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Children's Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
The Golden Winged Fairy
Lala Fae, author
Laura Siadak, illustrator
MadeByFae
9780990852735, $19.95
"The Golden Winged Fairy" is a beautiful fairy tale that teaches children the value of self
acceptance and celebration of differences. Enhanced with intricate, sensitive illustrations
embellished with silver and golden foil, "The Golden Winged Fairy" recounts a tale of a young
fairy named Lorelei, who lived among the Silver Moon Fairies in the Land of the Silver Winged
Fairies. Lorelei was different from the other Silver Winged Fairies, for one of her wings shone
silver, like all the Silver Winged Fairies, the other glowed golden as Midsummer's Day. Lorelei
was ashamed of her golden wing, and hid from the other fairies, fearing she would not be
accepted because of her one golden wing. Though her mother assured her she was fortunate to
unique, or different, Lorelei could not believe her. Lorelei tried to hide her one golden wing with
sprinkles of fairy dust, but midnight rainfall washed her golden wing clean while she was
dancing with the other Silver Moon Fairies on Midsummer Night's Eve. Because she was
ashamed of her golden wing, Lorelei flew home quickly through the dark, her golden wing
glowing. The next day a knock came to her door, and the Silver Moon Fairies spoke to Lorelei,
saying: "The glow of your golden wing guided us home. You saved us from the storm!" From
then on, Lorelei danced with the other Silver Winged Fairies at night in the forest, with one wing
silver and one wing "glowing golden and true." This beautiful fairy fable effortlessly teaches
children to accept and celebrate differences in themselves and others.
Mary Poppins Boxed Set
P.L. Travers
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003
www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com
9780544456839, $27.99, www.hmhco.com
The Mary Poppins Boxed Set contains four books in one package (Mary Poppins in the Park,
Opens the Door, Comes Back, and the introductory Mary Poppins), and the result is a lovely gift
package and a fitting introduction for newcomers. One needn't be a newcomer to appreciate the
value in having all these books in a handy slipcase for easy consecutive reading: even those who
last read Mary Poppins back in school will find this a lovely re-read, offering the books in a set
that makes them accessible and a treat to locate and file away.
The Holiday Shelf
Mr. Goat's Valentine
Eve Bunting, author
Kevin Zimmer, illustrator
Sleeping Bear Press
Suite 200, 315 East Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor, MI 48108
9781585369447 $16.99 www.sleepingbearpress.com
Mr. Goat's Valentine is a charming children's picturebook about an anthropomorphic goat in
search of the perfect gift to give his first love on Valentine's Day. However, a goat's idea of the
best possible gift might not be quite what the reader expects! "Mr. Pygmy-Little Goat had a stall
under a tree. He was selling his delicious rotten eggs. He had opened one as a sample. It lay on
his counter, black and oozing. 'Rotted for two years,' he told Mr. Goat. Guaranteed foul and
disgusting!' Mr Goat drooled. 'I'll take four. Two for my first love and two for me. We always
share." The exaggerated, colorful illustrations add the perfect touch to this whimsical tale of
seasonal affection and appreciation, and the identity Mr. Goat's first love is the final twist of the
story! An excellent read-aloud book, sure to appeal to little ones.
Ishtar's Odyssey: A Family Story for Advent
Arnold Ytreeide, author
Ryan Hill, illustrator
Kregel Publications
2450 Oak Industrial Dr. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
9780825443930, $15.99, www.kregel.com
"Ishtar's Odyssey: A Family Story for Advent" is an engaging Christmas story in chapters meant
to be shared by families as weekly family devotionals throughout Advent. It is prefaced with well
researched chapters on information about the pre Advent world, the Magi, making connections to
Persia through foods, Advent customs, and a pronunciation guide. Aimed at an audience of
children perhaps age 7 or older, each chapter traces the journey taken by young Ishtar, a spoiled
Persian prince, to follow a new star to find a mysterious Messiah. There are daily chapters for
reading through the four weeks of Advent, and many of the adventures Ishtar experiences are
built upon the Gospel narratives of the birth of Jesus. Black and white chapter heading
illustrations of Ishtar and his friends help build the anticipation of this journey through hardship,
excitement, fear, and danger to a rich conclusion. "Ishtar's Odyssey" is appealing to the middle
school imagination with its undercurrents of daily issues faced by a spoiled young royal destined
to participate in a miraculous discovery. Renewing the magic of Advent as a family devotional
experience, "Ishtar's Odyssey" can transform holiday preparations to the inspirational.
The Social Issues Shelf
The Story I'll Tell
Nancy Tupper Ling, author
Jessica Lana, illustrator
Lee & Low Books
95 Madison Ave., Suite 1205, New York, NY 10016
9781620141601, $17.95, www.leeandlow.com
"The Story I'll Tell" is a beautiful, tender, delicately nuanced story about a mother's response to
her adopted son's future questions about his origins. Filled with sensitive, imaginative
illustrations with repeated hints of exotic, Asian/Chinese cultural beginnings, the narrative of
"The Story I'll Tell" gently explores different birth and origin stories and fantasies, ending with a
brief summary of the true story of the Asian boy's birth and adoption by an Anglo-American
couple. Even the boy's tears, which only fall in his real story when he cries for things lost and
new, are healing. "The Story I'll Tell" is an amazing, respectful, sensitive exploration of
intercultural adoption that many families will gladly welcome.
The Health Shelf
Flossopher and the Brushing Trees
"Dr. Mike" King, author
Rick Ellis, illustrator
The Fifth Dentist, Publisher
9780990948407, $11.45, www.Flossopher.com
"Flossopher and the Brushing Trees: An Adventure for Young Tooth Brushers" is an engaging,
eccentric, quirky dental care fable that stimulates kids to tackle the issue of fighting cavities.
Flossopher is a plucky tooth care entity whose job it is to help everyone who lives in Brite Forest
keeps their teeth clean and sparkly. A cast of many lovable but recognizable characters cavort in
Brite Forest, including Sparkla, mother of all the Brushing Trees, and the Brushers. On the other
side of the line in the land of Durt, on Mount Yuk, is the evil Cavidorg, who hates toothbrushes
and clean teeth because he owns a factory called Denture-Con which seeks to sell more face teeth
to the world. There are lots of exciting moments, colorful characters, and plot-foiling actions to
keep the tooth brushing going. Many funny, colorful illustrations provide interest for young
readers, while reinforcing the basic message of good dental hygiene. At the end of the story is
one page of Flossopher's Instructions for Brushing, a helpful refresher course for young brushers.
Seven tiny hidden pictures of tooth care kits are planted throughout the pages for sharp eyes to
discover. Finally, a portion of the profits form the sale of every copy of "Flossopher and the
Brushing Trees" will be donated to Smile Train (www.SmileTrain.org). Truly an original work,
"Flossopher and the Brushing Trees" is a masterful effort to teach good brushing habits through a
fun, entertaining story.
The Counting Shelf
Papa, Why Does The Sun Shine?
Jeanne Styczinski, author/illustrator
JeanneKay Publishing
9780991094622, $14.95, www.jeannekaypublishing.com
"Papa, Why Does the Sun Shine?" is recommended as a day-brightener as well as a counting
book, and it lives up to this sunny recommendation. Beginning as a light counting verse, with all
and response from child to parent, the heart of this counting story dwells in its unfolding colorful
illustrations. Pink striped earthworms, green plants sprouting from seeds, yellow striped
caterpillars eating milkweed, sleepy turtles on a log, these are just a few of the representations
that are done afresh, with a child's awareness of bright color and pattern. The child asks his
question 10 times to a answer of "no," for a different number of creatures of the day, but the final
question calls forth the positive answer: "No, the sun doesn't shine so ten smart fish can go to
school. That's not the reason shy. Papa, then why? Why does the sun start to shine? It's simple!
Sun shines, so a father can see his child's beautiful smile each day!" The final pages of the book
encourage visual and verbal learning, as the child sees a nonverbal review in the form of a careful
sequence of numbers 1 through 10 paired with the matching number of objects counted, divided
by colorful patterned, decorating dividing lines. "Papa, Why Does the Sun Shine" is a vivid,
unforgettable counting experience for the young child, cradling a core of warm parental regard
and love at its center.
The Board Book Shelf
Tiny Blessings for Bedtime
Amy Parker, author
Sarah Walsh, illustrator
Running Press
2300 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
9780762459902, $7.95, www.runningpress.com
Soft to the touch with its sturdy padded covers, "Tiny Blessings for Bedtime" is a perfect board
book of a beloved bedtime prayer. Filled with twinkling owls, starry skies, a shining crescent
moon, and snuggly, bedtime kisses, "Tiny Blessings for Bedtime" gently lulls tired children to a
restful sleep with thoughts of thankfulness for the blessings of the day and night. Gently smiling
children are shown drifting off to slumber surrounded by quietly resting toys and sleepy animals
in the surrounding trees. "Tiny Blessings for Bedtime" achieves its invitation to peaceful bedtime
blessings with both poetry and pictures, presenting all in a beloved board book that young
children will treasure and touch repeatedly as they grow. A second title in this outstanding series
which is also very highly recommended is "Tiny Blessings for Giving Thanks (9780762459896,
$7.95)," written by Amy Walsh, and illustrated by Sarah Walsh.
Where Are You Little Red Ball?
Patricia Cate & Yaho
Tradewind Books
202-1807 Maritime Mews, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6H 3W7
www.tradewindbooks.com
9781926890128, $8.95, HC, 11pp, www.amazon.com
"Where Are You Little Red Ball" is a board book following the adventure of a runaway ball.
Author Patricia Cote's simply story is wonderfully enhanced for young readers ages 2 to 4 with
charming illustrations by Yayo. Perfect for parent-child bonding, reading "Where Are You Little
Red Ball?" together will prove to be an absolute delight for very young children and mothers
alike. "Where Are You Little Red Ball?" is very highly recommended for family, preschool, and
community library board book collections.
The Picturebook Shelf
A Boy Asked the Wind
Barbara Nickel, author
Gillian Newland, illustrator
Red Deer Press
c/o Fitzhenry & Whiteside Limited
195 Allstate Parkway, Markham, Ontario, Canada, L3R 4T8
9780889954809, $17.95, www.reddeerpress.com
"A Boy Asked the Wind" is a mystical, poetic, artistic, and geographic exploration of the source
of the wind, in answer to a boy's question, "Where do you live?" Sensitively illustrated in vivid
land and seascape paintings of far-flung global locations, the nature and names of the wind are
presented on a vast panorama of gusty, powerful narrative. Some of the places and names of the
wind include the Chinook of North American Great Plains, Papagayo on the Pacific coast of
Nicaragua, the Shamal found in summer in the valley of the Tigris and Euphrates, the Cape
Doctor, in South Africa, and Zephyr, an ancient Greek name for any light west wind. The poetry
is powerful, compelling: "remember... Chinook, Papagayo, one wind, Cape Doctor, Shamal,
Zephry, one wind with many voices, one wind with many faces. My home is the world." A global
map at the end shows the location of the five different wind names explored, with further
explanations of each areas wind patterns. "A Boy Asked the Wind" is recommended for children
ages 8-12 or in grades 3-6.
The Secret Drawer
Nancy Gee, author
Raye Ann Saunoris, illustrator
Ampersand, Inc.
1050 North State Street, Chicago, IL 60610
http://www.ampersandworks.com
9780990560319, $18.95, HC, 40pp, www.amazon.com
"The Secret Drawer" is a thoroughly entertaining picturebook story that is based on a true life
incident. A real flying squirrel found its way into Nancy Gee's bedroom and into her sock drawer.
After which her cat, Odis, refused to budge from the front of the dresser for two long days.
Children (and their parents) will find "The Secret Door" as inherently fascinating as it is
surprisingly informative. "The Secret Drawer" reveals that kindness to animals is returned by
them in many unexpected ways. Very highly recommended for family, school, and community
library collections, "The Secret Drawer" is all the more impressive considering that it is author
Nancy Gee's debut as a children's picture book writer.
My Pet Monkey Named Rue
Kathryn "Kee" LaRocca, author
Debra Volanski Moroco, illustrator
AuthorHouse
1663 Liberty Drive, Bloomington, IN 47403
9781504952491, $29.99, www.authorhouse.com
"My Pet Monkey Named Rue" is a charming story about a boy's special relationship with his pet
monkey, who is blue. Told in charming narrative verse, and enhanced by comic colored pencil
drawings against a soft tan retro-flavored background, "My Pet Monkey Named Rue" finds a
special place in the young reader's heart. The boy loves his funny, messy, different-colored
monkey in spite of all the trouble and inconvenience he causes at home. But the boy knows Rue
needs a different place to live, where he can be himself and not be in trouble all the time, and sad.
A wonderful idea comes to the boy, he will take Rue to the circus! There Rue met Mr. Jed and a
very unusual cast of animal characters who star in the circus show. First Rue met Lindsey the
Dog ("with a color of green"), then Sam the pink Elephant, and finally Anthony the red striped
tiger. All the other circus star animals are also unusual colors just like Rue, who is blue. Each
animal has a special talent which they perform as a part of he circus show. What will Rue be
asked to do? Mr. Jed tells him: "I know you love climbing so let me tell you how, up this high
you will ride and then take a bow. Rue the Blue Monkey came out on the high wire and was
riding a bike, He grinned from ear to ear as he thought, now this I really like!" The boy knew Rue
had found a better home, and he felt sad because he would miss Rue. But Rue cheered him up by
running to bring him grand stand tickets to the next show! The boy was no longer sad, but happy,
because Rue was happy. "My Pet Monkey Named Rue" is a wonderful fantasy dip into a world
seen through a child's and a monkey's eyes. It's message of supporting hidden talents and learning
to accept differences is also significant and imaginative.
Blue Whale Blues
Peter Carnavas, author/illustrator
Kane Miller
c/o EDC Publisher
P.O. Box 470663, Tulsa, OK 74147
9781610674584, $11.99, www.kanemiller.com
"Blue Whale Blues" is a lighthearted story about Blue Whale's funny feelings of being "blue" and the cheery effects of Penguin's faithful friendship, a charming antidote to Blue Whale's blues. Penguin is concerned to hear Blue Whale singing the blues, for a series of increasingly unlikely, humorous reasons. First, Blue Whale mistakes a shopping cart for a bicycle, at the bottom of the sea, and he is blue because he does not know which way the "bicycle" goes. Penguin cheers up Blue Whale, telling him the bicycle/shopping cart is upside down. Amusing, multi-textured illustrations underline the whimsical tone of "Blue Whale Blues" while furthering the mysterious, sparse narrative. Gradually, Blue Whale learns that his bicycle is not really a bicycle, and that it takes legs, like Turtle has, to ride a bicycle. Because of the faithful friendship and support of Penguin, Blue Whale is finally able to grasp his version of the truth about the shopping cart and his dream of riding it, and his healthy response is to laugh, a great big blue whale belly laugh! A final surprise of yet one more Blue Whale self deceptive jokes is in store on the last page, but the enduring message is empowering: Each of us can decide to be happy, or sad, no matter what our misperceptions, especially when we are grateful for the support of loyal friends. "Blue Whale Blues" is ideal for a young reader audience of ages 4-8.
A Day with Bonefish Joe
Elizabeth Howard, author
Diana Wege, illustrator
David R. Godine, publisher
P. O. Box 450, Jaffrey, New Hampshire 03452
9781567925340, $16.95, www.godine.com
Filled with stunning paintings of scenes near Harbour Island of the Bahamas, "A Day with
Bonefish Joe" celebrates the unusual angling sport of ocean fishing for bonefish, which are
caught and released near Harbour Island. Flossie is a curious girl who observes Bonefish Joe, a
special marine guide who takes tourists ocean fishing for bonefish. Flossie asks Bonefish to take
her fishing in his boat, and he agrees if she gets her mother's permission. Flossie's mother
explains that Bonefish Joe only takes rich, paying passengers fishing in his boat. But Flossie's
mother later grants her permission for Flossie's fishing expedition after she talks to Bonefish Joe.
First, Flossie must go to church with her mother, but she may wear her red shorts and sneakers.
Flossie is eager and excited to go ocean fishing with Bonefish Joe. She sees a sea turtle and
starfish in the water, and later they sail to the sandy flats to look for bonefish. Once there,
Bonefish teaches her to cast with a fishing rod, singing quietly to the bonefish, "Bonefish,
bonefish, where are you? You must be on the sandy flats, Or hiding in a cove. But, I'm a coming,
Where you've been diggin...Wiggle jiggin', wiggle jiggin'..." Flossie is amazed to discover how
hard the bonefish can pull on her line. The bonefish is very strong for its size. Finally Bonefish
Joe helps her pull in the bonefish and net and weigh it. He explains to Flossie that bonefish are
the fastest and boniest fish in the water, and people love to catch them and release them for the
sport experience. Flossie knew she would always treasure her wonderful day in the peaceful boat
catching bonefish with Bonefish Joe. Bonefish Joe is a real person who gently instructs many
people in the art of patience, and catching and releasing bonefish.
The Girl Who Saved Yesterday
Julius Lester, author
Carl Angel, illustrator
Creston Books
PO Box 9369, Berkeley, CA 94709
9781939547248, $16.99, www.crestonbooks.co
"The Girl Who Saved Yesterday" is a powerful, poetic fable that continually erupts from its
paper pages of living images and tender, reverent deep thoughts. Not just the characters, even the
images, thoughts and ideas portrayed are larger than life, mega-dreams of immense power
capable of great healing or great harm if neglected or misused. A thrilling wedding of images and
narrative inspires the reader to rise to the powerful visions conveyed in "The Girl Who Saved
Yesterday." Peopled with a powerful black young heroine, many stern but loving trees and
animals, plus living stones on a mountain forgotten by a village who abandoned their savior, the
girl the trees named Silence, the story erupts like lava with rainbows. A need for memory and
meaning, for honoring, for stories of history, for Yesterday, is at the core of the quest of "The
Girl Who Saved Yesterday." This beautiful book may be too large for small minds to
comprehend easily. However, children will adjust to its powerful cadences and compelling
rhythms with joy and anticipation. It is a story of the need for human wisdom, for memory, for
the most basic honoring of ancestors, for ceremony for the forgotten past. "The Girl Who Saved
Yesterday" breaks barriers, boundaries, and expectations and leaps beyond to a space where all
things have meaning and deserve to be loved. It is a soul-enlarging journey.
Imagine
Karen Kilpatrick, author
Tara Louise Campbell & Matthew Wilson, illustrators
Nina Charles Publishing
9781938447198, $10.95, www.pumpkinheads.com
This award-winning series encourages development of imagination, vision, character,
compassion, and more in young children. Peopled with young boys and girls of different skin
colors and different dreams, every page is a delight to explore. Sliding down rainbows, diving
with sharks, that colors can change, swinging from stars, riding fast cars, bouncing on clouds,
anything that can be imagined is possible. Join Danza, Sage, Lulu, Ella, Carmin, Xavy and
Cameron to discover new ways to explore the world of dreams together. Additional ideas for
sparking young imaginations are suggested at the end, with the special admonition to readers to
keep dreaming! This positive, imaginative series encourages all sorts of social/emotional levels
of learning and education through play, with countless bright, happy illustrations of
dream-fulfilling activities and experiences.
Dandelions
Katrina McKelvey, author
Kirrili Lonergan, illustrator
EK Books
c/o Exisle Publishing Pty Ltd.
9781921966828, $17.99, www.ekbooks.com.au
"Dandelions" is a magical story about finding beauty to celebrate in the moment, even if the
moment is tear-dimmed. Celebrating a tender, caring bond between a father and his daughter,
"Dandelions" tells a story of a girl who tries to stop her father from mowing the yard and her
favorite plants, the dandelions. She is too late and tries to explain to her father that to her, the
dandelions are not just weeds, but beloved, fuzzy, the color of the sun, and magical. Her father
understands and takes time with her. Together they find some white dandelion puffy seed balls,
and they make a special ceremony out of blowing all the parachuted seeds away into the breeze.
They imagine all the special places each seed will fly over, past roses, poppies, sunflowers,
weeping willows, oak tree canopies, among hot air balloons, perhaps finally to be collected by
the sun. When the girl asks her father where the dandelion seeds really go, he gives her a magical
answer. Beautifully illustrated with delicate, whimsical water colors, "Dandelions" is a story to
share for generations.
The Not-So-Right Day
Wiley Blevins, author
Elliot Kreloff, illustrator
Red Chair Press
Rocking Chair Kids
PO Box 333, South Egremont, MA 02158
9781634400831, $11.25, www.redchairpress.com
"The Not-So-Right Day" is a creative story for children ages 1-5. The Rocking Chair Kids series
emphasizes the concept that all children, "no matter what challenges face them, have an inherent
potential to become leaders who bring positive changes to their communities and those around
them." Especially written for children ages 1-5, "The Not-So-Right Day" compares and contrasts
the daily behavior of Milo and Iggy, two brothers who are very different. Milo is neat and clean
and likes to keep all things in order, including his daily routine of getting up, bathed and dressed,
and preparing to play outside. Iggy, in contrast, likes to do things quite differently. He takes
harum scarum baths, makes messy sandwich bread towers, and wears his socks outside his boots
to play outside. Milo tells him often "That's not right." But Iggy seems to feel his approaches get
the job done with more fun, so to speak. With considerable tact and adjustment to their
differences, Milo makes comments like," I guess it will keep your boots warm, but that's not
right." The final message is that even though Milo thinks that Iggy had a mixed -up, not-so-right
day, Iggy is his brother and he loves him, and that feels.... just right! Pleasantly colorful
illustrations display the brothers' many differences in appearance and style in humorous
detail.
The Hueys in What's the Opposite?
Oliver Jeffers
Philomel
c/o Penguin Young Readers Group
345 Hudson Street, 15th floor, New York, NY 10014
http://us.penguingroup.com
9780399257704, $17.99, www.penguin.com
The Hueys in What's the Opposite? provides a fun picture book account of some unusual
opposites - such as lucky/unlucky, here/there, on/off, and more. Spiced by the presence of fun
Hueys illustrations and very simple words, this picture book story takes the idea of 'opposites' in
a new direction and creates a satisfyingly fun result, especially recommended for parent/child
read-aloud as discussions of 'opposites' will surely ensue.
Over-Scheduled Andrew
Ashley Spires
Tundra Books
75 Sherbourne Street, 5th floor, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5A 2P9
www.tundrabooks.com
9781770494845, $16.99, www.amazon.com
Over-Scheduled Andrew provides the fun tale of a small chickadee, Andrew, who has undertaken
too much when he joins the drama club, debate club, dance and karate classes, and more.
Everyone wants him and he's learning too much: something has to go when he finds he has no
time for anything important, let alone his friendships. A fun story of balancing one's interest
ensures, perfect for young readers to absorb before life's demands get in the way.
Clarion Books
c/o Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003
www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com
Matthieu Sylvander's The Battle of the Vegetables (9780544359420, $15.99) presents a peaceful
story of a vegetable garden which lives in peace and quiet - or is it? Under their calm appearance
the veggies are having adventures and are filled with rampaging emotions. All this is hidden until
a stranger pays attention to them, claiming to be something they haven ever seen before. Is he a
friend - and does he have clues to understanding the world? As leeks, carrots and mixed
vegetables have different adventures, their calm existence takes on a whole new meaning in this
fun, gentle story. Pamela Zagarenski's The Whisper (9780544416864, $17.99) tells of a little girl
who receives a book filled only with pictures, and discovers that it's up to her imagination to
provide the words and story line in this gentle celebration of the wordless picture book and its
possibilities. Can she imagine a good story? What would be its title, its characters, and its plot?
Gorgeous drawings accompany a fun exploration.
Scholastic Inc.
557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012-3999
www.scholastic.com
Molly Bang's When Sophie's Feelings Are Really, Really Hurt (9780545788311, $17.99)
provides a new emotion-driven story to accompany the author's prior three Caldecott Honor and
other award-winning books, and tells of Molly Bang's problems when someone stomps on her
feelings. How can she overcome teasing, shame and anger to trust in her own feelings? Another
fine Molly story addresses a common dilemma young kids will find familiar, providing one girl's
solution to the problem. Mary Lyn Ray's A Lucky Author Has a Dog (9780545518765, $16.99)
receives fun drawings by Steven Henry as it explores an author whose writing efforts are
supported by her dog. But how lucky is she, to have such assistance? A whimsical story emerges,
holding some unexpected twists. Mina Javaherbin retells a Rumi poem in Elephant in the Dark
(9780545636704, $17.99), which tells what happens when a village faces a mysterious beast that
has come from India. One by one the villagers enter the dark barn to see it - and each emerges
with quite a different perspective. Good reading skills will lend to appreciation of this
retelling.
The Folktale/Fairytale Shelf
Ancient & Epic Tales From Around the World
Heather Forest, author
Susan Gaber, cover page illustrator
August House, Inc.
3500 Piedmont Road, Suite 310, Atlanta, GA 30305
9781941460351, $29.95, www.augusthouse.com
"Ancient & Epic Tales From Around the World" is a wide ranging collection of retold wisdom
tales from many world cultures, for a youth readership audience. Some of the sources include
"Gilgamesh (Mesopotamia-Sumerian)," Homer (Greek)," "Aesop's Fables (ancient Greek),"
"Poetic Edda (Iceland-Norse mythology)," "Beowulf (England)," "The Fenian Cycle (Ireland),"
"One Thousand and One Nights (Persia)," "The Mahabhrata (India)," "Yuch-fu Poems (China),"
"The Water Monster and the Water Lily (Australian/Aboriginal)," "The Pyramid Texts
(Egyptian)," "The Popol Vuh (MesoAmerican)," and more. Clear, succinct summaries of key
turning points from ancient tales are presented in exciting narrative style. Extensive notes and
bibliography material are presented at the end of the collection, which is the first volume of a
trilogy planned for the middle school or young adult audience. This collection is very highly
recommended, with its stunning award-winning authorship and fine presentation.
A Dublin Fairytale
Nicola Colton, author/illustrator
O'Brien Press
c/o Dufour Editions, Inc.
P.O. Box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425
www.dufoureditions.com
9781847177742, $18.00, www.amazon.com
"A Dublin Fairytale" is a unique, original revisitation of the story of Little Red Riding Hood with
a mischievous, Irish twist. Presented with sun-splashed, eccentric illustrations in a gently muted
rainbow palette, "A Dublin Fairytale" follows the journey of Fiona and her cat to buy supplies at
the Witches' Market for her Granny, who is sick. Fiona is warned by her mother to not get
delayed by anyone, but to explain that she is in a hurry. Fiona first encounters a disguised giant in
St Stephen's Green forest. Although she is frightened, Fiona offers to help the giant free his foot
from a thorn bush, then travels on. Off in the distance is seen a wolf pedaling his bicycle. On the
Ha'penny Bridge past the Trinity College of Sorcery, Fiona meets a large orange troll, who
growls at her. Although he is scary, the troll apologizes to Fiona, telling her his throat is sore, so
she offers him a cough drop from her pocket. Off in the distant river a sailor merman and
strumming mermaid make watery music. At the Spire, who should appear to Fiona but a
frightened purple dragon, whom Fiona aids by shooing away a pigeon that is frightening to the
dragon. Finally Fiona reaches the Witches' Market and finds everything she needs, when all of a
sudden, the lurking wolf on a bicycle rides by snatching her basket of goodies! Fiona cries loudly
for help, and to the rescue come her giant, fantastic friends, the giant, the troll, and the dragon,
each of them admonishing the wolf to stop and give back her basket! Amazed by her allies, the
wolf confesses he is sorry, he just wanted some of Fiona's nice smelling cake. Fiona promptly
invites the wolf and her new friends to share cake and witches' brew with her at her Granny's, and
they accepted! An added tiny surprise is Fiona's hospitable green witch Granny, who fits right in
with the other storybook characters. A delightful story, "A Dublin Fairytale" seems to incorporate
the basic elements of a familiar story into a fresh new outlook of hopeful peaceable compromise.
Children will love "A Dublin Fairytale" for its candor, freshness, and imagination.
The Sparrow and the Trees
Sharon Chriscoe, author
Susan Detwiler, illustrator
Arbordale Publishing
612 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Suite A2, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
www.arbordalepublishing.com
9781628556339, $17.95, www.amazon.com
"The Sparrow and the Tree" is a beautifully illustrated retelling of an ancient Native American
fable about how the trees lost their leaves in winter. Long ago all the trees kept their leaves
through the cold, snowy winters. Then one day Papa sparrow injured his wing and was unable to
fly south with his family at migration time. He hoped the trees would provide him with warm
shelter through the harsh winter. But when Papa Sparrow asked the beautiful maple tree for
shelter, she refused, saying she did not know him. Then Papa Sparrow flew to the Oak to make
the same request. Once again, he was refused, who selfishly denied the shelter of his branches.
Even the gentle Willow tree refused to help the injured sparrow by giving winter shelter in her
hanging leaves. These three refusals saddened Papa Sparrow deeply, but he tried once more,
asking for shelter from Spruce tree. Spruce said his needles were small and branches few, but he
welcomed Papa sparrow to stay the winter and shelter with him, and also offered help from his
friends Pine and Juniper. Juniper even offered delicious berries for Papa Sparrow to eat. Papa
Sparrow was so grateful for their kindness, as he thanked Spruce, Pine, and Juniper. That night,
when Winter Wind blew through the forest, all the leaves she touched fell to the ground, except
for Spruce, Pine, and Juniper. Maple, Oak and Willow were angry and demanded an explanation.
Even Juniper's berries were spared by Winter Wind. The answer is given by King Forest himself:
"It is I who told Winter Wind to whisk away your leaves and food. I sat and watched each of you
who have so much turn away a tiny sparrow in need of your help. Spruce, Pine, and Juniper have
so little...yet they offered what they had. From this day on, when winter is near, all the trees
except Spruce, Pine, and Juniper will lose their leaves and food." At the end of "The Sparrow and
the Tree," additional educational information is given under For Creative Minds about chipping
sparrow migration, bird watching tips, and birds and trees, and tree adaptations. There is also a
sorting game page for evergreen or deciduous trees. Although the origin of this Native American
folk tale is obscure, the outlines of it are a gift to be treasured. Decorative borders on all the
illustration pages hint at Native American artistry and origins, although the exact source of the
tale has been sadly lost. The illustrations showing human faces on the trees, the winter wind, and
the forest king are also concepts that seem rooted in a Native American consciousness.
The Biography Shelf
To The Stars! The First American Woman to Walk in Space
Carmella Van Vleet & Dr. Kathy Sullivan, authors
Nicole Wong, illustrator
Charlesbridge
85 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472
9781580896443, $16.95, www.charlesbridge.com
"To the Stars!" is an exciting autobiography of Kathy Sullivan, first American Woman to walk in
space. Growing up, young Kathy was excited by the thought of travel, maps, books, foreign
languages and more. Airplanes flying over made her want to see the whole world. She was told
that girls did not do jobs like being a spy, diplomat, or adventurer. But as an adult, Kathy knew
she had to follow her own compass beyond the traditional allowed female roles of nurse or
teacher. Growing up, Kathy loved fishing and swimming underwater, and she loved the water
still when she was grown up. As a teenager, Kathy learned to pilot a plane. Much later, she
learned to read another, more complex instrument panel "To the Stars!" continues a pattern
comparing Kathy's early flight and learning experience (riding a Breezy aircraft) with later space
astronaut experiences as an adult. "To the Stars!" ends with a dazzling illustration of Kathy
taking her walk in space, the first American woman to do so. A further Note from Kathy
encourages young female readers to follow their dreams and reach for their own stars. Additional
biographical information about Kathy joins other American Women Firsts in NASA history in
this inspiring nonfiction biographical book.
The Native American Shelf
Native People of Wisconsin
Patty Loew, author
Wisconsin Historical Society Press
816 State St., Madison, WI 53706
9780870207488, $15.95, 197pp, www.wisconsinhistory.org
"Native People of Wisconsin" is a fascinating, well outlined presentation of the history, makeup,
and impact of eight major First Nations represented in Wisconsin from early tribal history to the
present day. These include the Menominee, the Ho-Chunk, the Potawatomi, the Oneida, the
Ojibwe Nations, and the Stockbridge-Munsee Community of Mohican Indians, and the
Brothertown Indian Nation, as well as urban Indians Written by an enrolled member of the Bad
River Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe, who is also professor of Life Sciences Communication at
the University of Wisconsin-Madison, "Native People of Wisconsin" traces tribal history, tribal
traditions, and the relentless process of land removal for each Nation or group represented. Maps
with burnt orange shaded areas trace the shrinking areas of land belonging to different Nations,
as well as long journeys traveled by some groups such as the Stockbridge-Munsee from New
York State to Wisconsin. Also the effect of boarding schools for Indian children and other
assimilation programs is presented and explored for each group or Nation. Current First Nation
Studies such as the program at the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay is highlighted, with its
base emphasis of the four values of tribal America: respect, relationships, reciprocity, and
responsibility. Thus it presents a place where both Native and non-Native students can learn
more about Native histories, languages, and cultures. A final chapter on Native People of
Wisconsin Up Close lists brief biographies of different Native exemplary individuals, whose
areas of expertise include boxing champion (Leone Peters, Menominee Nation), award-winning
Ojibwe filmmakers (Jordan Principato, Shania Jackson, and Ahpahnae Thomas), scientist
(Celeste Hockings, Lac du Flambeau), artist (Caleb Washington, St Croix Band, Rachel Baldwin,
Brothertown Nation), athletes and scholars, and more. Written clearly and expressively with
explanations of Native names, words, symbols, and traditions, "Native People of Wisconsin"
could be an excellent Native history text for middle grade students or young adults. Adult readers
who wish to supplement their First Nations contributions history will also find much of value to
consider in the well researched and evenly presented pages of "Native people of Wisconsin."
Missing Nimama
Melanie Florence, author
Francois Thisdale, illustrator
Clockwise Press
201 Taylor Mils Drive North, Richmond Hill, Ontario L4C 2T5
9780993935145, $19.95, www.clockwisepress.com
"Missing Nimama" is a beautiful, sensitive story about a Canadian Aboriginal girl named Kateri
who lost her mother, Aiyana Cardinal, to unknown, hidden violence and presumed death. Kateri
grows up beloved by her nohkom, or grandmother. Growing up haunted by images of her mother,
who is wanisin ("she is lost"), she is called kamamakos, or little butterfly. Kateri experiences
happy milestones cared for by her loving nohkom, but she longs to know where her mother has
gone, though she realizes, as she matures, that her mother is most likely passed on. The haunting
sadness that fills a young life is underscored by the imagined mother's silent observation of her
daughter's happy growth in the care of her grandmother. "Missing Nimama" is a story in tribute
to the staggering number of Aboriginal women who have disappeared or been murdered; a total
of 1181 indigenous women and girls are known to be murdered or missing between 1980 and
2012 in Canada. A glossary of Cree terms is included in the book's beginning, and further
background is found on a final page titled Many Voices, which also directs readers to an
educators' guide at, www.clockwisepress.com. "Missing Nimama" is full of sensitive illustrations
and is written in free verse narrative, with alternating voices of the mother and daughter. It is
recommended for children ages 8 and up in grades 3 and older.
The Activity Shelf
Gamibots
Bakham Sayavong & Tam Sayavong
Strategic Book Publishing & Rights Agency
http://sbprabooks.com/BakhamandTamSayavong
9781628577815, $41.50, PB, 152pp, www.amazon.com
Gamibots are a unique papercraft developed by Bakham Sayavong for the amusement of
children. It is a twist on origami, by creating a robot out of paper. Bakham imagined the idea for
Gamibots when he was younger, and his family didn't have much money to spend on toys.
Children can create easily create multiple Gamibots, even building an army to play with. Once
the Gamibots are destroyed or worn down, they can be recreated. "Gamibots" is a 152 page
compendium of illustrated, step-by-step paper-folding instructions that any child (or adult!) can
follow. Offering hours and hours of inexpensive fun, "Gamibots" is an ideal 'rainy day' activity,
perfect for birthday party entertainment, or for family fun anytime.
The Graphic Novel Shelf
Eye of the Drone
Rebecca Murdock Merry, author
Bark & Howl Press
9780992041380, $17.99, www.barkandhowlpress.com
"Eye of the Drone: Wild Cats, Around the Globe with Suki and Finch" is volume two in an
exciting new graphic novel series featuring a new type of eco-hero and heroine. The 8-volume
series uses 3D digital characters inserted into globe trotting location scenic pictures to discover
information about endangered species. "Eye of the Drone" travels through Russia, Mongolia,
China, and Nepal to investigate the wild cats, including the Eurasian Lynx, Siberian Tiger, Snow
Leopard, Asiatic Golden Cat, and Pallas's Cat. Starting at the North Pole, Suki and Finch accept a
ride with Santa and his caribou/reindeer to Moscow. Accompanying Suki and Finch are their
animal friends, Screech the Falcon and Tip the Canada Lynx. The pair, Suki Hiroshi and Finch
Binoche are commissioned as junior explorers by Science World Canada. They are to investigate
wild cat populations all across the globe including the size of populations, threats each species
face from poachers, diminishing habitat, and encroachments from human development. On their
mission Suki and Finch uncover many diverse sources of threat to the continued existence of the
big cats, including a supercompany called K-POG, the Florida -based private corporate owner of
the largest lease of world forests in the world(fictional, but feasible). K-POG uses data from a
private satellite and drones to further expand their habitat destruction and expansion in forests
around the globe. A dizzying barrage of exciting adventures are pictured and narrated with
hundreds of color photos of scenic locations and big cats in habitat. Fortunately, Finch and Suki
encounter helpful human traveling companions as they journey through Russia, Mongolia, China
and Nepal in search of the wild cats in their amazing winter habitats. Danger abounds as well,
and the pair are determined to gather their information to present to help protect the habitats of
the large wild cats. Many detailed photos of all the rare wild cat species are incorporated into the
narrative, along with related facts and attributes of the large cats. As Volume two draws to a
close, Suki and Finch are amazed to discover they have a new secret supporter. She names
herself Wu-the Woodland Fairy, and she has helped the pair of eco-heroes out of many close
scrapes with her magic blurbs. Volume two ends with a promise of further adventures in Japan in
the next installment, and also a series of Wild Cat Report Cards. Each species, the Eurasion
Lynx, the Siberian Tiger, the Snow Leopard, the Asiatic Golden Cat, and Pallas's Cat is given a
grade to reflect its threat to survival as a species, along with extra information, threats, IUCN
status, and population trend. "Eye of the Drone" mixes fact and fiction to produce an exciting
new type of graphic novel eco warrior saga that is enthralling, educational, and involving for
young readers. A portion of all book sales of Bark & Howl Press is donated to protecting wild
habitats.
Yakari: The Great Burrow
Derib + Job
Cinebook Ltd.
56 Beech Ave., Canterbury, Kent, CT4 7TA, UK
www.cinebook.com
c/o National Book Network (dist.)
4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
www.nbnbooks.com
9781849182720 $11.95 www.amazon.com
Originally published in 1984, and superbly translated into English, Yakari: The Great Burro is a
graphic novel about Yakari, a courageous Native American boy belonging to the Lakota tribe
(called "Sioux" in the story). The animals of Yakari's world are intelligent and capable of speech;
he talks with them frequently on his adventures, including his faithful horse Little Thunder. The
colorful, cartoon-style artwork brings Yakari's adventures to life; he follows a mysterious call to
discover that even carnivores can stumble into unexpected trouble in the open prairie! The story
is complete and self-contained, but the Yakari series spans many individual graphic novels, with
more to come. Yakari: The Great Burrow is an excellent choice for public library children's
collections, and ideal for encouraging young people to read. Also highly recommended for all
ages is the colorful "Lucky Luke Adventure" graphic novel series by Morris, about a wild west
cowboy who shoots faster than his own shadow; in the 55th book "Lucky Luke: Arizona"
(9781849182683, $11.95) Lucky battles stage coach robbers and a gang of cheaters, and in the
56th book "Lucky Luke: Under a Western Sky" (9781849182737, $11.95) Lucky Luke enters a
horse race to earn some much-needed money, but his faithful steed Jolly Jumper is stolen just
before the race begins!
The Music CD Shelf
Heartbeats: Feel Good Songs for Families
Mighty Mo Productions
www.mightymoproductions.com
$9.99 CD / $8.99 digital
Heartbeats: Feel Good Songs for Families is an all-ages music album perfect for the Valentine's
Day season and beyond. The songs embody an array of musical styles from indie folk to surf rock
and swing jazz, but all celebrate love, compassion, and forming connections. Heartbeats is a
pure, joyous delight! The tracks are "Little Bitta You", "When One Became Two", "Light of
Love", "Love is the Way", "Love Comes Back", "Love my Lovey", "Because I Love You", "Dear
to Me", "L-O-V-E", "Our Love Fits", "Give Me a Hug", and "E's Lullaby". Also highly
recommended is Mighty Mo Productions' previous CD, "Smiles Ahead: Cool Music for Cool
Families" ($9.99).
I Believe in Little Things
Diana Panton
Little Things
$15.99 www.amazon.com
I Believe in Little Things is the first children's music album by award-winning jazz vocalist
Diana Panton. Her gentle, brightly beautiful singing enriches this wonderfully beautiful album.
Some of the songs are beloved classics, or poems set to music; others such as "Sleep Is A
Precious Thing" are Panton's original creation. A treasure for the young and young at heart, I
Believe in Little Things has a soothing tone that makes it especially ideal to play just as bedtime
approaches. Highly recommended! The tracks are "In a World of My Own" (3:58), "Alice in
Wonderland" (5:38), "Pure Imagination" (4:16), "Imagination" (3:32), "Sing" (4:42), "I'm Going
To Go Back There Someday" (3:20), "The Rainbow Connection" (3:19), "Little Things" (2:48),
"When You Wish Upon A Star" (5:49), "Halfway Down The Stairs" (2:12), "Everybody Sleeps"
(3:38), "Sleep Is A Precious Thing" (4:54), "Hushabye Mountain" (4:14), and "Slumber My
Darling" (2:27). 54 min., 47 sec.
Are You Listening?
The Not-Its!
Little Loopy Records
www.wearethenot-its.com/shop
$10.00 www.amazon.com
The sixth studio album by family-friendly indie rock band The Not-Its!, Are You Listening? is a
lively, cheerful selection of songs with witty, carefree lyrics that mix humor with a high-energy
beat. All ages can enjoy these get-up-and-move tunes, perfect for playing at car trips, family
parties, and more. Inspired by finding the fun in everyday life, Are You Listening is highly
recommended. The tracks are "Dance With Me" (2:14), "Donce with the Science Fair" (2:50),
"Washington DC" (3:31), "Granddad Is a Spy" (2:18), "Don't Fear the Dentist" (2:14), "Traffic
Jam" (3:30), "Bird on a Wire" (3:33), "Kid of the Week" (2:44), "Brain Freeze" (3:38), and
"Bring Your Friends" (3:09).
I Chew
Hullabaloo Band
Hullabaloo Music
www.hullabalooband.com
$12.00 CD / $9.99 digital www.cdbaby.com
I Chew is the twelfth children's music CD by award-winning duo Hullabaloo, brimming with
their unique style of wordplay, humor, and heart. The titular song "I Chew" is in honor of a panda
named Gao-Gao at San Diego Zoo, who chewed so much bamboo that his teeth are worn down
to almost nothing. A wide variety of guest artists contribute to "I Wear Pink", a song about giving
children the freedom to express their individuality. All the songs share Hullabaloo's upbeat,
lively sense of wonder. I Chew is just plain fun to share on car trips or children's gatherings;
highly recommended. The tracks are "Birthday Fish" (1:16), "Senator John Arthur Clydesdale III"
(0:57), "I Chew" (1:07), "Air-O-Plane" (1:13), "I Can't Let It Go" (1:39), "I Wear Pink" (2:06),
"Day 16" (1:46), "Worm With Wings" (0:33), "Lucky Stars" (0:57), "Flowers On My Shirt"
(1:58), "Yodel In My Head" (1:22), "Boring" (0:34), "Shake, Shake, Shake" (1:30), "Waterfront"
(1:45), "You Are Loved" (1:04), and "You Are Loved (Reprise)" (1:16). 22 min.
The Christian Shelf
The Lion Comic Book Hero Bible
Siku, Richard Thomas, Jeff Anderson
Lion Hudson
c/o Kregel Publications
2450 Oak Industrial Drive, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
www.kregel.com
9780745956176, $19.95, HC, 192pp, www.amazon.com
The story of the Bible is a unique tale of origins and cosmic powers; of the ageless battle between
good and evil; of human potential and human treachery; and of a Messiah -- a savior for the
world. This is indeed the stuff that graphic novels are made of. Superheroes are the biggest comic
genre of all, with many heroes having their origins in biblical characterization and imagery. "The
Lion Comic Book Hero Bible" is the first Bible retelling to engage with the superhero genre and
is a dynamic expression of the Bible's depth and power, produced in the style of Marvel Comics.
You've heard of Spiderman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. Now meet Earthman, Lawman,
Warrior Man, and many others. With dynamic illustration using a range of styles, Siku (Old
Testament) and Jeff Anderson (New Testament) bring the Bible stories alive for a new and
graphically sophisticated generation. Presenting the Bible in the format of a graphic novel, "The
Lion Comic Book Hero Bible" is very highly recommended for readers of all ages, but especially
children ages 12 to 18. Indeed, "The Lion Comic Book Hero Bible" is certain to be an enduringly
popular addition to personal, family, church and community library Christian Studies
collections.
Make Room
Laura Alary, author
Ann Boyajian, illustrator
Paraclete Press
P.O. Box 1568, Orleans, MA 02653
9781612616599, $15.99, www.paracletepress.com
"Make Room: A Child's Guide to Lent and Easter" is a lovely Christian education text to help
children understand the significance of Lent and Easter. Lent begins on February 10 this year, a
close proximity to the joyous season of Advent and Epiphany. Such a short time between major
holidays can make it difficult for children to grasp all that is being remembered and celebrated in
the Christian calendar. "Make Room: A Child's Guide to Lent and Easter" helps children
understand and prepare for Lent. Without talking down to kids of any age, "Make Room"
conveys the importance of making time, space and room in our lives to be with God. The forty
days of Lent are important to examine our choices, our lives, and whether what we say and do
each day helps to make the world a better place. "Make Room" encourages children to take time
to think and pray, saying '"The Kingdom of God is inside you." But it needs time and space to
grow. (p. 12)' Children are encouraged to tell God they are sorry if they have done wrong, to be
kind, to let angry thoughts go, and to forgive others. They are encouraged to go through their
belongings and give away toys and clothing they no longer need for others to use. This is another
exercise in making space. They are invited to pray the Lord's Prayer. Other activity ideas for Lent
include making pretzel-like twisted rolls to remind them of crossed arms in prayer, or to plant
seeds and wait for them to sprout. Children are encouraged to save money, plan and eat simple
meals. " Lent is a time for emptying, for sharing, for giving away. It is good to make space. (p.
21)" The example of Jesus, who invited all kinds of people to the table, is paramount. It is a time
to try to see others and act as we think Jesus would act. Finally, the significance of the days of
Holy Week, including the Last Supper, (Maundy Thursday), Good Friday and the Passion of
Jesus, and Easter Sunday and the resurrection are explored. "Make Room: A Child's Guide to
Lent and Easter" is a wise children's book that gently explains some of the complexities of the
whole season of Lent in moving, expressive words, inviting the searching and sharing and
cleansing of our souls that are never too early to begin, or too late to start. Sensitively illustrated
with seasonal images and explanations of the significance of liturgical colors of purple and white,
"Make Room" guides a child's awareness of the season of sacrifice and prayer through familiar
images of daily life as well as historical references to the life of Jesus.
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Sounds of the Savanna
Terry Catasus Jennings, author
Phyllis Saroff, illustrator
Arbordale Publishing
612 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Suite A2, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
www.arbordalepublishing.com
9781628556322, $17.95, www.amazon.com
"Sounds of the Savanna" is a sensory exploration of the world of communication patterns of
night and day sounds that are made by creatures of the African savanna. An exciting sequence of
described sounds, scenes, and actions unroll, bringing a day and night on the African savanna to
life on the pages. Some of the sounds described are a lion's roar, the pounding hoofbeats of
wildebeests, the trumpeting of elephants, the danger/alert signal cries of the vervet monkeys, the
shrieks and grunts of a troop of baboons, the whinnying of zebras, the squeals of a spiny mouse,
the high pitched sounds of the yellow-winged bat, and the soft contented purr of lion cubs when
their mother brings home meat for them to eat. Then it is night, and once again all is quiet on the
savanna. "Sounds of the Savanna" presents many animal noises as communication efforts, and in
the added For Creative Minds Section, further explores the definition of sound waves. There are
suggested activities called Sound Experiments, and Make Vibrations, plus causes and reasons for
High squeaks and low rumbles. A sorting game is last, with pictures of animals of prey and
numbered statements naming and describing the animal. "Sounds of the Savanna" is an excellent
educational book for children in elementary to middle grades.
Camas & Sage
Dorothy Hinshaw Patent
Mountain Press Publishing Company
PO Box 2399, Missoula, MT 59806
9780878426416, $12.00, www.mountain-press.com
Camas & Sage: A Story of Bison Life on the Prairie is illustrated by Christina Wald and follows
Camas the bison calf from birth to adulthood through several years on the prairie. As she grows
and experiences the seasons, young readers learn about not only bison natural history, but how
they were important to Native American life. Good reading skills or adult assistance will lend
enjoyment to the detailed descriptions, which read like fiction but pack in bison natural history
facts.
The World History Shelf
In the Fields and the Trenches
Kerrie Logan Hollihan
Chicago Review Press
814 North Franklin Street, Chicago, IL 60610
www.chicagoreviewpress.com
c/o Independent Publishers Group (dist.)
814 North Franklin Street, Chicago, IL 60610
www.ipgbook.com
9781613731307, $19.95, HC, 208pp, www.amazon.com
When it started, many thought the Great War of 1914-1918 would be a great adventure. Yet, as
those who saw it up close learned, it was anything but. "In the Fields and the Trenches: The
Famous and the Forgotten on the Battlefields of World War I" by Kerrie Logan Hollihan traces
the stories of eighteen young idealists swept into the brutal conflict, many of whom would go on
to become well-known 20th-century figures in film, science, politics, literature, and business.
Writer J. R. R. Tolkien was a signals officer with the British Expeditionary Force and fought at
the Battle of the Somme. Scientist Irene Curie helped her mother, Marie, run twenty X-ray units
for French field hospitals. Actor Buster Keaton left Hollywood after being drafted into the army's
40th Infantry Division. And all four of Theodore Roosevelt's sons (Kermit, Archibald, Quentin,
and Theodore III) and his daughter Ethel served in Europe, though one of them did not return. "In
the Fields and the Trenches" chronicles the lives of heroes, cowards, comics, and villains (some
famous, some not) who participated in this life-changing event. Extensive original material, from
letters sent from the front to personal journals, brings these men and women back to life. And
though their stories are a century old, they convey modern, universal themes of love, death,
power, greed, courage, hate, fear, family, friendship, and sacrifice. Very highly recommended for
young readers ages 12 and up, "In the Fields and the Trenches" is especially appropriate for
school and community library 20th Century Military History reference collections. It should be
noted for personal reading lists that "In the Fields and the Trenches" is also available in a Kindle
edition ($15.01).
Echoes from World War II
50 students, ages 9-14
The Grannie Annie Family Story Celebration
PO Box 11343, St. Louis, MO 63105
www.TheGrannieAnnie.org
9780996939454, $14.95, PB, 134pp, www.amazon.com
The forty-six family stories comprising "Echoes from World War II: Young Writers Sharing
Family Stories" are remembered and written by students age nine through fourteen, enhanced
with illustrations by students in grades 4 to 8, and are true life stories family experiences drawn
from Second World War battlefields, prison camps, and homes in twenty countries around the
world. Passed down through generations, these compelling stories honor family members who
courageously faced their challenges -- many bravely living out their beliefs and celebrating their
blessings. Sharing these stories sends echoes of inspiration, strength, and courage throughout our
world today. Simply stated, "Echoes from World War II" is a unique and highly recommended
addition to school and community library 20th Century Military History collections and could
well serve as a template for similar works by other groups of children around the country.
The Fiction Shelf
The Snow Car
Arthur Brood, author
Lindsey Bergsma, illustrator
Class Act Productions
www.classactproductions.us
9780979485114 $7.50 pbk / $TBA ebook www.amazon.com
The Snow Car is a novel written especially for "reluctant reader" young boys; chapters are
deliberately kept brief (3 to 7 pages each), and enhanced with "Did You Know?" fun facts about
cars. Set in the fall of 1912, The Snow Car follows eleven-year-old Henry's adventures. When it
seems that an early snowfall will keep the Model T automobile confined to the barn for the
duration of winter, Henry has an innovative idea that could enable him to drive it in spite of
season. Henry is well-known for his off-the-wall ideas, but when an outbreak of influenza
cripples the town, could Henry's plan for the Model T help others in their hour of greatest need?
A story about dreams, gumption, hard work, and courage, The Snow Car is a choice pick for
public and school library YA fiction collections, highly recommended. "The Snow Car" is a
sequel to "The Mud Hole" (9780979485107, $6.99) but the two novels do not need to be read in
order; each story is complete by itself.
Etched in Lies
A. M. Hughes
Lodestone Books
c/o John Hunt Publishing, Ltd.
Laurel House, Station Approach, Alresford, Hants, SO24 9JH, UK
www.johnhuntpublishing.com
9781782799566, $12.95, PB, 248pp, www.amazon.com
It looked like a paper cut, but sixteen-year-old Dylan Lord is discovering just how painful lies
can be. Every lie she tells or hears causes physical pain. It isn't coincidence this started with Jack.
He's there to teach her to be a "Fide"; to feel and heal lies. She wants to believe nothing is
happening. A letter opener sliced her hand, not her mother's "I love you." The cuts opening on
her arms as she walks through her high school were already there, but it's not working. Every
wound she suffers Jack does too. When a lie rips open across Dylan's stomach, she must admit
she isn't fine. She never asked for this. She doesn't want to be a walking lie detector, but not all
lies can be covered with Band-Aids. The lies she hasn't fixed are spreading across her body, and
she isn't the only one suffering. Jack is growing weaker. She has to hear the truth to heal. If she
doesn't hear the truth soon, someone is going to die. A carefully crafted novel, "Etched in Lies" is
an absolutely absorbing read from beginning to end and clearly establishes author A. M. Hughes
as an exceptionally talented writer. Very highly recommended for high school and community
library YA Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Etched in Lies"
is also available in a Kindle edition ($6.29).
Inherit the Stars
Tessa Elwood
Running Press
c/o Perseus Book Group
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500, New York, NY 10107
www.runningpress.com
9780762458400, $9.99, PB, 304pp, www.amazon.com
As the youngest daughter of the House of Fane, Asa lives every day of her life in honor of both,
for herself and her people. But as her kingdom's food and energy crisis peaks, Asa must find
more to fuel Fane's survival. Taking the place of her older sister in an arranged marriage with
Eagle, the heir to the prosperous House of Westlet, seems like a straightforward solution. Forging
an unforeseen bond, however, leads to an unavoidable division of loyalties. One simple truth lies
at the heart of the matter, and only Asa can decide which one to tell. Exceptionally well written
and an inherently absorbing read from beginning to end, "Inherit the Stars" is author Tessa
Elwood's impressive debut as a novelist and very highly recommended for school and community
library YA Fiction collections. For personal reading lists it should be noted for young readers
ages 13 to 18 that "Inherit the Stars" is also available in a Kindle edition ($6.99).
Through Flood and Fire
Anne Patton
Coteau Books
2517 Victoria Avenue, Regina, SK, Canada, S4P 0T2
www.coteaubooks.com
9781550506402, $9.95, PB, 192pp, www.amazon.com
After traveling thousands of miles, Dorothy Bolton is still getting used to her new home in
Canada, and on the prairies no less. The Barr Colonists who arrived with Dorothy and her family
are getting restless. Fire and flood consume homes and resources, and many promises made to
them before leaving England have proven false. But Dorothy's father has always dreamed of
having his own farm. So, with the help of Dorothy, her family and a community that comes
together despite their different backgrounds, the Boltons set out to create a life for themselves on
the vast prairie landscape. "Through Flood and Fire" by Anne Patton is an impressively crafted
and fully entertaining novel written specifically for young readers ages 9 to 12, and students in
grades 4, 5, and 6. Certain to be an enduringly popular addition for school and community library
Juvenile Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Through Flood and
Fire" is also available in a Kindle edition ($3.48).
Charlie Bingham Gets Clocked
Maggie M. Larche
Leopold Press
www.maggiemlarche.com
9780692550373, $5.99, PB, 132pp, www.amazon.com
Featherbrained, lovable Charlie Bingham just wants a peaceful day at school with Miss Walker,
the teacher he loves. But when his best pal Brad accidentally steals Miss Walker's prize
possession, an antique alarm clock, things get messy. Pretty soon, Charlie, Brad, and their friend
Alyssa are racing to return the clock without being caught in a madcap adventure that's full of
laughs! "Charlie Bingham Gets Clocked" by Maggie Larche is an exceptionally well written and
rollicking great read from beginning to end. Very highly recommended for children ages 7 to 12
and certain to be an enduringly popular addition to both school and community library
collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Charlie Bingham Gets Clocked" is
also available in a Kindle edition ($2.99).
The Wolf and the Shield
Sherry Weaver Smith, author
Nicholas McNally, illustrator
Pauline Books & Media
50 St. Paul's Avenue, Boston, MA 02130-3433
9780819883568, $10.95, PB, 128pp, www.amazon.com
Kieran is braver and stronger than most eleven-year-old boys. And ever since his father's death,
he's been doing his best to take care of his mother and little brother. In fifth-century Ireland,
though, there aren't many options. When Kieran rescues a wolf pup and meets Saint Patrick, his
choices become even more difficult. Should he leave home to join Carrick's warriors? Will
someone discover the wolf he's been hiding and kill it? But the hardest question for Kieran to
answer is the one Patrick had asked him on a moonlit night: What does your heart hunt for? Join
Kieran as he cares for an orphaned wolf pup and searches for a shield strong enough to protect
everything-and everyone-he loves. Filled with well-researched facts about the people, animals,
and customs of fifth-century Ireland, "The Wolf and the Shield" is deftly written and nicely
illustrated historical adventure story for children ages 7-10. Very highly recommended for school
and community library General Fiction collections for young readers, it should be noted for
personal reading lists that "The Wolf and the Shield" is also available in a Kindle edition
($10.95).
Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics
Chris Grabenstein
Random House
c/o Random House Children's Books
1745 Broadway, 10-1, New York, NY 10019
www.randomhouse.com/kids
9780553510409, $16.99, www.randomhousekids.com
Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics provides a fine sequel to Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's
Library and returns Kyle and his teammates to a new dilemma as game maker Luigi Lemoncello
invites teams from across America to compete in the Library Olympics. When books begin to go
missing from his library, the kids must join together - as well as readers - to follow clues and
puzzles that led to solutions. Both prior fans and newcomers will find this packed with satisfying
suspense and engrossing twists and turns.
Elemental Island
Kathy Hoopmann
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
400 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
9781849056588, $19.95, www.jkp.com
Readers age 8-13 will find an unusual and compelling read in Elemental Island, which tells of
Astie, who has always been different from others. Her 12th birthday is about to arrive and she
still hasn't made some important decisions - and is about to be diagnosed with Social Syndrome,
until her chance encounter with a stranger in a flight machine introduces her to a strange new
world. This captivating story of a young girl with Aspergers offers a first-person account that
realistically portrays the world of a confused preteen.
Clarion Books
c/o Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003
www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com
Eve Bunting's Forbidden (9780544390928, $17.99) tells of teen Josie, who has just lost both her
parents and is sent to Scotland to live with a previously-unknown aunt and uncle in a small town,
where everyone is distant and hostile. So when Eli appears and is kind to her, Josie is attracted to
him despite warnings that he's forbidden. What secrets are being kept in the town? A terrible
truth emerges that will change her life. Virginia Zimmerman's The Rosemary Spell
(9780544445376, $16.99) tells of Rosemary and Adam, who find books an important part of
their lives and who agree on most everything - until one old book is discovered that seems to
change its contents. Is it magic? The book connects to a dangerous memory that holds the power
to transform their lives and when Adam's older sister vanishes, it's up to Rosemary and Adam to
probe the book's true powers to bring her back. A powerful mystery and supernatural thriller
evolves. Sarah Beth Durst's The Girl Who Could Not Dream (9780344464971, $16.99) tells of
Sophie, who loves the hidden shop beneath her parents' bookstore where dreams are bought and
sold to strangers. Sophie's attraction to this world partially stems from the fact that she has never
dreamed once; but when the shop's dreams are stolen and her parents are missing, she must tackle
both family secrets and her own limitations to answer many long-held questions. Teens will find
it filled with unexpected twists, and hard to put down.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003
www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com
www.hmhco.com
Middle school readers will relish a different kind of story in Mary Downing Hahn's Where I
Belong (9780544540668, $6.99), which tells of a talented young artist whose teachers and
classmates bully him, and whose foster mother doesn't support his goals. His hidden tree house
retreat in the woods is the only thing that gives him a sense of place and freedom - until he's
brutally attacked and the feeling of being in a protected sanctuary vanishes. It's an enchanted
forest where anything can happen - the good, and the bad. Katherine Paterson's The Same Stuff
as Stars (9780544540309, $6.99) tells of Angel Morgan, whose dad is in hail and those mother
has left her and her little brother Bernie at their great-grandmother's old Vermont farmhouse.
Grandma can barely care for herself let alone two kids - so Angel, not yet twelve, is forced to
take charge of everyone. How can she reach a better place? A stranger might hold the key. A
beautiful story of survival and growth is enhanced by a celestial theme and a girl's desire to do
more than exist.
Scholastic, Inc.
557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012-3999
www.scholastic.com
Allan Woodrow's Class Dismissed (9780545800716, $16.99) outlines the dilemmas faced by
Class 507, the worst class Ms. Bryce has ever taught. In fact, they're so bad that she quits
teaching in the middle of a lesson and walks out - which means that the class is teacher-free,
when the office doesn't find out. As long as nobody snitches, they can remain so - but keeping a
teacherless class a secret proves more challenging than they could imagine as a series of disasters
test their ability to work together, keep a secret, and have fun despite it all. A fine middle school
read evolves into an unusually whimsical story that's also recommended for advanced
elementary-level readers. Edwidge Danticat's Untwine (9780545423038, $16.99) tells of
sixteen-year-old identical twins who are close, especially and even as they family faces divorce.
When disaster strikes, one twin is forced to take a closer look at her life, relationships, and
choices if she is ever to find peace and recovery and understand the real connections between
herself and her twin sister. Alyssa Sheinmel's Faceless (9780545676014, $17.99) explores what
happens when a teen who is out jogging one morning experiences a freak accident, loses her face,
and qualifies for a rare new medical treatment that will give her back a changed identity. Maise
knows who she is - a girl who runs track, does well at school, and loves her boyfriend and her
best friend. Now everything's changed, and she must re-invent herself and create a new, different
life in the process. Faceless is a riveting novel that's hard to put down, and will draw both high
school and adult readers with its captivating saga. Brian Selznick's The Marvels
(9780545448680, $32.99) is a weighty read recommended for mature teens to adults. Well over
six hundred pages pack in two stand-alone stories: the first told through nearly four hundred
pages of continuous black and white pictures; the second in prose. Gilt edging wraps a book that
begins on a ship at sea in 1866 when Billy Marvel survives a shipwreck and finds work in
London, where his family makes a name in the acting business for generations, and moves to
1900, when a young actor is banished from the stage. Nearly a century later a runaway seeking
refuge with his uncle in London uncovers a strange house, ghosts from the past, and a story that
leads him to search out the truths of his own hidden heritage. All are fine young adult reads.
Scholastic, Inc.
557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012-3999
www.scholastic.com
Two fine new titles are recommended picks for kids who have moved past the picture book level
into chapter books, but who still look for easier readers. Kevin Sherry's The Yeti Files: Monsters
on the Run (9780545556194, $8.99) tells of a lonely Loch Ness monster who is seeking a friend.
But when Blizz and his team time-travel millions of years into the past in search of a sea monster
buddy, they uncover more than enough trouble during the search. Black and white full-page
cartoon-style illustrations on every page document a funny set of encounters. DavPilkey's twelfth
novel in the Captain Underpants series, The Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-a-Lot
(9780545504928, $9.99) tells of George, Harold, and their doubles Yesterday George and
Yesterday Harold, who switch roles between school and play so nobody gets stuck doing too
much drudge work - until a nasty gym teacher's mind control talents change their fellow students
into obedient drones. It's up to the fabulous four to confront her world-changing and dangerous
skills in this latest fine Captain Underpants adventure, which includes full-page black and white
cartoon drawings throughout.
The Dance Shelf
How They Became Famous Dancers
Anne Dunkin
CreateSpace
4900 LaCross Rd., North Charleston, SC 29406
www.createspace.com
9781508554035, $13.95, PB, 136pp, www.amazon.com
Anne Dunkin has been a dance educator for most of her life. As a professional dancer, she
co-founded her own company, Qwindo's Window, which introduced dance to thousands of young
people and their teachers throughout the eastern/midwestern United States for twelve years.
Specifically written for young readers, "How They Became Famous Dancers: A Dancing
History" Annie tells the story of twelve famous dancers (six women and six men) from different
parts of the world. Spanning the seventeenth into the twenty-first centuries, each biographical
sketch is placed within the subject's historical and cultural context. The dancers include: Louis
XIV, John Durang, Marie Taglioni, William Henry 'Juba' Lane, Anna Pavlova, Rudolf Laban,
Doris Humphrey, Michio Ito, Mrinalini Sarabhai, Pearl Primus, Amalia Hernandez, and Arthur
Mitchell. Of special note is that each individual chapter includes "Create a Dance" giving young
readers the opportunity to dance themselves based on each dancer's style. A unique and
impressively written, organized and presented history of dance, "How They Became Famous
Dancers" is very highly recommended for both school and community library collections. For
personal reading lists it should be noted that "How They Became Famous Dancers" is also
available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
A Dragon's Guide to the Care and Feeding of Humans
Laurence Yep and Joanne Ryder, author
Illustrations by Mary Grandpre
Yearling
c/o Random House Children's Books
1745 Broadway, 10-1, New York, NY 10019
9780385392310 $6.99 pbk
9780385392303 $10.99 ebook www.randomhouse.com/kids
Now available in both paperback and ebook editions, A Dragon's Guide to the Care and Feeding
of Humans is a fantasy novel and the first collaboration of award-winning author Laurence Yep,
and award-winning nature writer Joanne Ryder. Although the reading level is intended especially
for young people ages 8-12, the unique humor and fairy-tale twists of A Dragon's Guide to the
Care and Feeding of Humans have a strong appeal to all ages! The seemingly mundane city of
San Francisco is home to fantastic hidden creatures as well as ordinary humans; one of these is
the ill-tempered, seemingly immortal Miss Drake, who cherishes humans as pets. But Miss
Drake's latest human, a strong-willed ten-year-old girl named Winnie, seems to think that Miss
Drake is a pet! Can a cross-species friendship blossom amid such pride and prejudice? When
Winnie's sketchbook drawings suddenly come to life and wreak mischief, both Winnie's
intelligence and Miss Drake's magic are vital to clearing up the potential chaos! Lighthearted and
just plain fun, A Dragon's Guide to the Care and Feeding of Humans is highly recommended for
dragon fans everywhere, and public or high school library YA fantasy collections in
particular.
Zoonauts: The Secret of Animalville - Far Beyond the Wild
Richard Mueller
www.zoonauts.com
AuthorHouse
1663 Liberty Drive, Suite 200, Bloomington, IN 47403-5161
www.authorhouse.com
9781496962812 $27.99 hc
9781496962805 $16.95 pbk / $4.99 Kindle www.amazon.com
First in a series intended for young adults ages 8-13, Zoonauts: The Secret of Animalville - Far
Beyond the Wild is a fantastic adventure about super-empowered animals, each based on the
real-life animals who pioneered the international space program. Together, the Zoonauts travel to
different cultures and continents, all the while fighting to protect humanity from an alien
invasion, led by the dragon-like Scout Pilots Kornblend and Fishwick. Upbeat and exciting,
Zoonauts seamlessly weaves educational material into the adventure, subtly encouraging young
readers to learn more about science, technology, engineering, and math. Highly
recommended!
Wondry Dragon Finds a Home
Joan Marie Verba
FTL Publications
PO Box 1363, Minnetonka, MN 55345-0363
www.ftlpublications.com
9781936881444, $6.87, PB, 66pp, www.amazon.com
Do you like dragons? The follow the adventures of Wondry Dragon as she finds a new home
with her new human friend, Rhea in Joan Marie Verba's delightful story, "Wondry Dragon Finds
a Home". Rhea and her mom and dad have never had a dragon in the house before, and they all
learn what Wondry can and cannot do. Rhea and Wondry play together, help out their neighbors
-- and try to stay out of trouble. Rhea can never tell what Wondry will do next because Wondry is
always surprising her with what dragons can do. Wondry will surprise young readers ages 6 to 8
as well! A children's chapter book story suitable for students in grades 1-3, "Wondry Dragon
Finds a Home" is very highly recommended for both community and elementary school libraries.
For children's personal reading lists it should be noted that "Wondry Dragon Finds a Home" is
also available in a Kindle edition ($2.99).
The Midnight Games
David Neil Lee
Wolsak and Wynn Publishers Ltd.
280 James Street North, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, L8R 2L3
www.wolsakandwynn.ca
9781894987967, $12.00, PB, 200pp, www.amazon.com
When Nate sneaks into Ivor Wynne Stadium to check out the midnight games that are keeping
his neighborhood up at night, he knew something wasn't right, but he had no idea how strange,
and deadly, things would be. It turned out that Nate had snuck into one of the rituals of the
Resurrection Church of the Ancients, and soon his days and nights are dogged by ancient books,
giant centipedes and geometric curses that bring death down upon you in the form of glowing
hounds. "The Midnight Games" is a thrilling young adult novel, set in gritty, post-industrial
Hamilton. Author David Neil Lee blends the rich horror of H. P. Lovecraft with the pace of a
modern mystery. "The Midnight Games" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to
school and community library YA Fiction collections for young readers ages 12 to 18.
The Wish Twister
Devi Anderson Anton
Whimsiquill Books
www.whimsiquill.net
9780985908959, $7.99, PB, 140pp, www.amazon.com
Finn Grant just wants to dodge school bullies and get home to his new sleuth game, Haunted
Holmes, but then he finds a most peculiar card for his 11th birthday--an eye mysteriously appears
on the cover, along with an urgent appeal for help. When a door in the illustration opens, Finn
taps it and he's whisked to the magical land of Capriliya--and to his first real case. Someone has
stolen a wish-fulfilling machine and wished people gone, and Finn must find the disappeared and
solve the mystery before the thief creates even worse disasters. As Finn and his friends follow the
trail of clues, the culprit swiftly gains unlimited power, vaporizing or warping cities. The case
seems hopeless. Finn is stumped--how can he discover the identity of the demolisher, outsmart
him and stop him before the catastrophes spread to Finn's own world? "The Wish Twister" is a
wonderfully entertaining and magical adventure story specifically written by Devi Anderson
Anton for children ages 7 to 12. Very highly recommended for both school and community
library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Wish Twister" is also
available in a Kindle edition ($2.99).
Passenger
Alexandra Bracken
Hyperion
c/o Hyperion Books for Children
114 Fifth Avenue, 14th floor, New York, NY 10011
www.disneyhyperionbooks.com
9781484715772, $17.99, www.hyperionteens.com
Passenger opens a new series of time-traveling adventure and tells of a teen violin prodigy who is
drawn back into time and into a new world and who faces a mysterious stranger sent to bring her
back. Nicholas seems to know all the answers to the time travel scenario, and introduces yet
another time traveler who holds a valuable object they must obtain. Present and past evens,
clearly marked by chapter headings, dissolve into one another in this engrossing timeslip saga
recommended for mature teens to adult readers.
The Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle
Janet Fox
Viking Penguin
c/o Penguin Young Readers Group
345 Hudson Street, 15th floor, New York, NY 10014
http://us.penguingroup.com
9780451476333, $16.99, www.penguin.com
What is the mystery surrounding The Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle? At first
twelve-year-old Katherine Bateson believes there are likely logical reasons for what's happening
at Rookskill Castle, where she and her siblings have been sent to escape the London Blitz. But
given ghosts, nighttime shrieks, an overbearing castle mistress, and the ongoing disappearance of
classmates, it soon turns out that much more is going on than mortal minds can comprehend.
Add a clockwork evil sorceress and a series of dangerous truths and you have a compelling saga
that's hard to put down and nearly impossible to predict.
The Self-Help Shelf
Grieving for the Sibling You Lost
Erica Goldblatt Hyatt, DSW
Instant Help Books
c/o New Harbinger Press
5674 Shattuck Avenue, Oakland, CA 94609
www.newharbinger.com
9781626252493 $16.95 pbk / $8.99 Kindle www.amazon.com
Erica Goldblatt Hyatt, DSW (assistant professor and dept. chair of psychology, Bryn Athyn
College) presents Grieving for the Sibling You Lost: A Teen's Guide to Coping with Grief &
Finding Meaning After Loss, a helpful guide written especially for teenagers. Chapters speak
directly to young adults, and cover matters such as the symptoms of grief, understanding coping
styles, and much more. "It's always helpful to be open to what others are thinking and feeling and
to support them in whatever they're going through. But that doesn't mean you have to believe
their perspective represents some sort of absolute truth." Measured, compassionate, and fully
grounded in modern psychology as well as everyday wisdom, Grieving for the Sibling You Lost
is highly recommended especially for school and public library collections.
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Crime Cats: Missing
Written and illustrated by Wolfgang Parker
Edited by Michele Doughty
Rogue Agent Publishing
crimecatsbooks.com
9780615984698 $8.99 pbk / $2.99 Kindle www.amazon.com
The first novel in the "Crime Cats" mystery series written especially for young readers ages eight
to twelve, Crime Cats: Missing is about Jonas Shurmann, an eight-year-old boy with an amazing
superpower - he can hear what cats are saying! Cats are vanishing all over the neighborhood, and
at first Jonas doesn't care because he has his own problems (such as having to wear a ridiculous
chicken costume to his class Halloween party). But when Jonas' power awakens, he makes
friends with two feline detectives CatBob and Neil Higgins; all three of them grow concerned
about the missing cats. Their search takes them to a haunted mansion - is there a ghost of a
chance that the disappeared cats can be rescued? A handful of black-and-white illustrations
enliven this spooky mystery-adventure, with an underlying moral about the importance of
compassion and empathy. Highly recommended as a gift for young cat lovers, and for public and
school library children's fiction collections! Additional novels in this ailurophile series include
"Crime Cats: The Dusenbury Curse" (9780692318065, $8.99 pbk / $2.99 Kindle) and "Crime
Cats: The Deadly Scarab" (9780692562277, $9.50 pbk). A portion of the profit from each new
copy of "Crime Cats" sold will go to the Crime Cats Relief Fund, a private charity that dispenses
grants to help with medical care expenses for Clintonville's community cats.
The Environmental Shelf
National Geographic Kids National Parks Guide U.S.A., Centennial Edition
Sarah Wassner Flynn and Julie Beer
National Geographic Kids
1145 17th Street N.W.
Washington, DC, 20036-4688
www.nationalgeographic.com
9781426323157 $24.90 library binding
9781426323140 $14.99 pbk www.amazon.com
Released in a special "Centennial Edition" celebrating the 100th anniversary of America's
national parks, National Geographic Kids National Parks Guide U.S.A. is a fantastic tour of
parks and preserves across the United States, with striking full-color photography of natural
scenes or wildlife on almost every page. Intended for young readers ages 8-12, National
Geographic Kids National Parks Guide U.S.A. encompasses history, trivia, appreciation for
nature, and a vast array of government or public websites where enquiring minds can learn more.
A choice pick for public and school library young adult nonfiction collections!
Books in Series
Inventing the Internet
Cynthia Kennedy Henzel, author
The Child's World
1980 Lookout Drive, Mankato, MN 56003
9781634074575, $28.50, 24pp, www.childsworld.com
"Inventing the Internet" is a photo-illustrated educational resource about the source, invention,
and impact of the internet, for young readers age 7-8 and up. Tracing the early beginnings of the
internet and computers to the 1950's, important inventors mentioned are J.C. R. Lickliker, Paul
Baran, and Donald Davies. Together their ideas moved forward the early computer network of
communication systems, developed through ARPA in the U. S. (Advanced Research Projects
Agency). From ARPAnet to internet traces the early development of information sharing through
routing on small computers called nodes. Eventually the names of Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs
are introduced, along with their Apple II computer system (1977). Steve Case also pioneered the
idea of social media, and America On Line (AOL) in the late 1980's. But in 1991 a talented
Swiss inventor named Berners-Lee created the World Wide Web, which is different from the
Internet. The Internet connects computers, while the Web connects people. Berners-Lee did not
sell his invention or make money from it. He gave it to the world. Further developments trace the
beginning of Web browsers, blogs, and the Google system, invented by Larry Page and Sergey
Brin, students at Stanford University. Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger started the Web site
Wikipedia, like a free encyclopedia online. Tiny chips now contain complex computers, and have
changed the way of communicating all things now and into the future. "Inventing the Internet"
has a Glossary page at the end, plus a list of related books and web sites for further information.
Other titles from this innovative juvenile Momentum series that are highly recommended
include: "Inventing the Skateboard" (9781634074599, 28.50), by Christine Zuchora-Walske,
"Inventing the Snowboard" (9781634074605, 28.50), by Carolee Lane, "Inventing the
Television" (9781634074612, 28.50), by Carolee Lane, "Inventing the Video Game"
(9781634074629, 28.50), by Heather Adamson, "Inventing the Cell Phone" (9781634074551,
28.50), by Jodie Mangor, "Inventing the Hybrid Car" (9781634074568, 28.50), by Christine
Petersen, and "Inventing the Personal Computer" (9781634074582, 28.50), by Angie
Smibert.
The Year of the Monkey
Oliver Chin, author
Kenji Ono, illustrator
Immedium
PO Box 31846, San Francisco, CA 94131
www.immedium.com
c/o Consortium (dist.)
1045 Westgate Drive, Suite 90, St. Paul, MN 55114
www.cbsd.com
9781597021180 $15.95 hc / $9.59 Kindle www.amazon.com
The Year of the Monkey is the eleventh picturebook in the "Tales from the Chinese Zodiac"
series about the animals of the Chinese Zodiac (each of which is identified with a year and
certain personality traits), and the features bilingual English and Chinese text. The cheerful story
follows young Max, child of the legendary Monkey King and his devoted Queen. Max attends
school, where in addition to learning how to study (a challenging task), he also discovers the joy
of sports - including a unique sport called "Jianzi", or shuttlecock. The sport involves hitting a
feathered weight back and forth over a net, but using one's hands is not allowed! Max practices
his skill, and learns how to play as a team with a human boy; together, they decide to test their
limits at a Jianzi tournament! Exuberant color illustrations of both humans and anthropomorphic
animals pepper this lighthearted, can-do adventure about finding inner strength and
wholeheartedly pursuing one's passions.
How Do Animals Communicate?
Sara Howell, author
Britannica Educational Publishing
Rosen Educational Services
29 East 21st Street, New York, NY 10010
9781680480054, $14.95, 32pp, www.rosenpublishing.com 32 pages
"How Do Animals Communicate?" is a color photo-illustrated junior educational volume about
different ways animals communicate. From the series "Let's Find Out! Animal Life," this handy
educational text presents fascinating information and observations about animal communication
patterns such as using their voices and bodies to make recognized sounds and signals. Different
animals, such as or ca whales and white -crowned sparrow also use different dialects. Patterns of
color on feathers and fur are other ways animals and birds communicate with each other. Cobras
use a certain posture with neck hoods flared to communicate threat to other animals. Fireflies use
flashing light patterns, and many mammals use grooming and touch to strengthen bonds of
friendship or family. Animals also use scent, and pheromones to communicate territory or
availability to each other. Humans and animals have also established ways of communicating,
especially with dogs and domesticated mammals. Animal expression can be divided into four
types: sound, touch, scent, and display/movement. Colorful photographs and informative
sidebars aid this attractive presentation. A helpful Glossary is provided at the end, plus a section
of resources titled For More Information. "How Do Animals Communicate?" is an excellent
resource for students in grades 2-5. Also highly recommended are the following titles in the same
series: "How Have Animals Evolved and Adapted?" (9781622759965, 14.95), by Jennifer A.
Swanson, "How Do Animals Hunt and Feed?" (9781680480153, 14.95), by Jeanne Nagle, "What
Is Animal Migration?" (9781680480108, 14.95), by Therese Shea, "What Is Animal
Camouflage?" (9781680480009, 14.95), by Erin Staley, and "What Is Animal Behavior?"
(9781622759910, 14.95), by Monique Vescia.
Riddle Rhymes
D. J. Panec, author
Treasure Bay
P.O. Box 119, Novato, CA 94948
9781601152770 (hardcover), $9.95, www.WeBothRead.com
"Riddle Rhymes" is a pre-K to K level book for use with children who are readers or pre-readers.
From the We Both Read educational series which encourage children to develop reading skills
through interactive fun and learning, Riddle Rhymes asks the child riddle questions with rhyming
answers in a reading partnership activity with a parent or educator. Each riddle question and
answer is accompanied by a colorful photograph framed in a bright primary color. An example of
this call and response game is "Where can you learn that rhymes with pool? ( turn the page to
answer) School." The display of image and riddle is cleverly presented to pose a clear question or
answer even to the child with no reading skills yet. This clever, inviting book is fun to page
through and guess at, in the Parent Reads, Child Responds approach. Other books in the We Both
Read series also use the Parent Read, Children Find approach or a more complex and a less
complex page for both parent and child to read on the same material. "Riddle Rhymes" is sure to
promote awareness of rhyme, as well as critical thinking skills, all while having fun together.
Also highly recommended in this series are the following We Both Read titles: "Can You Find
(9781601152794, $9.95)," by Sindy McKay, illustrated by Matt Loveridge, and "How Many?
(9781601152916, $9.95)," by D. J. Panec, illustrated by Katherine Blackmore.
Clothing in Different Places
Adrianna Morganelli, author
Crabtree Publishing Company
PMB 59051, 350 Fifth Avenue, 59th Floor, New York, NY 10118
9780778720102, $23.60, 24pp, www.crabtreebooks.com
"Clothing in Different Places" is filled with color photographs of many people from many places
wearing typical or festive clothing representative of their area and culture. Elementary school
children are invited to research all about different types of clothes made from different materials
in places around the world. Photographs of many exotic samples are tied to specific locations on
a multicolored global map in the opening chapter, Our Global Community. The need for clothing
is basic, but different types of clothing are preferred for different seasons, or climates. Extreme
examples of clothing worn in places with very hot weather (such as the Sahara Desert) are
compared/contrasted with examples of clothing from very cold climates, such as Nunavut,
Canada, where the Inuit people were parkas of caribou or seal skin, lined with fur. Examples are
shown of different countries' school clothes, work clothes, traditional clothing, uniforms, and
ceremonial traditional clothing. Materials to make clothing vary widely from alpaca and other
animal hair to silk, which is spun from cocoons of silkworms. Final pages contain Notes to
Educators, with objectives, concepts, and discussion and activity suggestions, and additional
resources listed in the Learning More section with books and websites listed. A Glossary lists
vocabulary words used in the chapters of "Clothing in Different Places." Children are encouraged
"to make global connections by understanding that even though people live in different kinds of
climates and environments, people use clothing to meet the same basic need of comfort and
protection (p. 22)." A Guided Reading Level M is indicated in this innovative series. Additional,
highly recommended titles in the Learning About Our Global Community series include the
following: "Birthdays in Different Places" (9780778720119, $23.60), by Lauren McNiven and
Crystal Sikkens, "Schools in Different Places" (9780778720133, $23.60), by Lauren McNiven,
"Transportation in Different Places" (9780778720140, $23.60), by Adrianna Morganelli, "Foods
in Different Places" (9780778720096, $23.60), by Linda Barghoorn, and "Homes in Different
Places" (9780778720126, $23.60), by Cynthia O'Brien.
Crabtree Publishing Company
350 Fifth Avenue, 59th Floor, New York, NY 10118
www.crabtreebooks.com
Young learners in grades 4-5 will find plenty to like about the 'Travel With the Great Explorers'
series: recent additions profile four new explorers with biographical history sketches that support
the Common Core State Standards for Reading Informational Text and Writing Standards, using
a magazine-style format to attract even reluctant readers who normally find history boring or
challenging. Each book includes primary source materials, plenty of colorful illustrations and
sidebars of information, and 32 pages of detail suitable for report research, including an index,
glossary of terms, and bibliography of web and hard copy resources. Explore with Francisco
Pizarro (9780778717003, $27.60), John Franklin (9780778717034, $27.60), James Cook
(9780778717010, $27.60) and John Cabot (9780778717027, $27.60) each offer discoveries,
journeys, and exciting formats that analyze each explorer's discoveries, how and why they
traveled, and what went right (or wrong) along the journey.
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
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