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Children's Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
Burgess Bird Book For Children
Thornton Burgess
Dover Publications
31 E. 2nd St., Mineola, NY 11501
0486428400 $7.95 1-800-223-3130
Thornton Burgess' stories 'interview' typical birds for kids, using these interviews to teach the
basics
on different common birds' appearances, behavior, eating and songs. His classic appeared in 1919
to
much acclaim, and Dover's economy-minded paperwork reprint offers new generations the same
introduction. The Burgess Bird Book For Children is especially recommended as a read-aloud
tool
for parents.
Scholastic Inc.
557 Broadway, New York NY 10012
1-800-242-7737 www.amazon.com
It's a pleasure to see Garth Nix's Keys To The Kingdom: Mister Monday (0439551234, $5.99) in
affordable paperback, presenting the first book in the series for a new generation of readers in an
affordable paper format. Arthur is slated to die an early death but his life is saved by a key shaped
like a clock's hand a key which brings with it the power not only to reverse predictions, but to
introduce bizarre creates into the world. Suddenly everyone is fighting for ownership of a key
which
will change the world in this first book of a gripping adventure. Elizabeth Kay's The Divide
(0439456967, $15.95) provide both an eye-catching cover divided in the middle for open-out
effect and a captivating boy with a heart condition who spends his vacation in Costa Rica at a
spot
where a magical world exists. Add a powerful fantasy to a story of a boy's struggles and you have
a
moving tale. Sally Prue's Cold Tom (0439482682, $15.95) tells of an elf who is cast away from
his
tribe and who flees to a city of hated demons with terrible houses and blaring demon voices, far
from
his world. For Tom is not wholly of either world, and his conflicts to fit in either will change both
universes in this unusual fantasy.
Ten Amazing People
Maura D. Shaw & Stephen Marchesi
Skylight Paths Publishing
PO Box 237, Woodstock, VT 05091
1893361470 $17.95 1-800-962-4544
Written by Maura D. Shaw and illustrated by Stephen Marchesi, Ten Amazing People is an
inspirational nonfiction picture book, profiling the lives of ten great and influential people: Black
Elk, Dorothy Day, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., Janusz Korczak, Mahatma Gandhi,
Mother
Teresa of Calcutta, Albert Schweitzer, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Desmond Tutu. An enlightening
survey of real-life role models, Ten Amazing People is very highly recommended -- especially for
school and community library collections for young readers.
The Moses Basket
Jenny Koralek & Pauline Baynes
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
255 Jefferson Avenue, S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49503
0802852513 $16.00 1-800-253-7521
Highly recommended for young readers ages 3 to 6, The Moses Basket presents the classic
Biblical
tale of Moses' early childhood, set adrift in a basket when his life was in danger. Stylized color
illustrations by Pauline Baynes combines with the straightforward text by Jenny Koralek and
brings
to life this powerful tale in a meaningful and respectful manner.
DK Publishing
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
www.dk.com www.amazon.com
Two titles packed with 'see through' transparent pages will hold much attraction for parents and
kids
alike. Ancient Greece Revealed (0789492717, $12.99) provides cutting-edge graphics and
beautiful
facts and figures embellished with lavish color plates exploring ancient Greece's structures, history
and culture. Secrets Of The Deep Revealed (0789492725, $12.99) focuses on deep ocean
creatures
and habitats. Both combine stunning digital photos with explorations of nature and history.
I'm A Manatee
John Lithgow
Simon & Schuster
1230 Ave of Americas, NY NY 10020
0689854277 $17.95 www.amazon.com
This book/cd combination brings a delightful musical interlude to this story of a little boy who
dreams of becoming a manatee, and embarks on an underwater adventure. The CD song brings
his
adventure to life in this title especially recommended for parents for read-aloud and multimedia
pleasure.
Treasury Of Classic Children's Literature
William F. Buckley, Jr., editor
ISI Books
Box 4431, Wilmington, DE 19807-0431
096278415X $29.95 1-800-526-7022
Compiled and edited by William F. Buckiley, Jr., the Treasury Of Classic Children's Literature is
an
anthology of enduring stories for young folk, painstakingly selected and compiled by William F.
Buckley, Jr. for their lasting appeal across the generations. Works by Jack London, Lewis Carroll,
Rudyard Kipling, Mark Twain, Thorton W. Burgess, Palmer Cox, and others, are embellished
with
black-and-white illustrations in this timeless and memorable anthology which is a welcome and
recommended addition to school and community library Children's Literature anthology
collections.
Random House
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
1-800-726-0600 www.amazon.com
The appearance of the classic Trixie Belden series in new attractive hardcovers will involve new
generations in the mysteries and investigations of this lively teen, who rivals Nancy Drew for
adventure and savvy. Trixie first appeared over fifty years ago: reprints of the first two books in
the
series, Secret Of The Mansion (037582412X) and Red Trailer Mystery (0375824111, $6.99 each)
assure that new readers will follow her adventures with delight. Younger readers enjoying chapter
books will relish Barbara Park's Junie B., First Grader: Cheater Pants (0375823-018, $11.95) as it
asks the all-important question of what constitutes cheating. First grade offers a year of
excitement
for Junie B: from a vivid show-and-tell session to ongoing questions about cheating. All are
excellent choices.
The Fiction Shelf
Good Night, Sleep Tight
Claire Freedman & Rory Tyger
Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
100 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011
0810945134 $14.95 1-800-759-0190
Good Night, Sleep Tight is a soothing picture book story by Claire Freedman about a baby-sitting
grandmother bear who learns just the right bedtime ritual to tuck her beloved grandson bear to
sleep. Gentle illustrations by Rory Tyger add an inviting touch to this delightful and highly
recommended story which is particularly excellent for sharing with little ones just prior to blissful
bedtime drowsiness.
Haunting Of Swain's Fancy
Brenda Seabrooke
Dutton/Penguin Putnam
345 Hudson, New York NY 10014
0525469389 $16.99 1-800-847-5515
Taylor has come from another state to spend the summer with her father and his new wife and her
children but an empty spooky old house greets her and when the family does show up, it's with
less
than a display of family warmth. Initial hostility between the new stepsisters changes as both are
confronted with a supernatural force which threatens each building family feelings in the
process.
Celebrate Cricket
Marianne Carus, editor
Cricket Books
332 S. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1100, Chicago, IL 60604
0812626958 $24.95 1-312-939-1500
Compiled and edited by Marianne Carus (Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Cricket Magazine
Group), Celebrate Cricket: 30 Years Of Stories And Art commemorates the longevity and
enduring
inspiration of Cricket magazine by collecting award-winning stories and poems, illustrated with
black-and-white pictures and a few color cover illustrations of magazine issues. Yet Celebrate
Cricket is more than simply a compilation of historic excerpts; there are also fresh contributions
and
reflections of the great people who founded and contributed to Cricket magazine, including a tale
from the magazine's early days by Lloyd Alexander himself, rounding out this very highly
recommended tribute that is a "must" addition to school and community library collections for
young
readers.
The Crying Rocks
Janet Taylor Lisle
Atheneum/Simon & Schuster
1230 Ave of Americas, NY, NY 10020
068985319X $16.95 1-800-223-2336
Grades 7 and up will appreciate this warm story of Joelle, who discovers a likeness to Native
Americans which will change her perceptions of who she is and Native history. Her new friend
Carlos who has introduced her to this history has his own hard secret to reveal one which
involves
a family loss and a hidden guilt. How they change each other's life makes for a moving saga.
Angus And The Hidden Fort
Steven A. Corirossi
iUniverse.com, Inc.
2021 Pine Lake Road, #100, Lincoln, NE 68512
0595275400 $9.95 iuniverse.com
Angus And The Hidden Fort by Steven A. Corirossi is an engaging novel for young readers about
Angus McBride a nine-year-old boy, and his best friend Andrew Sills, who when exploring Black
Hawk Park, discover the legacy of a one hundred and fifty year old mystery. Angus And The
Hidden
Fort is a highly recommended, adventurous and exciting tale, and one that opens with an
unknown
individual fleeing the wrath of two bare-chested Indians and proffers tantalizing hints as to the
who
and the why of the chase, until the stunning revelation of the end. The debut novel of a six-book
series, readers will appreciate author Steven Corirossi's talents as a first class storyteller and will
look eagerly forward to the new two titles: Angus And The Mysterious House and Angus And
The
Forgotten Trails.
Delacorte/Random House
1230 Ave of Americas, NY, NY 10020
1-800-726-0600 www.amazon.com
Two new titles promise very different leisure enjoyment experiences to teens. Jeffrey Lee's True
Blue (0385730934, $14.95) tells of two
outsiders: Molly the new kid, Chrys the weird kid. The two form a bond because of a science
competition, only to find other links which go beyond coincidence in this story of friendship. Fans
of
Phyllis Naylor's "Boys Against The Girls" series will delight in the new Boys In Control
(0385327404, $15.95), which continues the saga of the Hatford boys and the Malloy girls at war.
Here a thwarted baseball game turns into another competition between boys in girls in this story
of
war and underlying friendships, with more than a dash of humor.
Candlewick Press
2067 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140
1-800-526-0275 www.amazon.com
Carolyn Mackler's The Earth, My Butt, And Other Big Round Things (0763619582, $15.99)
tells
of Virginia, who has a larger-than-average body and an inferiority complex to go with it. Despite
her
desires to be a beauty, she can't stay away from the junk food, and finds herself bucking an
exercise-conscious mother and a father who's a jet-setter. But her problems are only just
beginning,
as she faces a revelation which will turn her life around. Kate DiCamillo's Tale Of Despereaux
(0763617229, $17.99) tells of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse who loves music and stories. Add a
slow
serving girl and an impossible wish along with a spirited adventure involving a castle and you have
a
tale which will prove hard to put down.
Knopf/Random House
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
1-800-726-0600 www.amazon.com
Mary Chase's Wicked Wicked Ladies In The Haunted House (037582572X, $15.95) returns to
print
an old classic: the story of an outsider who imagines she lives in an old mansion. Maureen is nasty
to
everyone and when she creeps into the abandoned old mansion she's even rude to the ladies in the
pictures ladies who turn out to be evil and who come to life with an agenda. New generations
will
find this delightful. Jerry Spineli's Milkweed (0375813748, $15.95) tells of a boy who lives in the
streets of Warsaw, and who dreams of being a Nazi someday with all the heroism he perceives to
go
with it. Hard political lessons will open his eyes to the reality behind Nazi sentiments in this
hard-hitting and realistic story of a Jewish boy who wants to be otherwise. David Levithan's Boy
Mets Boy (0375824006, $15.95) provides the story of high school sophomore Paul, who attends
a
high school here the kids are struggling with sexuality and gay issues. Paul finds himself in love
with
Noah and bucking status quo and trends in this story recommended for older teens.
Rebecca Of Storybrook Farm
Eric Wiggins & Kate Douglas Wiggin
Bethel Publishing
2000 Evangel Way, Nappanee, IN 46550
0934998671 $20.99 www.amazon.com
Fans of the classic "Rebecca" series will be enormously pleased at the appearance of this
three-book
set of paperbacks in a cardboard case which include the title story, Rebecca Of Storybrook Farm,
plus Rebecca Of The Brick House and Rebecca Returns To Sunnybrook. These classic children's
novels are re-releases modernized by Eric Wiggin and enhanced with his third addition of Rebecca
Returns To Sunnybrook, and will delight new audiences as well as providing a delightful nostalgia
for old fans of the classic saga of a plucky young girl.
Gallopade International
PO Box 2779, Peachtree City, GA 30269
1-800-536-2438 www.gallopade.com
For the past twenty years Carole Marsh has been an experienced and accomplished author of
exciting stories for young readers. Two of her latest and highly recommended mysteries in a
special
twelve volume series are The Mystery On The Underground Railroad (0635021099 $5.95) which
draws from a
pre-Civil Ear period of American history when men and women risked their lives and property to
help others escape from slavery in the South to freedom in the North. The White House Christmas
Mystery (0635016648 $5.95) takes place in the nation's presidential residence of offers a
wonderfully
entertaining
tour through the White House to solve an Oval Office mystery!
The Science Shelf
Astronomy
Carole Stott
Kingfisher
c/o Houghton Mifflin Company
215 Park Avenue South, NY, NY 10003
075345582X $16.95 1-800-225-3362
Presented in full color with NASA photographs, Astronomy by Carole Stott is a fascinating,
informative, and a very highly recommended introduction to the mysteries of the Solar System
and
beyond for young readers. Up-to-date facts on heavenly bodies, stargazing, and the latest
discoveries help fire a child's natural curiosity in this captivating science book enhanced
throughout
with lavish illustration (including NASA photography!).
The Picturebook Shelf
Snow Music
Lynne Rae Perkins
HarperCollins Children's Books
1350 Ave. of the Americas, NY NY 10019
0066239567 $15.99 1-800-242-7737
A superbly executed picture book for children by Lynne Rae Perkins, Snow Music emphasizes
vision
and sensation over plodding narrative. An elegant picture book featuring rapturous art and
onomatopoeic writing, Snow Music uses color, contrast, and simple yet expressive phrases to
bring
alive a feeling of imagination and wonder in readers of all ages. A unique and distinguished
read-aloud treasure to share with young children.
There Once Was A Puffin
Florence Page Jaques & Shari Halpern
North-South Books Inc.
11 East 26th South, 17th fl, NY NY 10010
0735817707 $15.95 northsouth.com
Adroitly written by Florence Page Jaques with an "easy reader" text, and enhanced with the
artwork
of Shari Halpern, There Once Was A Puffin is a brightly illustrated picture book about a lonely
puffin. At first he ate fish, but he had no one to play with - so he befriended the fish he once ate,
and
learned to eat pancakes instead. An upbeat story told with energy and gusto, There Once Was A
Puffin is a welcome addition to any school or community library collection.
Names For Snow
Judi K. Beach & Loretta Krupinski
Hyperion Books
114 Fifth Ave., 14th fl, NY, NY 10011
0786819375 $16.99 1-800-759-0190
Beautifully illustrated with the artwork of Loretta Krupinski, Names For Snow is a delightful
picture
book inspired by Inuit culture, as well as author Judi Beach's fond and personal childhood
memories.
Inuit Native Americans spend so much of their lives in winter that it is said they have over fifty
names for snow. In Names For Snow, a mother rabbit shows her child the many names and sides
of
this wintry phenomenon, from Harmonica when it whistles through the trees, to Kitten when it
sleeps in the crook of a window, to Trickster when it appears on April first, and more. Names For
Snow is commended for young readers as being a thoroughly joyful celebration of winter season
wonder.
The Little Island
Margaret Wise Brown & Leonard Weisgard
Doubleday/Random
1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
0385746407 $14.95 1-800-726-0600
A little island in the big ocean is rich with wildlife and nature despite its remote location and
seeming
isolation, and rich and gorgeous watercolors accompany Margaret Wise Brown and Leonard
Weisgard's The Little Island, a tale of seasonal changes on that island. The Little Island is a warm,
revealing story with plenty of eye-catching realistic color drawings.
Fidgety Fish
Ruth Galloway
Tiger Tales
c/o ME Media LLC
PO Box 70, Iron Ridge, WI 53035
1589253779 $5.95 tigertalesbooks.com
Ruth Galloway's simple yet exuberant color illustrations highlight her story of Fidgety Fish, a
playful
young fish whose excessive energy comes in handy when a much bigger fish decides he would
make
a nice snack! Fidgety Fish is an upbeat, simple, friendly and appealing story presented with charm
and zest. Also very highly recommended for very young readers are the Through The Heart Of
The
Jungle (1589253809, $5.95); Very Lazy Ladybug (1589253795, $6.95); Bunny's Tail
(158-925676X, $3.95); and Hopping Rabbit (1589256565, $5.95).
Orchard Books
557 Broadway, New York NY 10012
1-800-242-7737 www.amazon.com
Three new titles are recommended picks for buyers seeking unusual picture books. Giles Andrede
and Guy Parker-Rees' K Is For Kissing A Cool Kangaroo (0439531268, $15.95) helps the very
young recall letters of the alphabet by offering a rhyming ABC book packed with inviting, bright
drawings. From giants and robots to queens and yetis, this excels in matching unexpected words
to
the traditional letters. Claire Freedman's Hushabye Lily (0439471060, $15.95) tells of a little
rabbit
who tries to sleep in a noisy barnyard. Some rudimentary reading skills or parental assistance will
lend an appreciation to this story of a mother trying to help her child sleep in a noisy environment.
Charlotte Labaronne's Best Friends (0439372526, $16.95) tells of lonely Alexander Alligator,
who
doesn't have any friends and who looks forward to a new student's arrival in school. Alexander
tries
to overcome his shyness to befriend Louise the Lion, but he keeps getting it wrong in this funny
story of loneliness.
Marvin Wanted More!
Joseph Theobald
Bloomsbury/Trafalgar Square
PO Box 257, Howe Hill Road, North Pomfret, VT 05053-0257
0747556318 $16.95 1-800-423-4525
Marvin's not a happy sheep: he's smaller than the others and can't run as fast or jump as high. So
he
decides to eat but no matter how much he eats and grows, he finds he's never satisfied. Soon he
finds his dilemma falling at the other end of the scale literally in this story of Marvin the little,
turned big.
Harry And The Bucketful Of Dinosaurs
Ian Whybrow
Random House
1745 Broadway, NY, NY 10019
037582541X $14.95 1-800-726-0600
While cleaning the attic Harry finds a dusty old box of dinosaurs. He cleans them and fixes them
up
and has adventures with them until he accidentally leaves his bucketful of friends behind on the
train and must deal with Lost and Found. Adrian Reynolds adds whimsical drawings to this zany
and
entertaining story.
Diary Of A Wombat
Jackie French
Clarion Books
215 Park Avenue So., NY NY 10003
0618381368 $14.00 1-800-225-3362
Bruce Whatley's Diary Of A Wombat offers engaging drawings of a wombat accenting the diary
of a
wombat's preoccupation with the source of delicious carrots. His new human neighbors seem a
good
source for his new fancy but they just need some proper training, so it's up to the little wombat
to
teach them proper manners. Young picturebook enthusiasts will relish this warm and friendly,
simple
account.
Bent Willow Publishing
2260 Townsgate Road, #2, Westlake Village, CA 91361
www.bentwillowpublishing.com
Two new titles in the "Willowbe Woods Campfire Stories" series are recommended
picks
for parent/child read-alouds. Ila Wallen's The Not Me Monster (037582703X, $16.95) presents
the
campfire story of one Bunny, who is convinced her mistakes are the worst ones. Her
embarrassment
over her innocent mistake leads to a monster of blame, created to distract others from her error
but Bunny has created a larger problem than life and must face up to it in this story of honesty and
responsibility. Wallen's Moon In My Room (0375827048, $16.95) also receives the warm
drawings
of Robert Sauber as it tells of a cuddly beat cub named Will who wants to overcome his fear of
the
dark. His friends join in to help him by telling him their own methods for overcoming ear in this
story of conflict resolution. Both are engaging tales with lessons for kids.
Amoeba Hop
Christine Lavin
Puddle Jump Press
103 Massachusetts Avenue, Congers, NY 10920
0972648739 $17.95 puddlejumppress.com
Folksinger and songwriter Christine Lavin turns her song into Amoeba Hop, an illustrated book,
telling of a young girl who looks at a muddy puddle and discovers lively invertebrates within its
depths. Add charming paintings by Betsy Feeney who photos taken through a light microscope to
accompany the whimsical drawings and you have a well-rounded blend of science and
adventure.
Trouble In The Barker's Class
Tomie DePaola
Putnam
345 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
0399241647 $14.99 1-800-847-5515
Morgie and Mollie are excited about the new student to join their class, but Carole Anne is
anything
but friendly: she seems determined to cause trouble and makes it impossible for anyone to like
her.
With all the hostility she's creating in class, it's no wonder nobody wants to continue the effort to
be
her friend. Trouble In The Barker's Class is a realistic story of a new girl's struggle to be
accepted.
Voices Of Ancient Egypt
Kay Winters & Barry Moser
National Geographic Society
1145 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036-4688
0792275608 $16.95 www.ngs.org
Voices Of Ancient Egypt is an extensively researched picture book that presents simple, moving
poems by Kay Winters about the daily lives and jobs that Egyptian people once held, including
scribe, marshman, birdnetter, weaver, goldsmith, and more. Flowing illustrations by Barry Moser
and historical notes complement this excellent and fascinating National Geographic "window" into
ancient times for young folks.
Too Many Pears!
Jackie French & Bruce Whatley
Star Bright Books
42-26 28th Street, Suite 2C, Long Island City, NY 11101
1932065474 $16.95 1-800-788-4439
The collaborative effort of Jackie French and Bruce Whatley, Too Many Pears! is an appealing,
cartoon-style picturebook about a strong-willed and clever cow who loves pears, and will go to
great lengths to get them. A young girl must find a way to curb the animal's insatiable appetite!
Simply delightful reading, the whimsical color illustrations add an exuberant touch to this
charming
tale.
The Day The Animals Came
Frances Ward Weller & Loren Long
Philomel Books/Penguin
345 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
0399236309 $16.99 penguinputnam.com
The Day The Animals Came: A Story Of Saint Francis Day is a very highly recommended picture
book story by Frances Ward Weller and set during the Feast of St. Francis, when people bring
their
pets to the church for blessing. A young girl is excited and wants to participate - but how can she,
when she doesn't own a pet? An emotional recognition of faithful observance, written with gentle
and respectful warmth, The Day The Animals Came is wonderfully enhanced with the memorable
artwork of Loren Long.
Can You Cuddle Like A Koala?
John Butler
Peachtree Publishers, Ltd.
1700 Chattahoochee Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30318-2112
156145298X $15.95 1-800-241-0113
Written and illustrated by John Butler, Can You Cuddle Like A Koala? is an easy reader picture
book featuring simple phrases and adorable, color artwork illustrations of cute, playful, and
fascinating animal babies. Can You Cuddle Like A Koala? is recommended as an especially
delightful book to read aloud, look through, and share with the very young.
Farrar, Straus, Giroux
19 Union Square West, NY, NY 10003
1-888-330-8477 www.amazon.com
Two fine new picturebooks provide intriguing stories for younger readers. Alexis Decon's Beegu
(0374306672, $16.00) tells of a little friendly alien who is lost on Earth amongst Earthlings who
don't seem very welcoming. Fine insights on the world as seen by aliens abound. Sharon Arms
Doucet's Alligator Sue (0374302189, $17.00) tells of one Alligator Sue, who lives on a
Louisiana
houseboat and who finds herself facing a prickly mother alligator who invites Sue to her large
family circle. Can Sue really fit into an alligator family? Zany pictures by Anne Wilsdorf
abound.
Our Twitchy
Kes Gray & Mary McQuillan
Henry Holt & Company
115 West 18th Street, NY, NY 10011
0805074546 $15.95 1-888-330-8477
The collaborative effort of Kes Gray and Mary McQuillan, Our Twitchy is a thoughtful picture
book
story about a young bunny who comes to realize that his parents don't hop the same way he does.
He was adopted - a traumatic revelation, but he soon learns that families don't have to look the
same
as one another to be a family. Our Twitchy is recommended as a kind-hearted, simple introduction
to what adoption is and means, distinguished with simplistic yet vivid color illustrations.
My Piggy Bank
Tom Lewis & K. L. Darnell
Sleeping Bear Press
310 N. Main St, #300, Chelsea, MI 48118
www.sleepingbearpress.com
158536116X $15.95 www.amazon.com
My Piggy Bank is a colorful, rhyming picture book by Tom Lewis about a young girl discovering
the
joy of saving money for a rainy day. When the opportunity comes to spend part of her savings,
she
elects to buy something unexpected - another beloved piggy bank with which she can save twice
as
much! An upbeat, charming story with impressionable and appealing color illustrations by K. L.
Darnell, My Piggy Bank is simply wonderful reading and a very highly recommended addition to
school and community libraries.
Houghton Mifflin
222 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116
1-800-225-3362 www.amazon.com
Woody Jackson's Cow's Alfalfa-Bet (0618165991, $15.00) tells of cows in Vermont, using a very
simple one-letter A-B-C and paintings to depict cows for all seasons. Early readers with a special
interest in cows will find this delightful. Helen Lester's Something Might Happen (0618254064,
$15.00) receives Lynn Munsinger's delightfully zany color drawings as it tells of Twitchly Fidget,
who is afraid to go anywhere or do anything. His imagination always sees disaster in any situation,
so he stays indoors and waits for adventure to come to him which it does, with an unusual twist.
All are inviting stories.
The Money In The Honey
Aidel Backman
Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch
770 Eastern Pky., Brooklyn, NY 11213
0826600301 $13.00 kehotonline.com
Illustrated and adapted for young readers by Aidel Backman, The Money In The Honey is a
Midrash-based picture book, showcasing a classical Biblical tale of King David's childhood.
Thoughtful color illustrations, and a straightforward narrative text bring this timeless parable
alive.
Enthusiastically recommended reading for children of all faiths and backgrounds who are almost
ready to make the transition from picture books to tales that require more reading comprehension,
The Money In The Honey is an exceptional picture book and would grace any family, school, or
community library collection.
Pookie And Tushka Find A Little Piano
Jorge
Pers Publishing
5255 Stevens Creek Blvd., #232-A, Santa Clara, CA 95051
1932179232 $15.89 www.pers.com
Pookie And Tushka Find A Little Piano is unique storybook with charming, soft color
illustrations,
and is about the adventures of two best friends, a penguin and a polar bear. When a piano washes
upon the shore of their lonely and icy home, they learn a lesson about friendship and harmony. A
game on CD-ROM accompanies this highly recommended picture book story, and education facts
about polar regions, penguins, and polar bears accompany add a special value to this touching and
thoroughly entertaining tale of friendship.
When I Wished I Was Alone
Dave Cutler
GreyCore
2646 New Prospect Road, Pine Bush, NY 12566
0967185106 $16.95 1-845-744-5081
Dave Cutler's When I Wished I Was Alone is a heartwarming picture book story showcased with
enchanting color illustrations. A young boy yearns to be all by himself, and his wish comes true -
far
away, in a place with beautiful stars, rising moons, and dancing planets. It is such a glorious
experience that he finds himself longing to share it with his family; how is he ever to find his way
home? A gentle and caring tale of ties that bind, When I Wished I Was Alone is an enthusiastically
recommended picture book for young readers.
The Day I Could Fly
Lynn Crosbie Loux & Guy Porfirio
NorthWord Press
c/o Creative Publishing International
18705 Lake Drive East, Chanhassen, MN 55317-9384
1559718668 $15.95 1-800-328-0590
Imaginatively written by Lynn Crosbie Loux and superbly illustrated by Guy Porfirio, The Day I
Could Fly is a truly captivating color picture book story of a young girl who experiences what is
like
to live as a crow - including the joy of flight, but also the hardship and loneliness of survival in the
natural world. A thoughtful and gentle work of imagination, The Day I Could Fly is a very highly
recommended and certain to be popular addition to family, school, and community library picture
book collections.
The Folklore/Fairytale Shelf
Japanese Children's Favorite Stories
Florence Sakade
Tuttle Publishing
364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436
0804834490 $16.95 tuttlepublishing.com
Now in a completely revised third edition with color illustrations by Yoshisuke Kurosaki,
Japanese
Children's Favorite Stories compiled by Florence Sakade presents classic folklore favorites from
Japan for the enjoyment of young readers from of all backgrounds. Twenty dramatic tales of
adventure, heroism, and difficult choices make for an enriching and involving anthology which is
enhanced with beautifully illustrated and original art. Japanese Children's Favorite Stories is a
welcome and highly popular contribution to familial, school, and community library
Folktale/Folklore collections.
Tenggren's Golden Tales From The Arabian Nights
Margaret Soifer& Irwin Shapiro, authors
Gustaf Tenggren, illustrator
Golden Books/Random House
1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
037582636X $19.95 1-800-726-0600
The collaborative effort of Margaret Soifer and Irwin Shapiro and recommended for school and
community library Folklore/Fairytale collections, Tenggren's Golden Tales From The Arabian
Nights
is a folklore picture book presenting the most famous stories taken from the classic "A Thousand
And One Nights". Filled with excitement, danger, and wonder, this entertaining anthology with
stylized color illustrations by the late Gustaf Tenggren (1896-1970) is especially recommended to
young folks with good reading comprehension skills.
Mio, My Son
Astrid Lindgren
Purple House Press
PO Box 787, Cynthiana, KY 41031
www.PurpleHousePress.com
1930900236 $17.95 1-859-235-9970
First published in Swedish in 1954, Mio, My Son by Astrid Lindgren is a classic children's fantasy
novel presenting the saga of Karl Anders Nilsson, a young boy who travels with the help of a
genie
to Farawayland where he meets his father the King, who loves him as his cold foster parents in
Stockholm never did. It is in that very special kingdom that Karl first learns of a prophecy, and
determines to pursue his duty to venture into the darkness of Outer Land and do battle with the
vicious Sir Kato. A sweeping tale of adventure which has been translated into English by Jill
Morgan
and enhanced with illustrations by Hon Wikland, Mio, My Son is an enthusiastically recommended
addition to any school or community library fantasy/fairytale collection for young readers.
Books In Series
Mitchell Lane Publishers
34 Decidedly Lane, Bear, DE 19701
$19.95 Each 1-302-834-9646
Three wonderful new biography series titles provide kids in grades 5-6 with excellent, lasting
coverages. Each hold almost fifty pages of information including timelines, chronologies,
glossaries,
indexes and bibliographies, and the choice of lasting historical figures assures these will be
assigned
for reports. The 'Masters of Music' series focuses on major musicians and composers: new arrivals
include Susan Zannos' Ludwig Van Beethoven (158415-1900), and Franz Joseph Haydn
(1584151935), John Blankston's Franz Peter Schubert (1584151773) and Wolfgang Amadeus
Mozart (1584151803). Each focuses on the life and times of the musician, and so includes a good
dose of historical background suitable for research. The 'Great Achievemnt Awards' series also
provides important facts, pairing biographies of recipients with reviews of the history of most
prestigious achievement awards. Zannos covers Joseph Pulitzer (158415179X), while Blankston
reveals Coretta Scott King (1584152028), Alfred Nobel (1584151684) and Michael Printz
(158415182X). The pairing of the history of the award with its creator is particularly revealing.
Blankston also contributes to the "Unlocking The Secrets Of Science" series with Henry Ford
And
The Assembly Line (158415173X), while Zannos covers Charles Richter And The Story Of The
Richter Scale (1584151757) and Linus Pauling And The Chemical Bond (1584151234). Russell
Roberts' Philo Farnsworth: Life Of Television's Forgotten Inventor (1584151765) provides a fine
survey of the achiever's accomplishments. All make for excellent report material for elementary
grades.
The Creative Company
PO Box 227, Mankato, MN 56002
1-800-445-6209 1-507-388-2746
The Creative Company is a consistently excellent publisher and distributor of non-fiction
books-in-series for young readers. Three of their best series titles are "LifeViews"; "World of
Wonder"; and "Uncovering History". Each of these outstanding series are hallmarked by superb
photography and helpful glossaries. Six new additions to the "LifeViews" series focusing the
diverse
areas of science as Glaciers: Rivers Of Ice (1583412530, $24.25); Rainforests: Endangered
Jewels
(15834-12522, $24.25); Volcanoes: The Fiery Mounts (1583412557, $24.25); Stars: Beacons In
The Sky (1583412506, $24.25); Deserts Of Sand (1583412514, $24.25); and Coral Reefs: Cities
Of
The Sea (1583412549, $24.25). Specifically written for young readers grades 3 to 6, the entire 24
volume "LifeViews" is $582.00 and would make a thoroughly "kid friendly" addition to any
elementary school library collections. Focusing on wildlife and plantlife survival and relationships,
the six new additions to the "World of Wonder" series include Life At Night (1583412670,
$24.25);
Fighting Back (1583412662, $24.25); Pollination (1583412700, $24.25); The Food Chain
(1583412697, $24.25); Metamorphosis (1583412689, $24.25); and Photosynthesis (1583412654,
$24.25). The entire and enthusiastically recommended 12 volume ($291.00) series for grades 3
and
up would be an ideal source for classroom curriculum supplementation. "Uncovering History" is a
set of six imported titles from Italy that combine museum quality artwork with an informed and
informative text fully accessible by young readers in grades 4 through 7. This enthusiastically
recommended series is ideal both for school and community library collections includes Everyday
Life Of The Celts (1583402527, $19.95); Everyday Life In Ancient Greece (1583402489,
$19.95);
Everyday Life In Medieval Europe (1583402543, $19.95); Everyday Life In Ancient Egypt
(1583-402470, $19.95); Everyday Life In Ancient Rome (1583402497, $19.95); and Everyday
Life
Of The Aztecs, Incas, & Maya (1583402535, $19.95).
Benchmark Books
c/o Marshall Cavendish Corporation
99 White Plains Rd, Tarrytown NY 10591
1-800-831-9881 www.amazon.com
Kids contemplating their first pet often turn to the library for basic care information, making these
readers the perfect choice of reference. New arrivals to the 'Perfect Pets' series include Judith
Jango-Cohen's Freshwater Fishes (0761413987, $22.79), Melissa Stewart's Small Birds
(0761413979, $22.79), Susan Schafer's Snakes (0761413960, $22.79) and her Horses
(0761413952, $22.79). Each book provides 32 pages of color photos and a complete coverage of
the care of each pet. The 'Living on the Edge' series covers extreme environments which house
unusual animals. Wendy Pfeffer does an excellent job in Deep Oceans (0761414398, $24.21),
High
Mountains (076141441X, $24.21), Hot Deserts (0761414401, $24.21), Icy Antarctic Waters
(0761414-38X, $24.21) and Arctic Frozen Reaches (0761414371, $24.21): each uses large-size
print and color photos to provide a fine review of how wildlife copes in each environment. All are
highly recommended picks.
Chelsea House Publishers
1974 Sproul Road, Suite 400, Broomall, PA 19008-0914
1-800-848-2665
The Chelsea House series of fine titles on health issues range from its in-depth coverage series
'Deadly Diseases and Epidemics' to its focus on drugs in 'Drugs: the Straight Facts' and its
discussion
series 'Point/Counterpoint'. New to the 'Deadly Diseases' titles comes William Coleman's Cholera
(0791073033), Janet Decker's Anthrax (0791073025), Donald Emmeluth's Influenza
(079107305X),
Alan Hecht's Polio (0791074625), Kim Finer's Tuberculosis (0791073092) and Brian Shmaefsky's
Syphilis (0791073084). Each holds almost 150 pages of information charting not only the world
history of the disease, but the changes it effected on world society during its course. From the
disease's progress to the various efforts to cure and control it, these are intriguing documentaries.
New to the Straight Facts series is Heather Wagner's Cocaine (079-1072606) and Nicotine
(0791072649), Carmen Ferreiro's Heroin (0791072622) and Randi Mehling's Hallucinogens
(079-1072614). Each holds about 120 pages of facts charting the history of drug usage,
development, and social and health issues. New in the Point Counterpoint series on social issues is
Angela Valdez's Gun Control (0791073718) and Alan Marzilli's Mental Health Reform
(0791073726), each presenting arguments from multiple viewpoints covering all applicable legal
and
social issues. A little over a hundred pages of material in each offers the perfect platforms to fuel a
classroom debate. All are highly recommended picks, offering lasting library lending value.
Smart Apple Media
1980 Lookout Drive, North Mankato, MN 56003
Elementary grades will find Barrie Watts' 'Watch it Grow' series to be a fun coverage of how
specific
creatures evolve. Take Mouse (1583402314), for example: watch a mouse grow from baby to
adult
through stunning photos by author Watts, displaying all stages of development. Or his Sunflower
(1583402322), which uses photos to cover the full life cycle of the sunflower. The circular
evolution
of the presentation will make it exceptionally easy for youngsters to understand the concepts of a
cycle. Two new to the 'Amazing Animals' series include Blue Whales (1583402268) and
Elephants
(1583402276): each provides 24 pages of introductory information packed with color photos and
focusing on animal life span, habitat and behavior. The inclusion of web site links assure kids will
have backup material for further research.
Crabtree Publishing
350 5th Ave. #3308, NY, NY 10118
1-800-387-7650 crabtreebooks.com
Crabtree's wonderful books for grades 2-5 are recommended picks: attention-grabbing jackets and
subjects suitable for easy reports make them appropriate for both leisure reading and assignments.
The 'Life Cycle' Bobbie Kalman titles newly published, Raccoon (0778706613) and Snake
(0778706605) join others in the series, providing 32 easy pages of basic facts paired with
eye-catching photos. Discussions of what a life cycle and life span are accompany surveys of these
two creatures, with an index, glossary, and illustrations rounding out the photo-packed
information.
Kalman's Amazing Octopus (0778712990) and Spectacular Sharks (0778712982) are also
wonderful additions to the 'Living Ocean' series, also using eye-catching photos to accompany 32
pages of facts and information. Kids will be attracted to these fine surveys.
Central Programs Inc.
PO Box 505 Bethany, MO 64424-1202
1-800-821-7199 centralprograms.com
Collaboratively written by David and Pat Sargent, and wonderfully enhanced with the artwork of
Elaine Woodward, the five volume series "Young Animal Pride" is an ideal introduction for
preschool through first grade students into diverse concepts of character and character
development
using members of the animal kingdom. The series is comprised of Young Billy: A New Beginning!
(1567638651, $19.95); Young Roy: I Love Adventure! (1567638635, $19.95); Young Brutus:
Show Respect! (1567638694, $19.95); Young Redi: Friendship! (1567638678, $19.95); and
Young
Dike: Teamwork! (1567638716, $19.95). These five entertaining and thoroughly "reader friendly"
titles for beginning readers launches what promises to become a truly outstanding sixty-title series
and is very highly recommended for preschool, grade school, daycare center, and community
library
collections.
The Video Shelf
Coach Coz And The Kid Crew
Fun Train Productions
411 Video Information (publicity)
1442 Pottstown Pike, #170, West Chester, PA 19380
0972263403 $14.95 www.coachcoz.com
Coach Coz And The Kid Crew is a 30 minute, full color, live action video for young viewers of all
ages that blends cheerful dance instruction with classic 70s and 80s songs, fun, and total
entertainment. Showcasing a number of dances including The Twist, The Worm, The Snake, and
The Sprinkler, the music is original, the songs lyrical, and the viewing experience both uplifting
and
family friendly. Also available in a DVD format ($17.95), Coach Coz And The Kid Crew is a very
highly recommended addition to preschool, daycare center, kindergarten, grade school,
community
library, and family "activity video" collections.
Weston Woods Studios
143 Main Street, Norwalk, CT 06851
1-800-290-7531
Weston Woods Studios is a premier producers of children's videos utilizing picture book stories
with
video techniques and narrative storytelling. Their latest entries for inclusion into school and
community library video collections for young viewers includes Noah's Ark (1555925294, ages
5-9)
which combines Jerry Pinkney's poetic lyricism with his marvelous paintings and enhanced with
musical accompaniment; Come On Rain! (1555925235, ages 5-8) by Karen Hess and illustrated
by
Jon J. Muth with music as lively as a young girl's dancing in a long needed rainstorm; Ella
Fitzgerald: The Tale Of A Vocal Virtuosa (1555925200, ages 5-9) by Andrea Davis Pinkney
which
celebrates the life of the jazz diva and is enhanced with a narration by Billy Dee Williams and
features music by Joel Goodman and Dan Rosengard, as well as original recordings of Ella
Fitzgerald herself; and (inspired by the life of Henry David Thoreau), is D. B. Johnson's Henry
Builds A Cabin (1555925227, ages 4-8) which is the illustrated story of a frugal bear named
Henry
who sets about building a small cabin in the woods and narrated by James Naughton with music
by
Jon Carroll. All of these videos are technically flawless recordings which are enthusiastically
recommended for both school and community library video collections for children.
Earth Stories: Paleontology
Mazon Productions, Inc.
Andrea Blain (publicity)
PO Box 2427, Northbrook, IL 60065-2427
0755500383 $19.95 earthstories.net
Earth Stories: Paleontology, Volume 1 is first in a series of exciting, educational, 30 minute, full
color video adventures that combine live action with animation to teach children ages 5 to 9 what
the science of paleontology is, what fossils are, how fossils form, how scientists study the earth to
learn its stories, and a great deal more. A treat to share with little ones, Earth Stories:
Paleontology
features Chip, an anthropomorphic rock hammer host, and provides an informative, entertaining
guided survey to the wonder and mysteries of this inherently fascinating science.
Master Communications, Inc.
Andrea Blain (publicity)
4480 Lake Forest Drive, Suite 302, Cincinnati, OH 45242
$19.99 each www.master-comm.com
Two new bilingual, 30-minute, life-action, instructional learning videos will help children ages 2 to
6
learn to speak Mandarin Chinese. In Follow Jade!: Let's Visit Chinese Kindergarten
(188819443X)
Jade Qian incorporates basic Chinese words into everyday conversation and topics familiar to
children in a kindergarten class. This delightful and informative video covers greetings,
introducing
oneself, numbers and counting up to ten, colors, familiar songs, as well as juice, water and milk.
Follow Jade!: Let's Go To Market In China (188819443X) finds young viewers immersed in the
sights and sounds of the Chinese marketplace with the words for various fruits and foods being
introduced within their cultural contexts and supported by games, songs, and easy-to-follow
activities. Also included is a visit to a Chinese farm and learning about animals, body parts, action
verbs. Both of these unique children's videos are highly recommended additions to family, school,
and community library multicultural and linguistic studies collections.
Ribbits! The Great Follywood Fizzle
Zonderkidz
c/o Zondervan Publishing House
5300 Patterson Avenue, S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49530
031070586X $TBA www.zonderkidz.com
Ribbits! The Great Follywood Fizzle is the third title in a heartwarming animated video adventure
series which is set amidst a swamp of frogs, toads, snakes, and other mischievous critters. When a
glittery, glamorous star comes to film his latest movie, his overbearing attitude irritates Tad and
Toad, who scheme with Cottonmouth to make the move star go away. But Cottonmouth turns
out
to have a deadly trap in mind! "Showing love to unlovable people", and the importance of just
being
or having a friend - even if it's someone whose bad attitude may get in the way of first-time bonds
-
is the theme of this upbeat 27 minute episode, filled with songs, excitement, a deeper spiritual
message, and which is enthusiastically recommended for children age 3 and up. Parents, school
and
community librarians are encouraged to visit the Zonderkidz website for a complete listing of their
"family friendly" videos and books.
The Poetry Shelf
It Rained All Day That Night
Lillian Morrison & Christy Hale
August House Inc.
PO Box 3223, Little Rock, AR 72203
0874837359 $16.95 1-800-284-8784
Compiled by Lillian Morrison, It Rained All Day That Night: Autographs, Rhymes & Inscriptions
is
a unique poetry book, presenting commemorative rhymes shared to celebrate friendship,
togetherness, and little fun things in life through the generations. Whimsical color illustrations by
Christy Hale add a dimension of life to these amusing verses for all ages. When a feather weighs a
pound, / When a fox shall chase a hound, / When the world comes to an end, / Then I shall cease
to
be your friend.
Other Lands, Other People
Look What I See! Where Can I Be? Visiting China
Dia L. Michels, author; Michael J. N. Bowles, photographer
Platypus Media
627 A Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
1930775156 $16.65 1-877-872-8977
Look What I See! Where Can I Be? Visiting China is a delightful picture book by Dia L. Michels
showcases the grand culture and sights of China from a baby's point of view. A close-up cut-out
of a
scene, followed by a more expansive photograph by Michael J. N. Bowles of the full scene (such
as
a close up of "animal parade" roof decorations and the question "Where was I?", followed by the
full
photograph of a happy family visiting the Forbidden City) mark each page turn of this enjoyable
and
colorful book meant to be shared with the very young. Also very highly recommended are the
other
books in this outstanding "Look What I See!" series: At The Synagogue (1930775164, $16.65);
At
Home (1930775067, $16.65); With My Animal Friends (1930775075, $16.65); and In The
Neighborhood (193-0775008, $16.65).
The Audiobook Shelf
The Little Proto Trilogy
Odds Bodkin
Rivertree Productions, Inc.
PO Box 410 Bradford, NH 03221
www.oddsbodkin.com
RT 6228 $TBA 1-800-554-1333
Little Proto is a young five year old dinosaur who, along with his many friends, have exciting (and
often dangerous!) adventures back in the Cretaceous period of the Earth's history. Sixteen original
songs and a wealth of wonderful sound effects enhance three musical stories centered around a
different adventure saga: The Adventures of Little Proto; Little Proto's T-Rex Adventure; and
Little
Proto And The Volcano's Fire. Songwriter and storyteller Odds Bodkin brings to life Little Proto
and his wonderful world in more than three hours of "theater of the mind" family-friendly
adventures. This audiobook trilogy is attractively slipcased and enthusiastically recommended for
family preschool, day-care center, kindergarten, and community library audio storybook
collections
for young listeners ages 3 to 5.
Reading is nothing short of a vitally necessary survival skill for today's children. Just visit any
foreign
country and try reading their street signs, newspapers, and restaurant menus!
James A. Cox
Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com
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