Read, Write, Repeat.

At a certain age, many kids are fascinated by poop.

Whether kids in your life think poop is awesome, awful, or something in-between, Poopendous (Blue Apple Books, 2012) written by Artie Bennett and illustrated by Mike Moran just might be the picture book for them.

The book features rhyming couplets that tell the story of Professor Poopdeck and his  two young friends as they take a journey through the world of poop.

Words for poop — guano, number two, ca-ca — are shared. So are its styles, shapes and uses.

The book is informative, but it’s also funny and entertaining thanks to the wordplay Bennett employs. And the illustrations are cuter and more colorful than you might expect given the subject matter.

For a review of  this book, we turned to someone firmly in the book’s target demographic of kids aged 4 to 8. (But if you’re older don’t be alarmed if you find yourself smiling, too.)

Meet Walter!

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Our reviewer: Walter

Age: 7

I like: The video game “Skylanders,” pepperoni pizza, football and hamsters.

I’d give this book: Five stars!

This book was about: The uses for and types of poop.

The best part was when: In the end, when everyone said, “POOPENDOUS!”

I laughed when: A hippo had pooped and they called it “hippoop.”

I was worried when: The woman had poop on her shoe.

I was surprised that: Poop is called “dung.”

This book taught me: The word “dung.”

Other kids reading this book should watch for: When the lady gets poop on her shoe.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Nasty.” “Fun.” “Exciting.”

My favorite word from this book is: “Hippoop.”

You should read this book because: It is silly, and you can learn about poop!

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Thank you, Walter!

Want to get to the bottom of things?

Visit Artie Bennett’s website. He has fun facts  plus lots of information about his other projects. (Artie, who provided a copy of his book for review, also has written a book of dinosaur puns and one called 101 Ways to Say Vomit.) To read a kid review of another book by Artie called The Butt Book, click here.

If you’d like to learn more about illustrator Mike Moran, you can visit his website.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

If you’re the type to get swept up in the hype, today is a day of candy, hearts and roses.

It also might be a good day to read a book about love.

Enter Josepha, who read Love is in the Air (Penguin Young Readers, 2012) by Jonathan Fenske.

Here’s what she had to say:

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Today’s guest reviewer: Josepha

Age: 7

Things I like to do: Go swimming, read books and be creative.

This book was about: A kite and a balloon who start being friends. They float and fly in the sky. Then, one fell and the other did too. The kite was there to catch the balloon.

The best part was when: The kite was spinning and spinning.

I was surprised when: The balloon pulled and pulled and flew up by the kite.

I was worried when: The balloon fell.

This book taught me: It’s good to make new friends.

Three words that describe this book: “Sky.” “Flight.” “Friends.”

My favorite picture in this book was: When the kite met the balloon.

My favorite words in this book were: “They flipped. They dipped. They spun in the wind.”

Other kids should read this book because: It teaches them about love and how to care for people and why you need friendships.

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Thanks, Josepha!

If you’d like to learn more about author and illustrator Jonathan Fenske, you can:

• Visit his website.
• Read this blog post about the release of Love is in the Air.
• Check out his latest book release, Guppy Up!, that just came out this month from Penguin.

And if you’re looking for more love and friendship books to read, check out this post showcasing a variety of titles. It’s called: “Why Can’t We be Friends: Tales from the Heart.”

What’s your favorite story about love or friendship?

If you know a child who loves to stop and watch trucks when they drive by, you absolutely need to get them a copy of Tons of Trucks  (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012), a new picture book by Sue Fliess and Betsy Snyder.

This sturdy book lets small truck enthusiasts learn about different types of trucks and see what the do. Then, they can pull and lift the tabs and flaps to see the trucks in action. It holds up well to repeated readings and has a catchy, rhyming text.

Today’s reviewer, Aidan, is definitely the target market for this book, and he and his dad had a lot of fun reading the book together.

Take it away, Aidan!

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Today’s reviewer: Aidan

Age: 3.5

I like: Fire trucks. Monster trucks. Mixer trucks and trains. Cheese. Playing at parks. And, I like doggies, too.

This book was about: Trucks and animals.

The best part was when: Pulling the monster truck up and then seeing the party on the back of the fire truck.

I laughed when: I saw the party on the back of the fire truck.

I was worried when: There’s nothing to worry about. But, why is there a motorbike on the car transporter. That’s silly.

This book taught me: Tar is sticky.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: All the pully, spinny, up-and-down things.

Three words that best describe this book: “Trucks.” “Pulling.” “Fun.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: “Honk! Go fast trucks.”

You should read this book because: You can read it and play it, too!

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Thank you, Aidan!

If you’d like to learn more about author Sue Fliess, you can visit this website. Or read this interview about Tons of Trucks and her writing journey.

If you’d like to learn more about illustrator Betsy Snyder, you can visit her website. Or read this interview about another book she created.

And, if you have a favorite truck story, share it in the comments.