The Reading Tub
The Reading Tub, Inc. is a nonprofit for children's literacy. It's mission is simple: Bring reading home for families. That means helping families find books they will love sharing with the children in their lives; giving parents the tools they need to help young readers as they build their skills; and explaining the reading process in ways they can understand as caregivers. In the Reading Tub(r), every book has been shared with a child, just like yours. We have kids who love books, kids who could take or leave them, and even kids who struggle with learning to read. You can search for books that match your child's interests (trains, princesses, baseball, fantasy, et al); by reading level (from 0.0 to 7.0); or by skill level (remedial reader, reluctant reader, advanced reader, etc). Our reviews tell you what the intended audience thinks ... and if they don't like, the review will tell you why.

We Present 9 Books Every 2 Weeks here for your child's reading pleasure.

HOW THE MOON REGAINED HER SHAPE
How the Moon Regained Her Shape by Janet Ruth Heller, illustrated by Ben Hodson (Sylvan Dell Publishing, 2006). The moon loved to dance. She was full of happiness, until one day she crossed in front of the sun. The moon was deeply hurt by the sun's mean words, and she began shrinking. It wasn't until a comet friend encouraged her to visit Round Arms that she understood how the world appreciated her. This is an illustrated story drawing on Native American folklore to explain the phases of the moon. Share with ages: 5 to 8; kids can read: 7 and up. Full Reading Tub Review

PACO AND THE GIANT CHILE PLANT / PACO Y PLANTA DE CHILE GIGANTE
Paco and the Giant Chile Pepper / Paco y Planta de Chile Gigante by Keith Polette, illustrated by Elizabeth O. Dulemba (Raven Tree Press, 2008). When Paco's mother runs out of money, she sends him to the market to sell la vaca (the cow). On the way, Paco meets a man who trades him a bag of magic chile seeds for the cow. Paco plants the semillas de chile and waits. When the plant erupts from the ground, Paco immediately grabs some chiles and climbs to the top ... only to be discovered by el gigante terrible. Paco tries to save himself by offering the giant the chiles, which bring tears to his eyes. What will happen to Paco? This is a dual-text bilingual book that transforms the classic Jack and the Beanstalk story. Share with ages: 3 to 8; kids can read: 8 and up. Full Reading Tub Review (click on Title

SOAP, SOAP, SOAP / JABON, JABON, JABON
Soap! Soap! Soap! / Jabon! Jabon! Jabon! written and illustrated by Elizabeth O. Dulemba (Raven Tree Press, 2009). Hugo's mother needs him to run an errand for her at the store. She gives him some dinero (money) and asks him to buy soap. Hugo took the scenic route and was so into the adventure that he kept forgetting what he was to buy ... despite landing (repeatedly) in the mud. Would he remember by the time he got to the store? This is a bilingual picture book that adds a twist to the classic Appalachian Jack tale. Share with ages: 2 to 7; kids can read: 8 and up. Full Reading Tub review

RABBIT COOKS UP A CUNNING PLAN
Rabbit Cooks Up a Cunning Plan by Andrew Fusek Peters, illustrated by Bruno Roberts (Child's Play, 2008) Mountain Lion ruled the forest, and all of the other animals were tired of being hunted. Somehow, some way, they wanted to live a more peaceful life. So they held a meeting, and decided that each day, one animal would make a meal for Lion. He would be filled with their dishes, so he wouldn't eat them. Lion agreed to the plan, but let them know that if he didn't like the food, he would eat the cook! When Rabbit forgot to cook his meal, he needed to think of something ... and quick! Would his plan work? This is a story of dealing with bullies and problem solving. Share with ages: 4 to 8; kids can read: 9 and up. Full Reading Tub Review.

NOISES AT NIGHT
Noises at Night by Beth Raisner-Glass and Susan Lubner, illustrated by Bruce Whatley (Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2005). What's that drip? and that scratch? Our young narrator explains that even though he's supposed to be asleep, adventures await him as he listens to the noises he hears at night. Keep your eyes open ... he'll show you them all. This is a first-person picture book about going to sleep. Share with ages: 4 to 7; kids can read:: 7 and up. Full Reading Tub Review

TIME FOR BED
Time for Bed by Mem Fox, illustrated by Jane Dyer (Harcourt, 1997) The narrators are Mother animals entreating their young to go to sleep. Every animal has its own verse, and each mom has a different way of imploring their child to settle in for bed. Share with ages: 0 to 5; kids can read: 6 and up. Full Reading Tub Review

WILD ABOUT BOOKS
Wild About Books by Judy Sierra, illustrated by Marc Brown (Alfred A. Knopf, 2004) Who knew what would happen at the zoo the day librarian Molly McGrew drove her bookmobile there and shared a story or two! This is Dr. Seuss goes to the Zoo. It is a rhyming picture book about animals who learn to love reading. Share with ages: 2 to 8; kids can read: 7 and up. Full Reading Tub Review

SIKULU AND HARAMBE BY THE ZAMBEZI RIVER: An African Version of the Good Samaritan Story
Sikulu and Harambe Down By the Zambezi River by Kunle Oguneye, illustrated by Bruce McCorkindale (Blue Brush Media, 2008). While Sikulu (spider) and Harambe (hippo) are playing hide and seek, they see an old woman fall into the Zambezi River. When she falls, all of her clothes start floating downstream. She asks a fish, a stork, and even an elephant to help her, but they refuse. Without asking, Sikulu and Harambe retrieve her clothes, and in return receive a great reward. This is an illustrated version of the Good Samaritan story, with an African theme. Share with ages: 4 to 9; kids can read: 8 and up. Full Reading Tub Review

TELL ME A STORY 1: TIMELESS FOLKTALES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Tell Me a Story: Timeless Folktales from Around the World by Amy Friedman, illustrated by Jillian Gilliland (Friedman & Danziger, 2006; Music, Laura Hall, 2006). This collection of eight folktales lets children explore the qualities we hope they learn (wisdom, wit, compassion, generosity) as well as those we don't (selfishness, greed, theft). This is first title in this audio book series of folktales from around the world. Share with ages: 3 to 8; kids can read: na. Full Reading Tub Review