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Children's Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
Bridges From My Side To Yours
Jan Adkins
Roaring Brook Press
Old New Milford Road, Brookfield, CT 06804
0761325107 $25.90 www.amazon.com
Kids ages 9-13 years will find this accessible and inviting: a coverage of bridges around the world,
with a healthy degree of simple engineering basics added to make the history appealing. The lively
text and black and white drawings do a fine job of explaining differences between bridge
construction and different builder achievements.
Spring-Heeled Jack
Philip Pullman
Knopf
1540 Broadway, New York NY 10036
0375816011 $9.95 www.amazon.com
Spring-Heeled Jack is a British superhero who was legendary long before today's popular comics:
here his adventures and mishaps come alive with stories by Pullman and comic-strip illustrations
by
David Mostyn. The blend of graphic novel elements with paragraphs of text will encourage
elementary-level readers in grades 4-6.
The Barbed Wires Of Hate
Martha Sias Purcell
Perfection Learning Corporation
10520 New York Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50322
078915501X $5.95 1-515-278-0133
The latest addition to the outstanding "Cover-To-Cover Books" series from the Perfection
Learning
Corporation is Martha Sias Purcell's The Barbed Wires Of Hate and tells the story of a
Japanese-American boy, Hiroshi, his sister, his parents, and their incarceration into a World War
II
American "relocation" camp. Young readers (grades 4 through 6) needing "high interest" reading
material because their skills are below grade level expectations, will learn about how Japanese
Americans were forced to sell their homes, businesses and farms, and be moved into relocation
centers (each of which held from 7,300 to 19,000 people and were surrounded by barbed wire
fences and armed guards) established throughout California, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Wyoming,
Utah, and Colorado. Enhanced with a glossary of terms and with concise wording ideal for
reluctant
readers, The Barbed Wires Of Hate is also available in hardcover (0756902525, $11.95) and is a
highly recommended addition to school libraries and reading curriculum supplemental materials
collections.
My Family and I / Mi Familia y Yo
Gladys Rosa-Mendoza, author
Jackie Snider, illustrator
Me + Mi Publishing
128 S. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187
0967974844 $6.95 www.memima.com
Written by Gladys Rosa-Mendoza and edited by Carolina Cifuentes, My Family and I / Mi Familia
y
Yo is a delightful, bilingual board book for young children ages 3 through 6. With colorful
illustrations by Jackie Snider, this durable board book offers a simple but engaging text in both
English and Spanish. My Family And I/Mi Familia y You with its simple sentences for beginning
readers in both languages is very strongly recommended for family, preschool, kindergarten, and
community library collections.
Raising Yourself
Sumant Pendharkar
Hillview Books
P.O. Box 3473, Los Altos, CA 94024
0970813139 $11.95 hillviewbooks.com
Raising Yourself: Making The Right Choices by Sumant Pendharkar is a book written especially
for
young readers ages 10 and older about the tough decisions that face teens or young adults ready
to
address the challenges of today and lay the groundwork for their future. Individual chapters
discuss
real issues such as abstinence versus causing pregnancy, the deadly effects of illegal drugs,
understanding financial problems, personal values, gang membership, and more in down-to-earth,
accessible language. Raising Yourself is very highly recommended reading for kids needing to
grapple with the social issues, temptations, and decisions facing them today.
Spread Your Wings And Fly
Mary Chloe Schoolcraft Saunders, author
Carla McGregor Mihelich, illustrator
Bear & Company
c/o Inner Traditions
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
1879181754 $16.95 InnerTraditions.com
Mary Chloe Schoolcraft Saunders' Spread Your Wings and Fly: An Origami Fold-And-Tell Story
is
a rhyming children's book that teaches young readers how to fold a paper crane. Rapturous color
illustrations by Carla McGregor Mihelich add a wondrous touch to this charming read-aloud
book;
the last two pages feature very detailed, step-by-step, text and pictoral instructions for crafting a
crane that can flap its wings.
The Language Arts Shelf
Spelling Songs
KidzUp Productions
Box 717, Swanton, VT 05488
1894677323 $12.99 1-888-321-5437
One of the outstanding KidzUp Productions book/audio cassette series "The Learning Beat",
Spelling Songs: Language Arts Skills was specifically developed for children ages 6 and older.
Young listeners will learn "tips, tricks and techniques" relevant to spelling and language arts such
as
changing "y" to "I" before adding "er", "est", or "es"; dropping silent "e" before adding "ing";
changing words by adding silent "e"; doubling final consonants before adding endings; and more.
The
songs offer lively memory gems with a variety of musical styles ranging from pop and country, to
rock and rap. Also highly recommended is a companion title in "The Learning Beat" series,
Grammar & Punctuation Songs (1894677315, $12.99). Both of these titles are ideal for
homeschooling, as well as community school curriculum supplementation.
The Activities Shelf
Funny Bones
Lisa Bany-Winters
Chicago Review Press
814 North Franklin St, Chicago, IL 60610
1556524447 $14.95 www.ipgbook.com
Recommended for young people ages 9-12, Funny Bones by Lisa Bany-Winters (Director,
Northlight Academy Children's Theater Program, Northlight Theater, Skokie, Illinois) is a 160
page
book chock full of comedic activities young people ages 9 to 12 can try out, and range from
learning
how to tell a joke to improvisational games, to physical comedy, to short comedy scenes from
classic plays for young actors, and more. Black and white illustrations add a special charm to this
great ideas and reference book, ideal for birthday parties and budding comedians.
The American History Shelf
Exploring Chinatown
Carol Stepanchuk & Leland Wong
Pacific View Press
P.O. Box 2657, Berkeley, CA 94702
1881896250 $22.95 pacificviewpress.com
Exploring Chinatown: A Children's Guide To Chinese Culture by multicultural educator Carol
Stepanchuk is a highly enjoyable introduction to the way of life practiced by many
Chinese-Americans, from traditional types of Chinese food to festivals and celebrations to
religions
beliefs, performing arts and much more. Filled with facts, anecdotes, engaging color illustrations
by
artist, screen printer, and photographer Leland Wong, history, and even a recipe or two,
Exploring
Chinatown is a wonderfully presented and very highly recommended introduction to
Chinese-American history for young readers and an ideal addition to school and community
library
collections.
The Fiction Shelf
Island Boyz
Graham Salisbury
Wendy Lamb/Random House
1540 Broadway, New York NY 10036
0385729707 $16.95 1-800-726-0600
These short stories reflect the author's love of Hawaii and its culture and atmosphere, providing
very
different viewpoints and experiences of Hawaiian culture and dreams. From a dead boy and a
ravine's hidden beauties to images of the shark as a family protector, this captures perfectly the
diverse cultures and concerns of Hawaii's youth.
Three Rotten Eggs
Gregory Maguire
Clarion Books
215 Park Avenue South, NY, NY 10003
0618096558 $16.00 www.amazon.com
Kids seeking light humor and fun will find this a whimsical story of a different kind of newcomer
to
class: one Thud Tweed and three genetically altered eggs. Add drama and a cover-up of intent
and
you have a lively story with many unpredictable twists and turns.
Then And Now Stories
Gertrude Stonesifer & William Nelson
Mayhaven Publishing
P.O. Box 557, Mahomet, IL 61853
1878044869 $21.95 1-217-586-4493
Then And Now Stories is a wonderfully presented anthology of ten enjoyable and original stories
for
children and young adults. The imaginative, diverse, and adventurous stories by Gertrude
Stonesifer
include An Unexpected Visitor; A Frightening Incident; Midnight; Kim's Wish; A Cat Named
Grizzly Griswold; The Adventures of Whisker, Templeton, John Paul II; Mary Lou's Adventure;
Jonathan's Walk in the Woods; Timmy Tadpole Grows Up; and The Cricket's Song. A fun book,
and ideal for reading aloud at bedtime, Then And Now Stories is enhanced with occasional,
whimsical, "blue-and-white" illustrations by William Nelson and Gertrude Stonesifer.
Bantam/Dell
1540 Broadway, New York NY 10036
Fans of Lurlene McDaniel will find much to like in this latest story Telling Christina Goodbye
(0-553-57087-0, $4.99), which tells of a car accident and the loss of a best friend. Trisha is
looking
forward to graduation and college when her life suddenly changes after a car accident: her best
friend is killed, her boyfriend lies in a coma with brain damage, and the surviving driver of their
car
seems overly concerned about her absent memories of the event. Slowly she heals and comes to
some startling new revelations. Mary Jane Auch's Road To Home (41805-4, $4.99) tells of Mem
Nye and her siblings who face new troubles when their father becomes involved with digging the
Erie Canal. Increasingly on her own and convinced he will never fulfill his promise to take them to
relatives who can care for them, Mem decides to set off cross-country herself, finding new
hardships
and affection in unexpected places. Both feature exceptionally well-done characterization.
The Secret Of The Whispering Springs
Jerri Garretson
Ravenstone Press
Box 1791, Manhattan, KS 66505-1791
http://www.ravenstonepress.com
0965971244 $6.99 1-785-776-0556
Highly recommended for young readers attending school grades 5-8, The Secret Of The
Whispering
Springs by Jerri Garretson is a ghostly novel about a fourteen-year-old girl whose family moves
into
a grand mansion. The presence of a spirit whispering warnings place the heroine in the center of a
dangerous mystery that she must solve before time runs out. A spooky and involving read for
young
adults, The Secret Of The Whispering Springs is quite appropriate for both school and community
library YA fiction collections.
Kat's Surrender
Theresa Martin Golding
Boyds Mills Press
815 Church St., Honesdale, PA 18431
1563970740 $9.95 boydsmillspress.com
Theresa Martin Golding's Kat's Surrender is a compelling and sensitive novel written for young
adults and introduces Kat O'Connor, a thirteen-year-old girl who has lost her mother to cancer.
Hurt
and alone, Kat befriends a homeless man with mental impairments. Trying to achieve equilibrium
in
her life, Kat witnesses a hit-and-run accident that puts her inner fortitude to the test in this
emotional, thoughtful, and highly recommended YA novel.
Dial/Dutton
345 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
These titles deserve ongoing mention as lasting reads for young adults in grades 6-8. Tanith Lee's
Wolf Star (0-525-46673-8, $16.9) adds to the 'Claidi Journals' but requires no prior familiarity in
order to prove immediately accessible. Even adults will find this involving: a young girl on the
way
to her wedding is kidnapped and enters a stranger secluded tower world where rooms revolve and
reality changes daily. Compelling and haunting. Neal Shusterman's Shadow Club (46833-1,
$16.99)
has been reprinted to accompany its sequel and is required reading for easy introduction to the
newly-released Shadow Club Rising (46835-8, $16.99). Shadow Club Rising introduces the
foundation where an alliance of second-best students results in unexpected hostilities; Shadow
Club
Rising (46835-8, $16.99) tells of nasty pranks played against a new boy at school, which
implicates
the now-innocent Shadow Club's former members. It's up to Jared to solve the mystery. Adding
to
Eric Sanvoisin's 'Ink Drinkers' series is the new City Of Ink Drinkers (72972-3, $9.95), a
companion
volume which holds illustrations by Martin Matje and which tells of three ink drinkers who seek a
new cemetery home. A whimsical, fun continuation of Sanvoisin's saga.
Homeroom Exercise
Jana Striegel
Holiday House
425 Madison Avenue, NY, NY 10017
0823415791 $16.95 holidayhouse.com
Regan is determined to become a professional dancer: and with talent and flare she seems certain
to
achieve her goals, especially when she successfully hosts a weekly aerobic exercise program.
Suddenly a mysterious ailment strikes down her dreams in coping with juvenile rheumatoid
arthritis, will she become crippled and lose her dreams of dancing? A realistic story of adjustment
and courage.
Hyper Harry
Patricia H. Aust
New Concepts Publishing
4729 Humphreys Rd Lake Park GA 31636
www.newconceptspublishing.com
1586085018 $5.99 www.amazon.com
Written by Patricia Aust, (a part-time school social worker and former member of the CT ADHD
Task Force), Hyper Harry is a short and insightful novel for readers of all ages. Ted Cheltoni is a
12-year-old boy who finds it extremely difficult to cope with his hyperactive younger brother
Harry.
When Harry gets suspended from school and Ted finds Harry preparing to leave home, Ted
knows
he must take action quickly to help his sibling. Hyper Harry is a highly recommended addition to
school and community library collections.
Harcourt
525 'B' Street, Suite 1900
San Diego, CA 92101-4495
Bruce Hale's Hamster Of The Baskervilles (0-15-202503-0, $14.00) provides readers ages 8-12
with
a whimsical, fun story. Elementary school classrooms are trashed and mysterious tunnels riddle
the
playground but nobody can catch the culprit, until Chet Gecko arrives on the scene. Strange
adventures result. The appearance of L.M. Boston's classic "Green Knowe" series in a handsome
hardcover set assures that new audiences of young readers will become fans of this author's
writings.
Enemy At Green Knowe (202475-1), Treasure Of Green Knowe (202595-2), Stranger At Green
Knowe (202583-9), Children Of Green Knowe (202462-X) and River At Green Knowe
(202613-4)
all provide satisfying new editions of treasured stories of children, an old house, and supernatural
encounters. Missing are Stones and Chimneys, lesser-known titles of Boston's series.
Wenny Has Wings
Janet Lee Carey
Atheneum/Simon & Schuster
1230 Ave. of the Americas, NY NY 10020
0689842945 $15.95 1-800-223-2336
Janet Lee Carey's Wenny Has Wings is an engaging novel written for young readers age 8 to 12,
and
is about a brother and sister who are both involved in a deadly accident. Little sister Wenny dies,
leaving her brother alone, sad, and angry. Will's pastor tells him that when he's angry he should
write
letters to God, but Will decides to write letters to Wenny instead. Wenny Has Wings is a
powerful,
emotional, highly recommended story about learning to cope with grief and loss.
Delacorte Press
1540 Broadway, New York NY 10036
1-800-726-0600
Graham Salisbury's Lord Of The Deep (0-385-72918-9, $15.95) tells of a teen deck hand working
on a charter boat in Hawaii. His good relationship with his new stepfather and younger brother
faces
challenge when clients out for a good time seek to take charge of the boat for three days.
Kimberly
Brubaker Bradley's Halfway To The Sky (72960-X, $15.95) captures perfectly the challenges of a
girl running away from home to attempt a grueling hike along the Appalachian Trail. When her
mother joins her unexpectedly, they find each growing stronger physically and emotionally. The
story of the hike's demands and the growth experienced by each participant is realistic and
unique.
Scholastic Inc.
555 Broadway, New York NY 10012
These provide the newest releases from Scholastic, designed to appeal to kids with eye-catching
covers and inviting topics. Dav Pilkey's Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot Vs. The Mecha-Monkeys
From Mars (0-439-25295-4, $16.95) presents another graphic novel format telling of Ricky's
friendship with his robot buddy. When they meet a mean Martian who plans to take over the
planet,
it's up to Ricky and his robot to stop them. George Beard and Harold Hutchins' Adventures Of
Super Diaper Baby (37605-X, $16.95) arrives from the creators of the popular Captain
Underpants
series to tell of a miniature superhero who's a powerful peewee. 'Page flip' action provides the
feeling of drama and brings events to life. Alice Hoffman's gentle Indigo (25635-6, $16.95)
provides
a warm, magical tale telling of a town which fears flooding and hates water. Two strange town
residents who may be half-fish are called upon to change hearts and minds in this appealing gentle
story of differences celebrated.
The Poetry Shelf
Poems From Many Cultures
Fiona Waters
Evans Brothers/Trafalgar Square Pub.
Box 257, North Pomfret, VT 05053-0257
0-237-52104-0 $19.95 1-800-423-4525
Grades 3-6 will find Poems From Many Cultures to be an excellent poetry anthology divided by
subject, from urban/rural life and animals to families and magic. Poems by writers from different
cultures and from around the world make for involving, engrossing reading.
Mama Likes To Mambo
Helaine Backer & John Beder
Stoddart Kids
180 Varick St., 9th Fl., NY, NY 10014
0773733167 $15.95 1-800-805-1083
Mama Likes To Mambo is a collection high-spirited, rollicking poems by Helaine Becker and
features a variety of whimsical animal characters brought to life with carefree color illustrations by
John Beder. The rhythm and cheer of the poems beg to be read aloud in this engaging book for
young readers. Apple Pandowdy: Apple Pandowdy, my favorite dish/I like it far better than salted
codfish/I like to eat mine with gobs of ice cream/And when it's all gone, I lick the bowl clean.
The Fairytale/Folktale Shelf
The Kingfisher Book of Magical Tales
Sally Grindley & Susan Field
Kingfisher
80 Maiden Lane, NY, NY 10038
0753453886 $10.95 kingfisherpub.com
The Kingfisher Book Of Magical Tales is an engaging picturebook of fairy tales written by
contemporary authors and selected by Sally Grindley, including "The Witch's Ride" by Jane Yolen
and "The Snake Princess" by Jamila Gavin. Flowing, watercolor-style artwork by Susan Field
embellishes this captivating and thoroughly recommended anthology of magic, royalty and far-off
lands.
The Tooth Fairy Legend
John Arthur Long, et al.
L & M Creations
P.O. Box 415, Round Top, NY 12473
0971074909 $24.95 http://www.thetouchofkindness.com
Collaboratively written by John Arthur Long and Chet Meyer, The Tooth Fairy Legend: The
Touch
Of Kindness is an engaging book, that comes with two audio CDs which narrate the original story
along with fully-orchestrated songs. Color illustrations by Nadine Zenobi intersperse this
delightful
saga about what happens to the teeth collecting by the tooth fairy, and the young heroes who
meet
and must defend her work on the Isle of Kindness. Strongly recommended for family, school, and
community library collections, The Tooth Fairy Legend is highly enjoyable for reading or listening
to.
The Silver Charm
Robert San Souchi
Doubleday
1540 Broadway, New York NY 10036
0385321597 $15.95 1-800-726-0600
This Japanese folktale receives Toriko Ito's warm drawings as it tells of a little boy named Satsu,
whose best friends are a puppy and a fox cub. Good reading skills or parental assistance will aid in
this magic story of a boy who disobeys his parents and trades his silver charm for his life,
encountering new problems in the process.
The Audiobook Shelf
Listening Library
1540 Broadway, New York NY 10036
Two fine audios will appeal to middle school listeners through adults, profiling popular stories.
The
unabridged production of Book 3 of Tamora Pierce's 'Woman Who Rides Like a Man' series,
Song
Of The Lioness (0-8072-0607-5, $26.00) features Trini Alvarado's fine voice, which brings live
the
story of now-knighted female Alanna, who seeks adventure in the desert and is forced to prove
herself in a magical duel. Her adventures come alive in the audio format. Madeleine L'Engle's
Wind
In The Door (0694-6, $26.00) provides the author's own reading in an unabridged production of
her
sequel to the Wrinkle In Time fantasy. Here Meg begins to worry when her precocious younger
brother announces there are dragons in the vegetable garden. It's back to galactic space for Meg,
Calvin and Charles in a fast-paced, unpredictable adventure. Both are highly recommended audio
choices for a wide age range.
The Picturebook Shelf
Lessons From Mother Earth
Elaine McLeod & Colleen Wood
Groundwood Books
1700 Fourth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
0888993129 $15.95 1-800-788-3123
Lessons From Mother Earth is a beautiful, charming children's picturebook written by Elaine
McLeod and featuring watercolor-style artwork by Colleen Wood. Tess is a young Native
American
girl whose grandmother teaches her about gardening and the bounty of Mother Earth. Lessons
From
Mother Earth is an enjoyable and gentle story about the inherent joy of working with the earth
and
bringing life from the soil.
Grandpa & Bo
Kevin Henkes
Greenwillow Books
c/o HarperCollins
1350 Ave of the Americas, NY, NY 10019
0066238374 $14.95 www.amazon.com
Gently written and charmingly illustrated by Kevin Henkes, Grandpa & Bo is a delightful book for
young early readers. Warm, black-and-white sketches showing the love and friendship shared
between a young boy and his grandfather enjoying the simple beauty of nature and the turning of
the
seasons highlight this gentle, wonderful, highly recommended picturebook story.
Sixteen Miles To Spring
Andrew Pelletier & Katya Krenina
Albert Whitman & Company
6340 Oakton St, Morton Grove, IL 60053
0807573884 $15.95 albertwhitman.com
Sixteen Miles To Spring is a cheerful and entertaining picturebook story by Andrew Pelletier of
Maddy, a young girl and her father who meet two strangers, Wilbur and Wiley, just in time for
everyone to celebrate the arrival of spring. A thoroughly enjoyable picturebook for young readers,
and enhanced with vivid, colorful illustrations by Katya Krenina, Sixteen Miles To Spring is about
the renewal of life and the joy of nature's reawakening.
Northland Publishing
Box 1389, Flagstaff, AZ 86002
Two fun new bright titles from this publisher should appeal to a wide audience. Jennifer Ward's
Over
In The Garden (0-87358-793-6, $15.95) enjoys Kenneth Spengler's oversized, colorful drawings
as
they illustrate a classic song which teaches kids how to count. Hidden numbers in each illustration
encourage active participation rather than just reciting lyrics. Tony Johnston's Gopher Up Your
Sleeve (794-4, $15.95) receives Trip Park's zany and fun drawings as it blends comical verses by
Tony Johnston with a world of strange animals. Both are a cut above the ordinary and will invite
kids to partake with beautiful, bright covers and unpredictable illustrations.
Noah, Build Your Boat
Jeff Kunkel, editor
Augsburg Fortress
PO Box 1209, Minneapolis, MN 55440
0806644028 $12.99 1-800-328-4648
Noah, Build Your Boat: Old Testament Stories & Pictures By Kids is a picturebook presentation
of
stories from the Old Testament, retold and illustrated by young children ranging from ages 5 to 11
or so. The simple words and artwork by young people add a poignant perspective to these classic
biblical stories. Noah, Build Your Boat is highly recommended as a unique and lively
presentation,
ideal for introducing classic Bible stories to beginning readers.
Dinosaurs After Dark
Johnathan Emmett & Curtis Jobling
Golden Books Publishing Company
888 Seventh Ave., NY, NY 10106-4100
0307411796 $14.99 www.amazon.com
The collaborative effort of author Jonathan Emmett and illustrator Curtis Jobling, Dinosaurs After
Dark is a playful and entertaining story of Bobby, a young boy who follows the crunching step of
giant feet at night, and finds dinosaurs after dark in the city square! Dinosaurs After Dark is an
energetic tale, brought to life with bright, stylized color artwork, and especially recommended for
beginning readers.
Connie - The Three Legged Turtle
Nancy Northrop
LNR Publications
318 Cooper Road, Marion, N.C. 28752
http://www.geocities.com/nancynorthrop/
0962789453 $8.25 1-877-652-6802
Written and illustrated by nancy Northrop, Connie - The Three Legged Turtle is a warm, gentle
children's picturebook with an important message about accepting and understanding physical
disabilities. A young girl turtle born with only three legs learns that the most important thing is to
do
her best every day, and finds hidden strengths that come to the aid of those in need. The simple,
engaging color illustrations bring this universal, meaningful, enthusiastically recommended story
to
life for young readers ages 5 through 7.
Daddy's Lullaby
Tony Bradman & Jason Cockcroft
Margaret K. McElderry Books
1230 Ave of the Americas, NY NY 10020
0689842953 $16.95 1-800-223-2336
Gently written by Tony Bradman, Daddy's Lullaby is a truly beautiful picturebook story of a
father
who comes home to a sleeping house - except for the youngest member of the family. So he takes
the baby in his arms in a stroll about their home. Warm, touching, and featuring soft,
impressionistic
full-color artwork by Jason Cockcroft, Daddy's Lullaby is a gentle tale and perfect for bedtime
reading to very young children.
Pirate Pete
Kim Kennedy, author
Doug Kennedy, illustrator
Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
100 Fifth Avenue, NY, NY 10011
0810943565 $15.95 abramsbooks.com
Pirate Pete is the engaging, humorous picturebook about a pirate and his parrot determined to
plunder golden treasure. Yet one disaster after another befalls them on their journey, and a
surprise
is waiting in store at the end! A simple and delightful story by Kim Kennedy, Pirate Pete features
Doug Kennedy's vividly colorful and jaunty artwork. Recommended for family, school, and public
library children's picturebook collections.
Barnesyard Books
Box 254, Sergeantsville, NJ 08557-0254
1-800-888-4741 barnesyardbooks.com
Author Laura T. Barnes and illustrated Carol A. Camburn have effectively collaborated to
produce a
trilogy of truly charming picturebook stories featuring a horse named Twitch and a little donkey
called Ernest. In Twist And Ernest (0967468108, $15.95) young readers ages 4 to 8 discover an
unlikely friendship developing in accordance with a theme of not judging others by the way they
look. In Teeny Tiny Ernest (0967468116, $15.95), the little donkey Ernest, with the help of
Twitch
and other barnyard friends, realizes that it is not size that matters, but the quality of your inner
self.
In Ernest And The Big Itch (0967468124, $15.95), Ernest seeks a way to scratch a "can't reach
it"
itch and in doing so introduces the young readers to life lessons on problems solving, cooperation,
and the value of making new friends. The beautifully presented watercolors bring three utterly
charming tales to life and make the "Twitch & Ernest" trilogy a welcome addition to any family,
school, or community library picturebook collection.
Gray Feather And The Big Dog
Cesar Vidal
McGraw-Hill
8787 Orion Place, Columbus, OH 43240
1577689739 $18.85 1-800-722-4726
This 'legends of the Americas' story receives Pablo Torrecilla's fine drawings as it tells of Gray
Feather's tribe, facing desperate times after weeks without finding game. Gray Feather decides to
help save them, and seeks the help of the Great Spirit in his endeavors. A fine Native American
tale.
Gobble, Quack, Moon
Matthew Gollub, author/performer
Judy Love, illustrator
Tortuga Press
PMB 181, 2777 Yulupa Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95405
1889910201 $18.95 tortugapress.com
Gobble, Quack, Moon is a rousing and entertaining children's picturebook with an accompanying
audio CD of author's Matthew Gollub's performance with toe-tapping background music. A
whimsical story about a group of farm animals who reach for the stars and have fun dancing on
the
moon, Gobble, Quack, Moon is embellished by its freewheeling puns, playful attitude, and
exuberant
full-color artwork by Judy Love. Gobble, Quack, Moon is an engaging, enthusiastically
recommended read-along experience for young readers ages 2 to 8, by itself or in tangent with the
audio CD.
Houghton Mifflin
222 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116
Three new arrivals provide inviting picture books for kids. Bonnie Geisert's Prairie Summer
(0-618-21293-0, $15.00) receives Arthur Geisert's classic black and white drawings and is
actually
recommended for those in grades 2-4, telling of a farming family and a girl who tries to prove her
worth to a father who seems to think her worthless. This departs from the usual wordless
picturebook format to provide an involved, detailed story. Peggy Perry Anderson's Let's Clean
Up!
(19602-1, $15.00) tells of a boy who faces a newly cleaned bedroom compliments of his mother
and who discovers new toys as a result. His favorite toys are re-discovered but a new mess is
created in the process in this zany, realistic story. David Macaulay's Angelo (16826-5, $16.00)
tells
of Angelo, who begins his work above the rooftops of Rome, restoring the fa‡ade of a
once-glorious
church. His discovery of a wounded pigeon changes his world in this gentle tale. Both are fine
leisure choices.
The Jade Necklace
Paul Yee & Grace Lin
Crocodile Books, USA
c/o Interlink Publishing Group
46 Crosby St., Northampton, MA 01060
1566564557 $15.95 interlinkbooks.com
Ages 3-8 will enjoy this beautiful folk story, embellished with Grace Lin's warm drawings and
capturing the immigrant experience from the eyes of a young Chinese girl whose beloved
fisherman
father vanishes at sea. Good reading skills will lend appreciation to this story of a girl's
growth.
The Biography Shelf
Morgan Reynolds Inc.
620 South Elm Street
Greensboro NC 27406
Martha Rhynes' I, Too, Sing America (1-883846-89-7, $20.95) provides well over a hundred
pages
covering the story of Langston Hughes, from his life to his literary achievements. Chapters cover
the
advancement of his career and and the poet's move into mainstream acclaim. Virginia Brackett's
F.
Scott Fitzgerald: Writer Of The Jazz Age (90-0, $20.95) tells of a writer whose work reflected
the
'roaring 20s' and differences between rich and poor. The ups and downs of Fitzgerald's short life
are
related in a moving account.
Chelsea House
1974 Sproul Road, Suite 400
Broomall PA 19008
Four new titles provide study guides which will reach from grades 6-8. Harold Bloom's Maya
Angelou (0-7910-5937-5, $21.95) provides a research and study guide for the poet which
includes a
short biography, thematic and structural analysis, major critical essays, and a handy student's
index
of themes and ideas. An excellent report aid for any studying Angelou's writings. Tenley Williams'
Stevie Wonder (5903-0) covers the many musical achievements of a man who has been blind since
infancy. A solid focus of his many talents and his concerns. Tanya Dean's Della Reese (6291-0,
$21.95) and Sarah Bloom's Queen Latifah (6287-2, $21.95) both add to the 'black Americans of
achievement' series, the former covering Della's career as a singer, actress, minister and wife; the
latter telling of a Newark housing project girl who learned to develop a positive attitude which
lead
to musical achievements. Both are involving and will appeal to leisure readers as well as students
assigned reports.
Books in Series
21st Century Books
2 Old New Milford Roa
Brookfield, CT 06804 1-800-462-4703
Grades 7 and up will appreciate two new additions to Ron Miller's 'Worlds Beyond' series. The
Sun
(0761323554, $25.90) tells of the Sun's effects upon not only the earth, but the solar system. 60
pages combine striking color drawings and facts. Extrasolar Planets (0761323546, $25.90) tells of
various kinds of suns, planets, and other bodies in space, with chapters using NASA photos and
diagrams to bring these planets to life. Both are eye-catching and encourage leisure reading.
Crabtree Publishing Company
350 5th Ave., #3308, NY, NY 10118
The exciting 'Colonial People' series by Bobbie Kalman about early America will appeal to grades
2-3 with color photos and illustrations and clear facts about life in early America. Through an
examination of Colonial businesses, kids receive eye-opening insights on daily lives. Bobbie
Kalman
and Deanna Brady's Woodworkers (0-7787-0744-X, $15.96) tells of cabinetmakers, coopers, and
woodworking professions of the times; Niki Walker's Milliner (0745-8, $15.96) provides fine
color
drawings by Barbara Bedell as it recreates the jobs of clothing experts; The Blacksmith by Kalman
(0747-4, $15.96) reveals the importance of blacksmithing in the community and how the smithy
ran;
and Kalman and Ellen Brown's Colonial Cook (0748-2, $15.96) focuses on early food
preparation,
foods, and recipes for colonial foods. All are bright, appealing titles.
Clara House Books/Oliver Press
5707 W. 36th St, Minneapolis MN 55416
1-800-865-4837 www.oliverpress.com
Specially written for young readers grades 1 through 4, the Claire House Books series, "How It
Happens", is an impressive four volumes of engaging information enhanced with full color
photography by Bob and Diane Wolfe. Jenna Anderson authors How It Happens At The Candy
Company (1881508919, $19.95) and How It Happens At The Truck Plant (1881508935,
$19.95).
Dawn Frederick is the author for How It Happens At The Boat Factory (188150890-0, $19.95)
and
How It Happens At The Post Office (1881508927, $19.95). All four titles feature a truly "reader
friendly" text that serves as an excellent introduction to an intrinsically interesting subject and
would
be highly popular additions to either school or community library non-fiction picture book
collections.
Enslow Publishers
Box 398, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
Two new additions to the outstanding Enslow Publishers' 'Transportation & Communication'
series
are certain to attract even the most reluctant young leisure reader. James Flammang's Cars
(0-7660-1646-3) provides a history of cars with a focus on how cars changed over the years, from
Ford's Model T to later times. Bright, appealing photos of cars throughout add interest. Arlene
Bourgeois Molzahn's Fire Engines (1643-9) tells how fires were put out before modern fire
engines.
From horse-drawn steam engines to early fire engine models, this is packed with fine detail and
the
photos, again, are a major attraction for leisure readers.
DK Publishing, Inc.
95 Madison Avenue, NY, NY 10016
1-877-342-5357 www.dk.com
"Eye Wonder" is a superbly illustrated and presented eight volume series of science books for
young
readers that serve as a simply wonderful introductions paced cover to cover with fascinating facts,
full color photography, and an informative, "reader friendly" text. Strongly recommended
acquisitions for homeschool, grade school, and community library science reading lists and
reference
collections, the superb "Eye Wonder" series includes the titles: Reptiles (0789485540, $9.95);
Birds
(0789485508, $9.95); Bugs (0789485524, $9.95); Big Cats (0789485494, $9.95); Dinosaur
(078947851X, $9.95); Ocean (0789478528, $9.95); Rain Forest (0789478536, $9.95); and Space
(0789478544, $9.95).
Copper Beech/Millbrook Press
2 Old New Milford Road
Brookfield, CT 06804 1-800-462-4703
Two excellent new art guides in the Copper Beech 'Art Around the World' series provide a history
of the development of contemporary art around the world, blending plenty of color and black and
white photos with a coverage for grades 3-5. In The Time Of Warhol (0761327142) focuses on
Western art in the second half of the 20th century in general and on the development of Warhol's
influential style in particular. Almost fifty pages of history include an index and plenty of style
examples. In The Time Of Picasso (0761327134) reveals trends in modern art during Picasso's
times. Each provides a worldwide focus that brings together emerging trends and influences in the
art world.
Benchmark Books/Marshall Cavendish
99 White Plains Rd. Tarrytown NY 10591
Group 2 of the 'Great Journeys' series ($21.95 per book) was released last Fall and deserves
ongoing
mention as an excellent expansion of this set, blending multicultural issues with early American
history. Milton Meltzer's Bound For America (0-7614-1227-1) focuses on European immigrant
experiences, Lila Perl's North Across The Border (1226-3) examines issues in Mexican American
experiences; James Haskins and Kathleen Benson's Following Freedom's Star (1229-8) provides a
story of the underground railroad, and Dan Elish's Trail Of Tears (1228-X) presents an account of
the Cherokee removal from their native lands. Each holds almost a hundred pages of history and
information along with an index, bibliography, and black and white photos. The 'Cultures of the
World' set ($24.95 each) holds some newly-updated editions and promises to remain packed with
important geography information for grades 5-7. Columbia (1361-8), Mexico (1363-4),
Venezuela
(1362-6), Argentina (1358-8), Brazil (1359-6), Chile (1360-X), India (1354-5), Indonesia
(1353-3),
Malaysia (1351-0), Myanmar (1353-7), Japan (1356-1) and Singapore (1352-9) provide bright,
contemporary color photos and new details. Chapters cover arts, foods, ethnic groups, traditions,
history, and politics for each country, making these perfect and attractive reference sources for
reports. Recommended as lasting reference picks.
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Weird Pets
Lynn Stone
Rourke Publishing Group
Box 3328, Very Beach, FL 32964
1589520351 $111.60 1-800-394-7055
Weird Pets is a superbly written, illustrated, and presented six volume series by Lynn Stone and
designed for students in grades 1 through 4 (and with a third grade reading text and vocabulary).
Each volume includes the animal's geographic origins, type of species, habits and habitats. The
individual volumes include Boa Constrictors; Box Turtles; Ferrets; Miniature Horses; Pot Bellied
Pigs; and Tarantulas. They are also enhanced with a glossary and photo captions reinforcing
science-related reading and vocabulary skills. Although the titles comprising Weird Pets are
available
individually ($18.60), it is the complete set which is most enthusiastically recommended for school
and community library pets and wildlife reference collections for young readers.
Insects
Barbara Taylor
McGraw/Bedrick Books
8787 Orion Place, Columbus, OH 43240
1-57768-968-2 $9.95
Insects is part of a new series for the very young which takes a close look at animals through
beautiful color photos and close-ups. Insects gets right down to the feet, claws, and mouths of
tarantulas, beetles, and many insects, with an easy 'I am a ' introduction to each providing quick
facts in an understandable format.
Gareth Stevens
330 West Olive, Milwaukee, WI 53212
1-800-542-2595
Kids ages 3 and older will find the Gareth Steven's "Animal Worlds" series to be a delightful set of
animal books which provides a first look at animals with vivid color drawings of their habitats.
Included: African Animals (0836830385, $19.93), Farm Animals (0836830393, $19.93), Polar
Animals (0836830407, $19.93), and Rain Forest Animals (0836830415, $19.93) each are bright,
simple introductions for the very young.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
The Dragon Stone
John Conlee
Pale Horse Productions
Hopke PR (publicity)
108 Maid Marion Place, Williamsburg, VA 23185
0971036209 $11.95 www.amazon.com
John Conlee's The Dragon Stone: A Tale Of Arthur, Merlin, & Cabal is a dramatic
reinterpretation
of the legend of King Arthur, beginning in Arthur's childhood days when an unseen assailant
secretly
plotted to harm the future king. The mystical wizard Merlin takes an interest in matters of court,
succession, and nobility in this high-spirited, eventful story which is narrated from the perspective
of
King Arthur's dog Cabal. Deftly written and with meticulous attention to historical detail (King
Arthur's dog Cabal is referenced in some of the earliest surviving examples of Arthurian
literature),
The Dragon Stone will appeal to fantasy buffs, Arthurian story cycle enthusiasts, and is especially
recommended for young readers ages 10 to 14.
The Conspiracy Page: Book One
R. J. Taylor
Writers Club Press/iUniverse
5220 South 16th Street, #200, Lincoln, NE 68512-1274
0595145590 $9.95 www.iuniverse.com
R. J. Taylor's The Conspiracy Page: Book One by is a thrilling science fiction novel about four
young teenagers forced to rely on their senses and their minds to cope with threatening
conspiracies
that subtly yet firmly control the world about them. When called to help rescue an alien whose
ship
has crashed on Earth, they become embroiled in a race against time and the deadly inclinations of
the
U.S. Air Force to help a visitor from beyond the stars. The Conspiracy Page would make a
welcome
and popular addition to any school or community science fiction collection for young
readers.
The Library Video Shelf
Where Did I Come From?
Howie Mandel, narrator
Vega 7 Entertainment
c/o Goldhil Home Media
411 Video Information (publicity)
137 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
GH386 $19.95 www.goldhil.com
Winner of the Film Advisory Board award of excellence, Where Did I Come From? is a gentle,
colorful teaching aid for instructing young children in the facts of life and where babies come
from.
Following a couple in love through the birth of their child, Where Did I Come From? is a
thoughtful,
sensitive, informative, and beautifully produced, 30 minute video for helping nervous parents
explain
human sexuality.
We Stick Together Like Glue
Crystal Lewis
Touch Studios
Andrea Blain (publicity)
PO Box 23164, Santa Ana, CA 92711
$14.99 www.MusicLandBand.com
The debut titles in the new Touch Studios "The MusicLand Band" series, We Stick Together
Like
Glue is an engaging, animated, 30 minute color video recommended for young viewers age 3-10.
A
variety of musical instruments are best friends in this adventure filled with eight different and
original sing-along songs: We've Got A Song For You; Dudel; Vita-Drink Jingle; Beach Party
Movie; Mr. Eddy Electric; If I Had My Way; We Stick Together Like Glue; When You Find A
Friend; and Beach Party Movie Reprise. A bright, captivating, highly recommended children's
music
video, We Stick Together Like Glue is enhanced throughout with an underlying moral about how
important it is to cherish your friends and be yourself.
Gulliver's Travels
Bridgestone Group
300 North McKemy Avenue, Chandler, AZ 84226-2618
1563710102 $15.98 1-800-523-0988
Nominated for an Academy Award and a true children's classic, Gulliver's Travels is the full-color
animated story of a shipwrecked man who befriends a village of tiny people. Enlisted as the
"secret
weapon" in the Lilliputian's war against their neighbors, his acts of kindness help bring the two
feuding villages to a new understanding and help a beloved yet star-crossed prince and princess
from
both sides pursue their true love. Gulliver's Travels is an enduringly popular fairytale, and this
superbly produced video version is enthusiastically recommended viewing for all ages -- being as
enjoyable for parents as it is for their children. Total Running Time: 80 minutes.
Too Many Tamales
Gary Soto & Ed Martinez
Weston Woods
555 Broadway, NY, NY 10012-3999
0788209809 $60.00 1-800-242-7737
Based on the children's storybook written by Gary Soto and illustrated by Ed Martinez, Too
Many
Tamales is the brief (8 minutes) yet highly enjoyable video presentation of an ALA Notable book,
recommended for young viewers age 4-9. When a young girl accidentally loses her mother's ring
while making tamales for Christmas dinner, she is beside herself with worry and tries to persuade
her
siblings to eat all the tamales and look for the ring. A gentle, warm-hearted story. Also very highly
recommended for school and community children's video collections are Weston Woods' other
new
releases: Martin's Big Words (078820975-2, $60.00, ages 5-12) which combines collage art and
vibrant watercolor paintings with memorable quotes for the speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr.;
author David M. Schwartz and illustrator Steven Kellogg's If You Made A Million (078820979-5,
$60.00, ages 5-9), Marvelossissimo the Mathematical Magician teaches young viewers about
money
and its uses; narrated by Mia Farrow and superbly enhanced with the artwork of Jane Dyer, I
Love
You Like Crazy Cakes (0788209787, $60.00, ages 4-8) is based on author Rose Lewis' arduous
trip
to China to adopt a baby girl.
John Henry
Disney Educational Productions
500 South Buena Vista Street, Burbank, CA 91521-6307
http://www.edustation.disney.com
089625819X $99.00 1-800-295-5010
John Henry is a ten-minute educational video specifically designed and produced for young
viewers
in grades 2 through 8. An animated retelling of a classic American folklore tale, the video brings
to
life John Henry's adventure as a steel-driver who labored for the C&O Railroad in the South after
the Civil War. His triumphs and his untimely death are presented with equal weight. Fully licensed
for all activities relation to scholastic education, John Henry comes with a teachers guide for
providing an appropriate curriculum and helping students discuss and better understand what
makes
a story a legend, and what it is to be an American hero. Enthusiastically recommended for school
classroom and library video collections.
The Nature Shelf
Take A Tree Walk
Jane Kirkland
Take A Walk Books
c/o Stillwater Publishing
PO Box 500, Lionville, PA 19353
0970975414 $15.95 1-610-458-4000
Take A Tree Walk is a full-color, wonderfully illustrated, interactive nature book that children
can
use to identify trees, take their own field notes, draw tress, and even write stories about the
experiences taking "tree walks" by themselves or with friends and family. Take A Tree Walk
explains what trees are, why leaves turn color in the fall, the importance of trees to the
environment,
how a tree's shape (bark, leaves, flowers, fruit, seeds) all help to identify it, and how to estimate
both
the height and the age of a tree. Take A Tree Walk is unique and very highly recommended!
Tell Me, Tree
Gail Gibbons
Little, Brown and Company
Three Center Plaza, Boston, MA 02108
0316309036 $15.95 1-800-759-0190
Written and illustrated by Gail Gibbons, Tell Me, Tree: All About Trees For Kids is a simple yet
appealing book about the life cycle of trees for beginning readers. The informative text is
enhanced
throughout with color illustrations teaching young people about the parts of the tree and how it
grows, as well as how to identify some of the more common trees of North America. Tell Me,
Tree
is a very highly recommended and educational book of fun facts for grades 1 through 3.
The Music Shelf
Cantemos con Georgette
Georgette Baker, producer
Cantemos
15696 Altamira Dr, Chino Hills CA 91709
http://www.cantemosco.com
CAN100 $TBA 1-800-393-1336
Cantemos con Georgette is a highly enjoyable bilingual music CD for parents and children,
featuring
sing-along songs in both English and Spanish about educational basics like ABCs, colors, and
counting, as well as traditional songs and holiday music. Cantemos con Georgette comes with a
bilingual lyrics booklet for easy reference. The lively, energetic music and enjoyable songs make
Cantemos con Georgette a wonderful educational gift and experience, and a first rate supplement
for
young people learning English or Spanish.
The Cookbook Shelf
The Usborne Internet-Linked Children's World Cookbook
Angela Wilkes & Fiona Watt
EDC Publishing
10302 East 55th Pl.ace Tulsa, OK 74146
0794500986 $13.95 www.edc.pub
The Usborne Internet-Linked Children's World Cookbook is a unique approach that incorporates
Usborne-recommended, culinary oriented websites suitable for children, with forty simple,
delicious
recipes drawn from ethnic and regional cuisines from around the world, ranging from the floating
markets in Thailand to Italian delicatessens. It should be stressed that access to a computer is not
necessary to enjoy and utilize The Usborne Internet-Linked Children's World Cookbook as a
wonderfully illustrated compendium of food facts and recipes. From Peanut Bread (Africa);
Cauliflower in Cheese Sauce (Holland); Salade Nicoise (France); and Guacamole (Latin
American;
to Basmati Rice (India); Shish Kebabs (Turkey); Scones (England); and Fried Rice with
Vegetables
(China); The Usborne Internet-Linked Children's World Cookbook will take any young kitchen
cook
on a wonderful culinary adventure! Of special interest are the sections for "Hints and Tips"; "Fruit
Around The World"; "Cheeses From Around The World"; "Breads From Around The World";
"Cakes and Pastries"; and, of course, the free, downloadable recipes available through the
"Internet
Links". The Usborne Internet-Linked Children's World Cookbook is very highly
recommended!
James A. Cox
Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com
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