Read, Write, Repeat.

If you think Betsy Red Hoodie (Harper, 2010) written by Gail Carson Levine and illustrated by Scott Nash is just another telling of the story Little Red Riding Hood, you’re mistaken.

True, the picture book nods at the classic children’s tale, but then it merrily skips off in another direction entirely.

Let’s start with the similarities. Betsy Red Hoodie sets off to deliver cupcakes to her grandmother. Through the forest. By herself. Wearing, well … you know what.

But this Betsy is a shepherd, so she takes her sheep with her. And the village’s other shepherd comes along too. A wolf named Zimmo.

Betsy is warned by others that Zimmo might not be trustworthy around grandmothers because, “Long ago, a wolf had eaten a grandma.” But Betsy believes in her friend.

However, the journey through the forest is far from easy. And halfway through it, Zimmo abandons Betsy and the flock. Did he race off ahead to eat her grandmother?

Like a good shepherd, Betsy stays with her flock and helps them find a lost sheep, survive a sudden rainstorm and a slog up a very muddy hill. (My favorite line? “Wool should be dry cleaned.”)

When a tired, worried Betsy finally arrives, her grandmother’s cottage is very dark. She fears the worst. But instead, she finds something very affirming and unexpected inside.

To hear more, let’s turn things over to today’s guest reviewer.

Today’s reviewer: Jaiden.

Age: 7

Things I like to do: Play “olden days” and chase.

This book was about: Betsy going to deliver cupcakes to her grandma.

The best part was when: Betsy found out what the wolf was doing.

I was worried when: The wolf ran ahead and didn’t tell Betsy what he was doing.

This book taught me: To trust your friends.

Three words that best describe this book: “Cool.” “Interesting.” “Fun.”

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: “Surprise!”

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The funny hats the sheep wear.

You should read this book because: It’s not anything like the real story of “Little Red Riding Hood.”

Thanks, Jaiden!

Gail Carson Levine is the author of the Newbery Honor Book Ella Enchanted along with Ever, Fairest, Dave at Night, The Wish, The Two Princesses of Bamarre and Betsy Who Cried Wolf. You can learn more about her by visiting her website.

Scott Nash has illustrated many books for children, including Betsy Who Cried Wolf. You can visit him online at this website.

Good books are meant to be shared.

So sisters Jaiden and Sienna did just that, sharing reviewing duties for Immi’s Gift (Peachtree Publishers, 2010).

This is an appealing picture book written and illustrated by Karin Littlewood.

Immi, an Inuit girl, fishes every day. And, she often catches brightly colored carvings of exotic birds and animals along with her fish.

These carvings make her wonder what life is like in other parts of the world. And, eventually, they inspire her to share something she loves with someone far away.

As Booklist says, the book is about “the interconnectedness of all beings on earth.” And that theme is especially effective when it’s told with Littlewood’s gorgeously vivid  illustrations and charming text.

But don’t take my word for it, listen to our sister act. They’re double the fun.

Today’s guest reviewers: Jaiden, 6.5, and Sienna, 3.

Jaiden likes: To read, cook and garden.

Sienna likes: To play chase and hide-and-seek and cook.

Jaiden and Sienna say this book was about: A little girl who wears a bear on her neck. Every day when she fishes, she finds more and more stuff. Then one day, her igloo turns different colors and all the animals stay for supper. Then, when the snow melts, she drops her polar bear in the water.

Jaiden says the best part was when: Her igloo turned different colors.

Sienna says it was when: The polar bear dropped in the sea and goed on the beach.

Jaiden smiled when: Immi dropped her polar bear necklace in the sea, and the boy found it.

Sienna smiled when: The girl came up with the idea.

Jaiden was worried when: Immi was hugging that fox, because I thought it was going to eat her.

Sienna was worried when: She dropped the polar bear in.

Jaiden was surprised: When the other little boy found Immi’s bear.

Sienna was surprised: On every page.

This book taught Jaiden: To share.

This book taught Sienna: Never litter. (Editor’s note. This may be my favorite response EVER from any kid who’s done a book review for me.)

Three words that describe this book: “Colorful.” “Happy.” “Cold.”

Favorite line: “Oh, it was cold.”

Jaiden says you should read this book because: It was a very happy story.

Sienna says you should read this book because: It is special for you.

Thank you Jaiden and Sienna. You’ve just proved that two heads really are better than one!

If you’d like to learn more about Karin Littlewood and the other books she’s created, visit her website.

If you’d like to see other reviews of this book, visit:

• The Sunday Book Review
• Spirituality and Practice
• Janet Boyer’s blog

Fasting might not seem like fun to most people.

But, it’s what Shirin wants to do more than anything in Moon Watchers: Shirin’s Ramadan Miracle (Tilbury House, 2010) a new picture book by Reza Jalali.

Shirin’s parents fast. So does her older brother — or at least he tries. What can Shirin do to celebrate Ramadan, help her family, and feel more grown-up?

Fortunately, she comes up with the perfect idea.

Here’s what ForeWard Reviews had to say:

“This book is perhaps most valuable as a lesson on Islam. Each practice and tradition is explained, but without disrupting the pace of the story. Non-Muslim readers will walk away with a more developed global perspective. Muslims will relate the tale to their own Ramadan experiences, and every young reader will identify with hearing that terrible phrase: ‘You’re too young.’ ”

Now, let’s hear from another reviewer!

Today’s reviewer: Jaiden (shown in the photo with her little sister, Sienna.)

Age: 6

I like: My little sister, Sienna, my mom’s famous ice-cream sandwiches and playing
chase.

This book is about: Ramadan. Having to not eat for awhile. Shirin, the little sister, wanted to not eat for awhile – but her family said she was too young. She wanted to do what everybody else did.

The best part was when: She could not eat and she fasted with everybody
else.

I laughed when: I laughed when the brother gave the present to her, and my
mommy started to cry.

I was worried when: The little sister couldn’t do the fasting.

I was surprised that: The brother gave his sister a present.

This book taught me: That people fast at Ramadan.

Other kids should watch out for: The heart-shaped rock.

The words that best describe the book: A girl and her dad watching the moon.

Favorite line: You’re too little to do Ramadan.

You should read it because: It teaches you about something important.

Thanks, Jaiden!

If you’d like to learn more about Ramadan, visit this site. Or go check out this list of books about Ramadan for children and teens.

If you’d like to learn more about author Reza Jalali, read his biography.

If you’d like to learn more about illustrator Anne Sibley O’Brien, visit her website or read this interview at Into the Wardrobe.

Ginny didn’t plan on being a pirate.

She was just a kindergartener who saw two of everything. Ginny sometimes got frustrated when she ran into chairs, read words twice or had trouble cutting out shapes, but she thought everyone saw the same things she did.

Until the annual vision screening, and a follow-up appointment with an eye doctor. Soon, Ginny had her own eye patch and saw just one of everything.

The Pirate of Kindergarten (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2010) by George Ella Lyon  and Lynne Avril helps readers see what Ginny sees — both before and after her patch.

Today’s reviewer, Jaiden, enjoyed reading about Ginny because she used to wear an eye patch, too. Although, her patches weren’t black like Ginny’s. They came in lots of colorful options.

Today’s reviewer: Jaiden

Age: Almost 6

Things I like to do: Play with my mom and friends.

This book was about: A girl in school who sees two of everything.

The best part was when: She could see one of everything.

I laughed when: The teacher said, “We read with our eyes, not our noses.”

My favorite line or phrase in the book: “Mind your own bunnies.”

Three words that describe this book: “Pirates.” “Two. ” “Everything.”

Other kids reading this book should watch for: Hearts around her when she hugs a book.

You should read this book because: It’s funny. And, I used to wear a patch, so this book helps you know how it feels.

Thanks, Jaiden!

If you’d like to learn more about author George Ella Lyon, visit her website. It has information about her books, poems and school visits.

If you’d like to learn more about illustrator Lynne Avril, visit her website. Or read this kid review of Every Cowgirl Needs a Horse, another book she illustrated.

When my youngest daughter had just moved to a big-girl bed, my husband and I used to get regular night-time visits from her when she couldn’t sleep. She’d creep downstairs and stand by my head until I woke up – often with a start – and either pulled her into bed with us or used pillows and a blanket to make her a bed on the floor.

Sometimes, my oldest daughter would wake up, too. I’ll never forget the night our entire family sat on the bedroom floor at 3 a.m. and read We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury because no one could sleep.

We might have been able to avoid that scenario if Sebastien Braun’s latest book, Back to Bed, Ed! (Peachtree, 2010), had been available.

This charming picture book, provided by the publisher, tells the story of Ed, a small mouse who just can’t make it through the night without checking in with his parents. That wouldn’t be so bad if he didn’t disrupt their rest, too.

His parents try several things to keep Ed in bed including putting a big CLOSED sign on their door. Ultimately, sleeping alone is something Ed figures out on his own. But that doesn’t necessarily mean his parents will get more sleep.

Today’s guest reviewer, Jaiden, enjoyed this book because it hits close to her home. Her younger sister has been making night-time visits to her parents’ room. Jaiden, of course, never does that anymore.

Reviewer name: Jaiden

Age: 5

I like: Homemade ice-cream sandwiches, cake with no frosting, wearing dresses and playing with my puppy.

This book was about: Ed not staying in his bed.

The best part was when: He got out of his bed and found his stuffed animals and said, “There’s no need to be scared – you’ve got me now.”

I laughed when: He woke his Daddy and Mommy up. And when they were so tired in the morning they couldn’t pour their cereal.

The book taught me: You should always stay in your own bed, otherwise Mom and Dad will put up a sign that says, “Closed” or something like that.

I was surprised that: Ed kept going into their room, and they kept saying, “Stay in your bed.”

You should read this book because: It is colorful, funny and you’ll really like it.

My favorite line is: “Back to bed, Ed!”

How I go to bed at night: I sleep with my bear and blanket.

Thanks, Jaiden. I hope everyone in your family gets a good night’s rest.

To learn more about Sebastien Braun and his other books, visit his Web site.

And, if you want to read the funniest story ever about what it’s like to be the parent of small children who won’t sleep, visit author Jacqui Robbins’ blog for her story of a night with her kids. I laughed so hard, I cried.

If you have any memorable stories about nocturnal visits from small children, please leave a comment.

Today’s reviewer: Jaiden, 5.  (Jaiden also answers to “Princess Reads-a-Lot.”)

Jaiden likes: Playing with friends and eating mac-and-cheese and cake.

The book: A Tree for Emmy (Peachtree, 2009). Written by Mary Ann Rodman. Illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss.

What happens: Emmy wanted a tree and she found a small tree and she didn’t want it, but then she did.

The best part was when: She found a baby mimosa.

I laughed when: Her Gramma called her stubborn and strong and a little bit wild.

I was worried when: She cried on her bed.

I was sad when: She couldn’t find a mimosa.

I was surprised that: She got a mimosa tree.

This book taught me: You should be stubborn and wild and a little bit crazy.

This book also taught me: Even if it isn’t what you want, it is going to be what you want if you have patience.

Other kids reading this book should: Look at the sweater she’s wearing in the fall.

Three words that best describe this book are: Stubborn, strong and wild.

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: When Emmy sings, “My tree, my tree, my beautiful tree!”

You should read this because: It’s funny.

Thanks for joining Read, Write, Repeat, Jaiden!

Want to know more? See what Peachtree has to say about this picture book on its Web site.

If you’d like to read this book, visit your local library or bookstore. If you’ve already read it, tell us what you think!

Check back often for more kid book reviews.