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.

The book is a follow up to Sue and Mike’s first collaboration, and features an adorable hippo’s search for the perfect dress. There are so many to admire and try on. Which is the perfect one? And will her mother be patient enough to let her find it?

Today’s reviewer likes books and dresses and was eager to share her thoughts. So, take it away, Sienna!

Today’s reviewer: Sienna

Age: 4.5

I like to: Eat ice cream. Play with Abby.

This book was about: A girl who was trying on dresses.

The best part was when: She finds the dress.

I smiled when: I saw she was growing, like me. And,I liked the ball gown.

I was worried when: Mom said it was time to go.

I was surprised when: She found the perfect dress.

This book taught me: To look at every dress before I choose.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Awesome and fun!”

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: “This dress looks like grandma’s rug.”

Other kids reading this book should watch for: Pretty dresses, especially the ball gown.

You should read this book because: You’ll learn how to pick a dress out when you grow up.

Thanks, Sienna!

If you’d like to learn more about Sue Fliess and future books she has coming out, visit her website or read her blog.

If you’d like to learn more about Mike Laughead and his work, you can visit his website.

You’ll notice that Sienna is wearing her favorite dress in the photo to the left. A year or so ago, Sienna shared her favorite shoes when she reviewed Shoes for Me!, also by Sue and Mike.

And thanks to Twitter, my writing friends and the Internet, I have a pretty lengthy list of books that I’ve heard a good buzz about requested through interlibrary loan. And, I’m always happy when I sit down to read one of them.

But, I still love browsing through the children’s section of my local library and discovering a gem of a book I haven’t heard of before.

That’s what happened a few weeks ago when I found Earth to Clunk (Dial Books for Young Readers, 2011) a picture book written by Pam Smallcomb and illustrated by Joe Berger.

It shares the story of a boy whose teacher tells him to write a letter to a pen pal named Clunk who lives on another planet. The boy doesn’t want a pen pal, so along with his letters he sends odd items from Earth that he hopes will scare Clunk away. But Clunk counters with some unlikely objects of his own, and an unusual friendship is formed.

Allow me to gush for just a moment. This book is hilarious. Hil-ar-i-ous. In a very dry, deadpan way. Pam Smallcomb’s text is funny by itself. My favorite line is, “I’m sending Clunk an electric toothbrush, a toilet plunger, and a string of Christmas lights. He will be so confused he’ll never send me another thing.”

But when illustrator Joe Berger adds in a lot of clever details in the artwork, the story just takes off. This is a picture book that merits multiple readings just to pick up on everything that’s going on.

But enough from me. Now, let’s hear from today’s guest reviewer.

——————–

Our reviewer: Sonia

Age: 9.

I like: Snuggling with my cat, playing with my gerbil and making art.

This book was about: Having a pen pal from another planet.

The best part was when: He sent his big sister to Quazar.

I smiled when: The zoid fell in love with his big sister.

I was worried when: He didn’t get a package from Clunk for a while.

I was surprised when: He didn’t want a pen pal at first and was mean to him.

This book taught me: If you ever send your big sister away, she’ll always come back.

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: “I’m sending Clunk my big sister. THAT will teach him to have a pen pal from Earth.”

My favorite picture was: When his sister comes back to earth with a disgusting glob of something on her head.

Three words that describe this book: “Clunk.” “Zoid.” “Forps.”

Other kids reading this book should watch for: All the packages that go back and forth between Quazar and Earth.

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

——————–

Sonia has a pen pal in London, England whom she just started writing. She says if she had a pen pal on another planet, she’d send these items:

• An apple. “Because I like them.”
• A cat. “But not my cat — another cat — so my pen pal could see how affectionate kitties can be.”
• My big sister. (I guess no explanation is needed here.)

Thanks, Sonia!

If you’d like to learn more about Pam, you can visit her website or read this blog interview.

If you’d like to learn more about Joe, you can visit his website or watch this television interview he did for another book he illustrated.

But no matter who they’re made up of or where they’re located, most families have at least one adult who periodically has to go to work and be away from loved ones.

Monday is One Day (Scholastic Press, 2011) by Arthur Levine is a warm, lovely picture book that celebrates a wide variety of family situations.

It walks young readers through a week, counting down the days till mom or dad or grandma or grandpa will be home from work and ready for dedicated family time.

As part of the journey, children see how different families designate various days of the week. (“Wednesday is halfway day.” Or, “Friday is last-tie day.”)

They also see the similarities of all families whether they’re led by one parent or two, are located in a rural or urban setting or consist of grandparents or same-sex parents.

When my daughters were younger, they used to ask me, “How many days until a mommy-daddy day?” Having a book like this would have helped us track the time until we were all together again.

Today’s guest reviewer, Bryanna, has a big family. There’s her mom and dad, her older brother, her younger sister and her younger brother.

Bryanna’s favorite thing to do with her family is go on a picnic. And, her favorite day of the week is Friday, because she likes attending church and having spelling tests.

She was happy to share her take on this book.

——————–

Today’s reviewer: Bryanna.

Age: 8.

I like: To draw, color and paint.

This book was about: The weekends.

The best part was: When it was blue day, and they splashed in the puddles.

I smiled when: I saw how much everyone loved each other.

Three words that describe this book are: “Loving.” “Kind.” “Sweet.”

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: “Each day I count the ways I love to be with you.”

This book taught me: Every day, you should love your family.

My favorite picture was: The one that showed all the families together on the weekend.

——————–

Thanks, Bryanna!

If this book sounds at all intriguing, you absolutely must watch this video of Arthur Levine discussing how his son, Max, inspired the story.

And then, if you’d like to learn more about Arthur, read this interview.

If you’d like to learn more about illustrator Julian Hector, visit his website and then read this interview he did about the book.

So, what’s your favorite day of the week?

And Deborah Underwood shares many of them in her picture book The Loud Book (Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2011).

On each page, Underwood lists a different kind of loud. (“Crowded swimming pool loud.” “Burp during quiet time loud.” “Uncle Alexander’s old car loud.”) And, Renata Liwska provides beautiful illustrations of a variety of animals experiencing the noise.

This book is a follow-up to 2010′s The Quiet Book by the same author and illustrator. That book was a New York Times best-seller, so there’s the perfect book for any child in your life, no matter what their natural volume inclination.

Now, let’s turn things over to today’s guest reviewer, Jazzy. She says the loudest thing she’s ever done is scream. But only because her older sisters were teasing her.

Our reviewer: Jazzy.

Age: 7.

Things I like to do: Play with my friends. Color. Paint.

This book was about: Loud things.

The best part was: The page that said “Ant loud.” Because ants were on her apple and she was crying and it was funny.

I smiled when: I saw the page that said “Deafening silence loud.” Because I like cookies.

I was worried when: It was raining and everyone was in the pool.

I was surprised: By the page that said “Garage avalanche loud.” Because avalanches usually have snow.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Loud.” “Crackle.” “Pop.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: “Oops loud.” Because they accidentally hit a baseball through a window.

My favorite picture in this book is: When he dropped his lunch tray.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The Quiet Book that this author also wrote.

You should read this book because: Sometimes you need to be loud. Even if you’re usually quiet. Sometimes, you need to scream out.”

Thanks, Jazzy!

If you’d like to learn more about Deborah Underwood, you can visit her website or read this interview.

If you’d like to learn more about Renata Liwska, you can visit her website.

THIS JUST IN! There are plush animals that go along with The Quiet Book and The Loud Book. They are adorable. See them here!

They had lots of stories to share about their pet cats, cats that belonged to friends and neighbors, and cats looking for homes.

So, they were very interested to hear the story of a lonely, little, lost cat looking for a home. They were sad when people told the cat to “get out of here.” They were worried when a mean dog chased him. And they were scared when the dinghy the cat hid in floated out to sea in a storm.

But just when it seemed all was lost, the dinghy landed on an island and Scrawny Cat met Emma who was just as lonely as he was.

And, when I finished the book, and the kids saw Scrawny Cat happy, safe and loved with Emma, they all said, “Awwww …”

Now, let’s hear from today’s guest reviewer, Aria, one of the students in the class. She’s never had a cat, because her sister is allergic to them, but she says that someday she’d like to have one.

Today’s reviewer: Aria.

Age: 7.

Things I like to do: Climb trees, color and paint.

This book was about: A cat named Skipper who was a stray. His owners must have lost him. And he hides on a boat to get away from a mean dog and the boat sails away to a girl named Emma.

The best part was when: Skipper got his home and family — a new owner.

I smiled when: Skipper met Emma and she scratched his ears.

I was worried when: The boat drifted away in the big storm. And when the cat was being chased by the big dog.

I was surprised when: The girl picked him up and took him home and the cat was so worried that she would toss him out the door.

This book taught me: If a friend doesn’t want to be your friend anymore, that’s OK. Because you can find another friend who will like you, too.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Kindness.” “Nice.” “Friendly.”

My favorite line or phrase in the book: “Now, everyone called him Get Out of Here. But the scrawny cat knew his name was not Get Out of Here.”

Other kids reading this book should watch for: “The big, growly dog.”

You should read this book because: It’s nice. People who have cats might like this book, too.

Thanks, Aria! You did a marvelous job.

This book’s author, Phyllis Root, has written more than 30 children’s books. If you’d like to learn more about her, you can visit this website, or read this question-and-answer interview.

If you’d like to learn more about illustrator Alison Friend, who made scrawny cat look so pathetic and scared that I just wanted to pick him up and give him a hug, you can visit her website.

Gilbert Murdoch’s other two books also have warmth and heart, but an entirely different tone. Princess Ben is a fantasy/fairy tale with a strong heroine, high language and a wild adventure.

And her latest, Wisdom’s Kiss (Houghton Mifflin, 2011) is another fantasy effort. Booklist, which gave the book a starred review, described it thusly, “Packed with double entendres, humorous dialogue and situations and a black cat that will capture the reader’s imagination, this is a joyful, timeless fantasy that teens will savor.”

But it’s not a traditional teen book. There are several twists.

Like, what, you ask? Well …

• The story is told from eight different points of view. That’s right. Eight. And not all the narrators can be trusted.
• It includes letters, journal entries, a glossary, an encyclopedia and a play. All in the same book.
• There’s romance. And unrequited love.
• There are secrets and hidden identities.
• There’s also an intelligent cat, named Escoffier, based on the author’s own pet. Although the real cat’s name is the much more prosaic “Charcoal.”
• And, there’s even a connection to Princess Ben astute readers will discover.

So today’s guest reviewer, Athena, had a lot to work with.

Our reviewer: Athena

Age: 11

Things I like to do: Read, play the oboe and cook.

This book was about: Wisdom, Trudy and Tips — how they met and the adventure they have together.

The best part was when: The stories of when Trudy was a little girl.

I smiled when: Escoffier taunts a dog.

I was worried when: Wisdom “died” the first time.

I was surprised when: Wisdom was poisoned.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Enchanted.” “Magical.” “Romantic.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: “Any soul who contemplates even glancing at the pages of this volume will suffer a most excruciating pain.”

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The glossary, which can come in handy.

You should read this book because: It has many surprises.

Thanks, Athena!

If you’d like to know more about Catherine Gilbert Murdock and her other books (especially two of the Dairy Queen books that I recommended to Glee character Dave Karofsky as part of my ongoing series), visit her website.

Then, there are picture books that are simply, unequivocally, beautiful.

Such is the case with Mary Lyn Ray and Marla Frazee’s Stars (Beach Lane Books, 2011).

This is a picture book where the text and illustrations carry absolutely equal weight and combine into something greater than either could be alone.

As you might expect, it’s about stars. But not in a National Geographic sort of way. (Not that there would be anything wrong with that, it just would be another sort of book altogether.) Instead, this book is an ode to stars and their many uses — real and imagined.

Underneath all that, it’s reassurance that everyone has star power inside them to draw on when they need it most.

Of course, it received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Booklist and School Library Journal.

It’s lyrical. It’s lovely. It’s life-affirming.

Today’s guest reviewer didn’t use those exact words. But she chose this book from a pile of recent releases and said it was her favorite. And I respect her opinion, because she’s something of a picture book connoisseur.

She’s also an honest critic. There have been many times she’s finished a book, looked at me and said, “Well, that was … odd.”

Not so today.

Let’s hear from Sonia, shown at the upper left, who decided to wrap herself up in her favorite star-spangled blanket in honor of the book. She also took a picture of her favorite star on her favorite blanket, and that’s shown to the right.

Today’s reviewer: Sonia

Age: 9.

I like: To read about animals and sharks and play on my mom’s computer. I also like watching “Scooby-Doo.”

This book was about: Stars. And where you might find a star. And what you should do with one. And how to make your own out of paper.

The best part was when: Everybody was in their pajamas looking for stars on the roof.

This book taught me: Where to find stars. And that you should always look for them.

Three words that describe this book: “Shiny.” “Sparkly.” “Stars.”

My favorite phrase from this book is: “But you can draw a star on shiny paper and cut around it. Then, you can put it in your pocket. Having a star in you pocket is like having your best rock in your pocket, but different. Because a star is different from a rock.” (Here, Sonia pauses to note that although she likes stars, she’d rather have a rock in her pocket. Because she collects rocks. And, “A rock is something you can kick.”)

My favorite picture was: All the kids putting on their pajamas so they’ll have a better chance to see the stars.

You should read this book because: I really liked it. I like stars. They’re shiny and cool. Although they’re actually really hot because stars are like tiny, little suns.

Thank you, Sonia!

To learn more about Mary Lyn Ray, read this interview.

To learn more about Marla Frazee, visit her website.

For Paul, the unlikely hero of The Boy Who Climbed Into the Moon (Candlewick, 2010) written by David Almond and illustrated by Polly Dunbar, it’s a notion that maybe the moon isn’t the moon at all, but rather just a hole in the sky.

Left to his own devices, Paul, who’s quite quiet and shy, might never have gotten up the nerve to test his theory. But fortunately, he lives in an apartment building full of quirky and eclectic people who are eager to help him on his way.

And discovering the truth, as you might imagine, is quite a journey.

Here’s what Publisher’s Weekly had to say:

“Almond shows his playful side in this story of an urban boy with a large imagination and unconventional neighbors. Paul, who lives in the basement apartment of a high-rise, yearns to touch the sky. He goes on an adventure to the top floor of his building, and on his way up he runs into some unusual residents. One of them, who is pretending (or is she?) to be the identical twin sister of an artist living on the top floor (‘I will say that Mabel is on holiday in Barbados, and I have come to look after her apartment while she is away’), proves invaluable in helping Paul fulfill his wish. Then she goes a step further, finding someone who can aid Paul in testing his theory that ‘the moon is not the moon, but is a hole in the sky.’ Adorned with Dunbar’s whimsical pencil and ink illustrations, this book is a pleasing mix of silliness and creative thinking. Readers will take delight in meeting offbeat characters and in sharing the young hero’s discovery of what lies beyond familiar territory.”

Now, let’s hear what today’s guest reviewer has to say. Take it away, Cora!

Today’s reviewer: Cora.

Age: 8

I like: Pizza, dogs, mini-golfing, listening to my iPod.

This book was about: A boy named Paul who thought the moon was not the moon, but was a hole in the sky. And he decided to climb into that hole!

The best part was when: How brave Paul was when he jumped out of the moon!

I laughed when: I read about the man talking weirdly. He was very shy and he talked with a crazy, weird and funny sound.

I was worried when: Paul jumped out of the moon. I was afraid he would get hurt or die. He didn’t get hurt, but I don’t want to tell you why and give it all away.

I was surprised that: He thought the moon was a hole in the sky.

This book taught me: To follow my dreams.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The part where Paul jumps out of the moon, because it’s so surprising.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Funny.” “Creative.” “Awesome.”

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: They came back into the street they started from.

You should read this book because: It teaches you a good lesson. To follow your dreams and don’t be afraid. Just like Paul.

Thanks, Cora!

To learn more about author David Almond, who has had quite a remarkable writing career, you can:

• Visit his website.
• Read this interview in January magazine.
• Check out this article from The Guardian.

To learn more about illustrator Polly Dunbar, who also has written books, you can:

• Visit her website.
• Read this interview on Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast.
• Listen to this video interview.

Author Catherine Urdahl takes on this topic in Polka-Dot Fixes Kindergarten (Charlesbridge, 2011). Dorothy, who’s better known as Polka-Dot, skips off to kindergarten ready to learn. But she brings a fix-it kit full of her grandfather’s favorite repair tools just in case.

At first, kindergarten doesn’t look like it will be very fun. Her name tag says, “Dorothy,” there are lots of rules to remember and there’s a girl named Liz who doesn’t appreciate Polka-Dot’s name or fashion sense. And, grandpa’s fix-it tools don’t seem to work as well at school as they do at home — at least initially.

Today’s guest reviewer has successfully navigated the waters of kindergarten and, therefore, is thoroughly qualified to comment on this book. So take it away, Brooke!

Our reviewer: Brooke

Age: 8

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

This book was about: A girl named Polka-Dot going to kindergarten.

The best part was when: Liz and Polka-Dot made up.

I smiled when: Polka-Dot fixed Liz’s dress.

I was worried when: The boys saw Liz’s underpants.

I was surprised when: Liz’s dress split.

This book taught me: To always be nice.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Fix.” “Help.” “Friendship.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: When she said, “Let’s be friends.”

Other kids reading this book should watch for: Stripes and polka-dots.

You should read this book because: It is a good book.

Thanks, Brooke!

If you’d like to learn more about author Catherine Urdahl, you can visit her website. Or, you can read this blog post where Catherine describes how Polka-Dot’s story came to be.

If you’d like to learn more about illustrator Mai S. Kemble, you can visit her website. Or, you can stop by her blog.

Finally, if you’d like to see what other reviewers had to say about this book, you can visit:

Books That Heal Kids

Jen Robinson’s Book Page