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Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
Artus Against the Demon of the Museum
Hachette Multimedia
c/o Crystal Productions
1812 Johns Dr., Glenview, IL 60025
$39.95 http://crystalproductions.com
Artus Against the Demon of the Museum is an educational CD-ROM adventure game for young
people, starring an intrepid young mouse. Six grand adventures invite young players to learn more
about great works of art firsthand, from painter's colors to philosopher's ideas to the
craftsmanship
of a fine violin and much more. Designed to spark imagination as well as teach, Artus Against the
Demon of the Museum is a delightful alternative to video games and makes learning about and
interacting with great icons of human culture fun. Compatible with both Macintosh and PC
CD-ROM drives.
The ASPCA
Patricia Miller-Schroeder
Weigl Publishers Inc.
350 Fifth Avenue, #3304, NY, NY 10118
www.weigl.com
1590360249 $26.00 1-866-649-3445
The latest volume in the "International Organizations" series, The ASPCA introduces young
readers
to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and the work this organization
does to promote humane treatment of animals nationwide. Filled with facts from the society's
founding in 1866 to its landmark victories to its promotion of the "3 R's" where animal testing in
biomedical research is concerned (reduce the number of animals used as much as possible; replace
research animals with tissue cultures, computer programs and other methods as much as possible;
and refine testing techniques to ensure research animals are tested humanely) and much more.
Full-color photographs illustrate this informative and enlightening summary of the ASPCA's
work,
rounded out with suggestions for young people to get involved, from writing letters to school and
community newspapers to volunteering time at one's local animal shelter. Highly
recommended.
Nutrition
Alexandra Powe Allred
Perfection Learning Corporation
PO Box 500, Logan, Iowa 51546-0500
0756944775 $18.95 www.amazon.com
Part of the "Reading Essentials in Science: Healty Living" series, Nutrition is a picturebook for
grade-school children about the importance of healthy eating habits, how people in America used
to
eat, what serving sizes are, and what fats, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fluids
do
for the body. Offering basic scientific nutritional information in plain terms, with a glossary and
index to help beginning readers, Nutrition also combines sound advice with its basic facts,
including
table rules such as "limit the amount of salt used; experiment with other seasonings" and "think
like a
rabbit - begin your meals with a small salad." An excellent life lesson book for young people,
offering especially vital lessons in a modern era filled with advertising for sugary sweets and
unhealthy foods.
Prufrock Press
PO Box 8813, Waco, TX 76714-8813
1-800-998-2208 www.prufrock.com
Prufrock Press has newly published two outstanding "how to" manuals for children seeking to
write
effectively and correctly. Written by Nancy Atlee and nicely embellished with small illustrations by
Mary Lou Johnson, these instructionals include The Absolutely Essential Writing Guide For Kids
(1593630409, $13.95) and The Absolutely Essential Grammar Guide (1593630417, $13.95). The
first is a basic reference manual introducing children to the writing process, including terminology,
formatting, and avoiding common errors. The second is a basic reference manual introduction
children to the funda-mentals of English grammar including capitalization, parts of speech,
punctuation, and sentences. Whether writing prose or poetry, short stories or novels, essays or
research papers, The Absolutely Essential Writing Guide For Kids and The Absolutely Essential
Grammar Guide For Kids combine to provide a complete introduction to effective writing and
good
grammar. Ideal as supplemental classroom materials, these two outstanding titles are especially
recommended for home schooling curriculum inclusion as well.
Farm Tales
Little Golden
Golden Books/Random House
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
www.goldenbooks.com
0375831908 $14.95 1-800-726-0600
Farm Tales is a parent/child reader which gathers together some of the best Little Golden Books
for
kids and places them under one keepsake hardcover - some twelve titles in all - providing the third
in
a series of keepsake reprints of childhood classics. Gold-tipped pages accompany full color
reprints
of such timeless tales as Shy Little Kitten, Baby Farm Animals, Little Red Hen and many more.
Perfect for read-aloud pleasure with preschoolers and kindergarteners.
Palms To The Ground
Amy Stolls
Farrar Straus Giroux
19 Union Square West, NY, NY 10003
www.fsgkidsbooks.com
0374357315 $17.00 1-888-330-8477
An only child, Calman has been seeing a therapist since he was seven, and is now about to travel
from his Boston home to Washington to meet his pen pal. His encounters with an unusual cast of
very different characters and potential friends will bring him more awareness of his own life and
personality than therapy could ever afford him.
Albert Knopf
1745 Broadway, New York N 10019
www.randomhouse.com/kids
Three fun stories are fine choices for leisure readers. Maggie Smith's Paisley (03-75821643,
$15.95)
tells of a paisley elephant toy tired of waiting in the toy shop for his Perfect Match. His journey
for
love produces an unexpected successful find. Maya Gottfried's poems are supplemented by Robert
Rahway Zakanitch's fun and realistic drawings in Good Dog (0375830-499, $15.95). Zany
drawings
of dogs accompany breed-specific poems of all styles in this whimsical presentation. Maria
Polushkin
Robbins' Mother, Mother, I Want Another (0375825886, $14.95) receives Jon Goodell's warm
and
fine drawings as it tells of a baby mouse who 'wants another'. Mom thinks the mouse wishes
another
mother's help, but baby mouse doesn't want another mother - will Mrs. Mouse figure out what he
really wants?
Florida Lighthouses For Kids
Elinor De Wire
Pineapple Press, Inc.
PO Box 3889, Sarasota, FL 34230-3889
www.pineapple.com
1561643238 $8.95 1-800-746-3275
Florida Lighthouses For Kids is a profusely illustrated introduction to the lighthouses of Florida in
a
form and format that is ideal for young readers. The informed and informative text details the
history
and lore of Florida's thirty-three lighthouses. Fascinating facts pepper the engaging presentations
as
children will learn how lighthouses operate and how their original roles (so vital to the safety of
ships at sea) gradually evolved into today's maritime museums. Highly recommended and
thoroughly
fun reading!
The Video/DVD Shelf
Tikki Tikki Tembo
Scholastic Video Collection
Beth Blenz-Clucas (publicity)
557 Broadway, NY, NY 10012-3999
www.scholasticlibrary.com
NVG-9728 $14.95 1-800-242-7737
Tikki Tikki Tembo And More Favorite Tales showcases three popular and award-winning
children's
picturebook stories adapted for DVD and enthusiastically recommended for children ages 3 to 9.
Include is Arlene Mosel's Tikki Tikki Tembo (illustrated by Blair Lent) about what happened in
ancient China when the first son of a Chinese family gave him such a grand, long name that
proved
to be a bit dangerous for the boy! Hot Hippo written by Mwenye Hadithi and illustrated by
Adrienne
Kennaway is the story of a hippopotamus that wanted to live in the wter like the fishes instead on
the hot dray land. But wouldNgai (the god of Everything and Everywhere) give Hippo permission
to
do so? Produced by the National Film Board of Canada, and The Tender Tale Of Cinderella
Penguin
by Janet Perlman offers a new webfooted twist on the classic fairytale of Cinderella. With a total
running time of 59 minutes, this DVD features three extra bonus stories: The Happy Lion, The
Magic Of Anansi, and Little Red Riding Hood. Children can read along with the stories, access
interactive menus, enjoy the DVD story selection and Auto-Play features. Also very highly
recommended for family, school, and community library Video/DVD collections for children is
the
Scholastic Video Collection DVD release The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate The Wash And More
Back-to-School Stories (NVG-9727, $14.95, 46 minutes). Both Tikki Tikki Tembo and The Day
Jimmy's Boat Ate The Wash are also available in a VHS format ($9.95 each).
The Wind In The Willows
A&E Home Video
c/o Foundry Communications
235 East 45th Street, NY, NY 10017
AAE-71987 $29.95 1-800-423-1212
The Wind In The Willows: The Complete Second Series continues the award-winning,
stop-motion
animated adventures that take place in the Wild Woods during a summer of timeless adventure
based
on the classic stories of Kenneth Grahame in a brand-new boxed set ideal for family, school, and
community library Video/DVD collections. Mole, Rat, Badger and Toad continue their search for
the simple and good things in life; while the mischievous weasels engage in zany meddling hijinks.
Charming animal antics are brought to life with an abundance of wit, song, tea, jam, and plain
down-to-earth fun, in this delightful collection sure to entertain all ages. 2 DVDs, 4 hrs 20 min,
color.
Pecos Bill Cleans Up The West
WGBH Boston Video
c/o SSA Public Relations
16027 Ventura Boulevard., Suite 206, Encino, CA 91436
1593753578 $12.95 818-501-0700
As seen on public television Pecos Bill Cleans Up The West collects three episodes from the
educational, Emmy award-winning children's series "Between the Lions": "Pecos Bill Cleans Up
the
West", in which a storybook tornado makes a terrible mess in the library, "Lionel's Great Escape
Trick" in which Lionel ties himself up with ropes and tries to escape without using magic words,
and
"Touching the Moon", in which Leona won't let her family sleep because she wishes for a queen
to
touch the moon. Catchy songs, adorable feline puppets, and a magical world in which letters sing,
words come alive, and characters pop off the pages abound in this delightful DVD that combines
entertainment and a curriculum of key reading skills. Special DVD features include downloadable
activities and reader tips, a "Leading the way to Literacy" bonus video, a downloadable activity
guide in English and Spanish, and much more. A highly recommended addition to DVD libraries
for
beginning readers. 90 minutes, color.
The Biography Shelf
Sixteen Years In Sixteen Seconds
Paula Yoo & Dom Lee
Lee & Low Books
95 Madison Avenue, NY, NY 10016
158430247X $16.95 leeandlow.com
A Lee & Low New Voices Award Winner, Sixteen Years In Sixteen Seconds: The Sammy Lee
Story is a picturebook based on the true story of the Korean American boy Sammy Lee. In 1932,
when Sammy Lee was twelve, he wanted to dive at the public pool - but like all persons of color,
he
was allowed to use the pool only one day a week. But his passion for diving did not cool, and for
sixteen years, he struggled to balance his dream of becoming an Olympic diver with following his
father's wishes and becoming a doctor. In 1948, Dr. Sammy Lee earned his place in Olympic
history
and became the first Asian American to win a gold medal. Sammy Lee's remarkable story,
elegantly
told by Paula Yoo and illustrated by Dom Lee with soft, semi-impressionistic style artwork, is an
inspirational testimony for young readers about the infinite potential within oneself, and the
opportunities one can reach for in America.
The World History Shelf
Inside The Tomb Of Tutankhamun
Jacqueline Morley & John James
Enchanted Lion Books
45 Main Street, #519, Brooklyn NY 11201
159270042X $19.95 1-888-330-8477
Inside The Tomb Of Tutankhamun is a children's picturebook that tells the true story of the boy
pharaoh Tutankhamun, the creation of his tomb, and the discovery of the riches within it that
would
give people of the twentieth century a glimpse of the wonders of ancient Egypt. Straightforward
text, color illustrations, and photographs are packed with information throughout concerning the
details of Tutankhamun's life as best as can be reconstructed by history, the incomplete ransacking
of
his tomb in ancient times, and the expedition that revealed the boy pharaoh's resting place as well
as
the remaining ancient treasures buried with him and the controversy over the so-called "mummy's
curse". A highly educational introduction to ancient Egyptian culture.
The Audiobook Shelf
Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince
J. K. Rowling
Listening Library, Inc.
1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
0307283658 $75.00 1-800-726-0600
At long last, the sixth volume of the Harry Potter series is available both in print and in this
complete
and unabridged CD audiobook edition (19 hours, 17 CDS), which is also available in an
audiocassette format (030728364X, $50.00). Harry is now in his sixth year at Hogwarts School
of
Witchcraft and Wizardry, when he is once again called upon to battle against evil doers bent upon
his destruction. Even as Harry Potter gains closer ties with Professor Dumbledore, Harry's rival
Draco Malfoy is assigned a most dangerous challenge by the fearsome tyrant Lord Voldemort!
Despite the revulsion Harry feels for Voldemort, Harry must investigate memories tied to his most
deadly enemy, in the hope of learning all he can. Fantasy setting aside, the true magic of Harry
Potter And The Half-Blood Prince lies in J. K. Rowling's keen insight into all-too-human nature,
including the flaws of bullies and braggarts, teenage heartbreak, and the adolescent emotions that
can all too easily turn best friend against best friend. These qualities have given the entire Harry
Potter series a truly transgenerational appeal, and Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince lives
up
to the exacting standards of its predecessors. Jim Dale gives another dynamic and nuanced
narration
as he provides the "voice" for all of the characters as he has in the Listening Library editions of
the
previous five Harry Potter audiobooks. Highly recommended.
Greathall Productions, Inc.
Box 5061, Charlottesville VA 22905-5061
1-800-477-6234 www.greathall.com
G. A. Henty is a master story writer whose tales of historical adventure fiction will appeal to
listeners from 8 to 88. Greathall Productions offers four of Henty's complete and unabridged
novels,
plus a collection of his best short stories, all in a CD format for easy listening. Expertly and
dramatically narrated by professional storyteller Jim Weiss, these enthusiastically recommended
titles
include: In The Reign Of Terror (1882513975, $32.95, 9 hours) set during the French Revolution
of
1793; The Cat Of Bubastes (1882513940, $32.95, 6 hours) set in ancient Egypt circa 1250 BC;
Wulf The Saxon (1882513959, $32.95, 8 hours) a story set during the Norman Conquest of
England
in 1066 AD; and The Young Carthaginian (1882-513967, $32.95, 9 hours) which plays out in the
confrontations of Hannibal in his war against Rome circa 220 BC. Each of these CD audiobooks
comes in a sturdy plastic shell which will stack perfectly on any library bookshelf. G.A. Henty
Short
Story Collection, Volume 1 (1882513983, $14.95, 70 minutes) features "Frontier Girl", the story
of
a 15-year-old girl on the Ohio frontier during an Indian uprising; and "Surly Joe", the story of an
English sailor of the late 1800s who must deal with sacrifice, despair, honor, and who eventual
achieves personal redemption. All of these Greathall Production outstanding audiobook titles are
characterized by flawless recording standards and will provide listeners with a true "theater of the
mind" listening experience.
The Folklore/Mythology Shelf
The Magical Monkey King
Ji-Li Jiang & Youshan Tang
Shen's Books
40951 Fremont Blvd, Freemont CA 94538
1885008252 $6.95 www.shens.com
The Magical Monkey King: Mischief In Heaven is an anthology of classic Chinese folk tales,
adroitly
retold by Ji-Li Jiang and humorously illustrated with a handful of black-and-white Chinese-style
brush pictures by Youshan Tang. Surprises always follow the mischievous Monkey in his
adventures, from his determination to win the title of "King of the Monkeys" to his quest to learn
the
secrets of immortality, to his contest against the Buddha himself. A rollicking, enjoyable ride,
written
in a delightfully upbeat tone, ideal for young readers ready to make the transition from picture
books
to slightly more elaborate text stories.
Ancient Myths
Picture Window Books
7825 Telegraph Road, Minneapolis,MN 55438
www.picturewindowbooks.com
1404809074PG $143.58 1-877-845-8392
Illustrated in a comic book style cartoon format and expertly written to entertain and engage
young
readers ages 8 to 11, ideal for elementary school students curriculum supplemental reading
assignments for grades 3 to 5, Ancient Myths is a set of outstanding storybooks derived from
ancient Greek mythology. These 32-page tales are presented in the classic tradition of the master
storyteller with the embellishment of ironic humor and the natural excitement that has made these
stories of heroes and monsters appealing to generation after generation of readers over the past
three thousand years. The six individual titles comprising the Ancient Myths series include: The
Adventures of Perseus; Jason and the Argonauts; Theseus and the Minotaur; The Twelve Labors
of
Hercules; The Voyages of Odysseus; and The Wooden Horse of Troy. Enhanced with maps of
ancient Greece, a "who's who" guide to the diverse characters, a pronunciation guide, a glossary,
and an index, each of these highly recommended titles can be acquired separately ($23.93), but
school and community libraries would be well advised to acquire the entire six volume series for
their young readers.
Jorinda And Jorindel
Bernadette Watts
North-South Books Inc.
875 Avenue of the Americas, Rm. 1901, New York, NY 10001-3507
0735819874 $15.95 northsouth.com
The retelling of a Brothers Grimm fairytale by author and illustrator Bernadette Watts, Jorinda
And
Jorindel is the gently illustrated story of the power of true love to resist even the mightiest curses.
An old witch turns young women into caged birds and freezes young men in their tracks until they
are forced to leave, but Jorindel could not leave the witch forever - for one of the birds was a
beautiful girl he loved, and he had to brave any challenge to bring her back. The warm, soft
illustrations perfectly suit this emotions of hope and steadfast faithfulness that form the core of
this
cherished fable.
The Language Studies Shelf
The Picture Book Dictionary, English-Spanish Edition
Valerie Laud & Valentin Latushkin
Ekadoo Publishing Group
Andrea Blain (publicist)
Box 2286, North Redondo Beach, CA 90278
0974738700 $12.99 www.ekadoo.com
An English/Spanish bilingual reference deftly organized by Valerie Laud and brightly illustrated
Valentine Latushkin , The Picture Book Dictionary presents 3,000 words commonly found in
children's picturebook stories. Each word is used in a sentence (in both English and Spanish) and
demonstrated with a simple, friendly color illustration. For example, the entry for hot/caliente
reads
"The pie is still very hot"/"El pastel todavia esta muy caliente" and has a picture of a hot pie held
in a
woman's oven mitts. Especially recommended for bilingual families, The Picture Book Dictionary
offers an easy-to-use introduction and beginning self-start education for bright youngsters.
The Fiction Shelf
The Mysterious Circus
Jane Langson
HarperCollins
1350 Ave. of Americas, NY, NY 10019
www.harperchildrens.com
0060094869 $15.99 1-800-242-7737
Fans of the prior Diamond In The Window and other stories will find a new adventure revolving
around Eleanor, Eddie and Georgie and their new friend Andy. And Uncle Krishna is back, too,
adding his magic to the appearance of a mysterious circus with strange people and events.
Langton
is at her best in exploring the peculiar forms of magic Eleanor and her sibling are particularly
vulnerable to, and The Mysterious Circus doesn't disappoint.
Delacorte/Knopf Press
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
www.randomhouse.com/kids
These summer leisure read choices offer different, absorbing stories for teens. Leslea Newman's
Jailbait (0385731981, $15.95) tells of a teen who has no friends, and whose only goal is to get
through school without rocking the boat - until she meets Frank, a special, older man who
seduces
her while convincing her to keep him a secret. People wouldn't understand their special
relationship,
Frank maintains - and Andi believes him. Amy Kathleen Ryan's young adult novel Shadowfalls
(0385731329, $15.95) is set in Wyoming and tells of teen Annie, who always spends happy
summers
in the wilderness valley with her older brother Cody and her grandfather. One summer a phone
call
changes her life - and introduces a grief which never seems to end, affecting her relationship not
just
with her grandfather, but with everyone. Can Wyoming provide her an opportunity to heal? Leah
Komaiko's Malibu Carmie (0385731728, $15.95) is recommended for older teens, telling of one
Carmie, who wants to become beautiful, lose weight, and stop worrying about her depressed,
embarrassing mother. When a visit to Malibu Beach turns her mother into a surfer, revealing a
formerly dynamic past, Carmie develops a desire to move to Malibu and form a group where she
becomes a surf goddess with unexpected consequences. Michael Cart edits the third modern
journal Rush Hour (0385730322, $9.95): FACE, offering insights into the personalities beneath
the
masts we wear in public. This isn't just a short story collection: poetry and a graphic story are
included to mix genres in stories, essays and art in a bold journal of literary voices tailored for a
wide
age range of readers. David Levithan's Are We There Yet? (037582846X, $15.95) tells of very
different brothers who can't stand each other - until their parents trick them into taking a trip to
Italy
together. It's there that they not only find a new world and romance, but learn to come to grips
with
what it means to be siblings - through falling for the same girl. Older teens will relish these
novels.
Underworld
Catherine MacPhail
Bloomsbury
175 - 5th Ave., New York NY 10010
1582349975 $16.95 bloomsbury.com
Five young cavers who hate each other at school become trapped when a field trip to a desolate
island injures their teacher and traps them underground. Now they find themselves struggling for
survival: a struggle which forces them to confront their fears and get along, if they're to survive.
Catherine MacPhail's Underworld is high adventure and interpersonal struggle at its best.
My Brother's Keeper
Patricia McCormick
Hyperion
114 - 5th Avenue, NY NY 10011-5690
www.hyperionteens.com
0786851732 $15.99 1-800-759-0190
Tony's love for his older brother, the cool personality, is affected by his father's departure from
the
family as Toby observe his family falling apart. Jake is slipping into drug use, and Toby tries to
save
face by covering it up - until tensions between the two brothers escalate. My Brother's Keeper is a
moving story of love and family grief evolves.
Orchard Books/Scholastic Press
557 Broadway, New York NY 10012
www.scholastic.com
Older teens will find compelling two readers packed with action and drama. Michael Molloy's
Peter
Raven Under Fire (0439724546, $17.95) is set in 1800 and tells of Peter, the new officer on a
Navy
ship warring with the French forces of Napoleon. Can a 13-year-old bound to a British spy affect
the
outcome of a war? Political intrigue and social unrest permeate a plot strong in historical
background and insights. Jenny Nimmo's Charlie Bone And The Castle Of Mirrors (0439545285,
$9.95) provides a sequel to Charlie Bone And The Invisible Boy, adding a new complexity to
Charlie'' powers at Bloor's Academy. Fans of Harry Potter will find Charlie an admirable fan: here
he's unlocking the secret of the Castle of Mirrors with his uncle, undertaking new quest in the face
of danger and swift action. Another winning Charlie Bone!
Spy Mice: The Black Paw
Heather Vogel Frederick
Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of Americas, NY NY 10020
www.simonsayskids.com
0689877536 $9.95 1-800-223-2336
At the Spy Museum creatures of all sizes are always about, battling for power: mice vs. rats, kids
vs.
bullies - and all the power lies in a paw. The skateboarding mouse Glory and double-o detective
Oz
Levinson may seem unlikely heroes, but their investigations are fair and their activities intrepid in
this fun detective work for advanced elementary through middle school kids.
The Last Universe
William Sleator
Amulet/Harry Abrams
100 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10011
www.abramsbooks.com
0810958589 $16.95 1-800-759-0190
Susan has been afraid of the garden even before her brother became ill: now she must push his
wheelchair into the garden daily to satisfy his sense of impending action there, and the strange
formal gardens seem to reach out for them with its mazes and mysteries. Can they survive the
impossible choices the mazes bring? Once again Sleator has provided older young adult readers
with
the unexpected, satisfying fantasy he's so noted for. Not one of William Sleator's many novels are
'alike' in theme, aside from the overall fantasy genre: all offer unexpected twists - and The Last
Universe is no exception. A top winner, highly recommended.
Holiday House
425 Madison Ave., New York NY 10017
www.holidayhouse.com
Three delightful, reads are picks for teens seeking something different. Masry Amato's The Naked
Mole-Rat Letters (0823-419274, $16.95) tells of a father who begins a long-distance romance,
and a
pre-teen who sends fabricated emails to the zookeeper lover in an attempt to sabotage their
relationship. When the zookeeper responds unexpectedly with witty letters and advice, Frankie
learns about honestly, evolving friendships, and maturity. Michael J. Daly's Space Station Rat
(08234-18669, $15.95) joins Miss Frisby and other rat-and-mouse fantasies in presenting a
Modified
lavender rat who escapes from a special lab and stows away on a space station. A lonely young
boy
attracts her attention, and soon Jeff thinks he has a new email friend even though the topics
always
seem to be about food. An unusual friendship evolves between two misfits in this fun fantasy.
Leslie
J. Wyatt's Poor Is Just A Starting Place (0823418847, $16.95) tells of a teen during the Great
Depression who is tired of being poor and living with her family. She's determined to escape her
family's farm, and her life of poverty - but finishing school is her first vow. A realistic story of
poverty and Depression survival.
The Picturebook Shelf
Katie Morag And The Birthdays
Mairi Hedderwick
Bodley Head/Trafalgar Square
PO Box 257, Howe Hill Road, North Pomfret, VT 05053-0257
www.trafalgarsquarebooks.com
0370328507 $20.00 1-800-423-4525
Birthday celebrations on the Isle of Struay are always fun, but Katie's birthday is especially
exciting
to her. She's desperate for her special day to happen, but there are others' birthdays before it, each
to
be celebrated with a special theme or event. Kids with basic reading skills will find the bright
drawings and whimsical birthday events of Katie Morag And The Birthdays to be a fun and
engaging
read.
Clarion Books
215 Park Avenue South, NY NY 10003
www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com
Four new Clarion picks are highly recommended stories for young leisure browsers. First, Andrew
Clements' Because Your Daddy Loves You (0618003614, $16.00) presents a warm exploration
of
the ways a father demonstrates his love for his child. A day trip to the beach serves as an
adventure
for both in a warm account illustrated by R.W. Alley. Carl Norac's My Daddy Is A Giant
(0618443991, $16.00) receives Ingrid Godon's simple drawings as it tells of a father who's like a
child's own personal giant'. A warm view of a large man. Kristine O'Connell George's Up!
(0618064893, $15.00) tells of an energetic toddler who sees her father as a key to being lifted up
to
see different views of her world. Very simple text accompanies drawings by Hiroe Nakata. Linda
Sue Park's Bee-Bim Bop! (061826-5112, $15.00) presents a whimsical recipe for a traditional
Korean dish which uses a fun verse to explore cooking an exotic dish. Cooking directions and the
real recipe included at book's end.
Sweet Dreams
Nancy Willard
Little, Brown
1271 Avenue of Americas, NY, NY 10020
www.lb-kids.com
0316940008 $16.99 1-800-759-0190
Mary GrandPre illustrates an unusual, fun story of a man and a broom who fall in love. Once he
whisks her home from the supermarket, the graceful broom enchants him with her ability to
dance,
sweep and even sleepwalk. When she's kidnapped by a greedy strange, trouble enters the world.
An
unusual tale with no equal, Sweet Dreams is a delight.
Candlewick Press
2067 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140
www.candlewick.com
Andre Amstutz and Allan Ahlberg's original picturebook The Shopping Expedition (0763625868,
$16.99) pairs the noted British illustrator with the zany story of a shopping expedition which turns
into a jungle exploration. The pictures are somewhat dark-toned but they enhance the adventure
line, which is filled with unexpected moments. Tres Seymour's Auction! (0763612421, $16.99)
tells
of an excited aunt who hears of a country auction and faces her greatest auction rival, Miss
Logsdon. Can anyone outbid the two contenders? A zany, realistic story of auction high drama is
enlivened by Cat Bowman Smith's whimsical illustrations.
Hyperion
77 West 66th St., NY, NY 10023-6298
www.hyperionbooksforchildren.com 1-800-759-0190
These three fun titles stand out from the leisure picturebook crowd with engaging plots and
drawings. Milton Glaser provides the whimsical drawings for Shirley Glas'ers The Big Race
(0786818212, $16.99), a tale which goes one step beyond the typical Tortoise and Hare race.
Here
they agree to race - all around the world. Volcanoes, pyramids, and more are observed in the
course
of their long journey. Rosemary Wells and Susan Jeffers' McDuff's Wild Romp (0786819308,
$9.99)
joins other McDuff easy readers presenting the little dog's antics. His experience visiting a nasty
cat
results in a fun contest for a fallen Turkey Tidbit in an event all ages will relish. Penelope Stowell's
The Greatest Potatoes (0786851139, $15.99) covers all kinds of potatoes, from chips and fries to
the fry cook who invented the 'world's worst potato' as a joke, coming up with unexpected
winners.
A zany celebration of potato history.
The Cat In The Candle Factory
Barbara L. Johns & Carolyn R. Stich
Steeple Ridge Publications
7220 Hillside Drive, Clarkston, MI 48346-1474
www.steepleridgepublications.com
0976286203 $15.00
Based on a true story in the life of the author, The Cat In The Candle Factory is a children's
picturebook written by Barbara L. Johns and illustrated by Carolyn R. Stich about a clever black
cat,
Midnight. Midnight watches the candle-making machine and signals the owner if something isn't
working properly, but both of them are working too hard - and when poor Midnight slips and
falls,
her tail becomes dipped in orange wax! Midnight needs a break from her work to rest and
recover,
but how is the factory to keep running? Midnight's owner decides the only way is to find Midnight
some help, in this heartwarming story especially for young cat lovers.
The Tzedakah Pennies
Joni Klein-Higger & Tova Leff
Hachai Publishing
156 Chester Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11218
1929628196 $10.95 www.hachai.com
The Tzedakah Pennies is a children's picturebook by Joni Klein-Higger celebrating the Jewish
cornerstone practice of tzedakah (charity), one of the most important mitzvahs for children to
learn.
Colorful illustrations by Tova Leff follow a little boy with ten pennies and a large tzedakah box;
throughout the busy day, he gives each of his family members a turn to give tzedakah by putting
one
penny in the box, leaving one penny fewer than before. "Ten tzedakah pennies all in a line / Along
came my father, and now there are nine." Happy rhymes chronicle the journey to the very last
penny,
in this simple and cheerfully upbeat as well as enlightening picturbook that, though especially
intended for Jewish children and families, embraces a great virtue for readers of all faiths.
In God's Kitchen
James Kavanagh & John Belisle
Waterford Press, Inc.
446 North Austin Drive, Suite 2D, Chandler, AZ 85226
www.waterfordpress.com
1583552413 $15.95 1-800-434-2555
In God's Kitchen is a simple Christian picturebook for children, that whimsically celebrates God as
the creator of all living things, from petunias and puppies to mothers and you (represented by a
mirror on the last page). John Belisle's bold, modern-style full-color illustrations of God's kitchen
add a vibrant touch to this picturebook, which emphasizes the grand diversity of God's creations
with sidebars depicting all sorts of plants and animals. In God's Kitchen does not quote the Bible
directly, but rather simply praises God and his power of creation in singsong verse by James
Kavanagh. A delightful picturebook for young Christian readers, In God's Kitchen is highly
recommended for family and Sunday School library collections.
My Mom's Having a Baby!
Dori Hillestad Butler & Carol Thompson
Albert Whitman & Company
6340 Oakton St, Morton Grove, IL 60053
albertwhitman.com
0807553441 $15.95 1-800-255-7675
My Mom's Having A Baby! is a children's picturebook designed to answer basic childhood
questions
about where babies come from. Told from the point of view of a young girl, it describes how
babies
are made in plain terms. Anatomically correct illustrations by Carol Thompson and Dori Butler's
straightforward narration offer simple descriptions of how reproductive organs work, what it is
like
for a woman to be pregnant, and the steps of childbirth, all culminating in the arrival of a new
baby
brother at home. A superb giftbook or introduction to the facts of life, especially for a child who
may be anxiously awaiting the arrival of a new sibling.
Norbert Nipkin
Robert McConnell & Steve Pilcher
Napoleon Publishing
178 Willowdale Avenue, Suite 201, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M2N 4Y8
www.napoleonpublishing.com
1894917294 $7.95 1-877-730-9052
Charmingly written by Robert McConnell and whimsically illustrated by Steve Pilcher, the art
director for "Shrek 2", Norbert Nipkin is an enchanting, brilliant picturebook following the
adventures of little Norbert Nipkin through a fantasy world. Rhyming verse tells of little Norbert's
meeting with a terrifying, Nipkin-eating Zlog. Yet when Norbert cries out an appeal just before
being devoured, the Zlog is startled; he knew that Nipkins tasted good, but he never knew they
could talk. A fast bond of friendship develops between two very different creatures, and the Zlog
hides young Norbert from a bigger hungry Zlog, in this story about the common qualities that
bind
big and small individuals, in this classic tale since its original publication in 1978. Also highly
recommended is the sequel, Norbert Nipkin And The Magic Riddle Stone.
The Live Bale Of Hay
Carol Shorey Dean & Sandra Dunn
Down East Books
PO Box 679, Camden, ME 04843
www.downeastbooks.com
0892726741 $15.95 1-800-685-7962
The Live Bale Of Hay: A Real Maine Adventure is a picturebook adventure by Carol Shorey
Dean
about two young farm girls who spot a moving bale of hay - which turns out to be a black bear!
Thanks to help from family and a brave farm dog, the bear is chased away, leaving the girls with
an
exciting adventure story to share with all their friends. Gentle watercolor-style illustrations by
Sandra Dunn bring to life this the daily routine of a Maine farm girl, from barn fires and lemonade
stands to mowing machines and balers, in this charming story of courage.
Borya And The Burps
Joan McNamara & Dawn W. Majewski
Perspectives Press, Inc.
Box 90318, Indianapolis, IN 46290-0318
0944934315 $18.00
Written by adoptive parent, advocate, and activist Joan McNamara, Borya And The Burps: An
Eastern European Adoption Story is a children's picturebook that tells of the experience of
international adoption from a very young child's point of view. Bright colorful illustrations by
Dawn
W. Majewski enhance the simple narration about little Borya, a boy still in diapers, and the bond
he
felt with other children at the orphanage, until one day a strange couple came to adopt him. Borya
And The Burps gently reflects on the great and sometimes traumatic change of making the
transition
from orphanage to adoptive family, but is ultimately a positive story about forming new bonds and
adapting to change. Highly recommended, especially as a means to help young people understand
about international adoption, and the special challenges that being adopted across national borders
brings.
Penguin Young Reader's Group
345 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
www.penguin.com
If you haven't seen Fay Robinson's Faucet Fish (0525471669, $15.99), now's the time: a desire for
a
guppy turns into much more as Elizabeth finds her boring single guppy leads to a trout in the
kitchen
faucet - and a host of faucet fish, which her too-busy parents ignore until the Whale
Incident Wayne Anderson provides lively, creative drawings to embellish the action. Valeri
Gorbachev's That's What Friends Are For (0399239669, $15.99) tells of a crying pig and a
frustrated Friend Goat who wants to help. After all, that's what friends are for only how can he
help? Lovely watercolors bring depth to his solutions.
Madagascar: The Essential Guide
Stephen Cole
DK Publishing, Inc.
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
075661175X $12.99 www.dk.com
Madagascar: The Essential Guide is a picturebook offering backstory information pertaining to
the
popular and entertaining CGI motion picture "Madagascar", about four animal friends - a hippo, a
lion, a giraffe, and a zebra - who desire to escape their zoo and live in the wild. Madagascar is not
narrated in the traditional storybook style, but rather devotes each two-page spread to a closer
look
behind the scenes of the movie and within the personalities of the characters, along with fun
and true facts about the island of Madagascar and its wildlife. As a movie for all ages, Madagascar
especially to be commended in that it does not pretend that predator/prey relationships do not
exist,
even in a movie that features predator and prey animals as friends, and Madagascar: The Essential
Guide makes a note of this. A delightful movie tie-in sure entertain young readers, and designed
to
mix in a little education, too!
Silver Threads
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch, author
Michael Martchenko, illustrator
Fitzhenry & Whiteside
121 Harvard Ave., #2, Allston, MA 02134
1550419013 $16.95 www.fitzhenry.ca
Written by the grandchild of one of many interned individuals, Silver Threads is a children's
picturebook based on true events of history. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Anna and
Ivan, a young married couple from the Ukraine began a new life on a homestead on the Canadian
frontier. When World War I erupts, Ivan volunteers to fight for his new country, yet Canadian
authorities seize him and send him to an internment camp solely because he is from the Ukraine.
Anna must continue struggling to provide for herself and keep her homestead's land cleared for
years
in spite of her husband's absence. Yet she never gives up hope, and on Christmas Day, a miracle
occurs. Silver Threads is a story based on Canada's internment of "enemy aliens" - Ukrainian,
European, and Japanese citizens who had committed no crime but were hated solely because of
where they came from - during and after World War I. The Canadian government has not
acknowledged the injustice nor returned the confiscated belongings to this day. Though Silver
Threads is ultimately a heartwarming tale, illustrated in beautiful color, it is also a profound
introduction to acts of injustice that humans commit against one another.
The Magic Of Color
Tracy Kane
Light-Beams Publishing
10 Toon Lane, Lee, NH 03824
0976628902 $17.95 light-beams.com
The Magic Of Color is a wondrous picturebook that imagines what the discovery of color would
be
like, and its profound impact on the world. On a black-and-white Earth, two tribes of a
donkey-like
species - the Tinters and the Shaders - live unaware of each other. A brilliant eruption dyes the
Tinters red and the Shaders blue; both tribes spot a brilliant, magical yellow lake and race to reach
it.
Conflict ensues when both reach the yellow lake at the same time, but when one Shader gets in
trouble a Tinter rushes to his aid without thinking about it, and both tribes learn the values of
cooperation and sharing. They discover there is a whole wide range of possible colors beyond red
and blue, each with its own beauty, in this heartwarming tale. An enchanting storybook especially
for reading aloud to young ones during storytime or bedtime. Also highly recommended is author
Tracy Kane's award-winning "Fairy Houses" series.
Squirt
Stacy A. Nyikos & Shawn Sisneros
Stonehorse Publishing
10632 South Memorial Avenue, #245, Tulsa, OK 74133
www.stonehorsepublishing.com
0976419904 $15.95
Imaginatively written by Stacy Nyikos and charmingly illustrated by Shawn Sisneros, Squirt is a
rhyming picturebook story about a young squid who loves sea horse rides, sand castles, and
games
of ink and hide. When he becomes very attached to a cartoon on his "holoclam", he withdraws
from
his usual outside activities, preferring to watch TV all day. Even when his "holoclam" disappears,
he
can't break away from his desire to do nothing but watch TV... until his inky tantrum prompts a
sudden discovery of the wonders of the world outside, and the possibility of finding his most
beloved
cartoon hero inside of himself. A page of true facts about squid offers a fascinating wrap-up to
this
uplifting tale with a message about hidden qualities inside oneself and beyond rote passivity.
Georgia's Bones
Jen Bryant & Bethanne Andersen
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
255 Jefferson Avenue, S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49503
www.eerdmans.com
0802852173 $16.00 1-800-253-7521
Georgia's Bones by Jen Bryant is a children's picturebook based on the life of artist Georgia
O'Keeffe. Introducing young readers the world of a talented female artist, who sees the natural of
beauty of New Mexico, even in such mundane things as bones, Georgia's Bones blends lyrical
rhyme
with sweeping color illustrations by Bethanne Andersen, and introduces the reader to the
soul-stirring natural world, that can be summoned to mind and memory even when far away.
Books in Series
Capstone Press
7825 Telegraph Road, Bloomington, MN 55438
1-800-747-4992 www.capstonepress.com
Two new non-fiction books in series from Capstone Press are especially recommended for school
and community library Biography, Black Studies, Geography, and International Studies
collections
for young readers in grades 2 and 3. The "Fact Finder" biography series (22.60 list/$16.95 library)
offers six, 32-page, biographies of African-Americans who made significant contributions to the
music, athletics, and civil rights: Duke Ellington: Jazz Composer (0736837418MG); Ella
Fitzgerald:
First Lady Of Jazz (073683742MG), Harriet Tubman: Conductor Of Freedom (0736837434MG),
Jesse Owens: Track-and-field Champion (0736837442MG), Langston Hughes: Great American
Writer (0736837450MG), and Rosa Parks: Civil Rights Pioneer (0736837469MG). The "Fact
Finder" geography series offers sixteen titles ($22.60 list/$16.95 library) showcasing the people
and countries of Australia (0736837477MG), Chile (0736-837485MG), Cuba (0736837493MG),
El Salvador (0736837507MG), India (0733-6837515MG), Iran (0736837523MG), Israel
(0736837531MG), Italy (07368375-4XMG), Liberia (0736837558MG), North Korea
(0736837566MG), Pakistan (9736-837574MG), Peru (0736837582), Rwanda (0736837590MG),
Saudi Arabia (073-6837604MG), South Korea (073683761-2MG), and Turkey
(0736837620MG).
The text for both of these superbly written and illustrated series are thoroughly "kid friendly" and
would make informed and informative additions to any school, community, or homeschooling
library.
Child's World Press
PO Box 326, Chanassen, MN 55317
1-800-599-7323 www.childsworld.com
"Mighty Math" (1567663230, $145.26) is a superbly presented, six volume series of instructional
books for children grades 1 through 3. The hallmark of these strongly recommended books are
their
clear design which encompasses everyday examples of the practical application of mathematics set
forward in clear, concise, "student friendly" language based on nationally recognized standards for
first-grade mathematics. Written by Sara Pistoia (an experienced classroom teacher), each volume
is
enhanced with full-color photos accessibly illustrating intangible concepts. Of special note is the
inclusion of a series mascot -- Math Mutt -- who provides young students with tips and
encouragement as they tackle the diverse exercises designed to provide a fundamental
understanding
of basic applied math. Invaluable as classroom curriculum texts, the titles comprising this series
(Counting, Fractions, Graphs, Measurement, Money, and Time) are ideal for homeschooling
instructional programs as well.
Carolrhoda Books
c/o The Lerner Publishing Group
241 First Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55401
1-800-328-4929 www.lernerbooks.com
Don Lessem has earned his nickname of "Dino" Don through having authored more than 30
dinosaur books for children along with a popular dinosaur column in "Highlights" magazine. He
was
even an adviser for the film "Jurassic Park". Now he has authored six books comprising the
Carolrhoda "Meet the Dinosaur" series designed for young readers ages 7 to 10 and detailing the
dinosaurs' habitats, daily lives, and eventual extinction. Replete with "reader friendly" fun facts,
and
eye-catching artwork by John Bindon, along with descriptive photographs, the individual, 32-page
titles comprising this outstanding and enthusiastically recommended series are The Deadliest
Dinosaurs (0822526190, $6.95), The Fastest Dinosaurs (0822526-204, $6.95), Feathered
Dinosaurs
(0822-526212, $6.95), Flying Giants Of Dinosaur Time (0822526220, $6.95), Sea Giants Of
Dinosaur Time (0822526239, $6.95), The Smartest Dinosaurs (08225-26182, $6.95). Although
each title is available separately, community libraries in behalf of their young patrons, and school
libraries would be especially well advised to acquire the entire series for the benefit of their young
students grades 2 through 4.
PowerKids Press
c/o Rosen Publishing Group
29 East 21st Street, NY, NY 10010
1-800-237-9932 powerkidspress.com
Written and compiled by Joanne Mattern, the "Technology that Changed the World" series
(0823972879, $103.50 list/$74.70 library) presents six 24-page titles which focus on key
inventions
and their impact in shaping the world as we know it today. The informed and informative text is
wonderfully enhanced with illustrative pictures, detailed diagrams, and fascinating facts, as well as
a
"Resources" section. Young readers in grades three through six will be introduced to the clever
and
hardworking inventors behind each invention that was to influence and alter how society
developed.
The complete set includes The Computer: Passport To The Digital Age (032396492), The
Printing
Press: An Information Revolution (0823964884), The Radio: The World Tunes In
(082396-4914),
The Steam Engine: Fueling The Industrial Revolution (0823964906), The Telescope: Looking
Into
Space (082396-4892), and The Television: Window To The World (023964930.
Grolier/Franklin Watts, Inc.
90 Sherman Turnpike, Danbury CT 06816
1-800-621-1115 scholasticlibrary.com
"Flash Focus" (0717259358, $279.00) is a four volume series of books written and recommended
for students in grades 9 through 12 and which focus upon American governmental institutions and
politics. The four titles are: Presidential Elections: 1788-2000, Political Parties, The Supreme
Court,
and Equal Rights Under Law. Each volume features key images to reinforce the text driven story
and primary sources to enrich and document offered interpretations. Enhanced with maps, charts,
tables, glossaries, as well as explanations for key terms, events, concepts, and more, young
readers
will learn about the personalities, events, and institutions that have created American democracy
as it
evolved into what we have today. Of particular note is how specific subjects (such as how slavery
affected American politics) are cross referenced between the four books so that a complete
picture
emerges as to how political issues interweave and mutually influence each other. Adhering to
high-school level academic standards, the "Flash Focus" series is particular recommended for
curriculum supplementation in the areas of Civics, Social Studies, and American History.
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
My First Horse And Pony Book
Judith Draper
Kingfisher/Houghton Mifflin
222 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116
www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com
0753458780 $9.96 www.amazon.com
A thoroughly "kid friendly" introduction and guide to all the basics of horsemanship, My First
Horse
And Pony Book: From Breeds And Bridles To Jodhpurs And Jumping is ideal for young readers,
especially those learning to care for and/or ride a pony or a horse of their own. From
distinguishing
what horses and ponies are, to what young riders should wear, to feeding and watering their
mounts,
to stable care, to riding tackle, to maneuvering their mount, My First Horse And Pony Book
covers
ever issue arising from riding for fun or for show. Enthusiastically recommended!
Shark Life
Peter Benchley
Delacorte Press
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
www.randomhouse.com/kids
0385731094 $15.95 1-800-726-0600
Though intended for a young adult audience, Shark Life: True Stories About Sharks & The Sea is
too good not to recommend for adults, as well - especially given all the news about shark attacks.
Benchley, best known for his novel JAWS and the movies which erupted from it, here draws on
over
four decades of diving experience to explore sharks and other animals he's encountered. From
touching encounters to presumptions and near-disastrous mistakes, Shark Life is first-person
adventure - and shark science - at its best.
The Cookbook Shelf
Delicious Desserts
Barbara Beery
Gibbs Smith
PO Box 667, Layton, UT 94041
www.gibbs-smith.com
1586853651 $19.95 1-800-748-5439
Barbara Beery's kids' cooking school Batter Up Kids provides the foundation for tested recipes in
Delicious Desserts: Sweet Treats From The Premier Children's Cooking School, a fun manual
which
comes with a chefs' hat for kids along with kid-friendly recipes. The descriptions alone are
enticing -
Volcano Cupcakes with Buttercream Lava, Can you Fondue? And A Skillet Full of Cookies are
more than just delicious and easy to make - they're fun, packed with colorful illustrations
throughout.
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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