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Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
Ludmila's Way
Andra Chase
MarshMedia
Box 8082, Shawnee Mission, KS 66208
www.marshmedia.com
1559421932 $89.95 1-800-821-3303
Ludmila and her family live in the ancient Russian town of Suzdal. The young girl cares for the
animals and grows fruit and vegetables on a small plot of land. She rescues a homeless dog she
calls Vladimir from the cold and introduces him to all the inhabitants of Ludmila's barn which
includes three hens, two cows, and one very contrary goose. Set against a beautifully drawn
backdrop of Russian buildings, belltowers, windmills, and monasteries, Ludmila's Way is a
charming story of sharing, generosity, and harmony. The MarshMedia Kit includes the picture
book (1559421908, $17.95); video (1559421-916, $69.95), an activity/teaching guide
(1559421924, $17.95). Also very highly recommended for both school and community library
collections is Andra Chase's Aloha Potter in which a little fish learns to cope with unwelcome
teasing. The MarshMedia Kit (1559422303, $89.95) for Aloha Potter also includes a book, video,
and activity/teaching guide.
The Kids' Guide To Working Out Conflicts
Naomi Drew
Free Spirit Publishing
217 Fifth Avenue North, Suite 200, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1299
157542150X $13.95 www.freespirit.com
The Kids' Guide To Working Out Conflicts: How To Keep Cool, Stay Safe, And Get Along is a
self-help guide for kids and teens to learning basic social skills. From keeping one's cool when
teased, to staying safe in threatening situations, dealing with sexual harassment, learning how to
disagree and get along, self-tests, conflict logs, and much more. Assorted useful forms for
tracking and monitoring one's progress add a useful interactive aspect, and humorous caricatures,
stories and survey results from kids themselves, and a friendly, no-nonsense tone enhance the
highly palatible and simple to assimilate lessons. Overall, The Kids' Guide To Working Out
Conflicts is a practical resource to learning how to deal with real life situations effectively, and
highly recommended to readers of all ages.
The Reluctant Dragon
Kenneth Grahame
Orchard Books
557 Broadway, New York NY 10012
0439455812 $16.95 www.scholastic.com
Robert San Souci expertly retells The Reluctant Dragon: an engaging story of a family who leads
a simple, easy life until a fire-breathing dragon moves in. Jack learns the dragon is just a pussycat
who would rather read and write than fight knights; but a persistent St. George the Dragon
Fighter brings trouble and challenge in this engaging and recommended story of a mock battle and
a most unusual friendship.
The Fairytale/Folklore Shelf
The Illustrated Treasury Of Fairy Tales
Rita Marshall, designer
Creative Editions
123 S. Broadstreet, Mankato, MN 56001
1568461445 $29.95 www.amazon.com
Fairy tales are a cultural legacy that has its origins in virtually every country and every society
known to recorded human history. Many of these fabulous tales have exited for centuries in only
an oral form and where passed down from one generation of storytellers to another before finally
being written down -- beginning around the turn of the 18th century. The Illustrated Treasury Of
Fairy Tales showcases ten of the world's best-loved fairly tales superbly enhanced with museum
quality artwork which is as visually entertaining to the eye as the stories are engaging to the
mind's imagination. Enhanced with the inclusion of a section devoted to "Historical &
Biographical Notes", the fairy tales comprising this simply outstanding compendium include:
Beauty & The Beast; Cinderella; Hansel & Gretel; The Three Languages; The Fisherman & His
Wife; The Queen Bee; Bushy Bride; The Sleeping Beauty; The Enchanted Pig; and The Fir
Tree.
The Library Video Shelf
Potty Power For Boys And Girls
Jessica Cannon
Thinkeroo
Andrea Blain (publicity)
PO Box 1831, Bristol, CT 06010
DVD $14.95 www.thinkeroo.com
Potty Power For Boys And Girls is a new, live action, DVD that teaches preschool age children
potty training in an engaging musical format which entertains as it teaches the practice of going to
the potty from start to finish. Children learn by watching what other do and this DVD employs a
company of enthusiastic toddlers to demonstrate to young viewers just what going to potty is all
about and how simple a task it is to accomplish. Energetic host Jessica Cannon breaks down the
process of potty training into simple steps with catchy, sing-along songs encouraging a
multi-cultural cast of toddlers doing each activity. As fun as it is instructional, Potty Power For
Boys And Girls is an ideal addition to family, daycare center, preschool, and community library
DVD collections.
Crystal Productions
PO Box 2159, Glenview, IL 60025-6159
www.crystalproductions.com
$29.95 each 1-800-255-8629
The Crystal Productions "Who Is The Artist?" series offers full color videos showcasing famous
and influential artists noted for their use of line and color. Who Is The Artist?: Dufy, Gauguin,
Matisse (CP-6170) provides young viewers ages 9 and older with 24 masterworks by Raoul Dufy,
Paul Gauguin, and Henri Matisse. Analytical details are provided that will enable the viewer to
correctly identify each of the artists (they are shown other paintings by the same artists and asked
to identify which artist was responsible) and are additionally asked to interact with the paintings as
they are presented to view. Also very highly recommended for school and community library Art
Appreciation video resource collections is another title in this visually and informationally
outstanding series, Who Is The Artist?: Lichtenstein, Thiebaud, Warhol (CP-6169).
Accidental Inventions
Jumby Bay Studios
11783 Borman Dr., St. Louis, MO 63146
www.Vat19.com
097443504X $29.95 1-800-476-1991
Accidental Inventions is an impressively produced and informatively presented 84 minute DVD
showcasing for students grades 7 and up, just how ten of the world's most popular and influential
inventions were created through laboratory or experimental accident. Unintended consequences of
applied science that were to alter the world. Viewers will learn how a cocklebur inspired Velcro;
how a laboratory accident created Teflon; how a failed tablecloth would give rise to Cellophane,
how stainless steel was quite literally discovered in a scientist's junk pile. Also included are the
stories behind the Microwave, Post-It Notes; Fingerprint Fuming; Matches; Dynamite; and Ether
Anesthesia. Enhanced with interviews, historical photos, and 3D graphics, Accidental Inventions
is a very strongly recommended addition to school and community library collections -- and an
ideal homeschooling curriculum resource for the study of modern technology and invention.
Production Associates, Inc.
Andrea Blain (publicity)
1206 W. Collings Ave, Orange, CA 92867
www.production-associates.com
VHS 1-800-535-8368 www.wesign.com
The outstanding "We Sign" video series from Production Associates now includes two new,
30-minute, live-action videos for young viewers which offer "sing-along" fun combining ASL
(American Sign Language) with music and songs to create an effective and thoroughly
entertaining, interactive and educational program of instruction in sign language. Fun Time
(1887120726, $14.95) has children singing, laughing, and playing along with such classic songs as
Five Little Monkeys; Old MacDonald; Little Miss Muffet; The More We Get Together; Row,
Row, Row Your Boat, and more. Play Time (1887120718, $14.95) features a group of mothers
and kids as they sing, sign, and play-along to Wheels on the Bus; If You're Happy & You7 Know
It; This is the Way; One Little Kitty; Stop Look & Listen, and many others. Enthusiastically
recommended, the "We Sign" series is designed specifically for preschool through kindergarten
audiences.
An Alphabet Safari
Joe Raposo
Wildlife Conservation Society
c/o 411 Video Information
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
VHS $19.95 www.shipments@aol.com
Original songs by Joe Raposo (Sesame Street's award-winning song writer) provide the backdrop
for An Alphabet Safari, a full color, 28-minute video that takes children on a trip through the
alphabet while on their way to visit a zoo. Kids will encounter animal friends, including rare
creatures as well as familiar (and not-so-familiar animals), ranging from the slithering Alligator to
the zany Zebra. Especially recommended for preschool, daycare center, kindergarten, and
community library video collections, all twenty-six letters of the alphabet are represented by
Raposo's witty songs to the utter delight of young viewers.
The Judeo/Christian Shelf
The Torah And Judaism
Vivienne Cato
Smart Apple Media/Creative Company
123 S. Broad St., Mankato, MN 56001
1583402446 $24.95 507-388-2601
Kid in grades 4-8 will find Vivienne Cato's The Torah And Judaism, a fine introduction to Judaic
religious concepts: it examines the text of the Torah in depth, using it as a foundation for
considering the beliefs of Judaism and their origins and affects on daily life. The Torah And
Judaism is a powerful key to understanding, spiced with many fine contemporary
illustrations.
The Key Under The Pillow
Leah Perl Shollar & Harvey Klineman
Hachai Publishing
156 Chester Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11218
1929628161 $9.95 www.hachai.com
Leah Perl Shollar's The Key Under The Pillow is an impressive re-telling for young readers of a
classic Talmudic tale about honoring parents. Dama ben Nesina keeps his precious gems locked in
a strong wooden chest near his father's bed. When Dama has a chance to make a fortune, he
realizes the key to the chest is under his father's pillow and impossible to retrieve without waking
his father up. Will Dama wake his father to get the key and make the gem sale of a lifetime? Very
nicely illustrated by Harvey Klineman, The Key Under The Pillow is a wonderful story and a
welcome addition to the family bookshelf.
Calie's Gift
Madeline Arroyo & S. Dean Vavak
Stairway Publications
PO Box 518, Huntington, NY 11743-0518
www.stairwaypub.com
0974006106 $16.95 1-877-323-4550
Enthusiastically recommended for children ages 5 through 8, Calie's Gift is the story of an elderly
woman and a group of schoochildren who form a special friendship in a small urban park. Every
school day, Calie takes a recorder out of her ever-present shopping cart and blows tunes for the
chldren of a nerby school. Over a period of months the elderly Calie shares her musical gifts to
entertain the children during their daily lunch break. When Christmas comes, the children take
their turn in showing their affection and appreciation for Calie by giving her a very special gift
which reminds her of the true meaning of Christmas. The lovely artwork by Dean Vavak is a
perfect showcase for Mardeline Arroyo's wonderfully charming story of friendship, the devine
love of Jesus, and the Christmas season.
The Biography Shelf
Kid Who Named Pluto
Marc McCutcheon
Chronicle Books
85 2nd Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
081183770X $15.95 chroniclebooks.com
Kids ages 9-14 will relish this collection of biographies of kids who made inventions or
discoveries crucial to science! From braille and television to planetary discoveries, Kid Who
Named Pluto surveys the achievements of nine smart kids who made lasting discoveries in
science. Kid Who Named Pluto is a unique and enthusiastically recommended addition to any
school or community library collection.
Lerner Publications
241 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1607
$23.93 Each, www.lernerbooks.com
Kids in grades 2-4 will find the 'History Maker' series from Lerner Publications to be simply
captivating: each includes a little under 50 pages of background information on key figures in
American history who are nonetheless under-covered. Jane Sutcliffe's Milton Hershey
(082250247X) reveals the surprising choice of the candy maker to build his new factory in the
middle of a cornfield; Elaine Marie Alphin's Davy Crockett (082250393X) dispels many common
myths about the frontiersman including his 'favored' coonskin hat; Susan Bivin Aller's George
Eastman (0822502003) examines the foundations of Kodak's founder and discoveries; Jane
Sutcliffe's Paul Revere (0822501953) tells why Revere's warning overcame others and made
people listen; and Jean Patrick's Dolley Madison (0822501945) tells of the wife of the fourth
president who made a unique name for herself. All are recommended picks for early grade
collections seeking lasting biographies with a difference.
Chrysalis Education
1980 Lookout Drive, North Makato MN 56003
Two additions to the outstanding Chrysalis Education 'Famous Childhoods' biographical series by
Barrie Carson Turner each present a little over thirty pages of detail for picturebook readers.
Ludwig Van Beethoven (1593891121, $24.25) and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1593891156,
$24.25) each use plenty of illustrations to flavor biographical sketches of the musicians' lives and
times.
The Music Shelf
When Bullfrogs Croak
Zak Morgan
c/o Waldmanial: Publicity with Style
1748 Harte Dr., San Jose, CA 95124
CD $15.99 www.zakmorgan.com
Nominated for a "best recording" Grammy award in the category of "Best Musical Album for
Children", When Bullfrogs Croak is a superbly performed and recorded compilation of original
music for young listeners by singer/songwriter Zak Morgan. His music and his stylings are
justifiably impressive creations of wordplay wit that is virtually unique. The ten individual songs
comprising this outstanding and highly recommended CD recording that will be thoroughly
enjoyed by children and their parents include The Cribling; The Pox of Chicken; The Unicorn; It's
a Drag to be a Dragon; The King of Fruits; Insect City; When Cordelia Played; Peace Train;
Sabina; and the title piece, When Bullfrogs Croak.
Lovely Baby Music
PO Box 1374, Bellmore, NY 11710-0992
1-877-695-2229 www.lovelybabycd.com
In addition to their sheer musical fun, he CD albums from Lovely Baby Music have the additional
benefits of promoting reading skills development; cognitive and behavioral skills enhancement;
spatial-temporal reasoning to help with mathematics; stimulations of creativity and a love for
music; movement and physical responses; a strengthening of parent-child bonding; stress relieve;
and the nurturing of a child's imagination. Three recent and very highly recommended additions to
the roster of Lovely Baby Music titles ($15.99 each) include Lovely Baby CD No. 4 (Living
Water; My Special Mummy; Having Fun Together; Always Baby; Daddy's Blues; Higher and
Higher; Baby's Conversation; Echo Melody; Baby's Secret; Safe In Port); Lovely Baby & Daddy
(Baby Power; Proud to Be Your Daddy; Let's Rock and Roll; Play Baby Play; This is Baby's
World; All My Love for You; Baby President; The Language of Love; Baby's Cool Down; Sleep
Tight, Little One); and Baby Classics (Fur Elise-Theme; Minuet; Ode to Joy; Sonata Pathetique;
Them-Mozart; Air; Moonlight Sonata; Ave Maria; Jesu, Joy of Man's Desire;
Lullaby-Brahms).
The Feeling Good Concert
Dr. Cool and Pride
The Good Life Solution, Inc.
Andrea Blain (publicity)
730 Anthony Trail, Northbrook, IL 60062
www.drcoolandpride.com
DVD $14.95; VHS $12.95; CD $12.95
Dr. Cool and Pride is a black and white singer-songwriter team from Chicago who mix hip-hop,
pop, and conscious rap for their audience of 5 to 11 year olds in an interactive MTV-style
concert. Featuring ten original songs encouraging kids to make healthy choices, respect others,
and accept themselves the way they are, the music and lyrics are as contemporary and fun as they
are character-building and family values supportive. Especially recommended for school and
community library collections, The Feeling Good Concert DVD has a running time of 30 minutes
and includes a bonus track of the music video version of "See Ya", a question-and-answer session
with the stars, funny behind-the-scenes clips, and Dr. Cool and Pride's pitch for "The Song Inside
of You" online songwriting contest.
Rhinoceros Tap
Adam Bryant
Rounder Records
Beth Blenz-Clucas (publicity)
One Camp St., Cambridge, MA 02140
1-800-ROUNDER www.rounder.com
With original lyrics by Sandra Boynton and music created by Michael Ford, the ten songs
performed by musical theater actor Adam Bryant in Rhinoceros Tap And 14 Other Seriously Silly
Songs is a delightful, lively, and highly recommended addition to the CD music library of any
school, community library, or family of young children. Permeated with zest and irrepressible
charm, the individual numbers composing this outstanding album include O, Lonely Peas; Bad
Babies; The Crabby Song; Perfect Piggies; Tropical Sand; So Long, Doggies; The Shortest Song
in the Universe; Horns to Toes; Barnyard Dance; I Love You More Than Cheese; Tickle Time;
Dinosaur Round; Turkey Love Song; Little One; and the title piece, Rhinoceros Tap.
Hunk-Ta-Bunka-Ta FUNsies: Volume 2
Katherine Dines
Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta Music
c/o Beth Blenz-Clucas
www.hunktabunkta.com
5505 SW Illinois St., Portland, OR 97221
CD $15.99 1-800-448-6369
The second CD album of skill-building songs created and performed by Katherine Dines for
preschoolers, Hunk-Ta-Bunka-Ta FUNsies: Volume 2 showcases 15 songs crated specifically to
help babies and toddlers develop important skills, interact with parents, care givers, and other
children, all while having themselves a terrifically fun time. This CD album also features
instrumental versions of each song and a downloadable activity guide is available on its website.
The CD booklet includes complete lyrics, activity ideas, and a parenting resources bibliography.
The songs comprising this simply outstanding children's music CD include: When the Bay Bay
Baby; Roly Poly Puddin' Pie; Bouncing Ball; Row Row Row Your Baby; Ticklebug; Pat-A-Cake;
Don't Drop the Baby; Bunny Hop; Baby Bingo; Where Is Baby?; Sake It Up; This is the Way;
Tug a Wiggle; Angels Are Dancing With You; Wings; Music Tracks for Sing-Along Fun.
ABCs & 123s
Madacy Entertainment Group
Countdown Kids
Andrea Blain (publicity)
6 Lansing Square Suite 121, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M2J 1T5
MK2-50505 $5.98 1-416-756-2800
Especially recommended for preschoolers and daycare center/community library collections, Abcs
& 123s showcases new songs by the popular Countdown Kids group. Showcasing new verses
with "kid-friendly" lyrics, the music, melodies, and rhythms of each song provides young listeners
with learning basics. The twenty lively tunes include: Crayola ABCs & 123s; This Old Man; One
Little Chimpanzee; I had One Candy; The Ants Go Marching; B-I-N-G-O; Six Little Ducks; Roll
Over (Six in the Bed); A is for Apple; Ten Little Monsters; Five Little Monkeys; Fun with
Phonics; Hickory, Dickory, Dock; One, Two, Buckle My Shoe; It's Not Easy Being "Z"; The
Alphabet Song; One is a Very, Very Brave Number; Rainbow, Rainbow Up in the Sky; Ten
Sleepy Frogs; and the title piece, ABCs and 123s.
The Picturebook Shelf
I Hate School
Jeanne Willis & Tony Ross
Atheneum/Simon & Schuster
1230 Ave of the Americas, NY NY 10020
www.simonsayskids.com
0689865236 $15.95 1-800-223-2336
Why would Honor Brown want to go to school when it's filled with evil teachers and friends who
are crooks? I Hate School is a simply hilarious picturebook which will strongly appeal to any
young reader who dislike school and appreciates fun cartoon-like drawings and big
imaginations.
The Seed And The Giant Saguaro
Jennifer Ward
Northland Publishing
2900 North Fort Valley Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
0873588452 $15.95 northlandpub.com
Gorgeous illustrations by Mike Rangner accompany Jennifr Ward's The Seed And The Giant
Saguaro, a superbly presented read-aloud picturebook about the wild desert cactus and how its
small seeds harbor a pack rat, rattlesnake, and other creatures. While the rollicking rhyme follows
a fictional 'house that Jack built' style, the facts about Southwest ecology are real and engagingly
taught. Highly Recommended!
The Golden Egg Book
Margaret Wise Brown
Leonard Weisgard
Golden Books/Random House
1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
www.randomhousekids.com
037582717X $8.99 www.amazon.com
Charmingly written by Margaret Wise Brown and superbly illustrated by Leonard Weisgard, The
Gold Egg Book is a true picturebook classic telling the story of the rambling imagination of one
little bunny as he tries to figure out just what is inside a beautiful blue egg. A whole new
generation of children ages 2 to 5 will delight in this lively story as the bunny tries to shake, push,
and even jump on the egg in his attempts to break it. But the egg won't hatch until it is ready! The
Golden Egg Book will prove to be an enthusiastically popular addition to family, preschool, and
community library collections.
Washoe Seasons Of Life
Diane Domiteaux, et al.
Creative Minds Press
3040 June Meadows Rd., Reno, NV 89509
www.creativeminds.com
0974961035 $19.95 1-775-827-8654
Co-authored by Diane Domiteaux and Karen Wallis, Washoe Seasons Of Life: A Native American
Story is illustrated throughout by Lea Saling's softly expressive artwork. Washoe Seasons Of Life
is based upon of how the Washoe indians lived and played in the Lake Tahoe region which was
later to be parts of Nevada and California. Young readers ages 7 to 11 will raptly follow Mele and
her family as she helps to gather pine nuts for the winter months, joins the rabbit drive, listens to
her grandfather's stories, plays with her friend, and performs her daily chores common to the
Carson Valley Washoe Tribe. Washoe Seasons Of Life is highly recommended and will make a
popular addition to both school and community library collections.
Little, Brown
1271 Avenue of Americas, NY, NY 10020
1-800-759-0190 www.lb-kids.com
Michael Emberley's Ruby And The Sniffs (0316236640, $15.95) is different a fun: Ruby is an
independent street-smart urban mouse who is convinced thieves have taken over her building. Her
investigations solve the mystery and reveal a new dilemma in Emerbely's latest fun Ruby story
Ruby And The Sniffs. Karma Wilson's Never, Ever Shout In A Zoo (0316985-643, $15.95)
deserves ongoing mention for its funny illustrations by Doug Cushman and its hilarious comedy of
the chaos which ensues when an innocent little girl's shout causes panic among its residents.
Roberta Baker's Lizard Walinsky (03160-73318, $15.95) tells of a girl who calls herself Lizard,
and who does not like to play dolls. Her interests aren't shared by others until she meets up with
Spider, only to lose him to a different school. Philemon Sturges' She'll Be Comin Round The
Mountain (0316822566, $15.95) adapts a favorite children's song to southwest animal characters
who scurry about busily for a favored guest.Ashley Wolff's drawings are zany and whimsical
embellishments to She'll Be Comin' Round The Mountain. Corinne Demas' Saying Goodbye To
Lulu (0316702781, $15.95) with Ard Hoyt's engaging illustrations and tells of a faithful girl/dog
team changed by Lulu's death. How can her loving owner move on with her life? Mary Ann
Hoberman and Nadine Bernard Wescott's Yankee Doodle (0316-145513, $15.95) and their I
Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly (0316734098, $15.95) each join the 'Sing-along
stories' series of titles, adapting old favorites with rollicking new lyrics and providing some
hilarious original moments. All are excellent, recommended picks.
Polar Slumber/Sueno Polar
Dennis Rockhill
Raven Tree Press
200 South Washington, Suite 306, Green Bay, WI 54301
www.raventreepress.com
0972497315 $16.95 1-877-256-0579
Dennis Rockhill's Polar Slumber/Sueno Polar is virtually unique as a completely wordless
picturebook that tells the wonderfully entertaining story of a sleepy little girl, a backyard snow
bear, and a dreaming fantasy of a journey together through frozen landscapes and exotic
creatures. All of which fade away with the coming of morning. The artwork is of museum quality
and the imaginative and magical story is utterly charming. Polar Slumber/Sueno Polar is very
highly recommended, especially for children preschool through first grade!
Scholastic Inc.
557 Broadway, New York NY 10012
www.scholastic.com
Violetta is a princess who wishes she could be strong like her brothers but she's just too small.
Determined to become as brave and weighty as they are, Violetta sneaks off into the woods and
teaches herself knightly skills, to find herself facing the ultimate challenge. Cornelia Funke and
Kerstin Meyer's Princess Knight (0439536308, $15.95) is a fine picturebook packed with intrigue
and fun. Eugene W. Field's Wynken, Blynken And Nod (0439543037, $15.95) receives David
McPhail's beautiful drawings of rabbits as it brings to new life a classic story. The magical dream
is engaging and well done. Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen's Ms. Frizzle's Adventures: Medieval
Castle (0439108204, $15.95) comes from the author of Magic School Bus and tells of a teacher
who spies a student going into Craig's Castle Shop and whisks him back in time to experience
the Middle Ages. Whimsical color cartoons bring this story, with its embedded history, to life.
Pony Express days come to life with Bernie Fuchs' Ride Like The Wind (0439266-459, $16.95), a
fictional story of the Pony Express experience which pairs oil paintings by Fuchs with the focus on
a young rider and his beloved pony who face a dangerous journey. Elaine Greenstein's Ice-Cream
Cones For Sale! (0439327-288, $15.95) provides an excellent mystery of who really invented the
ice cream cone: a fete six lay claim to. From an inventive Syrian waffle-maker's discovery to an
Italian immigrant's pushcart of innovation, this reads like fiction as it tells the engaging story of
the ice cream cone's making!
MGT Publishing, Inc.
1994 Lucile Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90039
1-323-660-58800 f:323-660-7100
The third title in a planned 21 book "The Jungle of Utt" series, The Utt Jungle Airline continues
the story of an island jungle's inhabitants, a group of peculiar and charming animals who are led by
a shipwrecked young adventurer named Barnaby. In The Utt Jungle Airline, Barnaby and the
critters build an ingenious and unusual airship. But during their first flight they find themselves
caught up in a terrible gale which blows them off-shore. But in the face of this dire emergency,
everyone discovers that by working together they can over come any adversity. Written in rhyme
and brightly illustrated throughout, The Utt Jungle Airline is simply wonderful reading for
children ages four to nine. Also very highly recommended in this outstanding and imaginative
series are: The Jungle Of Utt: Shipwrecked On The Island Of Skree (0921800010, $16.95) and
The Jungle Of Utt: Mystery Of The Lake (0921800029, $16.95).
Books in Series
Enslow Publishers, Inc.
PO Box 398, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
1-800-398-2504 www.enslow.com
Specifically written and illustrated for young readers in grades 6 and above, the three newest
additions to Enslow Publishers' impressive and very highly recommended "Slavery In American
History" series include Abolitionists And Slave Resistance: Breaking The Chains Of Slavery by
Judith Edwards (0766021556, $20.95) The Rise And Fall Of American Slavery: Freedom Denied,
Freedom Gained by Tim McNeese (0766021564, $20.95), and The Slave Trade In America:
Cruel Commerce by Richard Worth (0766021513, $20.95). Each of these titles features 128
pages of primary source documents which also include slave narratives and oral histories. They
are also enhanced with a timeline, a glossary, historic sites to visit, chapter notes, a bibliography
for further studies, thematically appropriate Internet websites, and an index. Home schooling
parents and classroom teachers, as well as school and community librarians, will be pleased to
note that the "Slavery In American History" series is produced in accordance with the National
Council for the Social Studies standards. Early titles in this informative series include:
African-American History From Emancipation To Today: Rising Above The Ashes Of Slavery
(076602153X, $20.95) by Ann Byers; The Politics Of Slavery: Fiery National Debates Fueled By
The Slave Economy (0766021505, $20.95) by Linda Jacobs Altman; Slave Life On The
Plantation (0766021521, $20.95) by Richard Worth; Slave Uprisings And Runaways: Fighting
For Freedom And The Underground Railroad (0766021548, $20.95) by Ann E. Eskridge; and
Voices From Slavery's Past: Yearning To Be Heard (0766021572, $20.95) by Suzanne Cloud
Tapper.
Benchmark/Marshall Cavendish
99 White Plains Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591
$17.95 Each marshallcavendish.com
Grades 2-4 will find Beth Ferguson's 'Kaleidoscope' titles to be very fine series of introductions to
good physical health. Each book holds almost fifty pages of large-size print and color photos, and
plenty of health facts. Teeth (076141589-0), Eyes (0761415904), Digestion (0761415-912) and
Ears (0761415920) each provide plenty of photos and diagrams to accompany easy explanations.
An excellent beginner's set.
Thomson-Gale
27500 Drake Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48331-3535
www.gale.com
Thomson-Gale's absorption of a number of high-quality library imprints, from Lucent to Gale and
more, provide a powerful catalog of books recommended for advanced elementary into high
school grade levels. Take Scott Ingram's Kim Il Sung (1410302598, $27.45), for example: this
new addition to 'History's Villians' is intended for grades 5-7 but with a little over a hundred pages
of facts and illustration, has the potential of reaching further, providing important details on
history's most influential North Korean ruler. Ditto for Sheila Wyborny's The Han Dynasty
(156-7117376, $23.70), joining others in the 'Life During the Great Civilizations' series with
almost fifty pages of facts intended for grades 3-5, but with the potential of reaching beyond with
its unusual details on China's Han dynasty era. Kids in grades 4-6 will also find inviting the
'American History by Decade' series ($23.70 each), including Deanne Durrett's The 1950s
(0737717475), Gregory Farshtey's The 1920s (0737715146), and Don Nardo's The 1930s
(0737715154). Each outlines life in its own decade, using lively examples from real life to pair
with primary source documents and color photos. Indexes for reference and research projects
make for more than light reading, offering lasting report accessibility. The 'Immigrants in America'
series expands with the addition of Scott Ingram and Christina M. Girod's Indian Americans
(1590182707, $27.45) and it's not Native Americans which receive this focus, but India folk. A
little over a hundred pages traces Indian Americans in this country: something little covered
elsewhere for this grade level. Adding to the biography 'Importance Of' series ($27.45 each) is
Stuart Levine's J.R.R. Tolkien (1590183568), with a little over a hundred pages detailing the life,
achievement and lasting contributions of the epic fantasy writer. Two new additions to the
'Exploring Cultural History' series ($28.70 each) are Living In Nazi Germany (0737717319) and
Living In Ancient Rome (0737714565): each Greenhaven imprint title roviding almost a hundred
fifty pages of major highlights of life in these cultures and times. Original source material adds life
and insight to the histories. Tom Head's reference Bill Of Rights (0737710829, $33.70) is simply
a 'not to be missed' reference for any middle to high school library collection: part of the
'Interpreting Primary Documents' series, it is a virtual anthology of primary sources on the Bill of
Rights, juxtaposing source documents with interpretations and discussions. The new Current
Controversies addition Racism (0737716290, $33.70) also will appeal to this age group,
examining some of the most important modern issues surrounding racism around the world. All
are highly recommended picks as lasting collection references for discriminating school libraries
on a budget.
Weigl Publishers
350 5th Ave. #3304, PMB6G, New York, NY 10118
$18.20 Each, www.weigl.com
Two excellent additions to Weigl Publishers' superbly produced 'Indigenous Peoples' series
provide elementary-level picturebook readers with strong introductions to native early cultures of
the world. Polynesians (1590361237) by Christine Webster outlines the many different peoples
and cultures of the region, packing in eye-catching contemporary color photos. Inuit by Leslie
Strudwick (1590361229) examines the myths, culture and daily activities of the Alaskan people
struggling with changing environment and interactions with others. Both are outstanding picture
books presenting 32 pages of information with glossary, index and more.
The Fiction Shelf
Honeysuckle House
Andrea Cheng
Front Street
862 Hayward Road, Asheville, NC 28806
1886910995 $16.95 frontstreetbooks.com
Ten-year-old Sarah misses her best friend terribly, but finds herself paired with a new girl in
school who has just arrived from China. Sarah resents the pairing with another Asian student
and finds their common cultural roots still don't make up for the fact she's been raised in America
and Tina is a newcomer. A reluctant friendship forms as the two find close ties to bind them in
Honeysuckle House's inviting story of friendship.
Putnam
345 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
www.penguinputnam.com
Some of the best 'finds' of the new year come from Putnam: one an older surprised nearly missed.
Rebecca Tingle's Edge Of The Sword (0399235809, $18.99) was only recently received due to
postal mishap but it's a gorgeous presentation which should not be missed. Teen Aethelflaed has
been pledged to her king father's ally in marriage, but she's anything but ready to leave her home
and the freedom she enjoys. A gruff new bodyguard assigned to protect her until her marriage
becomes someone to thwart, until a near tragedy results in her learning new survival skills which
will aid her dangerous journey to her husband-to-be. The setting of the late 800s in England
comes alive under Tingle's hand and makes Edge Of The Sword a highly recommended pick, not
to be missed. G.P. Taylor's deftly written Shadowmancer (0399242562, $15.99) was a hit in
England and deserves ongoing mention as a fine tale of an evil victor's plans to rule the world
through black magic. The religious overtones of the good vs. evil battle are not to be missed, but
the suspense and intrigue are lively and engrossing. Brian Jacques' The Ribbajack & Other
Curious Yarns (0399242201, $16.99) departs from his Redwall themes to provide short stories of
the unusual. From haunted schools where revenge comes alive to a modern Medusa, six tales of
horror and suspense are filled with unexpected twists.These are top picks.
Starlight Shines For Miranda
Janet Muirhead Hill
Raven Publishing, Inc.
PO Box 2885, Norris, MT 59745
097141615X $9.00 1-866-685-3545
The fifth title in Janet Hill's outstanding series featuring a young girl and her beloved horse,
Starlight Shines For Miranda finds that 12-year-old Miranda and her black stallion Starlight
experience a forced separation causing both the girl and her horse to go "off their feed" as their
health deteriorates. The plans of Mr. Taylor (the crotchety owner of Shady Hills Horse Ranch)
are in jeopardy until Starlight and Miranda are reunited and find a way to save Mr. Taylor from
financial ruin. Starlight Shines For Miranda continues to document Janet Muirhead Hill as one of
the truly skilled storytellers writing for young readers of middle-school aged children
today.
Young Patriots
Marcella Fisher Anderson
Elizabeth Weiss Volstadt
Boyds Mills Press
815 Church Street, Honesdale, PA 18431
1590782410 $16.95 1-800-490-5111
Written by Marcella Anderson and Elizabeth Volstadt, the very highly recommended short stories
anthologized in Young Patriots focus on the experienced boys and girls had as they lived through
and participated in the American Revolution. Organized into section (The Road to War;
Hostilities Begin; The Revolution in the North; The Revolution in the South; A new Country is
Born) and chronologically presented, these tales of young heroism begin with "Polly and the
Boston Tea Party" (December 1773) and continue through to "Learning from the President"
(April 1789). Brief introductions to each story provides historical backgrounds. Also of note is a
time line and suggestions for further reading.
Harcourt
525 'B' Street, San Diego, CA 92101
www.harcourtbooks.com
Three gripping sagas are very highly recommended summertime picks for young readers. Kathryn
Reiss' Sweet Miss Honeywell's Revenge (0152165746, $17.00) is an especially satisfying pick for
any who have suspected ghosts are anything but benign haunters. How can a ghost exact
frightening revenge? Possession and serial hauntings are part of a complex mystery in Sweet Miss
Honeywell's Revenge which will engross any fan of the supernatural. Don't miss Kathryn Reiss'
Dreadful Sorry in paperback (0152060876, $6.95), telling of a girl plagued by a recurring
nightmare of drowning. When Molly's summer with her father leads to an encounter with a girl
who lived in the house nearly a century ago, the nightmare of her dreams starts to come real in
another satisfying supernatural thriller Dreadful Sorry. Carol Plum-Ucci's What Happened To
Lani Garver (0152050884, $6.95) is also a gripping paperwork reprint, this telling of new kid
Lani, who seems to come from nowhere and who intrigues Claire, who befriends her. What
Happened To Lani Garver offers a gripping, unusual mystery plot.
Smith's Boy
Marjorie Reed Sheffer
Xlibris Corporation
436 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106
www.xlibris.com
1401064809 $30.99 1-888-795-4274
Also available in a paperback edition (1401064795, $20.99), Smith's Boy: A Story Of Dark-Age
Britain is an historical fiction novel, following the story of a talented woodcarver and his search
for his younger sister, lost at sea six years before when their family emigrated from Ireland to
England. A dramatic and passionate tale of long-lasting hopes, the daily struggle to survive, and
one person's challenge to uncover the truth, Smith's Boy is written in a flowing, enrapturing
manner that compels the reader's attention to the very end.
Hyperion
114 5th Avenue, NY, NY 10011-5690
www.hyperionbooksforchildren.com
Eoin Colfer's Supernaturalist (0786851-481, $16.95) is set in a future in Satellite City, where a
teen enters the world unwanted by his parents and is put to work with others by the state, testing
dangerous products. Cosmo decides to escape his dangerous orphanage world, and organizes a
breakout of others with his special talents of seeing supernatural parasitic creatures. A gripping
science fiction read. Sharon Flake's Who Am I Without Him? (0786806931, $15.99) provides
short stories about teen girls who dream about the boys in their lives. Tough issues face girls who
seek to define themselves apart from a boy's attentions in this fascinating collection about
adolescent love. Kashmira Sheth's Blue Jasmine (078618557, $15.99) is a gripping first novel of a
pre-teen who moves from her small town in India to Iowa City, USA. Her problems in America as
an outsider who doesn't speak the language or know the culture come to life in Blue Jasmine, a
sympathetic portrait of family ties and two worlds. Pure science fiction and fantasy mingle in L.G.
Bass' Sign Of The Qin (0786819189, $17.99), telling of a volcanic eruption which releases a team
of demons from their underground prison and involves a tainted boy in a series of deadly
encounters. Warring guardians, unearthly secrets, and a Prince who faces legendary outlaws in a
war mark the first in an action-packed trilogy, drawing upon Chinese myth and recommended for
older teens, with all its complexity.
Wablenica
Mary Kay Thill
Balance Books
PO Box 86, Des Plaines, IL 60016
0974390801 $5.50 balance-books.com
Wablenica: Tale Of A Lakotah Orphan is a young adult novel about an eleven-year-old Lakotah
girl who loses her mother and father. Entrusted to the Chicago foster care system, she struggles
and founders in foster homes. A Lakotah guardian angel comes to her and teaches her the
importance of taking pride in being Lakotah, aiding her in her search of a family and discovery of
true friendship. A heartwarming, deeply moving story that intertwines the importance of tradition
and faith in oneself with the yearning to connect and share the bonds of family love.
Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of Americas, NY, NY 10020
www.simonsayskids.com
Open the summer with a host of new leisure reads by some talented writers indeed. Dave
Randall's Clovermead: In The Shadow Of The Bear (0689866399, $15.95) tells of a girl who
longs for adventure and heroic quests and who finds her dreams filled when her beloved father
revels secrets to her growing powers. Good and evil blend in a satisfying fantasy adventure story
in Clovermead. Sonya Sones' One Of Those Hideous Books Where The Mother Dies
(0689858205, $15.95) tells of Ruby, whose live is changed when her mother dies and she has to
live in Los Angeles with an unseen father. Instead of the usual chapters and sentences, a
poem-like setting of first-person reflects invites readers to experience Ruby's feelings. The new
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's Including Alice (0689-726370, $15.95) continues the popular Alice
stories: here telling of the long-awaited event of Alice's father marrying Sylvia. Alice is excited,
but also feels left out even when Sylvia moves into their home as her older brother leaves home.
Insights into relationships and their evolution keep Including Alice another vivid portrait of
growth and change. Lori Ann Grover's On Pointe (0689765252, $16.95) tells of Clare and her
family, who have always known that Clare would be a ballet dancer. Her audition for the favored
ballet company is now imminent but what will Clare do if she doesn't get in? A. LaFaye's Worth
(0689857306, $15.95) provides a different kind of Orphan Train story. When Nathaniel's leg is
crushed in an accident, his father brings home an orphan boy to help work the fields and
Nathaniel feels jealous and frightened of the newcomer's replacement in his father's life.
Meanwhile John Worth struggles with his own loss of family and the two boys eventually
discover their common ground.
Candlewick Press
2067 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140
1-800-526-0275 www.candlewick.com
The eye-catching shiny covers and appealing action-oriented supernatural episodes of Mark
London Williams' 'Danger Boy' series may be just what's needed to attract the reluctant reader
interested in adventure. Ancient Fire (0763621528, $9.99) opens the science fiction setting with
Episode 1, set in the year 2019 and telling of a secret government agency forcing Eli Sands's
father to continue his dangerous time-travel experiments. Eli's own ability to travel through time
involves him in a desperate search for his mother. Dragon Sword (0763621536, $9.99) provides
Episode 2, continuing the saga with Eli's location of his missing mother in 1941 San Francisco.
Facing danger from the Nazis, Eli and his companions pursue an enemy agent through time to
keep the timeline open. Both are high adventure and involving.
Houghton Mifflin
222 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116
www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com
Carol Otis Hurst's The Wrong One (0618-275991, $15.00) tells of a family facing tough times
after their father's death. The family's move from Brooklyn to an old farmhouse in Massachusetts
does little to ease their financial struggles, and the new start is made on shaky ground until the
discovery of an old doll touches of supernatural intervention which will either make or break the
family. An excellent tale of supernatural and real conflicts makes The Wrong One hard to put
down. Lois Lowry's Messenger (0618404414, $16.00) is also hard to put down: a messenger who
has filled his duties and looks forward to his official place in life finds himself facing strange
changes in his utopian community. The Village will soon close itself to all outsiders and Matty is
entrusted with a message which will change all their lives in Messenger's gripping saga.
Running Horsemen
Dolph LeMoult
Brown Barn Books
119 Kettle Creek Rd., Weston, CT 06883
www.brownbarnbooks.com
0974648108 $14.95 1-888-227-3308
Running Horsemen the young adult novel novel of a sixteen-year-old boy who runs away from his
Texas home in 1952 to escape the preacher who woos his mother and incessantly quotes
Scripture to him. Searching for his missing father and living off money he won in a poker game,
the boy encounters drama, cast of associates ranging from unusual to dangerous, and the
discovery of a lifetime as he must come of age and deal with the pangs of his first love. A moving
story that addresses complex themes of guilt, the need for love, and the search for absolution as it
rises toward the climax.
Delacorte Press/Random House
1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
www.randomhousekids.com
These new titles offer summer readers excellent leisure reading choices. Jeanne Duprau's People
Of Sparks (0375828249, $15.95) is a sequel to Duprau's City Of Ember, but stands well alone for
newcomers. Lina and Doon have found a way to the outside from their underground city of
Ember, paving the way for their people to emerge from the darkness. The lure of the light is
strong, but brings with it as many problems as joy in this sequel about violence and conflict. If you
need a copy, Duprau's City Of Ember appears in a new paperback edition (0375822744, $4.99) to
accompany the new release. Ann Halam's Taylor Five (0385730942, $15.95) tells of an unusual
girl raised in the jungles of Borneo by her parents: unusual not for her lifestyle, but because she's
one of only five clones in the world. When rebel forces attack, she must rely on her genetic
strengths to escape. Taylor Five is absolutely fascinating and filled with ethical insioghts. Joan
Aiken's Midwinter Nightingale (0385730810, $15.95) returns the Wolves hero Dido Twite to
print. Here Dido is back in London and told her good friend and the King are both missing. Her
own kidnapping results in a deadly chase and high adventure, making Midwinter Nightingale a
pick for both newcomers and old fans of Wolves Of Willoughby Chase. Caroline Cooney's Family
Reunion (0385731361, $9.95) provides a hilarious view of modern family life as it tells of a family
reunion which disrupts the fine summer plans of one teen Shelley Wolcott. Shelly is forced to face
the 'perfect' reunion with an insecure stepmother and younger brother, and comedy and poignant
moments mark Family Reunion. Ann Brashares' Second Summer Of The Sisterhood
(0385729340, $15.95) returns the sisterhood to new and old audiences alike, following the events
of the second summer of the Traveling Pants and the sisterhood who wears them. Conflicts and
successes mark these stories of very different girls. Gary Paulsen's The Quilt (0385729-502,
$15.95) is set in 1944 and tells of a six-year-old boy's summer with hs grandmother Alida. A
family crisis leads him to learn more about the family's history in The Quilt's gentle, easy odyssey.
Helen Fox's Eager (0385746725, $15.95) is recommended for older teens: set at the end of the
21st century, it tells of robots who take care of families, and of a teen who finds the new family
robot suspiciously human. Fans of the new "I, Robot" film will discover this also fits right into the
blockbuster summer movie track. Annie Pietri's Orange Trees Of Versailles (038-5731035,
$15.95) tells of a teen gardener's daughter whose talent for recognizing and blending scents win
her the favor of Louis XIV's mistress. When the work she is assigned is credited to someone else,
Marion feels betrayed and discovers hers is not the only betray in the palace. Linda Newbery's
Sisterland (0385750269, $15.95) tells of Heidigran, who comes to live with her family, and of a
granddaughter who finds her grandmother's arrival is an impetus for uncovering family secrets of
the past secrets which will rock the foundations of her secure world. The personalization of
grandmother Heidi's feelings and fears is well done. Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell's Edge
Chronicles ($12.95 each) opens with the first two ovlumes of a bestselling British series of fantasy
for middle-grade readers. Beyond The Deep Woods (0385750684) tells of a youngster brought
up by a family of woodtrolls: he believes he's one of them until one night he discovers he is not
and leaves his woods home to pursue his real identity. Stormchaser (0385750706) continues the
saga: here Twig is aboard the famous sky ship Stormchaser, facing a mission which could threaten
their lives. High fantasy comes to life. The appearance of Patricia Reilly Giff's Pictures Of Hollis
Woods (04404-16780, $6.50) in paperwork assures that a Newbery winner will enjoy new
audiences. Hollis has run away from many foster homes, including the one family who really
wants her. It's her association with a quirky and absent-minded old artist, her latest foster parent,
who lead her to understand why she keeps running away even from the good things. Sheri
Gilbert's Legacy Of Gloria Russell (0375828230, $15.95) tells of a small town which seems
changed since the sudden death of Billy's best friend Gloria. Billy's decision to uncover the truth
about her death will change his entire town. Christine Kole MacLean's Mary Margaret And The
Perfect Pet Plan (05253471839, $15.99) is recommended for advanced elementary into middle
school grade levels: this audience will readily sympathize with Mary, who will do anything to get
a pet, and her conflicts with a mother who seems too busy to listen. Mary's determination and
schemes make for hilarious reading. Margaret Wild's One Night (037529202, $15.95) tells of
teens who embark on dangerous parties which are the best-kept secrets in town until Helen
shows up, able to see into Bram's schemes. The appearance of Haveli by Suzanne Fisher Staples
in paperwork (0679765691, $5.50) should be cause for celebration: fans of the award-winning
Shabanu will love this sequel which tells of Shabanu's ongoing conflicts with husband and
tradition, her newfound discovery of romance's meaning, and her concerns for her daughter and
best friend. A gripping plot with realistic setting keep Haveli moving at a fast pace. All are
appealing and highly recommended picks.
The American History Shelf
USS Constellation
Walter Dean Myers
Holiday House
425 Madison Avenue, NY, NY 10017
0823418162 $16.95 holidayhouse.com
USS Constellation: Pride Of The American Navy by Walter Dean Myers is the story of an
american warship from the days of tall sails, wooden ships, and an American navy becoming
increasingly active on the high seas. This majestic vessel still towers over the Baltimore harbor
and flys the flag as a symbol of navy tradition. This was a ship that was used to blockade the
illegal African slave trade and fought in the Civil War on the side of the Union forces. Very nicely
illustrated with archival drawings and photographs, the USS Constellation: Pride Of The
American Navy is as entertaining as it is informative and very highly recommended for both
school and community library American History collection.
The school library is just as important and essential as the school classroom in a child's
education.
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com
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