3 for the 3-to-5 is where I give brief reviews of three books that I found in the 3-to-5 age range on Amazon. These books are theoretically in the science fiction and horror genres for little kids. (Although obviously for little readers ‘horror’ basically just means including ghosts and ghoulies.)

3 for 3-to-5 #1

The Secret Formula: Chompy, a carrot with superpower eyesight; Salty, a potato chip who’s a bit untidy; Candybar, a chocolate bar who plays mischievous pranks; and a haunted mansion where it all comes together in THE SECRET FORMULA, the first book in the Chompy and the Munchy Bunch Series.

When Chompy learns about a carrot formula that gives super-powered eyesight, he knows he must find it! But the journey leads Chompy and his pals to the mysterious mansion of Doc Peppa, where strange things begin to happen.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Review: Can’t say that I was overly impressed with this but it’s not bad. I feel like it’s not quite where it needs to be to hit the age-range appropriately with dialogue. However, the illustrations are simple and use bright colors which catch a child’s eye. The story is super simple and easy to follow. You may enjoy reading this ‘scary’ kids book with your child (but I’d maybe wait for a price drop on the kindle version. While I might pay 3 bucks for the paperback, I can’t see paying it for the kindle version.)

Through the Milky Way on a PB & J: School’s out for the summer and Sami and Thomas have big plans. They’ve built a spaceship in their tree house and are going to blast off for a tour of the solar system, but one of the planets holds a special surprise.

Vibrant images and flowing verse bring this imaginative story to life. Space lovers and adventurers of all ages are sure to love this cosmic journey.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Review: For the most part, the verse that its written in is lilting and engaging. I think rhyme is very important in younger children’s books. I know my daughter’s attention was always kept so much easier when I could ‘sing-song’ the book to her when we first started reading beyond picture books together. Occasionally, it does fumble a bit, but it’s minor stuff for the most part.

Through the Milky Way on a PB & J does a decent job of doing the first introduction to the solar system for young readers. Just a few lines about each major object.

For kids that dig the Pixar-style animation that is becoming so prevalent lately, this will definitely be a delight.

If I Could Turn Back Time: When Big Buddy invents a working time machine he is extremely excited to show it to his friend. Little Buddy, however, has invented her own machine, a Rube Goldberg device which accidently activates the time machine! Before our heroes know it they are travelling uncontrollably through the third dimension! Will they be able to get back to their own time or will they be forever trapped in another time and place? Read this fully illustrated comic to find out!

Rating 4 out of 5

Review: Taking advantage of Minecraft to base stories around is a fairly common thing lately. It leads to some lackluster illustrations in my opinion, but my kiddo rather likes it, so – obviously good for the target audience. The speech bubbles and lettering is nicely done and easy to follow.  I liked that this book introduced both time travel and a Rube Goldberg device. That was an unexpected pairing and what talked me into giving the book a shot. It also doesn’t shy from introducing readers to words like Australopithecus and then promptly explaining them in a very concise fashion.  It doesn’t treat the readers like they are idiots, and I truly appreciate that.

Out of the 3 for 3-to-5 this week, I think Through the Milky Way on a PB & J was my favorite.

All the pictures lead to the Goodreads pages for the books.