Raucous New Releases in Children's Books

September's Raucous Book of the Month is sure to unglue your kids from iCarly.  More than just a pampered diva, Cleopatra gets the credit she deserves in Cleopatra Rules! The Amazing Life of the Original Teen Queen by Vicky Alvear Shecter. Shecter dispels many of the myths surrounding Egypt's most infamous queen such as her alleged promiscuity, her feminine wiles and the dirt behind her relationship with Rome's most influential rulers.  Kids will especially love the background information  about how Egyptians lived with sections on "Toys for Tuts" and "Books on a Stick."

Vicky will be stopping by next month for an interview on her new book so get your Cleo questions ready.



In A Sick Day for Amos McGee, Amos the lovable, Mr. Rogers look-a like, zoo keeper can't get to the zoo for his usual visit with his friends. Blame it on that darn sniffling rhino who gives Amos a bad case of rhinovirus.

No worries. Amos' friends decide they will just have to come to him and Amos spends the day in bed playing chess with his elephant buddy, reading books with the owl and getting his feet warmed by his pal the penguin. What child wouldn't want a penguin warming his feet? Kids who hate being thrown out of their routine for the sniffles will find comfort in this story of friendship. Pair it with I Feel Better with a Frog in my Throat (shameless promotion) and your child will just feel lucky that they don't have to wear smelly socks around their neck to feel better.

Now, I am going to make a bold statement with A Sick Day for Amos McGee... I think it is the next Caldecott winner for the year. I know. I know. It is only August. Too early to start predicting winners. But when I saw, Red Sings from Tree Tops last year, I predicted  that it was the next Caldecott winner and it was a Honor Book. So now I am all cocky thinking I have this hidden talent for predicting Caldecott Winners.

I think you will agree with me when you see some of the pictures.

I stole this image for Erin Stead's site. I am hoping she won't mind since I just awarded her the Caldecott.