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Children's Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
Nate The Great And The Big Sniff
Marjorie Weinman & Mitchell Sharmat
Delacorte
1540 Broadway, New York NY 10036
0-385-32604-1 $13.95 1-800-726-0600
Nate is a great detective and depends on his dog to help him solve cases. But Sludge is lost inside
a
department store, and this time Nate's on his own in solving the case of a missing best friend. Can
Nate think like a dog to solve the case?
The Zoom Trilogy
Tim Wynne-Jones
Akadine Press/Trafalgar Square
Box 257, North Pomfret, VT 05053-0257
1-888173-16-5 $35.00 1-800-423-4525
This edition combines three Zoom fantasy stories under one cover: Zoom Away, Zoom At Sea,
Zoom Upstream. The seagoing cat enjoys black and white drawings by Eric Beddows and a story
line which requires some reading skills or parental assistance, but which provides a whimsical tale
of
a cat in search of a mysterious vagabond uncle, inviting all to enjoy.
Doubleday/Random House
www.randomhouse.com/kids
These fine holiday titles will appeal to different groups. Eric Kimmel's Zigazak! (0-385-32652-1,
$15.95) tells of two tricky devils who decide to have some Hanukkah fun by turning a town
upside
down. Latkes fly, candles explode, and the people of Brisk are terrified. It takes a wise holy man
to
solve the problems. Jean de Brunhoff's Babar And Father Christmas (81444-2, $15.95) tells of
Babar's search for the elusive Father Christmas. This originally appeared in 1940 and will delight
new audiences with the author's last Babar picturebook. Lawrence David's Peter Claus And The
Naughty List (32654-8, $15.95) requires either reading skills or parental assistance, but provides
the
hilarious story of the son of Santa, who rounds up other naughty children around the world to
protest the 'naughty list'. Perhaps then Santa will see that even naughty children deserve a gift
sometimes... Two new Gaspard books by Anne Gutman and Georg Hallensleben provide
whimsical
misadventures. Gaspard In The Hospital (0-375-81116-8, $9.95) tells of what happens to Gaspard
when he swallows a key chain and winds up in the hospital. Gaspard And Lisa At The Museum
(81117-6, $9.95) has the two dog friends experiencing an unusual natural history museum. Both
are
whimsical, fun titles.
Little Numbers And Pictures That Show Just How Little They Are!
Edward Packard
Millbrook
2 Old New Milford Road
Brookfield, CT 06804
0-7613-1904-2 $22.90 1-800-462-4703
A big dinosaur opens the discussion of numbers, with Salvatore Murdocca's whimsical drawings
embellishing an increasing range of numbers and number examples. Little Numbers And Pictures
That Show Just How Little They Are! will appeal to the very young, using pictures and concepts
to
clarify numbers ideas.
DK
95 Madison Ave., New York NY 10016
www.dk.com
Three excellent titles are recommended picks. A Journey Through Time by Selina Wood
(0-7894-7887-0, $17.95) blends history, archaeology and geology in a colorful examination of the
history of the Earth and its evolving life. Plenty of color packs this account which uses
excavations
to re-create facts. Eric Thomas illustrates Angela Wilkes' A Farm Through Time (7902-8,
$17.95),
which covers a sample farm's changes from medieval times to the present. With both of these
titles,
fold-out drawings may make traditional library lending complex; but parents will find them most
inviting and some libraries will want to use these for reference sections. Scott Beatty's Batman
(7865-X, $19.95) provides the ultimate guide to Batman, using the archives of DC Comics to
provide art and insights on the shapers of the figure. Batman fans of all ages will be thrilled. The
young will want the Batman Sticker Book (7866-8, $6.95): parents will want to consider this for
the
holidays.
A Necklace Of Raindrops And Other Stories
Joan Aiken
Knopf
280 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
0-375-80584-2 $15.95 1-800-726-0600
Eight stories designed for bedtime reading or relaxing newly independent readers will find appeal
in
a wide age range. From a flying pie to elves on shelves, A Necklace Of Raindrops And Other
Stories
is packed with whimsical scenarios and fun moments.
So You Wanna Be A Writer?
Vicki Hambleton & Cathleen Greenwood
Beyond Words
20827 NW Cornell Rd. #500, Hillsboro, OR 97124
1-58270-043-5 $8.95
Young people who believe they have a future in the writing world will find So You Wanna Be A
Writer? an encouraging presentation which covers the basics in modern kids' language; from
creating
cool story lines to starting a reading or writing group and finding the right genre. Practical tips
presented in a language kids can readily understand.
Clarion Books
215 Park Avenue South, NY, NY 10003
1-800-225-3362
Three fine titles will reach grades 5-8 with detailed information suitable for reports. Nancy Smiler
Levinson's Magellan And The First Voyage Around The World (0-395-98773-3, $19.00) provides
a
lively account of his 1519 journey with his fleet of five ships and almost three hundred men.
Storms,
disease, and attacks by natives marred his voyage. This reads like fiction but is a nonfiction
account
kids will remember. Michael Cooper's Slave Spirituals And The Jubilee Singers (97829-7, $16.00)
provides a revealing history of the music which reflected the hopes and despairs of slavery. The
Jubilee Singers embarked on a tour to raise money for their struggling school and succeeded in
not
only achieving personal fame, but bringing slave spirituals to the world. Archival prints and
photos
are included in this inspirational account. Donald Hettinga's Brothers Grimm (0618055991,
$22.00)
presents a fine biographical coverage of the era and lives of the Brothers Grimm and the stories
they
recorded. Photos, archival illustrations, and plenty of details on the brothers' relationship pack a
179-page, engrossing account. All are recommended picks.
Round Buildings, Square Buildings, Buildings That Wiggle Like A Fish
Philip Isaacson
Knopf
280 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
0-394-89382-4 $19.95 1-800-726-0600
Round Buildings, Square Buildings, Buildings That Wiggle Like A Fish won't fit into the
curriculums of many schools but its appearance in 1988 earned it high recommendation as a basic
introduction for all ages, to the world of architecture. This reprint of Round Buildings, Square
Buildings, Buildings That Wiggle Like A Fish invites new generations to take a different look at
the
buildings we use. Beautiful photos abound.
Ice Age Mammals
Barbara Hehner
Crown
1540 Broadway, New York NY 10036
0-375-81327-6 $16.95 1-800-726-0600
Mark Hallett provides the eye-catching color drawings which explain the lives and fate of the
woolly
mammoths. Text recreates their lives, world and habits while the color drawings bring these giant
creatures alive - on the page. Good reading skills required.
Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of Americas, NY, NY 10020
1-800-223-2336
It's hard to peg the exact age range for Johnny Gruelle's Raggedy Ann readers: they require good
reading skills or parental assistance but will appeal to a wide age range. Raggedy Ann And Andy
And The Camel With The Wrinkled Knees (0-689-84699-1, $17.00) will reach ages 5 and up with
its story of a kidnapped French doll and Raggedy and Andy's rescue. Patricia Hall writes a
retrospective celebrating Gruelle's creations with Raggedy Ann & Andy (84336-4, $17.00). Each
includes the traditional Gruelle illustrations and is suitable for gift-giving.
Franklin Watts
c/o Grolier Publishing
90 Sherman Turnpike
Danbury, CT 06813-0001
1-800-371-3908
Three outstanding titles are recommended picks for teens seeking solid reference works. Greg
Roza's Encyclopedia Of Drugs And Alcohol (0-531-11899-1) surveys drug reactions, symptoms
of
addiction and withdrawal, and the physical and psychological effects of suspending drug or
alcohol
use. The A-Z organization makes it easy to quickly locate facts. Brent Hoff and Carter Smith II's
Mapping Epidemics (11713-8) will prove particularly educational in modern times: it provides an
unusual historical atlas of disease and patterns of infection and progression, linking disease to
changes in history and human behavior. Articles are illustrated with maps in this exploration of
over
thirty diseases. Dr. Rex Ellis' With A Banjo On My Knee (11747-3) uses music to focus on the
journey from slavery to freedom. Chapters reveal how songs became linked to events or emerged
from them.
The Social Issues Shelf
Dying To Know
Lila Perl
21st Century Books
2 Old New Milford Rd.
Brookfield, CT 06804
0-7613-1564-0 $25.90 1-800-462-4703
Dying To Know isn't likely to be on the school curriculum per se, but kids ages 12 and older will
find it suitable for both leisure browsing and supplemental reports as it surveys different customs
about death, funerals, and final resting places. Black and white photos pepper the
presentation.
Be Quiet, Marina!
Kirsten DeBear & Laura Dwight
StarBright Books
325 W. 38th St., Suite 511 NY, NY 10018
1887734791 $16.95 1-212-564-3981
Illustrated with the black and white photography of Laura Dwight, Kirsten DeBear's Be Quiet,
Marina! is an engaging picture book for very young children with a different look, as it tells the
story
of the noisy four-year-old girl Marina and the much quieter four-year-old girl Moira. Marina has
cerebral palsy, and Moira has Down syndrome. At first Marina and Moira could not play because
Moira was frightened of Marina's noise. But eventually Marina and Moira become best friends, in
a
story to be treasured. The text consists of simple sentences printed in big, bold black letters,
making
Be Quiet, Marina! the perfect book on a sensitive social subject for young people just beginning
to
learn how to read.
The Picturebook Shelf
Cinderella
Hilary Knight
Random House
1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
0-375-81422-1 $14.95 1-800-726-0600
Hilary Knight's beautiful and warm drawings are the feature here, bringing the timeless story of
Cinderella to life. The gorgeous drawings pair with a simplified story line which will appeal to
young
picturebook audiences.
The Hungry Hummingbird
April Pulley Sayre
Millbrook
2 Old New Milford Rd.
Brookfield, CT 06804
0-7613-1951-4 $22.90 1-800-462-4703
April Pulley Sayre's The Hungry Hummingbird is a factual account which reads like fiction,
providing the story of a hungry, confused young hummingbird and her search for the right flow to
eat from. Beautiful drawings by Gay Holland capture the magic of the hummingbird.
Olivia Saves The Circus
Ian Falconer
Atheneum/Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of Americas, NY, NY 10020
0-689-82954-X $16.00 1-800-223-2336
Olivia's trip to the circus turns out to be surprisingly busy: the performers are sick so it's up to
Olivia
the pig to do all the acts herself. Black, white and pink drawings create engaging and fun stories
of
Olivia's attempts at performing the circus herself.
There Are 508 Stars In The Sky
Marky Allen & Karen Fulton
Penniman Publishing Company
PO Box 988, Westland, MI 48185
1929974000 $6.99 1-734-722-9445
Jane and her cousin Madison are two young girls who embark on a backyard adventure as they try
to answer the night sky's greatest challenge -- numbering the stars in the sky. Karen Fulton's
artwork
fully complements Marky Allen's gentle and entertaining picturebook story. There Are 508 Stars
In
The Sky is enthusiastically recommended reading for any child who has ever gazed with wonder
at
the stars in the heavens and wondered the same thing as Jane and Madison!
Priscilla And Rosy
Sharon Jennings & Linda Hendry
Fitzhenry & Whiteside
121 Harvard Avenue, Suite 2
Allston, Massachusetts 02134
1550416766 $15.95 1-800-805-1083
Superbly illustrated with the full color artwork of Linda Hendry, Sharon Jennings' Priscilla And
Rosy
is the picturebook story of two rodent best friends. But when Priscilla wants to go on a boat trip
rather than spend her day off with Rosy like she promised, she considers telling a little fib to get
out
of being with her friend. The "white lie" seems harmless... so why does Priscilla feel so ratty?
Priscilla And Rosy is a gentle yet thoughtful story for young readers about the importance of
honesty and the value of true friendship.
The Patchwork Angel
Judy L. Weyand & Nancy Kirkpatrick
In Unexpected Ways
P.O. Box 46716, Tampa, Florida 33647
1930712014 $19.95 judyweyand.com
Judy Weyand's The Patchwork Angel is a gentle color picturebook about LaLa, the woman who
answers a caretaker want ad yet becomes so much more than what the family who needed her
ever
expected, influencing two generations of children with the values of a loving spirit. The
Patchwork
Angel is a warm-hearted, uplifting story, written in simple language for budding young readers
and
illustrated with soft, free-form illustrations by Nancy Kirkpatrick that perfectly captures the feel of
cherished memories.
Can A Rooster Drive A Tractor?
Bonnie R. Murphy & Shelley Richardson
Alabama Farmers Federation
2108 E. South Boulevard
Montgomery, Alabama 36116
0971441901 $14.95 www.alfafarmers.org
The lively illustrations by Shelley Richardson are in perfect balance with Bonnie Murphy's
delightful
and simple presented story line in Can A Rooster Drive A Tractor?, a cheerful color picturebook
intended for the youngest of early readers. Charming rhymes teach young people the names of
various farm animals, in a book that's perfect for reading out loud at bedtime. "Can a rooster drive
a
tractor?" "'Not without a booster,' said the rooster." "Can a cow drive a tractor?" "'I don't know
how,' said the cow." Out of all the creatures on the farm, only the human farmer can indeed drive
the
tractor. Can A Rooster Drive A Tractor? is a flippant, humorous, highly recommended
picturebook
for boys and girls just learning the joys of reading.
The Next Place
Warren Hanson
Waldman House Press
525 N. Third St., Minneapolis, MN 55401
0931674328 $15.95
Beautifully illustrated, Warren Hanson's The Next Place takes the young reader on an inspiring
and
comforting journey to a place where earthly hurts are no more, where they are invited to enjoy an
uplifting sense of comfort, serenity, and joy. Highly recommended for family, school, and
community library picturebook collections, the visual layout is as inspiring as the carefully crafted
text making The Next Place uniquely accessible and emotionally rewarding reading highly
recommended for children (and adults).
The Family Of Earth
Schim Schimmel
NorthWord
5900 Green Oak Drive
Minnetonka, MN 55343
1559717904 $14.95 1-800-328-0590
Brilliantly illustrated with 23 full-color paintings, artist and author Schim Schimmel's The Family
Of
Earth is an impressive and informative picturebook that captures both the eye and the imagination.
From antarctic ice floes to the depths of the jungle, each illustration shows a different piece of the
natural world and the cornucopia of creatures who live in it; yet all these different worlds are
pieces
of the same Earth. The simple text suited for very young readers blends perfectly with the vibrant
art
that instantly captivates one's attention. The Family Of Earth is enthusiastically recommended for
family, school, and community library collections.
Miss Renee's Mice
Elizabeth Stokes Hoffman, author
Dawn Peterson, illustrator
DownEast Books
PO Box 679, Camden, Maine 04843-0679
0892725052 $15.95 1-800-685-7962
Elizabeth Hoffman's Miss Renee's Mice is beautifully illustrated by Dawn Peterson's full color
pictures. Young readers are introduced to solitary Miss Renee, and the mice who move into her
home after their barn collapsed. At first Miss Renee devises a plan to send the mice on a boat trip
around the world, but in time she comes to feel lonely and regret the action - until the mice return
bearing gifts from their international voices! Miss Renee's Mice is a thoroughly charming, upbeat,
and highly recommended children's picturebook story.
Mice & Beans
Pam Munoz Ryan
Scholastic
555 Broadway, New York NY 10012
0-439-18303-0 $15.95 1-800-242-7737
Joe Cepeda illustrates Pam Munoz Ryan's Mice & Beans, a zany story of mice who become
involved
in the food preparations at Rose Maria's house. Days of the week, party plans, and a plan for
Mexican food make for rollicking action and fun accounts.
Ugly Duckling
Hans Christian Andersen
Knopf
280 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
0-375-81319-5 $15.95 1-800-726-0600
Kevin Crossley-Howard retells this classic, with Meilo So's Asian-inspired paintings adding a new
look and touch to the traditional tale. An oversized, ugly duckling finds new life in his looks as he
grows into his abilities in this warm story.
Score One For The Sloths
Helen Lester & Lynn Munsinger
Houghton Mifflin
215 Park Avenue South, NY, NY 10003
0-618-10857-2 $15.00 1-800-225-3362
The sloths at school are content to be sleepy sloths, until a new go-getter sloth arrives to drive
them
all crazy. But the pesty new arrival proves the sloths' salvation when an official decides to shut the
school due to its low academic scores. Fun drawings make Score One For The Sloths an
exceptional
story.
Miss Bumples Moves To Bumpleville
Jennifer E. Sheehan
Bumples
37 Naromake Ave., Norwalk, CT 06854
0970095201 $15.95 www.bumples.com
Jennifer Sheehan's Miss Bumples Moves To Bumpleville is the second Bumples book, and like its
predecessor, Griffy Giraffe's Accident, features charming, simplistic color artwork drawn in the
style
of young artists with crayons or paint. The text is written at a level that youthful readers can
follow,
yet the story's paragraphs are involved and detailed enough to help children practice and improve
their reading skills much more than a typical picturebook with one sentence per page. This
heartwarming story of cooperation features friendly animals who help Miss Bumples move and
found a new town, and Griffy Giraffe also makes a return appearance. Miss Bumples Moves To
Bumpleville is a positive, uplifting, highly recommended picturebook for young children.
The Pirate Pink
Jan Day
Pelican Publishing Company
P.O. Box 3110, Gretna, LA 70054
1565548795 $14.95 1-800-843-1724
Charmingly written by Jan Day and splendidly illustrated by Janeen Mason, The Pirate Pink is a
children's full color picturebook about Pink, the daughter of the fierce pirate Captain Red Beard.
She
dreams of adventure, but when she goes aboard a pirate ship, she finds that the life of a pirate is
not
what she thought. When the pirates kidnap a beautiful countess, the countess and Pink become
friends, and Pink must risk everything to save the countess from walking the gangplank. A
thoughtful and highly recommended children's story about the differences between expectations
and
reality.
Leo the Lightning Bug
Eric Drachman & James Muscarello
Kidwick Books
363 South Saltair Ave., 1st Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90049
0970380909 $18.95 www.kidwick.com
Expertly illustrated by James Muscarello, Leo The Lightning Bug is a lavish color picturebook
written by Eric Drachman and enhanced with an accompanying audio CD. The CD features the
author narrating Leo's story, with five-year-old Benjamin Drachman as the voice of Leo. Sound
effects and page turn prompts make the CD extremely easy to follow, and the delightful story of
Leo's adventures makes for excellent reading just before bedtime. Leo The Lightening Bug is a
welcome addition to family, school, and community library book/CD collections for young
readers.
Little, Brown
Three Center Plaza, Boston, MA 02108
1-800-759-0190
Three beautiful picturebook stories are recommended picks for young readers. Mary Ann
Hoberman's You Read To Me, I'll Read To You (0-316-36350-2, $15.95) provides very short
stories which uses rhymes, rhythm and repetition to invite youngsters to read aloud with an adult.
Perfect not only for family gatherings, but for schools encouraging reading groups. Lauren Mills'
Dog Prince (57417-1, $15.95) tells of a handsome, spoiled prince who finds life boring and
decides
to hunt the chimera for entertainment. His rude actions cause a fairy woman to turn him into a
hound dog, and a kind goat-girl rescues him and teaches him some lessons. Catherine Ann
Cullen's
Magical, Mystical, Marvelous Coat (16334-1, $15.95) tells of a girl who sets out every morning
to
see a different aspect of the world, powered by the magic buttons on her coat. When the buttons
disappear amid her adventures, will the coat lose its magic?
The Theatre Shelf
Smith & Kraus
177 Lyme Rd., Hanover, NH 03755
$19.95 Each 1-800-895-4331
Three fine books in the Smith & Kraus '30 10-Minutes Plays' series by Michael Dixon, et.al.
present
winners from the Actors Theatre of Louisville's national 'ten-minute play' contest, provide aspiring
students and dramatists with a wide range of plays. These three volumes are divided into plays for
3
Actors (1-57525-278-3), 2 Actors (277-5) and 4, 5 & 6 Actors (279-1). Characters, settings, and
details on obtaining performance rights accompany each sketch.
The Christian Studies Shelf
My Happy Heart
Gregory Ryan
Medio Media
15930 North Oracle Road, Suite 196
Catalina, Arizona 85739
0966694198 $12.95 mediomedia.com
Gregory Ryan's My Happy Heart is a colorful, read-aloud book written not just for kids age 4-8,
but
for the whole family to share. A simple, straightforward book of prayer to a kind and loving God,
My Happy Heart shows wonderfully illustrative examples of God's love in everyday life, and
makes
excellent, highly recommended bedtime reading for young children.
Connected At The Heart
Steve Tiller & Robert Cremeans
MichaelsMind LLC
5600 Claire Rose Lane
Atlanta, GA, 30327
0970459726 $14.95 michaelsmind.com
Connected At The Heart is a unique children's picturebook that arising from the effective
collaboration of author Steve Tiller and Illustrator Robert Cremeans. Young readers are treated to
an engaging story of a young girl named Rachel for whom the distance from heaven to Earth is
simply overwhelming, until she discovers on her birthday that Heaven is really only a heartbeat
away. Part of the "Adventures With Little Angels" series, Connected At The Heart is an
impressive
and recommended addition to any personal, Sunday School, Bible School, or community library
picturebook collection.
Just Call Me Joe Joe
Jean Alicia Elster & Nicole Tadgell
Judson Press
Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851
0817013989 $12.00 1-800-458-3766
Just Call Me Joe Joe begins the biblical passage John 10:3, "...and the sheep shall hear his voice,
and
he calls his own sheep by name." Written especially for African-American children ages 6-10 by
Jean
Alicia Elster and nicely illustrated in color by Nicole Tadgell, Just Call Me Joe Joe is the story of a
10-year-old African-American boy who must deal with a shop owner who mistakenly assumes
that
Joe Joe was part of the gang who just trashed the store. Joe Joe must find the courage and spirit
to
return and convince the shop owner of the truth. Just Call Me Joe Joe is a highly recommended
and
strong story of moral conviction and justice for young readers.
Power Angels On Assignment
Marsha D. Johnson & Mark McIntyre
Jawbone Publishing Corp.
5225 US Hwy 27 N
Baseball City, FL 33837
0970295987 $14.95 1-866-967-3382
In Power Angels On Assignment young readers are introduced to Cinnamon, a little angel girl that
is
called upon by God to carry out an important assignment in answering the prayer of a little boy on
Earth called Jake. Author Marsha Johnson's engaging and heart-warming story is wonderfully
illustrated in full color by master artist Mark McIntyre. Power Angels On Assignment is a
superbly
presented and enthusiastically recommended picturebook story that will be a particular delight for
children whose parents seek Christian oriented storytelling for bedtime bonding or just quiet time
fun. It is to be devoutly hoped that more of these charming "Power Angels" picturebook stories
will
soon be available.
Thank You, Solomon
Charlotte Lundy & Miriam Sagasti
Bay Light Publishing
P.O. Box 3032, Mooresville, NC 28117
0967028000 $15.95 1-866-541-3895
Recommended for young readers age 3-10, Thank You, Solomon is a color picturebook about a
little boy who gets a new puppy as a Christmas gift. But puppies require a lot of care, and only
someone who can be responsible for a puppy's needs can own a puppy. The boy learns what it is
to
be responsible from the biblical story of Solomon. Engagingly written by Charlotte Lundy whose
narrative is wonderfully showcased with the artwork of Miriam Sagasti, Thank You, Solomon
incorporates the biblical story of Solomon's succession after the death of his father King David.
Highly recommended for family, Sunday School, Bible School, and community library
collections.
The Fiction Shelf
Peter Pan
J.M. Barrie
Atheneum
1230 Avenue of Americas, NY, NY 10020
0-689-83078-5 $25.00 1-800-223-2336
Trina Schart Hyman's beautiful color plates pepper the classic story of Peter Pan, which elevates
this
edition to gift level proportions. The enduring story of a boy who refuses to grow up achieve new
life here, and new generations will find this an intriguing story.
Wild Bog Tea
Annette LeBox
Groundwood Press
720 Bathurst Street, Suite 500
Toronto, Ontario M5S 2R4
0888994060 $18.95 1-800-788-3123
Wild Bog Tea is a wondrous novel with an educational core, for it eloquently and respectfully
illustrates the formation and ecology of a bog through the eyes of narrator who grows from a boy
into a man. Unique and rooted in the heart and soul of the bog landscape it evokes, Wild Bog Tea
is
a wealth of information and entertainment. Highly recommended.
Lucas
Alistair Highet & Etienne Delessert
The Creative Company
PO Box 227, Mankato, MN 56002
0898120144 $8.95 1-800-445-6209
A young man and his dog Lucas set out to traverse the rugged, snow-covered landscape of Nova
Scotia only to lose their way when dark falls. That's when Lucas takes it upon himself to guide
them both safely home. Etienne Delessert's superb artwork provides a visual showcase for
Alistair Highet's imaginative story so perfectly reflecting the solitude and beauty of the northland,
the power of a friendship between a young man and his canine companion, and the ability of a dog
to deal with traversing the snow clad wilderness of Nova Scotia. Lucas is very highly
recommended reading for readers of all ages who enjoy reading about the courage and
intelligence of a canine companion when faced with a life or death challenge.
Josh
Eileen Ross
Royal Fireworks Printing Company
First Avenue, Unionville, NY 10988
0880921048 $9.99 1-845-726-4444
Josh is eleven and his sister Maribell is five when they are sent to live with their Uncle Caleb and
Aunt Abigail on their Colorado farm in 1879. Josh has to learn to deal with his crusty old uncle
and
his childless aunt while coping with a bully encountered at the local school. But Josh is able to
find
new and clever ways to overcome all obstacles and win his battles. Josh is an expertly crafted,
engaging, entertaining, and recommended story for young readers.
Naomi And Mrs. Lumbago
Gilles Tibo
Tundra Books
PO Box 1030, Plattsburgh, NY 12901
0887765513 $6.95 tundrabooks.com
Ably translated into English by Susan Ouriou, Naomi And Mrs. Lumbago is an entertaining story
by
Gilles Tibo which is illustrated by Louise-Andree Laliberte and tells of Naomi, who is seven years
old and spend her time after school at the apartment of Mrs. Lumbago, her elderly babysitter.
Mrs.
Lumbago hints that there is a treasure hidden somewhere in the apartment and Naomi is
determined
to find it -- even if it means turning everything upside down! But things like homework and
television shows distract her. When Mr. Lumbago Lies, Naomi doesn't want to search for treasure
any more, but Mrs. Lumbago is able to show Naomi that life goes one. So the treasure hunt
continues and provides Naomi with some very unexpected results! Naomi And Mrs. Lumbago is a
gentle, delightful, and enthusiastically recommended story for young readers ages 6 to 9.
Delacorte/Dell Publishers
1540 Broadway, New York NY 10036
1-800-726-0600
Caroline Cooney's time travel/romance fiction will appeal to readers who have enjoyed the Eager
and other time travel books for younger readers, but who seek something more advanced. Both
Sides Of Time (0-440-21932-9, $4.99) tells of a teen romantic who travels back a hundred years
in
time to when ladies are courted by handsome gentlemen. She meets her match - but can she really
live in the past? Prisoner Of Time (22019-X, $4.99) tells of Ted, who meets a teen time traveler
who's journeyed into the future. They find themselves in love - but their destinies seem set by
time.
Out Of Time (21933-7, $4.99) continues the story begun in Both Sides: here Strat's insistence
that
the elusive Miss Lockwood has traveled through time has earned him a stint in an asylum. It's up
to
Anne to travel back to save him. All are involving leisure reads. Joyce McDonald's Shades Of
Simon
Gray (0-385-32659-9, $15.95) provides a complex, involving plot for teens involving a boy who
lies
in a coma while his friends become implicated in his computer test hacking scheme. All have
choices
to make, but Simon's will determine life or death in this unusual story.
The Music Shelf
Country Goes Raffi
Raffi
The Rounder Records Group
One Camp St., Cambridge, MA 02140
11661-8090-2 $17.98 www.rounder.com
Raffi is one of the most popular and beloved children's entertainers in the music field today.
Country
Goes Raffi is a superbly produced, unique tribute album showcasing this gifted performer's superb
compositions as performed by a wide range of country music singers. The selections feature
Down
by the Bay (Eric Heatherly); Baby Beluga (Billy Gilman); Blessed Be (Alison Krause); Blue White
Planet (Raffi); Apples and Bananas (Keith Urban); Naturally (Marty Stuart); All I Really Need
(The
Wilkinsons); Rise and Shine (Lee Roy Parnell); Bananaphone (Rhonda Vincent); Shake My Sillies
Out (Lari White); Thanks A Lot (Paul Malo); This Little Light of Mine (Elizabeth Cook); One
Light
One Sun (Kathy Mattea; and The Bowling Song (Asleep At The Wheel). Country Goes Raffi is a
"must" for the legions of Raffi fans (and their parents!).
Little Proto And The Volcano's Fire
Odds Bodkin
Rivertree Productions
PO Box 410, Bradford, NJ 03221
1882412346 $14.95 1-800-554-1333
Odds Bodkin's is a singularly gifted performer whose previous efforts have enchanted legions of
young listeners. His latest is the CD production of Little Proto And The Volcano's Fire. The story
line centers on issues of friendship and self-acceptance while exploring the ecology of fire and life
in
the Late Cretaceous Period. Featured dinosaur characters include Old Wrinkles the Triceratops,
Bump the Pachycephalosaurus, King Geoffrey the T-Rex, Ankles the Ankylosaur, Plessy the
Plesiosaur, and Proto the Protoceratops. Highly recommended for all Odds Bodkin's fans, Little
Proto And The Volcano's Fire presents four new family friendly songs sung in character voices,
vocal effects and, of course, a full score Odds Bodkin's virtuoso 12-string guitar performance.
Also
available in audio cassette format ($9.95).
The CD-ROM Shelf
Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego? Treasures Of Knowledge
The Learning Company
6401 Kaiser Drive, Fremont, CA 94555
$24.95 www.learningco.com
Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego? Treasures Of Knowledge is the latest educational
adventure on CD-ROM from The Learning company. It is up to the young player to track down
beautiful, mysterious Carmen Sandiego and the treasures she has stolen. The hunt will lead the
player around the world, and teach him or her about geography and an amazing diversity of
human
cultures. Highly entertaining, and peppered with plot twists to enthral a young player's attention
(not the least of which is the possibility that Carmen might have far higher motives than mere
greed for initiating her thievery), Treasures Of Knowledge is a superbly crafted, upbeat,
thought-proving, entertaining, highly recommended computer game for children ages 8 to
12.
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Birds In Your Backyard
Barbara Herkert
Dawn Publications
P.O. Box 2010, Nevada City, CA 95959
1584690259 $8.95 www.DawnPub.com
Artist and author Barbara Herkert's Birds In Your Backyard is a truly beautiful color picturebook
that teaches young children in North America about the different types of birds they may see in
their
backyard, and how to attract feathered friends with birdhouses and bird food. From Northern
Cardians to Eastern Bluebirds to the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Birds In Your Backyard is
sure
to cover the delightful creatures the fly about the backyard of any North American child's home.
Birds In Your Backyard shows the young reader how to feed and water birds, identify common
backyard species along with their distinctive behaviors, how to keep a birdwatcher's journal, make
a
nest box, plants that attract birds, the official state and provincial birds in the US and Canada, and
lists organizations with programs for young birders. There are appendixes and resources so that
especially inquisitive children can search and learn still more about birds, and about common wild
plants as well. An educational and highly recommended softcover aviary book for children ages 4
to
10.
Chelsea House
1974 Sproul Road, Suite 400
Broomall, PA 19008-0914
1-800-848-2665
Harry Breidahl's "Life in Strange Places" series will appeal to kids who enjoy stories about strange
creatures and places. Dark Secrets (0-7910-6614-2) tells of life which can grow without sunlight;
Extremophiles (6617-7) reveals life which can occur at extremes of environment; Itty Gritty
Creatures (6615-0) explores creatures no larger than a grain of sand; Extraterrestrial Life
(6616-9)
explores the potentials of life beyond Earth, and Diminutive Drifters (6618-5) reveals microscopic
aquatic life forms. Bright color photos throughout. Six bright new 'Insects and Spiders' titles
($16.95
each) from the Australian Museum and designed for ages 9 and older are sure to reach into
younger
grade levels, with their colorful covers and pages packed with appealing insect photos and facts.
Shane McEvey's Dragonflies (0-7910-6597-9), Moths And Butterflies (6598-7), Flies (6596-0),
Beetles (6600-2), Bugs (6595-2) and Spiders (6599-5) each provide discussions of body parts,
natural habits and habitats, life cycles, predators, and how to collect and identify them. While
there's
an Australian focus, the comments are general enough to apply to a range of areas.
Gareth Stevens
330 W. Olive #100, Milwaukee, WI 53212
1-800-542-2595
These outstanding series titles presented by this publisher offer kids easy readers, bright color
photos, and attractive subjects. Adding to the 'Great American Horses' series by Gentle & Perry
($14.95 each) are Tennessee Walking Horses (0-8368-2940-9), Chincoteague Ponies (2935-2),
Florida Cracker Horses (2936-0), Miniature Horses (2937-9), Saddlebreds (2938-7) and
Standardbreds (2939-5). Each presents 24 pages of information on each type of horse, from
history
of the breed to habits. The '101 Facts About' pets series ($15.95 Each) will appeal to kids ages 5
and
older who either own a pet or dream of ownership. Julia Barnes' Guinea Pigs (2887-9), Rabbits
(2891-7) and Puppies (2890-9), Sarah Williams' Tropical Fish (2892-5) and Iguanas (2888-7) and
Claire Horton-Bussey's Kittens (2889-5) blend colorful photos with facts about the pet's needs
and
care. Schwartz and Kuhn's 'Life Cycles' series for ages 3 and up receives the Weekly Reader seal
of
approval and adds to the series($14.95 each) with Chicken (2971-9), Bean (2970-0), Monarch
Butterfly (2979-4), Maple Tree (2978-6), Ladybug (2977-8), Jumping Spider (2976-x), Fighting
Fish (2972-7), Horse (2974-3), Green Snake (2973-5), Hummingbird (2975-1), Wood Frog
(2981-6) and Sunflower (2980-8). Each holds a little over 20 pages of details, color photos, an
index, and easy activities.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
The Rundelstone Of Oz
Eloise McGraw & Eric Shanower
Hungry Tiger Press
5995 Dandridge Lane, Suite 121
San Diego, CA 92115-6575
1929527047 $24.95 1-619-582-5106
In The Rundelstone Of Oz, author Eloise McGraw demonstrates the kind of writing skills that
have marked her as a three time Newbery honoree. The latest entry into the legendary fantasy
world of Oz first created by L. Frank Baum, The Rundelstone Of Oz is a welcome addition that
will become as classic an entertainment as any in the Oz series. Superbly illustrated by Eric
Shanower in the "Oz Tradition", The Rundelstone Of Oz is a "must" for Oz fans, as well as a
highly recommended acquisition for school and community library collections.
Come Like Shadows
Welwyn Wilton Katz
Coteau Books
401 - 2206 Dewdney Avenue
Regina, SK, Canada, S4R 1H3
1550501704 $7.95 1-800-440-4471
Welwyn Katz's Come Like Shadows is the story of sixteen-year-old Kinny O'Neil who things she's
landed the job of a lifetime as the assistant to the director of Shakespeare's Macbeth at the famed
Stratford Festival. But she finds that the director is acting strangely, the cast members are hostile,
and a woman is killed in a freak accident on the very first day of rehearsal. Then there is an the
antique mirror she found as a prop and which seems to have some kind of malevolent power when
Kinny and her friend Lucas see strange images within its depths. Kinny and Lucas find that they
must struggle to protect one another when assailed by unleashed forces that could destroy them
all!
Come Like Shadows is a superbly written action/adventure fantasy for young readers ages
fourteen
through young adult.
Wizard Girl
Rick Just
Cedar Creek Press
3380 Terra Drive, Boise, ID 83709
0965353966 $19.95 1-208-362-9892
Rick Just's Wizard Girl is a superbly written, young adult fantasy novel about a 11-year-old
heroine
named Kat. As Kat grows older she begins to doubt her father's fanciful tales of a magic land
where
dragons glide and wallacatoons whirl across the ground on three legs. Then a ribek appears,
looking
for a wizard. Wizard Girl is a highly enjoyable, unforgettable cascade through a world of
enchantment and mystery, and a thoughtful sequel to the first novel in Rick Just's Wizards trilogy,
Wizard Chase. Highly recommended for young fans of action/adventure fantasy.
The Library Video/DVD
Shelf
Best Of Thomas
Andrea Blain
9750 Crawford Ave., Skokie, IL 60076
$19.98 DVD thomasthetankengine.com
Best Of Thomas is the first DVD release of episodes of the colorful Thomas the Tank Engine &
Friends cartoon. In addition to eight different episodes featuring the cheerful blue engine, the
DVD
also contains extra features such as "Thomas and the Dinosaur" read-along story, "Harold the
Helicopter" CD-ROM game, eleven character biographies, eight stories told by George Carlin,
four
sing-along songs, and a collectible 12-page color booklet. Best Of Thomas shows a perky young
mechanical hero with a happy smile and gentle, responsible messages for young children.
Recommended for young folks age 2-6, this 46-minute (not counting bonus features) DVD is a
sure
winner for parents in need of wholesome entertainment for their toddlers. Best Of Thomas is also
available in a VHS edition ($12.98).
Newton In A Bottle
Hilary Henmets, Producer
c/o Andrea Blain Public Relations
9750 Crawford Ave., Skokie, IL 60076
0970962401 $14.95 1-800-840-4460
Newton In A Bottle: Physics For Kids! is an amazing trailblazer for a new series of early learning
videos that aptly demonstrate scientific principles for young people. What makes Newton In A
Bottle particularly eye-catching is its 3-D computer animation, featuring a wry, inquisitive yellow
cat
named Max who interacts with shapes that demonstrate a variety of physical principles, from
leverage and gravitation to projectile motion and light. A variety of music styles accompany the
eye-catching and mesmerizing visual display. Colorful, entertaining, 27 minutes long, and highly
educational, Newton In A Bottle is a "must see" video for any parent who hopes to spark their
child's interest in the wonders of science!
Jingle-Bell Baby
Small Fry Productions
1200 Alpha Drive, Suite B
Alpharetta, GA 30004
small-fry.com $15.95 1-800-521-5311
Jingle-Bell Baby is a delightful 30-minute, live-action music video intended for young preschool
viewers age 1-5. Scenes of real kids celebrating the Christmas holidays, playing with toys, and
admiring tree ornaments pepper this upbeat video enhanced with bright and popular toons. A
special highlight involves a tour of a candy cane factory to see how the famous confections are
made. A highly recommended, lighthearted holiday romp that perfectly captures the joyous nature
of the holiday season, Jingle-Bell Baby is a recommended addition to family, day care center, and
community library preschool video collections.
The Holiday Shelf
The Magic Menorah
Jane Breskin Zalben
Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of Americas, NY, NY 10020
0-689-82606-0 $15.00 1-800-223-2336
Donna Diamond illustrates The Magic Menorah, a wonderfully told and modern Chanukah story,
which will appeal to ages 7-10. Stanley hates Chanukah: he has to deal with noisy relatives, clean
the
house, and finds little to celebrate. When he finds an antique menorah and a genie, he is taken on a
time trip which demonstrates the value of Chanukah in his life.
Christmas Is...
Gail Gibbons
Holiday House
425 Madison Avenue, NY, NY 10017
0823415821 $16.95 holidayhouse.com
In Christmas Is..., author and illustrator Gail Gibbons showcases the many things that Christmas
symbolizes for people including the birth of the Christ child, Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus,
angels,
Christmas trees, mistletoe, lights, cards, carols, presents, prayers, peace, love and joy. Christmas
Is...
would make a wonderfully appropriate and much appreciated addition to any family, school, or
community library holiday books collection.
Mattie's Christmas Wish
Roberta L. Asman & Krisztianna Ecsedy
P.E.T. Publishing
323 East Matilija, Suite 100
Ojai, CA 93023
0970910010 $5.99 www.backpakpals.com
With bright, lively, full color illustrations by Krisztianna Ecsedy, Roberta Asman's Mattie's
Christmas Wish is the engaging story told in simple rhymes of a young girl named Mattie Sloan
who
makes a snowflake wish on Christmas. The result is her animals toys coming to life and entertain
her
and to create a Christmas of special joy. Also very highly recommended is Asman's previous
"Mattie" title, Mattie And Friends Go To The Park (0970910002, $5.99).
The Audiobook Shelf
Maressa & Merlone
Shaeri Richards
Heartfull Productions
PO Box 2563, Sedona, AZ 86339
0971137706 $16.95 1-800-431-1579
Writer/Actress/Musician Shaeri Richards' Maressa & Merlone: A Musical Fairy Tale is a superbly
produced, two-cassette audio book featuring 1 hour and 45 minutes of pure listening enchantment
for children of all ages (and their parents too!). Enhanced with original music, the story is one of a
young princess being sent on a quest by a wise woman and meeting a delightful cast of characters
along the way. Maressa & Merlone is an enthusiastically recommended work that is written,
narrated, and sung by Shaeri Richards and would prove to be an excellent and entertaining
acquisition selection for family, school, and community library collections.
Shayla's Double
Lori Aurelia Williams
Listening Library
1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
080720580X $33.00 1-800-726-0600
Shayla is young, black, and feels that now that her father's new wife has given birth to a baby
(born
on Shayla's own birthday!) that she has been replaced in her father's affections. Shayla can't even
confide in her best friend, Kambia Elaine, because of not wanting to diminish Kambia's own
happiness at finally being part of a loving family in her own right. Nor can Shayla confide in a new
friend, Lemm, when she discovers that he has his own troubles and tragedies that he is trying to
keep
secret. Lori Williams' Shayla's Double is a superbly written, emotionally articulate novel of
unconditional love, human heartbreak, and family relationships. Highly recommended for young
listeners 10 through 18, this 10 hour, 30 minute Listening Library unabridged production is
flawlessly produced and aptly narrated by heather Alicia Simms.
The History Shelf
The Crusades
Christine Hatt
Franklin Watts/Grolier Publishing
90 Sherman Turnpike, Danbury CT 06816
0531146103 $22.00 1-800-371-3908
Over sixty pages of surprising detail and color invite kids in grades 4-6 to read about the era of
the
Crusades. Large print, plenty of colorful maps and drawings, and sidebars of information make
The
Crusades: Christians At War inviting for leisure browsers as well as young learners.
Books in Series
Benchmark/Cavendish
99 White Plains Rd. Tarrytown NY 10591
$15.95 Each 1-800-831-9881
Kids in grades 2-5 will find "A Child's Day" titles an appealing introduction to children of other
cultures: each book follows a sample child's day. Francis Provencal and Catherine McNamara's In
A
Ghanian City (0-7614-1223-9) tells of a child who gets up at dawn to work before school begins.
Maria de Fatima Campos' In A Brazilian Village (1221-2) begins with an unusual breakfast and a
day of play. Andrey Ilyin's In A Russian City (1222-0) reveals a Russian child's busy day;
Sungwan
So's In A Chinese City (1224-7) tells of a child who begins a journey on the back of her father's
bicycle, and Prodeepta Das' In An Indian Village (1220-4) tells of a distinctive Indian village life.
All
use color photos to explore each different culture.
Mitchell Lane
34 Decidedly Lane, Bear, DE 19701
$22.95 Each 1-800-814-5484
Two excellent 'Latinos at Work' series titles by Susan Zannos focuses on career for Latinos
provide
role models geared for young adult audiences. Careers In Science And Medicine
(1-58415-084-X)
covers the basics of such careers, profiling Latino and Latina providers of health care services and
the community which uses them. Careers In Education (081-5) provides the basics of different
educational career options and profiles those who have succeeded in their jobs. Both are
inspirational offerings.
World Almanac Library
330 W. Olive #100, Milwaukee, WI 53212
1-800-848-2928
"21st Century Science" and "Trailblazers of the Modern World" are two bright sets of reference
titles will appeal to ages 10 and older in grades 5 and up, providing lasting references which are
filled with both color illustrations and clear facts. The four books in the "21st Century Science"
series ($29.27 each) include Exploring The Universe (0-8368-5001-7), Inside The Earth (5002-5),
Our Planet Today (5003-3) and Solar System And The Stars (5004-1). Each features over sixty
pages of diagrams, charts, and information including a glossary, bibliography, and index. The
biographical reference series Trailblazers Of The Modern World ($26.60 Each) include profiles of
John F. Kennedy (5065-3), Mahatma Gandhi (5064-5), Walt Disney (5062-9), Marie Curie
(5061-0), Amelia Earhart (5063-7), and Tiger Woods (5066-1): each packs plenty of color photos
with plenty of detail suitable for reports. Both are recommended sets.
Blackbirch Press
Box 3573, Woodbridge, CT 06525
1-800-831-9183
Two excellent sets of history are recommended picks for advanced elementary library collections.
'The Civil War' series for grades 5-7 include Hughes' Andrew Johnson (1-56711-534-9) and
Stonewall Jackson (559-4), Kops' Abraham Lincoln (535-7), King's Robert E. Lee (554-3) and
Ulysses Grant (555-1), and Becker's Frederick Douglass (558-6). These 'Triangle' books
interweave
and overlap, providing unusual perspectives and reinforcing one another even as they stand alone.
The 'Battle of' series also covering the war present a little over thirty pages each with King's
Gettysburg (550-0) and Vicksburg (552-7), Hughes' Antietam (551-9) and Kops' Bull Run
(553-5).
They provide good supporting material for the Civil War themes of the more advanced set. Two
new to the 'Giants of Science' series include James Watt (338-9) and Guglielmo Marconi (337-0),
each providing over sixty pages of biographical background on these inventors. All are
recommended picks.
Books are more than mere entertainment, more than useful information, more than words
imprinted
on paper. Books are windows to the world, refuge from the shocks of life, balm for the troubled
soul, inspiration for the mind.
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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