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Children's Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
What To Expect Baby-Sitters Handbook
Heidi Murkoff
Workman Publishing Company
708 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
076112845X $12.95 www.workman.com
In What To Expect Baby-Sitters Handbook, Heidi Murkoff informatively surveys over sixty
questions that responsible baby-sitters tend to ask most, ranging from daily routines and feeding,
to
safety and play-date activities. Baby-sitters will enjoy this thorough explanation which
comprehensively covers kids of all different age ranges -- including just how to best handle
newborns on up. Teens especially will find these important tips to be invaluable.
Ray Bradbury
Wendy Mass
Enslow
PO Box 398, 40 Industrial Road, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922-0398
0766022404 $26.60 www.enslow.com
Young adult and pre-teen audiences alike will relish Ray Bradbury, a strong biographical
coverage
of one of the most influential figures in science fiction writing. A little over a hundred pages
includes
black and white illustrations throughout and coverage of not only Bradbury's life and influences,
but
his notable works.
MyReportLinks.com Books
c/o Enslow Publishers
PO Box 398, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
Books linking Internet web sites and search routines with the solidity of paper publishing are just
starting to appear, and MyReportLinks.com's selections are one of the best, keeping its links up to
date on its own web site and providing supporting timelines and chapters of detail to supplement
web facts. Amy Graham's Discovering Antarctica's Land, People And Wildlife (0766052052,
$19.95) achieves the same goal for this seldom-covered continent, again presenting the best meld
of
internet and print media access. Henry Holden's Trailblazing Astronaut John Glenn (0766051-668,
$19.95) surveys the astronaut's life and the world of spaceflight in general. Students read this
book,
go to the publisher's link for updated links, and find internet report links for further study. Both
are
unique, involving titles.
Karate For Kids
Robin L. Rielly
Tuttle Publishing
364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436
tuttlepublishing.com
0804835349 $11.95 1-802-773-8930
Knowledgeably written by Robin L. Rielly (an expert martial artist with decades of experience, a
seventh-degree black belt in Shotokan karate as well as a second-degree black belt from Shin
Kage
Ryu jujutsu), Karate For Kids is a simple but complete introduction to the fitness, self-defense,
movements, philosophies, and etiquette of karate for young people. Down-to-earth illustrated
instructions and guidelines for proper decorum as well as appropriate physical form make Karate
For
Kids a "must-read" for children enrolled in a karate course -- or who are considering joining a
karate
class.
Use Your Words
Robyn Rogers
Heartsome Publishing
P.O. Box 129, Norfolk, MA 02056
www.heartsomepublishing.com
0972640827 $14.95 (508) 726-9861
A critically important addition for school and community libraries, as well as recommended to the
attention of concerned parents wanting something to use with their children, Use Your Words: A
Child's Struggle To Understand The Concept Of War is a children's picturebook by Robyn Rogers
which was written especially to explain the problems of war to young readers, especially in a
society
where dissention through reason, talk, and freedom of expression is meant to be valued over
physical conflict. Illustrated throughout by American school children, Use Your Words does its
best
to clearly present the all too real and imperfect facets of our world in a form young minds can
readily grasp.
Mummies, Pyramids, And Pharaohs
Gail Gibbons
Little, Brown & Company
1271 Ave of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
www.lb-kids.com
0316309281 $16.95 1-800-759-0190
Gail Gibbons' Mummies, Pyramids, And Pharaohs is a children's picturebook that explores daily
life
and belief in the afterlife among the people of ancient Egypt. Aptly researched and presented in
plain
terms along with color illustrations stylistically reminiscent of ancient egyptian art, Mummies,
Pyramids, And Pharaohs is as educational as it is enthralling. A highly recommended nonfiction
book
to whet young minds' curiosity about world history, Mummies, Pyramids, And Pharaohs would
make a popular addition to any school or community library system collection.
Scholastic Press
557 Broadway, New York NY 10012
www.scholastic.com
Five new titles provide kids in grades 3-5 with excellent picturebook accounts and lasting
educational opportunities. Scholastic Atlas Of Weather (0439419026, $17.95) contains almost a
hundred pages answering questions about weather, exploring what causes weather to run wind,
and
how Earth's location in space affects weather and climate. Fact boxes with trivia blend with
weather
statistics, photos, and charts to make for excellent detail. Charles Smith's I Am America
(0439431-794, $14.95) uses photos of children and simple rhyming text to outline the different
visions of American culture; from country western and soul kids to religious and ethnic faces.
Kids
in grades 2-4 will find it enlightening. Greg Tang's Math Appeal (0439210461, $16.95) receives
Harry Briggs' whimsical drawings as it encourages kids to count and think. Nic Bishop's Backyard
Detective: Critters Up Close (0439174783, $16.95) encourages youngsters to consider the nature
in
their own back yards. From spiders and butterflies to bees, this provides field notes of facts and
encourages kids to develop their own backyard investigative projects. Stephen Tomecek's What A
Great Idea! (0439681443, $18.95) surveys inventions which changed the world; from the clock
and
the hand ax to lasers. 112 pages will reach kids in grades 4-6 with exciting historical facts.
The Fiction Shelf
Tree Root And River Rat
Faith Richardson
Fox Song Books
8721 Santa Monica Boulevard, #619, Los Angeles, CA 90069-4507
0974498955 $12.95 foxsongbooks.com
Swimming in the river, basking in the sun, hiking in the forest, 14-year-old David is really
enjoying
the last day of his summer vacation. But when evening comes, everything changes in a heartbeat
when his foster mother tells him that David has less than a year to live. Tree Root And River Rat
is
the story of what can happen with a limited time as a boy, his family and his friends become
keenly
aware of the temporary condition life. Then David finds himself draw into a mystical circle of
trees
where time itself stands sill. Enthusiastically recommended for personal reading lists, as well as
school and community library collections for young readers, Tree Root And River Rat is an
original,
superbly crafted, and compelling a read from first page to last.
Hard Times For Jake Smith
Aileen Kilgore Henderson
Milkweed Editions
1011 Washington kAvenue South, #300, Minneapolis, MN 55415-1246
1571316485 $16.95 www.milkweed.org
Also available in a paperback edition (1571316493, $6.95), Hard Times For Jake Smith is a novel
set against the background of the 1930's "Great Depression". MaryJake Wildsmith is a
12-year-old
girl whose family has fallen on hard times and must leave their worn out farm and migrate
somewhere else in search of better prospects. MaryJake thinks she's going with her family but
instead is dropped off at the edge of a forest and told to go on into town and fend for herself as
best
she can. Hurt, bewildered, unprepared, MaryJake ignores her mother's instructions, dyes her hair,
disguises herself as a boy, and makes her own way into the world as "Jake Smith". Eventually she
uncovers a web of secrets stretching back to before she was born, makes friends, and finds family
when she least expects to. Very highly recommended reading and enthusiastically recommended
for
community library collections, Hard Times For Jake Smith draws from author Aileen Kilgore
Henderson's own experiences growing up on a farm in Alabama during the 1930s and gives her
superbly written story a true feeling of authenticity.
Waiting for Sarah
Bruce McBay & James Heneghan
Orca Book Publishers
PO Box 468, Custer, WA 98240-0468
1551432706 $7.95 1-800-210-5277
Mike's parents and sister are dead, his legs are gone, and his life haunts him yet he's to go back
to
school and a new life. His bitterness is tempered when he meets Sarah, who is much more than
she
seems, and who is holding tight to her own secret. Waiting For Sarah deftly tells of recovery from
life-changing tragedy.
"Goodbye God, I'm Going To Bodie"
Calamity Jan
WildWest Publishing
PO Box 11658, Olympia, WA 98508
0972180001 $10.00 1-800-462-6420
"Goodbye God, I'm Going To Bodie" by Jan Pierson (a.k.a. Calamity Jan) is the debut title of the
smoothly written "Ghostowners" mystery series for young readers. Bodie was a wild California
mining town and the phrase "Goodby God, I'm going to Bodie" was found in a young girl's diary.
This unknown girl and her adventures reveal hardships and history that will enthrall the readers
from
first page to last. Also very highly recommended is the second title in this fledgling series, Ghost
Of
Nighthawk (097218001X, $10.00) which takes place in the ghost town of Nighthawk,
Washington,
and will leave young readers looking forward to the pending release of the third "Ghostowners"
series title, Shadow Of Shaniko (0972180028, $10.00) set in the ghost town of Shaniko,
Oregon.
Doogie Dork Meets Trouble
Mavis Tofte
Creative Quill
460 Myers Street, Salem, Oregon 97302
0970990634 $5.75 www.creativequill.us
Doogie Dork Meets Trouble by Mavis Tofte offers young readers an adventure in Dorkland -- a
place just beyond the imagination and not far from the truth! All over town the lovely flower
gardens
are being raided and the bloosmoms eaten. It's up to Doogie and his friends to follow a trail of
partially eaten flowers to the No-Way Forest where they encounter Kuki, a little Mungee in the
Marshmallow Caves, and bring him home. But after Kuki is sent away for eating Momma Dork's
prized flowers, Doogie's little sister Sarah goes missing. The nights are very cold in Dorkland;
Doogie Dork must find her quickly! Doogie Dork Meets Trouble is an enjoyable, lighthearted
children's novel with a gentle story, clear prose, and an upbeat positive message. Highly
recommended.
Christopher Mouse
William Wise
Bloomsbury Publishing
175 Fifth Avenue, #300, NY, NY 10010
www.bloomsbury.com/usa/childrens
1582348782 $15.95 www.amazon.com
Advanced elementary through middle school readers will delight in this story of a mouse who is
anything but common. Christopher is born in a cage, has encounters in a museum Egyptian room
with a dangerous cat, and proves an adventurer and poet alike in this tale of a mouse who must
find
his way in an exciting world.
Under The Watson's Porch
Susan Shreve
Knopf
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
www.randomhouse.com/kids
0375826300 $15.95 1-800-726-0600
Ellie is bored and looking for action, so when a boy two years older moves in next door, the
pre-teen is thrilled increasingly so when a secret club and a 'real' diamond necklace are offered.
Her newfound romance causes her parents alarm, and her new friend faces the challenge of
providing his worth in Under The Watson's Porch.
Honeysuckle House
Andrea Cheng
Front Street
862 Haywood Rd., Asheville, NC 28806
www.frontstreetbooks.com
1886910995 $16.95 www.amazon.com
Ten year old Sarah misses her best friend Victoria, but finds the forced pairing by her teacher with
fellow Chinese new girl Tina to be offensive. Tina is from China, and too different Sarah is
Chinese-American and looking to blend in. Her forced friendship with Tina slowly involves her in
Tina's life and concerns and in a newfound appreciation for her Chinese heritage in Honeysuckle
House, just as Tina is discovering a new world in American culture. Jude Watson's Premonitions
(04395609995X, $9.95) tells of a girl who's been haunted by premonitions since her mother's
death.
Her confusion over their meaning has led her to largely ignore them until her best friend Emily
disappears, and Grace's fear of her talent turns into a reliance upon it for clues to the mystery.
Premonitions is riveting and absorbing.
Mallory On The Move
Laurie Friedman
Carolrhoda
241 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55401
www.carolrhodabooks.com
1575055384 $15.95 1-800-328-4929
Tamara Schmitz provides the engaging black and white cartoon drawings to Laura Friedman's
story
of Mallory McDonald, who does not want to move and change her life. Kids in grades 4-7 will
find
this a believable, funny story of a determined girl who decides to make the most of her new life
under any circumstances in Mallory On The Move.
Blue Jasmine
Kashmira Sheth
Hyperion
114 5th Avenue, NY, NY 10111-5690
www.hyperionbooksforchildren.com
0786818557 $15.99 1-800-759-0190
Seema's close ties with her entire extended family in India are broken when her parents decide on
a
temporary move to Iowa, where she feels like an outsider and finds everything too different. Her
slow absorption of the language and her eventual knowledge of how to handle a school bully
advance her, but when her grandmother falls ill in India, family ties pull her back in Blue Jasmine's
striking portrait of two very different cultures and many adjustments. More so than most, Blue
Jasmine deftly depicts not just the challenges, but how different cultures are absorbed.
Madame Squidley And Beanie
Alice Mead
Farrar, Straus, Giroux
19 Union Square West, New York NY 10003
www.fsgkidsbooks.com
0374346887 $16.00 1-888-330-8477
Something is wrong with Beanie Kingsley's mother: something the doctors can't figure out.
Beanie
has to pitch in with many chores and worries she might have to care for both her younger sibling
and
her only parent, given their rural location in a small town lacking social services. Her newfound
reliance on friends shows her just who is a good friend and who lacks in Alice Mead's moving
story
of chronic illness Madame Squidley And Beanie.
The Shamer's Daughter
Lene Kaaberbol
Henry Holt
115 West 18th St., New York NY 10011
www.henryholt.com
0805075410 $16.95 1-888-330-8477
Caution: The Shamer's Daughter is Book 1 of a series. That said, The S hamer's Daughter is an
engrossing introduction to the concept of The Shamer, who has the power to unmask the soul's
secrets and crimes. Daughter Dina has inherited her mother's powers and unfortunately can tell
her
childhood friends are now her enemies. Her involvement in a murder puzzle leads to a newfound
appreciation for her resented skills.
Saffey's Angel
Hilary McKay
McElderry Books
1230 Ave. of Americas, NY, NY 10020
www.simonsayskids.com
0689849338 $16.00 1-800-223-2336
While Hilary McKay adds a new adventure of the Casson children to her prior four successes, no
previous familiarity is required to make Saffey's Angel engrossing for the complete newcomer.
Saffy
is an adopted child in a funny family; her beloved grandfather has died and left something to each
of
his grandchildren; but Saffy's present remains obscure and unidentified. Using her own vague
memories and the persistence of a new wheelchair-bound neighbor, Saffy embarks on a journey to
discovery not only her missing gift, but her true family heritage.
The Courtesan's Daughter
Priscilla Galloway
Delacorte Press
1540 Broadway, New York NY 10036
0385729073 $16.95 1-800-726-0600
The Courtesan's Daughter appeared in galley form some time ago and finished copies were not
received; but Galloway's title is so outstanding that even given its unfinished appearance, we
could
not pass this by. Teen Phano dreams of a respectable life as a married woman; but as the daughter
of
an Athens courtesan, she has little hope of achieving her goals especially as the cruel Phrynion
resents her independence and covets her for his own. Her marriage to the beloved Theo doesn't
end
his challenges to her life and happiness, and eventually Phano will have to confront not only
Phrynion's mischief, but the truth about her own heritage in The Courtesan's Daughter, a
wonderful
and riveting story of early Greece, not to be missed.
Time Cat
Lloyd Alexander
Puffin
345 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
www.penguin.com
014201072 $6.99 1-800-847-5515
Time Cat appeared many years ago and will attract new audiences to its beloved fantasy story
with a
revamped cover and affordable paperback presentation. Jason's talking cat doesn't surprise him
he's always been sure Jason was intelligent but what does surprise him is his cat's ability to visit
nine lives anywhere and anytime in the world, taking Jason along as a companion...
Secret Of Belle Meadow
Mary McVicker
Tidewater Publications
c/o Cornell Maritime Press
PO Box 456, Centreville, MD 21617
0870335545 $9.95 1-800-638-7641
The house at Belle Meadow in Virginia, owned by the Martins for generations, has been turned
into
a bed and breakfast inn and teen Karin and her best friend are working there during the summer.
A
boring season is faced in Secret Of Belle Meadow until an old diary points to possible hidden
treasure, involving the two on a quest with surprising results. A highly recommended addition to
school library collections, advanced elementary through middle school readers will relish the
intrigue
deftly portrayed in Secret Of Belle Meadow.
Simon & Schuster
1230 Ave. of Americas, NY NY 10020
www.simonsayskids.com
LaFaye's Worth (0689857306, $15.95) comes from a teacher and author who brings to life a new
aspect of the orphan train stories, telling of son Nathaniel, injured in a farm accident, and the boy
John Worth who is brought from an orphan train to help his father. Nathaniel is jealous of the boy
who now commands his father's respect, and grieves for the lost opportunities his leg injury
means.
Caught up in a battle between rancher and farmers and a newfound romance with a Greek
immigrant girl Nathaniel finds new worth in his life and a newfound understanding in Worth.
Melissa de la Cruz's The Au Pairs (0689870663, $14.95) tells of two new au pairs for one of New
York City's wealthiest families: seemingly ideal situations with underlying problems. A hot bikini
cover draws readers to the story of au pairs who face social challenges and romance problems
alike.
Knightscares: Voyage To Silvermight
David Anthony and Charles David
Sigil Publishing
PO Box 824, Leland, Michigan 49654
0972846131 $5.99 knightscares.com
Knightscares: Voyage To Silvermight is the first volume in The Dragonsbane Horn Trilogy. A
fantastic novel intended for young adults ages 8 and up, Knightscares revolves around the quest
for
the a legendary artifact, and the one thing Dragons fear - the Dragonsbane Horn, broken into four
pieces and lost across the world. The horn's power calls to fiend and hero alike, and a desperate
struggle to reclaim it ensues in this magical, immersive story.
The Games/Puzzles Shelf
Shadowbox Hunt
Laura L. Seeley
All About Kids Publishing
117 Bernal Road, #70 , PMB 405, San Jose, CA 95119
0970086385 $17.95 www.amazon.com
Shadowbox Hunt: A Search & Find Odyssey is a wondrous "search-and-find" picturebook by
Laura
L. Seeley that invites readers of all ages to search and discover hidden things within the lavish
color
illustrations. Answer keys in the back of the book provide solutions for the terminally challenged!
Gorgeous art and simple rhyming verse make Shadowbox Hunt a pleasant reading and activity to
share, especially with young children.
Bridge Puzzles For Children
David H. Levin
Syllogism Press
875 Emory Shield Rd, Murphy, NC 28906
0963800124 $14.95 spress@dnet.net
The card game of contract bridge is often considered as too complicated for children. But this is
simply not true. Indeed, learning to play contract bridge can enhance cognitive skills, develop
patience, develop an ability to concentrate, and be a lot of fun in the bargain! Very highly
recommended for family, school, and community library collections, Bridge Puzzles For Children:
Simple Card Play Problems To Introduce Them To This Wonderful Game by David H. Levin
(Bronze Life Master at bridge) begins with the basic rules of bridge and gradually progresses to
the
subtle strategies of bridge through actual card play problems in the form of puzzles which are
accompanied by a hint. A comprehensive answer section is provided making Bridge Puzzles For
Children a perfect and non-frustrating introduction to what can become a life-time's enjoyment of
one of the most sociable of card games.
The Folklore/Folktale Shelf
The Pig Who Went Home On Sunday
Donald Davis & Jennifer Mazzucco
August House Inc.
PO Box 3223, Little Rock, AR 72203
0874835712 $16.95 1-800-284-8784
The Pig Who Went Home On Sunday is a picturebook rendition of an Appalachian folktale that
adds
a home-grown twist to the well-known story of "Three Little Pigs" - only the villain is a wiley and
cunning Appalachian red fox. Vibrant watercolors and simple words bring to life a battle of wits
between fox and pig, with dinner for the fox and survival for the pig at stake! An amusing and
delightful storybook to share, Jennifer Mazzucco's artwork meshes perfectly with Donald Davis'
deftly scripted text.
Tales From Old Ireland
Malachy Doyle & Niamh Sharkey
Barefoot Books
3 Bow Street, 3rd Floor, Cambridge, MA 02138
190228397X $19.99 barefootbooks.com
The collaborative effort of author Malachy Doyle and artist Niamh Sharkey, Tales From Old
Ireland
is an anthology of seven folktales steeped in Irish history, culture, and tradition. Illustrated with
carefree whimsy, they weave myths and legends about ordinary humble folk as surely as
remarkable
heroes. A pronounciation guide for names and a list of sources for each tale rounds out this
excellent
and enthusiastically recommended anthology for young readers bridging the transition between
picture books and novels.
The Magical Monkey King
Ji-Li Jiang
Shen's Books
40951 Fremont Blvd, Freemont CA 94538
1885008244 $14.95 www.shens.com
Also available in a paperback edition (1885008255, $6.95), The Magical Monkey King is a
retelling
of classic Chinese folktales by Ji-Li Jiang. Ideal reading for children ages 7 to 10, and enhanced
with
black/white drawings by Youshan Tang. The Magical Monkey King tells of the Monkey King's
rambunctuous adventures, from his studies with a wise sage to learn the secret of immortality, to
taking a job as royal gardner in the Kingdom of Heaven, and his encounter with the great Buddha.
Simple yet delightful prose of Monkey King's fantastic exploits make The Magical Monkey King
an
amazing, enjoyable, and whimsical read for all ages.
The Judeo/Christian Shelf
All Things Bright And Beautiful
Cecil Frances Alexander & Anna Vojtech
North-South Books Inc.
875 Avenue of the Americas, Rm. 1901, New York, NY 10001-3507
0735818924 $15.95 northsouth.com
All Things Bright And Beautiful is a simple picturebook that vibrantly illustrates a widely beloved
hymn to God, first written in 1848 by Cecil Frances Alexander. The heartwarming paintings by
Anna
Vojtech of two children at play in all four seasons brings a colorful interpretation to the verses
that
celebrate the goodness of God and all the wonderful things he has made. A highly recommended
book for Christian parents to read aloud and share with their children, All Things Bright And
Beautiful would grace any family, school, or community library collection.
The Littlest Frog
Sylvia Rouss & Holly Hannon
Pitspopany Press
40 East 78th St, Suite 16D, NY NY 10021
www.pitspopany.com
1930143125 $14.95 1-800-232-2931
Based loosely on the Biblical book of Exodus, Holly Hannon's splendid illustrations perfectly
showcase Sylvia Rouss The Littlest Frog and is a picturebook specifically meant for young ones
ages 3-6. When the Pharaoh of Egypt refuses to let the Jewish slaves go, God sends a massive
plague of frogs upon the land, croakng and croaking and allowing no one a moment's peace. The
Pharaoh tries and tries to have all the frogs removed, but just when it seems they all gone, the
littlest
frog hiding silently under the Pharaoh's bed finds its voice and croaks! The Littlest Frog is a
recommended and engaging tale with an underlying moral about theimportance of speaking
up.
The Blackbird's Nest
Jenny Schroedel & Doug Montross
St. Vladimir's Seminary Press
575 Scarsdale Road , Crestwood, NY 10707-1999
0881412589 $16.95 www.amazon.com
The Blackbird's Nest by Jenny Schroedel is a children's picturebook that brings to life the story of
one of Ireland's most beloved saints. Set around the time of A.D. 618, it follows the experiences
of a
young man who loves animals and even seems to understand their secret language. But other
children bring out the worst in Kevin, and he is prone to bullying. One day though, Kevin learns a
tranforming lesson from a most unlikely teacher: a blackbird. Captivatingly illustrated by Doug
Montross in full color and with strong overtones of realism and facial expression, The Blackbird's
Nest is very highly recommended reading.
I'd Be Your Princess
Kathryn O'Brien & Michael Garland
Standard Publishing
8121 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati OH 45231
0784713502 $15.99 1-800-543-1301
Wonderfully written by Kathryn O'Brien and nicely illustrated by Michael Garland, I'd Be Your
Princess: A Royal Tale Of Godly Character is a picturebook for Christian children. It tells of the
bond between father and daughter. The daughter imagines what it would be like to be royalty,
while
the father encourages positive traits and good character. Each two-page spread also features an
appropriate quote from Biblical scripture such as "Show proper respect to everyone" (1 Peter
2:17)
or "Be kind and compassionate to one another." (Ephesians 4:32). An uplifting parable of human
virtues to strive for, that combines religious values with positive and enriching principles to guide
one's life.
The Preschool Shelf
I Love The Alphabet
Dar Hosta
Brown Dog Books
PO Box 2196, Flemington, NJ 08822
0972196714 $16.95 www.amazon.com
Dar Hosta's I Love The Alphabet is an alphabet book that combines animal themes for each letter
with vibrant illustrations that leap out from the page in a raw shock of color. From "Iguanas on an
igloo are feeling rather icy" to "Zebra's in the candy shop for swirly lollipops" this humorous
approach to the alphabet helps make learning fun and memorable for little ones.
Hawaiian Alphabet
Lori Phillips, EdD
The Bess Press
3565 Harding Ave., Honolulu, HI 96816
1573062189 $4.95 www.besspress.com
Hawaiian Alphabet is a small yet delightful hardcover children's picturebook featuring full color
illustrations of various Hawaiian words. Each word is accompanied by a picture that leaves no
room
for doubt as to what the word is, such as "wawae" for "foot." Not all letters of the English
alphabet
are represented; Hawaiian Alphabet is as much a Hawaiian vocabulary builder as it is an English
alphabet tool. A small, simple but delightful little book to share the months and seasons, especially
with very young children
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Butterflies Of North America
Paul Opler & Susan Strawn
Roberts Rinehart Publishers
4501 Forbes Blvd., Lanham MD 20706
1570984352 $9.95 roberts-rinehart.com
The effective collaboration of author Paul Opler and artist Susan Strawn, Butterflies Of North
America is an educational coloring and activity book for young people, featuring word searches,
word scrambles, fascinating information concerning over 150 butterfly species and where they
live,
and accurate artwork children can color. Inset color diagrams show the natural colors of the
butterflies, and the species descriptions offer a wealth of insights such as when and where given
species are found, and unusual features of each. Butterflies Of North America is a fascinating,
informative, and fun introduction to these beautiful insects.
The History Shelf
A Visitor's Guide To The Ancient World
Lesley Sims
EDC Publishing
PO Box 470663, Tulsa, OK 74146-6515
0794504612 $17.95 www.edcpub.com
A Visitor's Guide To The Ancient World is an ideal introduction for young readers to the
antiquarian lnds of Egypt, Rome, and Greece. Wonderfully enhanced with three fold-out maps,
"Top
Tips for Tourists", and colorful illustrations throughout, this informed and informative
compendium
is presented as a kind ot "tourist guide" complete with antiquarian shopping, sight-seeing, and
leisure activities. Complete with thematically appropriate internet links, bibliography, and a
throughly "user friendly" index, A Visitor's Guide To The Ancient World is an enthusiastically
recommended reading.
Free At Last!
Doreen Rappaport & Shane W. Evans
Candlewick Press
2067 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140-1338
0763614408 $19.99 1-800-526-0275
An award-winning team, author Doreen Rappaport and illustrator Shane W. Evans present Free
At
Last!: Stories And Songs Of Emancipation, a captivating picture book surveying the history of
African-Americans since the Civil War. This is a serious account suitable for young readers in
covering such elements of the African-American experience as fear, violence, institutionalized
injustice, lynchings, as well as the courageous acts of others, including those who spoke out
against
segregation and dared to make a difference. Strong, bold color illustrations add an unforgettable
contribution to Free At Last!, an educational picture book about difficult struggles and which
carries
the absolute highest recommendation for both school and community library collections.
The Bilingual Shelf
The Rowdy, Rowdy Ranch
Ethriam Cash Brammer & D. Nina Cruz
Arte Publico Press
University of Houston
452 Cullen Performance Hall, Houston, TX 77204-2004
1558854096 $14.95 artepublicopress.com
Written by Ethriam Cash Brammer and especially recommended for young people age 3 to 7, The
Rowdy, Rowdy Ranch is a bilingual English/Spanish picturebook about the joy of life on a ranch.
Children play hide and seek in the cornfields, feed the family horses, ride pigs, swim in the duck
pond, or drink icy and tasty lemonade in the hot sun and learn how Grandpa's song of sorrow won
him El Rancho. Enhanced with the illustrations of Nina Cruz, The Rowdy, Rowdy Ranch is a
simply
delightful story about living the life to the fullest and the treasure of sharing family stories.
The Good Rainbow Road
Simon J. Ortiz & Michael Lacapa
University of Arizona Press
355 South Euclid Avenue, Suite 103, Tucson, AZ 85719-6654
www.uapress.arizona.edu
0816523401 $16.95 1-800-426-3797
The Good Rainbow Road is a fable written by contemporary Native American author Simon J.
Ortiz. Though it is not based upon any traditional Native American legend, it has been deliberately
crafted with the inspiration and narrative style of such. It is a tri-lingual storybook, with its
adventurous tale presented in English, Spanish, and the Keres language of the Acoma Pueblo
Native
Americans. Brightly illustrated by Michael Lacapa in a slightly stylistic manner, The Good
Rainbow
Road tells of two brothers who set out to rescue their village from drought, yet for one brother,
fear
is a far more dire obstacle than even the most perilous hazard. The Good Rainbow Road is a most
enjoyable and enthusiastically recommended Native American story exposing avid young readers
to
languages and cultures outside of the mainstream.
The Picturebook Shelf
If Roast Beef Could Fly
Jay Leno
Simon & Schuster
1230 Ave. of Americas, NY, NY 10020
0689867670 $17.95 simonsayskids.com
dIn If Roast Beef Could Fly, The Tonight Show's Jay Leno uses a story from his childhood to tell
of
a thrifty mother, an extravagant father, and a son always caught between the two. A family
barbecue
party will only work if the family and neighbors help out and if differences are resolved in the
process. S.B. Whitehead's drawings are very different and realistic embellishments.
Shy Sherman
Linda Marchus
Wee Read Publishing
2269 Ginger Hill Loop, Lincoln, CA
www.weereadpublishing.com
0972312226 $15.95 www.amazon.com
Award-winning author and illustrator Linda Marchus presents Shy Sherman, a children's
picturebook about a shy, friendless pig. One day he accidentally wears his shirt backwards to
school,
and find everyone grinning at him. He revels in his newfound popularity - perhaps too much.
Illustrated with simplistic yet colorful and appealing artwork, Sly Sherman is an engaging,
original,
and strongly recommended tale with an underlying moral about seeking a balance between
positive
social interactions and self-respect.
Dewey Doo-It: Helps Little Owlie Fly Again
Brahm Wenger & Allan Green
The Helpful Doo-its Project
2082 Business Center Drive, #163, Irvine, CA 92612
0974514314 $14.95 1-866-339-3999
Colorfully illustrated by Jean Gillmore, Dewey Doo-It: Helps Little Owlie Fly Again is a childrens
story inspired by Christopher Reeve himself, and essentially about the Christopher Reeve Paralysis
Foundation. Young Dewey Doo-It befriends Little Owlie, once the fastest flier in the jungle, but
now unable to fly at all. Little Owlie's wings no longer work, and he has to use a wheelchair now,
but he can still do lots of things - like paint while holding a paintbrush in his beak, or use his
computer with voice commands, travel through the Jingle Jangle Jungle in his wheelchair and visit
his friends, fly his kite with a little help to get it off the ground, and more. Dewey wants to help
Little Owlie fly again, but such a task will require nothing less than the help of all his friends! A
heartwarming story of compassion, forming positive connections, and the importance of a bright
outlook.
A Heart Alone In The Land Of Darkness
Beti Rozen & Graca Lima
Sem Fronteiras Press
1530 Palisade Avenue, Suite 2F, Fort Lee, NJ 07024
www. semfronteiraspress.com
0964233320 $15.95 1-201-461-1617
Written by Brazilian chldren's book author Beti Rozen and illustrated by Brazilian artist and
designer
Graca Lima, A Heart Alone In The Land Of Darkness is a children's picturebook and a parable
calling for compassion. The vibrant and simplistic drawings show of a Heart that searches for an
owner in a land where most are no longer human. It offers the opportunity to feel and love to a
Calculator Man who cares only about numbers, a Poet who flees love, and a Dictator obsessed
with
control, and a TV producer who cannot see beyond fame and popular consumption. The Heart
strives ever to balance soulless ways of thinking, and turn the land of darkness into a land of light
by
showing people the joys of love and caring. An enduring, uplifting story meant to be shared
among
readers age 5 to adult.
Orchard Books/Scholastic
557 Broadway, New York NY 10012
www.scholastic.com
Marisa Montes' Get Ready For Gabi! (0439517117, $12.95) receives fine drawings by Joe
Cerpeda
as it presents pre-teens with a satisfying story of new neighbors who move into a spooky old
house.
Gabi is determined to snoop to get the latest scoop and discovers a weird little girl with a secret,
in
the process. Jenny Nimmo's Charlie Bone And The Time Twister (043949687X, $9.95) tells of
Charlie, who hopes that a new term at school will hold no terrible surprises. When Henry appears,
twisted through time from 1916, Charlie finds that the academy is a dangerous world for both of
them in this complex story older teens will relish. Sara Pennypacker's Stuart Goes To School
(043930-1823, $15.95) receives Martin Matje's fun cartoon-like drawings as it presents the story
of
Stuart's first day of school. His fears about clothing and a new third grade class provides a fun
sequel to Stuart's Cape with just the zany artwork kids will relish. Luis Sepulveda's Story Of A
Seagull And The Cat Who Taught Her To Fly (0439401860, $15.95) tells of a kind black cat
named
Zorba who watches over a dying gull's egg, and who promises to teach the hatchling to fly. He
must
keep his promise even though he has no idea how to teach a bird to fly in this warm story of
friendship and promises. Jenny Nimmo's latest Charlie Bone story, Charlie Bone And The
Invisible
Boy (043-9545269, $9.95) turns to a new semester at Bloor's Academy, where a new student and
art teacher involve Emma and Charlie in a new secret. They stumble upon the poor invisible Ollie
and face new challenges as a result in this engaging story.
Half a Pig
Allan Ahlberg
Candlewick Press
2067 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140
0763623733 $16.99 1-800-526-0275
A contented little brown pig Esmeralda loves her life except her divorced owners share custody
and each has only half a pig. Can Esmeralda satisfy each owner equally when she is divided in
halves? Half A Pig holds plenty of messages for children of divorced parents, without being as
obvious as many discussions.
Supersnouts!
Steve Bjorkman
Holiday House
425 Madison, New York NY 10017
0823418103 $16.95 holidayhouse.com
It's a peaceful evening on the farm, until till dangerous characters decide to burgle the joint,
leading
three power porkers to the rescue. Kids who enjoy super-power tales and picturebooks which are
action-packed and different will find Steve Bjorkman's Supersnouts! Compelling and
hilarious.
The Path Winds Home
Janie DeVos & Nancy Marsh
River Road Press
Box 1214, Kimberling City, MO 65686
0974375802 $16.95 1-417-739-3452
An appropriate picture book for children ages 4-8, The Path Winds Home is part of The
Patchwork
Pals Tales, a series of gentle tales by Janie DeVos that follow the adventures of furry friends
learning
lessons about life. The Path Winds Home tells of a rabbit who skips instead of hops, a skunk who
doesn't stink, and a bear who sings - all of whom are ostracized from their own societies because
they are different. Yet they meet one another and live together happilly in heart-touching story
which is warmly illustrated by Nancy Marsh.
Brother Bartholomew And The Apple Grove
Jan Cheripko & Kestutis Kasparavicius
Boyds Mills Press
815 Church St., Honesdale, PA 18431
www.boydsmillspress.com
1590780965 $15.95 1-877-512-8366
Kids ages 6 and older will relish this story of a monastery which makes applesauce to make ends
meet, helped by the careful attendance of Brother Bartholomew to the apple grove. His aging is
causing him to be forgetful and to not mend the fence which helps guard the apples, so when the
younger Brother Stephen enters the monastery and covets the task, convinced he can do better,
the
elderly Brother faces a big challenge. Will God continue to provide, as he believes?
Where Do The Balloons Go?
Elena Davis & Anna Jurinich
Red Rock Press
459 Columbus Avenue, Suite 114, New York, NY 10024
0971437238 $16.95 www.amazon.com
Where Do The Balloons Go? is a charming children's picturebook fantasy by Elena Davis about
the
magical place of Balloon Land, where balloon fairies and their balloon pets live. One day a year is
the birthday party of the Balloon Fairy Queen; it is a joyful time, but also dangerous, as it is the
one
day in which a terrible weapon becomes uncovered - a big sharp pin! A delightful and fantastic
romp
of fun and imagination, splendidly illustrated in full color by Anna Jurinich, Where Do The
Balloons
Go? is simply wonderful reading and a recommended addition to school and community library
collections.
The Bramble Thicket
Deborah E. Thomas & James Seward
The Bramble Thicket Company
c/o Gypsy Hill Publishing
101 Gillespie Drive, Suite 16105, Franklin, TN 37067
097428050X $27.95 1-800-854-0717
Composed from an original manuscript used in elementary schools and highly acclaimed by
students
and teachers, Deborah E. Thomas' The Bramble Thicket offers an engaging narrative for children
ready to progress from picture books to more complex reading titles. The story follows eight
rainbow-colored, friendly bears searching for a new home after losing their old one to a forest
fire.
When they discover a "girl with wheels" lost in the forest, they take on one obstacle after another
to
help her return home. The Bramble Thicket is filled with adventure, colorful and gentle paintings
by
former Disney contract artist James Seward, and a positive, uplifting message about help and
kindess.
The Adventures Of Melon And Turnip
Trisha Adelena Howell & Paul Lopez
Howell Canyon Press
5929 151st Avenue SE, Snohomish, WA 98290
1931210047 $15.95 1-888-252-0411
The collaborative effort of author Trisha Adelena Howell and illustrator Paul Lopez, The
Adventures Of Melon And Turnip is a children's book about two unusual vegetative friends who
sally forth from their garden and meet an amazing assortment of creatures and situations. From
listening to a snake explain how carnivorous animals must eat other animals as a way of life, to
witnesses the industrious food-hoarding of a squirrel preparing for winter, to learning the
importance of respecting their friend's feelings, and much more, The Adventures Of Melon And
Turnip is an educational delight with a positive, character-building message.
The Ring Bear
David Michael Slater & S. G. Brooks
Flashlight Press
3709 13th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11218
wwww.FlashlightPress.com
Independent Publishers Group, distributor
814 N. Franklin St., Chicago, IL 60610
0972922512 $15.95 www.ipgbook.com
The Ring Bear: A Rascally Wedding Adventure is a children's picturebook that deals with a
serious
theme. A young boy is used to living with just his mother; he doesn't want a stepfather, yet she is
getting married and anxious to show him that he will always be a beloved member of the new
blended family. He is to be the ring bearer, but he hears it as "ring bear" and decides to dress up as
a
bear to scare everyone away! The captivating illustrations by S. G. Brooks tell of the struggle to
bridge rifts of fear and mistrust with enduring love, in this original, warmhearted, and highly
recommended story by David Michael Slater.
Clarion Books
215 Park Avenue South, NY, NY 10003
www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com
Kids who enjoy rhymes will delight in Neil Philip's Hot Potato Mealtime Rhymes (0618315543,
$16.00): food-inspired poems come from well-known poets from Lewis Carroll to Edward Lear
and
pair short poetic vignettes with funny drawings by Claire Henley for maximum enjoyment.
Bethany
Roberts' Fourth Of July Mice (0618313664, $13.00) arrived too late for more timely mention in
our
July issue, but deserves ongoing consideration for the collection. There's a lot for four little mice
to
see and do on the 4th, and very simple language helps kids understand the celebration.
The Bora Boys And The Last Big Door
Michael J. Feeney & John Devaney
M. J. Feeney & Sons
38 Orange Street, Nantucket, MA 02554
0974626600 $16.99 www.amazon.com
The Bora Boys And The Last Big Door is fantastic children's picturebook by Michael J. Feeney
about two young boys who meet the ghost of an old sailor in the attic. When the ghost learns that
one of the boys was adopted from Cambodia, he takes them both on a special naptime trip to see
the
Cambodia of old, during Khmer New Year, a time of great celebration, oxcart races, and festive
foods. The come home from the dream remembering their adventure, and knowing a little more
about a land so far away. The colorful illustrations by John Devaney add a dreamlike quality to
this
warm and delightful story about connecting to one's roots and experiencing new things.
Dial/Dutton/Putnam
345 Hudson, New York NY 10014
www.penguin.com
This publisher's summer reading list will involve even the most reluctant kid with gorgeous,
appealing picturebooks. Little Loon And Papa (0803729588, $15.99) by Toni Buzzeo receives
Margaret Spengler's gorgeous drawings as it tells of a little loon afraid of driving in the water. His
father tries to teach him but he's still too afraid, in this story of learning new skills. Allan
Sherman
wrote the 'Hello Muddah' song, so he's the perfect choice to produce a picturebook on the story
line,
paired with Lou Busch and illustrated by Jack Davis in Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah - a Letter
From Camp (0525469427, $12.99). The lyrics to the 'ultimate camp song' here are paired with
hilariously different settings to create an expanded lesson on irony. Margie Palatini's Stinky
Smelly
Feet: A Love Story (0525472010, $15.99) receives Ethan Long's funny drawings and comes from
an
art design school grad herself as it tells of a romance facing a challenge from stinky feet. No
amount
of washing will help: is the romance doomed? Katy Hall and Lisa Eisenberg's Piggy Riddles
(0803728667, $14.99) pairs pictures by Renee Andriani with a set of riddles perfect for boaring
days. Pig fans will relish these different riddles. Allan Ahlberg's The Little Cat Baby (0803730128,
$10.99) receives delightful drawings by Fritz Wegner and a vintage appearance as it tells of a
couple
who visit the Baby Shop to pick up a little cat baby. Black and white drawings may limit kids who
seek color, but the tale is perfect for read-aloud. David LaRochelle's The Best Pet Of All
(0525471294, $15.99) receives Hanako Wakiyama's engaging drawings as it tells of a boy who
wants to keep a dragon for a pet. His mother says 'yes', certain he won't find one; but the boy
discovers a dragon who just won't leave. All are engaging, recommended picks.
Toto In Candy Land Of Oz
Roger S. Baum & Ronit Berkovitz
Overmountain Press
PO Box 1261, Johnson City, TN 37605
1570722242 $14.95 1-800-992-2691
An original and wonderfully written tale by Roger S. Baum (the great-grandson of the original
creator of the beloved series of fabled Oz tales), Toto In Candy Land Of Oz is a picturebook story
following Dorothy and Toto's further adventures in the wonderful world of Oz. In the
little-known
Candy Land Of Oz, which produces most of the confectionary for the Emerald City shops, his
Highness the Giant Royal Marshmallow, has a big problem! Jubilant color illustrations by Ronit
Berkovitz and a creative, fun-filled story combine in this highly enjoyable "kid friendly" tale that
fits
right in to the world of Oz and introduces young readers (especially those who are on the cusp of
graduating from picture books to novels), to an enchanting and classic world of children's fantasy
literature.
The Lost Kachina
Heather Irbinskas & Robert Albert
Kiva Publishing, Inc.
21731 E. Buckskin Dr, Walnut, CA 91789
1885772335 $15.95 www.amazon.com
The Lost Kachina is a charming children's picturebook written by Heather Irbinskas and illustrated
by Robert Albert about a long-haired Kachina doll that is left, unknown and unappreciated, upon
a
classroom shelf until a Hopi teacher, Mr. Loloma, comes to the classroom and tells the students
about what the doll means to Hopi Native Americans. A story of learning more about and opening
one's mind to how other cultures do and see things, The Lost Kachina is a joyful tale of discovery
with the moral that things which are different from what one is accustomed to can be wonderful
too.
Balancing On A Rock
Diane Y. Donlon & Duane Huismann
Olly Publishing Company
4335 Lake Michigan Drive, N.W., #H, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49544
0972042717 $16.95 ollypublishing.com
The third title in the Ollykazoo Adventure series, Balancing On A Rock is a picturebook
collaboration by author Diane Youngblood Donlon and artist Duane Huismann that combines
story,
illustrations, songs on an accompanying music CD, and a songsheet to turn reading into a fun,
sing-and-dance experience! Five children can't decide what game to play - until one of them
throws a
pillow in the middle of the room, kick-starting the fun that only pure imagination and storytelling
can
bring. Balancing On A Rock is an energetic, exuberant, and delightful book to share with little
ones.
Wash Day
Barbara H. Cole & Ronald Himler
Star Bright Books
42-26 28th Street, Suite 2C, Long Island City, NY 11101
1932065369 $16.95 1-718-784-9112
Set during the hard times of the Great Depression, Wash Day is a very highly recommended
children's picturebook written by Barbara H. Cole and illustrated by Ronald Himler that tells of a
Grandfather who entertains children during laundry day by telling them stories of the war he
served
in and playing his trumpet, encouraging them to march in time and sing along to the music. Fond
memories, friendships that transcend race, and the simple pleasures of life growing up abound in
this
tale to be treasured.
My Daddy Makes The Best Motorcycle In The Whole Wide World - The Harley-Davidson
Jean Davidson & Theresa Hammerquist
The Guest Cottage, Inc.
PO Box 848, Woodruff, WI 54568
193059626X $16.95 1-800-333-8122
Written by Jean Davidson (the granddaughter of Walter Davidson, one of the founders and first
president of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company), My Daddy Makes The Best Motorcycle In
The
Whole Wide World - The Harley-Davidson is a children's picturebook celebrating the usefulness
and
versatility of the motorcycle - which policemen, firefighters, and American soliders overseas put
to
good use as surely as private citizens. Friendly-themed color illustrations by Theresa Hammerquist
show the special bond between parent and child, in this enjoyable, simple story especially for
motorcycle enthusiast families.
Of all the gifts a child can have, literacy is the one that can never be outgrown.
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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