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Children's Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
Climbing Your Family Tree
Ira Wolfman
Workman Publishing
708 Broadway, NY, NY 10003
0761125396 $13.95 1-800-722-7202
Kids are invited to become sleuths into family history with Climbing Your Family Tree: Online
And
Off-Line Genealogy For Kids, a lively title, packed with tips on how to become an ancestor
detective. From conducting interviews with family members to tracking down naturalization
records,
birth certificates, and regional history, Climbing Your Family Tree will appeal to all young readers
who become fascinated with the fine art of genealogy.
Milo With A Halo
Lisa M. Umina & Andrea Karcic
Halo Publishing Company
PO Box 31844, Independence, OH 44131-0844
0971835004 $5.95 halopublishing.com
Wonderfully illustrated by Andrea Karcic, Milo With A Halo is Lisa Umina's engaging and highly
recommended story for young readers about a little animal named Milo who informs God that he
is
going try and find out who he can consider to be his best friend. The story is utterly charming and
young readers will discover how easy it is to talk to God about such things -- and to find in the
end
that God is truly any child's best friend.
Paper Posie
817 Vincente Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
1-800-360-1761 www.paperpoise.com
Author Penelope C. Paine & illustrator Itoko Maeno effectively collaborate to produce two
outstanding little books for young readers that are especially recommended for any child being
charged with the important wedding ceremony responsibilities of flower girl or ring bearer.
Penelope
and Itoko's 10 Neat Things About Being A Flower Girl (097079441X, $8.95) and 10 Neat Things
About Being A Ring Bearer (0970794428, $8.95) were designed specifically and effectively to
help
a child understand his or her role in wedding celebrations in an informative and engaging text that
is
thoroughly "young reader friendly" and enhanced with full color illustrations of wedding
accessories.
Unique and invaluable, these two titles are ideal for reading with any young girl wanting to be a
flower girl, or any young boy asked to be a ring bearer as part of the wedding day celebrations,
rituals, and activities.
Disney: The Ultimate Visual Guide
DK Publishing
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
0789488620 $19.99 www.dk.com
Disney: The Ultimate Visual Guide will make the perfect family Christmas present for families
already interested in Disney's wonders. Disney has touched lives for decades: Disney: The
Ultimate
Visual Guide provides an excellent visual survey of the extent of the animated creator's works and
the logical progression of Disney talents and creations. A fine oversized picture book the entire
family will enjoy.
1-2-3 Draw Cartoon People
Steve Barr
Peel Productions
KSB Promotions (publicity)
PO Box 546, Columbus, NC 28722
0939217465 $8.99 1-800-345-6665
1-2-3 Draw Cartoon People: A Step-by-Step Guide was created by syndicated comic strip artist
Steve Barr as a useful and "user friendly", methodically crafted instructional guide for young
people
wanting to create their own cartoon figures. Beginning with some expert preparatory advice and a
few invaluable cartooning tips, Barr stars with simple, basic shapes and lines which can be quickly
copied and expanded upon. The very nicely illustrated instructions continue on for drawing heads,
hair, expressions, emotions, hands, arms, boys, girls, grandparents, and characters in motion. Also
very highly recommended for budding artists are Steve Barr's two companion instructional books:
1-2-3 draw Cartoon Faces: A Step-by-Step Guide (0939217473, $8.99) and 1-2-3 Draw Cartoon
Animals: A Step-by-Step Guide (0939217481, $8.99).
Brian Wildsmith's Zoo Animals
Brian Wildsmith
Star Bright Books
42-26 - 28th Street, Suite 2C, Long Island City, NY 11101
1887734929 $6.95 starbrightbooks.com
Specifically designed, written, and illustrated for children ages 6 months to 4 years, Brian
Wildsmith's Zoo Animals is a delightful board book that introduces animals commonly seen at the
zoo. Youngsters can name the animals while parents and care givers can teach them interesting
facts
about each creature represented in vivid colors. Very highly recommended for family, preschool,
kindergarten, and day-care board book collections, Brian Wildsmith's Zoo Animals is also
available
in Spanish: Brian Wildsmith Los animales del zoologico (1887734953, $6.95).
The Music Shelf
What Kind Of Cat Are You?!
Billy Jonas
Bang A Bucket Music
c/o Beth Blenz-Clucas Publicity
5505 SW Illinois St., Portland, OR 97221
BAB 1004-2 $16.00 1-800-669-4057
What Kind Of Cat Are You?! comprises 13 interactive songs performed by Billy Jonas and
recommended for family, school, and community library children's music collections. Each piece
employs traditional instruments as well as homemade instruments fashioned from found and
recyclable objects. Children's voices provide an effective backdrop for singing along with Billy
Jonas'
rhythmic and lively numbers which include Tongo! (1:58); Some Houses (4:52); Old St. Helen
(3:39); Alien In My Lungs (2:18); Bear To The Left (2:16); Pharaoh Pharaoh (2:53); Watermelon
(4:30); Nine-Foot Dragon & A Four-Foot Boy (3:36); Nocturnal (4:21); I Spy (2:37); Lean On
Me
(3:34); Make A Joyful Noise (0:22); and the title piece, What Kind Of Cat Are You?! (3:20).
Join The Parade
Rachel Sumner
Rachel's Records
217 Silo Ct., Nashville, TN 37221-3544
188667311X $14.98 rachelsumner.com
Rachel Sumner's Join The Parade is a collection of lively songs, engaging stories, and getting
peanut
butter off the roof of your mouth. Rachel is a consummate and gifted performer who will have
young listeners (and older ones too!) finding themselves caught up in her foot-tapping rhythms,
original melodies, fun and funny jokes, and "kid friendly" stories. Highly recommended for family,
school, and community library CD collections, Join The Parade is also available in an audio
cassette
format (1886673101, $9.95) and features The Flamingo (2:204); My Shadow (2:33); Gootcha
Gotcha Giggles (2:17); The Contest (6:55); Funky The Skunky (4:09); Let's Get Quackin' (3:14);
The Carousel (3:09); Alice (0:50); Dig That Cat (3:24); Three Ways (1:39); Popcorn (3:06);
Pajama
Polka (3:44); Chester Helps Molly Mole (7:30); We All Share One Home (3:48); and the title
piece,
Join The Parade (2:56). Total time - 51:40.
The Myth/Folklore Shelf
Greece! Rome! Monsters!
John Harris & Calef Brown
Getty Publications
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 500, Los Angeles, CA 90049-1682
0892366184 $16.95 www.getty.edu
Greece! Rome! Monsters! is an engaging children's picture book by John Harris about fantastic
mythical beasts. The legendary Chimera, Griffin, Minotaur, Phoenix, and many more are each
summarized in a two-page spread and brought to life with simplistic, stylized color illustrations by
Calef Brown in this magical bestiary which is especially recommended for beginning to
intermediate
readers.
Yonder Mountain
Robert H. Bushyhead, et al.
Marshall Cavendish
99 White Plains Rd, Tarrytown NY 10591
0761451137 $16.95 1-800-831-9881
The collaborative effort of author Kay Thorpe Bannon, illustrator Kristina Rodanas, and
storyteller
Robert H. Bushyhead, Yonder Mountain is the truly impressive picture book retelling of a Native
American folktale. A wise old Cherokee chief must choose a successor to lead him; so he sends
three young men out on a journey to a mountaintop. One returns with precious stones that
represent
wealth; one returns with healing herbs to guard against disease. But the third, who climbs all the
way
to the top of the mountain, returns with something even more crucial to being a leader. Yonder
Mountain is unreservedly recommended as a profound allegorical tale brought vividly to life with
sweeping color illustrations.
The Fiction Shelf
Objects In Mirror
Ronder Thomas Young
Roaring Brook Press
Two Old New Milford Road, Brookfield, CT 06804
0761326006 $22.90 1-800-462-4703
Grace is plagued by an older sister who has dropped out of high school to run off to California
and
another who has become pregnant and a despairing mother who is certain it's only a matter of
time
until Grace disappoints her too. When Grace becomes involved in a surprise birthday party, good
intentions change in Objects In Mirror, a story of insight and self-determination.
In Plain Sight
Carol Otis Hurst
Houghton Mifflin Company
215 Park Avenue South, NY, NY 10003
0618196994 $15.00 1-800-225-3362
Sarah's father has left to seek gold in California: as his favored daughter, Sarah feels his absence
keenly and chafes against the strictness of a mother who shows her little love or fun. The family's
struggles to keep the farm running in their father's absence makes for a realistic story, and Sarah's
ultimate realization of her beloved father's shortcomings makes In Plain Sight an inviting, warm
story of changing family relationships.
The Panther And The Windigo
Lowell P. Thomas
East of the Sun Publishing
PO Box 110063, Naples, FL 34108-0102
0966855930 $10.99 eastofthesun.biz
The Panther And The Windigo by Lowell P. Thomas is a highly recommended young adult novel
about four children on the edge of the Everglades forest. They learn of a horrible force called the
Windigo, which threatens their lives, yet deep-seated powers within them, and the presence of a
mysterious great cat lead to an inevitable showdown. An upbeat, exciting story, The Panther And
The Windigo is an ideal addition to school and community libraries fiction shelves for young
readers.
Max The Magnificent
Trina Wiebe
Lobster Press
1700 Fourth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
1894222555 $5.95 lobsterpress.com
Lightheartedly written by Trina Wiebe, Max The Magnificent is an engaging and lively book for
young readers about a boy named Max who studies the craft of stage magic in the hope of
becoming
a millionaire. When Max learns of the illusionary nature of magic for entertainment, he also
receives
a sobering lesson in what money can and cannot buy, and that being a millionaire isn't as
important
as being able to enjoy one's life. Max The Magnificent is recommended for readers ages 7 to 9 as
being a whimsical and fun adventure story.
House Of The Scorpion
Nancy Farmer
Atheneum
1230 Avenue of Americas, NY NY 10020
0689852223 $17.95 1-800-223-2336
House Of The Scorpion is recommended for mature young adults able to grasp the scientific and
social complexities inherent in a future where genetic cloning has resulted in expendable people.
Matt is considered a beast because he's a clone of a rich elderly man but he's alternately abused
and
pampered in his position, and grows up with the affection of a worker woman who raises him. His
struggle to understand his world and his place in it changes as he ages, until a frightening truth
emerges about his future. Farmer has created an all-too-realistic future world and raises some
important questions about its ethics and about the roots of humanity.
The Secret Within
Theresa Golding
Boyds Mills Press
815 Church St., Honesdale, PA 18431
1563979950 $15.95 1-877-512-8366
Carly Chambers may be a shy, abused child at home part of a family constantly moving to avoid
trouble but on the boardwalk she has her unusual friends who watch out for her and worry about
her. She loves the beach and their new Oceanside coastal home, until her father's activities and the
interest of a stranger threatens her new life. In The Secret Within, Theresa Golding has created a
hard-hitting, realistic story of a child involved in a destructive pattern of family abuse and illegal
activity and how she survives by building healthier relationships outside the home.
Magpie Mischief
Jon Doust & Ken Spillman
Fremantle Arts Centre Press/ISBS, dist.
5824 NE Hassalo Street, Portland, Oregon 97213-3644
1863683550 $11.95 1-800-944-6190
Magpie Mischief is an engaging story by Jon Doust and Ken Spillman about kids vs. the
overwhelming authority of adults. Flavored with a genuine love of free-winged, black-feathered
magpies, Magpie Mischief is energetically recommended reading as a throughly enjoyable little
saga
showcasing the importance of adhering to friendship.
Fire Kids!
Karen Yoder
Stoney Creek Press
21022 Horsetree Circle, Trabuco Canyon, CA 92679
0970048734 $6.95 1-949-858-3021
Fire Kids! is an thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended novel which is especially
recommended for young readers age 8-12. J.T. McKenzie is a ten-year-old boy who wonders if he
really has the courage it takes to become a firefighter. Yet when he must deal with a real, live
emergency, he learns there is more than bravery to being a real firefighter and public servant, and
in the process, discovers his own special qualities within himself. Fire Kids! is also readily
available in a hardcover edition (0970048742, $15.95).
The Biography Shelf
Morgan Reynolds
620 S. Elm St. #223, Greensboro, NC 27406
$21.95 Each 1-800-535-1504
Two excellent biography/history coverages provide delightful accounts that read with all the
drama
of fiction and all the facts of nonfiction. Thomas Goodhue's Curious Bones: Mary Anning
(1883846935) tells of Mary's early involvement in the birth of paleontology. Her realization that
fossils hold clues to extinct species came despite formal education, and led to pioneering field
work
which opened up the field. Bonnie Lukes' Soldier's Courage (1883846943) tells of a young man
who
created a classic at the age of 23. Crane wrote other classics, and his fiction had an impact on a
generation of readers. Both will prove especially inviting to reluctant readers needing report
material
for a biographical paper.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Magical Worlds Of Lord Of The Rings
David Colbert
Berkley
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
0425187713 $13.00 1-800-847-5515
Tolkien's epic fantasies deserve a strong reader's supplement, and David Colbert's Magical Worlds
Of Lord Of The Rings will appeal to any teen interested in the folklore and legends behind his
Middle Earth worlds. From Finnish sagas to Shakespeare and King Arthur, Magical Worlds Of
Lord
Of The Rings draws together insights from other works of fiction and fable to lend added depth to
Tolkien's creation.
How To Be A Dragon... Without Burning Your Tongue
Arlene Williams
The Waking Light Press
PO Box 1329, Sparks, NV 89432
0960544496 $16.95 1-775-356-0216
Arlene Williams' How To Be A Dragon...Without Burning Your Tongue is an engaging and
thoroughly entertaining "coming of age" fantasy novel about Rozzie, a young woman who
undertakes a journey that will lead her toward self-discovery and wonder. A magical,
introspective
story with whispers of hidden dragons about the importance of finding courage within, How To
Be
A Dragon... Without Burning Your Tongue is a wonderfully crafted novel and especially
recommended for teen readers ages 11 to 18. Also highly recommended is Arlene Williams' Tales
from the Dragon's Cave....Peacemaking Stories for Everyone (0960544488; $12.95).
Tyro
Jacqueline Zilliox
AmErica House Publishing
c/o PublishAmerica
PO Box 151, Frederick, MD 21705-0151
1591290260 $13.95 publishamerica.com
The kingdom of Arcane has a new ruler by the name of Anon, a king who imprisons the adults
who
oppose him and compels their children to work in supply a vast and growing army. When knights
from the king of Luminaire fail to return from their mission to Arcane, he sends his last remaining
knight -- his twelve year old son twelve-year-old Tyro. Tyro enters Arcane (wearing a suit of
armor
that glows in the light) and discovers that his father's knights have now become Arcanian soldiers.
Tyro travels through the Arcane kingdom seeking to help the oppressed people he meets. Those
that
accept him find their armor also begins to glow. Ultimately there is a confrontation between King
Anon and Tyro -- with the boy knight proving that he is his own father's son. Tyro is highly
recommended reading for children and falls into that category of allegorical fiction comprised by
such literary works as the Narnia Chronicles of C. S. Lewis.
The CD-ROM Shelf
Learn To Read With Phonics 1st & 2nd Grade
Riverdeep
500 Redwood Blvd., Novato, CA 94947
www.learningcompany.com
0763069914 $24.99
Learn To Read With Phonics 1st & 2nd Grade is a 2 CD-ROM set for Windows or Macintosh
featuring more than 100 educational crafts, puzzles, and games especially for teaching young
people
phonic techniques for learning letters, sounds, words, sentences, and becoming a successful
reader.
Ideal for both classroom instruction and home schooling curriculum supplementation, the colorful
cartoon-like characters such as Reader Rabbit enhance the fun of learning language in this exciting
and highly recommended software.
Books in Series
Chelsea House
1074 Sproul Rd #400, Broomall PA 19008
1-800-848-2665
Two outstanding sets of non-ficion titles for young readers are highly recommended picks as
listing
resources for grades 6-12. Essential to understanding modern conflicts in the region is the
"Creation
Of The Modern Middle East" series ($30.95), a set which takes a country-by-country look at
Middle
East national histories and conflicts. Jordan (0791065073), Oman (0791065081), Yemen
(0791065138), Kuwait (079106512X), Iran (0791065146), Palestinian Authority (0791065154),
Israel (0791065111), Turkey (0791065049), Kurds (0791065057), Iraq (0791065065), and Syria
(079106509X), each provide an outstanding coverage from early to modern times, considering
the
entire scope and complexity of the nation's development and relationships throughout the Middle
East. Each book in this outstanding set includes an index, bibliography, table of contents, and a
fine
blend of contemporary color photos with practical, "reader friendly" information. The new "Major
World Leaders" series ($22.95/each) provides the same age group with a set of modern
biographies
of major world leaders. The series features Vicente Fox (0791069443), Jimmy Carter
(0791069478), Saudi Royal Family (0791070638), Mohammed Reza Pahlavi (0791069486),
Saddam Hussein (0791069435), Tony Blair (0791069397), Hosni Mubarak (0791069427),
Menachem Begin (079106946X), Vladimir Putin (0791069451), George W. Bush
(0791069400),Yasir Arafat (0791069419), and Anwar Sadat (0791069494), each follows the
character and achivements of the leader. Each book holds over 100 pages of detail outlining the
leader's rise to power and his major impact on both his nation and the world. These differ from
other
biographies in their focus on contemporary world leaders and upon their political experiences and
their nation's histories.
Benchmark Books
99 White Plains Rd. Tarrytown NY 10591
$19.95 each 1-800-831-9881
Four Cultures of the Past' titles provide the sixth grouping of history books in the set, and will
reach
grades 4-7 with almost a hundred pages of facts supplemented with excellent quality color photos.
Adriane Ruggiero's Ottoman Empire (0761414940) covers events from nomads to the age of
Suleyman the Magnificant, Virginia Schomp's Italian Renaissance (0761414924) reveals
Renaissance
events in early Italy; Elsa Marston's Byzantine Empire (0761414959) tells of the heavenly
kingdom's
emperors and evolution, Ruth Ashby's Victorian England (0761414932) surveys elements of
social
change during the era. Each provide readers with excellent historical background suitable for
reports, and appropriate for supplementing classroom history studies.
The Child's World Press
PO Box 326, Chanhassen, MN 55317
1-800-599-7323
Two excellent new series collections are recommended for grades 1-3: they provide simple, clear
texts that promise to interest beyond the age range intended for. Take "Mighty Math", for
example
($24.21/Each). Sara Pistoia has put together eight books on different, basic math concepts which
are
so easy that even those in older grades who haven't quite grasped some of the basics will find
them
excellent refreshers. Pistoia's Time (1567661181), Graphs (1567661203), Fractions
(1567661130),
Counting (1567661149), Shapes (156766119X), Money (1567661165), Patterns (1567661173),
and
Measure (1567661157) each offer very easy beginning ideas paired with bright color photos. The
"Our People" series ($27.07 each) provide historical biographies introducing major American
peoples and their achievement. Kids in grades 2-4 will find these inviting, with each holding 32
pages of biographical coverage paired with color photos and American history. These promising
wide-ranging reference for young readers include Judy Alter's Daniel Boone (1567661629),
Sacagawea (1567661661), and Christopher Columbus (1567661610), C. Ann Fitterer's Sequoyah
(156766167X) and Tecumseh (1567661688), Vicky Franchino's Betsy Ross (1567661696), and
Cynthia Klingel and Robert Noyed's superb biographies of Susan B. Anthony (1567661718),
Lewis
And Clark (1567661645) Chief Joseph (1567661653), Leif Eriksson (1567661637), Dolley
Madison
(156766170X), and Clara Barton (1567661726). Each promises extensive reference materials all
geared for the younger, elementary-level student.
Gareth Stevens
330 W. Olive #100, Milwaukee, WI 53212
1-800-542-2595
These excellent sets are recommended acquisitions for libraries on a budget: their topics promise
ongoing value to a discriminating elementary-level collection. Isaac Asimov's "Library Of The
Universe" ($22.60 each) will reach grades 3-5 with very basic astronomical introductions suitable
for
newcomers to astronomy. Venus (0836832442), Uranus (0836832434), Sun (0836832426),
Saturn
(0836832418), Pluto And Charon (083683240X), Mercury (083683237X), Mars (0836832361),
Jupiter (0836832353), Asteroids (0836832337), Earth (0836832345), Neptune (0836832396)
Moon (0836832388) each provide the latest research findings on these celestial objects, their
history, and their science. The inclusion of contemporary color photos and larger print makes
them
easily inviting. The new "Events That Shaped America" series ($22.60 each) is outstanding and
will
appeal to the same age group: each presents historical perspective on early U.S. history, surveying
lasting events and introducing kids to those who created memorable transitions. Arriving At Ellis
Island (0836832213), Battle Of Little Bighorn (0836832221), California Missions (083683223X),
Plymouth Colony; Settling Of Jamestown (0836832256) and Siege Of The Alamo (0836832264)
each provide a little over thirty pages of information which includes a handy index, bibliography,
timelines, glossary, and projects. All are excellent, basic acquisitions.
Twenty First Century Books
Two Old New Milford Road, Brookfield, CT 06804
1-800-462-4703
These selections promise to supplement and enhance libraries looking for something different for
their collections. Kids in grades 7 and older may not anticipate finding Kathlyn Gay and Christine
Whittington's Body Marks (076132352X, $22.43) in their library, but this title on tattooing,
piercing
and scarification is more than a contemporary coverage. Chapters cover body marks in all
cultures,
providing a history of both mainstream and cultural markings. The Science Concepts' titles from
Alvin Silverstein, et.al. ($19.43 each) provides grades 5-8 with basic science concepts. Cells
(076132254X) and DNA (0761322574) each outline key concepts, using charts and color to
supplement complex facts. This grade group should find them most accessible. Sara Friend's
Earth's
Wild Winds (0761326731, $18.68) explains the winds of the planet and how the move around the
earth. Ron Miller's Worlds Beyond ($19.43 each) expands with the addition of Jupiter
(0761323562) and Venus (0761323597): grades 7 and up will find this excellent introductions
with
more detail and contemporary research than others might offer.
World Almanac Library
330 W. Olive #100, Milwaukee, WI 53212
1-800-848-2928
This publisher's excellent series titles will prove an important part of any discriminating collection
seeking books geared to the curriculum. Take Great Explorers', for example: each book holds
almost fifty pages of biographical and historical detail about each explorer for grades 5 and up.
There are the usual figures of Marco Polo (0836850173, $26.60 each) and Juan Ponce De Leon
(0836850181) appearing with lesser-covered (but equally important) names such as Roald
Amundsen (0836850114) and David Livingstone (0836850157). Primary documents enrich the
coverages, while fine paintings, prints and artifacts from the times accompany time lines, maps,
and
visual displays. For biographies of contemporary trailblazers, choose the Trailblazers of the
Modern
World' titles ($26.60 each) on Neil Armstrong (0836850750), Bob Dylan (0836850769), Bill
Gates
(0836850777), Nelson Mandela (0836850785) and Eleanor Roosevelt (0836850793): each will
appeal to the same age group with important profiles of major contemporary achievers who've
already had a lasting impact on the world. The "21st Century Science" series ($29.27 each)
includes
Structure Of The Body (0836850084), Understanding The Weather (0836850092), Climate And
The Environment (0836850068) and Major Systems Of The Body (0836850076): each holds over
fifty pages of detailed facts on the complexities of the body and environment, packed with
diagrams,
charts and images for easy understanding and attraction. The Landmark Events in American
History' series ($26.60 each) also promises to be a lasting pick with such titles as Janet Riehecky's
Settling Of Jamestown (0836853415), Dale Anderson's Arriving At Ellis Island (0836853377),
Michael Uschan's Battle Of Little Bighorn (0836853385), Anderson's California Missions
(0836853393) and Riehecky's Plymouth Colony. Highlighted sidebars of information, color
illustrations, and a lively writing style mark these as special, lasting volumes.
The Science Shelf
The Night Sky
Nigel Henbest & Stuart Atkinson
Usborne Publishing/EDC, dist.
10302 East 55th Place, Suite B, Tulsa, OK 74146-6515
0794501796 $5.95 www.usborne.com
Collaboratively Nigel Henbest and Stuart Atkinson, The Night Sky is a brief yet vert nicely
illustrated, full-color beginner's guide to stars and other fascinating things that can be viewed by
children in the night sky, including comets, planets, and meteors. One of the titles in the
outstanding
"Usborne Spotter's Guides" series, The Night Sky is strongly recommended as a highly enjoyable
and easy-to-understand primer for any beginning stargazer.
The Complete Book Of The Seasons
Sally Tagholm
Kingfisher
215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003
0753454572 $18.95 1-800-225-3362
The Complete Book Of The Seasons by Sally Tagholm is a wonderfully educational book written
and illustrated specifically for intermediate-level young readers about the Earth's changing seasons
and their effects. Gorgeous color illustrations, season-themed celebrations, warnings against
season-related dangers such as hypothermia, and much, much more fill the pages of The Complete
Book Of The Seasons, a truly superlative nature book which would grace any family, school, or
community library collection for young readers.
The Poetry Shelf
Bless the Beasts
June Cotner & Kris Waldherr
SeaStar Books/North-South Books Inc.
Media Masters (publicity)
1123 Broadway, Suite 800, NY NY 10010
1587171767 $12.95 1-800-722-6657
Bless The Beasts: Children's Prayers And Poems About Animals is an enjoyable and inspirational
children's picture book, illustrated with gentle full color artwork illustrating a series of prayers to
God on behalf of humble animals. Bless The Beasts is highly recommended as a delightful, gentle
and emotionally moving anthology of spiritual verse for young readers. "Dear God,/You
protected
the lamb following Mary to school/the mouse running up and down the clock/even the cow
jumping
over the moon."
The Picturebook Shelf
What's That Noise?
William Carman
Random House
1540 Broadway, New York NY 10036
0375810528 $13.95 www.amazon.com
It's a quiet night, until a little boy hears a mysterious noise which requires him to bravely
investigate.
The possibilities are crossed off during the course of his search in What's That Noise?, a highly
recommended, wordless picture book of bravery and discovery.
Bloomsbury Books
175 5th Ave., New York NY 10010
www.bloomsbury.com
Four fine new titles are highly recommended for leisure picturebook readers. Judith Nicholls'
Billywise (1582347786, $16.95) excels with Jason Cockcroft's beautiful drawings as it tells of a
little
owl who enters the world afraid of all the changes. Billywise is so timid, but someday he'll be old
enough to fly. Shen Roddie's Sandbear (1582347581, $15.95) enjoys Jenny Jones' fun drawings as
it
tells of a hare who decides to build a too-realistic bear from sand. Hare discovers a new friend in
his
creation and someone who might come to need his help. Herbie Brennan's Frankenstella And The
Video Store Monster (1582347522, $15.95) arrived too late for Halloween feature, but Cathy
Gale's
zany story and drawings are still a whimsical year-round attraction. Bruce Robinson's Oblivious
Elephant (1582347697, $15.95) tells of a mysterious elephant who arrives in a town square.
Nobody
knows what the elephant is except a boy named Eric. Beautiful paintings embellish the fun
account.
Ten Little Sisters
Virginia Rackley, et. al.
Mayhaven Publishing
PO Box 557, Mahomet, IL 61853
1878044389 $14.95 1-217-586-4493
Based on their non-fiction book "Ten Sisters: A True Story" by Virginia Rackley, Deloris Hart,
Rhita Brniak, Mary Hickmott, Irma Swierk Allen, Pauline Ariel, Phyllis Ferguson, Vera Barber,
Audrey Alford, and Doris Wenzel, Ten Little Sisters is a truly delightful and original picture book
about ten female siblings and the enjoyable activities they do together, such as fishing, climbing
trees, or visiting a real courthouse. Years later, when they are all grown up they enjoy a grand
family
reunion in this happy tale with upbeat, crayon-style color illustrations by Lana Hill.
It's Winter
Jimmy Pickering
Smallfellow Press/Tallfellow Press
1180 South Beverly Drive, Suite 320, Los Angeles, CA 90035
1931290164 $16.95 1-800-851-8923
It's Winter by Jimmy Pickering is a season-themed picture book with a distinctively zany art style
that effectively uses simple, stylized colors and shapes. A girl and her dog discover the wonders of
the snowy season in this joyful, rhyming book for beginning readers. It's Winter is an ideal and
entertaining addition to family, school, and community library picture book collections for young
readers. Also highly recommended is Jimmy Pickering's companion title: It's Fall (1931290156,
$16.95).
Dear Ichiro
Jean Davies Okimoto & Doug Keith
Kumagai Press/Sasquatch Books
615 Second Ave., Seattle, WA
1570613737 $16.95 SasquatchBooks.com
Dear Ichiro is a gentle and enjoyable picture book illustrated by Doug Keith and written by Jean
Davies Okimoto that celebrates baseball as a sport cherished in both America and Japan. A young
boy gets into an angry fight with his best friend, and vows to hate his former friend forever... but
when he sees his grandfather, a World War II veteran, cheering for Japanese baseball players then
the boy learns that it's possible for enemies to become friends again. A welcome addition for
school
and community library collections, Dear Ichiro is a heartwarming and enthusiastically
recommended
picture book story.
The Warlord's Fish
Virginia Walton Pilegard
Pelican Publishing
PO Box 3110, Gretna, LA 70054
1565549643 $14.95 1-800-843-1724
Chuan makes his third appearance in Virginia Walton Pilegard's The Warlord's Fish, this time as
an
artist's apprentice for a Chinese warlord in superbly crafted story for young readers about the
compass. Chuan's cleverness blends with an artist's talents in putting together a tool which will
buy
their freedom in this involving story.
One Candle
Eve Bunting
HarperCollins
1350 Avenue of Americas, NY, NY 10019
0060281154 $15.99 1-800-242-7737
In Eve Bunting's One Candle it is during a Hanukkah dinner that relatives revisit the Holocaust
with
their children, telling them of their brave attempt to celebrate Hanukkah even in a Nazi prison
camp.
Add the warm and beautifully realistic drawings by K. Wendy Popp, and you have a superbly
presented account of Hanukkah's meaning to different generations.
The Tiger Of Turkestan
Nonny Hogrogian
Hampton Roads Publishing Company
1125 Stoney Ridge Road, Charlottesville, VA 22902
1571743081 $16.95 www.hrpub.com
The Tiger Of Turkestan is a delightfully written, vividly illustrated picture book by Nonny
Hogrogian
about a young tiger who receives lasting words of wisdom from his grandmother before she
leaves
this world for her place of rest: "In this life, never do as others do! Either do nothing - just hunt
and
eat, as other tigers do - or do something nobody else does!" The Tiger Of Turkestan is very highly
recommended reading as emotional and joyful picture book about the importance of being oneself
and finding one's own unique strength.
Knopf/Random House Children's Books
1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
1-800-726-0600
Three new and highly recommended picturebooks provide kids with fun, unusual stories. Jarrett
Krosoczka's Baghead (037581566X, $15.95) tells of a zany boy who wakes up one morning with
an
idea for bagging his head. His day involves many challenges, as a result. Nina Barbaresi's
Firemouse
(0375822941, $12.95) tells of an ordinary New York mouse facing changes when his home burns
down. His new home at the local firehouse involves him in the art of rescue in this tribute to New
York firefighters. Judy Sierra's Silly & Sillier (0375806091, $19.95) is a recommended read-aloud
pick: tales from 20 countries from Bangladesh to Borneo and Mexico provide an excellent set of
unusual stories perfect for read-alouds. All are recommended picks.
Stolen Smile
Thierry Robberecht & Philippe Goossens
Doubleday
1540 Broadway, NY, NY 10036
0385746296 $14.95 1-800-726-0600
Stolen Smile is a charming and delightful and original story charmingly written by Thierry
Robberecht about a little girl whose smile was taken away. So she sets out to get it back! Simple
yet
vivid illustrations by Philippe Goosens in warm red and orange hues bring this engaging and
highly
recommended "easy reader" picture book to life.
The Sleep Ponies
Gudrun Ongman
MindCastle Books, Inc.
PO Box 3005, Woodinville, WA 98072
0967720400 $16.95 mindcastle.com
The Sleep Ponies by Gudrun Ongman is the deftly woven and highly recommended picture book
story of a little girl who learns from her grandmother how to call her "sleep ponies" into her
dreams.
Ongman's beautiful and accomplished watercolor illustrations superbly enhance this gentle and
touching children's picture book.
The Lucky Sovereign
Stewart Lees
Charlesbridge Publishing
85 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472
1570914885 $15.95 charlesbridge.com
Set in 1616, The Lucky Sovereign written and illustrated by Stewart Lees is the engaging story of
Sam, a young boy and his father who spend their worldly fortune to set sail for the new settlement
of
Jamestown, Virginia. But when the boy makes an enemy of a thieving sailor named Flint, the
sailor
retaliates by stealing from him. Bereft of funds in the new world, the boy must find a way to
convince the governor of what really happened. Recommended for young readers as an
adventurous
tale of sailing to the New World, The Lucky Sovereign is brought to life with warm and
beautifully
rendered full-color artwork.
Tyrone: A Turtle Tale
Sue Foley & Carrie Kabak
Robert D. Reed, Publishers
750 La Playa Street, Suite 647, San Francisco, CA 94121
1885003889 $14.95 rdrpublishers.com
Tyrone: A Turtle Tale is a simple and fun picture book by Sue Foley about Tyrone, a
glasses-wearing turtle, his adventures, and his friends. Full-page, cartoony color illustrations by
Carrie Kabak in support of a lively and fun narrative of Tyrone's adventures on land and in water
make for an especially engaging and recommended children's picture book story.
The White Swan Express
Jean Davies Okimoto, et al.
Clarion Books
215 Park Avenue South, NY, NY 10003
0618164537 $16.00 1-800-225-3362
Charmingly written by the team of Jean Davies Okimoto, and Meilo So, The White Swan
Express:
A Story About Adoption is a simple yet heartwarming picture book about four baby girls in
China,
each of whom will make a family in four different homes very happy. Simplified color illustrations
by
Elaine M. Aoki wonderfully enhances the authors' easygoing prose narrative making The White
Swan Express an unusually fine picture book experience for young readers, as well as an excellent
read-aloud story to precede or enhance a serious discussion about the issues of adoption by
parents,
teachers, or care-givers.
Chanukah On The Prairie
Burt E. Schuman
Rosalind Charney Kaye
UAHC Press
633 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017-6778
080740814X $12.95 uahcpress.com
Gently illustrated by Rosalind Charney Kaye and deftly written for young readers by Burt E.
Schuman, Chanukah On The Prairie is the color picture book story of a Jewish community in the
late
1800's who, due to scarcity of food, immigrate to America in search of survival and a better life.
After becoming part of America, they celebrate the holiday tradition of Chanukah, expressing
their
gratitude for the blessings of God, just as they prayed and celebrated before in their old homeland
of
Galicia (an area that was once part of Poland, now a part of Russia). Chanukah On The Prairie is
a
truly heartwarming and devotional tale of deep-seated faith in God's providence.
Kissing Coyotes
Marcia Vaughan & Kenneth J. Spengler
Rising Moon
Box 1389, Flagstaff, Arizona 86002-1389
0873588142 $15.95 northlandpub.com
Kissing Coyotes by Marcia Vaughan is a whimsical picture book about a big-mouthed rabbit who
has to keep a dare to kiss coyotes. His escapade across the desert is filled with perilous adventure
in
a delightful and original tale which is whimsically illustrated by Kenneth J. Spengler in a full color
"cartoony" style ideally suited for young readers.
What A Mother Would Do
Dayna Kay Rivers
Knife in the Toaster Publishing
PO Box 399, Cedar, MN 55011-3099
0971980608 $15.95 1-763-434-2422
Imaginatively written for young readers age 4 and up by Dayna Kay Rivers, What A Mother
Would
Do is an story told in rhyming verse and with plain color illustrations, about a little girl in search
of
her beloved dog. On the way she encounters gentle woodland animals and learns the importance
of
listening in this entertaining and charming tale.
Birthday Zoo
Deborah Lee Rose & Lynn Munsinger
Albert Whitman & Company
6340 Oakton Street, Morton Grove, IL 60053-2723
0807507768 $15.95 albertwhitman.com
Birthday Zoo is a joyful picture book by Deborah Lee Rose about the most exciting birthday
celebration ever. A whimsical poem about fun activities suggested by various playful animal
friends,
and cheerful color illustrations by Lynn Munsinger make Birthday Zoo an upbeat, entertaining,
and
highly recommended picture book for beginning readers.
Good To Be Small
Sean Cassidy
Fitzhenry & Whiteside
195 Allstate Parkway, Markham, Ontario, Canada, L3R 4T8
1550417347 $14.95 www.fitzhenry.ca
Good To Be Small by Sean Cassidy is a wonderfully written children's color picturebook about a
tiny mouse with extraordinary ingenuity and courage. When a lamb goes missing, it's up to the
smallest creature in the barnyard to get a search with positive results. Good To Be Small is a
delightful read, and Cassidy's artwork fully enhances the storyline with a warm and fuzzy
feeling.
Sirius The Dog Star
Angeli Perrow & Emily Harris
Down East Books
PO Box 679, Camden, ME 04843
0892725451 $15.95 1-800-766-1670
Set in 1897, Sirius The Dog Star is an engaging picture book for young readers ages 5 to 8 about
Nathan, a teenaged black sailor, and his loyal friend Sirius, a big black Newfoundland dog. But
one
windy night off the coast of Maine, Nathan learns what makes Newfoundland dogs truly special -
they swim well and have a powerful instinct for rescuing people in trouble. Superbly illustrated by
Emily Harris, Sirius The Dog Star is recommended as an adventurous and heartwarming story for
all
young dog lovers.
The Kugel Valley Klezmer Band
Joan Betty Stuchner & Richard Row
Crocodile Books/Interlink Pub. Group
46 Crosby St., Northampton, MA 01060
1566564301 $15.95 interlinkbooks.com
Written by Joan Betty Stuchner and illustrated by Richard Row, The Kugel Valley Klezmer Band
is
the picture book story of Shira, a ten-year-old girl who excitedly watches a klezmer band (a group
of traveling musicians who play at weddings and parties). Seeing potential talent, they bestow a
toy
fiddle on her. She practices as hard as she can, in hope of becoming worthy to play for the village.
The Kugel Valley Klezmer Band is an engaging tale, steeped in Jewish folk tradition, and highly
recommended for young readers ages 3 to 8.
Look What I See! Where Can I Be?: With My Animal Friends
Dia L. Michels & Michael J. N. Bowles
Platypus Media, LLC
627 A Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
1930775075 $16.95 PlatypusMedia.com
With a very simple and "reader friendly" text by Dia L. Michels, Look What I See! Where Can I
Be?: With My Animal Friends is an ideal picture book for young children just learning how to
read.
Simple sentences, enhanced with gorgeous color photographs of beautiful creatures by Michael J.
N.
Bowles, ending with a happy trip to the animal shelter to adopt a canine companion, form the
heart
of this upbeat and highly recommended story. Also very highly recommended for preschool,
daycare
center, elementary school, and community library collections is Dia Michels and Michael Bowles
companion book, Look What I See! Where Can I Be?: At Home (193077506-7, $16.95)
Curious Catwalk
John Gravdahl
Propeller Press
PO Box 729, Fort Collins, CO 80522
0967857783 $16.95 propellerpress.com
Written and illustrated by John Gravdahl, Curious Catwalk is a simple, thoroughly enjoyable,
poetry-like, "easy reader" picturebook for children ages 4 to 10. Charming full-color, stylized
illustrations of a black cat exploring and then returning home to curl up and sleep make for an
appealing storybook, -- especially for little cat lovers.
Ev'ry Little Soul
Terry A. O'Neal & Wendy Robinson
Motion Publications
PO Box 2551, Elk Grove, CA 95624
096794466X $11.95 terryoneal.com
Ev'ry Little Soul is a children's picture book written by Terry A. O'Neal and illustrated by Wendy
Robinson especially for African-American young ones. Ev'ry Little Soul would make a welcome
and
enthusiastically received addition to any multicultural collection for young children. A rousing
poem
and playful color illustrations make for a joyful read about the virtues of strength, unity, and
persistence. "Join hands together/gripped tight as chains./United as one/from which we've
come/on
this earth/where we remain."
The Weight Of A Mass
Josephine Nobisso & Katalin Szegedi
Gingerbread House
602 Montauk Highway, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978
www.GingerbreadBooks.com
0940112094 $17.95 www.amazon.com
The Weight Of A Mass: A Tale Of Faith by Josephine Nobisso is an enhanting children's fairy tale
picturebook based on a true event, about a widow who brings about change in the formerly cold
hearts of a kingdom when she begs for stale bread in exchange for participating in the royal
wedding
Mass. Gentle color illustrations by Katalin Szegedi enrich this heartwarming and enthusiastically
recommended tale of human spirit and faith in God.
Dancing On The Moon
Janice Roper & Lauren Grimm
SIDS Educational Services
2905 64th Avenue, Cheverly, MD 20785
0964121867 $19.95 1-877-935-6839
Dancing On The Moon is a wondrously illustrated color picture book showcasing the artistry of
Lauren Grimm in service to a sensitive and gentle text especially written by Janice Roper for
children
on the subject of coping with great loss. A young girl suddenly loses her infant brother, and her
parents try to help her understand that he will always be with her, in her heart. Dancing On The
Moon is a powerful and profound story, and highly recommended reading - especially for boys
and
girls having to deal with the loss of a friend or family member.
The Boy Who Thought He Was A Teddy Bear
Jeanne Willis & Susan Varley
Peachtree Press
1700 Chattahoochee Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30318-2112
156145270X $15.95 1-800-241-0113
The Boy Who Thought He Was A Teddy Bear is British children's author Jeanne Willis' original
and
utterly charming fairytale for young readers. This lighthearted story about a little boy's adventures
with a family of teddy bears is wonderfully enhanced with the light and lively artwork of Susan
Varley and enlivens this imaginative and memorable story.
Marky & The Seagull
Deanna Luke & Lynne Chambers
Blessing Our World, Inc.
Phenix & Phenix (publicity)
PO Box 642, Palestine, TX 75802-0642
1928777120 $8.95 markeyseries.com
Volume six in the affable Marky series by author Deanna Luke and illustrator Lynne Chambers,
Marky & The Seagull is a cheerful story especially recommended for young readers age 6-9,
about a
boy and his adventures while fishing and sailing with his family. Friendly color illustrations
wonderfully support an accessible text for readers who are beginning to approach intermediate
reading comprehension making Marky & The Seagull an excellent and enthusiastically suggested
book for reading aloud to young ones, or for children to read to themselves.
Scholastic Inc.
557 Broadway, NY, NY 10012-3999
1-800-242-7737
These are some of the best of Scholastic's new Fall releases, and are very highly recommended as
outstanding picks for any elementary-level library seeking popular, lasting leisure reads. David
Shannon's David Gets Into Trouble (0439050227 $15.95) tells of a boy who doesn't mean to get
into trouble but who often does. Excuses are the method of choice for a boy who can't stay away
from trouble. Kathryn Lasky and David Jarvis' Porkenstein (059062380X, $15.95) arrived too
late
for Halloween but promises year-round interest with the zany story of a pig who decides to invent
a
friend with unexpectedly large results. Mark Teague's Dear Mrs. Larue (0590206634, $15.95)
provides a hilarious set of letters' written by a dog banished to obedience school. His unjust
punishment is outlined in a fun style. Ian Beck's Teddy's Snowy Day (0590175208, $15.95)
presents
a teddy bear's glorious winter fun and his fear of the dark. Robert Munsch's More Pies!
(0590187737, $13.95) enjoys whimsical drawings by Michael Martchenko as it tells of a boy who
can't stop eating. Three involving holiday titles for kids include Shana Corey and Brett Helquist's
Milly And The Macy's Parade (0590297540, $16.95), telling of a little girl's attempt to combine
the
family's old country roots with their new country's celebrations, Nancy Tafuri's Donkey's
Christmas
Song (0590273137, $16.95) telling of a shy donkey's hopes of praising a newborn in his barn; and
Cynthia Rylant and Diane Goode's Christmas In The Country (0590073340, $15.95), using the
first
person to explore a traditional family Christmas. Shana Corey's First Graders From Mars
(0590266335, $15.95) tells of Nergal's involvement in a space race, with Mark Teague's zany
alien
drawings adding life to the fun; while Ross Collins' Alvie Eats Soup (0590272602, $15.95) tells of
a
boy who won't eat anything but soup. All are beautifully illustrated, exceptional stories.
The Audiobook Shelf
Greathouse Productions, Inc.
PO Box 5061, Charlottesville, VA 22905
1-800-477-6234 www.greathall.com
Two outstanding new CD releases from Greathouse Productions showcase the truly impressive
storytelling talents of Jim Weiss. The Queen's Pirate: The Lives Of Queen Elizabeth I And Sir
Francis Drake (1124-029, $14.95) encompasses adventures and the pageantry of Olde English
ranging from the throne room of Queen Elizabeth I, to the Tower of England, to adventure upon
the
high seas. The Prince And The Pauper is a Mark Twin classic brought to new life as Jim Weiss
brilliantly narrates the story of two young boys who exchange lives, complete with an
accompaniment of heroes, villains, hair-raising escapes, a great deal of laughter, and eventually
learning about the true nature of nobility. Also available in an audio cassette format, The Queen's
Pirate (1124-29, $10.95) is recommended for young listeners ages 7 and older; The Prince And
The
Pauper (1124-30, $10.95) is appropriate for young listeners ages 5 and older.
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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