Read, Write, Repeat.

Most kids have spent at least a little time in the time-out corner.

And, it’s not a fun place to be.

Unless, of course, you’re the main character in Jean Reidy and Robert Neubecker’s new picture book  Time Out for Monsters (Disney Hyperion, 2012).

That little boy uses his artistic skills to shake things up bit. He figures if he’s going to spend so much time somewhere, there ought to at least be something fun to look at. So he draws monsters and dinosaurs doing all sorts of interesting things.

Driving dump trucks! Eating ice-cream! Having fun!

How does that work out for him?

Let’s ask today’s guest reviewers — brothers Jonah and Ben. They don’t spend much time in time outs, but they were happy to share their thoughts on the book.

Take it away, guys!

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Today’s guest reviewers: Jonah, age 3.5, and Ben, age 5.5.

I like: Jonah – I like to draw and color. And, I like playing cars. Ben – I like to play with my Hawkman (an action figure villain from superheros). My favorite food is kiwi.

This book is about: Jonah – Monsters. Ben – The boy had a timeout and he was drawing dinosaurs and monsters.

The best part was: Jonah – The big dragon. Ben – When the little dragon was hanging on the big dragon’s tail.

I laughed when:  Jonah – The boy had to wipe off the wall. Ben –When I saw the ice-cream in the dump truck.

I was worried when: Jonah – When the mom gave the boy the bucket. Ben – I was worried that the monster would get sick from all the cupcakes.

I was surprised that: Jonah – The monsters were eating all the cupcakes. Ben – When we opened the folded page and found the big dragon.

This book taught me: Jonah – About monsters. Ben — Not to color on the wall

Other kids reading the book should watch for: Jonah – The boy cleaning the wall. Ben – Drawing on the wall.

Three words that best describe the book: Jonah – “Time out.” “Washing the wall.” “Monsters.” Ben – “Monsters.” “Dinosaurs.” “Dump truck.”

My favorite line or phrase: Jonah — “Or Cupcakes.” Ben – “A dump truck full of ice cream.”

You should read this book: Jonah – Because it’s funny. Ben – To learn about not coloring on the walls.

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Thank you, Jonah and Ben!

Jean Reidy has several picture books out. You can learn more about her at her website or her blog.

Robert Neubecker also has other books available. You can see his more of his artwork at this website or his blog.

Rodney Rat is a small rodent who can’t say his r’s. No matter how hard he tries, they come out sounding like w’s.

Despite this, Rodney is a happy fellow. In Wodney Wat’s Wobot (Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2011) by Helen Lester and Lynn Munsinger, Rodney likes going to school, has good friends, and for his birthday, he gets a wonderful wobot.

I mean a ronderful robot. Or a wonderful robot. Whatever.

When Rodney pushes a button on the robot’s nose and speaks, the robot repeats what Rodney says … but the robot pronounces all the letters correctly.

Rodney is thrilled. He takes the robot to school with him where it’s very helpful when Rodney wants to order ribs and rice for lunch.

But then, Camilla Capybara, the biggest and meanest rodent around, comes back to school and resumes her reign of terror. Just at that time, the batteries in Rodney’s wonderful robot start to fade.

And, somehow, without meaning to, Rodney finds the one thing that Camilla is scared of.

Will it be enough to save the day?

Let’s hear from today’s guest reviewer, Ben!

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Today’s reviewer: Ben

Age: Just turned 5.

I like: Candy, having soccer practice, super heroes.

This book was about: A robot.

The best part was when: Rodney had a birthday cake made out of cheese on the first page.

I laughed when: Camilla teased Rodney with her tongue out.

I was worried when: The robot ran out of batteries.

I was surprised that: Camilla the Capybara came back!

This book taught me: Not to tease people and to be nice.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: Camilla. Because she was teasing and sticking her tongue out.

Three words that best describe this book: “Rodney.” “Robot.” “Worried.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book: “Nananana na na. someone’s got a stutter.” and “Something’s wrong with my wobot.”

You should read this book because: Of the robot. And because Camilla is mean.

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Thank you, Ben!

This book is a follow-up to Hooway for Wodney Wat.

If you’d like to learn more about author Helen Lester, you can read this interview.  (My favorite quote from it is, “I don’t think the thrill of turning a page to see what happens next will ever go out of style.”) Or, you can visit Helen’s website.

If you’d like to learn more about illustrator Lynn Munsinger, check out this impressive list of books she’s been involved with.