 |
Book
Reviews,
Book Lover Resources, Advice for Writers and Publishers |
| Home / Children's
Bookwatch |
Children's Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
Maps And Mapping
Deborah Chancellor
Kingfisher/Houghton Mifflin
222 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116
www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com
0753457598 $8.95 www.amazon.com
Enhanced with impressive photography, Deborah Chancellor's text and fun projects will introduce
young readers to the use of maps to explore and understand the world. From charting seabeds
from a submarine; to finding hidden treasures where "X" marks the spot; to satellite mapping of
every corner of the earth, Maps And Mapping is enthusiastically recommended.
How Ganesh Got His Elephant Head
Harish Johari & Vatsala Sperling
Bear Cub Books/Inner Tradition
1 Park St., Rochester, VT 05767
1591430216 $15.95 www.amazon.com
Kids ages 6-9 who are sampling multicultural folklore will relish How Ganesh Got His Elephant
Head, a wonderful collection of classic Indian stories. Pieter Weltevrede's bright full-page color
drawings enhances these Indian classic folk tales, which should be part of any serious picturebook
multicultural collection.
TW Publishing
455 Park Place, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
1-269-344-9135 www.twpub
TW Publishing presents two quite unique volumes of rhymes about the inevitable emotions that
color our life experiences and designed especially to bring children and their parents together to
talk and to bond with each other. The original and unique text for Creatures (0966016610,
$21.95) and a sequel, Creatures: Journey Through Life (0966016629, $17.00) is imaginatively
written by psychologist William Charles Schirado. The artwork for Creatures is from Teresa
Marie Assenzo. The illustrations for Creatures: Journey Through Life is by Raven. The whole
tone of these wonderful and highly recommended volumes is set with the introductory poem for
Creatures - Hello: Creatures come in all sizes/Some tall and some wide/Use short words and long
words/Sometimes side by side.//Enjoy the pictures and colors/And pick out a word/That looks
familiar or strange/Perhaps one you've heard.//If a big word starts looking/Like kind of a pest/Ask
someone to look it up./Skip over the rest.//Let Creatures introduce you/To images grand/Earth,
fire, water and stars/Castles in the sand.//Pull up a chair, take a seat/And please be our
guest./Enjoy the visit and see/Creatures at their best.
A Day With Homo Habilis
Fiorenzo Facchini
Twenty-First Century Books
2 Old New Milford Road, Brookfield, CT 06804
0761327657 $23.90 millbrookpress.com
Follow the physical and cultural evolution of humans with a title specific to the Homo Habilis
early humans who lived 2 million years ago. Day With Homo Habilis joins others in a
Twenty-First Century Books four-part series, but stands well alone as a very fine survey based
upon the latest archaeological discoveries.
51 Wacky We-Search Reports
Barry Lane & Miles Bodimeade
Discover Writing Press
PO Box 264, Shoreham, VT 05770
www.discoverwriting.com
0965657469 $15.00 1-800-613-8055
Enhanced with Miles Bodimeade's black and white illustrations, Barry Lane's 51 Wacky
We-Search Reports is a whimsical ourcebook written especially for young people and offering
ideas to create humorous parodies of factual reports for fun and devising entertaining
performances. Beginning with ten tested techniques for getting laughs, such as applying
exaggeration, irony, proper setup and punch, double meanings and more, and then continuing
with 51 great ideas ranging from making parody performances; to loopy styles of poetry; to
wacky art on cards or websites; and more, 51 Wacky We-Search Reports is an excellent source
for stimulating creativity, speaking skills, performance techniques, and just plain fun.
Squeal And Squawk
Susan Pearson & David Slonim
Marshall Cavendish Corporation
99 White Plains Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591
0761451609 $16.95 1-800-831-9881
Susan Pearson's Squeal And Squawk is an enthusiastic and highly recommended picture book
illustrated by David Slonim and featuring lively barnyard rhymes for children. Engaging
caricatures of farm animals by David Slonim add an extra touch of delight to the engaging,
read-aloud verses for all ages. "When Pigs Could Fly": In a time when all piggies could fly, / They
swooped and soared through the sky / Till below they saw MUD / And dropped with a THUD - /
They have stayed ever since in a sty.
The Picturebook Shelf
Super Cilantro Girl
Juan Felipe Herrera
Children's Book Press
2211 Mission St., San Francisco CA 94110
0892391871 $16.95 www.cbookpress.org
Super Cilantro Girl is an excellent bilingual Spanish/English text which brings a new heroine to
life
and spices the account with Honorio Robledo Tapia's drawings. A young girl seeks to keep her
family together and uses a bunch of cilantro leaves and a wish to rescue her mother, who is being
held at the Mexican border. A fine story of courage evolves.
Hyperion
www.hyperionchildrensbooks.com
Kaz Cooke's Terrible Underpants (0786-8819243, $12.99) tells of what happens when poor
Wanda-Linda inadvertently shows the world her most terrible pair of underpants on a windy day.
Parents and kids alike will find this an appealing story very easy to read, with many
unpredictable zany twists. Life isn't complete without a reading of Kelly DiPucchio and Howard
Fine's zany Bed Hogs (0786818840, $15.99), the story of hogs who pack into a bed, squashing
Little Runt nightly. With so many pigs in a bed, who is the real bed hog of the bunch? A fun story
evolves.
The Hermit And The Well
Thich Nhat Hanh & Vo-Dinh Mai
Plum Blossom Books/Parallax Press
PO Box 7355, Berkeley, CA 94707
1888375310 $15.00 www.parallax.com
In The Hermit And The Well, Vietnamese Buddhist monk, poet, scholar, and human rights
activist Thich Nhat Hanh has written a story of a young Vietnamese boy who climbs a mountain
in the hope of meeting a famed hermit that lives there. What the boy finds is the secret of his own
happiness. The ethnic artwork of Vo-Dinh Mai is a perfect complement to Hanh's marvelous tale
showcasing the importance of slowing down and appreciating the beauty that is always around us
-- if we would only see it.
Putnam Penguin Group
www.penguin.com
Viking's imprint provides four new, very different picturebook picks for young readers. Don
Freeman's Manuelo The Playing Mantis (0670036866, $15.99) tells of a lonely praying mantis
who loves music and longs to be a musician. Alas, he seems to have no talent in this area: the
different instruments he makes produce anything but music. Unwilling to give up his dream, he
keeps trying until a new friend points him in the right direction. V. Radunsky's One (0670035645,
$16.99) tells of Six, the sixth child in an armadillo family of nine. Six believes he's Number One,
and he sets out to prove his prowess in a variety of zany escapades. M.T. Anderson's Strange Mr.
Satie (0670036374, $16.99) blends biography with fictional embellishments in telling of the life of
a French musician who lived a hundred years ago. Petra Mathers provides realistic simple
drawings to this picturebook story of an evolving classical composer's dreams. Virginia Kroll's
Busy, Busy Mouse (0670035270, $15.99) pairs with Fumi Kosaka's bright drawings to provide an
easy rhythmic exploration of a little mouse's busy family day and his thirst for adventure. The
Penguin Group's Putnam/Philomel imprint holds many fine presentations also: Keith DuQuette's
Cock-A-Doodle Mooo! (0399238891, $15.99) imagines a crazy world where real animals are
joined together in mythical combinations. Thus can a parrot and gorilla produce a banana-loving
Parilla, or a snail and horse mix produce a Snorse. Add zany rhymes to these whimsical drawings
and you have a very different, appealing story. Valeri Gorbachev's The Big Trip (0399239650,
$15.99) tells of a pig who can't wait to go on a big trip despite the reluctance of his good friend
Goat. Goat's constant worrying about the mode of transport keep Pig cheerfully moving from
different vehicles. Cathi Hepworth's Antics! (0399241841, $10.99) presents nothing less than
ants: an A-Z book blending fun drawings with a thought- provoking text. Maira Kalman's
Smartypants (0399-234780, $15.99) tells what can happen in the clssroom when a dizzy dog and
a plucky girl decide to go to school. Rules are happily broken in this fun story of a different
school experience. Leo and Diane Dillon's One Winter's Night (0399-234187, $16.99) arrived too
late for more timely seasonal mention but deserves year-round recommendation as a gorgeous
pairing of color drawings by John Herman with the Dillon's warm story of a cow seeking shelter.
Dial's imprint presents David Gavril's Hector And The Noisy Neighbor (0803728085, $12.99),
telling of the common problem of a quiet-seeking neighbor faced with a very loud noisy one.
Hector Rabbit loves the quiet, but his new pig neighbor is loud in everything he does. Honesty is
promoted, in the end. The Dutton imprint holds two new recommendations: Monica Wellington's
Crepes By Suzette (0525469346, $15.99) tells of a crepe seller who walks the city of Paris selling
crepes to many different customers, and William Katzwinkle and Glenn Murray's Walter The
Farting Dog (0525472177, $15.99), which receives Audrey Colman's unique and colorful
drawings are it tells of a yard sale fiasco. All are notable, fine picturebooks.
The Search For The Giant Stone Monkey Head, Truth, Friends, And Strange Food
Dan Graves
Love Cultivating Editions
2508 NE 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97212
searchforthegiantstonemonkeyhead.com
0974499900 $15.00 1-503-243-1145
Written and illustrated by Dan Graves, The Search For The Giant Stone Monkey Head, Truth,
Friends, And Strange Food is a rambling, colorful picture book story about Pparcel Perkins, a
young girl who visited by a Giant Stone Monkey Head. Pparcel follows it through Ecuadorian
jungles, encountering peculiar insects, tropical foods, and a bevy of curious characters such as a
Moaning Mountain, an Angry Aaroot, and a Menacing Nut-Watcher. A timeless and enchanting
adventure The Search For The Giant Stone Monkey Head, Truth, Friends, And Strange Food is
especially recommended for intermediate-level readers ages 6 to 12.
Why I Love My Mom
Denise Hong and Andrew Hong, authors
Paul Lopez and Denise Hong, illustrators
Platinum Books
PO Box 660876, Arcadia, CA 91066-0876
097465034X $17.95 HappierKids.com
Why I Love My Mom is an endearing and delightful children's picture book about the treasure of
family life -- a treasure far more important material possessions such as toys or video games.
Charming color illustrations of anthropomorphic children learning to share and play together add
a warm-hearted touch to this charming story about loving and respecting parents, siblings, and
friends. A consumable portion in the back allows children to write about their love for their
mother, including completing such sentences as "You are very special to me because..." and
"When I'm sad, you make me feel better by..."
Harcourt
www.harcourtbooks.com
Nine new picturebooks offer young readers a range of new choices this season. Virginia Woolf's
Nurse Lugton's Curtain (0152050485, $16.00) receives Julie Vivas' warm drawings and invites
picturebook readers with some prior reading skills to enjoy Woolf's classic of a seamstress whose
creations come to life in the magical night. Friendship and family is celebrated in Alan Durant's
Always And Forever (015216636X, $16.00), which reaches ages 3-7 with the story of animal pals
devastated by the loss of Fox. How can pals Mole, Hare and Otter overcome their sadness and
live without his presence? Two gardening stories offer simple insights into gardens: Mary Ann
Hoberman's Whose Garden Is It? (0152026312, $16.00) reaches the 3-7 age group with the story
of a gardener who would like to lay claim to his creation were it not for the contributions of
rabbit, butterfly, bumblebee and more. V. Radunsky's Mighty Asparagus (0152167439, $16.00)
provides a zany gardener's nightmare as it tells of a long-ago world where a mighty asparagus
rules. Lisa Westberg Peters' We're Rabbits! (0152046712, $16.00) receives Jeff Mack's simple yet
whimsical drawings as it tells of three hungry rabbits who try to eat an entire garden of vegetables
without getting caught. These brave bunnies have something very different in mind when they do
encounter the gardener in this surprise tale. Kathi Appelt and Leuyen Pham's Piggies In A Polka
(0152-164839, $16.00) presents a barn hootenanny for piggies across the holler. It's a zany porky
polka ride of run which will delight kids seeking something different. If that's not enough, Janie
Bynum's Pig Enough (0152165827, $16.00) tells of a guinea pig who longs to join the real Pig
Scouts. The pig troop tells him he'll never fit in but Willy knows otherwise, and sets out to
prove he is 'pig enough'. Chris Riddell's Platypus And The Birthday Party (015-2047530, $16.00)
is recommended for younger readers ages 2-5: it provides the simple story of Platypus, who wants
to give his favorite stuffed animal the bst birthday party ever. David McPhail's Big Brown Bear's
Up And Down Day (015-2164073, $16.00) tells of a big, brown bear who is happy to live alone
until Rat moves in unexpectedly and changes his life. All are different, fun stories.
You're Too Small!!
Shen Roddie & Steve Lavis
Tiger Tales
202 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton, CT 06897
1589250389 $15.95 1-203-834-0005
You're Too Small!! is the story of Tad, a little mouse who wants to help Pig with watermelons,
Goat with stacking hay, and Rabbit with flying a kite. But in each case Tad is told that he's to
small! It's only when the animals are locked out of the barn and Tad turns out to be little enough
to get inside that he realizes that being small does have it's advantages! Shen Roddie's pleasant
picturebook story is nicely illustrated throughout with the artwork of Steve Lavis. You're Too
Small!! is also available in a paperback format (158925385X, $6.95).
Random Publishing Group
www.randomhouse.com.kids
Random House produces many fine titles and future classics under a variety of imprints, and these
new arrivals are no exception. Emma Chickester Clark's Up In Heaven (0385746385, $15.95)
provides a poignant, engaging story of an old dog who goes to heaven, but is still concerned
about her grieving master. How to communicate her new well-being? Through dreams . Four
new titles under the Knopf imprint are also recommended picks. John Coy's Two Old Potatoes
And Me (03758-21805, $15.95) utilizes large, folksy pictures by Carolyn Fisher as it tells of a
wise father who decides to grow new potatoes from old unwanted spuds. Bonnie Christensen's
Daring Nellie Bly (0375815686, $16.95) tells of an 1860s woman who defies all odds to become
a daredevil newspaper reporter, covering inhumane conditions and World War I alike. Ages 6-12
will find this biography reads like fiction with plenty of embellishment and dramatic action. Meilo
So's Gobble, Gobble, Slip, Slop (0375825045, $15.95) provides a fun story of a very greedy cat
so greedy that he eats his good friend Parrot in one gulp, as well as a nosy old woman. A hilarious
story of over-indulgence. Louise Fatio's The Happy Lion (0375827-595, $14.95) may look quite
familiar to librarians: it's the 50th anniversary edition of a classic, includes the original pictures by
Roger Duvoisin, and tells of a friendly lion in his small French zoo home. David Lucas' Halibut
Jackson (0375826904, $16.95) tells of a very why person who likes to blend into the background.
When an invitation arrives for a fancy party he can't turn down, a crisis evolves with a zany result.
All are top picks.
Simon & Schuster Group
1230 Avenue of Americas, NY NY 10020
www.simonsays.com
Simon & Schuster's powerful mix of new children's picturebook titles bring highly recommended
works to young readers. Barry Downard illustrates The Little Red Hen (0689859627, $14.95), a
traditional tale which assumes new meaning with Downard's realistic animals paired with zany
embellishments such as sunglasses, and colorful backgrounds. Linda Ashman's Worldwide
Monster Guide (06898-26400, $16.95) provides a collection of rollicking rhymes revolving
around some zany monsters. Tips on monster-proofing for ages 4-8 provide kids with whimsical
insights. Leslea Newman's Pigs, Pigs, Pigs! (0689849796, $15.95) enjoys lovely illustrative
embellishment by Erika Ollier and tells of townspeople who welcome the arrival of pigs with a
feast. A zany plot packs in fun in Pigs, Pigs, Pigs. Joann Sfar's Little Vampire Goes To School
(0689857179, $12.95) isn't just for Halloween: kids will find it holds year- round attraction.
Walters's fun cartoon-like drawings add zest to a funny plot. Lisa Wheeler's Fitch & Chip: New
Pig In Town (0689849508, $14.95) presents a fine chapter book, first to begin the funny stories
of friends Fitch and Chip, unusual fox and pig friends. Frank Ansley's drawings provide simple
accompaniment to the story of unlikely friends. Ian Falconer's Olivia And The Missing Toy
(0689852-916, $16.95) will attract both prior readers to the Olivia Pig stories and newcomers,
who will find her latest mishaps and adventures most intriguing. Here Olivia loses her best toy and
chaos evolves. Nancy Amis' Orphans Of Normandy (0689841-434, $17.95) provides an unusual
World War II story, using drawings by children throughout. One hundred orphaned girls use their
stories and words to detail their experiences of war and their survival. Karma Wilson's Hilda Must
Be Dancing (0689847882, $15.95) receives Suzanne Watts' fun large drawings as it tells of a
hippo who loves to dance but is anything but light on her feet. Animals beg her to find a quieter
hobby such as knitting but nothing appeals to Hilda like fancy footwor Hilda Must Be
Dancing. Demi's Greatest Power (0689845030, $19.95) recounts the life of Emperor Ping, a boy
emperor known for his love of harmony, who sets the children of his kingdom to a task to show
him the greatest power in the world. The kids have ideas about what it means to be a great power
and in the process of expressing these things, one young girl considers the most powerful
thought of all. Alan Katz's I'm Still Here In The Bathtub (0689845510, $15.95) receives David
Catrow's engaging drawings as it uses fourteen traditional kids' songs as a basis for creating new
nonsense tunes. Everyone knows Itsy Bitsy Spider and other classics but not these rollicking
new renditions!
Earth Day Birthday
Pattie Schnetzler & Chad Wallace
Dawn Publications
12402 Bitney Way, Nevada City, CA 95959
www.dawnpub.com
1584690542 $8.95 1-800-545-7475
Earth Day Birthday is a beautifully illustrated picture book for young readers, demonstrating the
wonder and importance of the planet's varied environment and the amazing creatures who thrive
in it. The text by Pattie Schnetzler is patterned after the popular "Twelve Days of Christmas"
song; each two-page spread features lavish color illustrations and lyrics such as "On the eighth
Earth Day Birthday the wide world gave to me... / Eight cranes a-dancing / six owls a-hooting /
five spotted fawns / four salmon leaping / three panthers creeping / two grizzlies sleeping / and a
bald eagle in a blue sky." The final two pages offer a brief history and incentive to celebrate Earth
Day, as well as the simple music for singing aloud. Wonderfully enhanced with the artwork of
Chad Wallace, Earth Day Birthday is a counting book classic to share with preschool and
kindergarten age boys and girls. Also very highly recommended from Dawn Publications is Susie
Caldwell Rinehart and Anisa Claire Hovemann's lovely picture book for young readers ages 4 to
10: Eliza And The Dragonfly (1584690593, $8.95)
Slithery Jake
Rose-Marie Provencher & Abby Carter
HarperCollins Children's Books
1350 Ave. of the Americas, NY NY 10019
www.harperchildrens.com
006623820X $15.99 1-800-242-7737
Rose-Marie Provencher's Slithery Jake is an amusing picture book story brought to life with Abby
Carter's watercolor illustrations. Sid is a young boy who brings home a snake as a pet. But then
the snake escapes! Where in the world could that snake be? Slithery Jake is commended as a
thoroughly charming and entertainingly upbeat picture book, featuring exaggerated action and
comedy, and quite fun to read aloud.
Sea Clocks
Louise Borden & Erik Blegvad
McElderry Books/Simon & Schuster
1230 Ave. of the Americas, NY NY 10020
0689842163 $18.95 1-800-223-2336
Louise Borden's Sea Clocks: The Story Of Longitude is a picture book rendition of a troubling
problem for sailors in the 1700's and before - although they could measure their latitude, they
could not calculate their longitude, and therefore did not know exactly where they were on the
waves. Many lives were lost at sea because of this. The solution to the problem would be to
devise a clock that would keep accurate time at sea, regardless of water or weather conditions.
Many struggled to create such a timekeeper; Sea Clocks follows the work of mechanical genius
John Harrison (1693-1776), who labored tirelessly to make a viable sea clock a reality.
Black-and-white and some sketchy color illustrations by Erik Blegvad nicely illuminate this
engaging picture book about solving a real world problem.
The Best Cat In The World
Leslea Newman & Ronald Himler
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
255 Jefferson Avenue, S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49503
www.eerdmans.com/youngreaders
0802852521 $16.00 1-800-253-7521
Flowing color paintings by Ronald Himler add a moving touch to The Best Cat In The World is a
poignant story by Leslea Newman about a young boy named Victor who loses his beloved feline
companion Charlie to old age. When a new cat, Shelley, comes to the household, she is different
from Charlie in almost every way - she doesn't do the things Charlie used to do, or respond in the
same way. But in time Victor learns that his new friend is unique and special, and every bit as
much "the best cat in the world" as Charlie was, in this profoundly compelling picture book about
grief and the slow process of healing. The Best Cat In The World is especially recommended
reading for young people who have lost a treasured animal companion.
Violet's Music
Angela Johnson & Laura Huliska-Beith
Dial Books/Penguin
345 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
0803727402 $16.99 www.penguin.com
Angela Johnson's Violet's Music is a wonderful picture book about a young black girl who loves
music dearly - she plays or sings whenever she can. But is there anyone else who loves music like
she does? The answer comes one day as she meets like-minded individuals and together they form
a band. The exaggerated yet exuberant illustrations by Laura Huliska-Beith are so full with energy
they practically burst off the page in this enthusiastic and recommended story.
Why Mole Shouted And Other Stories
Lore Segal & Sergio Ruzzier
Frances Foster Books
c/o Farrar, Straus, and Giroux
19 United Square West, New York 10003
0374384177 $16.00 1-888-330-8477
Why Mole Shouted And Other Stories is a charming and highly recommended picture book
featuring four short stories by Lore Segal about a little mole who lives with his grandmother.
Daily conflicts and problems including the little mole losing his glasses, shouting, and endlessly
asking why make for a funny and touching story to share about the enduring bonds of family. A
tender and upbeat story, featuring comical and colorful illustrations by Sergio Ruzzier.
Isabel's House Of Butterflies
Tony Johnston & Susan Guevara
Sierra Club Books for Children
85 Second St., San Francisco, CA 94105
0871564092 $15.95 sierraclub.org/books
The captivating full-page color artwork by Susan Guevara fairly leaps from the pages of Tony
Johnston's Isabel's House Of Butterflies, a stunning picture book about a Mexican family with a
young daughter, and the tree on their land that is a wintering place for thousands of monarch
butterflies that migrate from the north. When they come, the tree becomes La casa de las
mariposas - the house of the butterflies. But the family is very poor, and may need to cut down
the tree to sell its wood to survive. A poignant story of difficult real-life choices and wonder for
natural miracles, Isabel's House Of Butterflies would make a welcome addition to any school or
community library collection.
Goose Moon
Carolyn Arden & Jim Postier
Boyds Mills Press
815 Church St., Honesdale, PA 18431
159078040X $15.95 1-800-490-5111
Imaginatively written by Carolyn Arden and beautifully illusrated by Jim Postier, Goose Moon is
the highly recommended thoroughly entertaining, heartfelt picturebook story of a young girl and
her adventures on Grandfather's farm over the seasons.
The Ainu
Kayano Shigeru & Iijima Shunichi
Tuttle Publishing
364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436
080483511X $14.95 tuttlepublishing.com
The Ainu: A Story Of Japan's Original People by Kayano Shigeru is an absorbing account of
Japan's indigineous people, whose legends and presence stretch back before the coming of the
ethnic Japanese population before recorded history from what is now known as the Chinese
mainland and the Korean penninsula. Presenting both the unique aspects of Ainu culture and the
modern realities of how Ainu live today in a straightforward and friendly tone with soft yet
realistic color illustrations, The Ainu: A Story Of Japan's Original People is very highly
recommended.
The Biggest And Brightest Light
Marilyn Perlyn & Amanda Perlyn
Robert D. Reed Publishers
PO Box 1992, Bandon, Oregon 97411
www.rdrpublishers.com
1931741301 $16.95 1-541-347-9882
The Biggest And Brightest Light: A True Story Of The Heart is a rich and meaningful picture
book about the greatest treasure anyone can share. Written by Marilyn Perlyn, The Biggest And
Brightest Light features very simple yet moving illustrations by Amanda Perlyn. Six-year-old
Amanda wants to help her teacher with a problem, but this problem is so big that it cannot be
solved... for the teacher's daughter is very sick. Sometimes the best thing one person can do for
another is simply to be there, and care. More than gifts or pleasantries, the biggest and brightest
light is love, compassion, and the warm feeling one gets from helping someone in need, a lesson
that bears remembering in this timeless tale about making a difference.
Three Wise Old Women
Elizabeth T. Corbett & Yu-Mei Han
Dutton/Penguin
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
www.penguin.com
0525472304 $15.99 1-800-847-5515
Three Wise Old Women is a wacky story by Elizabeth T. Corbett about three not-so-wise old
women who set off on a walk but let momentary panic get the better of them, and become
thoroughly lost. Their silly adventures, illustrated Yu-Mei Han with whimsical color paintings, are
recounted in a singsong rhyme that is most enjoyable to read aloud to young people. Three Wise
Old Women is a wonderful and funny picture book story to share.
Easy Reader Shelf
Evangeline Mudd And The Golden-Haired Apes Of The Ikkinasti Jungle
David Elliott
Candlewick Press
2067 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140-1338
www.candlewick.com
0763618764 $15.99 1-800-526-0275
Evangeline Mudd has enjoyed an unusual childhood, from learning to swing from rafters to eating
sandwiches with her feet: much like the classic Pippi Longstocking, her unusual childhood leads
to an unusual independence and resourcefulness early in life. When Evangeline's parents disappear
while on a research trip, it's up to Evangeline to travel to the Ikkinasti Jungle and find them
herself. Evangeline Mudd And The Golden-Haired Apes Of The Ikkinasti Jungle is not a chapter
book, at 196 pages, but still most accessible to kids moving on up from chapter reading to
full-fledged novels.
Crabtree Publishing
350 5th Ave. #3308, NY. NY 10118
www.crabtreebooks.com
Six new 'Flying Foxes' readers are difficult to easily categorize: they each use the foundation of
fiction for drama and excitement, but prompt kids to think about facts and learning and include
activities and interviews. Julia Jarman and Adriano Gon's Magic Backpack (077871487X)
encourages kids to think about the origins of food and cooking projects, Jane Clarke and Ant
Parker's Sherman Swaps Shells (077871-4853) provides a funny story with an environmental
message, Pippa Goodhart and John Kelly's Slow Magic (0778714829) covers gardening basics,
Alan Durant and Katharine McEwen's That's Not Right! (0778714861) tells of a bug's point of
view, Jane Clarke and Jane Gray's Only Tadpoles Have Tails (0778714845) tells of a bully frog
and a tadpole, and Judy Waite and Garry Parson's Digging For Dinosaurs (0778714837) tells of a
dino dig and a museum's key to excitement. Ages 6-8 will find these guided reading levels 1, J and
K to be unusual and different.
The Judeo/Christian Shelf
I Go To The Doctor
Rikki Benenfeld
Hachai Publishing
156 Chester Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11218
1929628153 $9.95 www.hachai.com
I Go To The Doctor is a picture book written and illustrated by Rikki Benenfeld especially for
Jewish children but delivers a strong and critically important message for children of all
backgrounds about the importance of seeing a doctor -- that good and hard working man or
woman whose job it is to help kids stay healthy. The cheerful color images help familiarize
youngsters with the basics of a doctor's visit. I Go To The Doctor also specifically reflects the
Judaic faith in an affirmation that "Hashem" is truly the one who helps people get well.
Moses: Long Road To Freedom
Ann Keavy Beneduce
Orchard Books
557 Broadway, New York NY 10012
0439352258 $16.95 www.scholastic.com
Moses was a prophet, leader, and historian, and rescued the Hebrew slaves from Egyptian rule.
Moses: Long Road To Freedom follows his life as a leader, inviting picturebook readers with
good reading skills to follow his many achievements and the guiding concepts of his life.
Miriam And Her Brother Moses
Jean Marzollo
Little, Brown and Company
1271 Ave. of the Americas, NY NY 10020
0316741310 $14.95 1-800-759-0190
Illustrations that are simple almost to the point of abstract are present throughout Miriam And
Her Brother Moses, a children's picture book based on the Biblical story of how Miriam rescued
Moses as a baby, and how he grew up to free the slaves in Egypt. Jean Marzollo's timeless
retelling of how one girl could change history by rescuing an infant in need, and the powerful
bonds between adopted siblings, Miriam And Her Brother Moses is highly recommended.
Follow Me: Peter Lays Down His Net
Erik Rottmann
Concordia Publishing House
3558 South Jefferson Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63118-3968
www.cph.org
0758606311 $12.99 1-800-325-3040
Erik Rottmann's Follow Me: Peter Lays Down His Net is a superbly crafted picture book
rendition of the story of Easter as seen through the eyes of Peter. When Jesus called to Peter,
Peter followed across land and sea, into towns and cities, and to the hill where Jesus died, in order
to bring forgiveness for the sins of Peter and every other human being upon the Earth to this day.
Strong, boldly painted color illustrations with thick black lines add an unforgettable presence to
this powerful and recommended picturebook rendition of the story of Jesus Christ's great
sacrifice.
The Fiction Shelf
Comfy Cozy Tales
Lauren L. Young & Kevin M. Lane
Trafford Publishing
2333 Government Street, Suite 6E, Victoria, BC, Canada, V8T 4P4
1553952235 $23.95 www.trafford.com
Four simple and delightful stories that all ages can treasure comprise Comfy Cozy Tales. "Jack
Jester", "Sock Feet", "All In A Day's Work", and "It's Okay To Be Little" offer a heartwarming
glimpse through a child's eyes at the confusing complexities of the world. Entertaining,
educational, playfully illustrated by Kevin M. Lane and just plain fun to share, Lauren L. Young's
Comfy Cozy Tales is an original collection truly to be cherished.
The Search For The Golden Bone
Paul Martin
Doral Publishing, Inc.
2501 W. Behrend Drive, #43, Phoenix, Arizona 85027-4148
0944875963 $15.95 www.doralpub.com
The Search For The Golden Bone: Adventures Of The Blacktail Kids by Paul Martin is an
attention engaging novel especially recommended for young readers ages 9-14. The story is about
Angel and J.J. who are two sibling dogs who, abandoned by their uncaring master, must
determine their own destiny. A grizzled old mutt presents them with tantalizing clues (a map, a
book, and a compass) to the Golden Bone Of Happiness and once a dog has this ultimate prize, he
or she will never want for anything again. The Search For The Golden Bone is a unique and
exciting tale with endearing message -- as well as educational tidbits about learning
geography.
Wild Ride To Heaven
Leander Watts
Houghton Mifflin
222 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116
www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com
0618268057 $16.00 www.amazon.com
Hannah lives in a lonely backwoods home: her mother has abandoned the family, her father
spends his time treasure-hunting, in search of a better life leaving Hannah to do all the work.
When her father sells her to be a house servant, her life changes even more for the worse.
Trapped by the brutal Barrow brothers and facing the specter of marriage and a lifetime of
drudgery, Hannah finds her way out in form of a strange friendship in this moving story.
The Video/DVD Shelf
Fun With Numbers
Fun With Languages
PO Box 4546, Hialeah, FL 33014
www.funwithlanguages.com
DVD $16.99 1-305-824-1231
Fun With Numbers is an educational, 46-minute, colorfully animated DVD that teaches children
to count from 1 to 20 in English, Spanish, French, and Italian. Delightful cartoon characters
Bromley the parrotfish and Cotica the parrot offer an introduction to the joy of learning to
communicate in a new language in an inventive, stimulating, and wholesome manner. A friendly
and enjoyable experience, Fun With Numbers is a welcome addition to multi-cultural,
multi-lingual video and DVD collections for children.
Look Mom! I Have Good Manners
Thinkeroo, LLC
88 Valley Street, Bristol, CT 06010
www.thinkeroo.com
1929944896 $14.95 1-800-477-7811
Look Mom! I Have Good Manners is an interactive and educational 30-minute DVD from
Thinkeroo and especially helpful for teaching young children about the basic manners that help
people of all ages get along with each other. Covering the five major categories of mealtime,
playtime, telephone, school, and health, this fundamental instructional emphasizes kindness,
respect, and simple common sense. Also available in a VHS video format, Look Mom! I Have
Good Manners is commended to family, school, and community library collections as a superbly
produced, completely upbeat, and accessibly useful viewing experience to share with children
preschool through kindergarten.
Little Alvin And The Mini-Munks
Bagdasarian Productions
1192 East Mountain Drive, Montecito, CA 93108
DVD $12.95 www.chipmunks.com
Little Alvin And The Mini-Munks is a feature-length, 80-minute, "direct-to-video" DVD reprising
the roles of Alvin and the Chipmunks (characters beloved by generations), with puppetry,
live-action, 3-D computer animation, and six exciting new songs. Recommended viewing for ages
3-6, Little Alvin And The Mini-Munks is an enjoyable show that also has a core focusing on
building children's emotional well-being and self-esteem, to the extent that child psychologists
were involved in its creation to ensure the lessons were age-appropriate and presented with
honesty. Little Alvin And The Mini-Munks is friendly and fun for family viewing.
Books in Series
Gareth Stevens
330 W. Olive St., Milwaukee WI 53212
$23.93 Each www.garethstevens.com
Kids in grades 3 and up will welcome the superbly presented Gareth Stevens' 'Events That Shaped
America' series, which provide excellent reviews of major events which shaped American lives.
New additions include Transcontinental Railroad (0836834011), Lexington And Concord
(0836833988), First Moon Landing (083-683397X), Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
(083683402X), Trail Of Tears (083-6834003), and Terrorist Attacks Of September 11, 2001
(0836833996). Each offers 32 pages of photos, charts, and historical information.
Benchmark Books
99 White Plains Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591-9001
$25.64 1-800-831-9881
The new Benchmrk Books 'Symbols of America' series by Deborah Hess is a powerful set indeed
for grades 2-5: each book focuses on a different classic American symbol and explores its
evolution and meaning past and present. Statue Of Liberty (0761417079), American Flag
(0761-417095), Star-Spangled Banner (076141-7109), Fourth Of July (0761417117), White
House (0761417125), and Liberty Bell (0761417133) each contain 40 pages of colorful
illustrations and facts, with background history supplementing discussions of the symbol's
importance today. All are quite colorful attractions.
Chrysalis Education
1980 Lookout Drive
North Makato, MN 56003
Two series titles will present kids in grades 4-6 with excellent understanding of various faiths. Mel
Thompson's Buddhism (159389130X, $28.50) considers the growth of Buddhism in the world
and the basic foundations of its beliefs; Joy Barrow's Sikhism (1593891342, $28.50) examines the
prevalence of Sikhs worldwide and their communities. Two new additions to the 'World of
Festivals' series are Special Days And Holidays (1593893984, $28.50), covering world holidays
and festivals unique to different cultures, and Family Festivals (1593893968, $28.50), discussing
unique world festivals from Hanukkah to Dolls' Festival. All are very colorful presentations which
invite leisure browsing.
Weigl Publishers Inc.
350 5th Avenue, #3304, NY, NY 10118
$64.40 per set www.weigl.com
"American Symbols" is a new four title series from Weigl Publishers that is specifically designed
for students in grades 1 to 3. Each individual title focuses upon a specific group of symbols,
explores the history and people associated with these symbols, and explains the importance of the
sybmols to present day America. Enhanced with color photography and dealing with both national
and state symbols, the titles ($22.80 each) comprising this highly recommended series include:
Buildings (1590361326); Flags And Seals 1590361318); Natural Landmarks (1590-361334); and
Statues And Monuments (159036130X).
Abdo Publishing
4940 Viking Dr. #622, Edina, MN 55435
$17.96 Each www.abdopub.com
Two new presentations narrow the focus to the war in Iraq, providing details on a region certain
to be in the news for many years to come, keeping these relevant to modern readers. Jill Wheeler's
Saddam Hussein (1591974992) provides a coverage of the leader, from his childhood to his adult
political leadership. Almost fifty pages of detail outline his regime and policies. Cory Gunderson's
When Diplomacy Fails (1591975026) traces events leading up to the US invasion of Iraq. Web
site listings, timelines of events, a glossary, and 'fast facts' round out the color photos and sidebars
of detail, making for easy introductions for younger readers.
The American History Shelf
The Gold Rush
Kerri O'Donnell
Rosen Publishing
60 Grumbacher Rd., York, PA 17402
0823936821 $29.95 1-800-237-9932
The Gold Rush joins others in Rosen's fine 'Primary Sources in American History' series, using
primary source material to document the search for gold in California. From old sketches and
maps reproduced for illustration to newspaper articles from the times, this re-creates the
American Gold Rush history and experience for grades 4-7 and will prove an important addition
to any elementary library on California history.
Voices Of The Alamo
Sherry Garland & Ronald Himler
Pelican Publishing Company
PO Box 3110, Gretna, LA 70054
1589802225 $15.95 1-800-843-1724
Voices Of The Alamo by Sherry Garland is an impressive historical picture book that presents the
story of the Alamo from the 1500's to the modern day through the eyes of many different people,
including those who are Spanish, Tejano, Texian, Mexican, and American. Each two-page spread
features a sweeping full-color painting by Ronald Himler, and a brief poem from the perspective
of the person being described. Voices Of The Alamo is a kind of picture book tour through
history and showcases an important legacy for all ages.
Why The West Was Wild
Wayne Swanson
Annick Press/Firefly Books
4 Daybreak Lane, Westport, CT 06880
1550378376 $24.95 1-800-387-5085
Why The West Was Wild by Wayne Swanson is a combination history and picture book for
intermediate level young readers who are eager to learn more about the tumultuous days of North
America's history when thieves ran rampant, gamblers swindled at will, and heated disputes were
often as not settled with bullets and the smell of gunsmoke. Black-and-white as well as color
illustrations and photographs nicely bring to life this fascinating survey which devotes a two-page
spread of basic information to a wide variety of topics including Old West Boomtowns, Cavalry,
Range Wars, Indian Wars, and much more. A highly recommended title for school and community
library collections, Why The West Was Wild is also available in soft-cover format (1550378-368,
$12.95).
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Mr. Quizmee Asks About Animals
Quizzenkids Productions
c/o Aubergine Productions
211 Calle Florecita, Escondido, CA 92029
1-866-482-2332 $TBA www.mrquizmee.com
Mr. Quizmee Asks About Animals is an educational question-and-answer audio CD that teaches
young people all sorts of fascinating things such as how geckos walk on the ceiling; where the
kiwi is from; how much honey a bee can produce in its lifetime; and so much more! Encouraging
friendly self-testing and competition in the form of how fast can these questions be correctly
answered, Mr. Quizmee Asks About Animals is an informative and rewarding experience which is
ideal for long travel trips or just plain fun at home.
As Long As There Are Whales
Evelyne Daigle & Daniel Grenier
Tundra Books
PO Box 1030, Plattsburgh, NY 12901
0887766927 $15.95 1-800-788-1074
Talented wildlife artist Daniel Grenier and informative sidebars wonderfully enhance Evelyne
Daigle's As Long As There Are Whales. Young readers will receive an outstanding introduction
to aquatic marine mammals from dolphins to whales. What makes As Long As There Are Whales
a particularly recommended and welcome addition to school and community library collections is
the detailed index, a list of resources and thematically appropriate websites, and a glossary for
identifying different species of whale.
Albino Animals
Kelly Milner Halls
The Lerner Publishing Group
241 First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1607
1581960123 $18.95 1-800-328-4929
Kelly Milner Halls' Albino Animals is an informed and informative picture book about albinism -
the hereditary trait that causes a complete lack of pigmentation in mammals which usually
resulting in an entirely white color with bright red eyes. Captivating color photography of albino
mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, and even a person, enhance this fascinating and
straightforwardly scientific presentation which is especially recommended for young readers.
The Music Shelf
Come And Make A Circle
Susan Salidor
Privately Published
2225 W. Berwyn Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
CD $14.99 www.susansalidor.com
Come And Make A Circle is a unique, entertaining, and highly recommended collection of
twenty educational and fun songs featuring the charming personality of composer and performer
Susan Salidor. An excellent experience to share with children (and their teachers!), these
hum-worthy tunes impress their teaching thoroughly in the mind. Tracks including Come And
Make A Circle (0:59), Hello (2:02), Me Llamo Susana (2:24), Shoofly (1:53), fingerplay tunes
such as When I Was A Little Fish (2:01), First You Take A Seed (0:53), Five Little Turkeys
(0:44), Two Little Blackbirds (3:47), Hear That Train (2:15), rhythm and rhyme tunes such as
Tap Your Toe And Follow Me (2:52), Hambone (3:15), John The Rabbit (1:42), instructional
songs such as The Boo boo Gets Better By And By (2:40), I Think You Dropped This (2:53),
The Month Song (1:24), dance tunes such as The ABC Song (2:36), Che Che Kule (2:32), Over
The Deep Blue Sea (3:13), Skip To My Lou (4:28), and closing with Adios (2:00).
Two Little Sounds
Hap Palmer
Hap-Pal Music
c/o Beth Blenz-Clucas Publicity
5505 SW Illinois St., Portland, OR 97221
CD859 $15.95 www.happalmer.com
Two Little Sounds: Fun With Phonics And Numbers is an educational music CD which is
especially recommended for kids age 4-9 and that adapts traditional favorite songs and stories to
encourage learning, reading, and math skills. Playful melodies and gentle lyrics enhance a fun and
stimulating experience. Tracks include Two Little Sounds, My Ramblin' Cat, Down By The Bay,
The One That Doesn't Rhyme, Wiggy Wiggles Freeze Dance, Ten Monkeys In A Tree, Meet My
Travelin' Friends, We Discover Number Patterns, Apples Bananas Peaches Tomatoes, My Playful
Pig, How Many Are Here (addition and subtraction), Hickory Dickory Dock, The English
Language Gets A Little Kooky (consonants), Five Pennies Make A Nickel, Tall Tremendous Tens
And Wee Wonderful Ones, What Are You Wearing?, The English Language Gets A Little Kooky
(vowels), and Good-bye So Long Farewell Toodle-oo.
The Biography Shelf
Heroes Of The Revolution
David Adler
Holiday House
425 Madison, New York NY 10017
082341471X $16.95 holidayhouse.com
Kids in grades 3 to 4 will find David Adler's Heroes Of The Revolution to be a fine introduction
to home of the key figures of the American Revolution, from Paul Revere and Crispus Attucks to
Thomas Jefferson. Full-page drawings by Donald Smith face each page of biographical
information on the person's background and historical impact.
Who Was Eleanor Roosevelt?
Gare Thompson
Grosset & Dunlap/Penguin
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
0448435101 $13.89 www.penguin.com
In Who Was Eleanor Roosevelt?, biographer Gare Thompson reveals to young readers the
impressive and highly recommended life story of one of the most influential women in American
20th Century history. Individual chapters begin with the question "Who Was Eleanor Roosevelt?",
and the continue on with "Early Years"; "Daddy's Little Girl"; "All Alone"; "Years at
Allenswood"; "Cousin Franklin"; "Marriage and Children"; "Politics"; "White House Years"; and
"Ambassador to the World".
Franklin Watts
$29.50 Each www.scholasticlibrary.com
Two 'Great Life Stories' titles from Franklin Watts will appeal to readers in grades 5-7, each
providing a little over a hundred pages of basic facts, suitable for report research. Tristin Boyer
Binns' Alfred Nobel (0531123286) covers the Swedish inventor's many accomplishments, his
family struggles, and his inventions which lead to his creation of the Noble Prizes for notable
achievements. Kendall Haven's Alexander Graham Bell (0531123146) shows that there's more to
the man than just his invention of the telephone: chapters tell of his many unusual experiments.
Top picks, all.
Enslow Publishers
$17.95 Each www.enslow.com
These two new titles by Crin T. Ford in the Enslow "Famous Inventors" series will reach younger
readers of biographies with a little over thirty pages each, large accessible print, and colorful
illustrations. Benjamin Franklin (0766018598) covers the inventor's many achievements and ideas,
while Wright Brothers (0766020029) focuses on the imaginative planes the brothers invented,
which eventually led to success. The simple text lends to younger student appreciation.
The World History Shelf
Everyday Life In Ancient Greece
Cath Senker
Smart Apple Media/Creative Company
123 S. Broad St., Mankato, MN 56001
1583402489 $28.50 1-507-388-2601
What did the inside of an early Greek warship look like? How did Greeks educate their
communities, and how did they live? An ideal addition to any school or community library
collection, Cath Senker's Everyday Life In Ancient Greece is an informative survey of everyday
life and is exceptionally colorful with durable plastic overlays adding color to re-created
scenes.
Library Of Alexandria
Kelly Trumble
Clarion Books
215 Park Avenue South, NY, NY 10003
www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com
0395758327 $17.00 www.amazon.com
Robina MacIntyre Marshall's fine drawings lend to this outstanding survey of the Library of
Alexandria which was much more than a simple repository of books. Scholars who visited the
Library dissected corpses, star-gazed, and had controversial discussions speculating about
science, nature and the world. Their findings would change world knowledge. An exceptionally
vivid presentation, Kelly Trumble's Library Of Alexandria would make a popular and welcome
addition to both school and community library collections.
The Roman Army
Dyan Blacklock & David Kennett
Walker & Company
104 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011
0802788963 $17.95 www.amazon.com
Ideal reading for children ages 6 to 10, Dyan Blacklock's The Roman Army is a wonderful
introduction to the Roman army of the second century AD. Their responsibility was to protect
and expand the Roman Empire. David Kennett's superbly illustrations perfectly showcase an
informed and informative text. The Roman Army is a clearly recommended addition to any school
or community library collection -- and "must" reading for any boy or girl wanting to know more
about one of the most successful armies in antiquity.
A school's library,
like a child's mind,
is a terrible thing to waste.
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
Copyright ©2001
Site design by Williams Writing, Editing &
Design