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Children's Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
Ug
Raymond Briggs
Knopf/Random House
1540 Broadway, NY, NY 10036
0375816119 $15.95 1-800-726-0600
Ug just wants a better way to live his life, but the prehistoric boy genius can't figure out how. He
invents the wheel but finds no purpose in it, he discovers fire can cook food which other cave
folk
find a disgusting concept and he longs for warm clothing. How can a boy genius survive among
the primitives? A fun cartoon style lends to this zany tale and will invite even reluctant readers to
learn.
Micawber
John Lithgow
Simon & Schuster
1230 Ave of the Americas, NY NY 10020
0689833415 $17.95 1-800-223-2336
Kids ages 4-8 will find this an inviting story of a squirrel who loves the paintings he sees through
the
window of an art museum. One day he notices a street artist copying the masterpieces and he
decides to try his own hand at art, with some unexpected results. A CD of the author reading this
story is included.
Scholastic Press
555 Broadway, NY, NY 10012-3999
1-800-242-7737 www.amazon.com
Julius Lester and Joe Cepeda's Why Heaven Is Far Away (0439178711, $16.95) tells of God, his
wife Irene, the angel Shaniqua and Bruce, God's Secretary as it provides some whimsical answers
on
heaven, earth, snakes and creations. Good reading skills will lend to enjoyment of this rollicking
tale.
Don and Audrey Wood's Merry Christmas, Big Hungry Bear! (0439320925, $15.95) tells of a
little
mouse who may have a lot of Christmas presents, but faces the interest of a large bear who would
do anything to get them. Beautiful drawings enhance this whimsical story of a determined mouse.
Keith Graves' Loretta: Ace Pinky Scout (0439368316, $16.95) tells of a perfect girl scout who
knows the manual by heart and excels at everything except earning the Golden Marshmallow
Badge. She can't roast marshmallows at all, and faces one of the few failures in her life. A
hilarious
story of faults and acceptance.
Angels & Monsters
Lisa Murray & Billy Howard
American Cancer Society
c/o Health Content Products
1599 Clifton Rd., NE, Altanta, GA 30329
0944235220 $18.95 www.cancer.org
Angels & Monsters: A Child's Eye View Of Cancer by art therapist Lisa Murray and professional
photographer Billy Howard is the impressive result of an eight year project in which Murray
worked
with children and had them express their feelings about their cancers through their artwork -- and
then talk about their art. Howard took a photographic portrait of each child. The artwork and the
portraits where paired and presented in a stunningly beautiful and thought-provoking exhibit
under
the auspices of the American Cancer Society, and which is memorably presented in the pages of
Angels & Monsters. Sensitive, insightful, unique, and thoroughly "kid friendly", Angels &
Monsters
is highly recommended reading for any child (and their parents) having to cope with cancer, and
would make a welcome and valued addition to any school or community library collection.
Houghton Mifflin
215 Park Avenue So., NY, NY 10003
1-800-225-3362 www.amazon.com
Arthur Geisert's Giant Ball Of String (0-618-13221-X, $16.00) creates a warm story as it tells of
the
small mining town Rumpus Ridge, which has collected the largest ball of string in the world.
When a
flood carries their attraction to sea, the piglets' neighbors decide to keep what has washed up on
their beach and it's up to the pigs to get it back in this zany tale. James Rumford's There's A
Monster In The Alphabet (0-618-22140-9, $16.00) provides a modern retelling of the story of the
alphabet that Cadmus brought to Greece. An A-Z format provides short descriptions kids can
easily
absorb. Chris Van Allsburg's Zathura (25396-3, $18.00) continues his prior story Jumanji, telling
of
what happens when Danny and his brother roll the dice in a dangerous supernatural game called
Zathura. Good reading skills are required for enjoyment of this picturebook fantasy telling of a
game
which can change perspectives literally.
Scritch Scratch
Miriam Moss & Delphine Durand
Orchard Books
557 Broadway, New York NY 10012
0439368359 $16.95 1-800-242-7737
A tiny insect craws into a classroom and soon the whole class is scratching. It's hard to imagine
how
a picturebook on head lice can be whimsical and fun, but even parents who have suffered through
an
outbreak will find the zany drawings and rollicking story line to be fun.
The Day My Runny Nose Ran Away
Jason Eaton
Dutton/Penguin
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
0525470131 $15.99 1-800-847-5515
One morning Jason wakes up to a dilemma his runny nose feels unappreciated, and has run away
entirely. Jason must follow his nose across the country all the way to Nose Island where he
discovers a revolution is brewing. Can he stop it? Good reading skills will lend to appreciation of
this zany adventure.
When Mammoths Walked The Earth
Caroline Arnold
Clarion Books
215 Park Avenue South, New York NY 1003
0618096337 $16.00 1-800-225-3362
Research and the latest scientific findings blend with fine watercolors to describe the natural
history
of mammoths in a picturebook for kids in grades 3-4. From the first mammoths, largest land
animals
of the Ice Age, to their demise, When Mammoths Walked The Earth provides a fascinating review
of the beast and its history.
Hello Benny!
Robie H. Harris
McElderry/Simon & Schuster
1230 Ave. of Americas, NY, NY 10020
0689832575 $16.95 1-800-223-2336
Hello Benny! adds to the 'Growing Up' stories which tells of young Benny, who celebrates his
first
year of life. Simple text and large pictures tell of Benny's first experiences in life, from encounters
with admiring adults to growing older. A fine celebration which comes alive with Michael
Emberley's drawings.
"I Wish I Could Hold Your Hand..."
Pat Palmer & Dianne O'Quinn Burke
Impact Publishers
PO Box 6016, Atascadero, CA 93423
0915166828 $8.95 1-800-246-7228
Diane O'Quinn Burke's gentle duotone illustrations perfectly underscore Pat Palmer's deftly
written
and gentle "I Wish I Could Hold Your Hand...": A Child's Guide To Grief And Loss. Based upon
sound psychology with respect to the grieving process in children, this sensitive and exceptional
well
written story will significantly assist a young child to identify their feeling arising from their grief
including denial, anger, guilt, and sadness. The child will discover within the pages of this brief
but
superbly presented story that it is normal and natural to feel the pain of loss created by a friend or
loved one moving away or dying -- and that they can and will come to accept the change in their
life
and eventually feel better.
The Video Shelf
Mickey McGuire's Gang
Bridgestone Multimedia
c/o Alpha Omega Publications
300 North McKemy Avenue, Chandler, AZ 84226-2618
1563716062 $39.95 1-800-523-0988
A decade before Mickey Rooney became world famous for his "Andy Hardy" movies, he starred
in a
series children's comedy films in a series of 20 minute theatrical features as the leader of a group
of
neighborhood kids as Mickey McGuire. A series of very early "talkies" that was based on a
popular
comic strip called "Toonerville Folks", and showcased the creative, imaginative, do-it-yourself
antics
of a group of elementary school aged kids, and is often thought to have been the inspiration
behind
the Hal Wallis "Little Rascal" series. Now a new generation of children can enjoy this wholesome
entertainment that once thrilled their grandparents with the Mickey Mcguire's Gang Box Set. This
is
a unique five volume video collection offering young viewers (and their nostalgic elders) ten
wonderful episodes which includes: Mickey's Helping Hand; Mickey's Stampede; Mickey's Thrill
Hunters; Mickey's Race; Mickey's Ape Man; Mickey's Luck; Mickey's Revolution; Mickey's Big
Business; Mickey's Wild Cats; and Mickey's Mix-Up. The Mickey Mcguire's Gang Box Set is a
wholesome and entertaining addition to any family or community library collection for young
viewers.
The Fiction Shelf
The Cannibals
Cynthia D. Grant
Roaring Brook Press
2 Old New Milford Road, Brookfield, CT 06804
0761316426 $15.95 1-800-462-4703
The Cannibals is an engaging narrative for young women by Cynthia D. Grant and tells the story
of
Tiffany Spratt, the popular star of a high school cheerleading squad who experienced one terrible
day that sent her social life plummeting to the status of "reject of the Universe." Yet with help of
her
friends, her family, and her faith, Tiffany finds the inner strength to eventually earn success. An
upbeat, cheerful, and vibrant novel, The Cannibals is highly recommended reading and would
make a
welcome addition to school and community library fiction collections for adolescent and young
adult
readers.
Mystery On Rampart Hill
Emily Burns
Covered Wagon Publishing, LLC
PO Box 473038 Aurora, CO 80047-3038
www.RockyMountainMysteries.com
0972325905 $4.95 www.amazon.com
Deftly written by Emily Burns, Mystery On Rampart Hill launches the new "Rocky Mountain
Mysteries" series for young readers ages 8 to 12. Tyler, Steve, and Stephanie Thompson search
the
old house on Rampart Hill (which is slated to be converted to a community library) to discover
why
a series of strange happenings is occurring there. Is someone trying to stop the creation of a
library?
The Thompson kids are determined to solve the mystery so that the whole town can benefit from
the
proposed new library. Enhanced with occasional black-and-white illustrations by John Breeding,
Mystery On Rampart Hill is the kind of wholesome novel that will instill a love of reading in
children
and leave them anxiously awaiting the next adventure of the Thompson siblings!
Amy
Mary Hooper
Bloomsbury
175 5th Ave., New York NY 10010
158234793X $14.95 bloomsbury.com
Amy's best friends have alienated her, the only school chum she has now is an odd girl who is also
not part of the mainstream, and Amy finds herself increasingly drawn to Zed, whom she meets in
an
online chat room. When she decides to take the next step and meet him in person, conflict begins
in
this realistic story of a modern girl's encounter with Internet romance and ideals.
Meeting Melanie
Nancy Garden
Farrar Straus Giroux
19 Union Square West, NY, NY 10003
0374349436 $16.00 1-888-330-8477
Allie isn't looking forward to her summer: her isolated Maine community offers few friends and
her
father has injured his back, so the family has to pitch in and start a new business to help out.
When
she meets a summer girl whose family is staying at an elegant home they inherited, she forms an
uncertain friendship with a girl who has everything monetarily, but lacks family support. Their
friendship will change both their worlds in this moving story of conflict and discovery.
The Girls Take Over
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Delacorte Press/Random House
1540 Broadway, New York N 10036
0385327382 $15.95 1-800-726-0600
The Hatfield boys and Malloy girls are still competing; this time their conflicts range from racing
bottles downstream and a potentially dangerous spill to wild ball games. Prepare for more
laughs
and unexpected twists as Naylor continues the ongoing story in such a manner as to invite
newcomers to participate in the zany fun.
The Bat Mitzvah Club: Debbie's Story
Shayna Meiseles
Merkos Publications
291 Kingston Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213
0826600298 $14.00 1-718-778-0226
The Bat Mitzvah Club: Debbie's Story is a novel by Shayna Meiseles about Debbie, a young girl
attending the Chicago Hebrew Academy who worriedly anticipates her Bat Mitzvah (the Jewish
ceremony for girls transitioning from childhood to adulthood), and becomes mortified when her
mother enrolls her in the Bat Mitzvah Club, where she learns of an unsolved family mystery from
her
grandmother. The Bat Mitzvah Club: Debbie's Story is enthusiastically recommended as being an
adventurous, thoughtful and enjoyable story.
First Day
John Cooper
ABC-123 Publishing
159 New Dorp Plaza 2nd Floor, Staten Island, NY 10301
0971147493 $5.95 www.deweydoes.com
The first of a planned "Heroes Star As Kids" series, First Day is written by John Cooper for
young
readers ages 8 to 12 and follows the adventures of nine-year-old sports enthusiast Dewey Does as
be
experiences his first day of Fourth Grade. As Dewey meets old friends and makes new ones, kids
are
readily able to identify with his thoughts, dreams, and hopes. Enhanced with occasional
black-and-white drawings by Jon Roscetti, First Day will prove to be a popular addition to any
school or community library collection, and will leave young readers looking eagerly toward the
next
Dewey Does adventure!
Matt the Moody Hermit Crab
Caroline C. McGee
McGee & Woods
631 2nd Ave. South, Ste. 1R, Nashville, TN 37210
1891347055 $14.95 1-615-330-3812
Caroline C. McGee's Matt The Moody Hermit Crab is an allegorical novel for young readers ages
8
to 12, and offers insights into the difficulties of mood disorders, behavior disorders, and chemical
imbalances. A young hermit crab named Matt becomes uncontrollably angry at his family and
friends, and eventually loses touch with reality to the point where he is convinced that aliens have
taken over the planet. His mother Ali and his teacher Ms. Kay must help Matt before his distorted
perceptions and emotions bring him lasting harm in this unusual and highly recommended tale
which
is enhanced with black-and-white illustrations by N. C. Hall.
Forever And Always
Celeste M. Messer
AshleyAlan Enterprises
115 Hogan, Kyle, TX 78640-1510
0971014507 $4.95 andiomalley.com
The latest young adult novel in the Andi O'Malley series by Celeste M. Messer, Forever And
Always
deals with the serious topic of death and dying. When Miss Bluebonnet is on the verge of passing
away, eighth-grade Andi O'Malley is shocked and doesn't know how to deal with the unhappy
emotions she feels inside herself. A mysterious man named Noah, and Miss Bluebonnet, provide
Andi a profound lesson about grief, hope, and love in this superbly crafted novel introducing
young
readers to an important issue of human life. Also very highly recommended for personal, school,
and
community library collections are the other titles in the outstanding "The Adventures of Andi
O'Malley" series: Andi's Choice; A Message From Teddy; When Eagles Fly; The Boy Who Cried
Wolf; and The Ghost Of Piper's Landing.
Books in Series
King Of The Pond
Carl Sommer & Greg Budwine
Advance Publishing, Inc.
6950 Fulton St., Houston, TX 77022
www.advancepublishing.com
1575370166 $9.95 www.amazon.com
The latest in the outstanding "Sommer-Time Story" series for young readers, King Of The Pond is
an engaging picture book cheerfully written by Carl Sommer and delightfully illustrated by Greg
Budwine, that blends the adventures of a tadpole with an important lesson in sportsmanship and
having respect for others. An entertaining story of friendship, activity, and growing up, King Of
The
Pond is especially commended for competitive boys and girls in need of developing an
understanding
of why the virtues of forgiveness, sportsmanship, tolerance, and mutual respect are so important
in
their lives. Also very highly recommended are other "Sommer-Time Story" titles, including The
Ugly
Caterpillar (1575370158, $9.95); Time Remote! (1575370123, $9.95); and I Am A Lion!
(1575370093, $9.95)
Gareth Stevens
330 W. Olive St., Milwaukee, WI 53212
1-800-542-2595 www.amazon.com
This publisher always has a host of excellent titles each season, and these are some highlights
which
shouldn't be missed. Grades 4 and older will appreciate the Investigating Science guide
Astronomy:
Study Of The Universe (0836832299, $22.60). Terry Mahoney explains the history of astronomy,
from early efforts to study the stars to more modern challenges of understanding the universe.
Gerald Legg's fascinating 'Inside Look' titles expands with some new collections: World Of Plant
Life (0836831802, $23.93) tells kids how to understand plant natural history and habitats. From
plants which eat insects to giant trees, this enlivens the world of plants and their lives.World Of
Insect Life (0836831799, $23.93) uses a multi-dimensional approach also, using artwork with
cutaways to reveal the insides of animals and to examine how insects work. Michael Allaby's
superbly presented book World's Weather (0836831780, $23.93) also uses cutaway drawings and
fine illustrations to explain the basics of weather science. All are excellent, involving guides for
the
younger picturebook reader.
Benchmark Books/Marshall Cavendish
99 White Plains Rd, Tarrytown NY 10591
1-800-831-9881 www.amazon.com
Benchmark Books provide revealing and essential sets for reference libraries at the younger grade
levels, and these are outstanding sets which should be a part of any serious library collection. The
Around The World In series ($19.95/each) presents books which can either stand alone by era, or
more strongly together as a set. From life in 300 BC (0761410805), to 800 (0761410856), 1200
(0761410813), 1500 (0761410821), 1800 (0761410848), these series titles each provide almost a
hundred pages of history and bright color drawings and photos. The set covering American
Voices
From ($22.95/each) provides grades 4-6 with an excellent overview of early American life using
pictures and the voices of those who lived the times. Colonial Life (0761412050), Revolutionary
War (0761412026), Opening Of The West (0761412018), Civil War (0761412042) World War I
(0761412034) and World War II (0761412069) each provide an excellent blend of coverage and
diary entries to spice color photos throughout. Plenty of text for written reports, plenty of images
for leisure browsing.
Chelsea House
1974 Sproul Road, Broomall, PA 19008
1-800-848-2665 www.amazon.com
These critical literary collections will prove 'musts' for any young adult collection where students
are
assigned regular, in-depth reports. Take the newest edition to Bloom's Biocritiques, Geoffrey
Chaucer (0791061817, $25.95): grades 7-12 and even beyond will find this packed with a
powerful
blend of comprehensive biography and critical analysis. Chaucer's language and beliefs are all
analyzed with this background in mind. New and recommended additions to Bloom's 'Modern
Critical Views' series are Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (0791070417), Honore De Balzac
(0791070425), American And Canadian Women Poets 1930-present (0791063313) and
African-American Poets (0791063321, $37.95 each). This series includes critical sketches,
overviews of a writer's works, and reflections on how their major contributions fit into the world
of
literature. The accounts offer students an opportunity to absorb serious analytical styles.
Blue As A Blueberry
Molly Dingles & Walter Velez
Dingles & Company
PO Box 505, Bethany, Missouri 64424
1891997203 $19.95 1-866-257-2500
Blue As A Blueberry is the latest installment in the Community of Color series for preschoolers, a
set of easy-reader picturebooks entertainingly written by Molly Dingles and wonderfully
illustrated
by Walter Velez, and which center about a color, encouraging children to look around and see
and
appreciate the color in their world. A simple and charming book illustrated in full color, and
cleverly
designed to help children sharpen their powers of observation, develop reading readiness skills, as
well as how people, places, and things combine to form a community, Blue As A Blueberry is
particularly appropriate and recommended to boys and girls just learning to read their first words,
and identify colors on their own. Other books in the series include Red As A Fire Truck
(189199719X, $19.95), Yellow As A Lemon (189199722X, $19.95), and Green As A Frog
(1891197211, $19.95).
Marshall Cavendish
99 White Plains Rd. Tarrytown NY 10591
1-800-831-9881
This publisher's gorgeous series sets for elementary grades are highly recommended picks:
although
the grade level is rated as 8 and above, there are plenty of students in grades 6-7 and more at the
high school level who will find these references bright, easy to absorb, and packed with solid
information. Take Reptiles And Amphibians (0761473904, $657.07; Amazon.com, $459.95) --
the
volumes in this set provide a solid A-Z reference which packs color photos and charts with
intriguing reptile facts paired with the latest research. While the lower grades 4 and up will
appreciate Insects And Spiders Of The World (0761473343, $471.36; Amazon.com, $329.95),
it'll
reach into middle school with its quite detailed, in-depth information about insect anatomy,
physiology, and natural history. The same age range will find most accessible the third edition of
Encyclopedia Of Health (0761473475, $471.36), particularly recommended since students at this
age range rarely receive such in-depth information tailored to their reading level. In an era of
heavy
budgeting, these are solid library references which promise ongoing attraction and use.
The Biography Shelf
Down a Sunny Dirt Road
Stan & Jan Berenstain
Random House Children's Books
1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
0375814035 $20.00 1-800-726-0600
This autobiography of the romance between Stan and Jan Berenstain which led to not only a
marriage of love but a marriage of businesses reveals how the two artists created the Berenstain
Bears and other popular works for children. Packaged so as to appeal into the elementary grade
levels, yet in depth enough for adult pursuit, this autobiography will reach entire families with its
warm story of the creation of the Bears, with color and black and white drawings and sketches
throughout.
Book Of Black Heroes
Wade Hudson
Just Us Books, Inc.
356 Glenwood Av, East Orange NJ 07017
0940975971 $9.95 justusbooks.com
Book Of Black Heroes: Scientists Healers And Inventors by Wade Hudson is an impressive
survey
of learned and able African-American men and women compiled and presented especially for
young
readers. Each individual page features a photograph of a notable personage from the nineteenth or
twentieth centuries, accompanied by a concise and succinct biography summarizing his or her life
and achievements. A truly great introduction to remarkable and intelligent people of color who
made
their mark on history and science itself, Wade Hudson's Book Of Black Heroes is a welcome and
highly recommended addition to personal, family, school, or community any Black History
collection for children.
Mitchell Lane Publishers
34 Decidedly Lane, Bear, DE 19701
1-302-834-9646 www.amazon.com
Readers in grades 6-7 will find the 'Unlocking the Secrets of Science' series to be very appealing.
Each book ($17.95/each) provides almost fifty pages of facts about an inventor or scientific
researcher. The books are suitable for reports and pack in a lively tone with plenty of scientific
and
biographical facts. New to the series: marylou Kjelle's Raymond Damadian And The Development
Of MRI (1584151412), John Bankston's Francis Crick And James Watson: Pioneers In DNA
Research (1584151226), Karen Gordon's Selman Waksman And The Discovery Of Streptomycin
(1584151382), Kathleen Tracy's William Hewlitt: Pioneer Of The Computer Age (1584151420),
Susan Zannos' Edward Roberts And The Story Of The Personal Computer (1584151188), Linda
Wade's Sally Ride: Story Of The First American Female In Space (1584151390), Each provides a
strong profile of a major 20th century achiever.
Morgan Reynolds Inc.
620 S. Elm, #223, Greensboro, NC 27406
1-800-535-1504 www.amazon.com
Two new biographies from this publisher will reach from advanced elementary into middle school
grade levels, each offering a little over a hundred pages of biography and adopting a tone which
reads like fiction, with all its drama. Barbara Somervill's Votes For Women!: The Story Of Carrie
Chapman Catt (188384696X , $21.95) follows the life and achievements of Carrie Chapman Catt,
who defied her father by graduating from college and who worked as a reporter until she became
involved in women's rights issues. Myra Weatherly's Dolley Madison: America's First Lady
(1883846951, $21.95) tells of America's first lady, wife of fourth president James Madison who
was
the most stylish woman in America. Both provide intriguing coverages of women who have
received
relatively little mention for this reading age group.
The History Shelf
Rock U.S.A. and... The American Way!
Edna Cucksey Stephens, author
Mark J. Herrick, illustrator
EDCO Publishing, Inc.
2648 Lapeer Rd, Auburn Hills, MI 48326
0971269270 $22.95 1-888-510-3326
Rock U.S.A. and... The American Way! is a unique and thoroughly "kid friendly" book that
emphasizes lessons of patriotism and American civic responsibility. Emphasizing the importance
of
learning from the past, appreciating the present, and preserving the American Dream, Rock
U.S.A.
and... The American Way! is structured around the alphabet; with each entry containing a wealth
of
succinctly presented information about American history, politics, government, and civic
responsibility. For example, the two-page spread devoted to the letter R teaches young readers
the
basic facts of the Revolutionary War, Paul Revere, Representative Government, and encourages
Recycling. A superb educational and patriotic resource for young readers, Rock U.S.A. and... The
American Way! is especially recommended for school and community library collections.
Building America
Janice Weaver
Tundra Books
Box 1030, Plattsburgh, NY 12901
0887766064 $17.95 tundrabooks.com
Building America reveals almost four hundred years of history and travels across the U.S., using
architecture and its creators as a touchstone from exploring American history. The result is an
intriguing historical guide for ages 9 and older, which considers key architectural
accomplishments
and their role in American history and culture.
Timelines Of World History
John B. Teeple
DK Publishing
95 Madison Avenue, NY, NY 10016
0789489260 $40.00 www.dk.com
Timelines Of World History packs a cross-cultural journey through human history in a timeline
format which excels in color photos and drawings. High school through adult readers will find
Timelines Of World History to be a delightfully easy way to absorb world history, as the colorful
timelines offer the opportunity to easily compare cultural developments around the world at
different
points in time. An outstanding presentation.
The Activities Shelf
Kids Collect
Dan Hubley and Mary Hubley
Bluefish Bay Publishing
1093 A1A Beach Blvd., Suite 148, St. Augustine, FL 32080
0970726716 $13.95 BluefishBay.com
Kids Collect offers young readers, (as well as their parents, teachers, and caregivers) a
compendium
of fun and educational crafts, science fair projects, creative activities, which are particularly
appropriate for inquisitive adolescent minds. Step-by-step techniques are provided for buying,
trading, and selling collectibles; preserving and displaying perishable items; a variety of artistic
endeavors; as well as everything from pressing flowers and leaves, to searching for rare coins, to
decorating with stickers. An enjoyable and engaging resource for young people, Kids Collect is
enthusiastically recommended for family, school, and community library do-it-yourself activities
collections.
Raptors: A Coloring Album
Anne Price & Donald Malick
Roberts Rinehart
4720 Boston Way, Lanham, MD 20706
1570984050 $7.95 www.amazon.com
Coloring books are not appropriate for library lending and are typically not featured here; but
Raptors: The Eagles Hawks Falcons And Owls Of North America is a very fine educational guide
and a highly recommended pick parents will want to pick up for their children and that librarians
could utilize as a reading prize incentive for their summer reading program promotions. Color
drawings of hawks, eagles, and owls accompany basic information on North American raptors,
with
complex and detailed black and white drawings kids can fill in. A simple, appealing coverage.
The Picturebook Shelf
The Bravest Mouse
Maria Barbero
North-South Books
11 East 26th South, 17th fl, Y, NY 10010
0735817081 $15.95 northsouth.com
Translated for young English readers by Sibylle Kazeroid, The Bravest Mouse is written and
illustrated picture book story by Maria Barbero concerning Sasha, a clever boy mouse with an
unfortunate birthmark - a big black ring around his left eye. But when a hungry cat threatens his
neighborhood, Sasha invents and carries out a clever plan to bell the cat, and his own birthmark
becomes a sign of honor in this engaging, warmly illustrated, and thoroughly "kid friendly"
story.
The Red Tree
Shaun Tan
Simply Read Books
501-5525 West Boulevard, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6M 3W6
0968876838 $16.95 1-800-593-9673
Written and illustrated by award-winning artist and author Shaun Tan, The Red Tree is the story
of a
young girl who feels that sometimes days begin with nothing good to look forward to, and
downwardly progresses from worse to even worse. She wanders an imaginary and surreal
dreamscape of cold and misery, yet there is a curious red leaf which leads her to remember a
bright
possibility of purity and good things, both here and to come. Richly and imaginatively illustrated,
The Red Tree is a thought-provoking, entertaining picture book for children that carries an
ultimate
message of hope.
Dabu Grows Up
Selena Solomon & Dennis Nona
Magabala Books/ISBS, dist.
5824 NE Hassalo St, Portland, OR 97213
1875641580 $13.60 www.amazon.com
Dabu Grows Up: The Tale Of A Dugong by Selena Solomon is the informative and entertaining
story of what happens to a young dugong bull who lives in the tropical waters of the Torres Strait
off of Australia. After his mother is taken by hunters, a lonely Dabu learns about life, friendship,
and
respect for the natural world as he explores the reef and ultimately decides that to survive he must
return to his heard. Dennis Nona's beautiful artwork is perfectly suited this charming and highly
recommended tale for young readers.
Snow Baby
Jane Street & Charlene Yandell
Parkway Publishers
PO Box 3678, Boone, NC 28607
1887905561 $11.95 1-800-821-9155
Snow Baby is an engaging story by Jane Street about a young snow-white horse who is too slow
to
compete in the world of racing. Instead, Snow Baby must learn to find her own place in the
world,
and a job filled with both hard work and immense rewards. Beautiful color illustrations by
Charlene
Yandell mark the thoroughly entertaining narrative, which has a text story that is significantly
more
detailed, complex, and extensive than the average picture book; an excellent story for young
readers
with advanced reading comprehension skills, who are making the transition from picturebooks to
novels.
Best Friends
Jean C. Fischer & Thomas Kinkade
Tommy Nelson
PO Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214
1400300320 $14.99 1-800-251-4000
Best Friends: A Collection Of Classic Stories is an anthology compiled by Jean C. Fischer of true
biographies and excerpts from famous novels for children and young adults, presented with
captivating full-color paintings by Thomas Kinkade. Some of the heartwarming stories that Best
Friends draws material from include "The Secret Garden," "Anne of Green Gables," Sacagawea's
life
story, and "Little Women." Enhanced vignettes and border art by Kevin Burke, Best Friends
makes
for excellent bedtime stories and also serves as a gateway to hopefully inspire young folks to track
down the classic texts from which it draws. Best Friends is a very highly recommended literary
and
visual treasure trove for young readers.
The Stone Lion
Bill Slavin
Northern Lights Books
c/o Red Deer College Press
PO Box 5005, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada T4N 5H5
0889951543 $14.95 1-800-663-5714
Honored as a choice for the Canadian Children's Book Center, The Stone Lion is a wonderful and
fantastic story brilliantly written and superbly illustrated by Bill Slavin, and set in medieval
Europe.
A young boy learns the magical secret of a winged stone lion atop a cathedral, and is granted a
ride
upon the lion's back in time to visit his ailing grandmother once more before her final journey. A
heartwarming, entertaining, and truly beautifully illustrated picture book story, The Stone Lion is
a
welcome addition to any personal, school, or community library collection.
Anklet For A Princess
Lila Mehta, et al.
Shen's Books
8625 Hubbard Road, Auburn, CA 95602
1885008201 $16.95 www.shens.com
Anklet For A Princess: A Cinderella Story From India is an fabulous adaptation of the East Indian
story "Nagami" (Jewel of the Snake), a legend that in many ways resembles the classic fairy tale
Cinderella. The young woman Cinduri is overburdened with work from her stepmother and
stepsister, and receives barely enough to eat in return. But Godfather Snake learns of her troubles
and helps her attend the village's annual Navaratri Festival dressed in the most beautiful
golden-threaded sari and diamond anklets, and there she wins the heart of the Prince. A
captivating
picture book story commendably written by Lila Mehta, deftly adapted by Meredith Brucker, and
wondrously illustrated in full color by Youshan Tang, Anklet For A Princess would make a
welcome
and popular addition to any school or community library picture book collection.
Doubleday/Random House
1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
1-800-726-0600 www.amazon.com
Ages 3-5 will want to read Jessica Wollman's Andrew's Bright Blue T-shirt (0385746164;,
$14.95),
which tells of Andrew's love of a hand-me-down shirt. He never wants to take it off even when
he
begins to outgrow it; and he doesn't care what anyone else thinks of the increasingly silly-looking
shirt which is his favorite. A fun story of growing up and facing reality emerges. Patricia Lakin's
Clarence The Copy Cat (0385327471, $15.95) features whimsical and fun drawings by John
Manders, which brings to life the story of a peace-loving cat who doesn't want to hurt mice.
Evicted
from his home because of his beliefs, Clarence must find a new, useful occupation to suit his skills
and temperament in story of adjusting to the world.
Sam's Just Sam
Linda Morse & Pat Prescott
Bear Hug Press
111 Start Hwy. So., Dunbarton, NH 03046
097135670X $15.95 1-603-774-7811
Sam's Just Sam is a charmingly written picture book story by Linda Morse about a day in the life
of
Sam, a special needs child. Following him through school, a surprising adventure, and then to
home
and bedtime, Sam's Just Sam is a heartwarming and thoughtful read which is illustrated by Pat
Prescott with soft, ever-so-slightly abstract, full-color art that brings the soul of the story to
life.
Mr. Wishmadoo Takes You To Zarr Zoo!
Duane Curtis
W.A.I.L. House Publishing Company
0971843805 $12.95 www.wailhouse.com
Mr. Wishmadoo Takes You To Zarr Zoo! is a delightfully written and vibrantly colorful rhyming
picture book by Duane Curtis about a magical visit to Zarr Zoo, a place filled entirely with
original
and fantastic creatures of the imagination. "And just to the left in the rocks you must look. I think
it's a... Yes! It's a Silly-O-Sook." Mr. Wishmadoo Takes You To Zarr Zoo! is commended as a
lighthearted and totally fun "read-aloud" book for young boys and girls.
The Riches Of Rangoberra
Jane Weber, author
Rijalynne Saari, illustrator
Raven Tree Press, LLC
200 S. Washington St., Suite 306, Green Bay, WI 54301
0972019219 $16.95 1-877-256-0579
The Riches Of Rangoberra is an imaginative, bilingual fairy tale picture book, presented in both
English and Spanish, about a magical kingdom in which good and evil duel, with the enduring
message that inner goodness is far stronger and more important than worldly riches. Gorgeously
illustrated in full color by Rijalynne Saari, The Riches Of Rangoberra is a delight to read and an
especially excellent picture book story specifically written by Jane Weber for young children who
are
learning to be fluent in either English or Spanish.
The Adventures Of Monterey Jack
Catherine Coburn, author
Ana Bondarenko Machado, illustrator
Destiny Publishing
PO Box 101, Pacific Grove, CA 93950
0971573506 $19.95 1-800-625-2208
Creatively written by Catherine Coburn and colorfully illustrated by Ana Bondarenko Machado,
The
Adventures Of Monterey Jack: Jack's Original Recipe For Rescue is an upbeat picture book story
for
young cheese lovers. When Monterey Jack visits his Auntie Cheddar and cousins on a Wisconsin
dairy farm, he learns more about culinary cheesy delights and then becomes embroiled in a mission
to rescue the cheese-napped Baby Swiss. A few easy-to-follow delicious cheese recipes for
children
round out this unique, engaging, and highly recommended addition to family, school, and
community
library collections.
Just Like Mama
Beverly Lewis & Cheri Bladholm
Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55438
0764225073 $14.99 bethanyhouse.com
Just Like Mama is a wonderfully written picture book story by Beverly Lewis about Susie Mae, a
young Amish girl who wants to be just like her mother - so she accepts the challenge to keep up
with everything her mother does all day, from morning milking and egg gathering to berry picking
and cooking for the whole family. Illustrated with rich, full textured and memorably colorful
artwork
by Cheri Bladholm, Just Like Mama is an engaging, strongly recommended, "read-aloud tale" for
mothers and daughters, a true celebration of the rewards of traditional farm life.
Dumpy And The Big Storm
Julie Andrews Edwards, et al.
Hyperion Books for Children
114 Fifth Avenue, 14th fl, NY, NY 10011
0786807423 $15.99 1-800-759-0190
The latest in the Hyperion "Dumpy the Dump Truck" series, Dumpy And The Big Storm is an
engaging picture book for young readers ages 3 to 7 about a cheerful dump truck, who along with
friends Stinky the Garbage Truck, Tommy the Tow Truck and Big Red the Fire Engine, who
must
combine their efforts to help when lightning strikes the harbor lighthouse and Saucy Sue the
fishing
boat is in trouble. A heartwarming and adventurous story collaboratively written by Julie Andrews
Edwards and Emma Walton Hamilton, and enhanced with full color, cartoon-style artwork by
Tony
Walton, Dumpy And The Big Storm is commended as a delightful, "kid friendly" addition to
family,
school, and community library collections.
The Not Me Monster
Ila Wallen & Robert Sauber
Bent Willow Publishing
2260 Towngate Road, Suite #2, Westlake Village, CA 91361
www.bentwillowpublishing.com
0971062714 $16.95 www.amazon.com
The second title in the superbly presented "Willowbe Woods Campfire Stories" picturebook
series,
The Not Me Monster is a charming tale entertainingly written by Ila Wallen showcasing the theme
of
honesty and responsibility. When Bunny makes an embarrassing but innocent mistake, she covers
up
her mortification by inventing a lie. But the lie brings new problems, and eventually, with help
from a
unicorn friend, she must confront what she's done and learn the value of honesty. The Not Me
Monster is a thoroughly engaging story that comes alive with fresh, full color illustrations by
Robert
Sauber. Also highly recommended is the first title in the series, The Moon In My Room
(0971062706; $16.95).
Other People/Other Countries
People Around The World
Antony Mason
Kingfisher
215 Park Ave. South, NY, NY 10003
0753454971 $24.95 1-800-225-3362
This package will appeal to the entire family, using inviting photos of adults and children to
display
the lives of families around the globe. Pair color photos and geographic introductions with a lively
text offering in-depth cultural understanding and you have a package which is attractive and
fun.
The Science Shelf
Dinosaurs Of The South
Judy Cutchins and Ginny Johnston
Pineapple Press, Inc.
PO Box 3889, Sarasota, FL 34230
1561642665 $14.95 pineapplepress.com
The collaborative effort of educators and science writers Judy Cutchins and Ginny Johnston, and
enhanced with full-color photographs and illustrations, Dinosaurs Of The South teaches young
readers about the fascinating reptiles that walked the Earth millions of years ago and lived
throughout what is now the American South. Easy to read yet highly educational and fact-filled,
Dinosaurs Of The South is enthusiastically recommended for youthful dinosaur fans, as a simple,
informative introduction to fossils and what they can tell us about these fantastic bygone
creatures.
The Native American Shelf
Journeys With Florida's Indians
Kelley G. Weitzel
University Press of Florida
15 NW 15th St., Gainesville, FL 32611
0813025818 $24.95 www.upf.com
Written for young readers in grades 4 through 8, Journeys With Florida's Indians by Kelley G.
Weitzel (Senior Preserve Naturalist at the Pelotes Island Nature Preserve) is an attention
engaging,
entertainingly adventurous, informed and informative survey of Florida's antiquarian history and
the
daily life of the Paleo-Indians who first settled there. A very strongly recommended addition to
both
school and community library Native American Studies collections for young readers, Journeys
With
Florida's Indians is enhanced with maps and historical engraving amplifying the lively and
accessible
text, which blends archaeology and history for a very readable and enjoyable experience.
The Audiobook Shelf
Listening Library, Inc.
1540 Broadway, 15th fl., NY, NY 10036
1-800-726-0600 www.amazon.com
Three new titles from this publisher provide teen listeners at the advanced elementary through
middle school grade levels with intriguing tales. J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter And The Chamber
Of
Secrets (0807281913, $35.00) receives Jim Dale's performance, paired with a strong unabridged
presentation as it brings alive the story of Harry's return to Hogwarts after a summer with the
mean
Dursleys. Real trouble begins when Hogwarts students find themselves turning to stone
unexpectedly, and it's up to Harry to investigate in an audio which brings alive the drama.
Cornelia
Funks' Thief Lord (0807209767, $28.00) receives Simon Jones' smooth and dramatic voice as it
tells
of Venice, Italy, where hidden canals shelter runaways and kids who harbor dangerous secrets.
Two
orphans on the run from a cruel aunt and uncle discover this underground world and its secrets
and find themselves ruled by the Thief Lord in this moving drama. Natalie Babbitt's Tuck
Everlasting
(0807275530m $18.00) benifits from Peter Thomas' familiar radio voice as it tells of a
ten-year-old's
discovery of the Tuck family's long-standing secret of longevity. Winnie's discovery will change
their
lives and the world in this engrossing story, packed with ethical insights.
The Language Studies Shelf
First Thousand Words In German Sticker Book
Heather Amery & Stephen Cartwright
EDC Publishing
10302 E. 55th Place, Tulsa, OK 74146
0794501931 $9.95 www.edcpub.com
With over 500 stickers illustrating simple German words, First Thousand Words in German
Sticker
Book is a superbly organized and presented activity book for young people. An
easy-to-understand
basic pronunciation guide enhances the charming full-color illustrations and the great many
"peel-and-stick" stickers that help enhance memory and comprehension. First Thousand Words In
German Sticker Book is an excellent and thoroughly "kid friendly" title for budding bilingual
children. Also very highly recommended from Usborne is Heather Amery and Stephen
Cartwright's
First Thousand Words In Spanish Sticker Book (079450194X, $9.95).
The Music Shelf
Uh-Oh!
Peter Alsop
Moose School Productions
PO Box 960, Topanga, CA 90290
MS507CD $14.98 1-800-676-5480
Uh-Oh! is a superbly produced and highly recommended music CD that continues to document
Peter Alsop as one of the best of the children's songwriters at work today. Alsop utilizes diverse
musical styles in his approach to making preschool ages children an integral part of the listening
experience. In Uh-Oh!, Fifi the Age Fairy regresses the adult Peter back into diapers and daycare.
Enhanced with a number of jokes and humorous asides, the feature recordings include Fifi The
Age
Fairy (1:02); Hello! (2:18); Uh-Oh! (2:42); My Gums Grow Teeth (1:44); Rabbit On My
Shoulder
(1:08); Conejito En Mi Hombro (1:44); Wiggle (2:01); Spin Around (1:01); Au Revoir (2:03); I
Need A Hug (2:25); Apple Juice (0:56); Never Speak With Your Mouth Full (1:30); Peter's
ABC's
(1:31); Twinkle-Baa-Itsy (1:28); Itsy Spider (1:27); Pat Your Daddy On The Knee (2:06); Little
Kid
(1:39); Me! (0:37); Poop Goes The Weasel (1:33); Count Your Blessings (2:28); My Dad's A
Jungle
Gym (2:26); and Family of Friends (4:01).
Not Naptime
Justin Roberts
Hear Diagonally Records
Beth Blenz-Clucas (publicity)
PO Box 617547, Chcago, IL 60661
HD 17-04 $14.99 1-877-345-4992
Zippy lyrics and "kid friendly" musical arrangements showcase acclaimed folk-pop
singer-songwriter
Justin Robert's latest and very highly recommended CD music production: Not Naptime. With
there
positive and wholesome messages for children (and a music sophisticated and entertaining enough
for their parents!), the brightly performed selections featured include Nightlight; Brontosaurus
Got
A Sweet Tooth; Nine Planets; Billy The Bully; Pick Up The Pears; Moving; Three Days; 98.8;
D-O-G; Dad Caught Stars; Last Night The Moon Was Full; and the title piece, Not Naptime.
The Child's World
PO Box 326, Chanhassen, MN 55217
1-800-599-7323 www.childsworld.com
Elementary-level schools featuring beginning band and music courses now have the perfect choice
to
accompany their music programs: a 14-title "Music Makers" series which provides overviews of
instruments for grades 2-6. Each individual instrument or class of instruments receives its own
bright
and informative coverage; from Trombones (1567660452, $22.79), Saxophones (1567660444,
$22.79), Cellos (1567660436, $22.79), Woodwind Instruments (1567669883, $22.79), Stringed
Instruments (1567669875, $22.79) to Tubas (1567660460, $22.79), Brass Instruments
(1567669859, $22.79), and Percussion Instruments (1567669867, $22.79). Full-color photos
accompany the easy introductions.
The Poetry Shelf
I Heard A Bluebird Sing
Aileen Fisher, poet
Bernice E. Cullinan, editor
Jennifer Emery, illustrator
Wordsong/Boyds Mills Press
815 Church Street, Honesdale, PA 18431
1563971917 $18.95 1-800-490-5111
Edited by Bernice E. Cullinana, I Heard a Bluebird Sing is a selection of poems by NCTE
award-winning poet Aileen Fisher, whose work was first published in 1933 yet is timeless in its
simplicity, wonder, and joy. Illustrated with delightful black-and-white sketches by Jennifer
Emery,
the poems comprising I Heard A Bluebird Sing were selected and recommended by children for
their
enjoyable, simple, read-aloud fun. "Who tells the little deer mouse/before the year is old/that she
should wear a warmer coat/to shield her from the cold?/I'm glad that someone tells her/and she
does
as she is told."
The CD-ROM Shelf
The Powerpuff Girls: Mojo Jojo's Clone Zone
The Learning Company/Riverdeep, Inc.
500 Redwood Blvd., Novato, CA 94947
$19.99 www.learningcompany.com
The Powerpuff Girls: Mojo Jojo's Clone Zone is an outstanding educational software package
which
is enthusiastically recommended for young people ages 6-10, and features the popular Powerpuff
Girls television cartoon characters -- and their arch-nemesis Mojo Jojo. Simple games help
reinforce
basic arithmetic skills, reading skills (including phonics and vocabulary), logical problem solving,
and
more through five levels of difficulty. A great way to help make learning fun for young cartoon
fans,
The Powerpuff Girls: Mojo Jojo's Clone Zone would make a popular educational choice for both
public school, private school, and homeschooling curriculum supplementation.
The Reference Shelf
New View Almanac
Jenny Tesar, author
Bruce S. Glassman, editor
Blackbirch Press, Inc.
PO Box 3575, Woodbridge, CT 06525
1567111505 $46.19 blackbirch.com
Now in a revised, updated and expanded new edition, the New View Almanac is filled from cover
to
cover with more than 2,000 charts, graphs, maps, and visuals about our world and the people in
it. A
solid 608-page reference designed to be thoroughly "user friendly" for young readers of all ages,
and
enhanced with simple yet bright coloring to offset many of its charts and graphs, the New View
Almanac is an excellent and highly recommended for both school and community libraries as
superbly organized and comprehensive reference offering a wealth of information on everything
from teachers statistics, to low voter turnout profiles, to subway crime, and more.
If you want to ensure the future of our American democracy, then teach our children how to read,
teach them how to write, and above all, teach them not what to think, but how to think.
James A. Cox
Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com
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