Great Characters!

I always look for books that can become children's favorite characters. I look for characters that are featured in more than one book so students can look forward to the next book about the character and can think about what might be next for their favorite characters. Here are a few that I recently picked up.

LaRUE FOR MAYOR: LETTERS FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL
For those of you who love LaRue from his last few books (Dear Mrs. LaRue), you'll love this new one about this amusing dog. This time LaRue is writing letters to his owner as he decides to run for mayor. The other candidate wants to take away dogs' freedom! fun book and also one that can be used to explain elections in a way that could make some sense to young children.


BIG CHICKENS FLY THE COOP by Leslie Helakoski
The four chickens from BIG CHICKENS are back. This time they leave the safety of their chicken coop to find the farmhouse. But things aren't that simple. I think the illustrations of these 4 chickens are the best--their personalities definitely come through. The story line and the repeated text are predictable and fun. Makes you look forward to a third book about these chickens!



MONKEY WITH A TOOL BELT by Chris Monroe
I am including this one even though there is only one book about this Monkey. I am including it because I am hoping that there are more to come. I picked it up after reading Fuse #8's review and the post at Schu's Blog of Lit and More. The illustration of the monkey totally sold me. I'm not sure what it is about this book but I LOVE it. The monkey totally cracks me up and he grows on you more and more as the book goes on. What a concept!