Dad.  He talks about how they should not be like him, but that he should be trying to be more like them, able to take care of themselves and find the time for good deeds.  He says it’s been tough trying to make it after their Mom has been gone.  “Being tough all of the time is so. . . so. . . tough, “says their father.  

 

This book made me laugh and I’ll admit slightly emotional at the end.  It was a fun read for Penelope, but I loved that it had a message.

Overall, The Infamous Ratsos is a fun book with a big heart.

Book Source:  The Kewaunee Public Library