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Children's Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
Write to Me
Cynthia Grady, author
Amiko Hirao, illustrator
Charlesbridge Publishing
85 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472
www.charlesbridge.com
9781580896887, $16.99, 32pp, www.amazon.com
When Executive Order 9066 is enacted after the attack at Pearl Harbor, children's librarian Clara
Breed's young Japanese American patrons are to be sent to prison camp. Before they are moved,
Breed asks the children to write her letters and gives them books to take with them. Through the
three years of their internment, the children correspond with Miss Breed, sharing their stories,
providing feedback on books, and creating a record of their experiences. Using excerpts from
children's letters held at the Japanese American National Museum, author Cynthia Grady,
supported with the artistry of illustrator Amiko Hirao, presents a difficult subject with honesty
and hope. A unique and extraordinary picture book for children ages 4 to 8, "Write to Me" is
unreservedly recommended for family, preschool, elementary school, and community library
collections.
Police in Our School
Deputy Becky Coyle, author
Juanbjuan Oliver, illustrator
Flowerpot Press
142 2nd Ave. North, Franklin, TN 37064
www.FlowerpotPress.com
9781486709403, $12.99, HC, 32pp, www.amazon.com
A School Resource Officer has a diverse role in the school community and has many duties and
responsibilities. "Police In Our School" teaches kids about the important role their school
resource officers play to protect them and their school. Author Becky Coyle learned firsthand
how children can misunderstand officer's roles in schools through her own work as an elementary
school resource officer. That is what inspired her to create an informative and entertaining series
of picture books to explain school safety concepts to young children in a fun and engaging way.
Of special note, "Police in Our School" also has a section of extension activities and questions
for further discussion. While very highly recommended, especially for elementary school and
community libraries, it should be noted that "Police in Our School" is also available in a
paperback edition (9781486712564, $6.99).
Lily And Andrew Are Moving
Julie Etter, author
Dale Stephenson, contributor
Tim Etter, illustrator
JT Publications LLC
www.treehousebuddies.com
9780975515341, $14.95, HC, 48pp, www.amazon.com
Lily and Andrew Are Moving is a genuine and heartfelt story of a family moving from one home
to another and how parents can help their children emotionally prepare and adjust to a new home.
Beautifully illustrated by Tim Etter and complete with children's stickers, Julie Etter's "Lily And
Andrew Are Moving" also contains examples of how to make a move from one home to another
as stress-free as possible. Especially and unreservedly recommended for family and community
library picture book collections, it is of special note is that "Lily And Andrew Are Moving" can
also be customized for real estate professionals to use with their clients who have young
children.
Don't Read This Book Before Bed: Thrills, Chills, and Hauntingly True Stories
Anna Claybourne, author
National Geographic Kids
c/o National Geographic Partners
1145 17th Street, N. W., Washington, D. C. 20036
9781426328411 $14.99 www.kids.nationalgeographic.com 144 pages
"Don't Read This Book Before Bed" is a color photo illustrated collection of scary but true odd or
mystifying tales and facts. "Don't Read This Book Before Bed" Includes tales of historic ghosts,
'raining' frogs and fish, mysterious monarch butterfly migrations, vanishing lighthouse keepers,
jelly from space, zombie flesh-eaters, remembering past lives, Bigfoot, oubliettes (forgotten
dungeons in old castles), fish people, lake monsters (Nessie), spooky dolls, creepy catacombs,
and more. A helpful feature is a visual fright meter which is posted near the title of each feature,
showing a number ranking from 1-10 to help rate the degree of scariness or spookiness of that
subject. There is always a component on the second page which discusses possible rational
explanations for mystifying phenomena. Midway through the book (p. 66-67) is a wonderful
frightful flowchart quiz titled Are you Afraid of the Dark? Depending on the reader's answers to
different questions, they can be led to different conclusions about their deepest fears, such as
"You have claustrophobia." "Don't Read This Book Before Bed" is an educational but somewhat
scary book that has appeal for readers age 12 and up.
Ernst Chaldni's Sound Experiments CLANG
Darcy Pattison, author
Peter Willis, illustrator
Mims House
https://mimshouse.com
9781629440941 $10.99 pbk / $23.99 hc
"CLANG" is the story of Ernst Chaldni, the father of acoustics, and his translation of his book,
"Treatment of Acoustics" from German into French, with the help of Napoleon Bonaparte, and
some kind French scientists. Chaldni was the first scientist to discover and describe the patterns
called sound waves which are characteristics of how sound travels. "CLANG" is both witty,
factual, and charmingly illustrated with humorous colored illustrations. A number of funny
incidents in the career of Chaldni are interwoven into the story of acoustics' properties as
discovered and described by Chaldni. Begun in 1809, Chaldni's great "Treatment of Acoustics" is
a miraculous true story that involves international cooperation of scientists and diplomats to
investigate the truth about sound.
The Holiday Shelf
Lucy's First Christmas
Rolynda Tassan
http://rhtassan.com
RiverRidge Publishing
9780998331843, $8.99 http://a.co/dM72ob7
Lucy's First Christmas continues the stories of Lucy the adopted cat and centers around Lucy's
first Christmas celebration in her new home. As Lucy observes various family members making
special preparations, from baking holiday cookies to stringing lights on the tree and making
snowmen outside, she decides to join in and help; but her efforts only land her in trouble. Lucy's
First Christmas provides elementary-level picture book readers with the realistic, warm story of
an adopted kitty's first holiday with family, adopting a cat's-eye perspective on preparations for
festivities. As with the other books in the Lucy series, Lucy's First Christmas excels in this point
of view, neatly juxtaposing a busy family's efforts with the puzzlement of a young cat who only
wants to help and participate in the fun. Lucy's First Christmas is as warm, simple and
welcoming as the other books in the series and continues to explore how Lucy integrates with her
new animal and human family's routines and rituals. Picture book readers with good reading
skills who are just moving into chapter books will relish the easy access and family-oriented
message of this new pet's continuing lessons.
Valensteins
Ethan Long
Bloomsbury Children's Books
175 Fifth Avenue, 8th floor, New York, NY 10010-7728
www.bloomsburyusa.com
9781619634336, $16.99, HC, 32pp, www.amazon.com
Something strange is in the air on this dark, cold night. The members of Fright Club are always
ready to scare, but tonight Fran K. Stein has something else on his mind. He's busy making
something, and the other monsters want to know what it is. Could it be a mask with fangs? A big
pink nose? Or maybe a paper butt? No . . . it's a Valentine! That means one thing . . . EEEEK!! Is
Fran in love? What could be scarier than falling in love?!? "Valensteins" is an hilariously spooky
picture book story by author and illustrator Ethan Long and reveals to children ages 3 to 6 that
even the scariest of monsters have true feelings! Unique, unfailingly entertaining, and thoroughly
'kid friendly', "Valensteins" is an especially recommended addition to family, daycare center,
preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections. It should be noted
for parents that "Valensteins" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.41).
Mila Denton is an April Fool!
Sandra Byrd Lawson, author
David Barrow, illustrator
Doodle and Peck Publishing
PO Box 852105, Yukon, OK 73085
9780999249710, $14.99, 74pp, www.amazon.com
April 1 starts off with a bang when Mila's mom and dad play pranks on her. Determined to be the
giver of pranks and not the receiver, Mila tries to dream up a way to be the best "prankster" ever.
But her friends seem to be way ahead of her. Mila's day gets worse and worse, prank after prank.
Will Mila be able to play a successful prank on her friends? Or is she destined to always be the
April Fool for her family, friends, and classmates? Deftly written by Sandy Byrd Lawson and
nicely illustrated by David Barrow, "Mila Denton is an April Fool!" is an ideal and entertaining
story for children ages 5 to 9. While especially recommended for family, elementary school, and
community library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Mila Denton is
an April Fool!" is also available in a paperback edition (9780999249703, $9.99).
The Science Shelf
A Black Hole Is NOT a Hole
Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano, author
Michael Carroll, illustrator
Charlesbridge
85 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472
9781570917844 $9.99 www.charlesbridge.com 74 pages
Full of surprises, amusing, explanatory text, fun illustrations and dramatic space/star
photography, "A Black Hole is NOT a Black Hole" is exciting space/time education at its very
best. Written to appeal to students ages 9-12, "A Black Hole is NOT a Black Hole" does a
fantastic job of describing and explaining what, exactly, a black hole is, if it is not a hole. An
exciting example of creative documentation of distance estimates is on pages 6-7, which shows a
simulation of our solar system with estimated measurements to indicate how far away the nearest
black hole is from Earth (tens of quadrillions of miles or kilometers). Two more interesting facts
are the distance across our Milky Way galaxy (hundreds of quadrillions of miles or kilometers),
and the distance across the observable universe (which may be much smaller than the whole
universe), or sextillions of miles or kilometers. A column of figures show representation for the
numbers hundred through nonillion, with ever increasing triple zeros. Eight exciting, informative
chapters explain related topics such as the Pulling Power of a Black Hole, Black-Hole
Beginnings, the Blackness of Black Holes, Seeking the Invisible, Supersized Surprises, Close
Encounters of the Imaginary Kind, and Turning the Universe Upside Down. Fascinating
explanations of the existence of black holes can be traced through Newtonian and Einsteinian
theories of gravity, enlivened by an imagining by Karl Schwarzschild that if a place in space were
extremely distorted, light would follow the hyper bent space, never to emerge. This was the
beginnings of predictions of the existence of black holes, to be proven by findings later. "A Black
Hole is NOT a Black Hole' is completed by a wonderful timeline (1687 to 5477, the time when a
flashlight beam from the present arrives at V616 Monocerotis and crosses the event horizon), a
miniature photo -enhanced glossary, and an author's note. Even the back cover of the book
contains seven of the most intriguing questions about black holes, a sure invitation to one and all
to invest the time to read this fascinating study of same.
The American History Shelf
The Illinois Chronicles
Mark Skipworth, author
Christopher Lloyd, creator
What on Earth Publishing
www.whatonearthbooks.com
9780995577015, $14.95, HC, 32pp, www.amazon.com
Beautifully-illustrated and hugely engaging, "The Illinois Chronicles" is a 4.5-foot long timeline
that features more than 100 stunning images and illuminating captions that take readers young
and old on the Prairie State's 200 year remarkable history. "The Illinois Chronicles" also includes
more than 40 newspaper articles, written as if they happened yesterday, which capture key
moments in Illinois history in a newsy and entertaining way. It all adds up to an exciting story of
people and events whose unique legacy can still be felt today in the 21st State of the Union.
Uniquely informative and thoroughly 'kid friendly' in organization and presentation, "The Illinois
Chronicles" is ideal for ages 6 to 14 and unreservedly recommended for family, elementary
school, and community library American History collections in general, and Illinois State History
supplemental studies lists in particular.
The Social Issues Shelf
I See You
Michael Genhart, author
Joanne Lew-Vriethoff, illustrator
Magination Press
c/o American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242
www.maginationpress.com
9781433827587, $15.95, HC, 40pp, www.amazon.com
"I See You" is a wordless picture book that depicts a homeless woman who is not seen by
everyone around her -- except for a little boy. Over the course of a year, the boy is witness to all
that she endures. Ultimately, in a gesture of compassion, the boy acknowledges her in an
exchange in which he sees her and she experiences being seen. "I See You" opens the door for
children ages 4 to 8 and their parents to begin a conversation about homelessness. In a "Note for
Parents, Educators, and Neighbors," there are discussion questions and additional resources about
helping the homeless. Exceptional, unique, thoughtful, thought-provoking, and providing a
thoroughly entertaining story with an underlying and positive message, "I See You" is especially
and unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and
community library social issue themed picture book collections.
The Picturebook Shelf
We All Live on This Planet Together
June Rousso, Ph.D., author
Paige Maska, illustrator
Indigo River Publishing
9780999021033 $9.99 www.indigoriverpublishing.com
"We all Live on This Planet" is a gentle poem song of inspiration to help children overcome dark
fears and doubts. Using impressionistic art to represent the child and amorphous, overwhelming
fears, countered by a gentler vision in pastel colors of memories of good feelings and things, the
expressive words lead the reader to identify strengths and links to good things, such as "gulls
streaming across the sky... sand tickling your toes. The smell of your favorite food under your
nose." The story moves gradually towards a positive, empowering vision of joyous thoughts,
feelings, and experiences: "The world is filled with such delight. It is only through our fear that
we begin to lose sight. So each time a fear comes over you, let it be. Imagine something good in
your mind and your fear will soon drift away, you will see."
Not Friends
Rebecca Bender
Pajama Press
9781772780260, $17.95 www.pajamapress.com
Not Friends tells of Giraffe and Bird, who are not friends - not even a little bit. They pester and
annoy each other both by how they act and look and through purposeful teasing, and so they are
always fighting. They are definitely not friends. In fact, each would be better off without the
other in his life - or perhaps not. A fun story of a tumultuous and questionable friendship
emerges, offering a refreshing and satisfying alternative to the usual child's easy story of
uncomplicated relationships.
Little Tails in the Savannah
Frederico Bertolucci
Lionforge
c/o Magnetic Press
http://www.magnetic-press.com
9781942367383, $14.99
Little Tails in the Savannah follows a daring puppy and an curious squirrel as they decide to
explore a new environment field with animals, and embark on a journey to an African savannah.
Bright color drawings of various savannah animals are juxtaposed with cartoon inserts of puppy
and squirrel for a fun adventure story.
Soda Pop
Barbro Lindgren, author
Lisen Adbage, illustrator
Gecko Press
9781776570102, $16.99 www.geckopress.com
Soda Pop is illustrated by Lisen Adbage and provides a Swedish classic story for young readers
as it provides an inviting fantasy story that begins with a swam of tigers and follows the
adventures of a chubby boy named Mazarin and his fat, lazy father named Soda Pop. Advanced
elementary to middle school grades - and many an adult - will relish this whimsical series of
adventures that delve into animals and trouble, employing a zany perspective that makes the story
line unpredictable and the tale hard to put down.
The Only Lonely Panda
Jonny Lambert
Tiger Tales
9781680100655, $16.99 www.tigertalesbooks.com
The Only Lonely Panda tells of a lonely panda who wants to make friends, but doesn't know how
to do it. Flamingos make friends by dancing - should he dance? Lemurs leap together - should he
leap? How can he cultivate the kinds of skills that lead to friendship? A warm story of a clever
panda's observations of friendship processes in other animals invites kids to think about their
own friendships and efforts.
Ana and the Sea Star
R. Lynne Roelfs
Tilbury House
9780884485223, $17.95 www.tilburyhouse.com
Ana and the Sea Star is illustrated by Jamie Hogan and tells of Ana, who finds a starfish on the
beach and faces the problem of whether to keep it for herself or return it to the sea so it can live.
How can she achieve both these goals? A creative father and a daughter enjoy nature and each
other as the ponder the possibilities and the consequences of her decisions.
William's Winter Nap
Linda Ashman, author
Chuck Groenink, illustrator
Disney Hyperion
9781484722824, $17.99 www.disneybooks.com
William's Winter Nap receives lovely drawings by Chuck Groenink as it tells of William, who
settles down to sleep in his warm bed on a cold night. Something tapping at his window wakes
him up - and as a host of sleepy visitors ask to join him, William faces a dilemma. A fun story
evolves around a coveted bed and winter warmth, perfect for read-aloud bedtime enjoyment.
My Tail's Not Tired!
Jana Novotny Hunter, author
Paula Bowles, illustrator
Child's Play
9781846439865 $7.99 www.childs-play.com
My Tail's Not Tired! is illustrated by Paula Bowles, who provides fun and lively monster
drawings to accompany the story of Little Monster, who is not tired at all even after a busy day.
A clever Mama Monster must figure out how to get this little beast into bed in a whimsical story
that offers her creative solution to a hyperactive child who wants to do anything but sleep.
Dogs Don't
Mark Drenth, author
Sergio Vazquez, artist
Sunnyscene LLC
PO Box 7317, Reno, NV 89510
9781880760710, $16.99, 28pp, www.amazon.com
The collaborative work of author Mark Drenth and illustrator Sergio Vazquez, "Dogs Don't" is
the beautifully illustrated and adorably rhyming story about all the things dogs don't do, and
finishes with the most important thing dogs do. An original, superbly crafted, and marvelously
entertaining picture book for children ages 5 to 8, "Dogs Don't" is very highly recommended and
will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to family, elementary school, and community
library collections.
The Prince of the Prairie
Betty Selakovich Casey
http://www.bettyselakovichcasey.com
The Roadrunner Press
http://www.theroadrunnerpress.com
9781937054724, $20.00, HC, 44pp, www.amazon.com
The Great Plains of North America runs from the southern provinces of Canada to northern
Mexico. Here the buffalo has long been known as the Prince of the Prairie. But this is a story
about a little buffalo who does not know he is a prince and, to make matters worse, is about to
lose his home to progress. As people and houses encroach on his home until there is no room for
him, Little Buffalo learns one of his best friends has decided to depart for a place where the
buffalo still roam and the prairie still stretches as far as the eye can see. Little Buffalo longs to go
along, but a fence stands firmly in his way. A great escape is orchestrated, and in the process,
Little Buffalo discovers the power of friendship. An absolutely charming and impressively
entertaining picture book story deftly written and lovingly illustrated by Betty Selakovich Casey
for children ages 5 to 8, "The Prince of the Prairie" is unreservedly recommended for family,
elementary school, and community library collections.
My Family Four Floors Up
Caroline Stutson, author
Celia Krampien, illustrator
Sleeping Bear Press
315 East Eisenhower Parkway, Suite 200, Ann Arbor, MI 48108
www.sleepingbearpress.com
9781585369911, $16.99, HC, 32pp, www.amazon.com
The collaborative project of author Caroline Stutson and illustrator Celia Krampien, "My Family
Four Floors Up" is the friendly, rhyming story follows of a child and her father (as well as their
cute pets, a puppy and a cat) through the day. From morning ritual to bedtime story (and all the
fun in between!), life in the fourth floor walk up and on the city streets and parks below is sweet
and filled with tender moments between parent and child. An utterly charming and wonderfully
entertaining picture book story for children ages 5 to 7, "My Family Four Floors Up" is
enthusiastically and unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school, and community
library collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "My Family Four Floors Up"
is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.14).
My Little Small
Ulf Stark, author
Linda Bondestam, illustrator
Annie Prime, translator
Enchanted Lion Books
67 West Street, Studio 317A, Brooklyn, New York, NY 11222
9781592702091, $15.95, HC, 52pp, www.amazon.com
"My Little Small" is the story of a creature who tries every night to reach the moon, dreaming of
friendship. But one morning, a sun spark comes flying into her cave! What wondrous things she
has to say about the vibrancy of life under the sun. Their time together is limited, but the Spark is
curious and the Creature realizes she has some stories of her own to share. A unique and
charming picture book story for children ages 4 to 8, "My Little Small" is the collaborative work
of the late Ulf Stark (who was a much-loved, award-winning Swedish poet, screenwriter, and the
author of some 100 books for children and young adults), and Helsinki illustrator Linda
Bondestam, and is deftly translated into English for an American readership by Annie Prime.
Simply stated, "My Little Small" is wholeheartedly and unreservedly recommended for family,
daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for
children.
Luna Loves Library Day
Joseph Coelho, author
Fiona Lumbers, illustrator
Kane/Miller Book Publishers
4901 Morena Blvd, Suite 213, San Diego, CA 92117
https://new.myubam.com/p/6733/luna-loves-library-day
9781610676755, $12.99, HC, 32pp, www.kanemiller.com
Luna is a little girl who loves library day because that's the day she spends with her dad. Together
they explore the library's shelves and along the way find magic, mystery and even start to mend
their own history. "Luna Loves Library Day" is a charming and inspiring story from Joseph Coelho, who is one of the UK's greatest up-and-coming poets for children, captured in all its
flights of fancy in the colorful illustrations by newcomer children's book artist Fiona Lumbers. Of
special note is the 'book within a book' feature. "Luna Loves Library Day" is highly recommended for family, daycare
center, preschool, elementary school, and community library collections for children ages 3 to 5.
The Spirit Trackers
Jan Bourdeau Waboose, author
Francois Thisdale, illustrator
Fifth House Publishers
https://www.fifthhousepublishers.ca
c/o Fitzhenry & Whiteside (dist.)
www.fitzhenry.ca
9781927083116, $24.95, HC, 32pp, www.amazon.com
Cousins Will and Tom have always wanted to become Trackers just like their uncle. While
spending time with Uncle he shares the story of the Windigo with the boys. A story that seems to
be coming true when Will and Tom hear strange noises outside of their bedroom window. And
then they find the huge tracks in the snow. It has to be the Windigo - the Wandering Night Spirit
of Winter! And the boys know what good trackers would do so they follow the trail deep into the
dark forest to uncover the mystery. Young readers ages 6 to 9 will be able to improve their
tracking skills as they find clues hidden in the illustrations along with Will and Tom. Beautifully
illustrated throughout with the remarkable artwork of Francois Thisdale, this original and
thoroughly entertaining picture book by Jan Bourdeau Waboose is especially recommended for
family, elementary school, and community library collections.
Oy, Elephants!
Deborah Stevenson, author
Morgan Spicer, illustrator
Aperture
547 West 27th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10001
www.aperture.org
9780999515815, $22.95, HC, 38pp, www.amazon.com
There's big fun to be had at Delray Retirement Village! Joel is a bit uncertain when he travels to
visit his grandparents in Delray Beach, Florida. He is excited to see them, but afraid he might be
bored at their quiet retirement village. Imagine his surprise when he meets his grandparents' new
neighbors -- a pair of retired circus elephants who just moved in. They require lots of sunscreen,
they're too big for the furniture, and they turn the community pool into a water park! It looks like
Joel might end up having an adventure, after all! A delightfully original and wonderfully
entertaining picture book for children ages 5 to 12, "Oy, Elephants!" will prove to be an
enduringly popular addition to family, elementary school, and community library collections. It
should be noted for personal reading lists that "Oy, Elephants!" is also available in a paperback
edition (9780999515822, $14.95).
Goodnight, Mr. Clutterbuck
Mauri Kunnas, author/artist
Jill G. Timbers, translator
Elsewhere Editions
https://elsewhereeditions.org
9780914671763, $18.00, HC, 36pp, www.amazon.com
Mr. Clutterbuck is blissfully unaware of his reputation as the busiest and loudest sleepwalker in
town. Meek and mild-mannered when awake, at night Mr. Clutterbuck seeks thrills and
adventures. Often the accidental instigator of chaos, Mr. Clutterbuck soon becomes the lead
singer of a rock band, an entrepreneur, a disco king, and, eventually, the hero of his town.
Goodnight, Mr. Clutterbuck is sure to captivate readers of all ages as we wonder what kind of
situation Mr. Clutterbuck will find himself in next. With a lively tapestry of characters, including
a motorcycle gang of cats and crocodiles, a hippo in charge of a sausage factory, and an
ill-tempered bull at a theme park, Mauri Kunnas playfully shows what can happen when you step
outside your comfort zone. Ably translated from Finnish into English by Jill G. Timbers,
"Goodnight, Mr. Clutterbuck" is an original, charming, and thoroughly entertaining picture book
for children ages 4 to 8 by children's author and illustrator Mauri Kunnas. While unreservedly
recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library
picture book collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Goodnight, Mr.
Clutterbuck" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
The Adventures of Callie the Curious Cat
Cindy A. Solomita, author
Rick Sanders, illustrator
Thewordverve Inc
www.thewordverve.com
9780999247945, $19.99, HC, 56pp, www.amazon.com
Callie may be cute, but she sure is a very curious cat! Curiosity can be a good thing -- an
opportunity to learn about and experience new things. Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?
Is it possible, though, to be TOO inquisitive sometimes? In "The Adventures of Callie the
Curious Cat" children ages 3 to 12 will see what happens when Callie's curious nature comes into
play during a family vacation to Florida. An original and thoroughly entertaining story by Cindy
A. Solomita that is visually supported by the illustrations of Rick Sanders, "The Adventures of
Callie the Curious Cat" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to family, daycare center,
preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections.
Ella Bella Ballerina and The Magic Toyshop
James Mayhew
Barron's
250 Wireless Boulevard, Hauppauge, NY 11788
www.barronseduc.com
9781438050058, $14.99, HC, 32pp, www.amazon.com
James Mayhew is an award-winning author and illustrator of many children's books, including
the popular Ella Bella Ballerina series. His special love for opera and ballet is reflected in many
of his stories and illustrations. Written and illustrated by Mayhew, in this picture book story for
children ages 4 to 8, Ella's ballet teacher, Miss Rosa, tells the story of La Boutique Fantasque.
The story takes place in a toyshop full of dancing dolls, she explains, as she shows them her own
collection of dancing dolls and her magical music box. When Ella stays late to help clean up, she
finds herself magically transported to a toyshop filled with magical dancing dolls! Ella is thrilled
to meet all of the dancing dolls, but she is especially taken with two can-can dancing dolls that
are in love. When two different families come to the shop and decide to each buy one of the
dolls, the pair are distraught. Now Ella wonders -- is there some way to keep them together
forever? This charming tale is beautifully illuminated by Mayhew's delightful illustrations. Of
special note is the page at the end of this outstanding picture book that explains the story behind
La Boutique Fantasque for young readers. A wonderfully imaginative and entertaining read from
first page to last, "Ella Bella Ballerina and The Magic Toyshop" is unreservedly recommended
for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book
collections.
Goldilocks and the Just Right Potty
Leigh Hodgkinson
Nosy Crow
c/o Candlewick Press
99 Dover Street, Somerville, MA 02144
www.candlewick.com
9780763697990, $16.99, HC, 32pp, www.amazon.com
Little Goldilocks wants to wear underwear -- big-girl underwear that's not too silly and not too
frilly, but just right. But that means she also needs to find the "just right" potty. Will she know
when she needs to go? And will she get to the potty in time? Find out in this lighthearted story by
children's author and illustrator Leigh Hodgkinson that will have parents and their little ones
feeling ready to tackle toilet training. An ideal and charmingly entertaining picture book for
children ages 2 to 5 by children's book author and illustrator Leigh Hodgkinson, "Goldilocks and
the Just Right Potty" is an endearing and unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center,
preschool, and community library collections.
Princess Truly in My Magical, Sparkling Curls
Kelly Greenawalt, author
Amariah Rauscher, illustrator
Orchard Books
c/o Scholastic, Inc.
557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012-3999
www.scholasticlibrary.com
9781338167191, $16.99, HC, 40pp, www.amazon.com
The sequel to "Princess Truly in I Am Truly" by the team of author Kelly Greenawalt and
illustrator Amariah Rauscher, Princess Truly is back in the second Princess Truly adventure,
"Princess Truly in My Magical, Sparkling Curls". It seems that Princess Truly's curls have the
power to transport her to exciting new places like the Egyptian pyramids, the Jurassic period, and
even into outer space. With curiosity, bravery, and her signature smarts, Princess Truly once
again proves that she can do anything she sets her mind to and reminds girls everywhere to reach
for the stars, believe in themselves, and dream big! A wonderfully entertaining picture book that
is unreservedly recommended for children ages 3 to 5, "Princess Truly in My Magical, Sparkling
Curls" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to family, daycare center, preschool,
elementary school, and community library collections. It should be noted for personal reading
lists that "Princess Truly in My Magical, Sparkling Curls" is also available in a paperback edition
(9781338268959, $10.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99).
The Teacher Who Would Not Retire Retires
Letty Sustrin, author
Thomas H. Bone III, illustrator
Blue Marlin Publications
www.bluemarlinpubs.com
9780988529571, $17.95, HC, 32pp, www.amazon.com
"The Teacher Who Would Not Retire Retires" is the sixth and final title of The Teacher Who
Would Not Retire picture book series by author Letty Sustrin and Illustrator Thomas Bone, Mrs.
Belle has decided to officially retire. The children and townspeople of Laurelville will truly miss
all the wonderful things she has done for them. As a retirement present, all her friends send Mrs.
Belle on a Cruise around the world. Kittybelle, Mr. Rivera, and Magic all go with her on this fun
trip. The Cruise Ship just happens to be named, The Dancing Lady, and it will stop at many
different country ports. Mrs. Belle has taken all her favorite pairs of Ballet Slippers with her as
she is going to dance around the world. Mrs. Belle will meet many of her former students in the
countries she visits, and she meets a special new friend to bring back with her to Laurelville.
Children will be delighted to read about the humorous escapades Mrs. Belle has in this finale to
the series. Their chant throughout the book says it all: There she is, our Mrs. Belle. As she retires,
we wish her well. The Dancing Lady is her ship. We all know she ll have a great trip!
Showcasing the original and impressively entertaining story telling talents of Letty Sustrain and
the colorful cartoon style artwork of Thomas Bone, "The Teacher Who Would Not Retire
Retires" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to family, elementary
school, and community library collections.
If I Ever Go to the Moon...
Donald W. Kruse, author
Christy M. Johnson, illustrator
www.christymjohnsonart.com
Zaccheus Entertainment
PO Box 23, Minong, WI 54859
9780998519142, $14.95, PB, 51pp, www.amazon.com
When a teacher asks her class to finish the following sentence: If I ever go to the moon ..., it sparks one little boy's imagination and propels him into a beautiful daydream. Suddenly he finds himself in a spacesuit and helmet, sitting at the controls of a spaceship, heading for the moon. As his ship zooms through space, he marvels at the stars and planets. Soon he's approaching the moon and it's time for a landing. After he lands his ship, he ventures outside of the craft and walks on the moon's surface. He can't believe his eyes as he takes in the moon's incredible landscape. And he can't help but notice the utter peace and quiet. But after a while, it dawns on him that it's a bit too peaceful --- too quiet. Soon he realizes the landscape isn't so great either --- nothing but rocks and dust. Before he knows it, he's ready to go back to earth where it's not nearly so lonely and desolate. He wakes from his daydream, still sitting at his desk in his classroom. The teacher is waiting for him to complete the sentence. But his reply shocks the teacher and the other classmates. And how he completes that sentence may shock the reader as well! Deftly written with a rhyming text by Donald W. Kruse, charmingly illustrated throughout by Christy M. Johnson, and featuring an informative introduction by Gavin MacLeod, "If I Ever Go to the Moon..." is a delightfully entertaining picture book story for children 4 to 10, that will enhance their appreciation for the beautiful planet upon which they live. "If I Ever Go to the Moon..." is a very special and unreservedly recommended addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections.
Enough is Enough!
Barney Saltzberg
Creston Books
PO Box 9369, Berkeley, CA 94709
https://www.crestonbooks.co
9781939547422, $16.99, HC, 32pp, www.amazon.com
Every brother and sister has "enough is enough" moments. In the picture book pages of "Enough
is Enough!", author and illustrator Barry Saltzberg, offers a creative solution for how to stop a
fight by exploring space, time, and the pleasures of a good story read together. Delightfully and
charmingly entertaining from beginning to end, "Enough is Enough!" is an ideal and
unreservedly recommended addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and
community library picture book collections for children ages 4 to 7.
I'm Going to Outer Space
Timothy Young
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
www.schifferbooks.com
9780764353857, $16.99, HC, 32pp, www.amazon.com
It's almost time for bed, but Luis is staring out the window at the starry sky. Any minute now,
he's expecting a space ship to pick him up and whisk him to outer space. While he waits, he
imagines the strange creatures he'll encounter. Will he find a robot friend? Will he get to fly
though space with a rocket-pack? Will he meet aliens? Children ages 5 to 8 will lose themselves
in outer space as they pore over picture book pages of "I'm Going to Outer Space" which are
filled with dozens and dozens of robots and aliens (some new and some that might be familiar).
Kids will gleefully join Luis to find out all the incredible things he expects to see and do on his
daring journey to a distant planet. Deftly written and charmingly illustrated by Timothy Young,
"I'm Going to Outer Space" is especially and unreservedly recommended for family, preschool,
elementary school, and community library picture book collections.
Song on the Wind
Caroline Everson, author
Anne Marie Bourgeois, illustrator
Fifth House Publishers
https://www.fifthhousepublishers.ca
c/o Fitzhenry & Whiteside (dist.)
www.fitzhenry.ca
9781927083307, $18.95, HC, 32pp, www.amazon.com
Deftly written with a poetic flair by Caroline Everson and charmingly illustrated throughout by
the artistry of Anne Marie Boureois, "Song on the Wind" is picture book story for children ages 3
to 7 that has a very special and universal appeal and spans time and distance with eloquent
simplicity. In fourteen gentle stanzas, sleepy-eyed children throughout history draw comfort from
bedtime tales and tender lullabies. Here, their innate curiosity about the world around them is
satisfied by timeless music that drifts through centuries on the wind. Loving parents sing of white
polar bears, northern lights, sea creatures, and woodland animals that dance under the stars and
visit each child on the edge of sleep. Evocative rhyming text and vivid images will call little ones
back time and again to hear the song that drifts into their own special dreams and links them to
past and future generations. Certain to be an enduringly favorite addition to family picture book
collections, "Song on the Wind" is also unreservedly recommended for daycare centers,
preschools, elementary schools, and community libraries.
Farmer Falgu Goes to the Market
Chitra Soundar, author
Kanika Nair, illustrator
Karadi Tales Picturebooks
9788181903129, $12.95, HC, 30pp, www.amazon.com
Farmer Falgu is on his way to the market with eggs, onions and tomatoes loaded on his cart.
During the rickety road ride, unexpected things happen. What does he encounter on the way? An
original, delightfully entertaining, and highly recommended picture book for children ages 5 to 7,
"Farmer Falgu Goes to the Market" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to family,
preschool, elementary school, and community library collections.
Iver and Ellsworth
Casey W. Robinson, author
Melissa Larson, illustrator
https://www.caseywrobinson.com
Ripple Grove Press
PO Box 86740, Portland, OR 97286
www.ripplegrovepress.com
9780999024911, $17.99, HC, 40pp, www.amazon.com
From a factory rooftop, Iver and his good friend Ellsworth (a rooftop bear) are content to watch
the busy world below. "Everyone's going somewhere," Iver says. "We can see the whole world
from up here. That's enough somewhere for me." But after Iver retires, the friends must venture
out in search of a new somewhere. Of course, the very best views are those you share with an old
pal. Imaginatively written by Casey W. Robinson and charmingly illustrated with the artistry of
Melissa Larson, "Iver and Ellsworth" is an original and unfailingly entertaining picture book that
will prove of very special interest for children ages 5 to 7, as well as an enduringly popular
addition to family, preschool, elementary school, and community library collections.
Rot, the Cutest in the World!
Ben Clanton
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
c/o Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 4th floor, New York, NY 10020
www.simonandschuster.com/kids
9781481467629, $17.99, HC, 40pp, www.amazon.com
Rot is a mutant potato. Like most mutant potatoes, Rot loves all sorts of games and contests. So
when he sees a sign for the "Cutest in the World Contest," he can't wait to enter. But when Rot
realizes who he's up against (an itty-bitty baby bunny, a little-wittle cuddly kitten, and an
eenie-weenie jolly jellyfish) he loses confidence. Will the judges find room in their hearts for an
adorable mutant potato? A unique, funny, and guaranteed kid pleaser of picture book, "Rot, the
Cutest in the World!" is written and illustrated by Ben Clanton for children ages 4 to 8 and will
prove to be an distinctive and enduringly popular addition to family, daycare center, preschool,
elementary school, and community library collections. Parents should note that "Rot, the Cutest
in the World!" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99).
I Am Loved
Nikki Giovanni, author
Ashley Bryan, illustrator
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
c/o Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 4th floor, New York, NY 10020
www.simonandschuster.com/kids
9781534404922, $17.99, HC, 32pp, www.amazon.com
There is nothing more important to a child than to feel loved, and beautifully illustrated by
Ashley Bryan, "I Am Loved" is a gorgeous gathering of poems written by Nikki Giovanni
celebrates exactly that. Hand-selected Bryan, the artist has, with his masterful flourish of color,
shape, and movement, added a visual layering that drums the most important message of all to
young, old, parent, child, grandparent, and friend alike: You are loved. You are loved. You are
loved. As a bonus, one page is mirrored, so children reading the book can see exactly who is
loved -- themselves! An ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to family, daycare center,
preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children ages 4
to 8, it should be noted by parents that "I Am Loved" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $10.99).
Candle Love
MaryAnn Diorio, author
Valeria Wicker, illustrator
TopNotch Press
PO Box 1185, Merchantville, NJ 08109
www.maryanndiorio.com
9780930037338, $18.95, HC, $18.95, 44pp, www.amazon.com
Keisha has a new baby sister. Tamara's arrival has triggered fear and jealousy in Keisha. She
fears that Mama will love Tamara more than Mama loves Keisha. But when Mama uses three
special candles to demonstrate what love is, Keisha learns that there is always enough love to go
around. A gently entertaining picture book for children ages 1 to 6 by author MaryAnn Diorio
and illustrator Valeria Wicker, "Candle Love" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to
family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library collections. It
should be noted for parents that "Candle Love" is also available in a paperback edition
(9780930037345, $9.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Good Night, Bunny
Lauren Thompson, author
Stephanie Yue, illustrator
Orchard Books
c/o Scholastic, Inc.
557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012-3999
www.scholasticlibrary.com
9780545603355, $16.99, HC, 32pp, www.amazon.com
In the pages of "Good Night, Bunny" by Lauren Thompson, a Bunny says "good night" to the
drowsy world, from the bluebells and pansies to the turtledove and ducklings in a row. Featuring
beautiful watercolor illustrations by Stephanie Yue, "Good Night, Bunny" is a sweetly charming
good night book for young sleepyheads everywhere -- and a picture book that children ages 3 to 5
will want to engage with again and again. While especially and unreservedly recommended for
family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book
collections, parents should note that "Good Night, Bunny" is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $10.99).
Little Mouse's Big Breakfast
Christine Pym
Nosy Crow
c/o Candlewick Press
99 Dover Street, Somerville, MA 02144
www.candlewick.com
9780763696269, $15.99, HC, 32pp, www.amazon.com
Hungry Little Mouse is looking for some breakfast, and he knows just where he can find it.
Scampering into the kitchen next door, he finds a perfect bright blueberry. But just before he
leaves, he spots a rosy-red apple, and Little Mouse loves rosy-red apples. And as if that's not
enough, there are sugary sweets, a chunk of cheese, a plump pickle . . . the list goes on and on.
Yum! But as he finally finds something that's his absolute favorite, Little Mouse discovers that
he's not the only one looking for breakfast. In this hilarious tale from talented author-illustrator
Christine Pym, children ages 3 to 7 will cheer for Little Mouse and his big appetite for the world.
While especially and highly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary
school, and community library children's picture book collections.
Scholastic, Inc.
www.scholastic.com
Five new books are top recommendations from this publisher and provide picture book readers
and their adult read-aloud helpers with innovative, fun reads. Bethanie Deeney Murguia's The
Too-Scary Story (9780545732420, $16.99) tells of two children who entreat their father to create
a scary bedtime story. But not too scary, not too boring, and not too odd. Can Papa begin a story
that intrigues the two savvy kids who know just what they want? A funny story evolves. Aaron
Blabey's Pig the Winner (9781336136388, $14.99) tells of Pig, a greedy pug dog who will do
anything to win - anything but playing fair, that is. He's quite hard to beat because he's a cheat -
and with this rollicking rhyme, Blabey creates a funny and pointed story kids will love. Julia
Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's The Fish Who Cried Wolf (9780439928250, $17.99) tells of the
smallest fish who tells the biggest stories in the ocean, coming up with many excuses for delays
to school and other problems, until he becomes caught in a fisherman's net and must tell the best
story of all to save his life. Good reading skills or parental assistance will lend to a fun read with
a different kind of message about story-telling. Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler also
collaborate on Zog and the Flying Doctors (9781338134179, $17.99), a story of amazing Flying
Doctors who traverse the countryside tending to lions and unicorns alike. A fun rhyme drives the
account of sunburned mermaids, drafty lion caves, and the biggest challenge of all in a sick king
who may have an unsolvable illness. Good reading skills or parental help will make this an
accessible and fun story. Gris Grimly's Old MacDonald Had a Farm (9781338112436, $17.99) is
a light-hearted romp and twist on the traditional theme and tells of Old MacDonald's parade
across farm fields as he leads an entourage of farm animals on a song-filled journey. Kids and
parents will find the engaging drawings fun, lending a different perspective on Old MacDonald's
farm world.
The Little Copper Penny
Stephenie Barker
Brown Books Kids
c/o Brown Books Publishing Group
16250 Knoll Trail Drive, Suite 205, Dallas, TX 75248-2871
www.brownbooks.com
9781612549439, $16.99, HC, 32pp, www.amazon.com
Little Copper Penny is sad because all the other coins say pennies are worthless. Luckily Grandpa
Wheat who has been around for a very long time knows just how Little Copper Penny feels and
exactly what to say to cheer him up! A charming story about accepting who you are, Stephenie
Barker's The Little Copper Penny not only makes counting fun but also reminds children ages 4
to 8 to know their worth, no matter what others say. Kids will enjoy joining Little Copper Penny
and Grandpa Wheat for a memorable rhyme that will help them see that no matter who (or what)
they are, they have value! Deftly featuring an important underlying message about self-worth,
"The Little Copper Penny" is a unique and unreservedly recommended addition to family,
preschool, elementary school, and community library collections.
Baby Cakes
Theo Heras, author
Renne Benoit, illustrator
Pajama Press
181 Carlaw Avenue, Suite 207, Toronto, ON, Canada, M4M 2S1
http://pajamapress.ca
9781772780307, $13.95, HC, 24pp, www.amazon.com
"Baby Cakes" is a household adventure of a brother and sister exploring and playing in the
kitchen. These little ones know baking is hard work and messy work, but it sure is fun. Put on an
apron, gather ingredients, measure the flour -- try to keep kitty off the counter! Wash sticky
fingers, and let mommy put the cakes in the oven. Waiting is the hardest part, but time flies for
these playmates whose patience is rewarded with more than just baby cakes. Told in simple text
by Theo Heras, charmingly illustrated on every page by Renne Benoit, and delivered in a sturdy,
padded cover with stronger pages that are perfect for little hands, "Baby Cakes" features two
thoroughly 'kid friendly' and fun-to-make recipes for chocolate cupcakes with vanilla frosting is
especially recommended for children ages 1 to 3, making it appropriate for family, daycare
center, preschool, and community library collections.
The Flying Sewing Machine
Nancy Zieman, author
Philip Ashby, illustrator
Martingale
19021 120th Ave. NE, Ste 102, Bothell, WA 98011
9781604689099 $9.99 www.ShopMartingale.com
"The Flying Sewing Machine" is a charming tale in verse that invites readers to use their
imagination to voyage to an amazing town called Sewland, where everyone stops working at 2:00
PM every afternoon, to work on sewing projects with the special assistance of uniquely talented,
flying sewing machines. Whimsical pastel colored illustrations show all sorts of people going to
the Stitching Place to begin their sewing projects. "Moms, dads, grandmas, firemen, and garbage
collectors, to list just a few, look forward to one hour when they cut and sew fabric, creating
something new." Even a newcomer to Sewland becomes intrigued by the daily custom of sewing
with flying sewing machines at 2:00 at the Stitching Place. The fun of choosing colors of thread,
fabric, trim, pattern, line and style are all described imaginatively. Most amazing of all, everyone
finishes their projects in one hour. "At a quarter to three, Sewland's people went back to work.
With smiles they returned to jobs as dentists, mechanics, and store clerks." "The Flying Sewing
Machine" is part of "I Sew for Fun," by Nancy Zieman, an experienced sewing arts teacher and
writer. This delicate small sewing fable in verse captures the secret creative joy that every tailor
and seamstress recognizes in the art of sewing.
The Board Book Shelf
Pippa and Pelle in the Autumn Wind
Daniela Drescher
Floris Books
9781782504429, $9.95 www.florisbooks.co.uk
Pippa and Pelle in the Autumn Wind provides a fine board book with gorgeous drawings by
Daniela Drescher as it follows Pippa and Pelle in a windy Fall adventure. Parents will find it
perfect for read-aloud and discussion while youngsters at the board book age range will find it a
simple yet inviting read.
Open Very Carefully: A Book with Bite
Nick Bromley, author
Nicola O'Byrne, illustrator
Nosy Crow
c/o Candlewick Press
99 Dover Street, Somerville, MA 02144
www.candlewick.com
9780763696306, $8.99, Board Book, 30pp, www.amazon.com
What would you do if you were settling down for a quiet bedtime story and you realized that a
crocodile had fallen into your storybook and was (not to put too fine a point on it) wreaking
havoc? Would you slam that book shut and cram it back onto the bookshelf? Or would you be
brave enough to peek? Clever, charming, and wonderfully entertaining, "Open Very Carefully: A
Book with Bite" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to family, daycare center,
preschool, and community library Board Book collections for children ages 3 to 5.
Night-Night Calgary
Katherine Sully, author
Helen Poole, illustrator
Sourcebooks Inc.
1935 Brookdale Road, #139, Naperville, IL 60563
www.sourcebooks.com
9781492655091, $9.99, Board Book, 20pp, www.amazon.com
It's bedtime in Calgary! Children ages 1 to 4 can say good night to all their favorite landmarks
and landscapes with"Night-Night Calgary" memorable bedtime story by the team of author
Katherine Sully and illustrator Helen Poole. Utterly charming and wonderfully entertaining from
beginning to end, "Night-Night Calgary" is unreservedly recommended for family, daycare
center, preschool, and community library Board Book collections. "Goodnight moms and
daughters, / Goodnight dads and sons. / The world is calm and quiet. / Sweet dreams to
everyone!"
Not So Small at All
Sandra Magsamen
Sourcebooks Inc.
1935 Brookdale Road, #139, Naperville, IL 60563
www.sourcebooks.com
9781492660811, $7.99, Board Book, 24pp, www.amazon.com
Little things are capable of giant accomplishments. Bees, butterflies, and little children too may
seem small but are actually full of great strength and incredible potential! Each one is unique,
and capable of making big changes in the world. An entertainingly written and charmingly
illustrated board book for children ages 2 to 5, Sandra Magsamen's "Not So Small at All" is an
unfailing delight and very highly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, and
community library Board Book collections.
The Fiction Shelf
Ellie Anders: The Impossible School Project
Craig Kunce
Windhill Books
www.windhillbooks.com
9781944734107, $14.00, PB, 128pp, www.amazon.com
A warm, humorous story with engaging characters that introduces valuable life lessons to
children 5 10 years old. The Ellie Anders book series helps parents and teachers engage children
with valuable life lessons including building self-confidence; valuing friendship and family;
appreciating a community; not following the crowd, making responsible choices; taking pride in
what we do; and doing well in school. Ellie Anders has a good life. She has wonderful parents, a
furry dog named Sam, and a pretty-okay little brother. She plays tennis, eats pizza, and swaps
toys and games with her best friend Lex. But a new school project is threatening to disrupt it all.
Her free-spirited teacher, Miss Parker, has assigned an impossible project. Ellie must choose who
is the most important person in her life. A wonderfully entertaining story that will have particular
appeal for children ages 5 to 10, "Ellie Anders: The Impossible School Project" is an especially
recommended addition to family, elementary school, and community library general fiction
collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Ellie Anders: The Impossible
School Project" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $1.99).
The Book of Boy
Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Greenwillow Books
c/o HarperCollins Children's Books
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022
www.harpercollinschildrens.com
9780062686206, $16.99, HC, 288pp, www.amazon.com
Boy has always been relegated to the outskirts of his small village. With a large hump on his
back, a mysterious past, and a tendency to talk to animals, he is often mocked by others in his
town -- until the arrival of a shadowy pilgrim named Secondus. Impressed with Boy's climbing
and jumping abilities, Secondus engages Boy as his servant, pulling him into an action-packed
and suspenseful expedition across Europe to gather the seven precious relics of Saint Peter. Boy
quickly realizes this journey is not an innocent one. They are stealing the relics and accumulating
dangerous enemies in the process. But Boy is determined to see this pilgrimage through until the
end -- for what if St. Peter can make Boy's hump go away? A masterfully crafted and entertaining
novel by a master of the storytelling arts, "The Book of Boy" by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
features a map and black-and-white art by Ian Schoenherr throughout, making it an ideal and
unreservedly recommended for elementary school and community library collections for young
readers ages 8 to 12. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Book of Boy" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
A Boy's Boat
Bruce Holaday
Prairie Publications
9780997281798, $10.95, PB, 78pp, www.amazon.com
Jack is a young boy who has spent previous summers with his grandparents at their little cabin on
the cove. This summer, however, is different. It begins with a surprise gift from Jack's
grandfather: a small boat he spent the winter making for his grandson, which Jack's grandmother
names Petit Bateau (Little Boat). During the summer, Jack learns how to captain Petit Bateau
under the wise guidance of his grandparents and his grandfather's friend John. However, this
summer he will learn about much more than sailing: he will learn about the sacredness of the
earth, the mysteries and beauty of life, and the importance of natural order. Most important, he
will learn about unconditional love and trust. A deftly written and entertaining story for young
readers, "A Boy's Boat" by Bruce Holaday is unreservedly recommended for family, elementary
school, and community library General Fiction collections.
Ellie, Engineer
Jackson Pearche
Bloomsbury Children's Books
175 Fifth Avenue, 8th floor, New York, NY 10010-7728
www.bloomsburyusa.com
9781681195193, $15.99, HC, 192pp, www.amazon.com
A young girl named Ellie is also an engineer! With a tool belt strapped over her favorite skirt
(who says you can't wear a dress and have two kinds of screwdrivers handy, just in case?), she
invents and builds amazing creations in her backyard workshop. Together with her best friend
Kit, Ellie can make anything. As Kit's birthday nears, Ellie doesn't know what gift to make until
the girls overhear Kit's mom talking about her present -- the dog Kit always wanted! Ellie plans
to make an amazing doghouse, but her plans grow so elaborate that she has to enlist help from
the neighbor boys and crafty girls, even though the two groups don't get along. Will Ellie be able
to pull off her biggest project yet, all while keeping a secret from Kit? Illustrated with Ellie's
sketches and plans, and including backmatter with a fun how-to guide to tools, "Ellie, Engineer"
is a STEM- and friendship-powered story full of fun and special appeal for young readers ages 8
to 12. While very highly recommended, especially for family, elementary school, and community
library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Ellie, Engineer" is also
available in a paperback edition (9781681199481, $7.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle,
$10.38).
Rafi and Rosi Pirates
Lulu Delacre
Children's Book Press
c/o Lee & Low Books
95 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
www.leeandlow.com
9780892393817, $16.95, HC, 64pp, www.amazon.com
Rafi and his younger sister, Rosi, are excited to visit El Morro Fort, the four-hundred-year-old
fortress that guards the entrance to San Juan harbor. At the fort they pretend to be pirates, engage
in a fierce battle, and learn about Roberto Cofresi, Puerto Rico's most famous pirate. As they go
deeper into the fort they discover a gleaming, hidden treasure of Spanish gold doubloons and
silver pieces of eight which were hidden in the inner reaches of the fort's kitchen. After turning
over their discovery to the fort's museum, Rafi is ready to go back to Tia Ana's home, but Rosi
wants to play hide-and-seek. And Rosi sees the perfect place to hide -- in the stone sentry box
that once housed the fort's lookout guards. Little does she know that the sentry box might be
haunted! Lulu Delacre's "Rafi and Rosi Pirates" is latest addition to the popular 'Dive Into
Reading: Rafi and Rosi' chapter book series, Engaging and informative, "Rafi and Rosi Pirates"
is perfect for independent readers in grades 1 and 2. Children ages 4 to 8 will enjoy joining Rafi
and Rosi on their new adventures while they learn about Puerto Rico's history. While especially
recommended for elementary school and community library collections, parents should note that
"Rafi and Rosi Pirates" is also available in a paperback edition (9780892393831, $8.95).
Misfits and Bandits: The Adventures of Blitz and Uncle Drake
Pete Leriget, author
Dana Erdman and Leah Rowe, illustrators
CreateSpace
www.createspace.com/7256527
9781548222697 $6.95 pbk / $3.99 Kindle amazon.com
"Misfits and Bandits" is the second title in a series, The Adventures of Blitz and Uncle Drake.
Uncle Drake and Blitz are two faithful dogs who live with Pete on a farm south of the high
mountains. A perfect beginning chapter book, "Misfits and Bandits" is an exciting tale told in
four chapters and 33 pages, with small, sensitive black and white drawings of the subjects
throughout. Chapter one introduces Uncle Drake and Bandit to some rascally squirrels known as
Ricky and Dicky, the Squirrel Brothers. They attract unfavorable attention by bombing acorns on
the noses of the sleeping dogs from a high branch. Uncle Drake and Bandit soon sort the scamps
out but later chapters reveal the squirrels actually have good hearts, and may be a good source of
backup in a fight too. The dogs have good hearts too, and they show true caring to little Laura
Beaver, a friend they found crying near her home on the pond. The hilarity of the final chapter
four, The Pea Shooter, will have deep appeal for mischievous young readers. It involves a doggy
feast of beef stew, dog food, and peas and gravy, and an amusing solution to a problem Uncle
Drake has with a pea in his nose. "Misfits and Bandits" is a great chapter books about the real
farm life with real dogs and animals, laced with rollicking humor and interspecies love.
Scholastic, Inc.
www.scholastic.com
Two new young adult readers are top recommendations that should be considered for any serious
collection. Sarah Moon's Sparrow (9781338032581, $18.99) tells of a shy girl who gets good
grades, but has no friends and nobody to talk to. Sometimes she goes up on the roof and flies
with the birds - and when she's caught there, she has a hard time convincing authorities that she
wasn't about to jump. Sparrow's journey to connection and communication is a quest that many
readers will find engrossing, offering an adventure and a revelation about a shy girl's imagination
and realties. Denise Gosliner Orenstein's Dirt (9780545925853, $16.99) tells of a
eleven-year-old's broken family and isolation. She only has Dirt, the Shetland pony next door, for
solace - but Dirt faces his own problems, from a cruel owner to a penchant for trouble. Two
lonely creatures come together in an effort that involves theft, adventure, and an escape. Both are
absorbing reads for advanced elementary to middle school grades.
The Mythology Shelf
Sukaq and the Raven
Roy Goose, author
Kerry McCluskey, author
Soyeon Kim, illustrator
Inhabit Media
9781772271393, $16.95, HC, 32pp, www.amazon.com
Sukaq loves to drift off to sleep listening to his mother tell him stories, especially the tale of how
a raven created the world. But this time, as his mother begins to tell the story, he is suddenly
whisked away on the wings of the raven to ride along as the entire world is formed! This
traditional legend from Inuit storyteller Roy Goose is brought to life through co-author Kerry
McCluskey's jubilant retelling and beautifully illustrated with the artistry of Soyeon Kim. The
result is an impressively presented and thoroughly entertaining picture book for children ages 5
to 7 -- and one that will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to family, elementary school,
and community library collections.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
World of Warcraft Traveler
Greg Weisman
Scholastic, Inc.
557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012-3999
9781338225679 $7.99 pbk / $9.99 Kindle www.scholastic.com
Now in an affordable paperback edition, World of Warcraft Traveler is the first book in a fantasy
series written especially for young adults, and set in the vibrant and storied realm of the popular
massively multiplayer online role-playing game World of Warcraft. Twelve-year-old Aramar
Thorne, a budding artist who brings his sketchbook wherever he goes, hasn't seen his father in
years. A surprising reunion becomes even more life-changing when Aram's father whisks him
away on a sea voyage. Aram has difficulty getting along with crew, including Second Mate
Makasa, the tough-as-nails teenaged girl reluctantly placed in charge of him. Things go from
strained to worse when a ruthless band of pirates attacks! Twenty-one illustrations from Aram's
sketchbook of wild and wondrous denizens of the world of Azeroth enhance this grand
adventure, ideal for young fantasy enthusiasts. Also highly recommended is the second novel in
the World of Warcraft Traveler series, "The Spiral Path" (9781338029376, $7.99).
Unearthed
Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
Hyperion
9781484758052, $17.99 www.hyperionteens.com
Unearthed provides teens ages 14-17 with an involving story about a long-extinct alien race that
may hold a solution for endangered humanity. The Undying's technology can remedy
environmental degradation and change lives, as well as introducing a lovely new planet, Gaia, to
the human race. Jules and his fellow scholars can't wait to study this race and their offerings; but
scavengers like Amelia may ruin everything. Both are on a race to uncover the Undying messages
and discoveries before everything is ruined in this engrossing story of two sides clashing over a
technological gold mine.
Good Night, Planet
Liniers
Toon Books
9781943145201, $12.95 www.toon-books.com
Good Night, Planet is a Level Two easy-to-read comic-style book that tells of a tired little girl
who is ready for bed. But her favorite stuffed animal, Planet, is just awakening, and begins an
adventure-filled period. Cartoonist Liniers provides exceptional and gorgeous color drawings
throughout in a story that is appealing both visually and conceptually, recommended for
elementary-level readers and interested parents alike.
Embers of Destruction
J. Scott Savage
Shadow Mountain Publishing
P.O. Box 30178, Salt Lake City, Utah 84130-0178
www.shadowmountain.com
9781629723396, $17.99, HC, 352pp, www.amazon.com
"Embers of Destruction" is the third and final volume of the 'Mysteries of Cove' series by J. Scott
Savage, Trenton and Kallista (along with their friends, Plucky, Simoni, Angus, and Clyde) fly
their mechanical dragons south toward San Francisco, looking to rescue any survivors from the
battle of Seattle. Arriving in San Francisco and investigating the area in secret, the young riders
are reunited with Kallista's father, Leo Babbage, who reveals that the humans in the city are
working as slaves to the dragons, but that they don't want to be rescued--himself included. He
says they are being protected by their new master: a huge, powerful white dragon who lives in an
impenetrable tower fortress overlooking the city. Kallista is stunned by the news. Why would her
father ever willingly want to work for dragons? Trenton and his friends are confronted by the
guards and their mechanical dragons are seized. Evading capture, the young riders escape and
begin looking for a way to break the white dragon's hold over the city--and over Leo. Working
with the kids from the city, the young riders track down the source of the dragon's power to an
underground chamber that is accessible only through an underwater passageway below the tower
fortress. With the white dragon watching their every move, Trenton and Kallista will need every
bit of creativity and ingenuity they can manage to find a way to retrieve their stolen dragons,
enter the tower fortress, and take down the dragons once and for all. Another deftly crafted
science fiction action/adventure novel by a master of the genre, "Embers of Destruction" is
especially recommended for young readers ages 8 to12 and would prove to be an enduringly
popular addition to elementary school and community library SF collections. It should be noted
for personal reading lists that "Embers of Destruction" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $10.40) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio,
9781538487839, $34.95, CD).
The Language Studies Shelf
Magic Morphing Fairy Tales
David Burke, author
Miguel Sandoval, illustrator
Slangman Publishing
$14.95 each, PB, www.slangman.com
The colorfully illustrated "Magic Morphing Fairy Tales" series by David Burke is a remarkably
original and effective method for the introductory teaching of foreign languages that is
specifically designed for children ages 2 to 5. The kids will learn a new language by reading their
favorite fairy tales that 'morph' from one language into another. A word in each story is circled
with its foreign language translation in the column. The new word is used throughout the rest of
the story. Children will learn 20+ new words from each book. Each level contain all the words
from previous levels. Of special note is the availability of a free download code for the audio
program in each book. Level one features Cinderella. Level two is Goldilocks and the Three
Bears. Level three is Beauty and the Beast. In sets of 3, the languages of 'English to' include:
Chinese, Italian, French, Japanese, German, Spanish, and Hebrew. Other languages planned for
future publication using this unique approach include Arabic, Farsi, Hindi, Indonesian,
Portuguese, Russian, Tagalog, Turkish, Vietnamese, and more! All of the 3 volume sets
comprising the "Magic Morphing Fairy Tales" are unreservedly recommended for family,
daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library Language Studies
instructional collections.
The Activity Shelf
BigFoot Goes On Vacation
D. L. Miller
Happy Fox Books
c/o Fox Chapel Publishing Company
1970 Broad Street N., East Petersburg, PA 17520
www.FoxChapelPublishing.com
9781641240000, $14.99, HC, 48pp, www.amazon.com
Children ages 3 to 12 can sharpen their search and find skills by locating BigFoot at his favorite
vacation retreat in the pages of D. L. Miller's "BigFoot Goes On Vacation" -- but it won't be easy!
BigFoot is enjoying his holiday in ten different ways, from deep sea diving and joining a balloon
festival to taking a cruise, going to the beach, visiting Yellowstone National Park, and more. This
handsome hardcover book presents each getaway as an immense two-page visual puzzle, full of
teeming people and creatures. Their task is not only to find BigFoot and his legendary footprint,
but also more than 500 other unusual and sometimes unexpected personalities and objects. Fun
facts and pictures accompany each scene to help you learn more about vacation activities. Also
very highly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and
community library collections is author/illustrator D. L. Miller's fun companion book for young
children ages 3 to 12, "BigFoot Visits The Big cities Of The World" (9781641240017, $14.99,
HC, 48pp).
Follow Finn
Peter Goes
Gecko Press
www.geckopress.com
9781776571857, $16.99, HC, 32pp, www.amazon.com
Goblins are on the loose so it's up to Finn and his dog to race after them. Children ages 5 to 12
can follow the chase through the pages of "Follow Finn" -- a fantastic Search-and-Find Maze
Book journey full of fairytale characters and strange creatures, with a puzzle on every page and a
new story in every scene. Each individual image is packed with detail, and the text gives the
young reader tasks as it tells the story such as: helping Finn gather his clothes, finding the keys to
match each lock, locating the beginning and end of each maze. A world of fund from first page to
last, "Follow Finn" is unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school, and community
library Children's Books collections.
The Graphic Novel Shelf
Cucumber Quest 2: The Ripple Kingdom
Gigi D.G.
First Second
175 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10010
www.firstsecondbooks.com
9781626728332 $14.99 amazon.com
Cucumber Quest 2: The Ripple Kingdom is the second graphic novel in the Cucumber Quest
fantasy-adventure saga, originally chronicled as a popular webcomic. Set in a world populated
primarily by rabbit-eared people, Cucumber Quest follows aspiring magician Cucumber whose
dreams of pursuing higher education have been postponed by his (reluctant) quest to save the
world from the terrifying Nightmare Knight and the evildoers that summoned it. Fortunately,
Cucumber is not alone on his quest - his ferocious fighter little sister Almond and the noble (if
somewhat ineffectual) Sir Carrot are pledged to his cause... until an unexpected calamity
separates them! Can Cucumber rescue his friends and save the watery Ripple Kingdom from a
gigantic (if somewhat dim-witted) sea monster? The fairy-tale whimsy of Cucumber Quest is
brought to life with beautiful, full-color artwork. Although Cucumber Quest is suitable for young
adults, fantasy, comedy, and role-playing game connoisseurs of all ages will thoroughly enjoy
this series! Also highly recommended for both personal and public library graphic novel
collections is the first volume of the series, "Cucumber Quest: The Doughnut Kingdom"
(9781626728325, $14.99 pbk / $9.99 Kindle).
The First Gallop
Derib, author
Job, illustrator
Cinebook Ltd.
www.cinebook.com
c/o National Book Network (dist.)
4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
www.nbnbooks.com
9781849183697, $11.95, PB, 48pp, www.amazon.com
A young native American boy, Yakari learns from the tribe's elder Tranquil Rock that the Sioux
haven't always been the magnificent riders they are now -- indeed, that there was a time they
didn't even know what a horse was. Shaken, Yakari speaks a little too demandingly to his pony
Little Thunder, wounding his four-legged friend who immediately runs away. Devastated, Yakari
will have to track down his equine companion and find a way to earn his forgiveness if he ever
wants to share a gallop with him again. A delightfully entertaining graphic novel from beginning
to end, "The First Gallop" is ideal for children ages 6 to 10 and will prove to be an enduringly
popular addition to family, school, and community library graphic novel collections for young
readers. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "The First Gallop" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $6.99).
The Promised Land
Jul, author
Achde, illustrator
Cinebook Ltd.
www.cinebook.com
c/o National Book Network (dist.)
4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
www.nbnbooks.com
9781849183666, $11.95, PB, 48pp, www.amazon.com
When an old hardluck cowboy friend of his asks Luky Luke to escort his Jewish family, freshly
arrived from Poland, to their new home in the West, our lonesome hero has no idea what sort of
difficulties to expect. If the Sterns are brave and resolute, they are also ignorant of American
ways - and bring with them a multitude of baffling customs. And as if that wasn't enough, the
extremely valuable Torah that travels with them has caught the eyes of some unsavory characters.
The newest graphic novel in the laugh-out-loud funny adventures of Lucky Luck (who can draw
faster than his own shadow!), "The Promised Land" is also notable for its 'inside jokes' with
respect to background characters (such as the Marx brothers) and translations of Yiddish
expressions. A solidly entertaining read from cover to cover for children ages 6 to 10,"The
Promised Land" is an especially recommended addition to personal, elementary school, and
community library collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Promised
Land" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99).
Hilo: Waking the Monsters
Judd Winick
Random House
9781524714932, $13.99 www.randomhouse.com
Ages 8-12 will appreciate a full color graphic novel middle-grade read which tells of two very
ordinary kids and one Hilo, who is extraordinary. He can do many things - but can he fight robot
monsters who are waking up all around him, defying his fighting abilities? Even a superhero
needs super-help sometimes, as this story explains. Hilo offers a fun perspective and a mystery
kids will relish.
The Music CD Shelf
Library Adventure
Music and Stories by Bay Song
Keenan Literacy & Learning
PO Box 921, East Dennis, MA 02641
keenanliteracy.com
$12.97 CD / $9.99 download cdbaby.com
Library Adventure is a children's music album of lively songs that celebrate literacy, reading, and
learning. Created especially for parents, teachers, and caregivers as a means to get children
excited about reading, Library Adventures is just plain fun! Highly recommended, especially for
school and public library children's music collections. The tracks are "Library Adventure", "Let's
Read a Story", "City Child", "Once Upon a Time", "Words Are Around Us", "Reading in The
Summer", "What You Read Today", "All Write!", "Summer Slide Blues", "Rover the Reading
Dog", "Readin' to Rosie", "Have to Have a Plan", "Reading with You", "Mirrors, Windows, and
Doors", "The Story of Rover the Reading Dog", and "The Story of Readin' to Rosie". 50 min. 5
sec.
Zoom a Little Zoom
Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer
Community Music
$TBA www.cathymarcy.com
Two-time Grammy-winning folk and children's music duo Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer present
Zoom a Little Zoom, featuring ten new interpretations of educational songs from the classic 1961
album "Ballads for the Age of Science". Zoom a Little Zoom is filled with not only catchy music,
but also fascinating facts about rockets, constellations, animal habits, gravity, and more. Zoom a
Little Zoom is a choice pick for school and public library children's music collections, highly
recommended! The tracks are "Zoom a Little Zoom (Rocket Ship)", "Constellation Jig", "What
Makes the Lightning?", "Why Does the Sun Shine?", "Snowflake, Snowflake", "Vibration", "We
Know the Air Is There (Hi, Ho, Fiddle Dee Dee)", "Bobo the Bear", "What Is an Insect? (A
Cricket in a Thicket)", "What Is Gravity?", and "Zoom a Little Zoom (Rocket Ship,
Reprise)".
All That Matters
Mae Robertson
Lyric Partners
9780964916470 $15.00 https://maerobertson.com
The fifth album in Mae Robertson's award-winning "Lullaby Lovesong Collection", All That
Matters: Lullabies and Lovesongs is a gentle album created to soothe sleepy children, and to
inspire both parents and grandparents with the quiet joy that comes from calm. Robertson's
beautiful alto performance of traditional lullabies is a true comfort to the soul. Highly
recommended. The tracks are "What a Wonderful World", "All That Matters", "A Dream Is a
Wish Your Heart Makes", "Full Circle", "All the Pretty Little Horses", "Love and Happiness",
"Praise Lullaby", "Blue Hearted Mountains", "Little Hands", "LThe Gartan Mother's Lullaby",
"The Slumber Boat", "For Baby", "The Golden Day Is Dying", "Moon River", "My Love Goes
With You", and "There's a Long, Long Trail".
Lullapop Lullabies
Razor & Tie Enterprises LLC
www.razorandtie.com
$7.99 CD / $7.99 download amazon.com
Lullapop Lullabies transforms 21 chart-topping popular songs into gentle, instrumental lullabies
perfect for soothing babies and toddlers. Serene and warmhearted, Lullapop Lullabies is a
beautiful gateway into dreamland, highly recommended. The tracks are "Despacito", "Shape of
You", "Can't Stop the Feeling!", "Let Me Love You", "That's What I Like", "Cheap Thrills",
"Rockabye", "Cake by the Ocean", "Black Beatles", "24K Magic", "Closer", "Hotline Bling",
"Sorry", "This Is What You Came For", "Don't Let Me Down", "Stay", "What Do You Mean?",
"Hello", "Don't Wanna Know", "Love On The Brain", and "Watch Me (Whip / Nae Nae)". 56
min.
Falu's Bazaar
Falu
Privately Published
$TBA falumusic.com
Falu's Bazaar: A Family Sing-Along Album a family-friendly album of East Indian children's
music from international artist Falu, renowned for her talent in blending modern and classical
styles. Unique elements of Indian culture and life are a major focus; young listeners will learn
about life in South Asia, from the market spices and cooking tools to common words in Hindi,
geography, and Indian rhythms as well as melodic notes. As joyful as it is educational, Falu's
Bazaar is highly recommended for personal and public library children's mulitcultural music
collections. The tracks are "My Name", "Tararum Pumpum", "Shapes", "Hulululu Bus",
"Rainbow", "Bazaar", "Masala", "Pots and Pans", "Teddy Bear" and "Nishaad's Lullaby."
The DVD Shelf
Dinosaur Stories
Weston Woods
90 Old Sherman Turnpike, Danbury, CT 06816
www.scholastic.com/westonwoods
9781338200454 $59.95
Dinosaur Stories is a DVD rendition of three dinosaur-themed picturebooks for children. The
adapted stories are "Danny and the Dinosaur" by Syd Hoff (9 min.), about a boy's friendship with
a long-necked dinosaur; "T is for Terrible" by Peter McCarty (6 min.), about Tyrannosaurus Rex
who wonders why he can't be a vegetarian; and "Dinosaur Bones" by Bob Barner (9 min.), a
delightful collection of fun dino-facts. Featuring optional English subtitles, and closed-
captioning, Dinosaur Stories is a choice pick for homeroom viewing and elementary school or
public library children's DVD collections. Highly recommended!
The Hey Wordy! Movie
Slangman Publishing
$14.99 DVD www.heywordy.com
Winner of a 2017 Parents' Choice Recommended Award, The Hey Wordy! Movie is a delightful
blend of live-action, animation, and fully orchestrated music. Professor Dabblebee Dun is a
carefree wizard and inventor who goes on adventures with his animated friends, including a
young dictionary named Wordy. Together they travel the world and learn all about new cultures
and languages. Their visits to Japan, Italy, China, Egypt, France, and the USA are educational as
well as entertaining, and highly recommended for school and public library children's DVD
collections! A bonus TV episode is included in this fun-filled production, peppered with
engaging original songs. A music CD soundtrack of The Hey Wordy! Movie is also available
($9.99).
The Biography Shelf
All about Madam C. J. Walker
A'Lelia Bundles, author
Kirsten Halvorsen, illustrator
Blue River Press
www.brpressbooks.com
c/o Cardinal Publishers Group
9781681570938, $5.99, PB, 128pp, www.amazon.com
Madam C. J. Walker was beloved within her community for her philanthropy and expanding the
local black YMCA, but she couldn't have done that if she weren't the first female self-made
millionaire and one of the most successful African American business owners ever. Born Sarah
Breedlove, she was the first person born free in her family. She married Charles Joseph Walker
and became known as Madam C. J. Walker, the name she would later use on her haircare
products. After talking with her brothers, who were barbers, and experiencing problems with hair
loss, she developed a formula that healed scalp infections. This inspired her to start her own line
of hair care products to do things like reduce dandruff, grow longer hair, smooth hair, or prevent
baldness. Her company employed thousands of door-to-door saleswomen from all over the
United States and the Caribbean. She supported the African American community by making a
$1000 contribution for a new YMCA building in Indianapolis, funding scholarships for Tuskegee
Institute and Daytona Normal Institute for Girls, and becoming a patron of the arts in the early
years of the Harlem Renaissance. Impressively informative and especially well written for young
readers ages 9 to 13, "All about Madam C. J. Walker" is unreservedly recommended for both
school and community library American Biography collections. It should be noted for personal
reading lists that "All about Madam C. J. Walker" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $3.99).
The Folktale/Fairytale Shelf
The Fox and the Grapes
Blake Hoena, author
Beth Hughes, illustrator
Dean Jones, music
Cantata Learning
1710 Roe Crest Drive, North Mankato, MN 56003
www.cantatalearning.com
9781684101184, $33.99, Library Binding, 24pp, www.amazon.com
The newest addition to Cantata learning's outstanding 'Classic Fable in Rhythm and Rhyme'
series, "The Fox and the Grapes" is the story of a hungry fox wants some juicy grapes. But they
hang high up on a vine. Will he be able to reach them? Find out when you sing along to The Fox
and the Grapes! The collaborative work of author Blake Hoena, illustrator Beth Hues, and
featuring the music of Den Jones, "The Fox and the Grapes" is hardcover, library binding, picture
book for children ages 5 to 7 that comes with CD and online music access. While very highly
recommended, especially for elementary school and community library collections, it should be
noted for personal reading lists that "The Fox and the Grapes" is also available in a print edition
(9781684101863, $7.95).
The Trial of Mother Goose
Ricky Kennison, author
Imagery by Thinkstock
AuthorHouse
1663 Liberty Drive, Bloomington, IN 47403
9781524693244 $20.99 www.authorhouse.com
"The Trial of Mother Goose" is a humorous fable of the justice system peopled with familiar
storybook characters. It starts out as a trial of Mother Goose who is accused of pushing Humpty
Dumpty. With confusing testimony by a textbook of mythical characters, from the Wizard to
three blind mice and Pinocchio, testifying before Justice Scaglia, with a Scarecrow as prosecutor,
almost anything can happen, it seems. And it does. Leading to a surprise Thanksgiving ending,
"The Trial of Mother Goose" is a hoot and a half for bored young readers who like a new twist in
their nursery tales.
The Little Red Wolf
Amelie Flechais
Lion Forge
c/o Magnetic Press
http://www.magnetic-press.com
9781941302453, $19.99
The Little Red Wolf represents a beautifully illustrated and complex picture book retelling of the
traditional Red Hiding Hood tale and tells of an innocent creature in a red cloak known as "the
little red wolf." Always dressed in red, this little wolf and his family live a life of peace in the
forest, until one day he's tasked with helping his grandmother, and told to avoid one hunter and
his daughter. Good reading skills or parental read-aloud will make this accessible to a wider age
range; and those who delight in the Red Riding Hood original will relish this very different
perspective.
The Environmental Shelf
Ocean One: Only One Ocean...Only One Chance
Eileen Clancy Biegel, author
Sue Lynn Cotton, illustrator
The Peppertree Press
www.peppertreepublishing.com
www.theoceanone.com
9781614935322, $14.95, HC, 24pp, www.amazon.com
Informatively written by Eileen Clancy Biegel and compellingly illustrated by Suy Lynn Cotton,
for children in grades K-6, "Ocean One: Only One Ocean...Only One Chance" addresses such
questions as: What happens to plastic items once they have been used? How do abandoned
fishing nets, known as ghost nets, float aimlessly in the ocean? Where do balloons go after they
have released into the air? "Ocean One" deftly tells the story of a unique place on Earth that is
profoundly affected by the impact of marine debris. Young readers will go along with a young
boy named Edward as he flies to Kure Atoll, located in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands,
where he learns the impact has far-reaching consequences that affects each of us. As informative
and thought-provoking as it is original and entertaining, "Ocean One" is a picture book that is
especially and very highly recommended for family, elementary school, and community library
collections for young readers.
The Christian Shelf
Our Blessed Mother: The Story of Mary for Children
Marlyn Evangelina Monge, FSP, author/adapter
Julia Mary Darrenkamp, FSP, illustrator
Pauline Books and Media
885 Providence Hwy., Dedham, Massachusetts 02026
9780819855049 $8.95 www.pauline.org
"Our Blessed Mother" is adapted from "My First Book About Mary," by Christine Virginia
Orfeo. It is a color illustrated account of the life of Mary, mother of Jesus, with additional
chapters on several different important apparitions of Mary to help lead believers to Jesus, and
our Lady of the Rosary and instructions for praying the rosary. "Our Blessed Mother" is simply
and clearly written, with faith and belief infusing every page. The illustrations are softly colored
and gently luminous. Children age 8 and up will enjoy reading "Our Blessed Mother" to learn
about the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
The Bilingual Shelf
The Cloud Artist
Sherri Maret, author
Merisha Sequoia Clark, illustrator
The RoadRunner Press
http://www.theroadrunnerpress.com
9781937054748, $17.95, 36pp, www.amazon.com
Born with the gift of painting with the clouds, Leona is a little Choctaw girl who uses the sky as
her canvas to the delight of her people. When a traveling man learns of her gift and invites her to
join the carnival, the Cloud Artist must make a decision about what kind of artist she wants to be.
This bilingual (English/Choctaw) picture book story is part historical fiction, part fantasy, and
part tall tale. Over thirty follow-up activities are available on author Sherri Maret's website
(http://www.sherrimaret.com/). Illustrated with the artistry of Merisha Sequoia Clark, "The
Cloud Artist" is ideal for children ages 4 to 8 and warmly recommended for family, daycare
center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections.
Voices Are Not for Yelling/ la voz no es para gritar
Elizabeth Verdick, author
Marieka Heinlen, illustrator
Free Spirit Publishing
6325 Sandburg Road, Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55427
9781631981913 $11.95 www.freespirit.com
Written in Spanish and English for readers ages 4-7 years, "Voices Are Not for Yelling/ La voz
no es para gritar" explains clearly how different levels of vocal volume are used. for example,
outside, loud volume voices are for playing outside, while quieter, indoor volume voices are for
talking in cars, buildings, schools, libraries, or near sleeping persons. Your voice is a powerful
instrument that can be used many ways. When you use a very loud outdoor voice to others
because you are upset, or mad, or frustrated, this can cause hurt feelings. Voices are not for
yelling. A way to calm yourself so you can quiet your voice and speak words quietly that can be
understood is described. You can take deep breaths in and out slowly until your body calms
down. Then you are ready to use your words to find a solution to the problem with another or
others. The book ends with a helpful saying: "Think before your yell... and use your words well:/
Piensa antes de gritar...y utiliza bien tus palabras para hablar!" There are also additional tips and
activities for parents and caregivers to discourage yelling and promote polite verbal
communication. "Voices Are Not for Yelling: La voz no es para gritar" is an excellent bilingual
book filled with pleasing, colorful illustrations to teach positive communication patterns to
children.
The Self-Help Shelf
What to Do When You Don't Want to Be Apart
Kristen Lavallee, PhD, and Silvia Schneider, Dr. rer. nat., authors
Janet McDonnell, illustrator
Magination Press
c/o American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
9781433827136 $15.95 www.apa.org/pubs/magination
"What to Do When You Don't Want to Be Apart: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming Separation
Anxiety" is an excellent kid's guide to overcoming separation anxiety. Designed to be
comfortably read and implemented by kids age 6-13, this self help manual offers a central image
of flying your hot air balloon as a guide to seeking growing confidence and acceptance of new
independence and life experiences. "What to Do When You Don't Want to Be Apart" offers
special instruction to parents and caregivers about the value of practicing being separated for
kids. The more practice sessions that are done, the more a child will experience decreasing
anxiety and fear, part of a process called habituation. Parents can help children through this
process on their own, using many suggested formats and self monitoring tools, or they can
request assistance with such exercises from a child psychotherapist. It is important to take the
necessary amount of time to complete at least 7-14 practice sessions, lasting from 15 minutes to 2
hours each. prompt beginning of each exercise lessens anticipatory anxiety. Practice sessions
should be done at least every few days. Try a variety of situations for practice, starting from the
mildest anxiety and progressing to stronger fear situations. parents are encouraged to reinforce
brave, independent, courageous behavior in kids, using different special rewards as well for
reinforcement. At the same time, parents are encouraged to pay less or little attention to
fearfulness or overly anxious behavior, switching subjects, or distracting the child until fear
subsides. Parents can also model bravery. What-to-Do series books like this one can be a very
helpful tool. Written in kid friendly language, illustrated with positive, uplifting images of kids
discovering new experiences and enjoying their rides in a hot air balloon, "What to Do When
You Don't Want to Be Apart" offers a series of fun tasks and games and checkpoints for self
monitoring exercises over ten chapters. Even the titles of these chapters are inspiring: Flying
Your Hot Air Balloon, How Does Anxiety make you Feel?, Check Your Visibility, Turn Up the
Heat, Untie the Sandbags, Take Your Time, Create Your Flight Plan, Take Off and Accrue Your
Flight Hours!, Enjoy the View and Stay Brave! and You Can Do It! Each chapter has specific
practice exercises to help define and limit separation fear and anxiety. Encouraging drawings of
confident kids going about their daily routines and enjoying different experiences add to the
positive impact. "What to Do When You Don't Want to Be Apart" offers a nonjudgmental
approach to getting a handle on kids' separation anxiety with the ultimate goal of leading a richer
life.
The Health Shelf
Eat This! How Fast-Food Marketing Gets You to Buy Junk (and how to fight back)
Andrea Curtis, author
Peggy Collins, illustrator
Red Deer Press
195 Allstate Parkway, Markham, Ontario, L3R 4T8, Canada
9780889955325 $16.95 pbk www.reddeerpress.com
"Eat This!" is aimed towards a youth audience of children age 9-14 in grades 4-8. "Eat This!" is
an effective analysis of varied marketing tactics to persuade younger consumers to eat
non-nutritious or junk food, with specific suggestions for ways to avoid being overly influenced
by media publicity tactics in food choices, and ways to request or encourage food providers to
offer a wider range of healthy choices of foods targeted towards kids. A couple of highlighted
topic chapters titled Do This! offer specific examples, such as 9 year old Hannah Robertson's talk
with McDonald's' executive that questioned the use of toys, mascots, and marketing techniques
used to trick kids into eating and wanting unhealthy foods. Although the executive made
counterclaims, McDonald's' began to offer more healthy food choices for kids, and media
concluded that Hannah was responsible for beginning a meaningful dialogue between kids and
fast food marketing. She actually said, "Don't you want ids to be healthy so they can live a long
and happy life?... It would be nice if you stopped trying to trick kids into wanting to eat your food
all the time." The conclusion is that kids can be a powerful force for change in the arena of fast
food marketing. the final "Do This!" pages offer these among other suggestions: Celebrate
diversity. Do price checks and taste tests. Lobby for litterless lunches. Advocate for fast food
marketing-free zones. Question media. Watch product placement. Use viral video tactics to spur
eating healthy foods. Read nutrition labels. Assess food based fundraisers, including the
nutritional value of the foods. Watch fast food mascot use, think critically about this. Consider
the Retire Ronald campaign and create similar efforts. "Eat This!" is described as a tool kit to
fight fast-food marketing to kids. As such it has plenty of empowerment value and appeal for
young readers and others. It could be easily incorporated into any math, sociology, or marketing
class.
The Cosmic Carrot: A Journey to Wellness, Clear Vision & Good Nutrition
Robert Grand, author
Ros Webb, illustrator
Cosmic Editions
P.O. 34891, Miami, Florida 33234
9780996722353 $10.95 www.cosmiceditions.net
Written by an eye doctor to teach children the importance of eating a healthy diet and good vision
care practices, "The Cosmic Carrot" is an exciting story of reclaiming good health and vision told
in rhyme. Max and Mitch are best friends, but their vision and overall health is very different.
Max eats and grow organic vegetables and a healthy diet, while Mitch does not. Mitch's vision
and grades have been slipping, and his allergies, through diagnosed and treated with medication,
have not responded well to treatment. First Mitch had a special treatment program for his vision
problems called "Ortho-K." He wore specially prescribed gas permeable corneal molds at night
while sleeping to improve clear daytime vision with no corrective lenses. When Max's parents
gave suggestions, he followed an organic diet, with organic fruits, veggies, coconut milk and
nuts, plus daily juicing of organic fruits and vegetables and drinking green tea. Gradually his
allergies and colds improved, along with his ability to focus and do homework each day.
Inspiring, bright ink and water color illustrations demonstrate the miraculous path to improved
vision, wellness, and good nutrition. "The Cosmic Carrot" is informative, educational, and fun
for young readers.
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Sights & Sounds of Those Springtime Birds in My Backyard
Karen Yarrish, author
David W. Porter, illustrator
Swingin' Bridge Books
c/o Keystone College Press
9781640427013 $15.95 pb www.keystone.edu/presses
Written in lilting narrative verse and delicately illustrated in a combination of detailed black and
white media with bright colored subjects highlighted, "Springtime Birds in My Backyard"
introduces young readers to a cavalcade of bird species commonly seen in the spring. Some of
these include the black -capped chickadee, the mourning dove, the red-winged blackbird, the
cardinal, the blue jay, the white breasted nuthatch, the tufted titmouse, the American goldfinch,
the ruby-throated hummingbird, and of course, the robin. Careful descriptions of the birds'
different calls are given, and colored portraits help readers to discern differences between the
male and the female of different species. A girl, who happens to be African-American, has her
questions about the birds answered by her mother, who happens to be Anglo American, offering
another model for celebrating diversity and family differences. Additional information about
bird's songs, nesting, and migrating habits is seamlessly offered in this beautiful book. The
contrast of black and white detailed ink drawings against brightly colored birds and principal
characters delivers further lessons in identity of birds, also implying a profound love of the rich
diversity of nature.
Books in Series
Cloud Warrior
Erin Fanning
Saddleback Educational Publishing Inc.
3120-A Pullman Street, Cosa Mesa, CA 92626-4564
www.sdlback.com
9781680214765, $8.95, PB, 92pp, www.amazon.com
The Monarch Jungle series of books from Saddleback Educational Publishing is specifically
designed for struggling teen readers. The contemporary fiction is written at accessible levels and
provides substantive content without being edgy. The relatable plots appeal to teens, especially
those who are reluctant to read. Books in this simply outstanding series quickly grab their interest
with fast-paced storylines that feature realistic, sometimes larger-than-life teen characters readers
can identify with or would like to know. Then there is an unexpected twist. The characters lives
are suddenly on the edge of fame, fear, or even sanity. What starts out as fun or routine becomes
a nightmare, real or imagined. As characters are tested in mind, body, and spirit, readers have a
sense of being there to experience the adventure. One of the latest titles in this simply
outstanding series is "Cloud Warrior" by Erin Fanning. It's the story of Raul and Juan who set out
for a few hours of kayaking. The weather is in their favor. It should be an easy ride. Raul, who is
nicknamed the Cloud Warrior, prides himself on knowing good weather from bad. But once on
the river, storm clouds appear. Their only choice is to keep moving and try to beat them. Soon
they learn that a storm is the least of their worries. Some unexpected campers are in the area
causing trouble. Not only for Raul and Juan. But for a girl Raul likes. Also highly recommended
for school and community library collections are the other eight titles in the Monarch Jungle
series: Art Seen; Avalanche; Baby Mama; Blurred Reality; Instafamous; Lost in Time; Summer
Lake; The Throwaways.
Saddleback Educational Publishing Inc.
3120-A Pullman Street, Cosa Mesa, CA 92626-4564
www.sdlback.com
Saddleback Education Publishing is the premier publisher of Low Vocabulary - High Interest
reading materials for junior high and highschool aged students. One of their latest series of
non-fiction titles, 'Red Rhino Nonfiction', features five titles by John Perritano, who has written a
number of non-fiction books for middle school and high school students, including those for
Time for Kids, National Geographic, Scholastic, among others. This outstanding series includes:
Wild Weather (9781680210514, $9.95, 60pp) about severe weather and its hazards; Comet
Catcher (9781680210477, $9.95, 60pp) which specifically focuses on comets; Little Rock Nine
(9781680210552, $9.95, 60pp) about one of the key events of the Civil Rights movement; 3D
Printing (9781680210736, $9.95, 60pp) which showcases this amazing new technology; Medial
of Honor (9781680210545, $9.95, 60pp) which spotlights the country's highest military award.
Each title includes visually appealing full-color photographs and illustrations, fun facts, and short
chapters keep emerging readers focused. Each individual title is written at a 1.5-1.9 readability
level, and includes pre-reading comprehension questions and a 20-word glossary for
comprehension support.
Crabtree Publishing
www.crabtreebooks.com
Two new series additions are highly recommended picks for discriminating elementary-level
collections who look for books tied to curriculum standards that offer lasting value and bright,
contemporary color photos and information for leisure readers as well as students. The 'Travel
With the Great Explorers' series ($27.60 each) provides 32 pages of information for ages 8-11
and supports state social studies standards, Common Core State Standards for Reading
Informational Text and Writing Standards for grades 4-5, and more. A magazine-style reporting
format paired with bright images throughout includes primary source materials and brings the
history to life. Explore with Sir Walter Raleigh (9780778739234), Vasto Nunez de Balboa
(9780778739210), Giovanni da Verrazzano (9780778739227), Mary Kingsley (9780778739203),
Gertrude Bell (9780778739104), and Ibn Battuta (9780778739081) all provide memoirs of
individuals that stand out for their explorations and discoveries, making these picks for history
and biography students alike. The 'Techno Planet' series ($27.60 each) will reach reading ages
8-11 with discussions that support STEM Initiatives with captivating images and stories designed
to capture young reader attention. Paula Johanson's Tech Industry (9780778736042) and
Supercharged Sports (9780778736035), Megan Kopp's Space Tech (9780778736028) and Bionic
Bodies (9780778735847), James Bow's Tech to Protect (9780778736066) and Kelly Spence's
Tech Living (9780778736059) all discuss technological advancements and how they are
changing the world. All are top recommendations for discriminating elementary libraries looking
to get the most from their book purchasing budget.
My Dirty Dog: My Informative Essay
Darcy Pattison, author
Ewa O'Neill, illustrator
Mims House
https://mimshouse.com
9781629440910 $9.99 pbk / $2.99 Kindle amazon.com
Book 4 of the Read and Write Series, "My Dirty Dog: My Informative Essay" is an example of
how to develop a topic into an informative essay. Filled with chunky, stylish color illustrations of
kids and dogs having fun, "My Dirty Dog" tells the story of a day spent by two cousins, Dennis
and Mellie, with their dogs, Clark and Lois, at a K-9 park festival and parade, ending with a
special birthday party for their grandma. Both cousins enjoy their day with the dogs and then do
their homework, which is to write informative essays about their day. The examples of their two
essays are included as part of the story. Also included is a page explaining about how to write
informative essays. For example, informative essays give information, have a clear chosen topic,
contain strong details plus good connecting words and phrases, and also feature an introduction
and conclusion. "My Dirty Dog" is a humorous example of a fine informative essay written by a
conscientious student. Other titles in this fun series include "I Want a Dog: My Opinion Essay,
Book 1," "I Want a Cat: My Opinion Essay, Book 2," and "My Crazy Dog: My Narrative Essay,
Book 3." This innovative juvenile writing series makes teaching and learning to write fun for
all.
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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