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Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
When Mammoths Walked The Earth
Caroline Arnold
Clarion
215 Park Avenue S., New York NY 10003
0618096337 $16.00 1-800-225-3362
Research and the latest scientific findings blend with fine watercolors to describe the natural
history of mammoths in When Mammoths Walked The Earth, an outstanding picturebook for kids
in grades 3-4. From the first mammoths, largest land animals of the Ice Age, to their demise,
When Mammoths Walked The Earth provides a fascinating review of the beast and its
history.
Random House
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
1-800-726-0600 www.amazon.com
Random's excellent line-up of tried authors and involving plots makes for a recommended reading
list promising longevity of young leisure attention. Peter Dickinson's Tears Of The Salamander
(0385730985, $16.95) tells of Alfredo, who sings for the love of music in an old Italian city until a
mysterious uncle moves him to a new world of a small village beneath a great volcano. It is here
that he discovers the real power of a strange music which comes with his bewildering new life and
environment and here that he learns of his uncle's secret plans for him. Walter Farley's Man O
War (0385860-152, $6.99) appears in a fine new reprint paperback edition to attract new
audiences who have found an interest in horse racing through the popular movie about Seabiscuit.
This presents a fictional biography of the grandsire of the horse, recounting his legendary wins
through the eyes of a fictional stableboy. Mary Pope Osborne's Haunted Castle On Hallows Eve
(03858-25215, $11.95) arrives just in time for Halloween, presenting the satisfyingly eerie story
of a empty mansion and a mystery involving Merlin the magician. It's up to two modern children
to brave the vacant haunted mansion to solve the mystery of its past, and this blends history and
magical encounter in a wonderful, satisfying account adding to the Magic Tree House series for
kids in grades 5-7.
Jenny
David Weitzman
Roaring Brook Press/Millbrook Press
2 Old New Milford Road, Brookfield, CT 06804
0761325654 $24.90 1-800-462-4703
Kids in grades 3-5 will find David Weitzman's accessible picturebook story of the 'Jenny' the
first airplane to be mass produced. An early pilot explains the experience of flying the Jenny and
the challenges which existed in bringing the plane into mainstream American life, in this involving,
informative, and entertaining story.
Stories From Where We Live: The Great Lakes
Sara St. Antoine, editor
Milkweed Editions
1011 Washington Avenue South, #300, Minneapolis, MN 55415-1246
1571316396 $19.95 1-800-520-6455
Compiled, arranged and edited by Sara St. Antoine, Stories From Where We Live: The Great
Lakes is a delightful and enthusiastically recommended anthology of stories, essays, and poems
drawn from a diversity of talented authors, all of whom are celebrating the richness of daily life
and the wilds of the Great Lakes region of North America. Suitable for young readers of all ages,
these memorable tales and stories are enhanced with simple black-and-white illustrations to make
the land, its creatures, and the people who saw and settled upon it come alive!
Scholastic
557 Broadway, New York NY 10012
1-800-242-7737 www.amazon.com
Lesley Harker's Annie's Ark (0439368-235, $15.95) is the inviting story of Annie, Noah's spunky
granddaughter who tends the animals her grandfather has rescued as they all wait for rain to pass.
The sight of a rainbow brings hope to the waterbound crowd in this gentle retelling of the story.
Jessica Clerk's Wriggly, Wriggly Baby (0439960679, $16.95) considers where a wriggly child is
really trying to get to. Here a wriggly baby has plans if only his parents and family will quit
restricting his movements. His freedom from parental bonds leads to a fun day in this whimsical
story, spiced with Laura Rankin's drawings. Leo & Diane Dillon's Rap A Tap Tap (0439478834,
$15.95) brings the Bojangles story to life, using appropriately toe-tapping verse and fun paintings
to celebrate the life of the tap dancer. All are excellent, fun stories kids and their parents will
appreciate. Young adults seeking strong multi-volume fantasy writings will enjoy Erik L'Homme's
Quadehar The Sorcerer (043953643X, $16.95): ordinary boy Robin finds his world changed by
magic when his rare abilities are revealed in the presence of a sorcerer, resulting in his new role as
an apprentice set to learn the secrets of his power. When he and his friends are called on to enter
another world, it will take all their skills to defeat the forces of darkness. Suzanne Collins' Gregor
The Overlander (0439435366, $16.95) is also a winner: it tells of a New York boy and his sister
who fall through a grate in their building to enter another world beneath the city a world where
humans live underground in a fragile peace. Gregor just wants to go home; but his presence
would seem to fulfill a prophecy and he finds himself caught in a fast-paced mystery. Cornelia
Funke's Inkheart (043-9531640, $19.95) tells of an evil sorcerer, who comes alive when young
Meggie's father reads aloud from Inkheart. The sorcerer enters their world through the pages of a
book, releasing a magic that only Meggie and her father can conquer, lest it wreck their world.
Fast action evoves in this complex plot, recommended for older teens. Walter Dean Myers' The
Beast (04-39368413, $16.95) tells of Anthony Witherspoon, who knows the Beast roams Harlem,
preying on dreams. Can he save his community and his beloved friends from the destructive
powers of the Beast? Elvira Woodruff's Ravenmaster's Secret (04392-81334, $15.95) tells of
pre-teen Forrest, who lives with his family at the Tower of London and helps guard the prisoners.
His desire to prove his courage is challenged when Maddy, a Scottish Rebel's daughter, becomes
his friend and forces him to choose between committing treason or allowing her execution. All are
excellent reads.
The History Shelf
Timelines Of World History
John B. Teeple
DK Publishing
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
0789489260 $40.00 www.dk.com
John Teeple's Timelines Of World History packs a cross-cultural journey through human history
in a timeline format which excels in color photos and drawings. High school through adult readers
will find Timelines Of World History to be a delightfully easy way to absorb world history, as the
colorful timelines offer the opportunity to easily compare cultural developments around the
world at different points in time. An outstanding and very highly recommended presentation.
The Fiction Shelf
The Frog Prince Of Barker's Bay
Helen Clulow
University of Queensland Press/ISBS
5824 N.E. Hassalo Street, Portland, OR 97213-3644
0702233358 $13.50 1-800-944-6190
The Frog Prince Of Barker's Bay by Helen Clulow is a young adult novel about Alison Atherton,
a young girl from an eccentric family who receives a mysterious birthday wish from her aunt. To
make the wish come true, Alison must kiss frogs - but when Errol the frog prince appears, none of
Alison's dreams seem to go just as they should, at least at first. A heartwarming story of the true
value of loyalty and friendship, The Frog Prince Of Barker's Bay is delightfully entertaining
reading and highly recommended for personal, school, and community library collections.
Delacorte Press/Random House
1540 Broadway, NY, NY 10036
1-800-726-0600 www.amazon.com
Lurlene McDaniel has made a nitch for herself in producing stories of teens with life-threatening
problems: How Do I Love Thee (0553571079, $5.50) provides three short stories blending
romance with issues of illness and disability. From a girl with a weak heart who finds an unlikely
romance in a hospital to the story of a boy who discovers the world of a girl bound to live in
darkness the rest of her life, afraid of the light, this provides a satisfying batch of romantic tales.
Ann Halam's Dr. Franklin's Island (0553237815, $5.50) tells of a plane crash which strands three
young survivors on a deserted tropical island. Their discovery of a mad scientist eager to use them
as experimental fodder makes for a fast-paced story. Ghosts Of Rathburn Park by Zilpha Snyder
(0385327676, $15.95) tells of a new boy in town who discovers a mysterious girl who is part of
an ancient house's history. As he uncovers her secrets, he slowly comes to realize her mystery may
truly be unearthly until the story's surprise conclusion. Susan Beth Pfeffer's Year Without
Michael (055373-1205, $9.95) will sound familiar because it's a reissue of a classic story of a
family facing disaster. Michael disappears, and Jody feels her world coming apart as her family
remains in limbo and devastated about the fate of her brother. Joan Lowery Nixon's Nightmare
(0553730268, $15.95) tells of under-achiever Emily, who never quite fits in with her
over-achiever family. Her summer at an academic camp brings new experiences and forces Emily
to face a nightmare she's had since childhood with the camp as its setting. The City Of Ember by
Jeanne DuPrau (0553822739, $15.95) tells of a girl who longs to be a messenger for her city, but
draws the terrible job of Pipeworks laborer, working underground, instead. Her encounter with
one Doon who wants to be underground leads both to discoveries about their city and its
endless dark world. Gwenyth Swain's Chig And The Second Spread (0553730659, $14.95) tells
of a girl who wants to grow bigger. When she setles into a new community of scholars, she
decides to excel to make up for her size with unusual results. The Southern Indiana setting and
the time of the Depression make for an absorbing, realistic tale. Finally, Melissa Wyatt's Raising
The Griffin (0553730950, $16.95) offers the vivid story of an upper-class British teen forced to
leave his England home to assume his role in a country where he is a prince. He hates his new life
and wishes for home, until his kingdom is threatened. Steve Augarde's The Various (0553750293,
$16.95) is recommended for advanced YA readers who love fantasy. A pre-teen discovers a
hidden world of little people living alongside humankind, and enters a world where deadly
struggles for control ensue. Saving the best for last, Arthur Slade's Dust (055-3730047, $15.95)
cannot come too highly recommended: it's a surreal, magical story of a boy who senses the evil
underlying his brother's disappearance and a town which falls under a stranger's spell. Not since
Ray Bradbury has the language of horror been imbedded with such a degree of subtlety, imagery,
and literary beauty: highly recommended indeed. All are exceptional, moving plots.
Finding Zola
Marianne Mitchell
Boyds Mills Press
815 Church St., Honesdale, PA 18431
1590780701 $16.95 1-877-512-8366
It's been almost a year since the auto accident which confined Crystal in a wheelchair, but she still
struggles with guilt and grief over her dead father. Now her grandmother's recent death has left
her in the position of sorting her possessions and facing a mystery involving her grandmother's
eccentric friend's disappearance. Can a girl in a wheelchair do what the police can't? A spunky
story of courage and adventure evolves.
Attack Of The Mutant Underwear
Tom Birdseye
Holiday House
425 Madison Avenue, NY, NY 10017
0823416895 $16.95 holidayhouse.com
Cody Carson faces fifth grade with a journal intended to record his new life in a new school,
where nobody should suspect he was a mess-up onstage. His attempt to change his personality
and avoid embarrassment and disaster soon proves disastrous as he faces an attack of mutant
underwear and a blow to his newfound ego. Hilarious and good leisure material, Attack Of The
Mutant Underwear is highly recommended reading.
Billy Barnaby's Twisted Christmas
Scott Reeves
iUniverse.com, Inc.
2021 Pine Lake Road, #100, Lincoln, NE 68512
0595295703 $11.95 www.iuniverse.com
Santa Claus announces a contest where one girl or boy who is extraordinarily good can
accompany him on his Christmas deliveries. One young boy wins this international competition --
but when he sets out with Santa on Christmas Eve, he finds he is getting more than he thought! It
seems that there are some rather naughty stowaways on Santa's sleigh and they aren't particularly
interested in delivering presents and Christmas cheer to the boys and girls of the world! Santa
seems powerless to stop them. Can our young contest winner save the world from the ultimate
anti-Christmas evil! Billy Barnaby's Twisted Christmas showcases the fantasy of true Christmas
magic in this original Christmas season novel for young readers by Scott Reeves.
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 is shattered. He returns to school
bitter and distant until he meets Sarah and discovers her secrets. Waiting For Sarah is a very finely
written and highly recomended story of terrible change and recovery evolves.
Simon & Schuster
1230 Ave. of Americas, NY, NY 10020
1-800-223-2336 www.amazon.com
These new titles for young readers from Simon & Schuster are wonderful, recommended picks.
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's Patiently Alice (0689826362, $15.95) presents another story of the
three best friends growing up: this time they are serving as assistant camp counselors to
disadvantaged children, and find their lives filled by not only the special needs of a group of
insecure inner-city youngsters, but by the special challenges of being away from home and in the
company of boy camp leaders. A fine coming of age story with the inclusion of the usual Alice
concerns about growing up and managing relationships. Ann Rinaldi's Sarah's Ground
(0689859244, $14.95) tells of Sarah, who has spent her life doing what her older siblings and
parents have wanted. Now she's 18, time to marry, and is still always being watched as she goes
through the motions of dinner parties, plays, and teas. She doesn't really want to marry but it's
1861, and her choices are limited, until she sees an ad for an overseer of a dilapidated home and
lies to her family to get away. Karen Wallace's Wendy (0689-867697, $16.95) may be inspired by
the world of Peter Pan, but those expecting mysticism will be disappointed. This is the realistic
story of one Wendy darling, who is willful and always getting into trouble. When she spies on one
of her parents' glamorous, forbidden parties, her discovery will change her world forever. Tony
Diterlizzi and Holly Black's Spiderwick Chronicles ($9.95 each) are wonderful reads: kids enter a
fairy world with queens, mysteries, and danger. This is a series: Book 1 offers The Field Guide
(0689859368) and introduces the story of three ordinary kids who enter another world; The
Seeing Stone (0689859376) tells of their encounter with dangerous goblins and continuing
adventures; Lucinda's Secret (0689859384) tells of Jared, who finds his life turned inside out by
the events of the world he's entered, and keep an eye out for The Ironwood Tree (0689-859392),
the latest story of the fairy world's attempts to get ahold ofthe Spiderwick Guide. All are
absorbing reads.
Bloomsbury Publishing
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
www.bloomsbury.com www.amazon.com
Advanced teen readers who enjoy time-travel and fantasy stories will welcome Mary Hoffman's
compelling Stravaganza: City Of Stars (1582348391, $17.95). Here Georgia's love of horses and
hatred of her stepbrother leads to the acquisition of a little model of winged horse, which she must
hide from him. Its ability to send her to another world and time brings her to the alternate world
of 16th century Italy in this fast-paced adventure. Benjamin Zephaniah's Face (1582347743,
$15.95) has a good amount of British words and lingo surrounding it, and its slower pace may
frustrate some young adults. Others will relish the story of a teen who takes a ride in the wrong
car and finds himself disfigured, possibly for life. Pauline Fisk's Midnight Blue (1582348294,
$16.95) tells of Bonnie, a girl who faces her mother's weaknesses and her grandmother's strong
will. Her decision to escape her home via a neighbor's forbidden hot air balloon brings her to
another world where she faces unexpected challenges. Mary Hooper's At The Sign Of The
Sugared Plum (158-2348499, $16.95) is set in 1665 and tells of Hannah, who is anticipating her
first visit to London and a visit with her proprietor sister. But London is facing the Plague, and
her visit may turn to a struggle for survival in this engrossing story.
Penguin Publishing Group
345 Hudson, New York, NY 10014
1-800-847-5515 www.amazon.com
Four new titles provide fine insights and leisure choices for teens. Angela Johnson's A Cool
Midnight (0803728468, $14.99) tells of Lila, who lives a life hidden from the sun. Her visits with
two mysterious girls who bring friendship and stories to her lonely heart may bring her back into a
long-gone world in this involving story. Brenda Seabrooke's Haunting Of Swain's Fancy
(0525469389, $16.99) opens with a bang: young Taylor is left alone at an old stone house and
when she does meet her new stepsister and stepmother, it's to face an unwelcome reception. The
stepsisters soon find their initial bristling response is overcome by a series of mysterious ghosts: if
they can solve the mystery surrounding their appearance, they may free the old house from its
hauntings. Nina Kiriki Hoffman's A Stir Of Bones (0670035513, $15.99) holds all of the haunting,
surreal language and fantasy of her titles for adults. Here a haunted house with a mind of its own
traps a group of teens and awakens the hidden powers of one Susan, who has led a charmed life.
It will take a coming alive of the senses of the entire group to understand the house's language
and needs. David Wills Hurwin's The Farther You Run (0670036-277, $16.99) provides a fine
sequel to A Time For Dancing. Samantha lost her best friend, a fellow dancer, to cancer, and
since then has moved from home and tried to move on. Her friendship with Mona, who faces her
own hard challenges from her past, leads to a newfound interest in life: but first she must properly
mourn her former friend before she can move on. A moving multi-faceted, multi-voiced story
displaying the realistic and different perspectives of both protagonists.
The Slippery Slope
Lemony Snicket
HarperCollins
1350 Ave. of Americas, NY, NY 10019
0064410137 $10.99 www.amazon.com
Fans of Lemony Snicket will find this latest addition to the 'Series of Unfortunate Events' titles to
be equally compelling. The Slippery Slope begins where the last left off, so familiarity with the
previous titles in the series is recommended for a smooth transition to this continuation, which
tells of two orphans who struggle to find their kidnapped baby sister. New abilities and talents
must come into play during the rescue in this moving story.
Tundra Books
PO Box 1030, Plattsburgh, NY 12901
www.tundrabooks.com
Two fine new titles will offer teens very different, compelling stories. Julie Johnston's In Spite Of
Killer Bees (0887766-013, $9.95) tells of a 'no good' family of three sisters new to town, arrived
to claim a new inheritance. They are only in town to claim and leave but the acquisition of a
run-down old house with a string attached provides new challenges and ultimately new family ties
in this compelling story. Linda Holeman's Search Of The Moon King's Daughter (0887765920,
$17.95) tells of a mother who sells her son to a master sweep in exchange for her need for opium
to escape her poverty world and of her daughter Emmaline's determination to save her little
brother from a shortened life and a hard world. The realistic setting of Industrial England comes
to life in the course of this moving story of courage.
The Whale Rider
Witi Ihimaera
Harcourt Brace Children's Books
525 B Street, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101-4495
0152050175 $17.00 1-800-543-1918
Eight-year-old Kahu craves her great-grandfather's love and attention, but he is focused on his
duties as chief of the Maori in New Zealand and has little time for her. She stands to be the heir of
her kingdom, as there is no male to take over, and struggles to honor herself in the face of her
tribe and grandfather despite her sex in this moving story of achievement.
Bittersweet
Drew Lamm
Clarion Books
215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003
061816443X $15.00 1-800-225-3362
Taylor has been raised by her grandmother and has flourished as an artist, but when her
grandmother falls ill her creativity deserts her and she finds herself lost. Her love for a boy who
used to be her best friend and her efforts to re-discover her artistic talents lie at the heart of a
moving, tender story.
Meeting Melanie
Nancy Garden
Farrar Straus Giroux
19 Union Square West, NY, NY 10003
0374349436 $16.00 1-888-330-8477
Allie isn't looking forward to her summer: her isolated Maine community offers few friends and
her father has injured his back, so the family has to pitch in and start a new business to help out.
When she meets a summer girl whose family is staying at an elegant home they inherited, she
forms an uncertain friendship with a girl who has everything monetarily, but lacks family support.
Their friendship will change both their worlds in Nancy Garden's Meeting Melanie, a moving story
of conflict and discovery.
Henry Holt
115 West 18th Street, NY, NY 10011
1-888-330-8477 www.amazon.com
Two fine titles from Henry Holt provide revealing stories leisure teen readers will relish. Sis
Deans' Every Day And All The Time (080507337X, $16.95) tells of a girl recovering from a car
accident which has hindered her dancing and taken the life of her older brother. Now her parents
want to sell the house where Emily has all her memories. The story of recovery is poignant and
moving. Janet Tashjian's Faultline (0805072004, $16.95) tells of Becky, who aspires to be a
stand-up comic until she meets a rising star in a comedy club and falls for his attentions. Her
encounter with physical and emotional abuse tests her ability to be her own person in this realistic
story.
The Picturebook Shelf
Giddy Goat
Jamie Rix
Gingham/McGraw-Hill
8787 Orion Place, Columbus, OH 43240
0769631614 $14.95 www.amazon.com
Giddy isn't like other mountain goats who relish picnics on the highest mountain around: he's
easily motion and height sick, and decides to run away to join the sheep on the valley floor. His
slow acceptance of goathood despite his disabilities makes for a gentle, funny story.
What Happened to Marion's Book?
Brook Berg
Upstart Books
PO Box 800, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538-0800
1932146059 $16.95 1-800-448-4887
Marion the hedgehog loves to read and she relishes her borrowed books until she accidentally
spills on one at the breakfast table. Her clean-up efforts only result in further disaster in this
wonderfully engaging picturebook story which is especially recommended for children preschool
and kindergarten through second grade.
The Giant King
Kathleen T. Pelley
Child & Family Press
c/o CWLA
440 First Street, NW Third Floor, Washington, DC 20001-2085
0878688803 $14.95, www.cwla.org
A giant is tormenting the people of a small town when a Rabbie (a carpenter's son and something
of a dreamer) arrives to sell his carvings. The townspeople are at their wits end when Rabbie
comes up with an idea. Treat the giant as if he were a king and maybe he would stop making
mischief and misery and instead be a friend and be helpful. The Giant King is an original and heart
warming fable of the power of love to transform our hearts and minds. Imaginatively written and
entertainingly illustrated by Kathleen T. Pelley, The Giant King is a very welcome and highly
recommended addition to family, school, and community library picturebook collections!
Broom Mates
Margie Palatini
Hyperion
114 5th Ave., New York NY 10011
0786804181 $15.99 1-800-759-0190
Beginning readers ages 3-6 will relish this zany story of Gritch the Witch, who becomes exhausted
trying to prepare for her big howliday party. A bossy big sister keeps her from much-needed sleep
but brings some surprises when they become broom mates a day early. This Halloween howler
will be welcomed year-round during all seasons.
Borka
John Burningham
Trafalgar Square Publishing
PO Box 257, Howe Hill Road, North Pomfret, VT 05053-0257
022464940 $14.95 1-800-423-4525
Young goose Borka is born without feathers, so her mother helps her out with a homemade
jumper which the other geese laugh at. Can Borka ever fit in; especially since she cannot fly
when the other geese fly south for the winter? This 40th anniversary edition of John Burnigham's
classic fable is enthusiastically recommended!
Scritch Scratch
Miriam Moss & Delphine Durand
Orchard Books/Scholastic
557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012
0439368359 $16.95 1-800-242-7737
A tiny insect craws into a classroom and soon the whole class is scratching. It's hard to imagine
how a picturebook on head lice can be whimsical and fun, but even parents who have suffered
through an outbreak will find the zany drawings and rollicking story line of Scritch Scratch by
Miriam Moss and Delphine Durand to be a fun read.
Knopf/Random House
1745 Broadway, 17th fl., NY, NY 10019
1-800-726-0600 www.amazon.com
The owl knows snow is coming; moose can smell it in the air; and the bear begins looking for a
den for the winter. Manya Stojic's Snow (0375823484 $15.95) uses easy text and bright
illustrations to reach kids ages 3-6 with a basic story of seasonal changes and animal responses.
An appealing, simple reader. Pat Mora's Library For Juana (0375806431, $15.95) tells of a little
girl who loves words and who longs to go to school. She doesn't lose her love of words and
reading, and eventually becomes a nun who devotes her life to writing and learning. An appealing
fictionalized account of a real Mexican idol.
The Boy Who Looked Like Lincoln
Mike Reiss & David Cathrow
Price Stern Sloan/Penguin Books
345 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014
0843102713 $10.99 1-800-847-5515
Benjy is spending the summer at a camp for kids -- each of whom looks like something else. Benjy
looks like Abraham Lincoln right down to the wart and beard. Other kids looks like frogs,
toasters, even the backside of a horse. Benjy was used to be teased all the time at school for how
he looked. It's at this very special summer camp that Benjy will learn important lessons about
himself and just what makes people special. One of the staff writers of the popular "Simpsons"
television show, Mike Reiss brings a very special touch to this engaging and original fable which
is perfectly and whimsically illustrate by the colorful artwork of David Cathrow. The Boy Who
Looked Like Lincoln is a strongly recommended addition to any school or community library
collection.
Herd of Cows! Flock of Sheep!
Rick Walton
Gibbs Smith
PO Box 667, Layton, UT 84041
1586851535 $15.95 1-800-748-5439
Language play is presented in a fun coverage which tells of a farmer who brings in his crop before
a rainstorm and then settles down for a night of calm sleep. When he faces danger, the entire
barnyard tries to awaken him to trouble but he refuses to awaken to face the danger. Kids
receive a subtle lesson in word play and animal names in Rick Walton's Herd of Cows! Flock of
Sheep! as they enjoy the zany story of a farmer who just won't listen to reason (or noise!).
University of Minnesota Press
111 Third Avenue South, Suite 290, Minneapolis, MN 55401-2520
$14.95 each www.upress.umn.edu
Wanda Gag (1893-1946) is best remembered for her two Newbery Honor classics "Millions of
Cats" and ABC Bunny". Long out of print, the University of Minnesota Press has now published
new editions of two other truly outstanding picturebooks written and illustrated by Wanda Gag,
making them available and highly recommended for a whole new generation of appreciative young
readers. Snippy And Snappy (0816642-451) is the pleasant and charming story of two little field
mice and their adventure out into the big, wide world. The Funny Thing (0816642419) is a
whimsical tale about a curious dragon-like "aminal" that eats children's dolls. A kindly old man
entices it to eat "jum-jills" (a concoction he makes from seven nut cakes, five seed puddings, two
cabbage salads, and fifteen little cheeses) in order to save the children's dolls.
When The World Was Quiet
Phyllis Nutkis & Patti Argoff
Hachai Publishing
156 Chester Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11218
1929628145 $9.95 www.hachai.com
Deftly written by Phyllis Nutkis and charmingly illustrated by Patti Argoff, When The World Was
Quiet is a story taken from the Midrash of how the whole world was quiet prior to the time
Hashem delivered the Torah to the people. Not even the smallest sound was made by any person,
animal, tree, wind, brook, stream or ocean. The simple text and sweet images of this highly
recommended picturebook are ideal for preschool children.
Fidgety Fish
Ruth Galloway
Tiger Tales
PO Box 70, Iron Ridge, WI 53035
1589250125 $14.95 1-920-387-2333
Whimsically written and energetically illustrated by Ruth Galloway, Fidgety Fish is the story of
Tiddler, a little fish that just has to swim, wriggle, squiggle, flip, and glide through the water. His
mother gets tired of his zipping around and tells Tiddler to go swim out in the sea until he's tired.
That begins Tiddler's big adventure that includes a starfish, and a big deep cave that turns out to
be the stomach of a very big fish! Can Tiddler's energetic fidgeting save him? Fidgety Fish is a
charming and thoroughly entertaining picturebook story ideal for young readers and a welcome
addition to both school and community library collections.
Doubleday & Company
1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
1-800-726-0600 randomhouse.com/kids
Children ages 3-5 will want to read Jessica Wollman's Andrew's Bright Blue T-Shirt (74616-4,
$14.95), which tells of Andrew's love of a hand-me-down shirt. He never wants to take it off
even when he begins to outgrow it; and he doesn't care what anyone else thinks of the increasingly
silly-looking shirt which is his favorite. A fun story of growing up and facing reality emerges.
Patricia Lakin's picturebook Clarence The Copy Cat (32747-1, $15.95) features whimsical and
fun drawings by John Manders, which brings to life the story of a peace-loving cat who doesn't
want to hurt mice. Evicted from his home because of his beliefs, Clarence must find a new, useful
occupation to suit his skills and temperament in adjusting to the world.
Hello Benny!
Robie H. Harris
McElderry/Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of Americas, NY, NY 10020
0689832575 $16.95 1-800-223-2336
Hello Benny! by Robie H. Harris adds to the 'Growing Up' stories which tells of young Benny,
who celebrates his first year of life. Simple text and large pictures tell of Benny's first experiences
in life, from encounters with admiring adults to growing older. Hello Benny!p is a fine
picturebook celebration which comes alive with Michael Emberley's drawings.
Other Lands, Other People
People Around The World
Antony Mason
Kingfisher
215 Park Avenue South, NY, NY 10003
0753454971 $24.95 1-800-225-3362
The People Around The World package by Antony Mason will appeal to the entire family, using
inviting photos of adults and children to display the lives of families from diverse countries and
cultures around the globe. Pairing color photos and geographic introductions with a lively text
offering an in-depth cultural understanding, People Around The World is a highly recommended
package which is both attractive and fun.
The Video/DVD Shelf
Piglet's Big Movie
Disney
c/o Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc.
Dept. CS, CA 91521, Burbank, CA 91251
0788847287 $29.99 www.amazon.com
Piglet's Big Movie is a charming, animated "kid friendly" movie for the whole family, featuring
characters from the children's classic "Winnie the Pooh." When Piglet is excluded from the
another animals' plans because he is "just too small," he vanishes into the Hundred Acre Wood -
and as Pooh, Eeyore, Rabbit, Tigger and others delve into memories from Piglet's scrapbook they
recall just how much their underappreciated friend has helped them in the past. A loveable,
lighthearted, and charmingly told tale in this superbly recorded DVD is also enhanced with
"Piglet's Book of Memories"; "Sing With the Movie"; "The World According To Piglet"; Spanish
and French language tracks; and a memorable soundtrack.
The Activities Shelf
Raptors: A Coloring Album
Anne Price & Donald Malick
Roberts Rinehart
4720 Boston Way, Lanham, MD 20706
1570984050 $7.95 www.amazon.com
Coloring books are not appropriate for library lending and are typically not featured here; but
Raptors: A Coloring Album is an unusally fine educational guide and a strongly recommended
title parents will want to pick up. Color drawings of hawks, eagles, and owls accompany basic
information on North American raptors, with complex and detailed black and white drawings kids
can fill in. A simple, appealing coverage, Raptors: A Coloring Album is both fun and informative
coloring book.
Pasta & Pizza For Beginners
Fiona Watt
Usborne/EDC Publishing
PO 470663, Tulsa, OK 74146-6515
0794505554 $7.95 www.edcpub.com
Part of the Usborne Cooking School series, Pasta & Pizza For Beginners is the collaborative
effort of author Fiona Watt, designer Mary Cartwright, illustrator Howard Allman, and features
the recipes of Julia Kirby-Jones, as well as food preparation tips by Ricky Turner and Lizzie
Harris. Young chefs will learn how to properly cook pasta, master a delicious variety of past
recipes, make a pizza base, and successfully execute a welcome diversity of pizza recipes. A
perfect, "kid friendly" introduction to making delicious past dishes and appetizing pizzas, Pasta &
Pizza For Beginners is enthusiastically recommended for all aspiring young cooks!
Origami For Playtime
Satoshi Takagi
Japan Publications
c/o Kodansha America, Inc.
575 Lexington Avenue, NY, NY 10022
4889961313 $12.95 1-800-451-7556
Origami For Playtime by Satoshi Takagi (formerly the Director of the Japan Origami
Association), uses bright colors and clear, easy-to-follow diagrams and instructions to teach
young readers of all ages and cultural backgrounds the simple Japanese art of folding paper to
create beautiful creatures and shapes for fun and enjoyment. Each one or two-page spread
demonstrates how to make a different paper creature or thing, from a jumping frog to a flying
airplane to a spiral shell and much more. A delightful introduction to this wonderful hobby,
Origami For Playtime will prove a popular addition to personal, school, and community
"do-it-yourself" crafts projects reference shelves.
The Audiobook Shelf
Listening Library
1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
1-800-726-0600 www.amazon.com
Three new titles from this publisher provide teen listeners at the advanced elementary through
middle school grade levels with intriguing tales. J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter And The Chamber
Of Secrets (08-07281913, $35.00) receives Jim Dale's performance, paired with a strong
unabridged presentation as it brings alive the story of Harry's return to Hogwarts after a summer
with the mean Dursleys. Real trouble begins when Hogwarts students find themselves turning to
stone unexpectedly, and it's up to Harry to investigate in an audio which brings alive the drama.
Cornelia Funks' Thief Lord (0807209767, $28.00) receives Simon Jones' smooth and dramatic
voice as it tells of Venice, Italy, where hidden canals shelter runaways and kids who harbor
dangerous secrets. Two orphans on the run from a cruel aunt and uncle discover this underground
world and its secrets and find themselves ruled by the Thief Lord in this moving drama.
Natalie Babbitt's Tuck Everlasting (0807-275530, $18.00) receives Peter Thomas' familiar radio
voice as it tells of a ten-year-old's discovery of the Tuck family's long-standing secret of longevity.
Winnie's discovery will change their lives and the world in this engrossing story, packed with
ethical insights.
Books in Series
Gareth Stevens
330 West Olive Street, #100, Milwaukee WI 53212
1-800-542-2595 www.amazon.com
Gareth Stevens always has a host of excellent nonfiction series titles for young readers each
season, and these are some highlights which shouldn't be missed. Grades 4 and older will
appreciate the Investigating Science guide Astronomy: Study Of The Universe (0836832299,
$22.60). Terry Mahoney explains the history of astronomy, from early efforts to study the stars to
more modern challenges of understanding the universe. Gerald Legg's fascinating 'Inside Look'
titles ($23.93 each) expands with some new collections: World Of Plant Life (0836831802) tells
kids how to understand plant natural history and habitats. From plants which eat insects to giant
trees, this enlivens the world of plants and their lives. His World Of Insect Life (083-6831799)
uses a multi-dimensional approach also, using artwork with cutaways to reveal the insides of
animals and to examine how insects work. Michael Allaby's World's Weather (0836831780) also
uses cutaway drawings and fine illustrations to explain the basics of weather science. All are
excellent, involving guides for the younger picturebook reader.
Mitchell Lane Publishers
34 Decidedly Lane, Bear, DE 19701
$17.95/each 1-302-834-9646
Young readers in grades 6-7 will find the 'Unlocking the Secrets of Science' series to be especially
appealing. Each individual book provides almost fifty pages of facts about an inventor or scientific
researcher. The books are suitable for reports and pack in a lively tone with plenty of scientific
and biographical facts. New to the series: marylou Kjelle's Raymond Damadian And The
Development Of MRI (158415142), John Bankston's Francis Crick And James Watson: Pioneers
In DNA Research (1584151226), Karen Gordon's Selman Waksman And The Discovery Of
Streptomycin (1584151382), Kathleen Tracy's William Hewlitt: Pioneer Of The Computer Age
(1584151420), Linda Wade's Sally Ride: Story Of The First American Female In Space
(1584151-390), and Susan Zannos' Edward Roberts And The Story Of The Personal Computer
(1584151188). Each provides a strong profile of a major 20th century achiever.
Benchmark Books/Marshall Cavendish
99 White Plains Rd, Tarrytown NY 10591
1-800-831-9881 www.amazon.com
Benchmark Books provide revealing and essential sets for reference libraries at the younger grade
levels, and these are outstanding sets which should be a part of any serious library collection. The
'Around The World In ' series ($19.95/each) presents books which can either stand alone by era,
or more strongly together as a set. From life in 1500 BC (0761410821) to 300 BC (0761410805),
1800 (0761410-848), 800 (0761410856), and 1200 (0761-410813), these series titles each
provide almost a hundred pages of history and bright color drawings and photos. The set covering
"American Voices From " ($22.95/each) provides grades 4-6 with an excellent overview of
early American life using pictures and the voices of those who lived the times. Colonial Life
(0761412-050), Revolutionary War (0761412026), Opening Of The West (0761412018), Civil
War (0761412042), World War I (0761-412034) and World War II (0761412069) each provide
an excellent blend of coverage and diary entries to spice color photos throughout. Plenty of text
for written reports, plenty of images for leisure browsing.
Marshall Cavendish
99 White Plains Rd, Tarrytown NY 10591
1-800-831-9881 www.amazon.com
This publisher's gorgeous series sets for elementary grades are very highly recommended picks for
both school and community library collections for young readers: although the grade level is rated
as 8 and above, there are plenty of students in grades 6-7 and more at the high school level who
will find these references bright, easy to absorb, and packed with solid information. Take Reptiles
And Amphibians (0761473904, $459.95): the volumes in this set provide a solid A-Z reference
which packs color photos and charts with intriguing reptile facts paired with the latest research.
While the lower grades 4 and up will appreciate Insects And Spiders Of The World (0761473343,
$329.95), it'll reach into middle school with its quite detailed, in-depth information about insect
anatomy, physiology, and natural history. The same age range will find most accessible the third
edition of Encyclopedia Of Health (0761473475, $329.95), particularly recommended since
students at this age range rarely receive such in-depth information tailored to their reading level.
The new Exploring Technology set (0761474-064) is not to be missed for any in grades 4-8: it
provides 11 volumes of detailed information in a handy A-Z format which explains such diverse
technological concepts as textile production, video editing, telecommunications, and solar energy.
What makes this set stand out is an attention to basic principles of science (assuring it won't be
quickly outdated in a rapidly evolving world) and a history of discoveries geared to an
elementary-level reading audience. The new Exploring Ancient Civlizations set (0761474560) is
also a winner, providing this same age group with an extensive reference set organized by key
individuals, areas, and cultures. With chapter headings as diverse as Rome, Ships and Boats, or
Numbers, it's easy for a student to quickly look up a basic reference which includes maps, color
photos and illustrations, and enough foundation material to serve as a starting point for a report.
Yet another 'must' reference cquisition this for the grade 7+ market is the second updated
edition of Encyclopedia Of Life Sciences (0761474420, $459.95): this outstanding set excels in
color charts, sidebars of information, and captivating visuals equaled only by solid reference
information covering such diverse topics as DNA and DDT, fibers and fossils, root crops and
selective breeding, and more. In an era of heavy budgeting, these are solid library references
which promise ongoing attraction and use.
Chelsea House
1974 Sproul Rd. #400 Broomall PA 19008
1-800-848-2665 www.amazon.com
These critical literary collections will prove 'musts' for any young adult collection where students
are assigned regular, in-depth reports. Take the newest edition to Bloom's "Biocritiques",
Geoffrey Chaucer (0791061817, $25.95): grades 7-12 and even beyond will find this packed with
a powerful blend of comprehensive biography and critical analysis. Chaucer's language and beliefs
are all analyzed with this background in mind. New to Bloom's 'Modern Critical Views' series are
Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (0791070417), Honore De Balzac (0791070425), American And
Canadian Women Poets 1930-Present (0791063313) and African-american Poets (0791063321,
$37.95 each). This series includes critical sketches, overviews of a writer's works, and reflections
on how their major contributions fit into the world of literature. The accounts offer students an
opportunity to absorb serious analytical styles.
Central Programs Inc.
PO Box 505, Bethany, MO 64424-1202
1-800-821-7199 centralprograms.com
Splendidly illustrated by Jean Lirley Hoff and delightfully written by David M. Sargent Jr., the
nine volume "Doggie Tales" series from CPI is an outstanding series of picturebook stories for
young readers specifically designed to introduce children to the fun of stories with a rhyming text.
The whimsical illustrations perfectly showcase a "kid pleasing" text that provides moral lessons on
such issues as caring, kindness, and responsibility using our canine friends to get these
entertaining and socially important concepts across. Available in both hardcover and paperback
formats, this outstanding series is comprised of Autumn's Emergency (1567638457, $19.95);
Buffy's Anger (1567638554, $19.95); Buffy's Haircut (1567638597, $19.95); Buffy's Revenge
(1567638430, $19.95); Emma's Law (1567638619); Guard Dog Mary (156763849X, $19.95);
Portia's Prank (1567638473, $19.95); Vera's Talent (15-67638570, $19.95); and Vicious Vera
(15-67638538, $19.95). The "Doggie Tales" is especially recommended for children preschool
through third grade.
The Child's World
PO Box 326, Chanhassen, MN 55217
$22.79/Each 1-800-599-7323
Elementary-level schools featuring beginning band and music courses now have the perfect choice
to accompany their music programs: a 14-title series Music Makers which provides overviews of
instruments for grades 2-6. Each instrument or class of instruments receives its own bright
coverage; from Trombones (1567660452), Saxophones (1567660444), Cellos (156766-036),
Woodwind Instruments (1567669-883), and Stringed Instruments (1567669-875) to Tubas
(1567660460), Brass Instruments (1567669859), and Percussion Instruments (1567669867).
Full-color photos accompany easy introductions to the history and use (and sound) of the
instrument.
Weigel Publishers
35 - 5th Avenue, NY, NY 10118-0069
1590361415 $96.60 1-866-649-3445
"American Holidays" is the newest series of books for young readers from Weigel Publishers. This
six volume series focuses on Columbus Day (1590361067); Memorial Day (1590361059);
Presidents Day (1590361083); Independence Day (1590-361091); Labor Day (1590361296; and
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (159036-1075). Each 24 page title explains how the holiday came
about and what is being celebrated. The informative and thoroughly "kid friendly" text is
wonderfully enhanced with photography and illustrations. Young readers grades 1 to 3 will
discover who was the youngest man to win a Nobel Peace Prize; Which state is the birthplace of
the most American Presidents; and more fascinating facets of American history as reflected by
these holidays which we celebrated. Enthusiastically recommended for school and community
libraries, and available individually at $17.10 each, the "American Holidays" series is enriched
with informative maps, creative crafts, glossaries, quizzes, indexes, reading lists, and even
recipes!
Rosen Publishing Company
29 East 21st Street, New York, NY 10010
0823972917 $103.50 1-800-237-9932
"Writing In The Ancient World" is a superbly organized and presented six volume series specially
to reveal how people of different historical cultures developed the art of writing. The individual
28 page titles also address just what they wrote and how we have deciphered their writing scripts,
and in doing so, have come to better understanding their cultures and customs, their history and
beliefs. The simply outstanding and wonderfully illustrated titles comprising this unique and
enthusiastically recommended series for young readers grades 3 through 6 include: Mayan Writing
In Mesoamerica (0823965-112); Writing In Ancient China (032396-5104); Writing In Ancient
Egypt (08239-65066); Writing In Ancient India (0823-965082); Writing In Ancient Mesopotamia
(0823965090); and Writing In Ancient Phonecia (0823965074). Although each individual title is
available separately for $17.25, the strongest recommendation for school and community libraries
is to acquire the complete series at a special library discount (0823972917, $74.70).
Treasure Bay
17 Parkgrove Drive South, San Francisco, CA 94080
1-800-476-6416 www.webothread.com
The "We Both Read" series from Treasure Bay is a unique concept in children's books. Each title
has a parent/tutor page facing a child's page so that the story becomes an interactive exercise in
developing and exercising reading skills and comprehension with the child taking turns with the
parent or tutor in reading the store. Offering both fiction and non-fiction titles, it is clear that this
innovative series was developed by educators and reading specialists. The two newest titles in this
outstanding series include Being Safe (1891327-526, $3.99, paperback; and 1891327518, $7.99,
hardcover) and Too Many Cats (189132750X, $3.99, paperback, and 189-1327496, $7.99,
hardcover). School and community libraries (as well as dedicated homeschooling parents) are
encouraged to send for the free "We Both Read" catalog for a complete listing of the available
titles in this outstanding and simply impressive series for beginning readers that currently stands at
25 titles.
The Biography Shelf
Discovering The Arctic
John Wilson
Napoleon Publishing
1005-3266 Young Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4N 3P6
0929141881 $16.95 1-877-730-9052
The latest in the outstanding "Stories of Canada" series from Napoleon Publishing, Discovering
The Arctic: The Story Of John Rae by John Wilson is an enthralling black-and-white history for
young readers detailing the efforts of 19th century explorer John Rae. Black-and-white
photographs nicely illustrate this amazing tale of one of the first Europeans to respect Inuit
customs and who learned from their survival skills when he found himself dealing with harsh
Arctic terrain. Rae's dramatic exploits, terrible findings, and vehement enemies are spoken of in
clear terms that bring this remarkable and recommended biography to vivid life.
Morgan Reynolds Inc.
620 S. Elm, #223, Greensboro, NC 27406
1-800-535-1504 www.amazon.com
Two new biographies from this publisher will reach from advanced elementary into middle school
grade levels, each offering a little over a hundred pages of biography and adopting a tone which
reads like fiction, with all its drama. Barbara Somervill's Votes For Women! (188384696-X,
$21.95) follows the life and achievements of Carrie Chapman Catt, who defied her father by
graduating from college and who worked as a reporter until she became involved in women's
rights issues. Myra Weatherly's Dolley Madison (18838469-51, $21.95) tells of America's first
lady, wife of fourth president James Madison who was the most stylish woman in America. Both
provide intriguing coverages of women who have received relatively little mention for this reading
age group.
The Science Shelf
Our Constellations And Their Stars
Ken Graun
Ken Press
4001 North Paseo, De Los Rancheros, Tucson, AZ 85745
1928771092 $15.95 www.kenpress.com
The latest title in the "21st Century Astronomy" series, Our Constellations And Their Stars is an
exciting introduction by Ken Graun to the wonderful mysteries of the stars and the cosmos.
Especially recommended reading for ages 8 through 13 and grades 4 through 7, Our
Constellations And Their Stars is enhanced throughout with full color illustrations, facts, histories
of star names, charts, graphs, tables, and enjoyable activities (such as making a star wheel of one's
own). Our Constellations And Their Stars is an impressively educational resource recommended
for all inquisitive young minds.
Do you want to make an impact upon the quality of your life?
Do you want to make an impact upon the course of human history?
Then teach a child to read.
James A. Cox
Editor-in-Chief
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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