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Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
Parties With Pizzazz
Marci Mohan, et al.
Pizzazz Publishing
KSB Promotions (publicty)
PO Box 415, Victoria, MN 55386
0974493600 $19.95 www.amazon.com
The collaborative effort of Marci Mohan, Jeanne Palmer, and Peggy Simenson, Parties With
Pizzazz: A Complete Resource For Holiday Classroom Parties is an activity book filled with ideas
for games, crafts, costumes, candies, gifts, and more centered around Halloween themes,
wintertime
themes, or Valentine's Day. Black-and-white photographs embellish the step-by-step instructions
for
easy-to-plan projects especially suitable for classrooms but also great for family fun at home. A
festive, wholesome resource.
Random Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
www.randomhouse.com/kids
Four easier readers for kids in grades 3-6 provide chapter books and simpler, attractive reads for
kids a step out of the picturebook world. Eye-catching indeed is R.L. Stine's Mostly Ghostly:
Who
Let The Ghosts Out? (0385746636, $6.95), a story of Max Doyle who has two ghosts living in
his
bedroom. The ghosts say only Max can help them fight the most fearsome creature in the ghost
world in this spirited story. Mary Pope Osborne's Haunted Castle On Hallow's Eve (0375825215,
$11.95) tells of a dark castle and a magician who needs someone to enter and solve the mystery of
how the castle became haunted. It's up to modern kids Jack and Annie, with their background
solving mysteries, to investigate in this satisfyingly spooky encounter. Barbara Park's Junie B.
First
Grader: Shipwrecked (0375828044, $11.95) tells of a special play put on by Room One, about
explorers looking for the New World. Junie thinks she might be the store of the production - only
problems keep happening with her role, actors catch the flu, and competitors try to take over.
How
can she retain her role as Chief Actress? A zany tale evolves. Joelle Stolz's Shadows Of Ghadames
(0385731043, $15.95) is set in Libya and tells of a daughter who watches her merchant father
depart
on one of his famous caravan expeditions. Malika longs to read and travel but all she has to look
forward to at age 12 is marriage like all Muslim women - until a stranger enters her home and
changes all their lives. A fine story of 19th century Libya.
The Picturebook Shelf
Petropolis
Susanne Santoro Whayne
Handprint Books
413 Sixth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215
1593540019 $16.95 handprintbooks.com
Ages 4-8 will find Petropolis an engaging picturebook story, with its drawings by Christopher
Santoro supplementing the story of what pets do when their owners are away for the day. A
magical
pet door opens upon a vibrant city rather than a suburban backyard, inviting Max to explore a city
populated entirely by pets. But how can Max get back home?
Little, Brown
1271 Avenue of Americas, NY, NY 10020
www.lb-kids.com www.amazon.com
Four lovely new picturebooks are recommended picks. Karma Wilson's Mr. Murry And
Thumbkin
(0316076139, $15.99) receives engaging drawings by Ard Hoyt and tells of a furry mouse who
lives
in an old teapot and worries a lot. Meet his new neighbor Thumbkin who has not a care in the
world, in this whimsical story. Toot and Puddle return in Holly Hobbie's The New Friend
(0316366366, $16.99): Opal visits Toot and Puddle at Woodcock Pocket, bringing a special new
friend to join the group. Fun drawings present engaging new friends and group activities.
Nathaniel
Hobbe's Priscilla And The Pink Planet (0316735795, $15.99) is an all-pink picturebook and tells
of
Priscilla, who lives in an all-pink world - and who searches for at least one other color in it. Verse
and fun art join a story of exploration and discovery. Molly Friedrich's You're Not My Real
Mother! (0316605530, $15.99) describes activities which make a mother real', from daily
interactions such as learning and games to caring. An adopted child learns some important lessons
on what makes a parent real' in this gentle story of discovery which receives Christy Hale's warm,
realistic drawings.
The Wishing Tree
Roseanne Thong & Connie McLennan
Shen's Books
40951 Fremont Blvd., Fremont, CA 94538
1885008260 $16.95 www.shens.com
Young readers ages 4-10 will find Wishing Tree by Roseanne Thong to be a deftly woven and
lovely
picturebook story set in modern Hong Kong and telling of a young boy and his grandmother who
visit a rural temple's Wishing Tree every lunar New Year. Connie McLennan's realistic drawings
enhances a story which tells how a wishing tree helps a youngster solve common problems in
life.
Putnam Publishing Group
345 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
www.penguin.com www.amazon.com
A host of inviting new picturebooks are strong picks for discriminating collections. Susan E.
Goodman's Truth About Poop (0670036749, $15.99) may read like fiction using action words
and
vivid descriptions, but its contents are nonfiction. Descriptions of which creatures poop, how,
different kinds of dung and virtually all natural history involved receive engaging drawings by
Elwood Smith to bring the subject to life. Joseph Bruchac and James Bruchac tell Raccoon's Last
Race (0803720774, $15.99), receiving funny drawings by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey as it
presents a fable of a long-legged raccoon, a race, and the changes which result from his actions.
Rosemary Wells' Bunny Mail (0670036307, $15.99) provides a funny lift-the-flap Max and Ruby
picturebook: Max wants a bright motorcycle and decides to write Santa asking for one - but the
postman can't understand it. It's up to Grandma to save the day. Perhaps not durable enough for
vigorous library lending, but certainly an excellent choice for parents. Jan Brett's The Umbrella
(0399242155, $16.99) tells of Carlos, who walks into the cloud forest with his green umbrella
certain he'll see many animals. When he leaves his favored umbrella in search of creatures he finds
a
host of wild animals have discovered a new home. The usual lovely Brett drawings make The
Umbrella a special winner. Karen Kaufman Orloff and David Catrow's I Wanna Iguana
(0399237178, $15.99) tells of Alex, on a mission to convince a skeptical mother that he should
have
an iguana. Mom is horrified: she imagines the iguana's problems - but Alex has answers in this
zany,
funny story. Tedd Arnold's Even More Parts (0803729383, $15.99) tells of a boy who takes too
literally the dilemma of people losing parts ("I lost my head", "My nose is running.") Chip decides
a
plan is in order for preserving these parts, and a funny set of solutions evolves.
Over The Hills And Far Away
Chris Conover
Farrar Straus Giroux
19 Union Square West, NY, NY 100013
0374380430 $16.00 www.fsgkids.com
Tom, an otter pop, learns how to pipe a single song and enchants everyone he meets in Over The
Hills And Far Away. Nobody can resist dancing to his cheery bagpipe tunes, and nobody will
resist
Chris Conover's lovely drawings in this remake of a traditional nursery story, brought vividly and
entertainingly to life in rollicking rhyme and total fun.
Harry Abrams
115 West 18th Street, NY, NY 10011
www.abramsbooks.com
Some truly lovely artistic titles from this publisher will please librarians seeking high-quality
picturebooks. Graeme Base's Jungle Drums (0810950448, $18.95) is outstanding: lush oversized
pages packed with color highlight the story of a little warthog who is the smallest in Africa - and
tired of being teased for his size. He wishes things could be different - and with a new set of
magic
drums, they just might be. But magic comes with a price and a surprise. Graeme Base is noted for
his lush and lovely picturebooks and this is one of his best productions thus far. David Roberts'
Pee-Ew! Is That You, Bertie? (0810950146, $14.95) tells of a boy who likes making smells.
Parents
might not appreciate what looks like acknowledgment of Bertie's abilities, but kids will find the
truths within hilarious and recognizable. Kay Chase's D Is For Drums (081094927X, $16.95)
provides the very young with an A-B-C primer providing an alphabetical tour of colonial times.
There's a lot more happening here than a typical A-B-C guide: shoes, toys, undergarments and
unicorns all pack into a collection of unexpected objects which will teach the basics of colonial
times, history and culture. The Metro Museum of Art's Can You Find It, Too? (0810950464,
$15.95) uses twenty works of art to provide a search and discover' format. Famous paintings of
different scenes are used to encourage kids to search for selected objects.
You're All My Favorites
Sam McBratney & Anita Teram
Candlewick
2067 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140
076362442X $15.99 candlewick.com
Anita Teram's lovely drawings are a winning addition to Sam McBratney's moving story of a
Mommy Bear and father who tell their cubs that each is the best baby bear. But the siblings are
growing and question how they ALL could be favorites of their parents. You're All My Favorites
is
gentle story of love and favoritism evolves with a simple, warming message.
The Stolen Smile
J. Patrick Lewis & Gary Kelley
Creative Editions
123 S. Broad St., Mankato, MN 56001
1568461925 $17.95 1-800-445-6209
With The Stolen Smile, artist Gary Kelley and author J. Patrick Lewis journey to 1911 Paris in
their
second picturebook, where the Mona Lisa has gone missing from the Louvre museum. An Italian
knows the secret of the missing painting in this story, spiced with the proud thief's insights and
based on true events surrounding the disappearance of the Mona Lisa from one of the world's
most
famous museums.
Random Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
www.randomhouse.com/kids
John Irving's A Sound Like Someone Trying Not To Make A Sound (0385746-806, $15.95)
receives lovely embellishment by Tatjana Hauptmann as it tells of a young boy who awakens in
them
iddle of the night where an unfamiliar sound makes him afraid. Nighttime fears are explored in a
set
of vivid images many a youngster will certainly be familiar with. Jarrett J. Krosoczka's Annie Was
Warned (0375815678, $15.95) tells of a young girl warned to stay away from a creepy mansion.
Does she listen? She is warned, but too curious about what specific dangers might exist to stay
away. A creepy adventure kids will relish.
King O' The Cats
Aaron Shepard & Kristin Sorra
Atheneum
1230 Avenue of Americas, NY, NY 10020
0689820828 $16.95 simonsayskids.com
Kristin Sorra's vibrant drawings bring an old English folk story to life in Aaron Shepard's
engaging
King O The Cats. What kind of intelligence can cats have? Young Peter Black has noticed some
strange things happening among the local cats lately; but nobody will believe his wild tale. His
investigation of what is affecting all the cats in town reveals a changing world brought on by a
single
leader.
The Call Of The Osprey
Norman Jorgensen; Brian Harrison-Lever
Fremantle Arts Centre Press/ISBS, dist.
920 Northeast 58th Avenue, Suite 300, Portland, OR 97213
www.isbscatalog.com
1920731857 $22.50 1-800-944-6190
The Call Of The Osprey by Norman Jorgensen is a picturebook about the challenging and
rewarding
task of restoring an old, broken sea boat. A young man befriends and forms a bond with a grizzled
old captain, as together they work hard, and the young man learns the importance of carrying on a
meaningful legacy. Illustrated by Brian Harrison-Lever, The Call Of The Osprey is an especial
delight to share with young readers who are fascinated with ships and the sea.
April Foolishness
Teresa Bateman; Nadine B. Westcott
Albert Whitman & Company
6340 Oakton St., Morton Grove IL 60053
0807504041 $15.95 albertwhitman.com
The grandkids are visiting Grandma and Grandpa on their farm. Grandpa is fixing breakfast for
everyone when suddenly his grandson bursts into the kitchen shouting "The cows have got loose!
I
think Big Brown Bessie just stepped on a goose!" But Grandpa doesn't respond to the news -- he
just calmly pours himself a glass of milk. Grandpa is so relaxed because its April Fools' Day and
the
children are playing tricks! Then Grandma steps in with a trick of her own!! In creating her lyrical
text for April Foolishness, author Teresa Bateman draws upon her own experiences growing up
on a
farm and creates a story to which Nadine Westcott's lively illustrations are a perfect
complement.
Treasure Of Ghostwood Gully
Marcia Vaughan
Rising Moon
PO Box 1389, Flagstaff, AZ 86002-1389
0873588584 $15.95 northlandpub.com
Coyote leads her animal friends on a spooky treasure hunt through the desert to a ghostly gully,
but
an uninvited and mischievous skunk decides to play the role of a ghost with unexpected results in
Treasure Of Ghostwood Gully, a bright and fun tale enhanced by the colorful, large-sized
drawings
of Will Terry. Though billed as a Southwest Mystery', kids across the country will find it
fun.
The Fiction Shelf
Eddie's Ordeal
Kelly Starling Lyons
Just Us Books Inc.
356 Glenwood Ave., East Orange NJ 07017
0940975165 $16.95 justusbooks.com
The fourth book in the NEATE series, Eddie's Ordeal is a novel recommended for young adult
readers and is about thirteen-year old Eddie Delaney, an African-American boy who loves his
father
but feels driven too hard sometimes. Eddie enjoys being the starter on the basketball team and
gets
good grades, but whe he brings home a D in language arts, everything changes. His father forces
him
to quit the team, and his relationship with his parent takes a very bad turn for the worse. His
friends
try to help him discover why his dad is so tough on him, and in the process Eddie learns
something
very important about his father - something that will change his life forever. A moving and
dramatic
story about facing the challenges of coming of age, and the importance of family bonds.
Cecilia's Year
Susan & Denise Gonzales Abraham
Cinco Puntos Press
701 Texas Avenue, El Paso, Texas 79901
0938317873 $16.95 1-915-838-1625
Cecilia's Year is a young adult novel about the dreams of a Latina girl living in rural New Mexico.
She dreams of traveling far beyond her farm community, to experience high school and a job in
the
big city she knows through books, yet her mother feels her highest goal in life should be to run a
home, cook, sew, and raise children. Written as a tribute to the author's mother, Cecilia's Year
explores the tribulations of growing up and determining one's own destiny, in a heartfelt manner
sure
to resonate with anyone striving to find their place in the world.
Jamie Comes Of Age
Vera M. Kierstead-Farber
Vantage Press Inc.
419 Park Avenue South, 18th floor, New York, NY 10016
0533148219 $10.95 1-212-736-1767
Jamie Comes Of Age is a young adult novel and sequel to Jamie's Journey: An Early American
Adventure. Set in 1806, after young Jamie found his soldier farther, a survivor of the Lewis and
Clark expedition, the two embark upon a fresh adventure together. They transport a cargo to
President Thomas Jefferson, and participate in the rescue of a family from a keelboat wreck along
the Ohio River. At last a deadly level of tension between boatmen and wagoners will test Jamie's
capacity to the fullest, in this high-spirited and dramatic saga. Jamie Comes Of Age is a
wholesome,
enjoyable narrative recommended for readers of all ages.
Mystery At Blackbeard's Cove
Audrey Penn
Tanglewood Press
PO Box 3009, Terre Haute, IN 47803
www.tanglewoodbooks.com
0974930318 $14.95 1-812-877-9488
Bestselling children's author Audrey Penn presents Mystery At Blackbeard's Cove, an exciting
full-length novel, intended for young adults yet appealing to readers of all ages. Elements of
mystery
and adventure combine with suspense as a group of friends travel to a North Carolina, seeking to
give a beloved eccentric acquaintance the pirate buriel she so greatly desired. Suddenly trapped in
tunnels by a local scoundrel, they must race against time to earn their escape and discover a
hidden
treasure. A wealth of lore concerning the famous pirate Blackbeard and his hideout intertwine
with
the captivating present-day adventure. Mystery At Blackbeard's Cove is a treat to be savored at
length.
Heir Of Mystery
Philip Ardagh
Henry Holt
115 W. 18th St., New York NY 10011
0805074775 $9.95 henryholt.com
Philip Ardagh's Heir Of Mystery is the second "Unlikely Exploit" title but needs no prior
familiarity
to prove engrossing to newcomers. Fergal McNally's brain resides in a pickling jar in a hospital:
it's
stolen, and the remaining McNally children are drawn to a mysterious mansion where a dangerous
teddy-bear-clutching Mr. Maggs plans on changing the world. Horror and black humor blend in
this
inviting survey.
The Balloon Boy Of San Francisco
Dorothy Kupcha Leland
Tomato Enterprises
PO Box 73892, Davis, CA 95617
www.tomatoenterprises.com
0961735791 $9.95
The Balloon Boy Of San Francisco is an adventure novel based on a true story. Set in San
Francisco
during 1853, it follows the wide-eyed exploits of an enthusiastic young man whose pasttimes
include
shouting the latest newspaper headlines from a street corner, and tracking down a gold miner who
has gone missing. But when he has the opportunity to watch a hot-air balloon ascension, his life
takes a exciting new turn. Based upon diaries and historical documents from the gold-rush era,
The
Balloon Boy Of San Francisco brings the past to vibrant life, recreating history and setting with
such
detail it's the next best thing to stepping into a time machine. The protagonist's contagious
enthusiasm that lifts one's spirits in this upbeat story, intended for young adults but suitable for all
ages.
The Cookbook Shelf
Look And Make Cooking
Sea-To-Sea Publications/Watts
1980 Lookout Drive, North Mankato, MN 56003
www.scholasticlibrary.com
1932889256 $27.10 1-800-621-1115
Very young picturebook readers just beginning to cook will find Look And Make Cooking a
welcome introduction to the art, starting with the basics of identifying common kitchen utensils to
making a Jelly Turtle, a Rainbow Slush drink, and a Surprise Bread. Step-by-step line drawings
supplement plenty of color photos of finished products.
Crabtree
350 - 5th Avenue, #3308, NY, NY 10118
www.crabtreebooks.com
Two new additions to Bobbie Kalman's outstanding "KidPower" series outlining recipes for
healthy
lifestyles for kids will especially appeal to grades 3-5, and provides step-by-step healthy recipes
kids
can easily follow along with plenty of color photos of kids in action in the kitchen. Delicious
Desserts (0778712540) features healthy recipes low in fat and sugar, from baked apples, fruit
salads
and drinks to custards. Directions also include definitions and nutrition tips. Multicultural Meals
(0778712559) presents authentic meals adapted to contain less fat and sugar, without sacrificing
cultural authenticity. From Bagels and Lox to Mexican Fajitas and Japanese Tofu Snacks, kids
receive a range of dishes from different cultures.
The International Cookbook For Kids
Matthew Locricchio
Marshall Cavendish Corporation
99 White Plains Rd, Tarrytown NY 10591
0761451854 $18.95 1-800-831-9881
The International Cookbook For Kids by professional chef and caterer Matthew Locricchio
specifically designed to be the perfect introduction to the joys, pleasures, and accomplishments of
cooking for kids ages 12 and older. Showcasing 60 classic, "kid friendly" recipes from Italy,
France,
China, and Mexico, each individual dish comes with easy-to-follow directions and involves fresh
and
nutritious ingredients. Enhanced with the color photography of Jack McConnell, the dishes range
from Tortilla Soup; Cold Sesame Noodles; Tomato Salad; and Pasta Sauce from Bologna; to
Polenta Pie with sausage and Cheese; Red Enchiladas; Stir-Fried Orange Chicken; Roast Pork
with
Dried Plums; and Beef Stew with Tomatoes and Olives. The wonderful chapter on desserts offers
Cream Puffs with Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce along with other savory dishes to top off any
meal. Completing this perfect and enthusiastically recommended introductory cookbook for
young
chefs are chapters on "Essential Ingredients in the Kitchen"; "Cooking Terms"; "Cooking
Equipment
and Utensils"; and an Index.
The Bilingual Shelf
Birthday In The Barrio
Mayra L. Dole & Tonel
Children's Book Press
2211 Mission St, San Francisco CA 94110
0892391944 $16.95 www.cbookpress.org
Chavi must find a way to throw a birthday party for her friend's sister Lazrita who is turning 15
and
wants a special "quinces" party, but whose family does not have enough money for such a fancy
event. Chavi decides to rally all of her neighborhood friends to donate food and decorations,
bringing her entire Cuban American community together in a birthday celebration like Miami has
never seen before! Tonel's distinctive illustrations for Birthday In The Barrio/Cumpleanos en el
Barrio are a perfect compliment to Mayra Dole's English/Spanish bi-lingual story. Also very
highly
recommended is Mayra Dole's Dole's Drum Chavi, Drum! which first introduced this spirited
young
Cuban American girl!
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
How Dogs Came From Wolves
Jack Myers
Boyds Mills Press
815 Church Street, Honesdale, PA 18431
159078278X $9.95 1-800-490-5111
Jack Myers is Professor Emeritus of Zoology at the University of Texas at Austin and the Senior
Science Editor for "Highlights for Children". In How Dogs Came From Wolves And Other
Explorations Of Science In Action, Professor Myers showcases twelve inherently fascinating
questions arising from the world of animals. Superbly enhanced with the brilliantly executed
illustrations of John Rice, the chapters comprising this outstanding title recommended for young
readers ages 9 to 12 explores how fish can life in ice-cold water; how elephants talk to each other
even when miles apart; whether or not dogs can see in color; how birds hatch their eggs; how
dogs
evolved from wolves; and so much more. With an extended bibliography for further reading and a
"user friendly" index, How Dogs Came From Wolves is an ideal addition to any school or
community library, and a wonderful curriculum supplement for home school instruction as
well.
Weigl Publishers
250 Fifth Avenue, NY, NY 10118-0069
www.weigl.com
1590361423 $206.40 1-866-649-3445
Specifically designed and written to National Science Education Standards, the forty titles
comprising the new "Caring For Your Pet" series from Weigl Publishers offers young readers in
grades 2 to 6 informed and instructive introductions to the care of particular pets ranging from
Frogs (shy animals who need a hiding place) and Iguanas (cold blooded therefore needing to bask
in
sunlight for 8 to 12 hours a day), to Snakes (female snakes lay as many as 100 eggs at a time) and
rats (most of whom live about 3 years). Each 32 page title is enhanced with photos and
illustrations,
side bars such as "Pet Profiles", "Picking Your Pet", "Pet Puzzlers", and "Frequently Asked
Questions", as well as highlighting that particular animal's life cycle, grooming needs, behaviors,
feeding requirements, physical details, and place in world cultures. Although each title is available
individually ($18.20), school libraries should acquire the complete set as an ideal reference
resource
for teaching children the importance of being responsible pet owners and as ideal supplements for
classroom science and biology curriculums.
How Animals Live
Bernard Stonehouse & Esther Bertram
Scholastic
557 Broadway, New York NY 10012
0439548349 $16.95 www.scholastic.com
Simply gorgeous drawings by John Francis from cover to inside encourage leisure browsing and
reading despite a title which sounds quite ordinary: once inside, kids in grades 4-6 will find How
Animals Live is packed from cover to cover with inviting natural history facts about a wide range
of
animals, from jewel fish and wild schools of animals to gila monsters. It's the lovely illustrations
which are eye-catching on every page, making for a survey hard to put down.
Stargazer Books
c/o The Creative Company
PO Box 227, Mankato, MN 56002
1-800-445-6209 www.amazon.com
Two lovely new series titles are fine choices for libraries seeking bright color and interesting,
different titles. The Amazing Bugs' set ($27.10) by Anna Claybourne are special
recommendations:
Ants And Termites (1932799575) and Bees And Wasps (1932799567) each pack in detailed
information, large-size and eye-catching color photos, question and answer boxes and fact panels
to
invite interest and learning. The detail is extraordinary. Two new Baby Animals' titles ($22.80
each) by Kate Petty include Chimpanzees (1932799419) and Elephants (1932799427): each hold
a
little over twenty pages of facts about baby animals and their habitats.
Gareth Stevens
330 W. Olive, #100, Milwaukee WI 53212
www.garethstevens.com
Gareth Stevens' many series titles will prove lasting library additions; especially in the case of All
About Wild Animals' ($17.50 each), a set of colorful introductory references for grades 2-3. Each
book in this set holds 32 pages including an index, glossary and bibliography, and each provides
enough introductory facts juxtaposed with bright color photos to enable students to produce
reports.
Lions (0836841859), Elephants (0836841832), Zebras (0836841905), Crocodiles (08368-41824),
Camels (0836841816), Penguins (0836841867), Polar Bears (0836841-875), Sharks
(0836841883),
Tigers (0836-841891) and Frogs (0836841840) each provide all the basics for the young. Kids
also
need primers on pet care, and the I Am Your Pet' series ($19.93 each) is the perfect place to
provide introductory pet care facts. Hamster (0836841042), Rabbit (0836841050), Cat
(0836841026) and Dog (0836841034) all use colorful photos of each animal to provide basic care
tips, from choosing an initial pet and training to identifying medical concerns.
KidHaven Press
27500 Drake Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48331-3535
www.gale.com www.amazon.com
Komodo dragons are sure to capture the interest of youngsters in grades 3-5, and Marcia
Gresko's
Komodo Dragons (0737-717645 $23.70) 48-page book will provide them with all the details
necessary for a juicy report on the topic. From the habitats and habits of Komodos to how they
hunt
and dangers to their environment, Komodo Dragons packs in both color and detail. John Becker's
California Condor (0737722924) provides a rare look at the near extinction and return of
California's largest bird. Very few books on the condor exist for this young age rage, and this
48-page primer packs in both color photos and appealing facts.
Smart Apple Media
1980 Lookout Dr, N. Mankato, MN 56003
$27.10 each 1-800-445-6209
Two new additions to the lovely Creepy Crawly World' series from Smart Apple Media are
wonderful picks for teaching kids about basic backyard wildlife. Butterfly (1583403795) by Ting
Morris not only covers the usual life cycle from caterpillar to butterfly, but provides plenty of
natural
history detail such as what kind of bushes the eating caterpillar prefers, and the butterfly's
remaining
cycle of life. Ant (1583-403760) by Ting Morris reads almost like fiction as it covers the natural
history of worker and queen ants alike. Both are gorgeous presentations.
Sea-To-Sea/Scholastic
1980 Lookout Drive, North Mankato, MN 56003
1-800-621-1115 scholasticlibrary.com
Three new animal books from this publisher provide grades 1-3 with almost thirty pages of very
simple facts, large print, and inviting topics. New to the Keeping Minibeasts' series ($27.50 each)
are Beetles (1932889167) and Caterpillars (1932-889183): photos on cover and inside are
close-up,
very bright, and supplement excellent natural history facts and details on how to build and
maintain
an environment for keeping these creatures as pets. New to the I Know That!' series is City
Animals (1932889310, $22.80), outlining the different wild animals to be found in city parks, in
homes, and on the streets. Both are excellent series titles.
The Music Shelf
Wings Of Slumber
Banana Slug String Band
PO Box 2262, Santa Cruz, CA 95063
www.bananaslugstringband.com
1-888-327-5847 $14.99
The home of every small child should have a collection of lullabies for the purpose of midmorning
quiet time napping as well as gently ushering children to nighttime sleep after a busy day. Wings
Of
Slumber is a very highly recommended CD album for that purpose. With a total running time of
61
minutes and 25 seconds, the fourteen compositions comprising this exceptionally well performed
and
flawlessly recorded album include Mother Nature's Lullaby; Up they Get To My Sunset; Return
To
Me In The Morning; Swimming With Whales; So Why Aren't You?; Singing To The Moon; A
Season's Lullaby; Beauty; This Little Island; Ready For Your Dreams; I'd Like To Be; The
Camper's
Lullaby; Where Dreams Can Grow; and the hauntingly beautiful title piece, Wings Of
Slumber.
We All Laugh In The Same Language
Marla Lewis
Plumjuice Records
PO Box 550, Wantagh, NY 11793
marla362@optonline.net
8353465257 $14.99 1-516-785-8456
Marla Lewis has performed her original music programs in schools, libraries, and parks in all five
boroughs of New York City (as well as Long Island and Westchester County) for the past twenty
years. Now Marla Lewis has newly released We All Laugh In The Same Language, a CD album
featuring twelve of her original songs in a tuneful celebration of diversity, curiosity, friendship,
and
the love of learning. Drawing upon such diverse musical stylings as Dixieland, Blues, Rap, and
Pop,
and more, the individual songs comprising this highly recommended and beautifully recorded CD
album for children (and adults!) of all ages includes Wonderin' Why (3:28); Best Friends (3:48);
Muskrat Rap (3:58); Jackson Avenue (2:12); Down Chinatown Way (3:35); Don't Run In The
Hall
(3:24); We Can't Wait For Spring (3:42); Down In Old Hawaii (3:05); Home Again (3:52);
Homeless Man (2:12); Round And Round (3:55); and the title piece, We All Laugh In The Same
Language.
The Literary Shelf
A Student's Guide To F. Scott Fitzgerald
Eva Weisbrod
Enslow
PO Box 398, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
www.enslow.com
0766022021 $21.95 1-800-398-2504
Eva Weisbrod's A Student's Gudie To F. Scott Fitzerald is a must' for high school readers: the
career and major works of Fitzgerald are examined in chapters which cover both his full-length
fiction and his shorter works. Chapters offer a depth of focus and detail on the major themes
begun
and created by Fitzgerland's approach and writings which lend particularly well to school research
as
well as understanding his writings.
Thomson-Gale
274500 Drake Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48331-3535
www.gale.com www.amazon.com
Two new guides to understanding literature are picks for middle to high school grades equally.
Clarice Swisher's Understanding The Canterbury Tales (1560067829, $27.45) and Thomas
Streissguth's Understanding Beowulf (1560068612, $27.45) both belong to the expanding
understanding great literature' series by Thomson/Gale: each hold a little over a hundred pages of
information, from a brief biographical sketch of the author and his times to a historical
background
and overview of the work itself, including surveys of major themes and characters. Both lend to
reserch papers.
The Library Video Shelf
Ecosystems For Children
Schlessinger Media
7 East Wynnewood Road, Wynnewood, PA 19096-0580
1-800-843-3620 www.schlessinger.com
An ideal instruction tool for classroom science classes and home school curriculum
supplementation,
Ecosystems For Children is a new three volume video series from Schlessinger Media that
showcases biological concepts through experience with living things, their life cycles and their
habitats. Developed in full compliance with National Science Education Standards for Life
Sciences
appropriate for elementary school students, the three 33-minute VHS formatted volumes include
"Characteristics of Organisms", "Life Cycles of Organisms", and Organisms & Environments. The
ecosystems presented and examined include deserts, grasslands, coniferous forests, deciduous
forests, rainforests, oceans, rivers & streams, lakes & ponds. A Teacher's Guide accompanies
each
individual title providing additional information that includes vocabulary words, discussion
questions
and activities appropriate for generating student assignments and class projects.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
The Secret In The Attic
R. Frie & K. Zahradnik
Zahrob Publishing Company
PO Box 5825, Rochester, MN 55903-5825
0975364103 $9.95
The Secret In The Attic is a deftly written fantasy novel recommended for preteens and young
adults, about a girl who inherits a secret gift from her grandmother, opening the doorway to
adventures. In the course of her journey she experiences personal growth and discovery, braves
challenges of mettle and spirit, finds courage and learns the hard meaning of remorse. A brief yet
original and captivating story.
Gabriel's Journey
Thomas J. Prestopnik
1st Books Library
1663 South Liberty Drive, #2, Bloomington, IN 47403-5161
www.1stbooks.com
1410735885 $13.50 1-888-280-7715
Gabriel's Journey is a young adult fantasy novel in the timeless spirit of classics such as
"Watership
Down." A mouse named Gabriel and his companions have lived a carefree life for a long time, yet
sudden disaster threatens them all as a summer storm frees six terrible, beastly enemies and forces
them on a life-or-death journey, fraught with betrayal from within as it is attacked from without.
A
captivating, original saga, appealing to readers of all ages, and highly recommended.
Return To Evergreen
Wendy Cincotta
Evergreen Books
PO Box 186, Mohegan Lake, NY 10547
0972301011 $9.95 evergreen-books.com
Return To Evergreen is a fantasy novel meant for young adults but appealing to readers and
fantasy
fans of all ages, following the adventures of a young boy, his close friend, and the bond he shares
with a tree come to life. Second in a four-part series, Return To Evergreen is a tale of courage, a
quest to restore goodness and free kidnapped elves in the Land of Silence, and of the mysterious
Nadia, who begins searching for her own heart and memory yet finds her purpose in rescuing the
hearts of others. An emotionally moving, uplifting, and wholsome fable. Also highly
recommended is
the first novel in the Evergreen series, Adventures In Evergreen.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
Why Me? Why Did I Have To Get Diabetes?
Robert Messinger & Laura Messinger
Little Mai Press
102 River Dr., Lake Hiawatha, NJ 07034
http://members.aol.com/lmaipress
1893237028 $12.95
Why Me? Why Did I Have To Get Diabetes? is a storybook intended for young people age 3-11,
about a nine-year-old girl diagnosed with diabetes. She must learn to restrict her diet, prick her
finger daily, and get insulin shots. Though she holds to the regimen like a trooper, she sometimes
asks herself "Why Me?" The narrative deals with guilt and conflicting emotions concerning the all
too common condition of childhood diabetes; gentle, somewhat blurry color illustrations add a
visual
touch to the girl's personal journey. The importance of taking joy in one's life, and being as happy
and productive as one can be, is stressed in this highly recommended story ideal for reading
aloud.
The Girls' Guide To AD/HD
Beth Walker
Woodbine House
6510 Belles Mill Rd, Bethesda MD 20817
www.woodbinehouse.com
1890627569 $17.95 1-800-843-7323
Written with humor and encouragement, The Girls' Guide To AD/HD is a compendium of
explanatory facts and practical advice on how to life a full and successful life while dealing with
peers, teachers, friends and family despite AD/HD. Three girls (Maddy, Helen, and Bo) each have
unique personalities and combinations of AD/HD traits enabling the reader to learn all about what
AD/HD is like for girls; how the AD/HD brain functions; how adolescence impacts AD/HD
symptoms; how counseling, coaching, and medications can help; how to deal with emotions that
range from anxiety and anger, to forgetfulness and depression; the advantages that having AD/HD
can have; how to cope with school and homework; and how to get along with others. To put it
simply, The Girls' Guide To AD/HD is "must" reading for girls having to cope with this
increasingly
widespread condition and should be available in every school and community library.
Sammy's Day At The Fair
Jerome Tiller & Paul Tiller
Beaver's Pond Press
7104 Ohm's Lane, Suite 216, Edina, MN 55439-2129
www.BeaversPondPress.com
1592980465 $15.95 1-800-901-3480
Jerome Tiller's Sammy's Day At The Fair: The Digestive System is a children's picturebook with
simplified color illustrations akin to what a child can draw, but also offering straightforward
information on the digestive system at an intermediatae level. Following one boy's adventures at a
fair, it explains why cramming so much unhealthy food into one's digestive system one day can
make
one feel so bad another day, following the natural course of digestion and the organs involved
including stomach, intestines, liver, and more. Deftly illustrated by Paul Tiller, Sammy's Day At
The
Fair is as instructional and educational as it is enjoyable and reader engaging.
The Palette of Breath
Lauren Robins
Safe Goods
561 Shunpike Rd., Sheffield, MA 01257
1884820778 $7.95 safegoodspub.com
The Palette Of Breath is a very simple guide to "easy belly breathing", written especially for
children,
parents, and teachers. Promoting reduced stress and improved health through a very simple
breathing technique, The Palette Of Breath combines friendly line-drawings with information as to
why good breathing promotes good health. Every other page features a quote from an immense
range of sources concerning the importance and value of good breathing habits. An excellent
book
to share with young people in order to teach the advantages of breathing awareness and instill
positive lifelong behaviors.
Limericks From The Heart (And Lungs!)
Lanny Poffo
White-Boucke Publishing
1205 Hawk Ridge Road, Lafayette, CO 80026
1888580291 $14.00 white-boucke.com
Limericks From The Heart (And Lungs!) offers 335 original limericks for children, though they
are
fun to read aloud for all ages. The verses share a common theme of anti-smoking, and are
arranged
in order of age. Black-and-white illustrations add a whimsical touch to this witty collection. A
glossary helps younger people better understand unfamiliar words, and a name-and-place index
allows for quick and easy searches for specific limericks. An excellent resource for impressing the
perils of smoking on young people, Limericks From The Heart (And Lungs!) is a simple but
fun-filled collection suitable for quoting, reading aloud, adding filler to youth newspapers and
publications, or just plain fun. "A drinker who drank when she smoked, / With a carefree
demeanor
she joked. / But she lost her poise / When she made a frog noise - / Yes, she smoked and she
smoked till she croaked."
The Biography Shelf
Shirley Temple
John Bankston
Mitchell Lane
34 Decidedly Lane, Bear, DE 19701
1584151722 $16.95 mitchelllane.com
John Bankston's Shirley Temple appeared some time ago but deserves ongoing mention as a rare
biography of the child actress geared to grades 3-4. Plenty of books on Shirley reach adult
audiences: this 32-page title is a delight for kids who want to read about a notable successful child
star. There could be more illustrations, but the value here is the information which is suitable for a
report.
World Almanac Library
330 W. Olive St. #100, Milwaukee, WI 53132
www.worldalmanaclibrary.com
World Almanac's books are geared to be lasting references: each set of titles provides strong
biographical coverages appropriate for reports at different age levels. The Presidents and First
Ladies' series ($22.50 each) provides a fine set of 48-page biographical sketches for grades 3-5:
each
covers biographical and political topics on the selected president and first lady. New additions
include Ronald & Nancy Reagan (0836856961), George & Martha Washington (083685967X),
George W. & Laura Bush (0836856937), Abraham & Mary Todd Lincoln (0836856953), and
John
& Jacqueline Kennedy (0836856945). The beauty of each: they pack in black and white and
color
photos and illustrations, provide index, glossary, and bibliography, and present well-rounded
portraits of both individuals. The same age group will also benefit from the Lives of the Artists'
series ($22.50 each): even more color is packed into these pages as they outline both the artistic
works and the lives of each selected painter - and again, 48 pages includes a handy index,
glossary,
bibliography and plenty of detail on both the artist and his works. New additions include
Rembrandt
(0836856511), Claude Monet (0836856503), Marc Chagall (083685649X), Botticelli
(0836556481). Biography readers will also appreciate the Trailblazers of the Modern World'
series
($22.50 each): each book selects a notable political or scientific leader to profile, and each
includes
plenty of cultural background and social history to place the figure in historical context. Thomas
Edison (0836854969), Aung San Suu Kyi (0836-854942), Roberto Clemente (0836854-950), Yo
Yo Ma (0836854977), J. K. Rowling (0836854993) and Colin Powell (0836854985) each
provide
excellent biographies: the inclusion of contemporary figures and artists and musicians expands
greatly the possibilities for capturing student interest through key figures more likely to prove
lasting
notables over time.
The Boy Who Drew Birds
Jacqueline Davies
Houghton Mifflin
222 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116
0618243437 $15.00 www.hmco.com
John James Audubon loved nature and the outdoors as a child, and was determined to study birds
in
the wild rather than from books even as early as 1804. Jacqueline Davies' lively story of his youth
and pioneering attitude will reach grades 3-6 with an excellent survey of his pioneering
observational
techniques. Drawings by Melissa Sweet provide lovely accompaniment to the story of the
naturalist's early years.
Morgan Reynolds Publishing
620 S. Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 27406
1-800-535-1504 morganreynolds.com
"Renaissance Scientists" is a series of informative books showcasing six of the most influential of
the
renaissance era pioneers of science. Consisting of six individual, 144-page titles ($23.95 each), the
illustrious scientists featured includes Tycho Brahe: Mapping The Heavens (1883846978);
Nicholas
Copernicus And The Founding Of Modern Astronomy (1883846994); Johannes Kepler:
Discovering
The Laws Of Celestial Motion (1883846986); Galileo Galilei And The Science Of Motion
(1931798001); Isaac Newton: Organizing The Universe (1931-79801X); Louis Pasteur And The
Founding Of Microbiology (1931798133). Written specifically for young readers ages 10 and up,
these books feature an easy to read text richly illustrated with period photographs, maps,
paintings,
and portraits. Enhanced with suggestions for further reading, source material citations, and
age-appropriate websites, "Renaissance Scientists" is especially commended for school &
community libraries.
Weekly Reader
330 West Olive Street, #100, Milwaukee, WI 53212
$14.50 www.earlyliteracy.com
Kids in grades 2-3 will find Jonathan A. Brown's People to Know' titles to be ideal 24-page
biographical introductions and the perfect place to start for reports: each book includes plenty of
vintage black and white photos, enough detail for a simple report, and a glossary, index and
bibliography. New additions to this outstanding and highly recommended series for young readers
include The Wright Brothers (0836843142), Bill Gates (0836843-10X), Jackie Robinson
(0836843118), Oprah Winfrey (0836843126), and Anne Frank (0836843096).
Books in Series
Blackbirch Press
27500 Drake Rd.
Farmington Hills, MI 48331-3535
www.gale.com www.amazon.com
Six new additions to the Blackbrich Press America's Leaders' series deftly written by Scott
Ingram
for grades 2-3 provide fine introductions to different key positions in the U.S. government. Each
holds 32 pages of facts, an index, glossary and small bibliography, and plenty of background
history
about the key position covered. New additions include Postmaster General (1410300897),
Secretary
Of The Treasury (1567112838), FBI Director (1410300900), National Security Adviser
(156711962X), Secretary Of Labor (156-7119611) and Secretary Of Commerce (1410300919):
each provides an in-depth examination of a high-profile job often in the news. Many an adult will
want to consult these for refresher purposes.
Clara House Books/The Oliver Press
5707 W. 36th St., Minneapolis, MN 55416
1-800-865-4837 www.oliverpress.com
Clara House Books has launched a new series of "How It Happens" books specifically written to
introduce young readers grades 1 through 4 to a behind the scenes look at how factories and
plants
operate. How It Happens At The ATV Plant (188-1508943, $19.95) shows how workers at the
Polaris factory in Roseau, Minnesota (just south of the Canadian border) build rugged all-terrain
four-wheel vehicles. How It Happens At The Building Site (1881508951, $19.95) shows how a
large, two-story house is build from the laying of the foundation, to framing the walls and roof, to
the finished structure. Along the way young readers will learn about huge earth-moving
equipment,
plumbing, writing, painting, and carpentry as they are employed in building a house from the
ground
up. How It Happens At The Cereal Company (188150896X, $19.95) reveals how raw materials
are
turned into delicious foods. Readers will learn how basic grains are cooked and then mixed with
colorful dyes and treats like marshmallows and raisins to finished food products reading for
packaging and shipping to supermarket shelves. How It Happens At The Fireworks Factory
(1881508978, $19.95) reveals the secrets of the pyrotechnic industry from carefully crafting
handmade shells, to the computerized choreography that determines the firing sequences and
music
accompaniment at elaborate Fourth of July shows. Enthusiastically recommended for school and
community library collections, each title includes highlighted glossary words and detailed
photographers to enhance an informed and informative, "reader friendly" text.
Capstone Press
PO Box 669, Mankato, MN 56002-0669
1-800-747-4992 www.capstonepress.com
"Energy At Work" (0736825576, $135.60) is a new and rather impressive science series from
Capstone Press that showcases the six primary sources of power upon which we all rely. The 32
page, profusely illustrated titles comprising this outstanding series include: Fossil Fuel Power;
Geothermal Power; Hydroelectric Power; Nuclear Power; Solar Power; and Wind Power.
Enhanced
with a Table of Contents; Glossary; Bibliography; and Index; each of these informed and
informative
volumes designed for young readers grades 2 to 5 also feature activities, a "Fact Box", a "Fast
Facts" section; as well as diagrams showing energy conservation. Ideal for home schooling and
traditional classroom curriculum supplemental readings, each book in the "Energy At Work"
series
can be acquired individually ($22.60) but school libraries and community library children's science
collections should acquire the entire set for their young patrons.
Rourke Publishing LLC
PO Box 3328, Vero Beach, FL 32964
1589526570 rourkepublishing.com
The new "Discover the Life of an American Legend" series from Rourke Publishing presents a
social
studies series designed specifically for elementary school curriculums on American history.
Written
for students in grades 1-4, this six volume series features a thoroughly "reader friendly" text
enhanced with full-color photography and illustrations. Each one of the titles introduces the life
story of an American who made a significant contribution to our country's history. Included are
Matthew Henson (an African American explorer who reached the North Pole in 1909 and then
wrote a book about it); Coretta Scott King (the wife of Martin Luther King, Jr. who despite her
husband's assassination continued to fight hard for civil rights); Betsy Ross (the colonial
seamstress
who created the first official American flag at the request of George Washington); Mark Twain (a
popular American public speaker and author of the 19th century); George Washington (the
American Revolution's Commander in Chief of the American Continental Army and the first
president of the United States); Laura Ingalls Wilder (a brave pioneer girl who grew up to author
the
"Little House" books showing what pioneer life was like to subsequent generations of young
readers). "Discover the Life of an American Legend" is a series enthusiastically recommended
titles
which are simply packed from cover to cover with names, dates, places, and with the addition of
biographical timelines, bibliographies for for further study, website resources, glossaries, and
indexes, is an ideal resource for school reports and a welcome addition to community library
American History and American Biography collections.
Lerner Publications
241 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1607
1-800-328-4929 www.lernerbooks.com
Five new titles in Lerner's How Government Works' series provide important key focus on issues
of politics for kids in grades 3-5, outlining the basics of how different American government
branches work. Sandy Donovan's Running For Office (0822547007) outlines what it takes to run
for office, from starting a campaign and winning endorsements to winning elections and meeting
voters; her Making Laws (0822513463) covers how bills are created, amended and passed; How
Congress Works by Ruth Tenzer Feldman (0822513471) examines how the senate and house
work
together; Kathiann M. Kowalski's A Balancing Act (0822513-501) examines checks and balances
in
theexecutive, legislative and judicial branches of the government, and her Order In The Court
(0822546981) narrows the focus to different court and jury trial systems in this country. All of
these
"How Government Works" titles are key introductions not only for this age group, but for ESL
and
adults seeking very basic political insights on how the system works.
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com
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