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Children's Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
Let's Eat!
Beatrice Hollyer
Henry Holt & Company
115 West 18th Street, NY, NY 10011
www.henryholtchildrensbooks.com
0805073221 $16.95 1-888-330-8477
Five children presented in Beatrice Hollyer's Let's Eat! represent very different countries and
cultures, each with their own ideas about what tastes good. Cultural differences and similarities in
cooking and foods are explored in chapters which not only cover dishes themselves, but shopping
and mealtime preparations and rituals intrinsic to each country. South African, Mexico, Thailand,
France, and India are the countries profiled in a colorful comparison of food and cultures.
An Illustrated Treasury Of Latino Read-Aloud Stories
Maite Suarez-Rivas, Editor
Black Dog & Leventhal
708 Broadway, New York NY 10011
1579123988 $14.95 1-800-722-7202
If it's a bilingual Spanish-English collection of Latino-based stories you seek for your child, look
no
further than this outstanding collection of read-alouds edited by Maite Suarez-Rivas. Here are the
classic myths, tales, and legends from across Latin America, with each tale readable in 10 minutes
or
less, and accompanied by full-page color drawings throughout. An excellent parent-child
storybook
treasury.
Scary News
Lorna Ann Knox
Crystal Clarity Publishers
14618 Tyler Foote Road, Nevada City, CA 95959
1565892011 $12.95 1-800-424-1055
How can a parent prepare and protect a child from the frightening headlines of the world? Dozens
of
realistic, effective suggestions are based on scientific research and personal experience alike,
providing basic guidelines to deciding what information to discuss with children at different age
ranges, in Scary News. Help kids live balanced, joyful lives with a book which covers everything
from very young children through teens.
Who Killed Cock Robin?
Etienne Delessert
Creative Editions
123 S. Broad St., Mankato, MN 56001
1568461917 $17.95 1-800-445-6209
The English nursery rhyme comes to life and receives delightful embellishment in Who Killed
Cock
Robin?, a modern retelling with whimsical drawings by Etienne Delessert. The poem's theme of
loss
and friendship emphasizes a modern understanding of an old rhyme and will find readers of all
ages
enjoying the associations.
Bullies To Buddies
Izzy Kalman
The Wisdom Pages
KSB Promotions (publicity)
65 Fraser Street, Staten Island, NY 10314
www.Bullies2Buddies.com
0970648219 $15.00 1-866-983-1333
Written by a school psychologist with 25 years of experience, Bullies To Buddies: How To Turn
Your Enemies Into Friends is a straightforward guide written especially for young people that
explains why kids, siblings and parents bully and how to stop it. Stressing that there are extreme
situations where the only thing to do is to avoid the individual or report them - cases where the
bully
is emotionally unstable, dangerously violent, or planning or committing a crime - Bullies To
Buddies
focuses on the more commonplace forms of bullying such as verbal abuse or simple pushing and
shoving. Chapters explain how bullying usually stems from the need for power - the bully's need
to
exert power over others by getting them angry or frustrated or even baiting them into fights.
Step-by-step instructions for defusing bullies by learning to control one's emotions, treat them as
people instead of as enemies, and not rise to the bait show one how to turn bullies into friends
without sacrificing one's principles or becoming a bully oneself. Bullies To Buddies is very highly
recommended reading.
The Bilingual Shelf
The Santero's Miracle
Rudolfo Anaya & Amy Cordova
Enrique Lamadrid, Spanish translation
University of New Mexico Press
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
0826328474 $16.95 1-800-249-7737
Award-winning author and illustrator team Rudolfo Anaya and Amy Cordova present The
Santero's
Miracle: A Bilingual Story, an English/Spanish Christmas tale about the power of miracles. Don
Jacobo is teaching his visiting grandson Andres how to become a santero; the two of them are
working on a carving of San Isidro, the patron saint of farmers. Due to the great snowfall, Andres'
parents cannot come home in time for the holiday, and don Jacobo's neighbor, don Leopoldo, is
severely ill but cannot reach the hospital. Then don Jacobo dreams of a miracle: San Isidro
plowing
with two oxen and and an angel helping. The meaning of the dream brings about a reminder of the
power of compassion, faith, and love. The bright color illustrations practically leap off the page in
this joyful and uplifting story meant to be shared.
La Llorona: The Weeping Woman
Joe Hayes
Cinco Puntos Press
701 Texas Avenue, El Paso, TX 79901
0938317865 $16.95 1-800-283-3572
La Llorona: The Weeping Woman by Joe hayes is a bilingual picturebook in English and Spanish
that presents a classic Hispanic legend. The shaded and emotional color illustrations by Vicki
Trego
Hill and Mona Pennypacker add an ominous touch to the dark folklore of a weeping ghost woman
always searching for her children - and if little ones aren't careful, she might mistake any child for
her
lost babies! La Llorona is not a happy tale; it imagines the life of a beautiful and proud young
woman, who married the man she loved and bore his children, yet who turned jealous when her
husband became cold and distant. He rarely came near her, and only appeared to take interest in
her
children when he did. A bitter rage consumed La Llorona, causing her to cast her own children in
the river; shortly after, she realized what she had done, and her own life ended in grief and
remorse.
La Llorona is a haunting tale, recommended for older children and faithful to the roots of the
ghost
story it is based upon.
The Fiction Shelf
Dell/Delacorte/Knopf/Random House
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
www.randomhouse.com/kids
The young adult leisure reads from Random House and Delacorte's imprints are excellent leisure
choices for young adults. Among some specially recommended recent arrivals: the reprint of
Cherie
Bennett's Life In The Fat Lane (0440220297, $5.50) provides in paperback a different type of
eating
disorder story. Lara is a slim model who suddenly and inexplicably begins gaining weight. Is it due
to a physical condition, or family stress? Excellent, unusual and hard-hitting and not easily
predictable. Lurlene McDaniel's Journey Of Hope (055349451, $6.99) provides two related
novels
under one cover: Angel Of Mercy and Angel Of Hope. Idealistic Heather goes out to change the
world through a mission group on a hospital mercy ship to Africa but her real-world encounters
with disease and famine challenge her perceptions and will ultimately threaten her own health, as
well as involve her family in new ways of thinking. Speaking of McDaniel, after you're digested
these introductions, move on to the latest Angels In Pink (0385731566, $10.95): Kathleen and
best
friends decide to volunteer for the summer in a hospital. Kathleen already has her hands full with a
sick mother and responsibilities at home; but her newfound job brings her not only unexpected
romance, but a newfound appreciation for helping others. Katherine Applegate's Sharing Sam
(0385731353, $8.95) is also out in paperback and also tackles the dual topics of romance and
illness.
Alison's best friend is dying, and Alison is attracted to her best friend's boyfriend. As the two
develop a closer relationship in support of Isabella, Alison questions both romance and impending
loss. Daniel Ehrenhaft's 10 Things To Do Before I Die (0385730071, $15.95) also deals with
death:
a whimsical list of 'must do' options turns serious when Ted, its maker, discovers he is really
dying.
His attempts to hasten his goals lead to some unexpected results. Joan Lowery Nixon's novel
Laugh
Till You Cry (0385730276, $15.95) tackles the experiences of new boy in Texas. Cody doesn't
like
Txas; especially since his cousin Hayden is unfriendly. His unusual friendship with a police officer
and stand-up comic helps when Cody is accused of a crime he didn't commit. Catherine Forde's
Fat
Boy Swim (0385732058, $15.95) tells of the largest boy in his community who is useless at
everything but cooking. When a tough coach discovers his secret, Jimmy accepts his help and
finds
some unusual results. Kimberly Brubaker Bradley's The President's Daughter (0385731477,
$15.95)
tells of the daughter of Theodore Roosevelt, who finds her life changed when her father becomes
President. The White House is stuffy and Ethel is sent to boarding school where nobody likes her.
Inspired by the life of Ethel Roosevelt, this is a warm story of family changes. Kissing Vanessa by
Simon Cheshire (0385-732120, $15.95) tells of a very average boy entranced by a gorgeous smart
new girl. She's even interested in photography, his hobby but Kevin's best friend is a 'babe
magnet'
and his tips for success only seem to result in failures for Kevin's would-be romance. A realistic
story
of change. Odo Hirsch's Yoss (0385731876, $16.95) is a recommended pick for older teens: a
small-town boy from an isolated mountain village sets out to enter a town world packed with
deception and schemes. Will Yoss's integrity survive his rite of passage? Alyssa Brugman's newest
novel Finding Grace (0385731167, $15.95) is also a recommended pick for older readers: Rachel
has just graduated from high school and accepts a live-in job looking after Grace, a brain-injured
women with many mysteries. Her realizations of Grace's past force her to confront her own
mis-perceptions in this moving story. Nora Raliegh Baskin's What Every Girl (Except Me) Knows
(0440418526, $4.99) tells of a pre-teen seeking a suitable stepmother. Her blossoming
relationship
with her father's latest girlfriend abruptly ends when Cleo leaves, shattering Gabby's hopes and
awakening a newfound interest in the mysterious death of her own mother. The Knopf imprint
also
holds many woderful leisure choices. Kimberly Newton Fusco's Tending To Grace (037-5828621,
$14.95) tells of a mother and daughter who seem to switch roles. Cornelia isn't good at school
but
she cares for her mother, who sometimes won't get out of bed. When Lenore and her boyfriend
abandon Cornelia in favor of fortune, it's up to Cornelia to adjust to life with an eccentric aunt.
Julia
Alvarez's Finding Miracles (0375827609, $15.95) tells of an ordinary Vermont teen confronted by
her past when an exotic new student proves from her own native country. Milly's journey to her
homeland reveals a country recovering from corruption and a brutal dictator in this first-person
search for roots. Sammy Keyes And The Psycho Kitty Queen (0375823492, $15.95) by Wendelin
Van Draanen presents another Sammy Keyes novel: Sammy's discovery of a dead cat on her
birthday seems to portend a year of misfortune as she celebrates an unusual birthday riddled with
bad luck and puzzles. Random House's imprints offer up several recent winners. Cara Haycak's
Red
Palms (0385746482, $16.95) is set in Ecuador in the 1930s and tells of a family bankrupt by the
Great Depression. But Benita's father has a plan to build a coconut plantation on a primitive
island,
moving his family from grand estate life to shack living and field work. Benita's encounter with a
handsome young man offers her a way out and a dangerous new life. Patricia Reilly Giff's A
House
Of Tailors (0385730667, $15.95) is set in the late 1800s and tells of teen Dina, a German
immigrant
who is sick of the sewing jobs which her family lives on. Determined never to sew again, she
discovers her new life leads right back to the sewing machine - and a longing for the homeland she
left. A fine story of adjustment and acceptance. Marcus Sedgwick's Book Of Dead Days
(0385730551, $15.95) tells of the 'dead days' between Xmas and New Years when spirits roam
and
a magician named Valerian must pay for his pact with evil. A nameless servant will hold the key to
surviving a demon in this compelling novl. Lee Weatherly's new novel Missing Abby
(0385750528,
$15.95) tells of former best friends who face challenges then Abby goes missing. Can an
old/former friend solve what baffles the police? A tense mystery evolves. Paul Stewart and Chris
Riddel's Midnight Over Sanctaphrax (0385750722, $12.95) tells of a beautiful floating city and a
fierce storm which threatens it. Only brave sky pirate captain Twig could save it but his sky ship
has been destroyed leaving him with amnesia. John Dickinson's Cup Of The World (0385750250,
$15.95) tells of Phaedra, who puts her trust in a man she's only met in dreams. Add a threatened
kingdom and an escape to a new beginning and you have a fast-paced story recommended for
older
readers. Simon Mason's The Quigleys Not For Sale (03857-50439, $14.95) tells of a large
'bouncy'
family whose house is getting smaller. But the kids don't agree they like the oddities of their
home.
Can they prevent a move? Four hilarious stories emphasize creative solutions. Joan Aiken's Witch
Of
Clatteringshaws (0385732260, $15.95) provides fans of Wolves Of Willoughby Chase characters
with an exciting new Dido Twite story. After King Richard dies, Dido's friend Simon is on the
throne but he hates his job and longs for fun. His need for a 'replacement heir' involves Dido in
an
investigation into Scottish roots and ancient legends. Colin Bateman's Running With The
Reservoir
Pups (0385-732249, $15.95) presents one Eddie's run-in with a gang of boys, the Reservoir Pups,
who rule his new town. A dangerous initiation plan leads Eddie to a hospital kidnapping scheme
involving baby-snatchers in this hilarious comic drama. Gary Paulsen's The Time Hackers
(0385-746598, $13.95) tells of a boy who opens his locker, finds a dead body, then thirty seconds
later, it vanishes. Is it a practical joke or a time-line hack gone awry? Comedy and time travel
rarely
mix in fiction but they work well together in The Time Hackers. Marilyn Singer's Central
Heating
(0375829121, $15.95) presents the perfect winter theme poems about fire and warmth. Add
Meilo
So's one-color illustrations add to these simple, sometimes funny rhymes about all kinds of heat
and
warmth.
Scholastic Inc.
557 Broadway, New York NY 10012
1-800-242-7737 www.scholastic.com
Three expanding historical fiction sets for middle school to high school readers are recommended
picks. Barry Denenberg's 'Life and Times' set adds Pandora Of Athens (043964982X, $10.95) and
Atticus Of Rome (0439524539, $10.95). Pandora is set in 399 BC and tells of a Greek girl set to
be
trapped in marriage to a man more than twice her age at the age of fourteen. Pandora's meeting
with
Socrates will change her life. Atticus is set in 30 BC Rome and tells of a young boy torn from
family
and sold into slavery to a Roman aristocrat. Operating as a spy, he learns about political
undercurrents which will change the face of Rome itself. New to the 'Royal Diaries' set is Kathryn
Lasky's Kazunomiya Prisoner Of Heaven (0439164-850, $10.95): set in 1858 Japan, it presents
the
'diary' of one Kazunomiya, set to marry the prince of the country, and of her trails and concerns.
New adds to the early America historical novel series 'Dear America' ($10.95 each) include Hear
My
Sorrow (0439221617), providing the diary of one shirtwaist worker Angela Denoto who endures
harsh factory work in New York in 1909, and I Walk In Dread (043-9249732), telling of
Deliverance Trembley, witness to the Salem Witch Trails in 1691 Massachusetts. The diary
format
provides an intimacy and revealing tone to historical fact underlying each presentation, bringing
era
and experiences to life.
The Secret Tunnel
Joy Nelkin Wieder
Hachai Publishing
156 Chester Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11218
1929628110 $7.95 www.hachai.com
Yonatan is an 11-year-old boy who wants to help his family and his people when the wicked King
of
Ashur threatens to surround the sacred city of Yerusalayim. Many other cities had already fallen
to
King Sancheriv, but the Prophet Yishayahu has told the people to trust in Hashem, but the
powerful
enemy could drive the city to surrender by simply blocking off the water supply of the Jews.
Authored and illustrated by Joy Nelkin Wieder, The Secret Tunnel impressively employs historical
details of daily life and the threat of conquest by siege with language and imagery which will hold
the rapt attention of young readers ages 7 to 10. Also very highly recommended is Joy Wieder's
previous historical adventure for young readers from Hachai Publishing, The Great Potato
Plan.
Dutton/Viking/Penguin
345 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
www.penguin.com
Three highly recommended picks from recent publications deserve attention from discriminating
librarians. Mette Ivie Harrison's Mira, Mirror (0670059234, $17.99) tells of a girl abandoned by
her
parents, then apprenticed to a witch. Desperate for friendship and family, Mira finds herself
captivated by the witch's other young apprentice and is happy when the girl adopts her as a sister
until the girl embarks upon a dangerous road which changes Mira's life forever. Older readers will
find this an engrossing, compelling fantasy. Susan Shaw's Boy From The Basement (0525472231,
$16.99) tells of a boy perpetually punished by a brutal father who locks him in a basement. For
Charlie, the basement is home, even though it's filled with dangers: once let loose into the world
Charlie finds himself on a road to recovery and a search for love in this enchanting story of
change.
J. Irvin Kuns' While You Were Out (0525472959, $15.99) tells of Penelope, who has to begin
fifth
grade without her friend when he dies. Her father's the school janitor, further complicating
matters,
while a persistent neighbor seeks to replace Tim in Penelope's life as a new best friend. A secret
notepad of confessional letters to the vanished Tim aids in survival but to its credit, Kuns' While
You Were Out isn't your usual cut-up diary format, but a smooth-reading story.
Please Don't Come Back From The Moon
Dean Bakopoulos
Harcourt
15 E. 26th St., New York NY 10110
0151011354 $23.00 harcourtbooks.com
A boy's father vanishes the summer he turns seventeen, first in a trend of fathers vanishing
suddenly
from their families' lives. A family's loss joins others and continues to haunt past young adulthood
in
Dean Bakopoulos' engrossing Please Don't Come Back From The Moon, which will reach
advanced
young adult into adult readerships with a complex, engrossing story of loss tinged with
mystery.
Treasure Forest
Cat Bordhi
Namaste Publishing
PO Box 62084, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6J 4A3
www.namastepublishing.com
0968236480 $21.95
Treasure Forest is an adventure novel intended for young adults, yet appealing to all ages. A
brother
and sister are left a mysterious challenge by their recently deceased grandmother - solve the riddle
of
a hidden treasure within a pond. Their quest will cause them to witness the mysteries of the forest,
meet a paraplegic private eye with a three-legged bloodhound, and discover a secret that will
change
their lives forever. A delightfully mysterious saga of puzzle solving, character building, and the
inward resolve to see an adventure through to its conclusion.
Little, Brown
1271 Avenue of Americas, NY, NY 10020
www.lb-kids.com
K.P. Bath's Secret Of Castle Giant (0316-018480, $16.99) has all the elements of a great mystery:
a
shy girl who is hardworking and eager to please, a secret revealed which will change her life, and
two spunky heroines. Add intrigue and danger and you have a fascinating, fast-paced coverage
that
just won't quit. Martin Booth's Doctor Illuminatus (0316155756, $14.99) tells of dangerous
magic
against dark forces. Pip and Tim's move to a strange old country estate brings with it a mysterious
boy who claims he's been asleep for six hundred years. An ancient enemy has also been awakened
and is determined to bring his evil alchemy into the modern world. History and action brings
exciting
tension and twists of plot.
Atheneum/Simon-Schuster/McElderry
1230 Ave. of Americas, NY, NY 10020
www.simonsayskids.com
Simon & Schuster's group holds some real winners: kids will find a new set of leisure choices to
offer exceptional plots and winning characters. Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's Lovingly Alice
(0689843992, $15.95) will reach ages 9-2 with the ongoing adventures of Alice: this one another
'prequel' introducing Alice of the 5th grade who tackles a vanished best friend, a father's new date,
and sexual maturity alike. Lovingly Alice is the last of the prequels to the series and fills in many
gaps. Donna Jo Napoli's Bound (0689861753, $16.95) is recommended for readers 12 and older
as
it tackles the story of a girl bound to her father's second wife and daughter after her father passes
away. Xing Xing's life in ancient China faces dire prospects, yet she's content to practice her
poetry
and calligraphy and to dream of a new life even as changes threaten her dreams of a different
future.
Nancy Farmer's The Sea Of Trolls (0689867441, $17.95) has received our praise prior but
deserves
ongoing mention as a fine story of one Jack, kidnapped in AD 703 by beserkers who grab kids to
work on ships. His life as a slave to a fierce captain involves him in a dangerous fantasy quest
facing
dragons, giant spiders and more in this complex fantasy, recommended for older readers. Lea
Wait's
Wintering Well (0689856466, $16.95) tells of a terrible farm accident which causes an older
brother
to lose a leg and leave his beloved farm. Will and his sister Cassie go to live in town with an older
sister, both to find town life reveals new worlds, career options, and challenges. Margaret
Peterson
Haddix's House On The Gulf (0689-854226, $15.95) provides a very different sibling story: Britt
and Bran have moved to Florida so their mother can finish college, finding a summer house-sitting
job for an elderly couple which seems perfect until Britt suspects her family isn't supposed to be
there. An intriguing story of mystery and survival evolves. Cherry Whytock's My Scrumptious
Scottish Dumplings (068986549X, $14.95) tells of an annual family trek to Sotland to visit their
roots. Angel must leave school early to make the trek, all the while resenting her mother's crazy
schemes in this funny story of recipes, ethnic roots and rebellion. The 25th anniversary edition of
Deborah and James Howe's Bunnicula (0689867-751, $16.95) reprints a winner of Halloween
comedy, adding a dramatic, captivating new dust jacket and preface from James Howe drawing
new
readers to the story of a dangerous vampire bunny!
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
A Goose Named Gilligan
Jerry M. Hay
Kramer/New World Library
14 Pamaron Way, Novato, CA 94949
1932073094 $15.95 1-800-972-6657
Here is the true story of a wild river, a man who loves it, and an unusual goose who decides upon
a
new home. Jerry is on a mission to rescue a fading river from ecological disaster: caught in the
middle of disaster is a goose whom he rescues and who becomes a loyal friend. A Goose Named
Gilligan reads like fiction with all the drama and the realism backed by a true event.
The Art Shelf
Disney Looking At Paintings
Bunker Hill Publishing
c/o Crystal Productions
Box 2159, Glenview, IL 60025-6159
www.crystalproductions.com
159373008X $14.95 1-800-255-8629
Disney Looking At Paintings: An Introduction To Fine Art For Young People uses Disney
characters such as Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and Pluto to show young readers the majesty and
imagination present in great works. Full-color, finely reproduced images of classic artworks
captivate the eye on almost every page. The text renders artistic concepts in readily accessible
terms.
Chapters address how shape, size, color, light and dark, motion, materials and more are applied in
works of art ranging in style from impressionism to realism to modern art and much more. Simple
quizzes help reinforce the lessons about art learned in this excellent, gorgeous and highly
accessible
book, superb for reading aloud to young ones or letting them discover on their own.
The Secrets Of The Rock
Phyllis J. Perry
Upstart Books
Box 800, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538-0800
1932146229 $16.95 www.amazon.com
The Secrets Of The Rock is a playful mystery for kids featuring Fribble Mouse and his delightful
friends. A chapter book for young people making the transition from picture books to wordier
fare,
The Secrets Of The Rock features a scattering of whimsical black-and-white drawings to illustrate
the simple yet magical mystery that Fribble uncovers one day in the park. Young people will enjoy
learning about piecing together clues even as Fribble does, in this delightful story.
Books in Series
Stargazer Books/The Creative Co.
123 South Broad St., Mankato, MN 56001
$75.80 (4 volume series) 1-800-445-6209
Stargazer Books offers a new four volume series that is specifically intended to help young
musicians in grades 4 and up to get the most out of their chosen instrument. Each individual title
is
written by experienced music teachers and introduces musical theory, practical advice on
instrument
tuning and maintenance, examinations of various instrumental styles, and profiles of the work of
relevant composers and soloists. Also available individually ($18.95 each), the the titles
comprising
this outstanding series include Simon Walton's Playing The Flue, Recorder & Other Woodwinds
(1932799583); Alan Blackwood's Playing The Piano & Keyboards (1932799591); Paul
Archibald's
Playing The Trumpet & Brass (1932799605); and Playing The Violin & Stringed Instruments
(1932799613) by Allison Hunka and Philppa Bunting.
Smart Apple Media
1980 Lookout Dr., N. Mankato MN 56003
$27.10 each 1-800-445-6209
Smart Apple Media simply excels in bright titles inviting leisure learners to partake, from its
'Religion in Focus' series revealing the history and religious symbols and rituals of Christianity
(1583404651) and Buddhism (1583404643) to its gathering of stories from ancient civilizations in
Egypt (1583406182) and Greece (158340-6190) to Medieval history such as Kathy Elgin's
Knights
And Chivalry (1583405-682) and Sean Sheehan's Castles (15834-05690). But Smart Apple
doesn't
limit its productions to history and religion: its ever-expanding roundup of series adds includes
science, health, social issues and liberal arts with such contributions as the 'Micro World' series
Microscopic Life In Your Body (1583404708) and Microscopic Life In The Garden
(1583404732),
with Sean Connolly's social surveys the 'In Time of Need' series covering War (1583403914) and
Fire (1583403922), with its 'Body in Action series Eating (1583404368) and Moving
(1583404376),
and with its excellent 'Body Science' titles Inside The Brain (1583404627) and Digesting Food
(1583404619). While similar topics have been covered elsewhere in other age-appropriate titles
for
grades 2-4, these books excel because of their clearer organization, their more inviting color
illustrations, and for their ability to appeal to both a leisure browsing audience and a young
researcher alike.
The Geography Shelf
Canada
Pat McCarthy
Enslow Publishers
PO Box 398, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
www.enslow.com
0766051765 $19.95 1-800-398-2504
Canada joins others in Enslow's fine 'Myreportlinks.com' geography titles for grades 4-7, adding
to
the series 'Top Ten Countries of Recent Immigrants' with its internet-linked pages of facts. What
differentiates Canada from similar geography coverages is the focus on Internet links throughout,
not just in a bibliography in back: almost fifty pages pack in report links which include web site
links
to many of the illustrations throughout, making for a solid reinforcement of print to electronic
resource.
The Audiobook Shelf
Rascal The Dragon
Paul Jennings, author
Rebecca Macauley, narrator
Bolinda Publishing, Inc.
PO Box 307, Shelton, CT 06484
1740935152 $18.00 www.bolinda.com
Rascal The Dragon is a delightful children's audiobook on compact disc. It's the story of a young
boy who wishes he could have a dragon for a pet - to him, dragons are just like dogs, except they
have dragonish features such as multiple heads or being able to fly. A treat for early readers,
Rascal
The Dragon contains three versions on its audio CD: an entertainment version with original music
score, a readalong version with page turner prompts, and a version with narrator Rebecca
Macauley's voice only. Tracks are sectioned every three minutes for easy bookmarking, in this
delight to share with young people, by itself or along with the book form of the story. 1 CD,
approx.
20 minutes.
Greathall Productions
PO Box 5061, Charlottesville, VA 22905
$14.95 Each www.greathall.com
Two new storytelling favorites created and told by Jim Weiss are recommended picks for young
listeners. Abraham Lincoln And The Heart Of America (1882513843) was created by Weiss and
tells the story of Abe Lincoln's life, from youth to war times and beyond. 70 minutes of listening
bring insights into Lincoln's times and add a touch of drama the written word couldn't approach.
Famously Funny! (1882513-835) presents a gathering of some of the funniest stories and poems
of
all time: two retellings of Hans Christian Andersen classics, trickster tales from India and Turkey,
plus an African Anansi story excel in diverse presentations certain to capture and retain young
audiences.
Listening Library
1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
1-800-726-0600 listenlinglibrary.com
Four excellent audio CD packages excel in unabridged presentations and fine readers. Jim Dale
performs the classic Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol (1400086-035, $19.00), which deserves
year-round mention as a collection staple, not just for Christmas listening. Jim Dale captures the
drama and lively lessons of a stingy wealthy man who confronts his lonely future ala a ghost. The
three books in Philip Pullman's 'His Dark Materials' set come to life in unabridged audio cds
performed by both the author and a full cast. The Golden Compass (0887284714, $44.00)
presents
Book 1 on 9 compact discs, telling of a fearsome uncle who draws wild child Lyra into a terrible
struggle involving stolen children and armored bears. The Subtle Knife (0807204722, $40.00) is
Book 2 on 8 compact discs, providing a sequel in which Lyra is an a haunted world facing
soul-eating stalkers and a pre-teen ally. Book 3, The Amber Spyglass (0807262813, $54.00)
provides the conclusion on 12 compact discs, where Lyra and Will face more danger to journey to
a
world where no living soul has ever gone. The set together is powerful even more so in all its
audio drama than the books themselves.
Full Cast Audio
618 Westcott Street, 1st Floor, Syracuse, NY 13210
www.fullcastaudio.com
Jean Van Leeuwen's The Great Cheese Conspiracy (1932076778, $18.00) enjoys a fine
unabridged
full-cast production and tells of a mouse who wants to 'do something big' by leading Ray the Rat
and Fats the Fuse out of their lair to greater glory outside their comfortable movie theater home.
Comedy and danger come to life in an audio the entire family will enjoy. Ditto for Sid
Fleischman's
classic By The Great Horn Spoon! (1932076719, $34.00), a recommendation for ages 10 and up
telling of the lure of gold in 1849 California, and of young Jack Flagg of Boston, who answers the
lure of gold to find civility does not exist out West. Can they survive Gold Rush California? Both
are
wonderful family listening picks.
The Needlecraft Shelf
Teen Knitting Club
Jennifer Wenger, et al.
Artisan/Workman Publishing
708 Broadway, NY, NY 10003-9555
www.workman.com
1579652441 $17.95 1-800-722-7202
Parents who wish to involve teens in knitting should look no further than Teen Knitting Club
co-authored by Jennifer Wenger, Carol Abrams and Maureen Lasher. A compilation of 35 easy
patterns designed specifically for teens present quick projects, basic guides to yarns and options,
and
the ingredients for starting a teen 'knitting club'. Highly recommended for beginning
needlecrafters,
the easy-to-make projects range from purses and tote bags to caps and scarves, and both sexes are
profiled in teen-friendly photos.
The Science Shelf
Curious Minds
John Brockman, Editor
Pantheon
1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
0375422919 $23.95 randomhouse.com
What makes a child decide to become a scientist? Some of the scientists included here share a
curiosity and passion for learning and reveal their inspirations and motivational events in a
collection of essays from almost thirty world scientists. Parents receive a fine guide on the sources
of
inspiration and how to recognize early scientific genius.
What's Older Than A Giant Tortoise?
Robert E. Wells
Albert Whitman & Company
6340 Oakton St., Morton Grove, IL 60053
0807588318 $15.95 albertwhitman.com
Written and illustrated by Robert E. Wells, What's Older Than A Giant Tortoise? will provide
young
readers ages 7 to 10 with concepts and examples to help them grasp the concept of epoch time
and
age in the lives of animals, plants, and planet Earth. Noting that some giant tortoises have lived
for
more than 150 years, Wells illustrates that a good many other things live to be far older still such
as
California's giant sequoia trees who grow to be 3,000 years old While Arizona's Barringer Crater
was made about 49,000 years ago, and that the the dinosaur dominated the Earth more than 65
million years ago. Also available as a paperback (0807588326, $6.95) and enhanced with full
color
illustrations, What's Older Than A Giant Tortoise? is a unique and superbly presented "kid
friendly"
introduction that is enthusiastically recommended for both school and community library
acquisition.
My Water Comes From The Mountains
Tiffany Fourment & Dorothy Emerling
Roberts Rinehart Publishers
4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200 , Lanham, Maryland 20706
National Book Network (dist.)
www.roberts-rinehart.com
1570983879 $19.95 1-800-462-6420
My Water Comes From The Mountains is an educational picture book by Tiffany Fourment that
teaches young readers about the natural cycle of water. Looking at the nation's watershed, the
Continental Divide, My Water Comes From The Mountains describes the water cycle from
evaporation to glacier formation to the zones of life that water passes through, including alpine
tundra, prairie, and conifer forest. Also discussed are how human society uses water, treatment
processes for water, and what happens to water after it is used. Extensively researched, My Water
Comes From The Mountains was prepared with the Niwot Ridge Long Term Ecological Research
project of the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Reasearch at the University of Colorado, in honor of
the
International Year of the Mountain. The gentle and realistic color drawings of wildlife and nature
by
Dorothy Emerling complement this informative and enriching picture book ideal for inquisitive
young minds.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
A Muggle's Guide To The Wizarding World
Fionna Boyle
ECW Press
2120 Queen St. East #200, Toronto, Ontario Canada M4E 1E2
155022655X $14.95 www.ecwpress.com
Think you know all about Harry Potter? Think again, whether you're a parent or a teen fan of the
series: Fionna Boyle's examination in A Muggle's Guide To The Wizarding World quite deftly
explores J. K. Rowling's entire fantasy universe, covering all the finer points of the series thus far,
examining its characters, creatures and mysticism, and arranging ideas by themes that excel in
trivia
and gentle encouragement for the reader to think about interpretation possibilities for the series.
All
five books and all three movies are included in the analysis, offering debates the entire family can
enjoy. A Muggle's Guide To The Wizarding World is "must" reading for all Harry Potter
fans!
The Cookbook Shelf
Lerner Publishing Group
1251 Washington Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1036
www.lernerbooks.com
0822500107 $212.80 1-800-328-4929
The eight volumes in the simply outstanding "Plants We Eat" series by Meredith Sayles Hughes
provide students in grades 5 to 12 with informed and informative introductions to the botanical
and
biological sciences behind what we eat. Enhanced with both color and b/w photography, charts
and
cross-sectional diagrams of plants, "Fun Facts", a bibliography for further reading, a glossary,
recipes, nutritional information, "kid friendly" activities, literary quotes and sidebars, the titles
comprising this outstanding and enthusiastically recommended series include Flavor Foods: Spices
&
Herbs; Glorious Grasses: The Grains; Green Power: Leaf & Flower Vegetables; Hard To Crack:
Nut Trees; Spill The Beans And Pass The Peanuts: Legumes; Stinky And Stringy: Stem & Bulb
Vegetables; Tall And Tasty: Fruit Trees; and Yes, We Have Bananas: Fruits From Shrubs And
Vines. Although each volume is available separately ($26.60), school and community libraries are
advised to acquire the complete set. Homeschoolers and classroom teachers should note that each
of
these superbly organized and accessibly presented books is published in full accordance with
National Science Education Standards and are ideal for supplemental curriculum enhancement for
any Home Economics studies.
Benchmark/Marshall Cavendish
99 White Plains Rd, Tarrytown NY 10591
$20.95 each www.marshallcavendish.com
Four new 'Superchef' titles by Matthew Locricchio outline the cooking of different countries for
kids
in grades 4-7, introducing each with a discussion of regional food history and differences within
the
country, then proceeding to kid-oriented recipes for appetizers, main courses, desserts and more.
Each bright book packs in photos by Jack McConnell, providing bright examples of completed
dishes and local ingredients. New to the series are Greece (076-141729X), Brazil (076141732X),
Thailand (0761417311) and India (0761417-303). The series makes for an excellent introduction
to
foods of different cultures for an age range which normally wouldn't receive such specific detail or
age appropriate recipes. School and community librarians are encouraged to send for the free
Benchmark catalogs for a complete listing of their non-fiction "books in series" titles for young
readers.
The Picturebook Shelf
Little Ruth Reddingford And The Wolf
Hank Wesselman, Ph.D., author
Raquel Abreu, illustrator
Illumination Arts Publishing Company
13256 Northup Way, Suite 9, Bellevue, WA 98005
0974019003 $15.95 www.illumin.com
Little Ruth Reddingford And The Wolf is a new rendition of the classic Little Red Riding Hood
tale.
Young Ruth Reddingford loves visiting her grandmother more than anything. So when Grandma
can't come for her weekly visit, Ruth packs a basket of goodies and sets out on her own. When
bullies confront Ruth in the woods, she discovers the strength in her Native American heritage,
and
makes a striking new friend. Little Ruth Reddingford And The Wolf pays homage to the passing
down of shamanic traiditions from grandmother to grandaughter, and reminds the reader that not
all
cultures regard the Wolf solely as a symbol of fear. The inviting full-color illustrations facilitate
immersion in this uplifting and empowering tale.
Carlo And The Really Nice Librarian
Jessica Spanyol
Candlewick Press
2067 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140-1338
0763625264 $15.99 www.candlewick.com
Carlo the giraffe loves the new library with its many books and posters, but he's afraid of the
librarian with her sharp teeth and claws until he discovers she too loves books. Very simple
drawings accompany the cute story of a little giraffe and an alligator librarian. A treasure to read
aloud.
The Nothing King
Elle Van Lieshout & Eric Van Os
Front Street
862 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806
1932425144 $15.95 www.amazon.com
Paula Gerritsen provides the simple yet winning drawings to enhance Elle Van Lieshout and Eric
Van Os' The Nothing King, the tale of a King Bear who moves away from royal digs to live in a
shabby apartment. People laugh at him; but he likes a simple life without servants and fuss, and
doesn't need the rich things in life. His simple needs keep him in touch with his kingdom in this
engaging, warm story.
Pea Soup Fog
Connie Macdonald Smith, author
Jen Cart, illustrator
Down East Books
PO Box 679, Camden, ME 04843
0892726431 $15.95 downeastbooks.com
Pea Soup Fog is a charming picturebook story, set in a small village on the rocky coast of Maine.
One day, a thick-as-pea-soup fog covers the whole town; no one will listen to the advice of a
small
girl, turning instead to the butcher, the baker, and the candle-maker for help. Only when these
three
have failed do they listen to the girl's wisdom, share a wonderful meal, and see the fog vanish. The
soft, colorful illustrations bring this heartwarming and simple story to vibrant life. This is a brief
picturebook tale that is well-suited for read-aloud storytime or bedtime.
The Rainbow Tiger
Gayle Nordholm & Jennifer Frohwerk
Seven Locks Press
3100 West Warner Avenue, Suite 8, Santa Ana, CA 92704
www.sevenlockspublishing.com
1883697522 $16.95 1-800-354-5348
Gayle Nordholm's The Rainbow Tiger is an imaginative modern-day picturebook fable about a
tigress who longs to be beautiful. She wishes her coat could be rainbow-colored - but when her
wish
is granted, all the animals mock her, and she can no longer sneak up on her prey! On the verge of
starving to death, she falls asleep regretting her foolish wish, and wakes up having learned a
valuable
lesson about being and appreciating oneself. The Rainbow Tiger includes a supplement of fun
facts
about real tigers rounding out this beautifully illustrated (Jennifer Frohwerk is a superb artist)
picturebook story with a positive message about self-respect.
Bloomsbury
175 5th Ave., New York NY 10110
www.bloomsbury.com/usa
Four wonderful new presentations are recommended picturebook pics for the young. Axel
Hacke's
A Bear Called Sunday (1582349290, $14.95) requires good reading skills or parental assistance
but
provides an enchanting story of a boy and his believed bear. The boy loves his bear but does the
silent, stiff bear love him back? There really is an answer for the boy in this gentle story. Margaret
Atwood's Rude Ramsey And The Roaring Radishes! (1582349509, $16.95) receives Dusan
Petricic's fun drawings as it tells of revolting relatives and a quest for independence. Sick of rules,
Rude Ramsey and his rat strike out for freedom. Good reading skills required. There's lots of
animal
noises to enjoy in The Noisy Farm by Marc McGee (1582348790, $15.95), from snorts and hoots
to
squeaks and creaks. A very simple picturebook with zany drawings by Leonie Shearing illustrate
animal noises at their best. Michael Rosen's Howler (158-2348510, $15.95) is the perfect
companion
to ROVER, presenting a hilarious story of a puzzled dog trying to understand a new baby in the
house. The baby 'Howler' takes up everyone's attention: is Rover doomed to take second chair?
Neil
Layton's drawings are simple and engaging, while the plot needs no prior familiarity to prove
inviting.
Peter Pan And Wendy
J.M. Barrie
Orchard Books
557 Broadway, New York NY 10012
0439672570 $17.95 www.scholastic.com
Readers seeking a high-quality hardcover edition of Barrie's classic Peter Pan complete with
high-quality drawings should look no further than Orchard Books' latest re-issue, pairing Barrie's
story with Robert Ingpen's drawings. Color marks both full pages and half pages, adeptly and
beautifully highlighting all the unedited adventures of Wendy and the childish Peter.
Tusk Trouble
Jane Clarke & Cecilia Johansson
Hodder/Trafalgar Square Publishing
PO Box 257, Howe Hill Road, North Pomfret, VT 05053-0257
www.trafalgarsquarebooks.com
0340877251 $14.95 1-800-423-4525
Wilbur the Walrus has a tusk that hurts, but he resists going to the dentist until his wise
Grandfather presents another option. Many a child will relate to the story of a young walrus who
resists treatment until he sees for himself the results of avoiding it!
Who's Got Game? The Lion Or The Mouse?
Toni & Slade Morrison
Scribner
1230 Avenue of Americas, NY, NY 10020
0743222482 $16.95 1-800-223-2336
Comic-book-style four-panel color drawings by Pascal Lemaitre provide an inviting format in
Toni
and Slade Morrison's "Who Got Game?" series. Their retelling of the classic Aesop fable about
the
lion and the mouse extrapolates quite a bit on the original, adding a zany and fun side to the tale
and
truly wonderful illustrations.
Mystery At The Club Sandwich
Doug Cushman
Clarion Books
215 Park Avenue South, NY, NY 10003
0618419691 $15.00 www.hmco.com
The very young may not readily understand the meaning of the film noir black and white drawings
in
Mystery At The Club Sandwich: this caveat aside, it's an inviting, wonderful story of one Nick
Trunk, Private Detective, who is the only one to help foxy singer Lola regain her lost marbles.
Nick's
efforts at solving a sticky crime prove hilarious; especially to picturebook readers with some
reading
and critical thinking skills behind them.
Trumpet's Kittens
Carolyn Polizzotto & Sarah Spinks
Marion Duke, illustrator
Fremantle Arts Centre Press/ISBS, dist.
920 Northeast 58th Avenue, Suite 300, Portland, OR 97213
www.isbscatalog.com
1863683313 $22.50 1-800-944-6190
Charmingly co-written by Carolyn Polizzotto and Sarah Spinks, Trumpet's Kittens is a
heartwarming
picturebook about a mother cat who finds a friendly, loving house in which to give birth to the
beautiful miracle of adorable kittens. Marion Duke's colorful, slightly abstract color artwork
perfectly captures feline grace, and the story narrates from Trumpet's point of view without
exaggeratedly anthropomorphizing her. A gorgeous picturebook to share, especially in a
household
that is soon expecting the pitter-patter of many furry little feet.
The Boy, The Bear, The Baron, The Bard
Gregory Rogers
Roaring Brook Press/Millbrook Press
2 Old New Milford Road, Brookfield, CT 06804
Media Masters (publicity)
1596430095 $16.95 1-800-462-4703
The Boy, The Bear, The Baron, The Bard is a picturebook that presents its humorous and
amazing
story entirely in sequential, comic-book style illustrations. A young boy playing by himself in an
old
theater accidentally discovers a way to travel to the distant past - and the time of Shakespeare!
Accidentally inciting the Bard's wrath, he flees, liberates a captive bear, rescues a timid baron
from
the tower of London, all the while evading William Shakespeare's furious pursuit. The whimsical
color pictures perfectly relate this chuckle-inducing story all the way to the wistful end.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
Cancer Information For Teens
Wilma R. Caldwell
Omnigraphics
615 Griswold St., Detroit, MI 48226
0780806786 $58.00 omnigraphics.com
Young adults and their parents alike will find this new addition to the 'Teen Health Series' an
important reference to cancer in teens. Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among
those
ages 10-19: lifestyle choices from tobacco to sun expose increase the risks and are often the
choices
made during the teen years. In presenting a health title geared for teens, basic questions about
teen
cancer are addressed, from adolescent-onset to risk factors.
Gareth Stevens
330 W. Olive St., Milwaukee, WI 53212
www.garethstevens.com
A new series from Gareth Stevens is a very highly recommended pick for discriminating school
and
community library reference collections for young readers. 'Understanding the Human Body'
($18.50
each) provide around 30 pages of colorful information and facts, breaking bodily system into
related
parts for easy understanding and research. Heart, Blood And Lungs (0836842065) thus receives
its
own coverage emphasizing the teamwork between all three to maintain health; Brain, Nerves And
Senses (0836842049) work together to explore how these systems work with the body as a
master
search engine; Digestion And Reproduction (0836-842057) discusses the guts of the matter and
the
tasks these related systems perform, and Skin, Muscles And Bones (083-6842073) surveys how
the
skin packages it all together. All are excellent basic guides.
Cancer Happens
Rebecca Gifford
Capital Books Inc.
PO Box 605, Herndon, VA 20172-0605
www.capital-books.com
1931868727 $15.95 1-800-758-3756
Rebecca Gifford was only 22 years old when she was diagnosed with life-threatening cancer: this
is
her story of diagnosis, treatment and recovery: a story of coming of age with cancer which
involved
her entire family. There are relatively few accounts of young people struggling with cancer:
Cancer
Happens documents Gifford's challenges and her ability to be a patient advocate and choose her
treatment options throughout.
Thomson-Gale
274500 Drake Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48331-3535
$27.45 each www.glale.com
Two important histories of diseases and disorders are picks for library health shelf holdings.
Barbara
Saffer's Smallpox (159-0183010) tells of the history of smallpox, using both primary and
secondary
source material to reveal its devastating effects in Europe, the development and dissemination of
the
smallpox vaccine, and the possibilities of its use as a biological weapon. Sudipta
Bardhan-Quallen's
Chemotherapy (1560069260) joins others in the 'Great Medical Discoveries' series for middle
school
kids and older, providing a survey of poisons that heal and their pros and cons. Since relatively
little
has been accessible on the topic for this age group, Chemotherapy is a welcome publication.
The Palette Of Breath
Lauren Robins
Safe Goods
561 Shunpike Rd., Sheffield, MA 01257
1884820778 $7.95 safegoodspub.com
The Palette Of Breath is a very simple guide to "easy belly breathing", written especially for
children,
parents, and teachers. Promoting reduced stress and improved health through a very simple
breathing technique, The Palette Of Breath combines friendly line-drawings with information as to
why good breathing promotes good health. Every other page features a quote from an immense
range of sources concerning the importance and value of good breathing habits. An excellent
book
to share with young people in order to teach the advantages of breathing awareness and instill
positive lifelong behaviors.
The Games/Activities Shelf
The 2,000 Best Games & Activities
Susan Kettmann
Sourcebooks Inc.
Box 4410, Naperville, IL 60567-4410
www.sourcebooks.com
140220194X $14.95 1-800-432-7444
Parents who have infants through age eight will welcome an activities book which pairs activities
and games which take 5-30 minutes each with a focus on teaching curiosity, self-control, kindness
and other values. From a 'Scavenger Number Hunt' which involves common household items and
can even be done in the grocery store. The 2,000 Best Games & Activities is an excellent
collection
of lessons on how to be a better person, couched as games.
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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