The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith

What if I told you that the Big Bad Wolf didn’t mean to blow down the straw and stick homes of the little pigs, but that he actually just happened to have a really bad cold that day and, let’s face it, as a big wolf (his badness is still unverified), he’s going to have some big sneezes. As for the...

The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone, illustrated by Michael Smollin

This picture book doesn’t just feature Grover, that fabulous blue friend who lives on Sesame Street (and, as it happens, my favorite resident of that beloved street). Oh no, this book STARS “lovable, furry old Grover.” And, really, who doesn’t love furry old Grover? The thing about Grover,...

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter is now twelve years old and entering his second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and he is once again joined by his best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. This year their new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is Gilderoy Lockhart, a wizard who is rather head over...

Harry Potter and the Goblin of Fire by J.K. Rowling

As it turns out, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry is not the only magical school. In fact, in J.K. Rowling’s world, even America has one in Salem, Massachusetts, which I found to be utterly fabulous as someone who knows her American history. The Goblet of Fire in the title refers to a goblet...

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

I was working at Barnes & Noble the same summer this book was released, and I can’t even begin to tell you what an exciting time that was. As a Potterphile myself, I was in full-force that July, wearing Harry Potter-themed buttons on my nametag and answering trivia questions with my co-workers. The...

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

I read this book, the longest volume in the series, in a single night and consider it one of my greatest achievements. I got the book as soon as it was released at midnight and was home by 12:30. I read from 12:30 until 8am. Took a nap from 8am until 10am, then read until about 4:30 pm, at which point I...