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Children's Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
Road To There
Val Ross
Tundra Books
PO Box 1030, Plattsburgh, NY 12901
0887766218 $19.95 tundrabooks.com
Val Ross' Road To There is a book on cartography and tells of the men and women who made
maps, from road maps to sailor's charts. Road To There is a lively coverage of maps, from fraud
artists who distorted maps for political gain to slaves who escaped to freedom from pieced quilts.
An unusual, intriguing book, readers of all agens (many an adult!) will relish Road To There!
World According To Humphrey
Betty G. Birney
Putnam
345 Hudson, New York NY 10014
0399241981 $14.99 www.amazon.com
Humphrey the hamster learns a lot about life by observing the humans who care for him in his
classroom. Each weekend he experiences a different student, learns to read, write and becomes
nearly human himself in World According To Humphrey -- a fun hamster's-eye view of life and
school.
Education Comics Inc.
www.scootermcdoogal.com
Diane Russomanno, Lynda Modaff, and Tracy Buck present "The Adventures Of Scooter
McDoogal" educational comic books ($4.99 each), a brightly colored series about a young boy
who acquires a scooter designed to traverse the cosmos. The scooter is named Wisdom 1, and its
enthusiastic owner must learn a new thing with each trip or else he can't keep it! As a result young
McDoogal and Wisdom 1 traverse time and space, dodging Wisdom 1's jealous first owner
Bratticus, exploring and learning wherever they go. Blast Off!: Scooter Takes Flight
(097201120X) introduces the unlikely pair and their antagonists; and each successive installment
explores a different fact-filled topic in a way that makes education fun. Educational topics are
self-explanatory in the titles of Red, White And Cool! The Story Of The American Flag
(0972011218), Taking Home The Gold: The History Of The Olympics (0972011226), Scootin'
Beneath The Surf: A World Underwater (0972011234), "What's Up": The Story Of The Written
Word From Clay Tablets To Computers (0972011242) and Get "Outer" Here! A Journey
Through The Solar System (9072011250). All of these comics are a treat to read aloud or to let
young people discover on their own.
Kids' Magic Secrets
Loris Bree & Marlin Bree
Marlor Press, Inc.
4304 Brigadoon Dr, St. Paul, MN 55126
1892147084 $9.95 1-800-669-4908
Whimsical illustrations by Marlin Bree add a fun touch to Loris Bree's Kids' Magic Secrets:
Simple Magic Tricks & Why They Work -- a straightforward instructional guide to magic secrets
any child can learn to do. Whether as the basis of a magic show, some fun tricks to demonstrate
to friends, or just an amusing pastime to master on a rainy day, Kids' Magic Secrets is an
enjoyable hobby book to learn from, and share with other aspiring young magicians.
Orchard Books
557 Broadway, NY, NY 10012-3999
0439339049 $15.95 1-800-242-7737
Shutting Out The Sky by Deborah Hopkinson (0439375905, $17.95) tells of one Leonard
Covello, who came to New York as an Italian immigrant and joined others to became one of the
first organizers of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. This reads like fiction with
high drama as it covers immigrant struggles to change work, education and immigrant
experiences. Don Lessem's Dinosaurs A To Z (0439165911, $22.95) provides the ultimate
dinosaur encyclopedia to appeal to elementary through middle school grade levels. Color
full-page illustrations accompany details on classifications, locations, and known habits. Dorothy
and Thomas Hoobler's We Are Americans (0439162-971, $21.95) provides elementary to middle
school readers with a fine review of immigrants based on their own words. Letters, diaries and
oral histories provide biographies which cover a range of immigrant experiences.
Activities For All Year Round
Angela Wilkes
EDC Publishing
10302 East 55th Place, Tulsa, OK 74146-6515
0794505287 $12.95 www.edcpub.com
Activities For All Year Round by Angela Wilkes is an engaging, full-color guide for children of all
ages, featuring fun and educational things to do that can be undertaken in various locations or
seasons. From pondwatching for wildlife; to observing constellations in the night sky; to spotting
and recognizing differnt types of trees; to baking potatoes; to collecting treasures on the beach,
and more, Activities For All Year Round is an absorbing, highly recommended idea sourcebook
that especially promotes learning more about and appreciating the bounty of nature.
Scholastic Inc.
557 Broadway, New York NY 10012
www.scholastic.com www.amazon.com
Anna Kirwan's Lady Of Palenque (0439-409713, $10.95) is a gripping first-person story set in
Mesoamerica in 749 AD and joining others in the 'Royal Diaries' series. Teen Princess Green Jay
speaks of her life and the family politics and pressures in this fine diary of change. Two new
additions to the 'Dear America' diaries will also appeal: Patricia McKissack's Look To The Hills
(0439210380, $10.95) is set in the mid-1700s and tells of a French slave girl, Lozette, who seeks
freedom in New York; while Jim Murphy's Journal Of Brian Doyle (0439078148, $10.95) is set in
the mid-1800s and tells of a boy's experiences as a newcomer on an Alaskan whaling ship. Two
new to the 'My America' series for younger readers are Kathryn Lasky's third book An American
Spring (0439370450, $12.95), continuing the story of Sofia, an immigrant to Boston who here is
joined by a best friend who shares new adventures; and Kristiana Gregory's When Freedom
Comes (04393-70531, $12.95), continuing the story of Hope, who witnesses the American
Revolution in 1778 Pennsylvania. All provide realistic settings and use the diary form to draw
readers into gripping stories. Joseph Bruchac's Hidden Roots (0439353580, $16.95) tells of a
family walking on eggs with a father's sudden rages. Can 11-year-old Sonny stand up to his
violent father? A realistic story provides insights into the motivations and lives of all
involved.
I Was Born To Be A Sister
Akaela S. Michels-Gualtieri, author
Marcy Dunn Ramsey, illustrator
Platypus Media, LLC
627 A Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
www.PlatypusMedia.com
1930775113 $18.95 1-877-872-8977
Written by a sixth-grade girl, and featuring an audio CD of the story and original songs for
brothers and sisters to sing, I Was Born To Be A Sister is a charming and informative picture
book about learning to adapt to and cherish the presence of a new sibling in the family household.
Covering the ups and downs of getting along, teaching new things, and the wonder of reliving
things through younger eyes, I Was Born To Be A Sister is very highly recommended reading --
especially for children ages 3 to 7 whose families are anticipated the arrival of another child.
Success Express For Teens
Roger Leslie
Bayou Publishing
KSB Promotions (publicity)
2524 Nottingham, Houston, TX 77005
1886298092 $14.95 bayoupublishing.com
Ably compiled and presented by Roger Leslie (author, teacher, and YA book reviewer for
"Booklist"), Success Express For Teens: 50 Activities That Will Change Your Life is a
thoroughly "user friendly" resource packed from cover to cover with activities for teenagers and
specifically geared toward helping them identify and articulate their life's dreams and starting
down the road to making them come true. From listing ten goals on an index card; to finding a
successful mentor in a particular field of endeavor; to learned how to do meaningful activities
during"dead time" occasions arising during the course of ordinary day-to-day life, and so much
more, Success Express For Teens is a strongly recommended motivational, and consumable
resource hallmarked with challenging questions and enhanced with lines in which teenagers
could write out their own answers.
State-By-State Atlas
DK Publishing
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
0789492571 $19.99 www.dk.com
The State-By-State Atlas is organized by region and features information about each state's
landscape, industry, agriculture, population and history, using digital color maps and photos to
help emphasize geographic facts. The emphasis on color embellishments makes for an attractive,
appealing presentation.
The Mythology/Folklore Shelf
Island Of The Minotaur
Sheldon Oberman & Blair Drawson
Crocodile Books/Interlink Books, dist.
46 Crosby St, Northampton, MA 01060
1566565316 $19.95 interlinkbooks.com
Presented by Sheldon Oberman, Island Of The Minotaur: Greek Myths Of Ancient Crete presents
classic tales including the story of the deadly Minotaur that roamed the terrible Labyrinth, the
winged boy Icarus who flew too close to the sun, Theseus' struggles against the ruthless witch
Medea, and much more. A final, true tale of Sir Arthur Evans, a real-life treasure hunter who
discovered the buried secrets of the ancient Minoan civilization adds a particularly welcome
embellishment to this outstanding compilation of Hellenic mythology. Full-color illustrations by
Blair Drawson well serve to highlight this engaging compendium of ancient tales told down the
generations from antiquity to the present day.
The Fiction Shelf
Welby And The Knobby King
Kateri Courtney
Castlegate Press
PO Box 29151, Denver, CO 80229
Courtney8@cascadeaccess.com
0974358800 $14.95
Welby And The Knobby King: A Patchquilt Novel by Kateri Courtney is an engaging and
entertaining children's story about young people who live in a world encompassed by the
patchwork blanket quilted by an old woman. Once a year, all the Patchquilt kids who have
reached the age of twelve travel with their elders to honor her. This year's pilgrimage is
interrupted when a boy and the Queen's daughter are trapped in the terrible Land of the Great
Beyond - their journey for rescue comes to life in this original and highly recommended tale of
courage and adventure.
Dorp Dead
Julia Cunningham
Knopf/Random House
1540 Broadway, New York NY 10036
0375822550 $14.95 1-800-726-0600
The appearance of this classic story in a new hardcover edition promises to appeal to new
audiences. Gilly is a ten-year-old orphan who plays dumb in order to hide secrets. He's adjusted to
his new life in an orphanage when he's placed in a home with an eccentric ladder maker who may
just be insane. A riveting, appealing story of a boy's struggle against many odds.
Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
www.randomhouse.com/kids
These new titles will appeal to teen readers with memorable plots and believable protagonists.
Caroline Cooney's Family Reunion (0385731361, $9.95) couches its message in comedy: a teen
invited to her relatives' family reunion resents the intrusion on her summer plans especially as
she'll have to face strangers with an insecure new stepmother in tow. As family secrets are
exposed, the fun begins. Julie Schumacher's Grass Angel (038573073X, $15.95) tells of a girl
who chooses summer camp with her best friend over a visit to a spiritual retreat with her flighty
mother a decision which will change the family and her perceptions of loyalty. Erica Farber and
J.R. Asansevere's Islands Of The Black Moon (0385327897, $15.95) focuses on Lila, who travels
to a place where she suspects her father disappeared six years ago. Add evil sorcery and an
unusual odyssey and you have a very different fantasy. Beth Cooley's Ostrich Eye (038573106X,
$15.95) tells of family miscommunication and the attentions of a stranger who may very well be
Ginger's absent father. A powerful story of healing evolves. Kim Ablen Whitney's See You Down
The Road (0385824677, $15.95) tells of a teen whose family is always moving, and who has been
promised in marriage at sixteen. Her life seems set except for one thing: Bridget is questioning her
life and future, and her decision to embark on an adventure of her own will change all their lives.
Mary Pope Osborne's Summer Of The Sea Serpent (0385827358, $11.95) presents yet another in
the 'Magic Tree House' fantasy series for younger teens: this returning to the saga of Jack and
Annie, two modern kids with experience with history and magic who are called upon by Merlin to
locate his lost Sword of Light. Fantasy fans will find this an absorbing plot. Monica Furlong's
Colman (0385815147, $15.95) offers a sequel to Wise Child and Juniper, but also stands alone as
a powerful story for older teens. Dark times have fallen on Juniper's kingdom and a black witch
has finally succeeded in killing the king an imprisoning her brother. It's up to the three friends to
thwart the witch's plans in this moving story.
Every Day And All The Time
Sis Deans
Henry Holt
115 West 18th St., New York NY 10011
080507337X $16.95 www.henryholt.com
A terrible car accident kills Emily's older brother and prevents her from the love of her life:
dancing. Now her parents want to sell their house and move away but it's the only place Emily
still feels her brother's presence, so she wants to stay for the very reasons her parents wish to
leave. The solution: thwart every sale; the results: hilarious and poignant.
Majesty From Assateague
Harvey Hagman
Tidewater Publishers
PO Box 456, Centreville, MD 21617
www.tidewaterpublishers.com
0870335529 $8.95 1-800-638-7641
Majesty From Assateague by Harvey Hagman is the story of Michael, a ten-year-old boy who lost
his parents, and temporarily lost the use of his legs, because of a terrible car accident. Bereaved
over his loss, and unhappy because he can no longer play the soccer he loves, Michael is taken on
a trip with his grandfather to Assateague Island, a place of natural beauty that is home to wild
ponies. An energetic pony and the young boy are brought together in a friendship that will change
both their lives forever. Enhanced with occasional black-and-white illustrations by David Aiken,
Majesty From Assateague is an engaging story which is specifically recommended for
intermediate-level readers.
Penguin Putnam Group
345 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
www.penguinputnam.com
John Bellairs started the world of Lewis Barnavelt and his magical relatives; now Brad Strickland
is continuing the legacy, and his latest thriller The Whistle, The Grave, And The Ghost
(0803726228, $16.99) lacks nothing in the way of excitement and supernatural thrills. Once again
Lewis faces danger in the form of an old whistle and the deadly vampire spirit it summons. Janet
Anderson's The Last Treasure (08037469192, $17.99) tells of young teen Ellsworth who is
invited to a family home he doesn't remember: a square of old houses in New York where the
family lives and searches for the last hidden treasure. His discovery of a new friend and the real
treasure remaining to be discovered creates a thrilling, surreal atmosphere of adventure.
Otto And The Flying Twins
Charlotte Haptie
Holiday House
425 Madison, New York NY 10017
082341826X $17.95 www.amazon.com
In Charlotte Haptie's Otto And The Flying Twins, humans have changed the magic world of the
City of Trees and taken away its magic: magical folk must hide as a result. Otto has no magic in
him and needn't worry; but when his twin sisters begin to fly, their family lives change. Suddenly
Otto finds himself fighting the forces who would squelch magic in the world in this unusual
story.
Child Out Of Place
Patricia Q. Wall & Debby Ronnquist
Fall Rose Books
PO Box 244, Kittery, ME 03904
0974218502 $12.00 fallrosebooks.com
Enhanced with occasional black and white illustrations by Debby Ronnquist, Child Out Of Place:
A Story For New England by Patricia Q. Wall is a serious-minded children's novel about Matty, a
young African-American child servant in the early 1800s, learning the hard way about the realities
of slavery - including the harsh reality that it would not necessarily end with a freedom document,
which was no protection against a kidnaping slaver. A thorough and carefully researched and
highly recommended portrayal of life as a slave, Child Out Of Place is based on what little is
known and reconstructed of the era.
Harcourt
525 'B' St. #1900, San Diego, CA 92101
$16.00 Each www.amazon.com
Two engaging "Mrs. Green" stories by Keith Baker about an alligator couple pair bright color
illustrations on glossy pages with an ongoing story for 6-9 year olds, which will delight young
readers. Meet Mr. And Mrs. Green (0152049541) introduce the Green alligator couple who like
to camp, eat stacks of pancakes, and vie for prizes at the county fair. Hijinks and escapades follow
their adventures. More Mr. And Mrs. Green (0152164944) presents action-packed alligator tales
again involving food and zany new proposals for adventures. Both are rollicking, funny sets of
tales for kids just entering the chapter book world.
Dance For The Aina
Clemence McLaren
The Bess Press
3565 Harding Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816
www.besspress.com
1573061514 $9.95 1-800-910-2377
Dance For The Aina by Clemence McLaren is an engaging novel about Kate Kahele, a 12 year old
girl who feels out of place in Hawaii, and longs to be in California again even though her lawyer
father and surfer brother are eager to experience their new home state. Kate's personal story of
coming to understand and truly experience her Hawaiian heritage is a journey of exploration that
resonates with the importance of learning about oneself and one's roots. Dance For The Aina is
very highly recommended reading and a welcome addition to school and community library
collections.
Brian's Hunt
Gary Paulsen
Delacorte Press/Random House
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
0385746474 $14.95 www.amazon.com
Brian's Hunt is the sequel to Gary Paulsen's Hatchet and continues stories about a boy named
Brian and his wilderness skills. Brian's Hunt brings Brian back to the wilderness where a lone
camping trip results in a wounded dog's appearance. As Brian cares for her, he faces the dual
challenges of helping her and his Cree native friends in this moving story of courage.
Atheneum/Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of Americas, NY NY 10020
www.simonsayskids.com
Rachel Cohn's The Steps (0689845499, $15.95) is a meaningful story of a broken family's
re-healing. Invited to spend Christmas in Australia with her dad and his new family, Annabel's plot
is to convince her father to come home to New York but the new steps slowly weave their
magic and bristly family encounters soon fade in the light of new relationships in this fine and
often funny story. Marlee Matlin's Dead Child Crossing (0689822-081, $15.95) tells of deaf child
Megan, excited when a new girl moves into her neighborhood. Summer camp interrupts a
blossoming friendship and introduces jealousy in this story of a deaf child's world. Cynthia
Kadohata's Kira-Kira (0689856-393, $15.95) presents an unusual world: Katie's family moves
from their Japanese community in Iowa to Georgia and faces new challenges in the form of
prejudice and a sibling's terrible illness. A moving story of close encounters evolves.
Catie & Josephine
Jonathon Scott Fuqua
Houghton Mifflin
222 Berkeley St., Boston MA 02116
0618394036 $16.00 www.amazon.com
Catie's family has moved a lot, so when she meets Josephine, a girl who appears in her family's
new home, she makes an instant friend. Their very different worlds and realities come together in
Catie & Josephine, a blend of ghost story and novel, which receives Steven Parke's photographic
blends of photo and drawings, throughout.
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Birds
Caroline Arnold & Patricia J. Wynne
Charlesbridge Publishing
85 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02172
1570915164 $16.95 1-800-225-3214
Superbly illustrated by Patricia J. Wynne and informatively written for young readers by Caroline
Arnold, Birds: Nature's Magnificent Flying Machines is an extraordinary picture book for children
detailing birds and their amazing ability to fly. From the mechanics of flapping, to different styles
of wings, to how some birds use thermals or ocean winds to soar, Birds: Nature's Magnificent
Flying Machines is an amazing fact-filled tour of one of nature's common yet ingenious miracles.
No school or community library collection should be without a copy of Caroline Arnold and
Patricia J. Wynne's Birds: Nature's Magnificent Flying Machines.
Marshall Cavendish
99 White Plains Rd, Tarrytown NY 10591
$17.95 Each 1-800-831-9881
The Marshall Cavendish animals series features Maria Mudd Ruth's Hawks & Falcons
(0761416161) joins others in the 4th group to be published in the series, providing fifty pages
packed with color photos and natural history details. Just as eye-catching as this volume are
Martin Schwabacher's Frogs (0761416196), Butterflies (0761416188), Judith Jango-Cohen's
Armadillos (076141617X) and Octopus (0761416145), and Melissa McDaniel's Monkeys
(0761416153). The eye-catching covers and attractive color photos inside set this series apart
from competitors and promise both leisure read and study applications.
The American History Shelf
Voyageurs, Lumberjacks, And Farmers
Kieran Doherty
The Oliver Press, Inc.
5707 West 36th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55416-2510
1881508544 $22.95 1-800-865-4837
Voyageurs, Lumberjacks, And Farmers: Pioneers Of The Midwest by Kieran Doherty is the
newest addition to the "Shaping America" series. This deftly written history book for young
readers informatively explores the European settlement of those lands that would one day become
the Midwestern states ranging from Ohio, to Minnesota, to Michigan, to Iowa. Offering candid
portraits of the personalities and individuals who shaped Midwest history, Voyageurs,
Lumberjacks, And Far-mers is nicely enhanced with black and white illustrations. As engaging to
read as it is educational, this is a superb addition to personal, public library, and school library
American history reference collections. The other titles comprising this enthusiastically
recommended series are: Puritans, Pilgrims, And Merchants: Founders Of The Northeastern
Colonies; Soldiers, Cavaliers, And Planters: Settlers Of The Southeastern Colonies; Explorers,
Missionaries, And Trappers: Trailblazers Of The West; and Ranchers, Homesteaders, And
Traders: Frontiersmen Of The South-Central States.
The Music Shelf
Hear & Gone In 60 Seconds
The Rounder Records Group
Beth Blenz-Clucas (publicity)
One Camp Street, Cambridge, MA 02140
CD $14.98 www.rounder.com
Hear & Gone In 60 Seconds is an upbeat collection of one-minute songs by a wide variety of
award-winning artists in children's music. A lively, roller coaster collection including numbers that
draw upon blues, classical, rap, bluegrass, samba, jazz, and latin styles, Hear & Gone In 60
Seconds is a fast-paced an eclectic sampler great for all ages. Tracks include Hey Picasso, More
Than Just A Minute, A Blues, Recipe, Down Where The Watermelon Grows, Music Is A Lovely
Language, My Cool Shoes, I Love My Brother, A Tiny Little Gear, Heartbeat, Little Blue Chevy,
Hand-Me-Down Blues, Alphabet Soup, Water, Go For It, Gotta Be Mine, Forever And Ever,
Samba One Samba Two, I'm Not Tired, Zoom, Travelin' The USA, Five Minutes More, It Only
Takes A Minute, Opposites, Rocks In My Pockets, There's A Bowl Of Milk In The Moonlight,
Peaceful Feet, We Shall Overcome, Cataplin, and the title piece, Here And Gone.
The Picturebook Shelf
Read To Me
Judi Moreillon & Kyra Teis
Star Bright Books
42-26 28th Street, Suite 2C, Long Island City, NY 11101
starbrightbooks.com
1932065490 $6.95 1-800-788-4439
Read To Me is a thoroughly delightful picture book with simple, rhyming verse by Judi Moreillon
and enchanting color illustrations by Kyra Teis about the joy shared between parents,
grandparents, and young ones when reading to a child. A warm and lyrical treasure with a positive
message for all ages. "Read to me / and plant the seed. / Make me want / to learn to read." Also
highly recommended is the Spanish language edition: Vamos a leer (193206550-4, $6.95)
Lewis And Clark's Bittersweet Crossing
Carol Lynn MacGregor, author
Gaye Hoopes, illustrator
The Caxton Printers Ltd.
312 Main Street, Caldwell, ID 83605-3299
0870044370 $16.95 1-800-657-6465
Carol Lynn MacGregor's Lewis And Clark's Bittersweet Crossing is a picture book rendition of
the trailblazing true story of Lewis and Clark, and their expedition that revealed new lands and
their people to the world. Impressionable color illustrations by Gaye Hoopes add a captivating
touch to this entertaining and engagingly narrated saga of history, hardship, survival, and
exploration. Lewis And Clark's Bittersweet Crossing is a highly recommended addition to school
and community library collections.
The Easter Chick
Geraldine Elschner & Alexandra Junge
North-South Books Inc.
11 E. 26th So., 17th fl, NY, NY 10010
073581855X $15.95 northsouth.com
The collaborative work of author Geraldine Elschner and artist Alexandra Junge, The Easter
Chick is a cheerful and enthusiastically recommended holiday picture book for young readers,
about a chick that wants to hatch out of its egg on Easter Sunday. But when does Easter come?
Sometimes it is March, sometimes April - it always seems to change every year. The chick's
mother learns more about the moon and teaches the chick about Easter, so that the chick can have
a special birthday in this sweepingly illustrated parable.
Fleabite
Noel E. Olson
Terra Linda Publishing
593 Tamarack Dr., San Rafael, CA 94903
www.terralindapublishing.com
0974671002 $14.95 1-415-613-2905
Written and illustrated by Noel E. Olson, Fleabite is an easy-reader picture book about a young
girl and her beloved toy Fleabite, a stuffed dog who is extra thin. Olson's strong color illustrations
are in the simple style of a young child's drawings and Olson's very simple sentences make
Fleabite an excellent and confidently recommended introduction to the wonders of storytime
picturebooks for preschoolers and beginning readers.
Sam's Sister
Juliet C. Bond & Dawn W. Majewski
Perspectives Press Inc.
Box 90318, Indianapolis, IN 46290-0318
www.perspectivespress.com
0944934307 $18.00 1-317-872-3055
Juliet Bond (a professional social worker in the foster care and adoption field for over 10 years),
draws upon her personal experience and professional expertise in Sam's Sister, a picture book
story about adjusting to the difficult reality of having to give up a child for adoption. A young girl
learns from her mother that her mother is about to give birth to a baby she cannot afford to take
care of -- but another loving couple will look after him, and the girl will always be his sister. A
moving tale about coping with separation and adjusting to sometimes difficult realities, Dawn W.
Majewski's superb artwork is a perfect enhancement to this outstanding and highly recommended
title.
Dewey Doo-it Feeds A Friend
Brahm Wenger and Alan Green, authors
Jean Gillmore, illustrator
The Helpful Doo-its Project
2082 Business Center Drive, Suite 163, Irvine, CA 92612
www.deweydooit.com
0974514306 $14.95 1-866-399-3999
Dewey Doo-it Feeds A Friend is a delightful children's story about helping others, collaboratively
written by Brahm Wenger and Alan Green in homage of a real-life woman named Bea Gaddy --
who would collect food from small neighborhood grocery stores and used it to feed her family,
her neighbors, and others, until she created a chain of helpers to fight hunger on a grand scale.
Illustrated by Jean Gillmore, this playful picture book features a courageous and helpful characters
that kids can relate as they bring food to a friend in need -- and in doing so, is set an example for
civic responsibility. Dewey Doo-it Feeds A Friend is a life-enhancing and compassion-affirming
picture book story.
Hildegarde And The Great Green Shirt Factory
Ravay Snow
Snowbound Press
PO Box 698, Littleton, CO 80160-0698
193236210X $16.95 snowboundpress.com
Written and illustrated by Ravay Snow, Hildegarde And The Great Green Shirt Factory is an
amazing and mind-bending picture book about an extraordinarily creative sheep. Hildegarde
works at the Great Green Shirt Factory, where every shirt is supposed to be exactly the same; but
she longs to create something unique and individual. Hildegarde's dilemma is brought to life with
striking, vividly colored artwork in this enjoyable parody of daily life's struggles against the
doldrums.
Forever Friends
Barbara S. Cohen & Dorothy Louise Hall
Smallfellow Press
1180 South Beverly Drive, Suite 320, Los Angeles, CA 90035
1931290547 $9.95 1-800-851-8923
Barbara S. Cohen's Forever Friends is a zany children's picturebook about Petey, a young boy,
and his canine friend Skip. Told from the dog's point of view, Forever Friends shows the bonds of
friendship from dawn to dusk, and the treasures of simply enjoying one another's company.
Enhanced with the colorful but simple line drawings by Dorothy Louise Hall, Forever Friends is
gentle and warm-hearted tale about the joy of sharing life with a faithful animal companion.
My Story By Francis The Bird
Carla C. Cain
F. S. Press
320 Pauline Renee Moore, OK 73160
0971708800 $19.95 www.btol.com
My Story By Francis The Bird is the true story of a baby sparrow who fell from his nest, and
received care from the human girl who found him until he was ready to fly. Told from the little
bird's point of view, My Story By Francis The Bird features a full color photograph on every
page, showing the sparrow's transformation from a pink, fleshy baby to a fully fledged adult. A
heartwarming story of care, tenderness, and hope, My Story By Francis The Bird is very highly
recommended reading for children preschool through first grade.
A Curious Glimpse Of Michigan
Kevin Kammeraad and Stephanie Kammeraad, authors
Ryan Hipp and Kevin Kammeraad, illustrators
EDCO Publishing, Inc.
2648 Lapeer Rd., Auburn Hills, MI 48326
0971269297 $19.95 edcopublishing.com
Ryan Hipp's and Keven Kammeraad's illustrations and graphics nicely enhance A Curious Glimpse
Of Michigan. The result is a colorful picture book featuring collages, trivia, and a fascinating
wealth of information regarding the great state of Michigan, ranging from its wildlife, to
experiencing a long walk across the Mighty Mac bridge. A Curious Glimpse Of Michigan is an
enthusiastic, exuberant, detailed, and highly recommended celebration of Michigan.
The Wolf Who Loved Music
Christophe Gallaz & Marshall Arisman
Creative Editions
123 South Broad St, Mankato, MN 56001
156846178X $17.95 1-800-445-6209
Strikingly illustrated by Marshall Arisman, The Wolf Who Loved Music by Christophe Gallaz is
an original children's picture book story about Anne, a young girl who is fascinated by the music
of the wolves. Anne leaves the house to hear more, yet her curiosity brings a terrible price -- when
Anne is found sleeping near wolf prints the next day, the village embarks on a hunt to find and
slay the wolf whose song drew her out in the first place, leaving her to wonder whether the true
beasts are wolves or men. A tragic and moving tale about keeping an open mind and not
necessarily believing every scary story one hears.
Seurat And La Grande Jatte
Robert Burleigh
Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
100 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011
0810948117 $17.95 1-800-759-0190
Robert Burleigh's Seurat And La Grande Jatte is a very different kind of children's picture book --
it is an appreciation of a classic painting, "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte - 1884", which was
created with the remarkable art style of pointilism (painting with dots) by the talented and
dedicated French artist Seurat. Details and reproductions of this remarkable work (as well as
other compositions by Seurat), superbly background the scene it portrays and deftly enhances the
narrative musings into the life of the hard-working artist which fill the pages of this marvelous
children's book which is especially recommended for talented youngsters who themselves have a
flair for art.
Nicky Jones And The Roaring Rhinos
Lois G. Grambling & William J. Geer
Rayve Productions
PO Box 726, Windsor CA 95492
1877810142 $6.95 1-707-838-6200
Author Lois G. Grambling's simple phrases comprising the text of Nicky Jones And The Roaring
Rhinos tells the exciting story of Nicky Jones a young boy who learns to play football with the
help of four big brothers. Color illustrations by William J. Geer add a happy touch to this
enthralling picturebook story about the joy of experiencing sports, competition, exercise and just
plain fun to the fullest.
Little Fish
Sanne te Loo
Kane/Miller Book Publishers
PO Box 8515, La Jolla, CA 92038-8515
www.kanemiller.com
192913259X $15.95 1-800-968-1930
Written and illustrated by Sanne te Loo, Little Fish is a brilliant tale of the imagination. Rosa is a
young Mexican girl who is very bored with her ordinary life. Rosa gazes over the waters at the
antics of a wiley little fish - who then leaps right into her lap! As the little fish becomes bigger and
bigger in her care, eventually the day comes when it must go back to sea in a grand shared
celebration. A vivid and delightfully presented story deftly interweaving aspects of Mexican life
and culture into the amusing tale, Little Fish well deserves a place in every school and community
library picture book collection for young readers.
The Day The Trash Came Out To Play
David M. Beadle & Laurie A. Faust
Ezra's Earth Publishing
PO Box 3036, South Pasadena, CA 91031
0972785507 $16.95 1-323-841-1122
The Day The Trash Came Out To Play is a unique and whimsical picture book written by David
M. Beadle and illustrated by Laurie A. Faust. Featuring an underlying message about the
importance of cleaning up after oneself, the story begins when a young boy thoughtlessly discards
a candy wrapper on the street of his beautiful home town. This starts an escalating cataclysm as,
piece by piece, litter spreads out over the land. A desperate situation is in need of a diligent
remedy before the whole town becomes buried under a strong-willed pile of trash! A most
delightful story to share, The Day The Trash Came Out To Play would make a welcome and
popular addition to both school and community library picture book collections.
Mama
Kelly Jones & Ken Kewley
Stunt Publishing
22287 Mulholland Hwy., #281, Calabasas, CA 91302
0974593001 $13.99 stuntpublishing.com
Deftly written by Kelly Jones, Mama is an engaging picture book about a big sister, and her little
brother who says the word "Mama" a lot yet uses it to mean so many different things. The most
striking feature of Mama are its vivid, abstract collages by illustrator Ken Kewley that use raw,
bold color to shape images from the story. A compelling and distinctive visual treasure to view
and share with young folks, Mama is fun and recommended for preschool and kindergarten
picture book collections.
Lying Awake
Helen Furbush & Christine McCroskey
Harbor Island Books
1214 W. Boston Post Rd. #245, Mamaroneck, NY 10543
0974178705 $15.95 www.lyingawake.net
The collaboration of author Helen Furbush and illustrator Christine McCroskey, Lying Awake is a
thoroughly enjoyable picture book story about what it is like to live on a boat. More than just an
amusing story, Lying Awake is also quite educational, offering fascinating tidbits on daily
shipboard life, ranging from safety tips; to commonly used nautical terms (like "bulkheads" for
walls); to information about marine wildlife, and more. Lying Awake is delightful, entertaining,
and highly recommended reading for children of all ages.
The Preschool Shelf
What Month Is It?
Sandy Parker & Cathy Hofher
Just Think Books
c/o Canary Connect Publications
605 Holiday Road, Coralville, IA 52241
0964346257 $15.95 JustThinkBooks.com
What Month Is It? is a simple and highly recommended counting/month book using delightful
phrases by Sandy Parker and soft color illustrations by Cathy Hofher to teach beginning readers
the months of the year and popular holidays. A fun and upbeat introduction to the months of the
calendar, excellent for reading aloud to little ones. "In January, / I went to Juneau, Alaska. / I saw
1 silly snowman. / It was the New Year. // In February, / I went to Fairfax, Virginia. / I saw 2
happy hearts. / It was Valentine's Day."
Dalmation Press, LLC
KSB Promotons (publicity)
PO Box 682068, Franklin TN 37068-2068
1-615-724-2700 www.amazon.com
Todd Dakins' soft full color illustrations add a heartwarming touch to Don Hoffman's Billy &
Abigail board book series for preschoolers ages 2 to 5. Good Morning, Good Night Billy &
Abigail (14037-05429, $5.99) follows the daily routine of two little folks before and after
playtime, from waking up, stretching, and brushing hair to getting ready for bed. A Counting
Book With Billy & Abigail (1403705437, $5.99) is an educational tour of numbers from one to
ten. Both of these thoroughly charming titles concentrate on enthusiasm, energy, self-esteem, and
are just plain fun!
The Bilingual Shelf
Cooper's Lesson
Sun Yung Shin & Kim Cogan
Children's Book Press
2211 Mission St, San Francisco CA 94110
0892391936 $16.95 cbookpress.org
Sun Yung Shin's Cooper's Lesson is a bilingual picture book, written in both English and Korean,
telling the story of a young boy who is frustrated over being "half and half." Yet speaking with
Mr. Lee, the owner of the neighborhood grocery store, he comes to learn that the nature of a
person is not a simply defined, either-or prospect. Kim Cogan's full-color illustrations provide a
strong overtone of realism to deftly complement this sometimes complex and highly commended
story of identity and self-discovery.
The Fantasy/Sci-Fi Shelf
The Queen Of Spiders
Marc Aranha
iUniverse.com, Inc.
2021 Pine Lake Road, #100, Lincoln, NE 68512
0595292755 $14.95 iuniverse.com
The Queen Of Spiders is a fantastic story for young adults about Luke Grant -- a boy who seeks
refuge from cruel bullies and mockery in the third grade. When a nightmare attacks Luke in a way
that is far more than just a bad dream, he must plumb the depths of a fantastic world with help
from a gargoyle, a lizard, a minotaur, and his best friend Emily Wu, facing down horrible enemies
in search of the secrets of imagination itself, all to stop the Queen of Spiders before she enters our
world. An enjoyable fairy-tale quality story, The Queen Of Spiders documents author Marc
Aranha as a natural storyteller with a genuine and creative ability to spin an entertaining fantasy
for young readers.
The Saddest Little Robot
Brian Gage & Kathryn Otoshi
Red Rattle Books
71 Bond Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217
1932360050 $16.95 www.softskull.com
Brian Gage's The Saddest Little Robot is an impressive work of children's literature about an
ordinary little Drudgebot, unhappy in his endless labor in the depths of the Cylinder that powers
the light in the great Dome City. Curious about what lies outside his world, he journeys outside,
makes unlikely friends, and meets with a great Makerbot who inspires him to return to his home
and liberate his fellow Drudgebots. A moving story, told on a grand scale and wondrously
illustrated by Kathryn Otoshi, The Saddest Little Robot will prove a welcome and much
appreciated addition to school and community library science fiction collections for young
readers.
The Biography Shelf
John Muir
Thomas Locker
Fulcrum Publishing
16100 TableMountain Pkwy #300, Golden, CO 80403
1555913938 $17.95 1-800-992-2908
Kids in grades 2-4 will find artist Thomas Locker's richly painted full-page landscapes and simple
biographical coverage of John Muir's life and concepts to be most accessible. Many biographies
appeal to the older set: John Muirs offers a very simple picturebook introduction and is a highly
recommended pick for youngsters.
World Almanac Library
330 West Olive Street, Suite 100, Milwaukee, WI 53212
1-800-848-2928 worldalmanaclibrary.com
The 'Lives of the Artists' series ($29.26 each) present lively surveys of the lives of some of the
greatest artists of the Western world. Each narrows the focus to a selected artist and not only
covers the artist's biography, but includes a fine set of glossy photographic reproductions of
works to provide students with detailed visuals on achievements. New to the set: Michaelangelo
(0836856007), Da Vinci (0836855-99X), Van Gogh (0836856023), PICASSO (0836856015).
Each offers almost 50 pages of biographical material, including timelines, a glossary and more.
Two 'Judge for Yourself' biographies for grades 7 and older will reach pre-teens and teens with
in-depth coverages of famous personalities and the issues surrounding their achievements.
Mahatma Gandhi (0836855612) and Martin Luther King Jr. (0836855620) each go beyond the
usual biographical format, encouraging readers to think and debate upon the figures' lives and
achievements.
Patriots In Petticoats
Shirley Raye Redmond
Random House
1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
0375823573 $14.95 www.amazon.com
There were many brave women who fought in the American Revolution, and Patriots In
Petticoats profiles some of them ranging from Martha Bell (who spied on the British), to former
slave Phyllis Wheatley who wrote passionate inspirational revolutionary words. Twenty-four
heroic women are profiled in this exciting coverage.
High Hopes
Deborah Heiligman
National Geographic Books
1145 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
0792261410 $17.95 1-800-223-2336
Award-winning children's author Deborah Heiligman presents High Hopes: A Photobiography Of
John F. Kennedy. This a thoughtful and wonderfully illustrated rendition of President John F.
Kennedy's inspirational life and tragic assassination. Black-and-white photographs on every page
add a strong presence to the straightforward narration in a text which is easily accessible for
young people at an intermediate reading level and up. Highly recommended.
Mitchell Lane Publishers
1104 Kelly Drive, Newark, DE 19711
$19.95 each 1-302-834-9646
The 'Masters of Music' is comprised of notable biographies for grades 5-6 appeared last fall and
deserve ongoing mention as fine introductions to some of the greatest musicians and composers
of the world. Jim Whiting's Irving Berlin (158415215X) and Johannes Brahms (1584152141)
each survey the life and times of composers who made big breaks and worked hard to be
successful; Susan Zannos' Stephen Foster (1584152133) and Felix Mendelssohn (1584152109)
each provide reviews of the composers' strengths and weaknesses. All are colorful, involving
biographies.
The Judeo/Christian Shelf
Elijah's Tears
Sydelle Pearl
Pelican Publishing Company
1000 Burmaster St., Gretna, LA 70053
1589801784 $14.95 1-800-843-1724
Winner of the 1997 Storytelling World Award, Elijah's Tears: Stories For The Jewish Holidays is
a collection of five original tales by Sydelle Pearl, each of which is connected to an important
Jewish holiday and features the prophet Elijah, a biblical figure who is well known in Judaic
folklore for magically appearing to those in great danger. Simple, black-and-white sketches by
Rossitza Skortcheva fully complement this engaging collection which is especially recommended
for young people, yet is suitable and entertaining reading for all ages.
Mendel Rosenbusch
Ilse Weber
Herodias, Inc./SPI Books
99 Spring St., 3rd fl., NY, NY 10012
1928746195 $14.00 www.herodias.com
Now translated into English for the first time by the team of Ruth and Hans Fisher, Mendel
Rosenbusch: Tales For Jewish Children is an anthology of contemporary folk tales first published
in 1929 by prolific playwright Ilse Weber, whose creative life was to come to a tragic end during
the Holocaust. Vivid, engaging stories appropriate for young readers of all ages such as "Auntie
Hanni's Birthday" and "Simche The Liar" will simply captivate the imagination of children with
wonder, mystery, and a passion for culture, legacy, heritage, and faith. A superb treasury, Mendel
Rosenbusch: Tales For Jewish Children is a welcome and strongly recommended addition to
family, school, and community library Folklore & Fairytale collections.
The Lord Builds The House
Johannah Bluedorn, illustrator
Trivium Pursuit
PMB 168, 429 Lake Park Blvd., Muscatine, Iowa 52761
0974361615 $10.00 triviumpursuit.com
Inspiringly illustrated by Johannah Bluedorn, The Lord Builds The House is a picturebook
presentation of the 127th Psalm, showcasing the classic devotional with full-color images of home
and family life on every page. The soft and simple colors bring out scenes that reflect the words
and the faith handed down with them. The Lord Builds The House is simple picturebook treasure
to read aloud and to share in Christian homes and families.
Sunrise Hill
Kathleen Long Bostrom & Rick Johnson
Zondervan Publishing House
5300 Patterson Avenue, S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49530
0310705088 $14.99 zonderkidz.com
Sunrise Hill is a picture book that commemorates the Christian holiday of Easter. When a town
works to build a church in time for Easter Sunday, yet loses all their hard work to a sudden
disaster, it takes the wisdom of a young boy to understand that the "real" Easter church is not a
building, but rather the faith of the people themselves. The beautiful and warmly colored artwork
of Rick Johnson provides Kathleen Long Bostrom's wonderful text with the feel of slightly blurred
photographs which add an unforgettable touch to a timeless story.
Flo The Lyin' Fly
Troy Schmidt, author
GlueWorks Animation, illustrations
Tommy Nelson Publishers
PO Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214
www.tommynelson.com
1400302862 $15.99 1-800-251-4000
Strikingly illustrated by Glue Works Animation with whimsical rendered artwork featuring
caricatures of human like insects, Flo: The Lyin' Fly by Troy Schmidt is a powerful picture book
tale of Flo, a little fly who likes to ignore the truth and spread lies. One by one Flo's friends get
tired of her lies and leave her, until she turns to God for help. God teaches Flo the importance of
telling the truth, and once she learns her lesson she must rebuild her shattered reputation with
time, patience, and hard work. Flo: The Lyin' Fly is enthusiastically recommended reading and is
also available in both a video ($14.99) and a DVD ($17.99) format from Tommy Nelson
Publishers as well.
A Child's Treasury Of Bible Stories
C. D. Stampley Enterprises, Inc.
c/o Ignatius Press
PO Box 1339, Fort Collins, CO 80522
1580870724 $16.95 1-800-651-1531
A Child's Treasury Of Bible Stories is a consistently impressive picture book compilation of tales
drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. Bright color illustrations vividly illustrate the
simple and straightforward renderings of the biblical stories. A Child's Treasury Of Bible Stories is
a simply excellent book to share in Christian households, and written at a reading level consistent
with middle school and younger children.
Books in Series
World Almanac Library
330 West Olive St, Milwaukee, WI 53212
1-800-848-2928 worldalmanaclibrary.com
This publisher's fine history sets are highly recommended picks, providing students in grades 5-6
with excellent volumes of history and colorful discussions. The "Civil War" set ($29.26 each) is
not to be missed by any school with a comprehensive curriculum in this area: titles in this library
include Aftermath Of The Civil War (0836-855884), Civil War In The East (083685-5825), Civil
War In The West (083685-5833), Soldier's Life In The Civil War (0836855868), Union Victory
(0836855-841), Home Fronts In The Civil War (0836855876), and Civil War At Sea
(083-685585X). While the effect is most powerful as a set, schools whose curriculums are not
that intense on Civil War history will also find the volumes stand alone well individually. The
"Landmark Events in American History" set ($29.26 each) will reach the same grade level into
grade 7 as each title narrows the focus to particular social or political events which proved pivotal
in American history. Michael Uschan's Scottsboro Case (08368-53881), Salem Witch Trials
(0836853-873), and Oregon Trail (0836853865) all provide powerful historical reviews of events
and their lasting impact, as do Dale Anderson's Seneca Falls: Women's Rights Convention
(083685389X) and Atom Bomb Project (0836853857). Scott Ingram's Writing Of The
Star-spangled Banner (0836853903) concludes the offerings with a powerful account of the
song's origins and evolution to become the U.S. national anthem. All are highly recommended
picks.
Enslow Publishers, Inc.
PO Box 398, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
1-800-398-2504 www.enslow.com
The educational "A World Of Biomes" series from Enslow Publishers is ideal for young people in
grades 3-4 (ages 8-9) and features full-color photography as well as simple narration about
natural environments and the kinds of creatures that live there. This engaging and strongly
recommended environmental series is expertly written by educator and naturalist Phillip Johansson
and teaches respect for wildlife and the complexity of the natural world. The individual volumes
currently comprising the "A World Of Biomes" series are: The Frozen Tundra (0766021769,
$18.95), The Forested Taiga (0766021-971, $18.95), The Tropical Rain Forest (0766021998,
$18.95), and The Temperate Forest (076602198X, $18.95).
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com
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