Big Words for Little People by Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell.

The team of Curtis and Cornell return with another great book for children.  Curtis may just be the sole celebrity children’s book author who really has street cred.  As with the rest of their books, this one is bright, funny and lifts children up rather than talking down to them.  Here they look at big words, words that will empower children to have their own discussions with grownups by using grownup words.  Big words like privacy, consequences, responsible, and respect.  All words that children will hear in school and will want to understand really well.

The illustrations are once again warm, silly and joyous.  The text embraces this same feel, allowing itself to be childlike and fun but not demeaning at all.

Recommended for sharing with Kindergarten classes early in the year so they understand school rules, but also for children who enjoy words too.  Appropriate for ages 5-7.

Sir Reginald’s Logbook by Matt Hammill

Sir Reginald is on a mission to find the Lost Tablet of Illusion hidden somewhere in the jungle.  He has to face many dangers on his quest, following the footprints of the huge beast who has snatched the Tablet from its resting place.  But nothing will stop him, not bats, a huge snake, a large baboon or even the Great Purple Angler-Fish!

The illustrations here are done in bright colors and the action is vividly captured.  These adventurous illustrations are done on lined paper as if pulled from the very journal Sir Reginald is keeping.  In contrast, what is REALLY happening is done on plain white paper in black ink.  So readers can see what the snake really is – a sock and what mundane other items are parts of Reginald’s creativity. 

Young readers will adore the parallels between Sir Reginald and Indiana Jones in their jungle adventures.  The realization that it is all pretend doesn’t take away from the story at all, it adds silliness and fun.  Hammill’s illustrations set just the right tone as does his text which never admits to the reality that the pictures are displaying. 

A rousingly fun read, this book should be given to children who enjoy adventure tales.  Better read alone than in a group, so that the pictures can be closely examined, this book is appropriate for ages 5-7.