Read, Write, Repeat.

Today’s guest reviewer on Read, Write, Repeat has three dogs. But 7-year-old Caleb is pretty sure Pepper, Raven and Izzy are nothing like the three hounds described in Jill Esbaum’s latest picture book, Stanza (Harcourt, 2009).

For one thing, Caleb says his dogs are usually polite, while the dogs in Jill’s book — Stanza, Fresco and Dirge – spend lots of time bullying people and annoying their neighbors.

For another, Caleb doubts his dogs have any hidden talents. They’re just … nice. But the canines Jill created all have secrets. When no one’s looking, Stanza writes poetry, Fresco paints and Dirge composes music. But they want everyone to think they’re tough, so they keep their talents hidden – until one fateful day when Stanza secretly writes a jingle promoting his favorite dog treats and enters it in a contest.

What happens when word gets out that the neighborhood hooligans have a softer side? Let’s check in with Caleb.

Our reviewer: Caleb

Age: 7

I like: Playing hockey, playing football and playing with my friends.

This book was about: Three dogs. One writes poems, but doesn’t want anyone to know – even his brothers.

The best part was when: Stanza and his brothers annoyed people on the street and everyone called them funny names like “flea-bitten thug” and “slobbery lug.”

I was worried when: Stanza’s brothers saw his poem on the sign and started teasing him.

I laughed when: The truck delivered Stanza’s prize from the contest – a year’s supply of dog treats – and Stanza’s brothers decided writing poetry was O.K.

I was surprised that: Stanza took second-place in the poetry contest, not first.

This book taught me: That you shouldn’t bully other people. And that you should do the things you like to do.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The picture on the first two pages. There’s a lot going on.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Happy.” “Lucky.” “Laugh.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: “He prowled through the streets with his two rotten brothers.”

You should read this book because: It’s funny.

Thanks, Caleb!

Part of what makes Stanza shine is the upbeat rhyming text (Booklist called it “jaunty”) which is as fun to read as it is to listen to. And the bright illustrations share a lot of insights into why the brothers act like they do.

This is one of several great picture books by Jill Esbaum. For details on her other works, visit her Web site. And if you want to know a little more about Jill, check out this interview at Three Silly Chicks.

If you want to learn more about illustrator Jack E. Davis, visit this Web site.

Are you like Stanza? Do you have any secret talents you haven’t shared?

Books are some of my favorite holiday gifts — to give and to receive. Here are some that passed under our tree this year.

• Lost Time by Susan Maupin Schmid
• Operation Yes by Sara Lewis Holmes
• Christmas Mouseling by Dori Chaconas
• Perfectly Arugula by Sarah Dillard
• Several of the Science Solves It series
• Several of the Rainbow Fairies series by Daisy Meadows
• The New Moon Movie Companion

What books did you give or receive this season?

Our house is counting down to Chrismas, so I wanted to take a few moments to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season.

The picture above was made by my daughter, Sonia, as part of a poster contest for her school. I thought it made the perfect Christmas greeting. I especially like how one of the sheep is so overcome by the angel’s glory that it has basically passed out on the ground.

If you want something more, listen to Phillips Brooks, who wrote this:

Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas to-night!
Christmas in lands of the fir tree and pine,
Christmas in lands of the palm tree and vine;
Christmas where snow-peaks stand solemn and white,
Christmas where corn-fields lie sunny and bright;
Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas to-night.

I hope you enjoy Christmas wherever you are.

I’ll see you in January.

During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, many people wish they could lean back, relax and just do nothing.

If you’re looking for some pointers and a chuckle or two along the way, check out Let’s Do Nothing, the debut picture book by author and illustrator Tony Fucile.

It tells the story of Frankie and Sal, two active boys who take up the challenge to do nothing — and find it’s a lot harder than they initially think.

They’d be as still as the statues in the park, if it weren’t for the pigeons.

They’d be as solid as giant Redwood trees if it weren’t for wandering dogs with … um … business to conduct.

And they’d be as silent as the Empire State Building itself if it weren’t for an oversized gorilla that isn’t afraid of heights.

Learn more about this book from today’s guest reviewer, Danny.

Guest reviewer: Danny

Age: 8

The book: Let’s Do Nothing by Tony Fucile (Candlewick Press, 2009)

I like: Playing baseball, making up games and playing with my Star Wars clones.

This book was about: How Frankie and Sal do nothing. Or at least try to.

The best part was when: Frankie and Sal were pretending the be the Empire State Building and King Kong climbed up and stole Frankie’s glasses.

I laughed when: The dog peed on Frankie when he was trying to be a Redwood tree.

I was surprised that: They tried to be the Empire State Building, because it’s so big and heavy and stuff.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The dog peeing on the tree.

Three words that best describe this book are: Funny, fun and cool.

This book taught me: You can never do nothing. No matter how hard you try. Even breathing is something.

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: When Sal asks Frankie what he’s doing and Frankie says, “Shooing pigeons!”

Thanks, Danny!

What makes this book so funny is the perfect interplay between the words and the photos. All kids have to do is see the dog approaching the tree or the ape’s hand inching up the Empire State Building, and they dissolve into giggles.

If you want to get a sneak peek at the book, check out this book trailer on YouTube.

Tony Fucile had a lot of fun creating this book. Here, he talks about the process. And here’s a link to his Web site.

Alvin Ho is one scared second grader. Not only is he allergic to almost everything, nearly everything scares him too.

He’s happiest at home with his family, but even his family encouages him to do blatantly dangerous things — like going camping.

Alvin Ho, Allergic to Camping, Hiking and Other Natural Disasters (Schwartz & Wade, 2009) is the follow-up to 2008′s  Alvin Ho, Allergic to Girls, School and Other Scary Things. Both are by Lenore Look with illustrations by LeUyen Pham.

And they both are very, very funny.

Today, Niki joins Read, Write, Repeat to review Alvin’s adventure. She’s not scared of much, but she could still sympathize with Alvin.

Reviewer first name: Niki

Age: 9

I like: Horses, cheer team, summer, winter, tortellini and mint chocolate-chip ice cream.

Book reviewed: Alvin Ho – Allergic to Camping, Hiking, and Other Natural Disasters by Lenore Look. Pictures by LeUyen Pham.

This book was about: Alvin Ho. He is afraid of and allergic to everything. The book tells you about Alvin Ho going on a camping trip with his Dad and his sister, Anibelly.

The best part was when: Alvin Ho got his magic kit. He kept getting tied up and couldn’t get out. But his sister, Anibelly, could get out!

I laughed when: Alvin’s Dad stepped in a booby trap! Alvin Ho had made the booby trap to catch scary animals. When Alvin Ho untied his dad, his dad fell on his head!

I was worried when: I wasn’t worried. It was too funny.

I was surprised that: Anibelly went camping with them, because she wasn’t supposed to go.

This book taught me: That if you haven’t tried something, you shouldn’t assume the worst.

Other kids reading this book should: Be happy they have it!

Three words that best describe this book are: Funny, exciting and great!

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: “Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!” (Alvin Ho’s cry.)

You should read this because: It’s really, really, very, very funny.

Thanks, Niki!

Both Lenore Look and LeUyen Pham have built a strong body of work.

Along with her two books about Alvin, Look has written two chapter books about Ruby Lu (Ruby Lu, Brave and True and Ruby Lu, Empress of Everything). She’s also written lovely picture books including Henry’s First-Moon Birthday and Uncle Peter’s Amazing Chinese Wedding.

You can learn more about her here.

Pham has illustrated my favorite picture book of 2008 Grace For President by Kelly Dipucchio. She’s also illustrated, among other things, two books by actress Julianne Moore and Sing-Along Song by Wisconsin author JoAnn Early Macken and One Little Mouse by Wisconsin author Dori Chaconas.

You can see her wonderful Web site here.

Today’s guest book reviewer on Read, Write, Repeat is Sofia.

She read Penny’s Christmas Jar Miracle (Shadow Mountain, 2009) as part of a Christmas project her classroom is conducting. We’ll hear what she says about the book, and then learn a little more about the project.

Penny’s Christmas Jar Miracle is related to two adult books by Jason F. Wright – The Christmas Jars and The Christmas Jars Reunion. All have the same theme of giving to others.

Our reviewer: Sofia

Age: 7

I like: Building snow creations with my brother, reading chapter books and playing tag with my friends.

This book was about: A little girl named Penny. Every year her family would have a hot chocolate stand, and they would collect money, put it in a jar and give it to somebody who needed it. This year, they decided to give it to everyone in the neighborhood. Then the neighbors decided to help Grandpa Charlie.

The best part was when: They had a big Christmas party with everyone in the neighborhood, and they all gave money to Grandpa Charlie — a neighbor who was sick.

I laughed when: Butterflies fluttered in Penny’s stomach.

I was worried when: Grandpa Charlie became sick and Penny thought he wouldn’t be able to come to the party.

I was surprised that: The whole neighborhood came to Grandpa Charlie’s house for the Christmas Eve party.

This book taught me: To give money to the poor or the homeless or to someone who might need it.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: Penny’s different idea for how to use the Christmas Jar this year.

Three words that best describe this book are: Christmas, Penny and giving.

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: “Penny motioned for Grandpa Charlie to lean down. ‘We’re not giving away our jar this year,’ she whispered. ‘We’re having a fancy party instead. I’m making invitations for everyone in the neighborhood. But shhh – it’s still a secret.’”

You should read this book because: It’s a good book about the real meaning of Christmas.

Sofia’s second-grade class read this book and then decided to fill a Christmas Jar of their own. Children from the class are collecting coins right now. Then, they’ll vote on which of several local nonprofit organizations will receive their gift. I’ll share the amount they collected and the recipient organization in a future post.

If you’d like to read about some people who have given and received Christmas Jars, their stories are on this Web site. Have some tissues handy.

If you want to learn more about author Jason F. Wright, visit his Web site.

If you want to learn more about illustrator Ben Sowards, visit his Web site.

Books are my all-time favorite holiday gift, but I also like things that are book-related.

That’s where the American Library Association (ALA) Store comes in. They have a paper catalog, or you can visit them online. They carry all the cool reading posters you see in libraries, plus reading and book-related clothing, prizes and stocking stuffers.

Their obvious audiences are librarians and teachers. I’m not either of those things, but I still love their site. In fact, the two posters on my office wall, came from them.

The first one, shown at the left, is by noted children’s illustrator Kadir Nelson. He is a two-time Caldecott Honor Award winner, and he also won the 2009 Coretta Scott King Author Award and the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award for We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball (Jump at the Sun, 2008).

Below to the right, is one by illustrator Rosalind Beardshaw. She’s written and illustrated several children’s books. This poster comes from a picture book called Lola at the Library (Charlesbridge Publishing, 2006) written by Anna McQuinn.

What I like most about the ALA Store is that they have something for everyone. They feature the work of a wide variety of authors and illustrators plus celebrities. Whether you like “House” or The Disney Channel, “High School Musical” or ”The Hobbit,” The Food Network or the NBA, you’ll find something for you.

And their products are wonderfully diverse — both in the people they feature and the languages that are available —  showing, without a doubt, that books are for everyone.

Visit their site as part of your holiday shopping.

What books or book-related items are you planning to give this year?