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Children's Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
My Money Journal
Karris Golden & Melanie Decker
Kids Cents Press
1 Peregrine Way, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
9781934354216, $11.95, www.traderspress.com
Good financial wisdom can never come too soon. "My Money Journal: A Safe Space for
Tracking Earning, Spending, & Saving" is a workbook for young readers to trace how much
money they are making from money, chores, allowance, while keeping track of what they have
bought and what they have stored away for their future. "My Money Journal" is sure to help
children understand good money management.
Artemisia of Caria
Shirin Yim Bridges, author
Albert Nguyen, illustrator
Goosebottom Books LLC
710 Portofino Lane, Foster City, CA 94404
9780984509812, $18.95, www.goosebottombooks.com
"Artemisia of Caria" is the latest addition to a new series of books designed for girls ages 9-13
called The Thinking Girl's Treasury of Real Princesses. Complete with a beginning pronunciation
guide for some of the many Greek and other names in the story, "Artemisia of Caria" tells an
amazing biographical tale about a real princess who grew up to become a famous admiral and
Queen of Caria in ancient times, 500 B.C. At the time Artemisia lived in what is now southwest
Turkey, Greek women, even princesses, led very limited, proscribed lives. Despite this,
Artemisia managed, in her growing up years, to learn to sail triremes or warships, to fight, and to
respect and express her opinion. It is not known how she achieved these three things, but it is
certain they were not easily given to her. She became one of a very few ruling queens in her area
and time after acting as an admiral, a commander of multiple warships. Artemisia was part of the
fleet of triremes that sailed for Xerxes in 480 B.C. from Halicarnassus (in Caria) to force
submission from 31 defiant Greek states which refused to acknowledge Xerxes as their king. In
the ensuing naval and land battles, Xerxes lost 400 ships, not to mention the land battle of
Thermopylae, where 7000 Greeks held off the great Persian army. Xerxes was angered at his
losses and made a foolish plan to sit his throne high on the Greek cliffs to witness his navy
crushing the Greeks warships. Of all Xerxes naval commanders, only Artemisia dared tell him
her true opinion of the folly of this plan, advising him against the proposed sea battle. Sure
enough, the battle of Salamis, which followed was a calamity for the Persians and Xerxes. Again,
Artemisia was asked to advise Xerxes following this naval disaster. She gave honest, practical
advice, telling him to take most of his troops home, leaving some under the command of his best
general to finish up the battle whatever the outcome. Whatever her achievements and/or
tragedies, Artemisia remains an example of a woman who waged naval war and governed
effectively in a time when women were not allowed freedom or access to power. "Artemisia of
Caria" presents many interesting details of daily life and known history along with a strong
profile of a remarkable woman, a real princess.
Jennifer Magicum
Maria Andrade
Clara Publishing
680 Napa Court, Claremont, CA 91711
9780970634764, $7.58 Kindle
It's hard to find a cat you see one moment that miss the next. "Jennifer Magicum" is a charming
book for younger readers on a families search for a cat that doesn't want to seem to stay with
them and visible. As the cat feels neglected, the story pushes to remember to care for your pets or
you may forget they're there. "Jennifer Magicum" is a charming and quick read for readers just
ready to step away from picturebooks.
Jessie's Big Move
Dr. Nathaniel Wilson, author
Marina Shoopik, illustrator
Allwrite Publishing
P.O. Box 1071, Atlanta, GA 30301
9780974493572, $TBA, www.allwritepublishing.com
"Jessie's Big Move" is a wonderful adjustment assistance book that will help children accept
changes, such as a move, that are unwelcome. Jessie is anticipating her 9th birthday party in a
few weeks, creating fancy invitations for her friends when her mother gently tells her the family
is planning to move from Chicago to Georgia to be close her grandfather who needs the family's
support due to an illness. Jessie is very unhappy about the move. She tries many ploys to stall or
deflect the inevitable day, but her parents amaze her by allowing her to experiment with her
feelings and reactions, and to get accustomed to the desirability of moving with her family.
"Jessie's Big Move" has some surprising moments, such as when her father finds Jessie and
friends formally protesting the move carrying signs, in his yard, and he calmly joins them. he
explains to Jessie that he too has mixed feelings about the move, but that it is still the family's
plan. "Jessie's Big Move" is the first in a series called the "I'm OK" series which addresses such
subjects as diversity appreciation, adjustment to change, peer challenge, personal growth, and
empathy. "Jessie's Big Move" can be a useful adjustment tool to children ages 6-10 who are
facing large life changes such as a family move.
Being Me
Wendy L. Moss, PhD
Magination Press
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242
9781433808838 $14.95 www.apa.org/books 1-800-368-5777
Intended for young readers ages 8-13, Being Me: A Kid's Guide to Boosting Confidence and
Self-Esteem is a guide to improving one's viewpoint of oneself and outlook toward the world, the
better to face down everyday challenges related to school, friends, family, and more. "If you feel
nervous because your entire self-confidence is dependent upon this person liking you back, then
we have a complication. Self-confidence comes from inside you, not from what this person can
give you. Sure, it's great if the person likes you back (and maybe even a little scary, too!), but
your value remains the same whether the person likes you or not." Being Me is an important
self-help guide, strongly recommended for children's school and public library collections.
Hannah and the Talking Tree
Elke Weiss
Free Focus Publishing
PO Box 716, Blaine, WA 98231
9780982674710, $16.95, www.freefocuspublishing.com
Many children hate their big ears, but Hannah uses them to her advantage. "Hannah and the
Talking Tree" tells the story of Hannah, a girl with ears so big, she can hear nature. She uses this
as a talent to help the trees and plants in this charming story with a simple yet fun art style.
"Hannah and the Talking Tree" is a fascinating pick for younger readers in kindergarten and
similar grade levels, highly recommended.
The Traveller, The Tiger, and The Very Clever Jackal
Reshma Sapre, author
Jessica Lian, illustrator
Hathi Chiti Books for Kids
P.O. Box 1219, New York, NY 10016
9780615370712, $16.95, www.HathiChiti.com
"The Traveller, The Tiger, and the Very Clever Jackal" tells a wise tale of old Raaheeji, a
wanderer who goes deep into the woods, contrary to the wishes of his sleeping wife. Raaheeji
goes on to show that he is a very foolish old man indeed, for he frees an old, hungry tiger from a
cage with only the slimmest of promises from the tiger not to eat him. The obvious dilemma
occurs as soon as the tiger is free of the cage, but Raaheeji begs the tiger to honor his vow, and
he finally agrees to let Raaheeji ask three strangers what they think, and then do what they
decide. The tiger is confident of the inevitable outcome. Raaheeji encounters and asks for
assistance from a banyan tree, a mighty buffalo, and a pitiful road, all of whom tell him, "As I
suffer, so shall you suffer. Go, face your foolish fate." But when overcome with weeping and
distress, Raaheeji meets another crafty companion, the jackal, who proves to be a wily opponent
to the cruel tiger himself. "The Traveller, the Tiger, and the Very Clever Jackal" is a warm, wise
fable that will be enchanting for children ages 3-8. The rich, primitive style colored illustrations
are very fitting to the foolish/wise to dialogue and dichotomy of the tale.
What's the Catch?
David Sobel
Hoopoe Kids
PO Box 176, Los Altos, CA 94023
9781933779782, $15.99, www.hoopoekids.com
No one wants to become someone else's tool. "What's the Catch?: How to Avoid Getting Hooked
and Manipulated" is a guide for younger readers on how to resist the influences and pressures
that lie all around us. Author David Sobel encourages children to understand the reasoning
behind their actions and to remember to act for yourself, and avoid being a puppet. With a strong
message for readers, "What's the Catch?" is a solid and highly recommended read. Also
recommended from Hoopoe Kids is "Me and My Feelings: What Emotions Are and How We
Can Manage Them" (9781933779713, $15.99) delves into how to face the overwhelming
emotions that come with growing up.
The Gobble Gobble Moooooo Tractor Book
Jez Alborough
Kane Miller
PO Box 470663, Tulsa, OK 74147-0663
9781935279662, $15.99, www.jezalborough.com
When the humans sleep, the animals get their fun in. "The Gobble Gobble Moooooo Tractor
Book" is an entertaining and short story surrounding Farmer Dougal's tractor and his barnyard
animals who decide that the tractor can be a good source of fun and entertainment for them. With
full color art and story by Jez Alborough, "The Gobble Gobble Moooooo Tractor Book" is going
to give more than enough enjoyment for young elementary readers, highly recommended.
Kusikiy: A Child from Taquile, Peru
Mercedes Cecilia
Keepers of Wisdom and Peace Books
PO Box 1314, Woodstock, NY 12498
9780984407903 $24.99 www.Kusikey.com
Kusikiy: A Child from Taquile, Peru is a heart-touching children's picturebook about the daily
life of Kusikiy, and his great grandparents, in Taquile, Peru. "Tonyo Quispe, Kusikiy's father, is
the Keeper of Terraces and Native Seeds. Tonyo learned from his father, how to build terraces
along the hills to farm potatoes. Kusikiy's mother, Chami, learned from her mother how to weave
the images of birds that migrate to the island shores. She weaves the symbol for the star that
shines in the night sky. She weaves Taquile's important events to keep a record of Taquile's
memories in the silence of wool." Kusikiy: A Child from Taquile, Peru respectfully portrays the
traditions and culture of a heritage that promotes oral storytelling, music, dance, its own rituals
and mythologies, and more. The result is a treasury highly recommended especially for public
library children's collections with a focus on international and multicultural studies.
I See the Rhythm of Gospel
Toyomi Igus, author
Michele Wood, illustrator
Zonderkidz
c/o Zondervan Publishing House
5300 Patterson Avenue, S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49530
9780310718192 $16.99 www.zondervan.com 1-800-727-1309
The Coretta Scott King award-winning writer/author team who created "I See the Rhythm" have
returned with a new children's picturebook that touches upon the rhythm of gospel and the
history of African-Americans, in I See the Rhythm of Gospel. Colorful illustrations re-enact
critical moments in Black History, from the beginning of slavery in the 1500s to the invention of
the cotton gin in 1793 to the civil rights movement and the inauguration of America's first
African-American president in 2008. Each page features a catchy, gospel-style chant/song
embellished with a ring of thumbnail summaries of crucial events. An accompanying CD offers
the songs "Wade in the Water", "I Will Move On Up A Little Higher", "Hallelujah Praise",
"Jesus Be A Fence Around Me", and "I Love You". I See the Rhythm of Gospel is a treasure for
children's public library collections and an inspirational giftbook, highly recommended.
Larry Gets Lost in San Francisco
Michael Mullin and John Skewes, authors
John Skewes, illustrator
Sasquatch Books
119 South Main Street, Suite 400, Seattle, WA 98104
9781570615672, $16.95, www.sasquatchbooks.com
"Larry Gets Lost in San Francisco" is the latest in the pooch travelogue series that features
everyone's favorite wandering tourist, Larry and his owner Pete. With a jaunty narrative in rhyme
and brightly colored illustrations of many fabulous sights of the famous city by the bay, "Larry
Gets Lost in San Francisco" covers more facts and fabulous finds about SF than would seem
possible. Of course, Larry gets lost, this time by escaping from a cable car to chase a glazed
doughnut rolling down the hilly, twisty, windy street named Lombard. Of course, Larry now has
to find Pete, encountering Coit Tower and Alamo Square, Fisherman's Wharf, and the ferry to
Alcatraz Island in the search. He breezes through Union Square, the Cable Car Museum, and the
Dragon Gate, not to mention the San Francisco -Oakland Bridge, Cupid's Span, and AT & T
Park. Larry runs through a Japanese Tea Garden, the M.H. De Young Museum, and the Mission
District, where a friendly artist leaves his painting to help Larry find Pete at the Cliff House, near
Seal Rock. Fortunately, Larry and Pete are reunited and all ends well on another amazing
exploration adventure. "Larry Gets Lost in San Francisco" is a perfect travelogue of San
Francisco for children ages 3-6.
Time Zones
David A. Adler, author
Edward Miller, Illustrator
Holiday House, Inc.
425 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10017
9780823422012, $16.95, www.holidayhouse.com
"Time Zones" takes a refreshing look at the differences in time around the earth due to its
rotation. The history of standard time zones is also outlined, along with some of the global travel
connections that have influenced the development of standard time zones. Filled with spunky,
retro, colorful illustrations that illuminate the mysteries of time, "Time Zones" delves into some
hefty definitions that arise from our organization of the progressions of time into standard
divisions. One of these is, what is the beginning point (of imaginary lines between one time zone
and the next, P. 14)? The answer, the prime meridian which runs through Greenwich, England,
was devised at a meeting in 1884.This and other fascinating if confusing facts about time theory
and practice are cheerfully and efficiently packaged and presented in "Time Zones," the perfect
elementary to middle school text, culminating with a fun project that is easy to accomplish using
and lamp and a globe in a darkened room, and demonstrates why we need time zones. Readers
may visit, www.edmiller.com for additional activities that accompany "Time Zones, or become a
fan of Edward Miller's Bookatorium on Facebook.
Scholastic Press
557 Broadway, New York NY 10012
www.scholastic.com
Stephen Alcorn's ODETTA: THE QUEEN OF FOLK (9780439928182, $18.99) provides a fine
introductory story to the black musician Odetta, whose folk music served as inspiration for black
and white musicians alike. Lovely colorful drawings accompany an inspirational piece perfect for
any seeking to introduce the young to Odetta's magic. Jim Murphy's THE CROSSING: HOW
GEORGE WASHINGTON SAVED THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION (9780439691864,
$21.99) offers nearly a hundred pages of detail and is perfect for grades 4-6, covering a pivotal
time in the American Revolution and pairing lovely maps and drawings with lively facts about
George Washington's achievement. Collections seeking a fine, well-detailed and illustrated
introduction that provides a 'you are there' atmosphere will find this a perfect pick.
The Multimedia Shelf
Harry Potter: Film Wizardry
Creative Team of Harry Potter
Collins Design
c/o HarperCollins
10 E. 53rd St., New York NY 10022-5299
9780061997815, $39.99, www.collinsdesignbooks.com
Harry Potter: Film Wizardry is a pick for all ages and for any film collection strong in science
fiction creations. It provides technical, behind-the-scenes analysis of Harry Potter films and their
special effects, fun insights into the Harry Potter world and mystique, and an unpublished set of
photos and artworks accompanying original stories from the show's stars. All eight Harry Potter
films are examined in a pick the entire family will enjoy!
The Fiction Shelf
Skye the Troll
Apryl Skies
Edgar Lenore's Publishing House
13547 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
9781452817194, $16.99, www.polyphonypictures.com
Being the prettiest troll has its challenges. "Skye the Troll & Other Fairy Tales for Children" is a
unique tale from Apryl Skies, telling of Skye, a troll cursed with no hunch, no warts, and no
smell and a pretty face, nothing a troll would want to do with. She finds her own place, and Skies
tells other stories as well and makes for an entertaining and fun pick for youthful readers. "Skye
the Troll" is a fine addition to children's fiction collections, highly recommended.
No More Dragons
Rie Charles
Napoleon & Company
235 - 1173 Dundas Street East, Toronto, ON, M4M 3P1, Canada
9781926607122 $9.95 www.napoleonandcompany.com
Intended for readers age 11 and up, No More Dragons is a novel in the form of correspondence -
letters written by thirteen-year-old Alex to his only friend. Alex is a boy in rural Ontario beset
with problems; he's afraid of his dad, worried about his sick brother, and longs to make himself
into a new person that other people will like. No More Dragons is a story about coping with
pressure, and learning to cultivate one's own self-esteem. Alex learns how to confront both
internal and external dragons, in the process of growing up to be a strong and compassionate
young man. No More Dragons lends insight into the troubles of adolescence, and is an excellent
giftbook for young people, as well as a choice pick for public library young adult fiction
collections.
Havoc at Harrison Hospital
M. E. Roche
Yellowback Mysteries
c/o James A. Rock & Company Publishers
500 South Irby Street, #508, Florence, SC 20501
9781596638105, $13.95, www.rockpublishing.com
"Havoc at Harrison Hospital: The Adventures of Nora Brady, Student Nurse" is the second in a
series about the adventures of sleuth/ student nurse Nora Brady, a modern, updated Sue Bartlett
or Cherry Ames. This charming mystery has a vintage flavor that is most appealing, but it is also
a product of its time. In addition to being a logical, progressive, well-planned mystery with
thoughtful hidden clues strewn artfully through the chapters, "Havoc at Harrison Hospital" has
the quality of style and grace that can arrest attention and inspire young minds. Values like
perseverance, skilled observation and care, the dignity of knowing and delivering a professional
standard of care, and even the seminal concept of a code of nursing, or health care standards, all
these concepts build a solid underlying structure to the intriguing mystery of "Havoc at Harrison
Hospital." Nora is brave, spunky, and curious about both nursing and medical learning and
getting to the bottom of a very complicated chain of events in the hospital setting. Excitingly
paced, "Havoc at Harrison Hospital" is a charming mystery with a message and engaging key
characters. We may anticipate more delicious Nora Brady student nurse mysteries to be savored
in the future.
The Five Fakirs of Faizabad: Children of the Lamp
P.B. Kerr
Orchard Books
c/o Scholastic
557 Broadway, New York NY 10012
9780545126588, $17.99, www.scholastic.com
The Five Fakirs of Faizabad continues the 'Children of the Lamp' fantasy for advanced young
adult readers, and is a recommended pick for prior enthusiasts. Here John and Philippa are
involved in another magical mystery when five holy men buried alive with keys to the universe's
mysteries earn the attention of a wicked djinn who searches for them. Can the twins get to the
fakirs first? A tense thriller evolves.
House of the Star
Caitlin Brennan
Starscape
c/o Tor Books
175 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10010
9780765320377, $17.99, www.tor-forge.com
HOUSE OF THE STAR is a fine pick for any fantasy reader or horse fan, providing a novel
introducing Elen, princess of a magical kingdom and lover of horses. Elen dreams of becoming a
worldrunner where she can travel with a magical horse, but is slated for royalty. When she runs
away from her kingdom she finds a home at the House of the Star ranch, where magical horses
are bred and worldrunners trained. Can she bring peace to her kingdom while realizing her
dreams? Fantasy readers will be thrilled.
When the Stars Go Blue
Caridad Ferrer
St. Martins Press
175 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10010
9780312650049, $9.99, www.stmartins.com
WHEN THE STARS GO BLUE tells of Soledad Reyes, whose life revolves around dance - until
a fellow student proposes she forget teaching dance and spend the summer performing in
competitive drum and bugle, where she may be able to perform in Carmen. Her blossoming
relationship with Jonathan threatens her entire future in this fine romantic drama.
The Tapestry: The Fiend and the Forge
Henry H. Neff
Random House
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
9780375838989, $17.99, www.randomhouse.com/kids
The Tapestry: The Fiend and the Forge provides Book 3 in The Tapestry series and blends
fantasy, science fiction and mystery in an involving story continuing the story of Max, accepted
to a secret school where young apprentices are trained in magic to combat an enemy. The story
line carries to a new direction as Max faces one posed to reshape history and threaten the one
peaceful kingdom left untouched. A fine, gripping saga evolves for advanced fantasy
readers.
Scholastic Press
557 Broadway, New York NY 10012
www.scholastic.com
Kenneth Oppel's HALF BROTHER (9780545229258, $17.99) tells of Ben, who has been an only
child for thirteen years - until his mother brings home an eight-day-old chimp. Ben's father is
involved in an experiment to determine if chimps can acquire advanced language skills and his
parents tell him to treat Zan like a little brother - so much so that Ben's observations of Zan's real
abilities are going beyond experimental realms in this moving story of interspecies connections
and intelligence issues. Pat Walsh's THE CROWFIELD CURSE (9780545229227, $16.99) tells
of Will's discovery of a hobgoblin in the woods who confesses that a mythical being doomed by
an ancient curse is buried in the snow. The problem is that Will already serves a brotherhood of
monks - and his involvement in the hobgoblin's secret will place him in direct danger in this fine
story packed with intriguing fantasy and twists and turns. Blue Ballet's THE DANGER BOX
(9780439852098, $16.99) provides a fine new mystery centered around a different boy and girl in
a small town. The Danger Box links a range of different scenarios and possibilities in this
unusual mystery, perfect for older teens. Natalie Standiford's CONFESSIONS OF THE
SULLIVAN SISTERS (9780545107105, $17.99) tells of sisters who discover their rich mother is
dying - and has cut the entire family out of her will. Only a confession will change her mind - but
the guilty party isn't stepping forward, and all the sisters have secrets to keep. An intriguing and
funny story of family changes evolves. Suzane Weyn's EMPTY (9780545172783, $17.99) is set
in the near future when fossil fuels are running out. Life has become more local and the end is
coming fast in this gripping saga recommended for any young adult and many an adult science
fiction collection. Carolyn Coman and Rob Shepperson's THE MEMORY BANK
(9780545210669, $16.99) tells of the Clean Slate Gang and the World Wide Memory Bank who
are at war. Lollipops are clogging machinery and fires are set in this intriguing story of Hope,
who has failed to dutifully recorded New Memories. A fine story of a very different world and
values emerges. Meg Cabot's BLAST FROM THE PAST (9780545040488, $15.99) tells of
Allie, who's excited about her class field trip to a historic schoolhouse - until she finds she's been
assigned a 'buddy' for the day in the form of an ex-best friend. Can she survive a day that was
supposed to be fun? Erin Bow's PLAIN KATE (9780545166645, $17.99) tells of a girl who
lives in a world of superstitions and curses. As the wood-carver's daughter she can make charms
so fine that some think her a witch - a dangerous name in a town where witches are burned. Hard
times and a stranger's proposition lead Kate on new paths in this intriguing saga. Matthew J.
Kirby's THE CLOCKWORK THREE (9780545203371, $17.99) tells of an orphaned street
musician, an apprentice clockmaker and a maid who join forces to solve puzzles and change their
world. Only their reluctant trust in each other can save the world in this involving saga.
The Health Shelf
Be Healthy! It's a Girl Thing, updated edition
Mavis Jukes and Lilian Cheung, DSC, RD
Alfred Knopf
c/o Random House Children's Books
1745 Broadway, 10-1, New York, NY 10019
9780679890294, $12.99, www.randomhouse.com/kids
Be Healthy! It's a Girl Thing: Food, Fitness, and Feeling Great offers advanced elementary to
middle school readers - girls ages 10 and up - a fine blend of exercises, diet, and keys to lowering
stress labels and caring for body and soul. This newly updated edition is packed with the latest
expert details on food and nutrition and makes for an exceptional pick for health collections
catering to pre-teens.
Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns It's OK to Back Away
Howard Binkow, author
Sue Cornelison illustrator
Thunderbolt Publishing
c/o The Lerner Publishing Group
241 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1607
www.lernerbooks.com
9780982616505, $15.00, www.wedolisten.com
"Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns It's OK to Back Away" is an excellent resource fable that
teaches children to listen to their bodies, especially their tummies, and to seek constructive ways
of dealing with feelings of anger. Exciting illustrations full of action and drama vividly punctuate
the story of "Howard B. Wigglebottom". Tools of humor and techniques such as stepping away,
listening to one's tummy and testing one's feelings are all part of the arsenal of anger
management tactics suggested in "Howard B. Wigglebottom", which is itself part of a
distinguished series that is designed to be helpful to children ages 4-8, especially children in
classroom or educational settings.
The Biography Shelf
Morgan Reynolds Publishing
620 South Elm Street, Suite 387, Greensboro, NC 27406
www.morganreynolds.com
Sandra H. Shichtman's MICHAEL BLOOMBERG (9781599351353, $28.95) and Bonnie
Hinman's ETERNAL VIGILANCE: THE STORY OF IDA B. WELLS-BARNETT
(9781599351117, $28.95) each provide over a hundred pages of biographical background perfect
for advanced elementary to middle school students working on reports. MICHAEL
BLOOMBERG joins others in the 'Political Profiles' series and covers a man born into a
working-class family who became first a billionaire from his business efforts, then the mayor of
New York City. In 2010 he began his third term, and his biography covers his business and
political successes alike. ETERNAL VIGILANCE: THE STORY OF IDA B.
WELLS-BARNETT tells of a girl born a slave in Mississippi in 1862 who became a
schoolteacher as a teen, then became famous for refusing to give up her seat on the bus to whites.
Civil rights history blends with her biography in a fine survey of African-American civil
rights.
The Chapter Book/Easy Reader Shelf
Lucy and the Green Man
Linda Newbery
Random House
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
9780385752046, $16.99, www.randomhouse.com/kids
LUCY AND THE GREEN MAN provides a fine middle-grade novel that tells of Lucy, a young
girl with a gift for gardening and mischief. Her affection for the supernatural and feel for an
alternate reality stems from the mysterious Green Lob, who she believes lives in the garden - but
nobody else believes he's helping her grandfather garden. When trouble strikes Lucy is faced
with losing an extraordinary friend in this fine story of a gardening spirit's connections.
Scholastic Press
557 Broadway, New York NY 10012
www.scholastic.com
Brandon Sanderson's ALCATRAZ VERSUS THE SHATTERED LENS (9780439925570,
$17.99) tells of Alcatraz Smedry, who has been the subject of prior adventures and who here
appears in a final adventure where he faces down an army of librarians and their giant librarian
robots in a war. If they win, everything Alcatraz has fought for will be threatened in this
absorbing story of gigantic robots, evil librarians, and danger. Lisa Yee's BOBBY THE BRAVE
(SOMETIMES) (9780545055949, $15.99) tells of Bobby Ellis-Chan, who faces a puzzling new
gym teacher, is chased by a cat with twenty-seven toes, and must dance onstage in the class
musical. Bobby is brave sometimes but often in trouble, and a series of hilarious mis-adventures
ensues. Walter Dean Myers' THE CRUISERS (9780439916264, $15.99) tells of Zander and his
friends, who are in trouble. They are in a gifted school program - but their grades are slipping and
the assistant principal wants to be rid of them. A class project involves Zander in an alternative
school newspaper where he learns his words have unusual powers - and can either achieve
dreams or cause disaster. Sharon M. Draper's SASSY: THE DAZZLE DISASTER DINNER
PARTY (9780545071543, $15.99) tells of Sassy Sanford, who gets a rich new friend at school
and a new disaster when a school assignment on cooking goes awry. Her idea becomes a recipe
for disaster in this fun account of cooking, which includes zany recipes kids will love.
The Picturebook Shelf
Otto's Orange Day
Frank Cammuso & Jay Lynch
A Toon Book
27 Greene Street, New York, NY 10013
9780979923821, $12.95, www.toon-books.com
Too much of a good thing ruins the good of that thing. "Otto's Orange Day" is a children's
picturebook done in the style of a comic book from Frank Cammuso & Jay Lynch, following
Otto, who loves orange and everything that's orange. But when he finds a lamp, unleashes a genie
and wishes the world is orange, he sees a world of orange is too much orange for him to handle.
"Otto's Orange Day" should prove to be a fun read and a valuable lesson for early elementary
readers.
Allison Investigates
Colette Omans Nicoletta
Beaver's Pond Press
7104 Ohms Lane, Suite 101, Edina, MN 55439
9781592983568, $17.95, www.collettenicoletta.com
The important questions in life are the ones that need the answers. "Allison Investigates: Does
Chocolate Milk Come from Brown Cows?" is a fun read from Colette Omans Nicoletta, who
provides both the story and art. Allison through her story learns about diary farming and what
goes into it to solve her chocolate milk mystery and learn a good deal on top of that. "Allison
Investigates" is a fun read for elementary school students, highly recommended. Also
recommended from Beaver's Pond Press for kids is "Henry!: You're Late Again"
(9781592983575, $16.95) by Mary Evanson Bleckwehl and illustrated by Brian Barber,
following Henry and his punctuality issues and his goal to overcome them.
Rudy and Cirrus of Karma
R. M. Smith
Clarence-Henry Books
4135 Teton Place, Alexandria, VA 571-1936
9780578052359, $14.95, www.c-hbooks.com
Wishes can be quite powerful things. "Rudy and Cirrus of Karma" is an engaging children's
picturebook telling the story of Rudy who finds he has three wishes from a creature called Cirrus
and he's uncertain if he's used those wishes well. A thoughtful read of trying to make the world a
better place, "Rudy and Cirrus of Karma" is both written and illustrated by R. M. Smith and tells
a good story with a powerful message.
Magimus
Sandra Sovago-Royal, author
Tyler Hollis, illustrator
Outskirts Pres
10940 South Parker Road, #515, Parker, CO 80134
9781432743758, $15.95, www.outskirtspress.com
A lost toy is lost love. "Magimus" tells of a worn down and trashed blue teddy bear who as
Christmas draws near, finds love in a family who takes him in spite of his condition in a story
about Christmas love and devotion. With thoughtful art from Tyler Hollis and story by Sandra
Sovago-Royal, "Magimus" is a choice pick for younger readers.
The Bee Who Lost His Buzz
Reg Down
Lightly Press
4033 San Juan Ave. #219, Fair Oaks, CA 95628
9781453884300 $11.95 www.tiptoes-lightly.net
Illustrated with soft, watercolor-style artwork throughout, author Reg Down's The Bee Who Lost
His Buzz is an softcover anthology of short stories about Tiptoes and Jeremy Mouse, who help
friends including the Bee whose buzz has been taken away by the cantankerous Mr. Cactus, the
Worm who can't make his way home on his own, a tangled young Octopus who can only count to
seven, and more creatures. Each warmhearted mini-tale blends into the next, making The Bee
Who Lost His Buzz flow into a captivating whole. The Bee Who Lost His Buzz is ideal for
teaching children how much fun reading can be. Also highly recommended is Reg Down's "The
Cricket and The Shepherd Boy: A Christmas Tale" (9781453855034, $11.95), a touching holiday
story that bring the generous and reverent spirit of Christmas to life year-round.
Zero, Zilch, Nada: Counting to None
Wendy Ulmer, author
Laura Knorr, illustrator
Sleeping Bear Press
Suite 200, 315 East Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor, MI 48108
9781585364619 $16.95 www.sleepingbearpress.com
Zero, Zilch, Nada: Counting to None is a high-spirited children's picturebook about a bright,
anthropomorphic bunny rabbit with a math problem. Harry has been hired by the 4 Color Balloon
Factory to blow up 100 balloons for Mrs. Doopido's birthday party. But when Harry tries to make
sure he has the proper number of balloons, counting them proves to be troublesome - no matter
what he does he can't get the right number. What's the best way to count to 100? Finally Harry's
boss shows him how to group the balloons into ten sets of ten for easy counting! Zero, Zilch,
Nada: Counting to None is simple yet charming, and a great storybook to read aloud.
The Surprise Party
Lee Cohen, author
Loyal de Neuville, illustrator
Raven Tree Press
c/o Delta Publishing Company
1400 Miller Parkway, Mc Henry IL 60050-7030
9781934960851 $16.95 www.raventreepress.com
Part of a series starring the lovable Rip Squeak cast of anthropomorphic mice and friends, and
based on characters created by Susan Yost-Filgate and Leonard Filgate, "The Surprise Party" is a
children's picturebook in which Rip Squeak and his friends decide to throw a surprise party for
their parents. So they embark on a whirlwind day of cleaning the house, baking a cake, and
blowing up balloons in preparation. A lovable adventure of joy, warmth, and celebration ensues
in this charming tale brought to life playful illustrations.
The Lovesick Skunk
Joe Hayes, author
Antonio Castro L., illustrator
Cinco Puntos Press
701 Texas, El Paso, Texas 79901
9781933693811 $16.95 www.cincopuntos.com
The Lovesick Skunk is a playful children's picturebook about a boy's encounter with a lovesick
skunk. The skunk has a peculiar attachment to the boy's old sneaker - but when the skunk's
bigger, jealous boyfriend comes along, he sprays the sneakers! The sneakers may stink too much
to use any more, but at least the boy is finally ready to move on to new shoes; it's a great relief to
his mother. Told with wit and charm, and beautifully illustrated in full color, The Lovesick
Skunk is an enjoyable tale about learning to move on from the old and embrace the new... and
giving skunks the wide berth and respect they're due!
Hide!!!
Steve Bjorkman
Beaufort Books
27 West 20th Street, Suite 1102, New York, NY 10011
9780825305542 $17.99 www.beaufortbooks.com
Popular comedian Jeff Foxworthy presents Hide!!!, a children's picturebook about a
hide-and-seek game that invites the reader to join in the fun. Each colorful two-page spread
invites the reader to look for hidden objects, ranging from raccoons and spoons to mops and
flip-flops. As the playful story progresses, the number of items to search for grows bigger.
Hide!!! is a fun giftbook to share, although the temptation to take a black marker and circle each
hidden object can be powerfully strong!
Catching Time
Rachna Gilmore, author
Kirsti Anne Wakelin, illustrator
Fitzhenry & Whiteside
311 Washington Street, Brighton, MA 02135
9781554551620, $17.95, www.fitzhenry.ca
"Catching Time" is a child's fantasy about catching time to do a treasured activity; play with her
friends in the park. Her busy parents talk about grabbing time, catching time or finding time
when she asks for time to be in the park. But Sara can see that they will never catch time that
way. It eludes them, going down the drain with the dishwater, sucked into the vacuum cleaner,
tapped away on the laptop keys, hiding and running through their fingers at the same time.
Finally Sara uses a jar and a net and grabs a fat space of happiness in time. When she shows it to
her parents, they stop what they are doing and ask her what she wants to do with her time.
"Catching Time" is imaginatively illustrated with action-packed, fantastic pictures that blend the
real with the fantastic effortlessly. "Catching Time" is perfect for children age 4-K and up.
The Taxing Case of the Cows
Iris Van Rynback & Pegi Deitz Shea, authors
Emily Arnold McCully, illustrator
Clarion Books
215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003
9780547236315, $16.99, www.hmhbooks.com
"The Taxing Case of the Cows: A True Story of Suffrage" is a charming true story of two
independent sisters named Abby and Julie Smith who ran a farm with Alderney cows in
Glastonbury, Connecticut. They became victims of an unfair tax law that taxed single female
landowners only. Remember these tax laws were written by men, who were the only sex allowed
to vote in 1869 when this story takes place. The sisters argued they should not have to pay an
unfair tax that they were not allowed to vote on. A long historic battle about taxation without
representation ensued. In 1873, when the male lawmakers would not allow her to formally
address the lawmaking body, sister Abby Smith gave speeches outside public meeting places on
an ox cart, on the town green. Things came to a head when a tax collector named George
Andrews confiscated 7 of the Smith Sisters' cows, to be auctioned off for payment of the Smith's
property tax in one week if they didn't pay their entire tax bill by then. There were many unfair
practices enforced upon the Smith sisters in the interpretation of this unfair tax law. The cows
and the Smith sisters were furious. They were to be kept on a neighbor's farm, the Hales', but the
cows were having none of it. The cows ended up crowded in a tobacco shed and the Smith sisters
had to walk over to milk them day and night. On the day of the auction, a week later, the
townsfolk bid such low prices for the cows that the auction was a sham. The townsfolk sided
with the sisters. finally a male neighbor was given, $101.39 to bid for 4 of the cows to give them
back to the Smith sisters. Since no one else would bid, the tax collector threw in the other 3 cows
and the sisters bought back their 7 cows. This was not the end of the taxing case of the cows.
Many more months and years passed and the case of the Smith sisters' cows and taxation without
representation was publicized and fought in court, with the sisters winning they case on final
appeal. Not until 1920 did the women of the united States get the chance to vote, but the Smith
sisters and their cows played a significant part in making this happen. "The Taxing Case of the
Cows" is an accurate retelling of a quirky piece of American history that will intrigue young
students. The charming, hilarious water color illustrations add depth and dimension to the heroic
tale of two sisters and their 7 brave cows.
The Little King and His Marshmallow Kingdom
Louis Rotella III, author
Mark Chickinelli, illustrator
Ata-Boy Productions/Concierge Marketing
13518 'L' St., Omaha, NE 68137
9780982684214, $22.95, www.conciergemarketing.com
"The Little King and His Marshmallow Kingdom" is a heartwarming story about a boy-king
named Louie whose father, grandfather, and great- grandfather are also named Louie. The
Marshmallow King is therefore Louie the IV, an incredibly imaginative boy who loves to play
games inside and out, play rock and roll, and help his grandfather with chores. Louie is not
perfect, but he tries very hard. Sometimes his mischievous side wins out, and unexpected things
astound (or possibly upset) his mom. Usually in King Louie's family, they work things out with a
smooch. One thing about Louie that may be different from other children is he has Down's
syndrome, something he was born with, like freckles or red hair, that makes him unique. Some
things may take longer for Louie to learn to do or play, but with extra help, he can accomplish
many useful things. So although there is no cure for Down's syndrome, Louie and other children
like him can still lead full, rich and happy lives, teaching others to celebrate the wonder of being
alive. With its vibrant, descriptive illustrations, "The Little King and His Marshmallow
Kingdom" is a joyous affirmation that speaks to children and adults about the value of
celebrating diversity.
Ragdolly's Love
Donald W. Kruse, author
Craig Howarth, illustrator
Castle Keep Press
James A. Rock & Co., Publishers
900 South Irby Street, #508, Florence, SC 29501
9781596638211, $12.95, www.rockpublishing.com
"Ragdolly's Love" is a sensitively written soft cover book about a girl whose smile has needed
fixing since birth, because she was born with a cleft palate. Because that made her look funny,
and because her father was poor and unemployed and she had to wear poor clothing, the children
at her new school teased her and made fun of her, calling her "Ragdolly" because of her ragged
appearance. But Ragdolly somehow manages to give caring responses to her classmates, teacher,
principal, and custodian, despite their jeering, critical attitude towards her. In a beautiful
illustration of Christian charity, Ragdolly touches each of the important people in her life with
her thoughtfulness. Finally, the class and teachers learn that Ragdolly is hospitalized and needs a
serious operation because of her congenital cleft palate, which they had mocked her for. They all
decide to help raise money to pay for her surgery, which is partially covered by an organization
called the Smile train. A happy ending is in sight, and everyone whose life has been touched by
Ragdolly helps to improve her new life, where her beautiful smile outside matches her beautiful
kind heart inside. "Ragdolly's Love" is an inspirational book to be read by children ages 6 and up.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of "Ragdolly's Love" is donated to The Smile Train, at,
www.smiletrain.com. Also recommended by the same author is "Moose Pee and Tea!"
(9781596636798, $12.95), a hilarious versed tale about a creative young entrepreneur who starts
out selling lemonade and ends up buying a swimming pool.
Small Medium & Large
Jane Monroe Donovan, author/artist
Sleeping Bear Press
315 E. Eisenhower Parkway, Suite 200, Ann Arbor, MI 48108
9781585364473, $15.95, www.sleepingbearpress.com
"Small Medium & Large" is an imaginative picture book about a girl's wish list letter for Santa.
Charming illustrations in sequence tell much of the action of the story. When the girl opens her
presents on Christmas, she finds living surprises in boxes that are small, medium and large. The
first is a kitty, the second is a dog, and the third is a miniature pony! All the animals play in the
snow with the girl, and they help her make small, medium and large snowmen as well. Sammy is
very happy with her small, medium and large gifts, and writes Santa a special thank you letter,
also requesting a new bone, some carrots and a toy mouse for next year. The unusual thing about
"Small Medium & Large" is the entire story is told in pictures, except for the letters to Santa.
"Small Medium & Large" is suitable for children ages 4-10, allowing and encouraging them to
create their own narrative for the wonderful tale unfolding in the pictures.
Seaside Dream
Janet Costa Bates, author
Lambert David, illustrator
Lee & Low Books
95 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
9781600603471, $17.95, www.leeandlow.com
"Seaside Dream" is an award-winning children's illustrated story about the precious relationship
between grandparents and grandchildren, and the impact of immigration on a family. Cora is
excited to find a birthday present for her grandmother who will be 70. Cora's Grandmother had
emigrated to the United States from Cape Verde, a small cluster of islands off the West coast of
Africa. For Grandmother Piedade's birthday party, there is a big feast cooked of many favorite
Cape Verde foods. When Cora asks why there is so much food, she is told the reason is because
when Piedade lived on Cape Verde, there wasn't always enough food to eat. So now the family
feels blessed and shows that with their shared feast of munchupa or kachupa, a stew, and other
foods. Cora takes a shore side walk with her grandmother after night falls and her grandmother
tells her about mantenhas, or warm messages send from faraway loved ones, like a hello that
hugs. Cora finally dreams of just the right gift or her grandmother, who misses her sister back in
Cape Verde. "Seaside Dream" is a wonderful book about strong connections and honoring one's
family traditions and past, no matter how far away in time or space. "Seaside Dreams" is winner
of the New Voices Award and honor, and is appropriate for children ages 5-10.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Steven Guarnaccia
Abrams
115 West 18th Street, New York NY 10011
9780810989665, $18.95, www.abramsbooks.com
Goldilocks and the Three Bears: A Tale Moderne is retold and illustrated by Steven Guarnaccia:
while it keeps to the core tradition of Goldilocks, it also offers more modern beats who are
actually sophisticated. They've built a fancy modern house to the intrusion of Goldilocks in their
renovated home causes them more than light anguish in this fun new classic take on the
theme.
The Rabbit Problem
Emily Gravett
Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 4th floor, New York, NY 10020
9781442412552, $17.99, www.simonandschuster.com
THE RABBIT PROBLEM may be based on a book solved in the 13th century by mathematician
Fibonacci, but it's not actually a book about math - it's the story of too many rabbits. While its
pop-ups and fold-outs are not suitable for the rigors of library lending, THE RABBIT
PROBLEM does pack in colorful, whimsical and fun pages perfect for parent/child interactions.
Hours of delight are promised in this whimsical, fun survey!
Knopf/Random House
c/o Random House Children's Books
1745 Broadway, 10-1, New York, NY 10019
www.randomhouse.com/kids
Barack Obama's OF THEE I SING: A LETTER TO MY DAUGHTERS (9780375835278,
$17.99) is illustrated by Loren Long and offers a series of inspirational observations to his
daughters. Images capture the promise of childhood and modern Americans, detailing the
achievements of Einstein, Jackie Robinson, Sitting Bull and more. The manuscript was written
and acquired before Obama took office in 2009, and provides an inspiration to all. Karen Henry
Clark's SWEET MOON BABY: AN ADOPTION TALE (9780375857096, $17.99) receives fine
drawings by Patrice Barton and a lovely story of a perfect baby born in China. Her journey from
her birth parents in China to her adoptive parents on the other side of the world makes for a
gentle tale of love.
Scholastic Press
557 Broadway, New York NY 10012
www.scholastic.com
Norton Juster's THE ODIOUS OGRE (9780545162029, $17.95) receives fine drawings by Jules
Feiffer and tells the story of a rotten Ogre who is big, ugly, angry and always hungry. He
terrorizes the countryside wrecking havoc and sadness - until he encounters a kind young lady
who tries to help him. Good reading skills lend to an intriguing drama perfect for picturebook
readers. Richard Egielski's CAPTAIN SKY BLUE (9780545213424, $17.95) tells of what
happens when Santa brings Jack his best toy pal Captain Sky Blue, who always speaks in pilot
lingo - until a thunderstorm separates the friends. Sky's search for the road home takes him into
the sea and around the world until he finds an unusual road back. Rebecca Emberley and Ed
Eberley's IF YOU'RE A MONSTER AND YOU KNOW IT (9780545218290, $16.99) presents a
fun, rollicking sing-along rhyme inviting young readers to snort, growl, wiggle and more.
Download the catchy tune, sung by Adrian Emberley, and read along in a whimsical picturebook.
Leonid Gore's THE WONDERFUL BOOK (9780545085984, $16.99) provides an original tale
asking about a strange object and a clever boy who knows what the object is. The object can be
different things to different animals, but only the boy can reveal its true meaning in this fun
account.
The Religion/Spirituality Shelf
Becoming Buddha
Whitney Stewart, author
Sally Rippin, artist
Heian
c/o Stone Bridge Press
PO Box 8208, Berkeley, CA 94707
www.stonebridge.com
0893469467, $16.95, www.heian.com
"Becoming Buddha, the Story of Siddhartha" is a beautifully illustrated children's book about the
life of Buddha. A foreword and special meditation guide by Hi Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama add
to the immense appeal and value of "becoming Buddha." Written in white flowing text against
black background and unfolding like a calendar of miracles, "Becoming Buddha" presents the
story of Siddhartha's life like a luminous, unfolding flower. Just reading and experiencing the
story is sure to bring a measure of hidden peace and joy to anyone. The Four Noble Truths are
presented along with the Buddha's saying: "Pay Attention to your mind. Otherwise it will cause
you to suffer. The focused mind brings happiness." "Becoming Buddha" is accessible to children
ages 8 and up, and adults of all ages. Younger children will love the illustrations and sense the
message of peace that is folded in to this inspiring interpretation of the life of Buddha.
Sensing Peace
Suzana E. Yoder, author
Rachel Hoffman-Bayles, illustrator
Herald Press
616 Walnut Avenue, Scottsdale, PA 15683-1999
9780836195156 $13.99 www.heraldpress.com 1-800-759-4447
Sensing Peace is a spiritual children's picturebook that teaches young readers about experiencing
peace - whether through simply laughing and sharing good times with others, cleaning up trash,
planting a tree, enjoying the aroma of fresh-baked bread, or any number of other positive
activities. "Peace is the smell of earth on your hands after planting a garden. You can smell peace
after a summer rain. Breathe deeply. Breathe in peace!" A gentle, fulfilling picturebook, Sensing
Peace has much to offer to readers of all ages, and is an especial joy for parents and children to
share aloud during storytime or bedtime.
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
An Osprey Summer
Bethany Masters, author/photographer
Book Bridge Press
c/o River Lake Press
1799 Ashland Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55104
9780615369518, $17.95, www.bethanymasters.com
"An Osprey Summer" is a fact-filled photo essay of an osprey family that nests on the upper
Mississippi banks on a channel marker. A friendly cartoon character named Sammy offers added
information and fun-filled observations on the osprey observations and pictures. Written and
photographed by an elementary teacher, "An Osprey Summer" is an award winning
nature-education book suitable for children ages 7 and up.
The Holiday Shelf
Fiesta!
Sherry Shahan, author
Paula Barragan, illustrator
August House Inc.
3500 Piedmont Road NE, Suite 310, Atlanta, GA 30305
9780874838619 $16.95 www.augusthouse.com
Award-winning team Sherry Shahan and Paula Barragan present Fiesta! A Celebration of Latino
Festivals, a children's picturebook that vividly presents fun facts about Latino festivals connected
to each month of the year, from Cinco de Mayo to Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and Inti
Raymi (Festival of the Sun). The celebrations of a wide swath of South American cultures are
represented, including beloved holidays of Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru, even the Quiche
and Cuchumatan peoples of Guatemala. The blocky, colorful artwork adds the perfect
complement to this educational and enjoyable tour of cultural festivities, highly recommended
especially for children's public library collections.
Santa's Birthday Gift
Sherrill S. Cannon
Kalpart Team, illustrations
Eloquent Books
Strategic Book Group
P.O. Box 333, Durham, CT 06422
9781608608249, $11.50, www.sherrillcannon.com
"Santa's Birthday Gift" is a charming children's Christmas book that explains origins of Santa's role in connection with the birth of the Christ child. "Santa's Birthday Gift" is beautifully written in a gentle versed narrative and illuminated with starlit illustrations of the Nativity including the jolly angel-elf in red known as Santa. Written in answer to a child's question about the traditional Nativity, "But where is Santa?", "Santa's Birthday Gift" is the perfect explanation of mysterious Christmas customs and traditions for young children. "Santa's Birthday Gift" will enchant inquisitive children of all ages.
The Preschool Shelf
The ABCs of Caribbean Fruits and Vegetables
Julia E. Antoine, author
Frankniell Concepcion, illustrator
Privately Published
9781453721872 $16.99 www.juliaeantoine.com
The ABCs of Caribbean Fruits and Vegetables is an unusual, softcover ABC picturebook - each
letter of the alphabet is demonstrated for young readers with a full-color picture of a
corresponding fruit or vegetable that can be found in the Caribbean. Additional black-and-white
simple outlines of each fruit or vegetable encourage drawing, coloring, or tracing. The text is
filled with amazing information about each food item. "The mutant-apple looking Quince is
usually yellow, with a pronounced bump at the end. It bruises very easily. It is tart and
occasionally eaten out of hand with salt but it can be made into jam, jelly or Quince pudding." In
addition to being educational, The ABCs of Caribbean Fruits and Vegetables is a great way to
help young people take interest in fresh and healthy foods!
The Gobble Gobble Moooooo Tractor Book
Jez Alborough
Kane Miller Books/ EDC Publishing
4901 Morena Blvd., Suite 213, San Diego, CA 92117
9781935279662, $15.99, www.kanemiller.com
"The Gobble Gobble Moooooo Tractor Book" is a lusty, noisy, merry farm animals' sounds story
that will charm children ages 2-6. Farmer Dougal is sleeping late, so all the animals pretend to
mimic the sound the tractor makes when he turns the engine on. For some reason, the tractor
sounds come out a little different from each animal. For the sheep, it baaaas, for the cat, it purrrs,
and for the turkey, it gobble gobbles! Will Farmer Dougal ever wake up? What if the animals
manage to make the tractor go? Children will love the colorful foldout illustrations and the
wildly funny sounds from all the different animals. "The Gobble Gobble Mooooooo Tractor
Book" is a delightful experience for preschool children to read and love.
D is for Dala Horse
Kathy-jo Wargin, author
Renee Graef, illustrator
Sleeping Bear Press
315 East Eisenhower, Suite 200, Ann Arbor, MI 48108
9781585365104, $17.95, www.sleepingbearpress.com
"D is for Dala Horse" is a Nordic countries alphabet that presents beautiful pictures of scenes
from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Greenland, and Svalbard, for every letter of
the alphabet. From Arctic Circle to Zigzag roads through fjords and tundras, every letter is
represented by a different aspect of Nordic custom, culture, or land. The rhyming text helps make
the alphabet recital pleasant, and additional information on the featured word is presented on the
opposite page. Beautiful color illustrations by the creator of the illustrations in the "Kirsten"
books in the American Girl collection enrich the pages of "D is for Dala Horse." Some letters get
two words, like R" is for runestones and reindeer, and also rosemaling. Others, such as "U" have
one word, which is Uppsala University, in Sweden, the oldest institution of higher learning in all
the Nordic Countries. Many treasured surprises await the lucky child whose alphabet is traced in
"D is for Dala Horse, A Nordic Countries Alphabet.
The Audiobook Shelf
The Ring of Solomon
Jonathan Stroud, author
Simon Jones, narrator
Listening Library, Inc.
1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
9780307738615 $48.00 1-800-726-0600
The Ring of Solomon: A Bartimaeus Novel is the unabridged audiobook production of the latest
in the magical series of Bartimaeus fantasy sagas for young adults. In 950 B.C.E., when King
Solomon rules Jerusalem, and on his hand rests a ring of terrible power. Solomon has begun
work on his temple, and tasked the magician Khaba to oversee its construction; this is no easy
job, for the workforce consists of unruly demons! Bartimaeus the djinn especially chafes at the
labor, and for his insolence gets sent to the even less desirable task of hunting bandits in the
desert. When he meets the beautiful Asmira, who is desperate to protect her nation from
Solomon's forthcoming invasion, she makes Bartimaeus a most daring and dangerous offer!
Readers of all ages will enjoy "The Ring of Solomon"; familiarity with the prior Bartimaeus
novels is not required to get swept up in the adventure. Highly recommended. 10 CDs, 12 hours
39 min.
The DVD Shelf
The Curious Garden
Peter Brown, author
Katherine Kellgren, narrator
Weston Woods Studios
143 Main Street, Norwalk, CT 06851
0545296048 $59.95 www.scholastic.com/westonwoods
Intended for young viewers ages 4-8, and featuring a "read-along" option, The Curious Garden is
the animated DVD adaptation of an ALA Notable children's picturebook by Peter Brown. The
story follows a young boy named Liam who wants to help promote a greener world, one garden
at a time. He discovers a struggling garden and strives to take care of it; time passes, and the
garden spreads through more of the city, transforming it into a beautiful green world. Warmly
narrated by Katherine Kellgren, with music by David Mansfield, The Curious Garden is a delight
especially recommended for children's library DVD collections. 10 minutes.
The Golden Hammer: The Movie
Hit Entertainment
Lionsgate (distribution)
c/o Andrea Blain Public Relations
9750 Crawford Avenue, Skokie, IL 60076
$9.98 www.bobthebuilder.com
Bob the Builder and his Top Team star in an exciting new computer-animated DVD for children,
The Golden Hammer: The Movie. In The Golden Hammer, Spud and Scrambler discover a
legend of the Pirate Brickbeard's Golden Hammer, a treasure hidden within their hometown.
They track down clues to the hidden hammer one by one, in this delightful, wholesome, and
family-friendly adventure with a "Build a House with Bob" game as a bonus feature. 60 min.
Also highly recommended for young people from Hit Entertainment and Lionsgate is "Ready for
Action" ($9.98, 46 min.), an exciting collection of Fireman Sam episodes.
Katie Loves the Kittens
John Himmelman, author
Elizabeth Himmelman, narrator
Robert Kessler, music
Weston Woods Studios
143 Main Street, Norwalk, CT 06851
$59.95 www.scholastic.com/westonwoods
Intended for young viewers ages 3-8, Katie Loves the Kittens is the brief yet warm-hearted DVD
adaptation of the children's storybook that earned the award "Bank Street Best Children's Book of
the Year". Katie Loves the Kittens is about a little dog named Katie, who is so excited when Sara
Ann brings home three kittens that she howls and runs after them. But her actions frighten the
kittens, and they run away from her, leaving poor Katie sad. Why don't the kittens understand she
just wants to play? A delightful story with a read-along option and a bonus interview with author
John Himmelman, Katie Loves the Kittens is a choice pick for children's DVD libraries or for
playing during elementary school homeroom. 9 minutes, subtitles, closed captioned.
The Music Shelf
Along Came a Giant
Adam Miller
Privately Published
$21.99 Folksinging.org
In "Along Came a Giant" (53 min. 50 sec.), folksinger, storyteller, and autoharp virtuoso Adam
Miller adapts traditional American folk songs for young people. The result is a lively,
adventurous collection of tales (most of which are grounded in traditional tales, although a few
have credit given to various authors) intended for listeners age 4-12, but sure to entertain all ages.
These brief but amazing legends set to music are the perfect choice for car trips! The tracks are
"When I Was a Little Boy", "Who Were the Witches?", "Twenty Froggies", "I'm Not Scared",
"Old Bill Pickett", "The Three Foolish Piglets", "Talking Nautical", "The Brandy Tree", "Froggie
Went A'Courtin'", "Simple Gifts", "Hi Ho Jerum", "Little Old Woman All Skin and Bones", "To
the Gray Whale Ranch", "The Coast of High Barbary", "A Horse Named Bill", "I Had a Little
Nut Tree", "The Farmer and the Crow", "Michael Finnegan", "Old Bangum", "The Frog Song",
"When the Rain comes Down", and "Wynken, Blinken and Nod". Also highly recommended is
Adam Miller's memorable "The Orphan Train" (52 min. 13 sec.), a nostalgic album intended for
listeners ages 9 and older.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Cable Publishing
14090 E. Keinenen Rd., Brule, WI 54820
www.cablepublishing.com
David Schmidt's "Natural Forces" series for young adult readers consists of action-packed novels
about a team of evolved animal heroes fighting to protect both the human and natural world. The
spirit of an ancient shaman has called together five adventurous animal orphans to protect the
planet: Wolf, Bear, Falcon, Ferret, and Badger. Each creature has been given supernatural
powers, including the ability to shape-change into an adult warrior form! In "Natural Forces: Jinx
of the Black Lynx" (9781934980309, $7.95), the existence of a newly discovered wild cat in
northern Minnesota could reveal the secret of a buried war cache of nuclear weapons. To keep
the weapons secret, the ruthless hunter Colonel Shaka and his army of Soldierjacks have been
hired to exterminate the mysterious Black Lynx! The Natural Forces must use their wits,
teamwork, and powers to protect an elusive species as well as their own lives. In "Natural Forces:
Game of Spade's" (9781934980316, $7.95), the Rocky Mountains are being plundered by the
destructive Axxes corporation, which seeks to use the source waters of the Colorado River to
spread their mind-control weapon. The Natural Forces must fight Mr. Spade and his ruthless
Soldierjacks in the unforgiving Alpine wilderness. Both novels are brief yet exciting, and sure to
encourage reading for pleasure among young adult animal and fantasy lovers everywhere. Highly
recommended.
The Science Shelf
Recycle: Green Science Projects for a Sustainable Planet
Robert Gardner
Enslow Publishers, Inc.
PO Box 398, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922-0398
9780766036482 $31.93 www.enslow.com 1-800-398-2504
Award-winning science author for young adults Robert Gardner presents Recycle: Green Science
Projects for a Sustainable Planet, a compendium of educational science projects and ideas
structured around ways ordinary people can help the planet. From composting as an activity, to a
demonstration of how ordinary paper can be recycled into cardboard, to recreating the basic idea
behind a waste-to-energy power plant (in which steam turns a turbine that serves as an electrical
generator) with a toy electric motor, Recycle: Green Science Projects for a Sustainable Planet is
packed with ideas for science fairs, hands-on activities, and invaluable recommendations for
being a responsible citizen and environmental steward. Recycle is part of a series of similar
activity and science experiment books including Air (9780766036468, $31.93), Earth's Cycles
(9780766036444, $31.93), Energy (9780766036444, $31.93), and Soil (9780766036475,
$31.93). All are highly recommended, especially for children's public or school library
collections.
The Bilingual Shelf
I am Honest
Mark Eroll
Gareth Stevens
111 East 14th Street, Suite 349, New York, NY 10003
9781433948664, $22.60, www.amazon.com
Good values are something to be celebrated. "I am Honest/Soy Honesto" is a dual language book
in both English and Spanish, telling of what honesty is and how to become more honest in one's
life by following the rules and being responsible for what has been done. Thoughtful and
positive, "I am Honest" is a strong pick for young readers with a good moral message.
Grandma's Chocolate
Mara Price, author
Lisa Fields, illustrator
Pinata Books
452 Cullen Performance Hall, Houston, TX 77204-2004
9781558855878, $16.95, www.artepublicopress.com
A grandmother is a great source of wisdom for many children. "Grandma's Chocolate" tells a
story of young Sabrina as she learns much about Mexican heritage from her grandmother over
something every little girl and perhaps every grandmother enjoys too, chocolate. The book is
presented in both English and Spanish and provides a charming read with detailed and thoughtful
artwork from Lisa Fields, making "Grandma's Chocolate" a choice pick for multilingual
children's collections.
Fox on the Ice
Tomson Highway, author
Brian Deines, illustrator
Fifth House Publishers
195 Allstate Parkway, Markham, Ontario M1S 1C6
c/o Fitzhenry & Whiteside
311 Washington Street, Brighton, MA 02135-3303
9781897252659 $19.95 www.fitzhenry.ca 1-800-387-9776
Award-winning author Tomson Highway presents Fox on the Ice, a children's picturebook with
text presented in both the English and Cree languages. When brothers Cody and Joe go ice
fishing with their parents, suddenly the sled dogs react to a bright-furred fox across the lake. The
dogs rush to chase the fox, pulling the mother and Joe on an unexpected ride; what are Cody and
his father to do? Absolutely beautiful color illustrations of a family's unexpected adventure
enhance this simple and heartwarming tale.
The Folklore/Mythology Shelf
Tales of Irish Enchantment
Patricia Lynch, author
Sara Baker, illustrator
Mercier
c/o Dufour Editions, Inc.
PO Box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
9781856356817 $29.95 www.dufoureditions.com 1-800-869-5677
In Tales of Irish Enchantment, prolific Irish writer Patricia Lynch adapted six classic legends for
young reader. Each story is fairly lengthy - a small epic in its own right - and brought to life with
Sara Baker's colorful and slightly cartoony illustrations on virtually every other page. From the
heroic exploits of Cuchulain, to fables about the Kingdom of the Dwarves, Tales of Irish
Enchantment is filled with wonder from cover to cover. Highly recommended for public library
children's collections, or as the perfect St. Patrick's Day gift!
Cinderella: An Islamic Tale
Fawzia Gilani, author
Shireen Adams, illustrator
The Islamic Foundation
c/o Kube Publishing Ltd.
info@kubepublishing.com
Consortium Books Sales & Distrubution
34 13th Avenue NE, Suite 101, Minneapolis, MN 55413
9780860374732 $14.00 www.kubepublishing.com www.cbsd.com
Cinderella: An Islamic Tale is a picturebook of a classic Islamic fable, retold by Fawzia Gilani.
The gentle and pious Zahra's parents die, she lives a harsh life with a stepmother who cares little
for her. Yet she stays true to her beliefs and her principles, and her inner goodness ultimately
earns her goodness in reward. "As for the stepmother and stepsisters, when they saw how Allah
had rewarded Zahra's goodness, they were filled with shame. They repented for their sins and
asked for her forgiveness. And, remembering the example of the Prophet Yusuf and his brothers,
Princess Zahra forgave them wholeheartedly." Simple, colorful illustrations enhance this lovely
recreation of a cherished fairy tale, and the final two pages offer a glossary of Arabic terms as
well as a brief footnote list of the passages from the Qur'an and Hadith referred to by the story.
Cinderella: An Islamic Tale is highly recommended especially for children's public library
multicultural picturebook collections.
The Art Shelf
Travels with Monet
Susan Rodriguez
Crystal Productions
PO Box 2159, 1812 Johns Drive, Glenview, IL 60025
9781562906641, $15.95
Of landscape paintings today, many artists owe their inspiration to Claude Monet. "Travels with
Monet: Travel in the Artist's Footsteps" is a light and fun read aimed at young would be artists
focusing on the travels and life of legendary French artist Monet, who changed how many artists
did landscapes forever. Packed cover to cover with full color photos, "Travels with Monet" is a
top pick for any youth-oriented art collection, highly recommended.
The Judaic Studies Shelf
Yossi & Laibel Learn to Share
Dina Rosenfeld, author
Norman Nodel, illustrator
Hachai Publishing
527 Empire Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11225
9781929628582, $6.95, www.hachai.com
Sharing is a virtue that pays back. "Yossi & Laibel Learn to Share" is a Jewish children's book
from Dina Rosenfeld, adapted from Rosenfeld's earlier children's book 'Labels for Laibel'. With a
unique art style from Norman Nodel, "Yossi & Laibel Learn to Share" is a charming read aimed
at Jewish children, but the message is clear for anyone.
Books in Series
Freddie the Frog
Sharon Burch, author
Tiffany Harris, illustrator
Mystic Publishing, Inc.
Bradley Bank Bldg, 2nd Floor, 307 N. 13th Centerville, IA 52544
$23.95 each, www.freddiethefrogbooks.com
Rhythm and music is just another part of life. "Freddie the Frog" is a series of books following
Freddie and his family on Treble Cleft Island. Musically driven stories, each volume has a CD
with original music as well as a picturebook, with the story written by Sharon Busch and unique
full color artwork from Tiffany Harris. "The Thump in the Night" (9780974745497) follows the
first adventures of Freddie as he faces an unknown sound in the night and must face it himself.
"The Bass Clef Monster" (9780974745480) tells of Freddie's encounter with a monster who is
doing more than just growling at him angrily, as Freddie tries to deduct it as friend or foe. "The
Mysterious Wahoooo" (9780974745473) has Freddie and his best friend stranded on Tempo
island, as the story seeks to teach children about tempo and what it means in music. "The Secret
of Crater Island" (9780974745466) continues Freddie's musical adventures as he tries to deduct
the mystery behind crater island as he makes new friends.
Animal Antics A to Z
Barbara deRubertis, author
R.W. Alley, illustrator
The Kane Press
350 5th Avenue, Suite 7206, New York, NY 10118-7200
$7.95 each, www.kanepress.com
With an allure to alliteration, author Barbara deRubertis brings young readers an educational and
humorous treat with "Animal Antics A-Z", following the adventures of Alpha Betty's class and
their letter driven dilemmas, emphasizing letter sounds throughout their stories. Readers will
enjoy the rhyming sing song nature of the books, as well as the excellently complementary art
style from R. W. Alley. "Kylie Kangaroo's Karate Kickers" (9781575653235) follows Kylie
Kangaroo's martial arts adventures where she tries to build herself up to her goal, breaking a
brick with her hands like they do in the movies. "Lana Llama's Little Lamb" (9781575653242)
tells of Lana's lamb friend and her problem with a sneaky wolf, who turns to her teacher for
advice and help. "Maxwell Moose's Mountain Monster" (9781575653259) tells of Maxwell who
enjoys camping and finds that he may not be alone in the mountains and is unsure of what may
be stalking him, and if it's just his imagination. "Nina Nandu's Nervous Noggin"
(9781575653266) is about the anxiety that Nina Nandu, the newest kid in school faces as she
moves into a new place and finds it a rough task of trying to fit in once more, but her classmates
and teacher may have something waiting for her yet. "Oliver Otter's Own Office"
(9781575653273) is the story of Oliver getting a place of his own to do his homework, as his
siblings continue to torment him and get in the way of getting it done. But it isn't so easy for
Oliver. "Polly Porcupine's Painting Prizes" (9781575653280) looks at the messy problem that
Polly faces where her art that she loves creates a big messes that clashes with her father's wishes,
and she tries to clean up her act. "Quentin Quokka's Quick Questions" (9781575653297) looks at
the inquisitive Quentin who is never without a question about what's in front of him. But he soon
learns when to ask questions and when to keep quiet. "Rosie Raccoon's Rock and Roll Raft"
(9781575653303) tells of Rosie's raft race as she has to get through the rapids in order to win a
difficult race, and she questions whether she is up to this tough task.
Marshall Cavendish
99 White Plains Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591
www.marshallcavendish.us
Two fine new titles covering the ancient world are picks for any advanced elementary to middle
school collection, each offering well over a hundred pages packed with color illustration and
lively history. ANCIENT EGYPT AND THE NEAR EAST: AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY
(9780761479345, $57.07) provides a fine survey filled with photos of relics, modern-day Egypt
and the Near East, and maps detailing the geography and history of the region. ANCIENT
GREECE: AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY (9780761479321, $57.07) achieves the same for
Greece, with sidebars of detail accompanying surveys of early Greece's social, political and
economic influences. Both are top picks for collections strong in ancient history. The references
MAMMALS OF THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE (9780761479369, $85.64) and
MAMMALS OF THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE (9780761479376, $85.64) are fine choices
for any middle school collection strong in natural history. Each holds some 200 pages pairing
color illustrations and maps with details on the anatomy and habits of different animals. Together
these provide a fine introduction to students seeking initial facts about animals of different
regions.
Marshall Cavendish
99 White Plains Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591
www.marshallcavendish.us
New additions to the 'Surprising Science' series by Dana Meachen Rau offer kids in grades K-2
some 24 pages each of lively facts paired with lovely color photos to encourage excitement and
leisure reading. HOT AIR BALLOONS (9780761448730, $20.95), MUMMIES
(9780761448693, $20.95), ROLLER COASTERS (9780761448723, $20.95), FIREWORKS
(9780761448686, $20.95), and ROBOTS (9780761448716, $20.95) pack in lively subjects
familiar to kids and review the basic science involved, thus linking science to fascinating,
exciting concepts kids will want to read about. Elementary science collections need such
books!
Crabtree Publishing Company
350 - 5th Avenue, 59th Floor, New York NY 10118
www.crabtreebooks.com
The 'My Path to Math' series ($15.95 each) will reach grade 2 with its outstanding 24-page basic
introductions to math concepts. With its clear step-by-step explanations, math problem examples,
and color photos, many an adult may wish to consult these as a 'refresher course'. Claire
Piddock's REGROUPING (9780778767855) and her PLACE VALUE: THE NEXT STAGE
(9780778767831), Marina Cohen's POLYGONS (9780778767848), and Marsha Arvoy and
Dorianne Nardi's AREA (9780778767800) all provide math examples based on easy problems so
that students receive keys to math applications, not just formulas. John Burstein's additions to
'Slim Goodbody's Life Skills 101' ($19.95 each) will reach Grade 3 with 32 pages of details
ranging from how to understand basic money management to managing stress and developing
good manners. DOLLARS AND SENSE: DEVELOPING GOOD MONEY HABITS
(9780778747949), MANNERS, PLEASE! WHY IT PAYS TO BE POLITE (9780778747956),
PAST TENSE: HEALTHY WAYS TO MANAGE STRESS (9780778747963), and SPEAK UP!
COMMUNICATING CONFIDENTLY (9780778747970) each pack in details kids in grades 3-6
will all find intriguing. Bobbie Kalman's WHAT ARE OPPOSITES IN NATURE?
(9780778733263) and her WHAT IS SYMMETRY IN NATURE? (9780778733270, $15.95
each) join others in the 'Looking at Nature' series for grade 1, offering 24 pages each exploring
the basic concepts of differences in nature and identical parts in nature. Her 'What Is' nature
series holds 32 pages each packed with keys to understanding different small aspects of nature.
New releases include WHAT IS SUPER NATURE? (9780778732877), HOW DO LIVING
THINGS FIND FOOD? (9780778732341), WHAT KIND OF LIVING THING IS IT?
(9780778732358) and WHAT IS POLLINATION? (9780778732860). Each offers lively
discussion paired with a glossary, index, and bright color photos throughout! All are winning
picks for libraries seeking to encourage leisure browsing.
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
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