 |
Book Reviews,
Book Lover Resources, Advice for Writers and Publishers |
| Home / Children's
Bookwatch |
Children's Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
A Winkle In Time
Lara Jo Regan
Random House
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
0375824871 $14.95 1-800-726-0600
A Winkle In Time isn't the classic fantasy by L'Engle but a fun story of intrepid canine Mr.
Winkle,
who ventures into history of examine overlooked visionaries. Photos of the little dog in various
costumes provide funny and eye-catching accompaniment to one-page biographies of Fannie
Hamer,
Camille Claudel and other 'underdogs' of history.
Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix
J. K. Rowling
Scholastic
557 Broadway, New York NY 10012
043935806X $29.99 1-800-242-7737
Even thicker and more packed with adventure than its predecessors is Harry Potter And The
Order
Of The Phoenix, the story of Harry Potter's nightmares of a mysterious door at the end of a
corridor,
added to the ongoing daily terrors of a disgruntled house elf and a end-of-term frightening wizard
exam. Deep friendships, courage, and underlying loyalty continue to lie at the heart of Harry
Potter's
experiences, adding this to a fine series of involving, fast-paced reads.
Alfred A. Knopf/Random House
1745 Broadway, 17th fl., NY, NY 10019
1-800-726-0600 www.amazon.com
Jarrett Krosczka's Annie Was Warned (0375815678, $15.95) presents a story perfect for
Halloween:
a young girl warned to stay away from a creepy mansion just can't resist the lure but her
explorations introduce her to fear in this easy, creepy picturebook reader. Anne Gutman and
Georg
Hallensleben's "Gasprd" series about doggie friends returns in new formats to please new
generations. Gaspard And Lisa: Friends Forever (0375822534) and Lisa In The Jungle (822542)
each provide simple watercolor paintings to accompany first-person stories. The adventures of
these
two friends is inviting.
Pig On A Swing
Jenny Nimmo & Caroline Uff
Hodder/Trafalgar Square
PO Box 257, Howe Hill Road, North Pomfret, VT 05053-0257
0340852410 $16.94 1-800-423-4525
Caroline Uff's engaging simple line drawings accent Pig On A Swing by Jenny Nimmo. This is the
story of Tim and his mum, who enter an empty playground only to find a host of animals, from a
pink pig to kangaroos, pop up to play with them. A gently engaging story of self-entertainment
and
imagination evolves.
The Gossipy Parrot
Shen Roddie
Bloomsbury UK/Trafalgar Square
PO Box 257, Howe Hill Road, North Pomfret, VT 05053-0257
074756079X $17.95 1-800-423-4525
Michael Terry provides the oversized, colorful illustrations to accompany this story by
Shen Roddie
of a parrot who just can't stop chattering about others. Gofrey loves passing along gossip which
results in conflict but Lion decides to teach him a lesson, and Godfrey falls into the trap he sets
in
this zany tale.
An Illustrated Treasury of Read-Aloud
Black Dog & Levanthal/Workman, dis.
708 Broadway, New York NY 10003
1-800-722-7202 www.amazon.com
Parents who want to share quality time with kids through high-quality read-aloud experiences will
relish two illustrated treasuries packed with old-fashioned color pictures and attraction. An
Illustrated Treasury of Read-Aloud Poems (157912-2892, $14.95) contains simple works by
Blake,
Bronte, Browning, Kipling and others, all designed with children in mind. An Illustrated Treasury
of
Read-Aloud Classics (1579122884, $14.95) pack in short stories by Alcott, Barrie, Baum and
London such as Peter Pan, Little Women, Wrinkle in Time and Heidi all presented in exciting
snippets for kids. Both are unusual, excellent-quality parent/child interactive materials.
Groucho's Eyebrows
Tricia Brown
Alaska Northwest Books
PO Box 10306, Portland, OR 97296-0306
088240556X $15.95 www.amazon.com
Barbara Lavallee illustrates this fun story of a new pet cat who is white as a cloud except for his
dark black eyebrows. Girl and cat are fast friends until Groucho wanders away one day, and
Kristie
must follow animal tracks to get him back. Groucho's Eyebrows is a different, fun story of
survival
and discovery in the outdoors.
The Making Of The Star Of Texas
Joseph E. Kasson & Lucas Adams
Kasson Publishing
201 E. St. Elmo Rd., Austin, Texas 78745
0972943587 $14.95 www.kassonscastings.com
The Making Of The Star Of Texas is a picture book written by Joseph E. Kasson and illustrated
by
Lucas Adams, that informatively recalls the history and construction of a state monument.
Cartoony
canine friends lead young readers through a retelling of the determined efforts to design, build,
and
hoist this symbol of Texas pride. Recommended for young folks with developed reading skills,
The
Making Of The Star Of Texas is educational, enlightening, and fun.
Going Home, Coming Home
Truong Tran & Ann Phong
Children's Book Press
2211 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
www.childrensbookpress.org
0892391790 $16.95 www.amazon.com
Going Home, Coming Home is a bilingual English/Vietnamese storybook by Truong Tran about a
family visiting Vietnam. The mother and father had to leave their home during the Vietnam War,
but
their young daughter has no memories of Vietnam and struggles to understand what it means to
have a home one has never before visited. Ann Phong's warm and colorful illustrations embellish
this
thoughtful tale of making new friends, learning new ways of doing things, and embracing the true
meaning of "home" in more than one location.
The Picturebook Shelf
The Snowflake
Neil Waldman
Millbrook Press
2 Old New Milford Road, Brookfield, CT 06804
0761323473 $14.95 1-800-462-4703
Neil Waldman's The Snowflake: A Water Cycle Story is a simple yet elegantly presented picture
book showing the cycle of water, from earth to cloud and back again, as well as how this process
continues month by month as the year progresses. Waldman's beautiful pastel illustrations add a
gentle touch to this enriching, informative, and entertaining work which is especially
recommended
for young readers ages 6 through 8.
"I Don't Like Mosquitoes!"
Michael Ambrosio & Bob Langan
LionX Publishing/NBN, dist.
705-2 E. Bidwell St., #235, Folsom, CA 95630-3315
0971608520 $16.95 1-916-984-0102
"I Don't Like Mosquitoes!" by Michael Ambrosio is the children's picture book story of
Poochiegrass, an energetic golden retriever puppy who has a run in with some very aggressive
and
nasty mosquitoes! Poochiegrass must use his cleverness and quick thinking to outwit the swarm,
by
devising a glue trap with a decoy. The vibrant illustrations by Bob Langan feature extremely bold
color and entertainingly shapes, and enhance this enthusiastically told and highly recommended
tale.
Frannie & Pickles
Preston McClear & Nicholas Dollak
Malibu Books for Children
48 Broad Street, #134, Red Bank, NJ 07701
www.mailbubooks.com
1929084137 $16.95 1-732-933-0446
Frannie & Pickles is a cheery picture book by Preston McClear about a woman named Frannie
and
her beloved canine companion Pickles. Yet one day Frannie wakes up feeling odd - the roles have
reversed, and now it is Frannie who catches frisbees, chases the mailman, and laps her food while
Pickles takes very good care of her. A humorous, unique, and engagingly entertaining tale,
Frannie
& Pickles is delightfully illustrated in color by Nicholas Dollak.
The Three Sedonas
Lisa Schnebly Heidinger
Trevor V. Swanson
Arizona Highways Books
2039 West Lewis Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85009
0916179974 $15.95 arizonahighways.com
The Three Sedonas is a heartwarming tale by Lisa Schnebly Heidinger that recounts how the first
Sedona came to Oak Creek Canyon in Arizona, and the history of how the town of Sedona came
to
be. Trevor V. Swanson's beautiful, realistic, wonderfully colored illustrations splendidly
distinguish
this picture book story of The Three Sedonas, and the pioneers who lived and shaped an
American
community's history.
Blue Aliens!
Tony Porto and 3CD
Little, Brown & Company
1271 Ave of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
0316613592 $14.95 1-800-759-0190
The collaborative effort of Tony Porto and the graphic design firm 3CD, Blue Aliens! An
Adventure
In Color is a brilliantly colorful picture book about a young person's imagination running wild.
Could
color-eating aliens that suck all the green or blue out of a world really exist? The story is told in
narration with color-themed pictures; the mysterious color-eating aliens are never actually
depicted
--- unless the teacher Mrs. Sapphire is one of them!
The Rabbits
John Marsden & Shaun Tan
Simply Read Books
501-5525 West Boulevard, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6M 3W6
0968876889 $16.95 1-800-593-9673
The Rabbits is a powerful and attention engaging picture book story by John Marsden with an
underlying environmental message and drawn from the environmental experiences of the
inhabitants
and wildlife of Australia. An allegory of colonization, The Rabbits shows how a vast number of
rabbits take over a land, strip it of its resources, multiply, and poison the earth by their sheer
numbers. Unforgettable, stylized illustrations Shaun Tan lend a dark touch to this portrayal of
unchecked and destructive tendencies. "Who will save us from the rabbits?" is the ultimate
question
arising from this outstanding allegory picture book story that parallels such widespread
contemporary ecological experiences arising from the overwhelming onset of unbalanced
industrialization, unremediated environmental damage, and unrestrained population growth.
Up The Learning Tree
Marcia Vaughan & Derek Blanks
Lee & Low Books
95 Madison Avenue, NY, NY 10016
1584300493 $16.95 leeandlow.com
Up The Learning Tree is a picture book story ably written by Marcia Vaughan and set in the
American South before the Civil War. In an era when black slaves were not allowed to read or
write,
one young boy burns with curiosity to know about the power hidden within books. His
determination to learn in spite of the threatened punishment pushes him to make a remarkable
discovery about himself, and to discover the highest kindness from others. Impressively illustrated
by
Derek Blanks, Up The Learning Tree is a very thoughtful story for young readers ages 4 to 8 with
powerful underlying messages about history and personal drive.
Here Come The Blobbies
Antonio Tello Aliaga Jorge
Pers Publishing
5255 Stevens Creek Blvd., Number 232, Santa Clara, CA 95051
1932179321 $15.89 www.pers.com
Here Come The Blobbies is a fantastic children's picturebook by Antonio Tello Aliaga Jorge about
an invasion of evil Hexacones upon Blobbieworld. The seven youngest Blobbies escape to the
bizarre world of Earth, where they must train their shape-shifting powers to combat their foe. A
fun-filled story that intersects with a personality test for differnt types of human characteristics. A
free game CD-ROM is included in this delightful story about the value of a wide range of skills
and
behavioral traits.
Abbey & Friends M Is For Manners
Mary Jesse & Jennifer Cherif
Hexagon Blue
19301 SE 16th St. Sammamish WA 98075
0972995803 $15.95 hexagonblue.com
Abbey & Friends M Is For Manners is the latest in a series of picturebooks especially designed to
teach children about positive behavior through providing examples and presenting clear stories
with
Mary Jesse's simple prose style of storytelling enhanced with the colorful illustrations of Jennifer
Cherif. Abbey & Friends M Is For Manners tells of a young girl's day and how good manners
promote pleasant
interactions and help everybody have a better time. Abbey & Friends M Is For Manners is a highly
recommended
addition for any school or community library collection for young readers.
Dancing Granny
Elizabeth Winthrop, Salvatore Murdocca
Marshall Cavendish Corporation
99 White Plains Rd, Tarrytown NY 10591
www.marshallcavendish.com
0761451412 $16.95 1-800-831-9881
Dancing Granny is a zany and entertaining picture book by Elizabeth Winthrop about a special
bond
between a grandmother and her grandchild. On a visit to the zoo, the Granny is asked "may I have
this dance?" and celebrates with an eager bear, six silly monkeys, and others for a fun-filled time.
Joyous and colorful illustrations by Salvatore Murdocca beautifully showcase the singsong
rhyming
verse which characterizes this delightful and original story of fun and nonsense.
Gorp's Dream
Sherri Chessen & Christy Masel
The Gorp Group
www.thegorp.com
0972424903 $14.95 1-888-729-4677
Gorp's Dream: A Tale Of Diversity, Tolerance, And Love In Pumpernickel Park is a children's
picture book by Sherri Chessen that celebrates and endorses the phenomena of diversity and
qualities of tolerance. Whimsical rhyming are nicely showcases by the colorful artwork of Christy
Masel illustrating a diverse land in which many kinds of anthropomorphic pastry products, from
Chinese fortune cookies to Jewish ryes and curvy croissants, cooperate, share, and live
side-by-side
in harmony. Gorp's Dream is a thoroughly delightful story with a positive message on the virtues
of
accepting and celebrating differences.
The Errant Knight
Ann Tompert & Doug Keith
Illumination Arts Publishing Company
PO Box 1865, Bellevue, WA 98009
097019076X $15.95 www.illumin.com
The Errant Knight is a profound and deftly written fantasy story by Ann Tompert of a knight loyal
in
his duty to his king. On the knight's journey to the castle, he encounters frightened travelers
seeking
aid and protection. The reluctant warrior wants to resist becoming an "errant knight" who serves
others outside the king's command, yet his compassion is too strong to deny those who need him
the
most. Superbly illustrated and enhanced with the memorable artwork of Doug Keith, The Errant
Knight is commended as being a powerful picture book tale for young readers of what it truly
means
to serve and protect.
What Do Angels Wear?
Eileen Spinelli, author
Emily Arnold McCully, illustrator
HarperCollins Children's Books
1350 Ave of the Americas, NY, NY 10019
0060288868 $15.99 1-800-242-7737
Caldecott medal winner Emily Arnold McCully provides touching, full-color illustrations for
Eileen
Spinelli's What Do Angels Wear?, and original and highly recommended picture book which
depicts
a young child's attempt to understand the lives and joys of angels in simple terms. From how
angels
play to the sparkles they wear in their hair, to their existence being as "real as mama's kiss
goodnight," What Do Angels Wear? joyfully portrays holy spirits through a child's eyes.
The Wedding
Eve Bunting & Iza Trapani
Charlesbridge Publishing
85 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02172
www.charlesbridge.com
1580890407 $15.95 1-800-225-3214
The Wedding is a recommended and cheery picturebook by Eve Bunting about a country wedding
featuring an anthropomorphic animals including the bride, the groom, and all of the guests. But it
seems that one problem after another besets the organist, the chef, and the florist -- all of whom
are
struggling to get to the church on time. And where is the bride? The Wedding is recommended as
being a humorous, gentle tale which very nicely enhanced for young readers with the fanciful
color
illustrations of Iza Trapani.
The Edmund Fitzgerald
Kathy-Jo Wargin
Gisjbert Van Frankenhuyzen
Sleeping Bear Press
Media Masters (publicity)
310 North Main Street, Suite 300, Chelsea, MI 48118
www.sleepingbearpress.com
1585361267 $17.95 www.amazon.com
Knowledgeably written by Kathy-Jo Wargin and expertly illustrated by Gisjbert Van
Frankenhuyzen,
The Edmund Fitzgerald: The Song Of The Bell is the suspenseful picture book retelling of the
doomed voyage of a ship and the tragic end for the 29 men aboard it. Told with compassion and
historical accuracy, this true story concludes with the retrieval of the ship's bell from the ocean
depths and the placing of it in the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point, Michigan,
so
that the loved ones of those who died with the sinking of that great ship could have a place to go
and remember their cherished memories of those who were lost.
A House For A Mouse
Smith Roberts
Prospero's Press
PO Box 4616, Boulder, CO 80306-4616
www.prosperospress.com
0972731539 $16.00 1-866-551-0501
Written and illustrated by Smith Roberts, A House For A Mouse is a cheerful children's picture
book
about a homeless mouse looking for a place to live. Every spot he finds is taken over by bigger
animals, until he at last locates a creative solution - a jack-o-lantern makes a cozy home that all
the
other creatures are too scared to approach! The whimsical color illustrations enhance an engaging
and entertaining text bring this likeable tale to life.
Pauly The Adventurous Pallid Bat
Heather Irbinskas & Brian Anthis
Western National Parks Association
12880 North Vistoso Village Drive, Tucson, AZ 85737
1583690328 $7.95 www.wnpa.org
Pauly: The Adventurous Pallid Bat is the fascinating story by Heather Irbinskas of a hungry little
bat
who likes to eat centipedes, bugs, and even scorpions. But even finding a meal takes work; the bat
must use sound instead of sight, and sometimes even fight his prey! Dark tones and flowing
artwork
by Brian Anthis characterize this absorbing and highly recommended picture book tale with a
strong
dose of realism, supplemented with a brief final page of true information about various bat
species.
The Moon In My Room
Ila Wallen & Robert Sauber
Bent Willow Publishing
2260 Townsgate Road, Suite #2, Westlake Village, CA 91361
www.bentwillowpublishing.com
0375827048 $16.95 1-805-381-1033
The Moon In My Room is the color picture book story by Ila Wallen of a little bear cub struggling
to overcome his fear of the dark. Asking advice of his raccoon, fox, wolf, and rabbit friends, each
of
which has a different fear, and each of which deals with their fear in a different way, the bear cub
comes to understand that he must find his own solution to his fear. Enhanced with illustrations by
Robert Sauber, The Moon In My Room is a thoroughly enjoyable and determined story for young
children of having the courage to improve themselves.
Bill In A China Shop
Katie McAllister Weaver
Bloomsbury Books
175 5th Ave., New York NY 10010
1582348324 $16.95 bloomsbury.com
Tim Raglin illustrates this story of Bill, a huge bull who is no good around fragile things - but who
loves his collection of china cups. He needs one more perfect cup to complete his collection but
most china shop doors want bulls to stay out. When he does gain entry, tragedy strikes in this fun
whimsical story Raglin's illustrations are perfect accompaniments.
The Enormous Mister Schmupsle
Joe Murray
Smallfellow Press
1180 So. Beverly Drive, Suite 320, Los Angeles, CA 90035
1931290539 $16.95 smallfellow.com
Offering a deftly written story, Joe Murray's The Enormous Mister Schmupsle is not your typical
ABC book. It is a bit more involved than that. A group of young people race after a gigantic and
very hungry cat while playing an alphabet game, in a whimsical tale distinguished by Murray's
dramatically exaggerated yet brilliantly colored illustrations. Especially recommended for children
ages 2 to 8.
Candlewick Press
2067 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140
1-800-526-0275 www.amazon.com
Four new titles provide picturebook readers with excellent stories. The very young at the
board-book reading level will relish June Crebbin's Cows In The Kitchen (0763621293, $6.99),
which tells of mayhem which erupts when the farm animals break in. Set to the tune of 'Skip to
My
Lou', this provides a zany tale. Barney Saltzberg's Crazy Hair Day (0763619-54X, $15.99) tells of
a
boy who goes all out to make 'crazy hair day' at school his own until he discovers the day is next
week, and that this week is the class photo week. What can be done? A warm story of kindness.
Rosemary Wells' Felix And The Worrier (076361405X, $12.99) tells of Felix's struggles with
Worrier, who comes every night to remind him of troublesome things. Felix's mama says he
worries
too much how can he make the Worrier go away? A gentle story of overcoming troubles.
Dianna
Hutts Aston's Looney Little (0763616826, $15.99) tells of the dangers facing wildlife when the
polar icecap is discovered to be melting. The sly Foxy Loxy volunteers to escort the animals to
the
Polar Bear Queen to give her the news but Loony realizes Foxy may have his own agenda in this
story of the Chicken Little of the North.
The Seed And The Giant Saguaro
Jennifer Ward & Mike K. Rangner
Rising Moon/Northland Publishing
PO Box 1389, Flagstaff, AZ 86002
0873588452 $15.95 1-800-346-3257
The collaborative effort of author Jennifer Ward and illustrator Mike K. Ranger, The Seed And
The
Giant Saguaro is an absorbing picture book about how a variety of desert animals contribute to
the
planting, growth, and life of a Giant Saguaro cactus. The narrative is written in a "This is the
house
that Jack built" style, with each new page spread adding another line to the saga of the cactus' rise
from a little seed. A colorful and engaging story, The Seed And The Giant Saguaro is especially
appropriate for children ages 3 to 6.
Quiet Please - Eaglets Growing
Carolyn Stearns & David Aiken
Tidewater Publishers
Centreville, Maryland 21617
0870335413 $11.95 1-800-638-7641
Carolyn Stearns' Quiet Please - Eaglets Growing is an uplifting picturebook story about John-B, a
young boy who watches a pair of eagles nesting in oak trees. When the property with the eagles'
nest
is sold to a company that wants to build condominiums, the boy and his classmates must come up
with a plan to save the eagles' nest site before it is too late. Quiet Please - Eaglets Growing is an
absorbing tale for young people whose reading comprehension skills have grown to where they
are
just about ready to make the transition from picture books to more involved faire. Sketchy yet
memorable color illustrations by David Aiken nicely enhance this heartwarming tale for young
readers.
Simon & Schuster
1230 Ave of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
1-800-223-2336 www.amazon.com
Two new picturebooks provide fun leisure pursuit for youngsters. Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of
York's Little Red (0689843402, $15.95) enjoys whimsical drawings by Sam Williams as it tells of
a
little girl who sets off to a picnic lunch of sherbert sandwiches, dandelion tea and cake. Her
investigation of a picnic disturbance brings a fun surprise in this light reader. Wendy Anderson
Halperin's Turn! Turn! Turn! (0689852355, $17.95) comes with a cd of music to accompany
Halperin's beautiful drawings illustrating the Biblical words . This is a lovely production which
offers
visual emphasis to young picturebook readers.
No Place For A Pig
Suzanne Bloom
Boyds Mills Press
815 Church St., Honesdale, PA 18431
1590780477 $15.95 1-877-512-8366
In Suzanne Bloom's No Place For A Pig, Ms. Taffy has just won a pig as a radio quiz prize, and
she
has the perfect place for her win until she discovers her new acquisition isn't china, but a real
piglet. How can she keep a pig in an apartment? Zany solutions to the problem result in this fun
reader.
Girls Fly!
Lynn M. Homan & Thomas Reilly
Rosalie M. Shepherd, illustrator
Pelican Publishing Company
PO Box 3110, Gretna, LA 70054
1589801547 $14.95 1-800-843-1724
Collaboratively written by Lynn M. Homan and Thomas Reilly, Girls Fly! is the story of Charlene,
a
young girl who dreams of flying an airplane. When Charlene's brothers scoff at the idea, she
teaches
them about real women of history who helped pioneer and celebrate flight -- such as Leila Marie
Cody who flew in a kite years before the Wright brothers flew their plane at Kittyhawk, and Helen
Richey who piloted a Ford Trimotor commercial passenger airplane in 1934). Warmly illustrated
by
Rosalie M. Shepherd, Girls Fly! has a singularly uplifting and timeless message -- all young
women
everywhere can achieve their dreams.
The Science Shelf
The Beginning
Peter Ackroyd
DK Publishing, Inc.
375 Hudson Street, NY, NY 10014
0789498367 $19.99 www.dk.com
Peter Ackroyd's The Beginning is an informed and informative nonfiction resource for young
adults
which superbly organizes and presents our latest scientific understanding of how the Earth was
formed, how life evolved, and showcasing an era when humans were at the mercy of the elements
and their environment. Brilliant color illustrations and what the latest discoveries in astronomy
and
paleontology have taught us about the Earth's history fill the pages of this exciting and highly
stimulating educational resource. Very highly recommended for school and community library
collections, The Beginning is the first title in Peter Ackroyd's new and forthcoming "Voyages
Through Time" series from DK Publishing.
The History Shelf
The Road To There
Val Ross
Tundra Books
PO Box 1030, Plattsburgh, NY 12901
0887766218 $29.99 tundrabooks.com
The Road To There: Mapmakers And Their Stories by Val Ross is an informed and informative
history book for young readers that tells of famous mapmakers throughout the centuries, from
great
sailors of legend to the unknown heroes who secretly passed on directions along the Underground
Railroad through quilts. Black-and-white and color photographs nicely embellish this absorbing
and
highly recommended anthology showcasing diverse human endeavors to chart the unknown.
Iraq And The Fall Of Saddam Hussein
Jason Richie
The Oliver Press, Inc.
5707 West 36th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55416-2510
1881508633 $24.95 1-800-865-4837
Iraq And The Fall Of Saddam Hussein is a straightforward nonfiction book written specifically for
young readers by Jason Richie and accurately chronicling the history of Saddam Hussein's rise to
power in Iraq, the years of his rule over the Iraqi people, and the American invasion that ended his
regime. Full color photographs, and direct narration at an intermediate level present modern
history
in terms directly accessible to young people, Iraq And The Fall Of Saddam Hussein is superb and
timely addition to school and community library collections.
The Real Vikings
Melvin Berger & Gilda Berger
National Geographic Society
1145 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036-4688
0792251326 $18.95 www.ngs.org
The collaborative effort of Melvin and Gilda Berger, The Real Vikings is an outstanding children's
picture book that strives to answer the question of what the Vikings of legend and history were
really like? There was a great deal more to the story of the Vikings than their legends of being
fierce
raiders. Most Vikings were farmers who stayed on the fields in Scandinavia, while others were
accomplished explorers. Not all Viking used the seas to raid; some were merchants and traders,
while others sought out new lands and navigation routes. Thoroughly researched, engagingly
presented text, and filled from cover to cover with magnificent full-color illustrations, The Real
Vikings is a very highly recommended addition to family, school, and community library World
History collections for young readers.
The Fiction Shelf
The Amulet Of Komondor
Adam Osterweil
Front Street
862 Haywood Rd., Asheville, NC 28806
1886910812 $15.95 www.amazon.com
Joe and Katie find themselves in a strange store at the mall, and jump at the chance to buy their
favorite computer card game which turns out to be all too real. Transported into a world of
dragons where the goal is to locate a five-piece amulet, the two travel a dangerous world in their
leisure time, struggle with the questions of parents and friends when not at play and wonder
what
will happen if they fail. The Amulet Of Komondor is a riveting story of a computer game gone
awry.
Harcourt Brace
525 B Street #1900, San Diego, CA 92101-4495
1-800-543-1918 www.amazon.com
These are some classic recommended picks from Harcourt, which should not be missed. Kathryn
Reiss' Pale Phoenix (0152049274, $5.95) tells of young Miranda who is not happy with Abby,
who
has come to live with her family. But Abby has a secret which makes her cry each night, and when
Miranda discovers it's connected to a three-hundred-year old tragedy, she once again finds herself
involved in a time-travel fix-up. Jeanette Ingold's The Window (0152049266, $6.95) tells of
Mandy,
who is left blind after a terrible accident kills her mother. Her struggles in a new home, without
sight, and a new school are nothing compared to the dangerous insights her newfound hearing
ability
provides her in this compelling, unusual tale. Carol Plum-Ucci's The She (0152168192, $17.00)
will
reach kids ages 14 and older with its story of Evan, who has lost his parents to a sea accident. The
lasting mystery of his parents' last moments bring him back to his seaside home at age 17 to
search
for answers about their disappearance in this moving, compelling story tinged with the
supernatural.
Jeannette Ingold's Mountain Solo (0152026703, $17.00) tells of a music genius who faces failure
at
age 16 when she joins her father in Montana and finds herself involved in a mystery involving a
fellow musician. Her struggles both with her musical talents and her future make for a compelling
saga. Reprints of two lesser-known Eleanor Estes classics will find new audiences of appreciative
middle school readers. The Alley (0152049177, $17.00) tells of Connie's love for her Brooklyn
alley
play area and home, where adventure and fantasy regularly take place. The Tunnel Of Hugsy
Goode
(0152049142, $17.00) tells of the story of a tunnel which lays beneath an alley, leading to a place
beyond imagination. This companion to The Alley continues a moving saga which kids will find
involving.
Adventure In The Bear Tooth Mountains
Johnnie Tuitel & Sharon Lamson
Cedar Tree Publishing
1916 Breton Road, SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
www.tapshoe.com
0965807541 $5.99 1-888-302-7463
Book 5 in "The Gun Lake Adventure Series", Adventure In The Bear Tooth Mountains is an
exciting novel co-written by Johnnie Tuitel and Sharon Lamson for young readers ages 8 to 12.
Set
during a three-family Christmas vacation, in which young Johnnie learns to share the joy of snow
skiing with people from all venues of life, including those who are disabled, the excitement builds
when Johnnie and his friends discover a deserted ghost town with a chilling secret that challenges
their courage and their ability to survive. A most enjoyable and entertaining story, Adventure In
The
Bear Tooth Mountains is a welcome and commended addition to school and community library
collections.
Henry Holt
115 W. 18th St., New York NY 10011
1-888-330-8477 www.amazon.com
Kimberley Willis Holt's Keeper Of The Night (0805063617, $16.95) tells of a mother's sudden
death
and her daughter's search for answers. It seems up to Isabel to help her family recover from the
pain
of their mother's loss; but Isabel feels her mother's suicide is no accident; and her search for
reasons
and truth leads to some earth-shattering realities in this warm story set on Guam. Tracy Barnett's
Cold In Summer (0805070524, $16.95) tells of a family's move to a boring new town where
Ariadne
is far from her best friend. It's the quiet, spooky May who seems the only one to form a bond with
her and May is trapped in the town herself, trying to find her own way home. A moving story of
quiet supernatural encounters.
Clarion Books
215 Park Avenue South, NY NY 10003
1-800-225-3362 www.amazon.com
Pegi Deitz Shea's Tangled Threads (0618247483, $15.00) is hard to put down: it tells of a
crowded
refugee camp in Thailand which is the only life that Mai Yang has ever known. For ten years it's
been home to her and her grandmother; now they are invited to join family in America and Mai
soon discovers life in the new country is very different. A warm story of a young refugee's
experiences. Delia Ray's Ghost Girl (0618333770, $15.00) provides a strong Blue Ridge
Mountain
story of an eleven-year-old girl who has never gone to school and has lived in the remote
mountains
all her life. When her brother is killed, April begins to give up hope she'll ever see school or a new
life in this story of adjustment and changes. Eve Bunting's The Presence (0618269193, $15.00)
tells
of a car accident which kills Catherine's best friend and leaves her depressed. A stranger invites
her
to communicate with her friend through his channeling skills and Catherine finds the invitation
leads to an investigation of disappeared girls in this story of ghosts and mystery.
Viking/Penguin Putnam
345 Hudson, New York NY 10014
1-800-847-5515 www.amazon.com
Sally Warner's A Long Time Ago Today (0670036048, $15.99) tells of a girl who faces her
mother's
absence six years later, searching for a missing letter said to explain her disappearance, determined
to destroy it. Dilly's search takes some unexpected twists and leads her to understand a mother
she
barely knew in this warm story of self-discovery and family changes. Jean Thesman's Rising Tide
(0670036-560, $16.99) is set in 1908 and tells of Kate, who has returned to a newly bustling San
Francisco from a stay in Ireland after a stint as a companion to a terminally ill woman. In search of
a
new life and career, she and her friend make a business of selling handmade Irish dresses to
wealthy
women and her business instincts are challenged in the process in this warm story. Nina Kiriki
Hoffman's A STIR OF BONES (0670035513, $15.99) provides a visionary, surrealistic novel as
it
tells of a beautiful only child who seems to lead a charmed life. Her fascination with a
neighborhood
haunted house uncovers a living, supernatural entity in this excellent sequel novel which stands
alone
as especially appealing to teen audiences.
Philomel Books/Penguin Putnam
345 Hudson, New York NY 10014
1-800-847-5515 www.amazon.com
Carter Crocker's Tale Of The Swamp Rat (0399239642, $16.99) tells of a place where all kinds of
folk live a gater so old that some think he is filled with wisdom, a prophet bird who stirs up folks
with his answers to problems, and a swamp rat who is orphaned at an early age and must make his
way through hard times to become the leader of the pack. Add a down-home, folksy story-teller's
voice and you have an animal story kids will relish. Brian Jacques' Loamhedge (0399237240,
$23.99) provides another Redwall story of animal warriers and heroes to kids who read at the
middle through high school grade levels and many an adult. Here a young hare-made,
wheelchair-bound since infancy, decides to investigate the secrets of a deserted abbey Loamhedge
in
hopes of a cure for her condition, only to encounter young rebels who may hold her key to
freedom.
Add a number of sub-plots to this moving tale and you have an appealing account.
Roaring Brook Press
2 Old New Milford Rd., Brookfield, CT
1-800-462-4703 www.amazon.com
Three fine new titles from this press are highly recommended picks. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's
Conch Bearer (0761319-352, $16.95) tells of a 12-year-old in India who is entrusted with a
magical
conch shell. His task to return it to its rightful home involves a long-distance journey and a
struggle
with India's street life and wild children in this compelling saga. Kathleen Jeffrie Johnson's Target
(0761319328, $15.95) tells of an ordinary boy on an ordinary day who is kidnapped by two
strangers. His return to the normal world doesn't alter the fact that he has been through hell and
back, and has a new vision of the world at large. Recommended for mature teens. Caroline
Lawrence's Dolphins Of Laurentum (076132349X, $15.95) takes place in A.D. 79 and adds to the
Roman Mysteries series as it tells of one Flavia Gemina, a sea captain's daughter, who learns from
a
stranger that her family is in danger of losing all. Her journey to a seaside villa and a lost treasure
involves the four in a terrible mystery of the past. Her Assassins Of Rome (0761319-409, $15.95)
is
another in the series which is not to be missed: here Flavia and her friends investigate the
disappearance of friend Jonathan after a mysterious visitor's arrival. Jon's secret mission to Rome
involves his pals in a deadly assassination attempt in this riveting account.
Hyperion
114 5th Ave., New York NY 10011
1-800-759-0190 www.amazon.com
Laurence Yep's Skunk Scout (0786806702, $15.99) tells of a camping trip made by city slickers,
creating a warm story of a family competition in the process. Teddy's idea of a good vacation is
going to the movies; but the invitation to camp out with his uncle and his younger brother evokes
a
competition too good to ignore in this fun story of urban kids outdoors. Eoin Colfer's Artemis
Fowl:
The Eternity Code (0786819146, $16.95) tells of a father returned home from prison a reformed
man much to Artemis Fowl's horror. Artemis is determined not to give up his life of crime until
one last scheme is completed, anyway. His construction of a super computer is slated to change
the
world in this fast-paced story of teens at work, recommended for high school audiences.
The Biography Shelf
In My Father's Bakery
Marvin Korman
Red Rock Press
459 Columbus Ave. #114, NY NY 10024
0971437246 $22.00 www.amazon.com
This memoir of the Bronx during the Depression years by a young Jewish boy provides vivid
portraits of the community, family and friends and outlines the lives and encounters with
important
neighborhood figures along the way. Readers from high school through adults will find In My
Father's Bakery to be a compelling memoir of a bygone era, steeped in the warmth of a close
community and its residents.
Sacagawea
Lise Erdrich & Julie Buffalohead
Carolrhoda Books
241 First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1607
0876146469 $16.95 1-800-328-4929
Sacagawea by Lise Erdrich is a powerful children's picture book rendition of the true story of
Sacagawea, the Native American woman who was the wife of a member of the Lewis and Clark
expedition. It was Sacagawea whose survival and language skills were to prove invaluable to the
mission's success. A dramatic presentation, telling of Sacagawea's kidnaping from her Shoshone
family by the Hidatsa, her induction into a Hidatsa household, her arranged marriage to a
Frenchman, and her travels with the expedition through harsh conditions only two months after
giving birth to a son, call combine to present a very highly recommended addition to school and
community library Native American, American History, and American Biography picture book
collections for young readers ages 6 to 12.
Books in Series
The Creative Company
PO Box 227, Mankato, MN 56002
1-800-445-6209 1-507-388-2746 (fax)
Two quite exceptional and very highly recommended new series from The Creative Company
would
make excellent additions to school and community library nonfiction collections for young
readers.
"Start Science" ($97.00) by Sally Hewitt is comprised of four titles offering fundamental
introductions to animal life, plant life, elementary physics, and the solar system. Superbly
illustrated
(with a 2nd Grade reading level) and enhanced with learning games and activities, the individual
titles include Earth And Space (1932333312); Forces And Motion (1932333320); Minibeasts
(1932333290); and Plants (1932333304). "Saying Goodbye To..." ($121.25) is a series created by
Nicola Edwards to specifically address the problem of losing a loved one and features a 1st Grade
reading level. Nicely illustrated with color photography throughout, and enhanced with a glossary
and index, the five titles comprising this unique and firmly recommended series include: A Friend
(1932333185); A Grandparent (1932333-169); A Parent (1932333150); A Pet (1932333193);
and
A Brother Or Sister (1932333177).
The Rosen Publishing Group
29 East 21st Street, NY, NY 10010
1-800-237-9932 1-888-436-4643 (fax)
The "Incredibly Disgusting Drugs" series for young readers grades 5 through 8 is perhaps the
single
most important series acquisition any school or community library can make. Illustrated with full
color photography, each individual title clearly explains and documents the physical and
psychological damage "recreational drug use, alcohol abuse and tobacco consumption occasions.
The six volumes comprising this supremely important and superbly articulated series (which
would
also be especially appropriate for homeschooling curriculum supplementation) include Cocaine
And
Your Nose (0823932516, $17.95); Alcohol And Your Liver (0823932540); Marijuana And Your
Lungs (0823932524); Heroin And Your Veins (0823932494, $17.95); Speed And Your Brain
(0823932532, $17.95); and Tobacco And Your Mouth (0823932508). Although each of these
very
fine titles are available individually, the clear and urgent recommendation is for schools and
community libraries to acquire the entire "Incredibly Disgusting Drugs" series (0823991687,
$107.70).
Arizona Highways
2039 W. Lewis Ave., Phoenix AZ 85009
www.arizonahighways.com
Arizona Highways presents three titles which are ideal for preschool and kindergarten students
and
feature a thoroughly entertaining and informative "kid friendly" text by Madeline Bennett which is
enhanced by the vividly colorful illustrations of Gary Bennett. The Best Counting Book In The
Wild
West (1893860132, $14.95) features the "Accounting Cricket" and has cleverly by accessibly
hidden
numbers on each page. The Silliest Shapes And Colors Book In The Wild West (1893860604,
$14.95) has Vincent Van Glow and Salvador presenting diverse shapes and colors which will both
delight and inform. The Best Alphabet Book In The Wild West (0916179966, $14.95) features a
text by Gary and Adeline Bennett and has a hidden letter carefully placed on each page that
children
can track down and identify with the help of the LetterBug, as well as introducing them to such
Wild
West critters as Quincy Quail, Hector Horned Toady, Simon Snake, and Rhonda
Roadrunner.
Granny Press
184 Central Ave., Old Tappan, NJ 07675
1-201-767-4100 www.grannypress.com
Esther Nelson and Davida Hirsch have impressively collaborated to launch a new series of
"Riggeldy
Jiggeldy" riddle books which are ideal for preschool through kindergarten children. Featuring a
nicely sturdy board book format with lift-up flaps (and a secret on every page), the catchy
rhythmic
patterns and rhymes will admirably serve to effectively enhance the young pre-reader's vocabulary,
develop memory and thinking skills, as well as foster a love of books because the whimsical and
colorful collage illustrations by Libby Ellis wonderfully enhance the "reading experience" of
holding
a book and turning its pages. The first two entries in this remarkable and recommended
pre-school
series are Riggeldy Jiggeldy Joggeldy Roo...Can You Guess What I Do? (0760732795, $5.95)
and
Riggeldy Jiggeldy Joggeldy Jam...Can You Guess What I Am? (0760732787, $5.95).
The Fairytale/Folklore Shelf
Lights Along The Path
Rebecca Schacht & Jacqui Morgan
Chelsey Press
441 North Oakhurst Dr., #205, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
0966844807 $16.95 www.amazon.com
Annotated, selected, and rewritten for contemporary readers by Rebecca Schacht, Lights Along
The
Path is a 2000 Independent Publisher award winner and collects under one cover a wealth of
Judaic
folklore stories especially suitable for students in fourth through sixth grade. A warm narrative
tone
and eye-opening black-and-white illustrations by Jacqui Morgan set apart this most enjoyable fairy
tale anthology that would grace any family, school, or community library Fairytale/Folklore
collection.
Classic Fairy Tales
Scott Gustafson, illustrator
The Greenwich Workshop
PO Box 875, Shelton, CT 06484
www.greenwhichworkshop.com
086713089X $19.95 1-800-243-4246
Classic Fairy Tales is a 144 page compendium of cherished tales of magic, wicked villains and
mischievous creatures. More than seventy-five examples of Scott Gustafson's wonderfully
engaging,
museum quality, full color artwork adds life and a vibrant, beautifully visual touch to these classic
fairytale stories of Puss in Boots, Little Red Riding Hood, Tom Thumb, and more. Classic Fairy
Tales is enthusiastically recommended for family, school, and community library
Fairytale/Folklore
collections as delightful treasury to read alone or to read aloud to others.
The Usborne Book Of Castle Tales
Heather Amery & Stephen Cartwright
EDC Publishing
PO Box 470663, Tulsa, OK 74146-6515
0746025165 $12.95 www.edcpub.com
The Usborne Book Of Castle Tales is an easy reader anthology compiled by Heather Amery that
blends charming stories and Stephen Cartwright's expressive color illustrations to create a
delightful
reading experience for children ages 4 to 7. The phrasing is deliberately clear in order to help
young
children succeed at their first attempts to read entirely on their own. From pet dragons to jousting
tournaments, The Usborne Book Of Castle Tales is a captivating and enjoyable collection and
includes "The Princess And The Pig"; "The Little Dragon"; The Royal Broomstick"; and "The
Tournament".
The Prince Of Ireland And The Three Magic Stallions
Bryce Milligan & Preston McDaniels
Holiday House
425 Madison Avenue, NY, NY 10017
0823415732 $16.95 holidayhouse.com
The Prince Of Ireland And The Three Magic Stallions is a classic Irish folk tale retold by Bryce
Milligan for today's young readers with very special gusto and aplomb. A scheming Queen
stepmother is pitted against the eldest prince, and the two of them each place the other under a
geis,
a ruthless magical curse that cannot be disobeyed on pain of death. The prince must find the
courage
to surmount the challenge of the geis and steal three magic stallions from a terrifying giant, while
the
Queen, forced to obey a geis that commands her to stand before a high cross fasting until the
prince's return, comes to understand humility. Very nicely illustrated by Preston McDaniels, The
Prince Of Ireland And The Three Magic Stallions is especially commended as an adventurous
fairy
tale appropriate for intermediate level readers just about ready to make the transition from picture
books to young adult novels.
The Judaic Studies Shelf
Bedtime
Nechama Dina Adelman, author
Fayge Devorah Blau, illustrator
Hachai Publishing
156 Chester Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11218
1929628129 $9.95 www.hachai.com
Written for youngsters ages 2 to 5, Nechama Dina Adelman's Bedtime is a simple children's
picture
book about a young Jewish boy who simply cannot sleep. Dovid lies in bed thinking his own
thoughts, and noises distract him... but his mother, in her wisdom realizes that Dovid is simply
feeling lonely. When she explains to him that Hashem is always with him, he is able to sleep
peacefully. Warm, pastel illustrations by Fayge Devorah Blau perfectly complement this simple
tale
of faith and love.
Look What I See! Where Can I Be? At The Synagogue
Dia L. Michels & Michael J. N. Bowles
Platypus Media
627 A Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
1930775164 $16.95 1-877-872-8977
The collaborative effort of author Dia L. Michels and photographer Michael J. N. Bowles, Look
What I See! Where Can I Be? At The Synagogue is part of a highly recommended series of
picturebooks written with the unique twist of being told from a baby's point of view. The
two-page
spreads alternate between a close-up segment of a photograph, and then the whole photograph
which puts the intriguing close-up into context. A visual joy to page through, Look What I See!
Where Can I Be? At The Synagogue uses this unique format to celebrate Jewish life, faith, and
education.
The Music Shelf
The Amazing Adventures Of Andy Owl
D. Z. Russell & John Stone
World Famous Children's Books
4455 Torrance Boulevard, #153, Torrance, CA 90503
www.worldfamouschildrensbooks.com
0972539808 $7.95 1-310-780-0964
The Amazing Adventures Of Andy Owl: A Children's Guide To Understanding Music a
motivational
and enjoyable picture book story of a young owl's search to learn "all there is to know" about
music.
An educational introduction that combines musical concepts and definitions with loveable color
illustrations by John Stone and a charming story by d. Z. Russell, The Amazing Adventures Of
Andy
Owl is a superb and original read to stir interest in children of all ages in the joy of music.
Mitchell Lane Publishers
1104 Kelly Drive, Newark, DE 19711
1-302-834-9646 www.mitchellane.com
The new Mitchell Lane series "Masters of Music" combines music, history, and culture with the
biographies of for influential composers not often accessible to young readers in the middle
grades.
The individual titles comprising this enthusiastically recommended series include The Life And
Times Of Johannes Brahms (1584152141, $19.95); The Life And Times Of Stephen Foster
(1584152133, $19.95); The Life And Times Of Felix Mendelssohn (1584152109, $19.95); and
The
Life And Times Of Irving Berlin (158415215X, $19.95). Each 48 page title is written for students
ages 9 to 13 and come packed cover to cover with sidebar stories, chronologies, historical
timelines,
bibliographies for further reading, a glossary, and an index. Very nicely illustrated in full color
with
both period art and historical illustrations, this "Masters of Music" series will prove to be a
welcome
and popular addition to both school and community library Music History collections for young
readers.
Gifts of toys rarely outlast the season. But gift a child with a book and you can see a lifetime of
delights set in motion.
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
Copyright ©2001
Site design by Williams Writing, Editing &
Design