node_id int64 0 76.9k | label int64 0 39 | text stringlengths 13 124k | neighbors listlengths 0 3.32k | mask stringclasses 4 values |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1,100 | 1 | As stylish and sleek as cats themselves, this appealing book should capture the attention of feline fanciers young and old. The title does not refer to a question addressed to a cat, but instead poses the question "What is a cat?" The poet, who never mentions the word "cat," offers a lyrical list of the animal's behavior and actions. "It is the Spy/ licking its chin/ waiting all day,/ watching the Fin," for instance, is accompanied by a painting of the back of a gray furry head observing a fish bowl. Like a photographic gift calendar, the book offers a new view of cats with each turn of the page, showing different breeds in various poses with four to eight lines of dense text. Younger children, however, may find the resulting combination of words and pictures occasionally baffling. For instance, the line "It is the Wise./ It is the Foof./ Now it is here./ Now it is poof!" in and of itself is abstract, but the illustration adds to the confusion: a cat on a dock observes the water, as if a fish has just disappeared, thus shifting the pronoun away from the cat to the object the cat observes. Nonetheless, throughout the volume Minor's cats are irresistible and Johnston's compact rhymes often astonishingly apt. Both together capture the essence of the mysterious creature we call cat. All ages.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.K-Gr 4-In this feline-lovers' delight, lyrical poetry pairs with stunning paintings to describe just what makes a cat a cat. Johnston weaves together a series of evocative images, using imagination-stirring verses to describe the mystical wonders, uncanny abilities, changing moods, and simultaneously exasperating and endearing characteristics of these mysterious animals. Again and again, she hits the nail on the head with musings such as: "It is the Pounce./It is the Roar./In a snowstorm/it is the Snore"; "It is the Curl-/up-in-your-lap./At any time/it is the Nap"; and "It is the Slink./It is the Sneak/on velvet toes/stalking the Squeak." Minor's luminous full- and double-page illustrations help readers to visualize these complicated creatures, as various cats stalk, spring, stretch, and snooze across the pages. Backgrounds for these well-composed paintings alternate between vivid outdoor scenes, cozy interiors, and crisp white space. In one picture, a rotund orange tabby reclines in a wooden bucket, an all-knowing look on its face, while the curve of its winking eye reflects the shape of a sliver of moon hanging in the night sky. In another, a gray-and-white cat naps with one graceful paw placed delicately over a toy mouse, managing to look serene yet ready to spring into action. This is a verbal and visual feast for anyone who has ever been captivated by the self-confident gaze of an amber- or green-colored eye.Joy Fleishhacker, formerly at School Library JournalCopyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: Cat, What Is That? | [
16371
] | Train |
1,101 | 0 | Starred Review. Kindergarten-Grade 2—When Earl and Pearl start a pumpkin patch, they often need to shoo Chicken out of the way, but she is determined to help. In the end, when grasshoppers begin to "nibble, nibble" on the growing pumpkins, Chicken's refrain of "Cluck! Cluck! Cluck" saves the day. This easy reader has short sentences, a variety of verb tenses, and vowel and consonant blends and digraphs. Difficult words such as "garden," "chicken," and "pumpkin" are repeated several times. Emergent readers may chime in with their own "Shoo, Shoos" and "Cluck, Cluck." The funny, expressive pen-and-ink drawings support the reading with simple clarity, e.g., "Earl watered the seeds" is the caption for an illustration of the boy with a huge watering can, Chicken hovering nearby. This could be an opportune time to introduce a September lesson on grasshoppers while they're easily found or wait for October's pumpkins.—Teresa Pfeifer, Alfred Zanetti Montessori Magnet School, Springfield, MA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.“A satisfying story with conflict and resolution, action and emotion . . . A gift for emerging readers—and not just during pumpkin season.” (The Horn Book); Title: Chicken Said, "Cluck!" (My First I Can Read) | [
636,
1133,
1462,
1470,
1913,
1919,
1920,
1921,
1925,
1928,
1931,
1940,
2280,
2282,
2283,
2451,
2497,
2513,
2605,
2613,
2640,
2672,
2674,
2692,
2835,
2836,
2842,
2854,
3114,
3116,
3126,
3133,
3148,
3167,
3230,
3383,
3396,
3401,
3409,
3410,... | Train |
1,102 | 2 | PreSchool-K-Bouncy rhymes and energetic illustrations combine to create an ode to individuality. Appelt's brief text catalogs the special qualities of a perky child, while Karas's colorful, contemporary artwork shows her, her teddy, and her doll engaged in a variety of real and imagined activities. Some listeners may be turned off by this confident girl's relentless self-praise, but many will appreciate her obvious pride and enjoyment in herself. And whether the message appeals or not, there's no denying that it's packaged perfectly. The catchy, creative text begins with a focus on basic body parts ("Nobody has my singular nose/Nobody tips on my ten toes") and continues as the unnamed narrator lists numerous other unique (yet universal) traits before declaring, "I'm the pearl in the oyster, the A to the Z/I'm the one, the only, incredible Me!" The playful use of language keeps the tone light. The illustrations are buoyant and playful as well, as the girl with carrot-colored hair dances her way through cozy interiors and imaginary outdoor scenes. Occasionally, patterns and textures give the crisp illustrations the look of a collage; the overall design is delightfully simple and focused on the narrator. The ongoing demand for books intended to boost children's self-esteem will make this title a useful addition.Lisa Dennis, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PACopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.PreS-K. A little, redheaded girl romps through this book delighting in herself: she's a star, and she knows it. Her vivacity and self-confidence are apparent from the start, when she revels at her reflection in a mirror ("Nobody has my singular nose / Nobody taps on my ten toes"), to the end, when she dances with flowers in her hair, singing, "I'm the pearl in the oyster, the A to the Z / I'm the one, the only, incredible ME!" Karas imbues his cartoon-style illustrations with the energy of the very young, and together writer and artist show how much fun it is to watch a child discover herself. Kathy BroderickCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Incredible Me! | [
829,
1128,
2510,
2901,
3544,
4000,
4587,
4788,
4840,
5376,
5573,
5624,
5936,
6030,
6989,
7204,
7455,
8258,
8676,
9785,
10300,
10339,
10443,
10761,
10935,
11039,
11622,
12631,
16147,
17400,
18886,
20733,
24484,
24710,
26219,
26263,
31414,
3174... | Train |
1,103 | 1 | Now in its second season, HarperCollins's reissue of 22 Sendak classics continues. This time, his collaborations with Ruth Krauss take center stage. In Charlotte and the White Horse, first published in 1955, creamy pages frame Sendak's softly lit illustrations of a girl who convinces her father to keep a wobbly legged horse and cares for him until he can stand on his own. Sendak's delicate watercolors suit the dream-like mood of a boy who accomplishes all that he sets out to do in his imaginary world, in I Want to Paint My Bathroom Blue (1956), also by Krauss. A boy's imagination also comes to the fore in A Very Special House (1953) by Krauss, as the artist depicts the hero creating a home filled with a turtle, a giant, a very old lion and "some monkeys and some skunkeys." Oversize pages brim with the creatures as well as his house's "very special" furnishings. Open House for Butterflies (1960) takes a similar format to these collaborators' classic A Hole Is to Dig, and lastly, Hector Protector and As I Went Over the Water: Two Nursery Rhymes (1965) by Sendak conveys as much plot through the artist's wordless spreads as with the minimal text. For collectors and budding readers alike. Nov. Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc."Another book, sweet and small, with ever the light touch that is Ruth Krauss's and Maurice Sendak's..." -- Kirkus Reviews; Title: Charlotte and The White Horse | [
778,
996,
1086,
1098,
1110,
4572,
23888,
28615,
34825,
38432,
45462,
62589,
65583
] | Validation |
1,104 | 2 | I am a story.So are you. So is everyone.Julius Lester says, "I write because our lives are stories. If enough of those stories are told, then perhaps we will begin to see that our lives are the same story. The differences are merely in the details." Now Mr. Lester shares his own story as he explores what makes each of us special. Karen Barbour's dramatic, vibrant paintings speak to the heart of Lester's unique vision, truly a celebration of all of us.Julius Lester is the author of the Newbery Honor Book To Be a Slave, the Caldecott Honor Book John Henry, the National Book Award finalist The Long Journey Home: Stories from Black History, and the Coretta Scott King Award winner Day of Tears. He is also a National Book Critics Circle nominee and a recipient of the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award. His most recent picture book, Let's Talk About Race, was named to the New York Public Library's "One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing." In addition to his critically acclaimed writing career, Mr. Lester has distinguished himself as a civil rights activist, musician, photographer, radio talk-show host, and professor. For thirty-two years he taught at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He lives in western Massachusetts.; Title: Let's Talk About Race | [
4250,
4363,
7140,
10339,
11896,
16061,
16197,
16347,
17432,
19538,
21109,
22389,
25152,
26219,
33009,
33449,
34051,
36827,
37140,
39391,
41571,
41960,
42405,
42794,
43301,
45222,
45652,
45719,
45930,
48591,
50630,
54500,
55106,
57590,
58171,
5822... | Validation |
1,105 | 2 | Winner of the American Association for the Advancement of Science/Subaru Science Books & Films Prize for Outstanding Science SeriesKate Duke was the author and illustrator of many award-winning picture books as well as Archaeologists Dig for Clues in the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series.; Title: In the Rainforest (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2) | [
617,
1686,
3777,
3809,
3990,
3995,
3998,
3999,
4002,
4005,
4013,
4021,
4030,
4770,
4788,
4790,
4792,
4809,
4831,
4833,
4848,
4856,
4866,
6194,
9877,
12701,
12725,
12737,
13042,
16254,
26984,
39113,
39310,
47726,
49989,
61577,
62877,
71639
] | Test |
1,106 | 0 | Kindergarten-Grade 2-Branley writes with authority about the present and the future of the International Space Station. The book begins with an introduction by Scott Carpenter, Mercury astronaut. The facts, including a history and background of the station and descriptions of life in space, are presented in a clear, easy-to-read manner. Even though there is no index, information is easily gleaned from the sparsely worded text, and readers will come away with an understanding of the project's promise and possibilities. Kelley's clearly labeled drawings and configurations reinforce the concepts presented, and the watercolor illustrations add dimension to the presentation. Another winning entry to science collections and a great addition for younger readers.Kay Bowes, Concord Pike Library, Wilmington, DE Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.Ages 5-8. Children curious about the International Space Station will learn quite a lot from this informative addition to the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series. With construction in space begun in 1998, the long-awaited project will continue for several years, until the million-pound, 350-foot-long station is completed. Branley includes discussion of the parts making up the station, how its systems are powered, how astronauts put together the modules in space and live on board, and what the station will be used for upon completion. Clear writing and excellent diagrams combine to make the basics of this complex program understandable to fairly young children. The presentation of technological material to an interested but unsophisticated audience can be difficult, but Branley and Kelley have shown a good grasp of what to include and what to leave out. Kelley's artwork, evidently ink and watercolor, maintains a fine balance of beauty, clarity, and child appeal. The final page gives instructions for growing crystals, an experiment carried out on the station, and a Web site address for locating the International Space Station in the night sky or just finding further information. A good introduction to what Branley calls "the great adventure of the twenty-first century." Carolyn PhelanCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: The International Space Station (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2) | [
617,
704,
1083,
1123,
1146,
1686,
3736,
3791,
3809,
3990,
3995,
3999,
4002,
4005,
4007,
4013,
4018,
4021,
4025,
4568,
4744,
4753,
4759,
4762,
4782,
4784,
4786,
4795,
4800,
4802,
4812,
4817,
4818,
4821,
4831,
4833,
4853,
4881,
4907,
6863,
... | Validation |
1,107 | 2 | In her courtroom show, popular TV personality Judge Judy Sheindlin always tells it like it is. But in her first book for young readers, she asks children and their parents to come up with their own solutions to realistic moral dilemmas: "You find a handgun in your father's closet." "You were visiting your friend and your dog had an accident on the floor in his living room." "You notice that the desk next to you, where your good friend sits, has been empty for three days."Rather than forcing the "correct" answer on readers, Judge Judy provides four multiple choice responses to each situation and encourages families to discuss every answer before choosing. For example, Judge Judy hypothesizes, "You are home alone and someone knocks on the door." Should you (a)not answer the door, (b)ask who it is and open the door only of you know him or her, (c)tell the person to come back when an adult is home, or (d)open the door? Two brief introductions, one to parents and one to kids, provide readers with an approach to moral education, emphasizing ongoing communication. When young people consider and discuss the consequences of their actions, they're far more likely to make socially responsible decisions in life.Judge Judy Sheindlin has written several bestselling books for adults, including Beauty Fades, Dumb Is Forever. Illustrator Bob Tore's simple but amusing black and white line drawings are friendly and inviting, keeping the tone light and straightforward. (Ages 7 to 12) --Emilie CoulterThe star of her own TV courtroom on the syndicated program Judge Judy, Sheindlin here pens her first book for children. Brief author's notes for parents and for kids introduce 36 open-ended multiple-choice questions designed to encourage discussion between a parent and child concerning decision-making and discerning right from wrong. Each question supposes a protagonist in a sticky situation ("All your friends are smoking. They are making fun of you because you are not. You should "; "You are home alone and someone knocks on the door. You should "). A list of four possible plans of action follow each scenario. The choices introduce several gray areas, and in some cases more than one answer could be right--it would be up to the parent to discuss with the child which route they would prefer their son or daughter to take. For instance, the knock-on-the-door example offers both "A. Not answer the door" and "B. Ask who it is and open the door only if you know him or her"--the "correct" answer would depend on how the parent has instructed the child to act. Sheindlin, uncharacteristically, refrains from handing down her decision here, or describing what goes into the decision-making process. Her assortment of situations demonstrates a familiarity with her audience and the issues they face, but the volume is designed to work best when an adult reads it with the child. Chipper cartoon line art by Tore gives these proceedings a fun look, which may help kids see the book as more than a good-for-them exercise. Ages 7-12. (Feb.) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Judge Judy Sheindlin's Win or Lose by How You Choose | [
1238
] | Test |
1,108 | 0 | Levine fractures fairy tales in the nicest possible way as she's previously demonstrated in the The Princess Test and The Fairy's Mistake [both in BKL Ap 15 99]. Her latest book in the Princess Tales series wittily conflates "Cinderella" and "The Glass Hill," adding a gender switch for spice. Ellis longs for his older brothers Ralph and Burt to include him, to approve of him, to appreciate and love him. But they simply ignore him and his fool inventions and call him Cinderellis instead, after his flying powder produced a messy result in the chimney. Princess Marigold, whose father is always going off on quests and leaving her alone, wishes she had a real friend besides her cat, Apricot. When the king, grounded from too many quests gone awry, puts Marigold on a glass hill that suitors have to climb, she figures she better have an escape mechanism. Besides, while interviewing potential princes disguised as a dairymaid, she finds few with good kingdom-ruling ideas. Cinderellis, of course, is full of ideas, and after a few missteps and three magic horses, Ellis and Marigold live happily ever after in a way that includes Ellis' inventions and Marigold's sweet temper. Endearing to the max. GraceAnne A. DeCandidoIn this unusual spin on the old favorite, Cinderella is a boy! He's Cinderellis, and he has two unfriendly brothers and no fairy godmother to help him out. Luckily, he does have magic powders, and he intends to use them to win the hand of his Princess Charming -- that is, Marigold. The only problem is -- Marigold thinks Cinderellis is a monster!Gail Carson Levine is the author of ELLA ENCHANTED, a spirited retelling of the "real" Cinderella fairy tale and a 1998 Newbery Honor Book. In this fourth of her Princess Tales, Levine breathes new life and new fun into a little-known tale and proves that determination, imagination, and kindness can carry the day.; Title: Cinderellis and the Glass Hill (Princess Tales) | [
500,
1010,
1014,
1068,
1314,
1527,
2431,
6371,
17360
] | Validation |
1,109 | 0 | Syd Hoff has given much pleasure to children everywhere as the author and illustrator of numerous children’s books, including the favorite I Can Read books Sammy the Seal, The Horse in Harry’s Room, and the Danny and the Dinosaur books. Born and raised in New York City, he studied at the National Academy of Design. His cartoons were a regular feature in the New Yorker after he sold his first cartoon to that magazine at the age of eighteen. His work also appeared in many other magazines, including Esquire and the Saturday Evening Post, and in a nationally syndicated daily feature.; Title: Oliver (I Can Read Level 1) | [
743,
1407,
1552,
2282,
2998,
3388,
3574,
3604,
3722,
3849,
3891,
4091,
4316,
4351,
4369,
4658,
4673,
4674,
4677,
4690,
4781,
4829,
11844,
12896,
33219,
45253,
49255
] | Train |
1,110 | 0 | From the creators of A Hole Is to Dig comes a reissue of another classic, I'll Be You and You Be Me. Author Ruth Krauss and illustrator Maurice Sendak, with a little help from some young friends, capture all the ups and downs of friendship. A charmingly meandering series of stories, poems, and pen-and-ink line drawings feels like a scrapbook of kid-speak: --He runs --I run --He jumps --I jump --He dunks his toast and I dunk mine Short-short plays, mysteries, and fairy tales are sprinkled with Sendak's (Where the Wild Things Are, etc.) tiny, sketchy images. Open to any page and dive right in! (Ages 3 to 6) --Emilie CoulterRuth Krauss's beloved picture books include two Caldecott Honor Books, The Happy Day, illustrated by Marc Simont, and A Very Special House, illustrated by Maurice Sendak, as well as the perennial favorite A Hole is to Dig, also illustrated by Mr. Sendak.; Title: I'll Be You and You Be Me | [
148,
778,
884,
996,
1086,
1087,
1098,
1103,
3051,
4572,
4588,
5348,
5366,
5385,
9561,
52599
] | Train |
1,111 | 2 | Jerry Garcia and David Grisman met at a bluegrass show in 1964 and collaborated on a variety of projects, including their 1973 band Old and In the Way. Jerry spent over thirty years writing and playing guitar with the Grateful Dead, while David revolutionized the mandolin with his own brand of acoustic music called "dawg" (a nickname Jerry gave him), which he continues to perform with his quintet. In 1990 they formed the Garcia/Grisman band and subsequently made new recordings, including the 1993 release Not for Kids Only, on which the song "Jenny Jenkins" appears.; Title: What Will You Wear, Jenny Jenkins? | [
948,
38603
] | Train |
1,112 | 2 | Grade 2-4-Children who have not read the first book in this series will be totally confused by this one. Sarah finishes making her snowman but, instead of heading inside to do homework, she is drawn to The Magic Door Toyshop. It offers a connection to an alternate world called "the Kettles," about which nothing is explained except that it is a magical place. Apparently, Old Man Winter, who regulates the weather in the real world, is involved in a power struggle with Kudgel, who is trying to take over his job. Sarah stows away in Old Man Winter's wagon and finds herself in the Kettles, trying to rescue him, with the help of Jack Frost. Of course, they succeed. Much of the action is difficult to understand. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful. Done in lush colors, in the style of the Old Masters, with lovely detail, they are of exceptional quality, but they can't make up for a muddled story.Susan Lissim, Dwight School, New York City Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.Gr. 3-5. In this addition to the Magic Door series, fifth-graders Sarah and Michael are building a snowman, noting how intense the winter has been. Then, in front of the Magic Door Toyshop, Old Man Winter himself appears. His assistant, Kudgel, has taken over in the Great Kettles (islands across the Sea of Time), creating weather havoc, and the Old Man has come to the Outland--their name for this dimension--to fix it. Sarah stows away in his wagon for the return trip, meets the boyish Jack Frost, and helps rescue Old Man Winter from Kudgel's dastardly plan to become the Winter King. Morrissey's illustrations are gorgeously painted and generously imagined, with far more heft and weight than this wisp of a story. For fans of the series. GraceAnne DeCandidoCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: The Winter King (The Magic Door, Book 2) | [
581,
1134,
38061
] | Validation |
1,113 | 18 | Grade 3-5-It's time to load the covered wagon and join the journey West in this new entry in a popular series. Queries and answers, true/false quizzes, multiple-choice questions, quotes from Native Americans and pioneers, and sidebars-all move this engaging text along. Chapter spreads tackle such topics as "Who Were the Pioneers?," "Lewis and Clark," and "Mountain Men." Andriani's colorful cartoon illustrations and two maps enhance the presentation. While the lack of an index and table of contents will hamper access for reports, children will enjoy the presentation.Barbara L. McMullin, Casita Center for Technology, Science & Math, Vista, CACopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.Kenneth C. Davis speaks regularly on national television and radio. He lives in New York City with his wife and two children. He is a contributing editor to USA Weekend, in which his DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT quizzes are read by millions.; Title: Don't Know Much About the Pioneers | [
1082,
1119
] | Train |
1,114 | 0 | Holm (Our Only May Amelia) returns to the frontier (by way of Philadelphia) in this fast-paced second novel about a blossoming society lady who must surrender etiquette in order to survive. The enormously likable and irrepressible 16-year-old narrator Jane recounts her childhood crush on her father's apprentice William, which caused her, at age 11, to trade her tomboyish spitting and cherry pie-eating for proper deportment and embroidery lessons at Miss Hepplewhite's Young Ladies Academy. As Jane makes her way to the Oregon territory to marry William, Holm humorously juxtaposes Miss Hepplewhite's lessons with the reality of life at sea and on the frontier in 1854. Such advice as travelers must "dress plainly and pack lightly" does not seem to apply: Jane reflects, "She had been rather remiss in mentioning any hints on killing fleas, avoiding rats, bathing with seawater, or being seasick." The plot thickens when she meets Jehu, an officer on the ship and discovers that William has departed for a project with the governor. Jane (named Boston Jane by the local Chinook Indians) must share a cabin with unkempt, tobacco-chewing men and make herself useful by cooking, washing and mending rather than supervising servants or pouring tea. The developing love triangle (with Jehu and William) takes a back seat to Holm's credible portrait of Jane's budding friendships with the Chinook and pioneers, and the series of challenges that transform her into the outspoken, self-reliant young woman readers will long remember. Ages 10-up. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.Gr 6-10-Jane's doctor father has allowed his motherless daughter the freedom to do what she wants without restraints of propriety and etiquette. She enjoys a life unusual for a well-bred girl of Philadelphia in the 1840s. However, when she is 11, her conversations with a young medical student result in her decision to enroll in an academy for young ladies and learn to behave in a proper manner. William leaves Philadelphia for the Washington Territory and when Jane turns 15, he asks her to join him there as his wife. Jane and Mary, one of the servant girls, board the Lady Luck for the treacherous and unpleasant trip to the far northwest. Mary dies en route and the indomitable Jane must face the unknown alone. Things get worse when she arrives. William is off negotiating Indian treaties, there are no white women in the settlement, and she must share lodgings with men who have little knowledge of cleanliness and even less about how to treat a "lady." In the spirit of Avi's The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle (Orchard, 1990), the strong, believable protagonist proves her mettle in the way she handles the adversities she meets. The author's portrayal of pioneer/Chinook relationships is sympathetic as the young woman finds true friendship with them. The only jarring note is the use of Mary's ghost to let Jane know that she is making a mistake in upholding her loyalty to shallow, stuffy William. It is an unnecessary device that adds little to an exceptionally good book. As a storyteller, Holm is superb.Janet Hilbun, formerly at Sam Houston Middle School, Garland, TXCopyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: Boston Jane Series: An Adventure | [
1205,
1216,
4845,
6120,
6577,
6829,
6846,
10204,
13205,
13510,
22696,
22760,
32749,
36977,
45565
] | Train |
1,115 | 13 | Grade 1-4-Like a carefully composed song, this ode to music slowly unfolds-note by note, line by line, stanza by stanza. The first several pages are devoted to the definition of music itself. With headings like "Music is Rhythm" or "Music is Volume," these terms are explained in an easy, child-friendly manner. For pitch, a boy playing a piccolo says, "A piccolo is so high, I hear it way at the top of my head." Then music as a written creation is introduced with a brief description of notes, likening them to handwriting. Next, "the creation comes to life" through the instruments and orchestra that play it, the voices that sing it, and even the dancers who perform it. With each of these elements, a few lines of explanation are followed by Aliki's signature figures that do so much in such a small space. The history of music is broken down into many stages, from prehistoric to classical to modern, and many composers are introduced with a small portrait captioned by a single sentence. Here, the author sometimes uses words like "motet" or "oratorio" without definition and only gives the briefest of glimpses into centuries and countries. However, the book is meant to be an introduction and Aliki's love of her subject shines through. This enjoyable title is best shared one-on-one and its format makes it ideal for browsing. It should lead young music lovers back to the shelves to find out more about a type of music or composer who has piqued their curiosity.Jane Marino, Scarsdale Public Library, NYCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.Gr. 1-3. The indefatigable Aliki takes on the whole of music--its origins, its history, its necessity to the human spirit. As simply as possible, she explains everything from rhythm, melody, and pitch to orchestral instruments, harmony, and tempo. The human voice and dance come to the fore. Jazz gets two pages, and popular music explodes in a quickie collage of names and dates. Aliki uses all the tools in her formidable repertory: straight text, sidebars, captions, and word balloons play off a profusion of small and not-so-small images of children, instruments, historical characters, and scenes. A gaggle of multiethnic kids sing a round: "Row Row Row Your Boat." The "Gotta Dance!" page echoes everyone from Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire to China's Lion Dancers. For orchestral music, Bruce Koscielniak's Story of the Incredible Orchestra (2000) and Robert T. Levine's Story of the Orchestra (2001) are stronger; for African American music, there's the incomparable 1999 i see the rhythm by Toyomi Igus. But no one else so captures the power of music as Aliki. GraceAnne DeCandidoCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Ah, Music! | [
1428,
2178,
4621,
4804,
5449,
14332,
16148,
21372,
21690,
23893,
24976,
25352,
26800,
27018,
27240,
31367,
32740,
36307,
38130,
46185,
47945,
49193,
51730,
54771,
55381,
61352,
61987,
62492,
63196,
65041,
67483,
75951
] | Test |
1,116 | 2 | Gr 13This is an account of the evolution of the Galpagos Tortoise, as well as the life and death of a famous Galpagos tortoise named Lonesome George. When Lonesome George died in 2012, it marked the extinction of a species thousands of years old and perfectly adapted to living on the Galpagos Islands. The life of the tortoise and the plants and animals of its habitat are illustrated in vivid, brilliant color paintings on every page. A map of the Galpagos Islands spreads across the end papers and includes an inset of South America, placing the islands in their geographical context. The author explains the adaptations that led to the unique features of the species: the tortoise's "neck was a little longer than those of the other tortoises on the island, and she could eat the leaves of trees when the ground plants were gone." When humans caused too many drastic changes, such as the inadvertent introduction of predators, many individual tortoises could not adapt, and drastic declines in numbers of survivors led to extinction. A half page of definitions for key terms such as "adaptation" and "evolution" is included, as is a time line of the Galpagos Islands.Frances E. Millhouser, formerly at Fairfax County Public Library, VAEye-catching, earth-toned watercolors fill the pages of this brief story of the Pinta Island saddleback tortoiseshow they came to be millions of years ago and why the species became extinct in 2012 with the death of the 100-year-old Lonesome George. The narrative follows one of Georges ancestors as she (yes, she) is washed from the South American continent to one of the little islands of the Galpagos and then traces how her descendants evolved into the saddleback tortoises. With a mixture of panoramic views and detailed close-ups, Minors rich illustrations capture the drama of the journey and the subsequent existence on the island. The information in the text is minimal and could have used an authors note to fill in some of the blanks. However, the back matter does include a list of key terms, a time line, and a page of helpful resources encouraging further research. A map of the Galpagos Islands in the front endpapers is particularly edifying. A good combination of precise writing and illuminating artwork. Grades K-2. --Randall Enos; Title: Galapagos George | [
505,
515,
4589,
4611,
4671,
5288,
5708,
8645,
10377,
10445,
11254,
11397,
12737,
15393,
16347,
16371,
16423,
16608,
18609,
19683,
20320,
20758,
20983,
21069,
21109,
21455,
21463,
22528,
22984,
23767,
25152,
25642,
28660,
31592,
32437,
36133,
36... | Train |
1,117 | 2 | Gloomy feelings don't stand a chance in this snappy picture book about a woman who kicks a dreary little funk with her can-do spirit. When Mrs. Biddlebox wakes up on the wrong side of her bunk, the morning looks gray: The birds gave her a headache./ There were creakies in her chair. With only some bitter tea and some hard-to-chew crumpets for breakfast, Mrs. Biddlebox quickly decides to set things to rights the best way she knows: I will cook this rotten morning/ I will turn it into cake! Her off-the-cuff recipe calls for whisking the dark and dull clouds, fog and all into a great pot before shaping it into a crumbly delight. Satiated by her sweet treat, Mrs. Biddlebox toddles off for a restful night s sleep. In the rhyming text inspired by the late Smith's (When Moon Fell Down) battle with cancer, positive thinking prevails, setting off a satisfying chain of events. The jaunty rhythm of Smith's words captures the energy of her protagonist s out-of-the-box thinking and sheer determination. Young readers may well come away with a new zeal for their own endeavors. Frazee (The Seven Silly Eaters) uses pencil lines and cross-hatching to dramatic effect in depicting Mrs. Biddlebox's dark surroundings. Swirls of white and spindly gold-yellow let the sun in at just the right moment. Memorable scenes include a spread featuring the ample-bottomed baker dancing around the oven, her frizzy pigtail bopping along. Ages 4-8.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.Grade 1-3-Poor Mrs. Biddlebox gets up on the wrong side of the bunk. In the throes of a "dreary little funk," she has an idea: "I will cook this rotten morning!/I will turn it into cake!/I will fire up my oven!/I will set the day to bake!" She gathers up the gloom and after twirling fog like spaghetti and rolling up the sky like carpeting, she bakes the entire bad day and eats it. "Now with her belly full of crumblies/And her nighty cap pulled tight,/She threw the door wide open/And welcomed in the night!" Frazee's dramatic illustrations slather the pages in black and gray with subtle color highlights and eerie swirls of white. If gloom and doom have a face, this could be it. However, the depictions are not without humor. Mrs. B. is a determined little witch with a great shock of frizzled ponytail. She gleefully struts around the baking bad day and devours it greedily. While the book looks like a Halloween title, its overarching theme is one of empowerment by facing one's troubles squarely.Mary Ann Carcich, Mattituck-Laurel Public Library, Mattituck, NYCopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Mrs. Biddlebox (GOLDEN KITE AWARDS (AWARDS)) | [
1030,
1149,
1434,
2909,
3733,
3901,
6150,
6735,
6981,
7237,
7455,
10920,
11104,
11912,
13332,
16046,
16147,
17137,
20787,
21344,
22211,
22609,
22830,
23235,
24006,
25783,
32350,
33388,
33639,
33680,
33981,
34970,
36588,
36860,
37578,
38301,
383... | Validation |
1,118 | 5 | The team behind last year's The Queen's Own Fool launches the Young Heroes series with a rollicking adventure starring a 13-year-old Odysseus, prince of Ithaca, who meets his match (and future wife) in Spartan captive Penelope. Drawing on the Iliad, the Odyssey and "what archeologists have told us about the [Greek] civilization," Yolen and Harris imagine the youth's formative quest. No previous knowledge of ancient Greece is necessary, and readers may well be entertained by the fast-paced and sometimes slapstick antics of crafty Odysseus (who develops a crease between his eyebrows when he's "about to come up with an outlandish excuse lie, fib, wile for doing something he'd already decided to do") and his cautious friend, Mentor. Together they do battle with pirates and inadvertently rescue Penelope and her cousin Helen of Troy; form an alliance with Silenus, the amorous satyr; and organize a perilous rescue mission against Ladon, the serpent with 100 heads in Crete's infamous labyrinth. The authors weave in legends, such as Siren and Daedalus, as well as surprising tidbits (e.g., the Greek nobility's illiteracy). The new spin here is that Penelope accompanies Odysseus on his adventures, often acting more heroic than he; by giving this champion a worthy heroine who complements his strengths and even compensates for his weaknesses, the authors may well draw boys and girls in equal numbers and send them clamoring for more Greek myths. Ages 8-12. (Mar.) Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.Grade 4-7-Drawing on scant details of Odysseus's childhood available in Greek mythology, Yolen and Harris have created an adventurous story of the young hero. He is visiting his grandfather, along with his friend Mentor. When it is time to return to Ithaca, the 13-year-olds encounter a storm at sea, which forces them to abandon ship, only to be picked up by pirates who have kidnapped the famed Helen and her cousin Penelope. Odysseus escapes, landing on an island inhabited by a lonely centaur. The pirates land here as well and Odysseus finagles a rescue. The young escapees then end up on Crete, where they are captured and thrown into the Serpent's Maze. The background details of mythology are woven into the tale without overpowering the action, and the setting is deftly created. The young characters are developing the habits and dispositions that will define their roles in future tales. Odysseus is a wanderer, loves adventure, and arrogantly acts without thinking. Helen is self-centered and pampered but finally shows some moral fiber. Penelope is the unsung heroine, guiding Odysseus and remaining faithful to him throughout. Mentor, a lesser-known character, is true as well. The authors have done a fine job of placing this original tale firmly into the Greek literature tradition. For fans of myth, it will be a welcome addition; use it to introduce adventure enthusiasts to mythology as well.Angela J. Reynolds, Washington County Cooperative Library Services, Aloha, OR Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Odysseus in the Serpent Maze (Young Heroes) | [
1190,
1258,
15291,
17457,
21016,
72391
] | Train |
1,119 | 18 | Do you know which British queen ruled for 63 years? Who the first royal bookworm was? Which king brought lions and camels and polar bears (oh my!) to London? If you don't know much about the kings and queens of England, salvation is here! This regal entry in Kenneth C. Davis's Don't Know Much About series explores the amazing real lives (and some of the made-up stories) of two dozen of the most interesting members of the British monarchy over the last thousand years. In keeping with other titles in the popular series, Davis uses a lively question-and-answer format, along with illustrator S.D. Schindler's humorous artwork, to introduce readers to the sometimes bizarre world of royalty, right up to present day, when young prince and heir to the throne William wears an electronic tracking bracelet to keep him in constant contact with palace security (apparently Harry can run around untracked). A complete chronological listing of all the kings and queens of England concludes the book. (Ages 6 to 10) --Emilie CoulterGrade 4-7 Davis applies a tongue-in-cheek approach in this broad overview of English history. Writing for the totally uninformed, the author answers two to seven questions on the life and times of each of 20-plus monarchs, occasionally revealing only obscure incidents or facts in the royals' lives. For example, for Edward I, the two questions asked are: "How Did King Edward I get his nickname, Longshanks?" and "Was Edward a 'Lucky Duck?'" Much of King Henry VIII's section features information on his wives, ending with a rhyme to help students remember their fates: "Divorced, beheaded, died; divorced, beheaded, survived." Illustrated sidebars provide additional facts. Youngsters will enjoy Davis's sense of fun, but there is some oversimplification. The colorful cartoon drawings, like the text, are often humorous and/or poke fun at the historical figures. While teachers and students might use these interesting facts to humanize the historical personages, the book is best for browsing enjoyment. -Barbara Buckley, Rockville Centre Public Library, NY Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Don't Know Much About the Kings and Queens of England | [
1113,
17070,
35132
] | Test |
1,120 | 11 | Mary Stolz published her first book for young people in 1950 with Ursula Nordstrom and never looked back. Since then, she has written more than sixty books, been published in nearly thirty languages, and received two Newbery Honors (for Belling the Tiger and The Noonday Friends). The Bully of Barkham Street is the sequel to A Dog on Barkham Street (also available from HarperTrophy). Ms. Stolz lives on the Gulf Coast of Florida.; Title: Emmett's Pig | [
22431,
36784,
47400,
55102,
58436,
67051
] | Test |
1,121 | 2 | Grade 4-7-Another roller coaster of perils for the three Baudelaire children. This time, they search for clues concerning their parents' deaths and attempt to clear themselves of a false murder charge while being pursued by the evil Count Olaf, who is after the family fortune. While attempting to escape arrest, the siblings join a volunteer group that sings and brings good cheer to patients and enter Heimlich Hospital, where they soon find themselves working in the Library of Records. A picture with an important clue surfaces just as Olaf's girlfriend discovers them and captures Violet, who is then readied for a cranioectomy, a surgery in which the head must be removed. The trio's talents are put to good use in a daring escape from the burning hospital. They jump into Olaf's car trunk in search of more clues and position themselves for the next exciting sequel. Readers will enjoy cheering for the clever youngsters, booing the diabolical villains, and noting the many new clues. The narrator's active voice is forever teasing readers by taking them to the edge of their seats and then purposely switching the subject or suggesting they stop reading all together. This volume can stand alone but few will be able to resist reading the next installment after the cliff-hanger ending.Jean Gaffney, Dayton and Montgomery County Public Library, Miamisburg, OH Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.Lemony Snicket grew up near the sea and currently lives beneath it. To his horror and dismay, he has no wife or children, only enemies, associates, and the occasional loyal manservant. His trial has been delayed, so he is free to continue researching and recording the tragic tales of the Baudelaire orphans for HarperCollins.; Title: The Hostile Hospital (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 8) | [
666,
1259,
1328,
1498,
1650,
1936,
2170,
4388,
11142,
11418,
17108,
58443
] | Test |
1,122 | 0 | Who can resist feeling cheerful when envisioning Julie Andrews singing "My Favorite Things" to her young charges in The Sound of Music? In fact, this song by the incredibly successful, award-winning (34 Tony Awards, 15 Academy Awards, 2 Pulitzer Prizes, 2 Grammy Awards, and an Emmy Award) musical team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II has become as familiar as any nursery rhyme to many children during the more than 40 years since it was written. And now, with the warm, cozy illustrations by Rene Graef (illustrator of E.T.A. Hoffman's The Nutcracker, adapted by Janet Schulman), children can enjoy the delicious images and lilting notes of the classic song any time. Each illustration is framed with a folksy rustic border, and portrays a happy family in an idyllic rural setting enjoying "raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens" and "doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles" all year round. And if the raindrops on roses look ever so faintly like aphids, well, the "bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens" on the following page should more than make up for it. Naturally, the book comes complete with the score of "My Favorite Things," so families can sing or play along to their hearts' content. (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie CoulterThe lyrics from The Sound of Music's My Favorite Things by Richard Rodgers gets a picture book treatment with paintings by Rene Graef, featuring a warm-hearted family playing with sleighbells and catching snowflakes. Oscar Hammerstein's music is also included.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: My Favorite Things | [
4600,
6933,
7361,
7455,
10388,
12917,
13848,
15859,
17447,
17482,
20686,
27026,
27248,
40757,
45827,
45886,
47700,
47945,
51730,
52353,
52734,
54465,
59637,
62253,
62871,
62874,
63330,
66144,
67882,
68429,
69159,
69163,
69206,
69398,
69472,
71082... | Test |
1,123 | 0 | Grade 1-3An appealing blend of smoothly written text and meticulous color illustrations. Short blocks of large, easy-to-read print, most of which are set on the backgrounds of picture spreads, briefly describe the functions of the queen, drones, and workers; some major physical and behavioral characteristics; the bee communication dance; swarming; and the honey-making process. The realistic, finely detailed paintings match the serene tone of the text. Several spreads offer full-color views of bees foraging for food in idyllic meadows, while others are close-ups of workers busy inside golden-hued hives. The book concludes with miscellaneous facts about the insects and honey. The text omits some important information. For instance, metamorphosis is not described, although several pictures include cross-sections of developing larvae and pupae within their wax cells, and a queen is shown laying an egg. There is little discussion of physical characteristics; however, the illustrations extend the text in this regard as well. Joyce Milton's Honeybees (Grosset & Dunlap, 2003) describes the stages of metamorphosis and discusses physical characteristics in more detail, but its serviceable illustrations lack the visual detail and technical skill of Schindler's work. Despite the omissions, Rockwell's book will be a useful addition to the subject area and a great read-aloud.Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Gr. 1-3. In this offering in the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series, Rockwell discusses the behavior and life cycle of honeybees, with an emphasis on honey production. She explains how workers and their queen live together in a hive, where the queen lays eggs and the workers make honey. She then describes the various roles of worker bees, how honey is made, and the process by which the queen forms a new community. Schindler's realistic artwork is both colorful and nicely matched to the text; however, without captions or labels it is sometimes difficult to discern the queen from her workers. Appended with additional facts, this attractive introduction to honey production will serve students well. Pair it with Deborah Heiligman's Honeybees (2002), which has more information about the bees themselves. Kay WeismanCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Honey in a Hive (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2) | [
800,
1051,
1686,
2599,
3736,
3791,
3809,
3995,
3996,
3998,
3999,
4000,
4002,
4005,
4006,
4008,
4018,
4020,
4021,
4025,
4753,
4763,
4772,
4775,
4782,
4784,
4788,
4790,
4792,
4795,
4800,
4802,
4809,
4817,
4821,
4826,
4828,
4831,
4833,
4840,... | Validation |
1,124 | 2 | “Stargirl would approve.” (Kirkus Reviews)“Spinelli employs a fresh voice and honest perspective to mine the prickly intersections of family, friendship, and growing up, with emotionally resonant results.” (ALA Booklist)“Middle school boys and girls, as well as the reluctant reader, will enjoy this fun and easy read.” (Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA))Jerry Spinelli received the Newbery Medal for Maniac Magee and a Newbery Honor for Wringer. His other books include Smiles to Go, Loser, Space Station Seventh Grade, Who Put That Hair in My Toothbrush?, Dump Days, and Stargirl. His novels are recognized for their humor and poignancy, and his characters and situations are often drawn from his real-life experience as a father of six children. Jerry lives with his wife, Eileen, also a writer, in Wayne, Pennsylvania.; Title: Smiles to Go | [
6051,
6584,
6631,
6911,
8569,
12676,
12837,
13102,
16676,
17050,
17636,
26470,
52766,
55053,
55812,
64082
] | Validation |
1,125 | 2 | When a little Eskimo boy named Amaroq is given a sickly wolf pup to nurse back to health, his sister Julie warns him, "Don't fall in love, Amaroq, or your heart will break when the wolves come and take him away." But it's too late. One look in the pup's golden eyes and Amaroq is smitten. Soon enough, Nutik the wolf has grown fat and well, and he and Amaroq are never apart. When the wolf pack comes back to reclaim their cub, Amaroq must be strong enough to let him go. Now can the two friends be strong enough to remain apart?Do some of these names sound familiar? They should. First told in the novel, Julie's Wolf Pack, this adventure is a young reader's picture-book introduction to Jean Craighead George's classic trilogy for older children, The Epic Adventures of Julie and Her Wolves, including the Newbery Medal-winning Julie of the Wolves. George crafts an exquisite story for a new generation of readers sprung from those who grew up with many of her more than 80 outstanding children's books. Acclaimed illustrator Ted Rand traveled to the Arctic tundra to research the pictures for this book; the result is splendidly evocative of the beauty and desolation of Alaska, both in daylight (which lasts for three months in the summer) and at night. (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie CoulterGrade 3-5-George adapts a story from Julie's Wolf Pack (HarperCollins, 1997) for a picture-book readership. In simple language and a lilting repetitive cadence, she tells of an Eskimo boy and the wolf pup he raises under his sister's watchful supervision. When Julie presents Amaroq with a frail wolf pup to raise, she sternly admonishes him not to love it, warning him that the pup's rightful place is with his pack, and that their foster-care arrangement is only temporary. Amaroq loves the animal anyway, and in the end, a surfeit of love leaves him anything but brokenhearted. Rand's deeply textured illustrations evoke the expansive white vistas and low light of the Alaskan wilderness in winter. Most of the story takes place during a protracted twilight and nightfall, and the artist successfully integrates the absence of direct sunlight to good effect. This beautiful book is a terrific way to introduce younger readers to George's award-winning prose.Catherine T. Quattlebaum, DeKalb County Public Library, Atlanta, GA Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Nutik, the Wolf Pup | [
1037,
61154
] | Train |
1,126 | 2 | Kindergarten-Grade 3?Grandpa's very expensive, custom-made false teeth have been stolen. The police are alerted and an artist's rendering of the missing choppers is posted as "wanted" all over town. Even though "Unsolved Crimes" broadcasts a reenactment on television and dentures are found in the mailbox, none are the missing ones. Grandpa suspects everyone, so townsfolk smile widely to show that their teeth are their own. Finally, people of the town rally to Grandpa's cause and kick in to replace his teeth. Now everyone is grinning, including Grandpa's always dour dog, Gump, who smiles a very "familiar" smile. The text reinforces the humor in the pictures, displaying Grandpa's distinct toothless talk, "It'sth much more stherious. It'sth my teeth?they've been sthtolen." Clement's slightly exaggerated characters are perfectly suited to this toothy tale. Pictures extend the text as evidenced in the search of Grandpa's messy room where everything from apple cores to bugs are found, but not teeth. Grandpa's Teeth is a hoot.?Susan M. Moore, Louisville Free Public Library, KYCopyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.Ages 4^-8. It's a "disthasthter" when Grandpa's false teeth are stolen. For one thing, it makes him talk like a teakettle. For another, these were no ordinary dentures. "Thosthe teeth were sthpecial," he whistles, "handmade by the finestht Sthwissth craftsthmen." Despite Grandpa's appearance on the TV show Unsolved Crimes, the police remain baffled, and soon the town is in an uproar. For everyone is suspect, and the only way to prove you're not the thief is to grin broadly enough to show all your own choppers. The sight of so many dazzling ivories is enough to scare the tourists away, and the specter of economic ruin looms. After all this inspired nonsense, how Grandpa finally gets some new teeth is a tad anticlimactic. And anyone who has read William Joyce's A Day with Wilbur Robinson (1990) won't be a bit surprised by the identity of the thief. But Australian cartoonist Clement's pictures are a hoot and a half, and his story has enough sly touches to keep readers grinning . . . toothily! Michael Cart; Title: Grandpa's Teeth | [
4250,
4671,
4739,
5888,
6150,
6247,
7127,
7369,
7640,
9581,
13326,
15364,
15393,
15396,
15415,
15492,
15915,
15974,
15986,
16061,
16147,
16202,
16344,
16446,
16454,
16542,
17149,
17431,
17700,
22984,
24247,
24879,
25112,
27246,
34810,
38306,
60... | Test |
1,127 | 2 | PreSDyer illustrates a text that was originally published as Eyes Nose Fingers Toes (Harper & Row, 1964; o.p.). Gentle rhymes tell the story of a toddler saying good night to her surroundings, her stuffed animals, and her mother. She snuggles her lamb, touches noses with her bear, and compares toes with her dinosaur. The simple spreads on which the baby bids good night to her toys are awash with soothing pastel watercolor backgrounds. While the stuffed animals are endearing, the child and her mother are not as appealing; they have old-fashioned, doll-like, and expressionless round faces delineated by a few simple lines and tiny rosebud mouths. The few pages where there is more color, detail, pattern, and activity work the best.Shelley B. Sutherland, Niles Public Library District, IL Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.PreS. Forty years after Krauss first published Eyes Nose Fingers Toes, Dyer gives the old favorite a new title and creates new, clear, beautiful watercolor pictures of a toddler cuddling a doll, nose to nose with a teddy bear, toe to toe with a soft dinosaur, then touching windows, doors, walls, floor, chairs, and finally tucked in bed, "sleepyhead." The elemental rhyme and the spacious pictures from the toddler's viewpoint make this a great companion to Margaret Wise Brown's classic Good Night, Moon. Hazel RochmanCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Goodnight Goodnight Sleepyhead | [
4392
] | Test |
1,128 | 2 | Actor Jamie Lee Curtis and winsome illustrator Laura Cornell continue their successful collaboration (Today I Feel Silly, When I Was Little, et al.) with this paean to poise and self-assurance, I'm Gonna Like Me.The duo sets out to "let off a little self-esteem" by following a seriously self-actualized (and gratifyingly quirky) boy and girl throughout their day on alternating pages. The kids take turns carrying the lines, often switching off midsentence, to describe exactly how and why "I'm gonna like me." (Girl: "I'm gonna like me / when I'm called on to stand. / I know all my letters / like the back of my hand." Boy: "I'm gonna like me / when my answer is wrong, / like thinking my ruler / was ten inches long.") The call and response continues through the action-packed day, as the kids get up, go to school, have lunch, go to a birthday party, etc., until they finally get tucked in--so no opportunity for building self-esteem gets overlooked.Young readers will like Curtis's words and the rhythmic repetition, but it's Cornell's scribbling, reminiscent of the New Yorker's Roz Chast, that makes the book stand out. From an imagined fashion-show runway walk (love that snooty fashion press) to a hilarious lunch table spread (got to get some of that "Cup o' Lettuce" and "Pork by the Foot" for your Doris Day lunch box), Cornell fills the book with funny faces and lots of laughs (the best of which might be the girl's pet turtle working out in a cage with a treadmill, next to a book titled "Exercising Your Illegal Turtle"). (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul HughesThe dynamic duo behind Today I Feel Silly returns for another lively, emotionally reassuring picture book. This time out, Curtis looks to the source of what makes children (of all ages) feel comfortable in their own skin. Cornell pictures the perky rhymes being delivered by a pair of young protagonists confident enough to shake off embarrassment and to feel proud (though not overly so) of personal achievements. "I'm gonna like me when I'm called on to stand. I know all my letters like the back of my hand," announces a girl dressed in plaid, flowers and a cape. "I'm gonna like me when my answer is wrong, like thinking my ruler was ten inches long," says the boy as both youngsters stand before the school blackboard. Ultimately, the author concludes "I'm gonna like me 'cause I'm loved and I know it,and liking myself is the best way to show it." Though the message is both catchy and effective in its delivery, it's Cornell's humorous, detailed, ink-and-watercolor illustrations that give this volume true pizzazz. She hits just the right note of fear-tinged bravura with the characters' vividly imagined antics. Their portraits, embellished with all manner of costumes and fun accessories (a fire-extinguisher-like toothpaste tube, an Esther Williams lunchbox, a "Dalmatian Kit" for polka-dotting pets), will delight the audience. Ages 4-8.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: I'm Gonna Like Me: Letting Off a Little Self-Esteem | [
563,
714,
809,
829,
1049,
1161,
1784,
2194,
2453,
2733,
2864,
4149,
4592,
5376,
5573,
7204,
8258,
10339,
10722,
10917,
11039,
16147,
21344,
22348,
24710,
26386,
31299,
31744,
31862,
32296,
32304,
32724,
34042,
34100,
39391,
40927,
41057,
4312... | Train |
1,129 | 1 | Reviewed with Seymour Simon's Dogs.Gr. 2-3, younger for reading aloud. There are other books about these popular pets, but most are for older children. Here, Simon writes crisply for a young audience, who will eagerly turn the pages to see the next endearing color photograph. In Dogs, he begins with overall characteristics framed in ways kids can understand: "Dogs are able to swallow much larger hunks of food than humans are able to swallow." Simon also describes dogs' senses, their intelligence, and means of communication. Descriptions of birth and growth are enhanced by a full-page picture of puppies feeding and a smaller photo of a tiny puppy held in a hand. Simon also describes different breeds, including terriers, shepherds, and toys. Cats covers most of the same topics with the same sort of photos--for example, kittens feeding. Both books use a page or two to discuss pet care and end with pictures of various breeds. Simon's always lucid prose is matched by sharp photos, most of which fill up the pages. An attractive way to introduce children to nonfiction. Ilene CooperCopyright American Library Association. All rights reservedSeymour Simon has been called "the dean of the [children's science book] field" by the New York Times. He has written more than 250 books for young readers and has received the American Association for the Advancement of Science/Subaru Lifetime Achievement Award for his lasting contribution to children's science literature, the Science Books & Films Key Award for Excellence in Science Books, the Empire State Award for excellence in literature for young people, and the Educational Paperback Association Jeremiah Ludington Award. He and his wife, Liz, live in Great Neck, New York. You can visit him online at www.seymoursimon.com, where you can read "Seymour Science Blog" and download a free four-page teacher guide to accompany this book, putting it in context with Common Core objectives. Many of Seymour's award-winning books are also available as ebooks.; Title: Cats | [
774,
1054,
1078,
1130,
1136,
1459,
2001,
2003,
2017,
2023,
2036,
2043,
2227,
2230,
2263,
2565,
3607,
4636,
5614,
26823,
49608,
49681,
52400,
63501,
65015
] | Train |
1,130 | 1 | Reviewed with Seymour Simon's Cats.Gr. 2-3, younger for reading aloud. There are other books about these popular pets, but most are for older children. Here, Simon writes crisply for a young audience, who will eagerly turn the pages to see the next endearing color photograph. In Dogs, he begins with overall characteristics framed in ways kids can understand: "Dogs are able to swallow much larger hunks of food than humans are able to swallow." Simon also describes dogs' senses, their intelligence, and means of communication. Descriptions of birth and growth are enhanced by a full-page picture of puppies feeding and a smaller photo of a tiny puppy held in a hand. Simon also describes different breeds, including terriers, shepherds, and toys. Cats covers most of the same topics with the same sort of photos--for example, kittens feeding. Both books use a page or two to discuss pet care and end with pictures of various breeds. Simon's always lucid prose is matched by sharp photos, most of which fill up the pages. An attractive way to introduce children to nonfiction. Ilene CooperCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reservedSeymour Simon has been called "the dean of the [children's science book] field" by the New York Times. He has written more than 250 books for young readers and has received the American Association for the Advancement of Science/Subaru Lifetime Achievement Award for his lasting contribution to children's science literature, the Science Books & Films Key Award for Excellence in Science Books, the Empire State Award for excellence in literature for young people, and the Educational Paperback Association Jeremiah Ludington Award. He and his wife, Liz, live in Great Neck, New York. You can visit him online at www.seymoursimon.com, where you can read "Seymour Science Blog" and download a free four-page teacher guide to accompany this book, putting it in context with Common Core objectives. Many of Seymour's award-winning books are also available as ebooks.; Title: Dogs | [
774,
1054,
1078,
1129,
1136,
1459,
1997,
2001,
2003,
2008,
2010,
2017,
2023,
2036,
2043,
2227,
2230,
2263,
2565,
3607,
4636,
4656,
5614,
6837,
10495,
16344,
21719,
26823,
26936,
26972,
27071,
27100,
31563,
32488,
33235,
33620,
37598,
39161,
... | Validation |
1,131 | 2 | HarperCollins's reissue of Maurice Sendak's oeuvre continues with four more titles. Published in 1956, Kenny's Window follows the adventures of a boy living out his fantasies from the confines of his bedroom. His window provides a magic portal as he strives to answer seven questions posed to him in a dream. The Sign on Rosie's Door (1960) invites readers into the girl's imaginative world, where three knocks reveal her secret: "I'm not Rosie any more," she says. "I'm Alinda, the lovely lady singer." A quartet of neighborhood pals quickly gets in on the act. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.In addition to Where the Wild Things Are, Maurice Sendak's books include Kenny's Window, Very Far Away, The Sign on Rosie's Door, Nutshell Library (consisting of Chicken Soup with Rice, Alligators All Around, One Was Johnny, and Pierre), Higglety Pigglety Pop! or There Must Be More to Life, In the Night Kitchen, Outside Over There, We Are All in the Dumps with Jack and Guy, and Bumble-Ardy.He received the 1964 Caldecott Medal for Where the Wild Things Are; the 1970 Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration; the 1983 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, given by the American Library Association in recognition of his entire body of work; and a 1996 National Medal of Arts in recognition of his contribution to the arts in America. In 2003, he received the first Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, an international prize for children's literature established by the Swedish government.; Title: Kenny's Window | [
864,
884,
1086,
1264,
3044,
3051,
4543,
9561,
17824,
52599,
58171,
64263,
64274,
64278,
64317,
64338,
64339,
64341,
64349,
70536,
70547
] | Train |
1,132 | 4 | PreS-Gr 1-As he watches a train go by, a little boy describes the vehicle in rhyming text. "Some cars keep things from the rain./Some cars carry trucks or grain,/or cows,/or hogs,/or gas,/or logs." However, by the child's reckoning, "-the best car's at the end,/and as the train goes round the bend," he waves, "-glad/to see the car that carries Dad." Boldly colored, unadorned illustrations accompany the text. Additional information about trains is provided on the endpapers. Although this title is not as well constructed as Donald Crews's Freight Train (Greenwillow, 1978) or as detailed as Gail Gibbons's Trains (Holiday, 1987), youngsters should enjoy the simple story, whether it is shared as a read-aloud or one-on-one.Melinda Piehler, North Tonawanda Public Library, NYCopyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.Philemon Sturges was an architect and the author of several books for children, including I Love Trains!, I Love Trucks!, I Love Planes!, I Love School!, and I Love Bugs!; Title: I Love Trains! | [
1148,
8222,
8627,
13339,
14042,
19983,
19997,
21928,
22282,
23840,
26558,
27103,
28895,
30502,
32628,
38600,
41412,
47648,
48351,
52381,
52587,
53489,
64958,
66103
] | Train |
1,133 | 2 | K-Gr. 1. Biscuit, the adorable little golden dog, makes an appearance in a My First I Can Read series. Biscuit wants to follow his young mistress to school, but, of course, that isn't allowed. When his girl heads off, Biscuit finds his own way there. Even with a limited amount of words and the shortest of sentences, Capucilli tells a real story, one that will capture the attention of the newest reader. First there is the suspense of the puppy's making it to school. Then, there's Biscuit cutting a wide swath through the school, until he's finally picked up by the principal. The friendly watercolor artwork nicely illustrates the action. Ilene CooperCopyright American Library Association. All rights reservedBiscuit wants to go to school. He wants to go to class, have a snack in the cafeteria, and hear a story in the library. Most of all, Biscuit wants to meet the teacher! But dogs aren't allowed in school. What will happen when the teacher discovers Biscuit?The little yellow puppy's adventure perfectly captures the excitement of a young child's first day at school!; Title: Biscuit Goes to School (My First I Can Read) | [
636,
639,
651,
667,
1016,
1042,
1470,
1595,
1798,
2190,
2195,
2279,
2280,
2282,
2285,
2451,
2558,
2576,
2692,
2835,
2836,
2842,
3126,
3212,
3230,
3388,
3409,
3410,
3443,
3446,
3449,
3606,
3642,
3676,
3678,
3849,
3891,
3971,
4072,
4076,
... | Train |
1,134 | 2 | After an earthquake unexpectedly rumbles through Old Bridgeport one day, pals Joey, Michael, and Sarah are amazed to see a rusted old door in the local toy shop swing open. Stepping through, they find themselves not only in another room (a mirror image of the shop they just left), but in another dimension. Here they encounter a cow practicing her moon jumps, a grumpy man in the moon, a cloud keeper (and peddler), and a giant who is afraid of the dark. If the night sky is ever to have light again, the children must stop the giant from hoarding--or even destroying--the moon!The many fans of Dean Morrissey's Ship of Dreams, The Great Kettles: A Tale of Time, and other picture-book fantasies will be delighted to see this new title from the author/artist. It's the first book in the new Magic Door series, for which Morrissey teams up with well-known children's author Stephen Krensky. Although the story does not glow with originality or flow seamlessly to its conclusion, readers will enjoy the idea of the moon being a spaceship that needs constant maintenance, and chuckle over such amusing details as a flying quilted tugboat. The illustrations are the obvious draw here. Morrissey's vivid oil paintings (each shamelessly signed) seem to be the hook on which the entire book hangs. (Ages 7 to 11) --Emilie CoulterThe settings and some characters from Morrissey's previous fantasy tales resurface in this middling chapter book, first in the Magic Door series. Here, six-year-old Joey returns to the group of islands "across the Sea of Time" that he visited in The Great Kettles. He and 10-year-old friends Sarah and Michael enter the Great Kettles through a mysterious door in the shop of toy maker Sam (who came to Father Christmas's aid in The Christmas Ship), finding themselves in the village of Moonhaven. Perched on a platform in the main square is a large, spherical machine that the children learn is the moon. After they enter it in hopes of meeting Captain Luna, "the Man in the Moon," Sarah pulls a lever and the moon rises into the sky. Their flight is short-lived, since Mogg, a seemingly ferocious giant who "fancies himself a pirate," plucks the orb out of the sky and holds it hostage until Sam devises a way to appease him (it turns out Mogg is afraid of the dark). Morrissey and Krensky (How Santa Got His Job) sprinkle their light narrative with some clever contrivances and amusing dialogue, yet wordiness intermittently stalls the pace. However, Morrissey's crisp paintings and spot art are as captivating as ever. Depicting the imaginative world of the story with uncanny clarity, the graphics will keep readers aloft throughout this flight of fancy. Ages 7-10. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: The Moon Robber (Magic Door Series, Book 1) | [
581,
1112,
38061
] | Test |
1,135 | 16 | Pamela Duncan Edwards is the author of numerous popular picture books, including Livingstone Mouse; Roar! A Noisy Counting Book; Some Smug Slug; The Worrywarts; Clara Caterpillar; Wake-Up Kisses; Rosie's Roses; The Leprechaun's Gold; and Gigi and Lulu's Gigantic Fight, all illustrated by Henry Cole; as well as Dear Tooth Fairy, illustrated by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick; McGillycuddy Could!, illustrated by Sue Porter; and The Neat Line, illustrated by Diana Cain Bluthenthal. She lives in Virginia.; Title: Rosie's Roses | [
814,
4601,
4634,
6194,
22039
] | Train |
1,136 | 2 | Kindergarten-Grade 3Simon provides the basic facts, which include the importance of horses to humans throughout history, their evolution, physical traits, interactions among themselves, and the various breeds. The information is clear and accurate. The striking color photos will capture readers attention. However, its unfortunate that they lack captions, particularly when showing different breeds. Children will pore over the photos and garner enough information from the text to make this book a popular introductory choice.Carol Schene, Taunton Public Schools, MA Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Gr. 2-4. Simon, whose award-winning books have covered the spectrum from vehicles to weather to the human body, turns his attention to an animal whose history has been linked to that of human beings for "tens of thousands of years." As is usual in Simon's recent science books, photographs, carefully keyed to the text, draw readers in. Though the photos of horses in motion are less effective in showing how the animal moves than a diagram might have been, some of the other pictures are nothing short of spectacular, especially one of a pair of jumpers, photographed from below as they clear a fence at twilight. Comprehensive? No. Rather, Simon has pulled together a variety of information to give children a concise but memorable, even dignified picture of the magnificent beast and how its relationship to humankind has evolved and changed. Stephanie ZvirinCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Horses | [
1997,
2010,
2017,
2023,
2227,
2263,
2565,
10121,
12741,
13474,
13877,
15241,
18399,
27234,
28835,
30559,
31070,
34193,
56101,
60245,
62669,
63501,
65710,
68174
] | Train |
1,137 | 5 | This gracefully structured picture book introduces readers to the famous Firebird ballet (choreographed by George Balanchine to Igor Stravinsky's music) and the Russian folklore that inspired it. Accomplished hunter Prince Ivan becomes lost in a strange, tangled wood where the only living creature is the magnificent Firebird, which he snares. In exchange for her life, the magical bird offers Prince Ivan one of her glorious feathers and a pledge of help if ever he should call upon her. The feather and Firebird serve Prince Ivan well when he battles evil wizard Kostchei the Deathless and frees the maidens imprisoned in Kostchei's garden. Yolen (How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?) crafts her well-paced tale from a variety of sources (listed in an author's note), including her own childhood memory of seeing Firebird danced by Maria Tallchief in 1949. Employing a design that is both stylish and informative, Vagin (The King's Equal) depicts a ballet performance in a panel that runs across the lower portion of each page, while the larger, top portion of the pages contain his dramatic interpretation of the story. From the brilliant, red-plumed Firebird to the sumptuously decorated house of the wizard, Vagin's crisply rendered paintings evoke czarist Russia. The elegant costumes and poses in his ballet scenes may well leave many readers eager to view a live performance. Ages 3-6. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.Ages 4-8. Past picture-book retellings of this famous Russian story have mostly followed either the plot of the original folktale or of the Balanchine-Stravinsky ballet. Yolen's version, explained in a personal note, combines elements of both. Armed with a magic feather from the Firebird, Prince Ivan battles goblins and evil wizard Kostchei in the enchanted garden and wins the love of the beautiful, captured princess. Yolen offers a dramatic story in language that's spare, immediate, and sprinkled with folksy phrases. It's Vagin's sparkling, gem-colored illustrations that really show the story's two traditions together in split spreads of a fairy-tale world above and ballet scenes drawn below. The result is effective and thought-provoking, much like Loriot's Peter and the Wolf (1986), where Jorg Muller's insets of the orchestra are drawn alongside the story's scenes. Children may want to listen to Stravinsky's music as they pore over the images in this innovative interpretation of a classic tale. Gillian EngbergCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: The Firebird | [
16150
] | Train |
1,138 | 1 | Pamela Duncan Edwards and Henry Cole, the creators of Some Smug Slug and Four Famished Foxes and Fosdyke, take on metamorphosis with Clara Caterpillar. "Grow up to be courageous and contented, Clara," calls a cream-colored butterfly to the egg she has laid on a cabbage leaf at the story's opening. After "crimson-colored Catisha" scorns Clara for her plain coloring, the heroine's camouflage saves the day.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.Kindergarten-Grade 3-Clara is the plain Jane of the caterpillar set, which is fine with her. However, crimson-colored Catisha thinks that Clara is positively dull. When they become butterflies, Clara is cream-colored, perfect for hiding camouflaged in the camellias. Catisha is brilliant red, and a sitting duck for a hungry crow. Predictably, Clara saves Catisha's life, proving that colorless and clever is better than flashy and frivolous. The text is a lesson in alliteration ("'Catisha is conceited,' comforted Cornelius"). The pictures are an interesting combination of realistically rendered backgrounds and insect bodies with faces drawn in the style of Dr. Seuss. An additional purchase.Holly Belli, Bergen County Cooperative Library System, West Caldwell, NJ Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Clara Caterpillar | [
1135,
2729,
4601,
4634,
5492,
7350,
8687,
12457,
13041,
13540,
15371,
16008,
21017,
22039,
23896,
28454,
31148,
31954,
36478,
40536,
43383,
46742,
47822,
49058,
51628,
54298,
61238,
61332,
65020,
67226
] | Validation |
1,139 | 2 | reS-K-This story puts a spin on Mercer Mayer's There's a Nightmare in My Closet (Turtleback, 1968) and James Howe's There's a Monster under My Bed (Atheneum, 1986). Albert, a monster, is terrified of little boys and girls. He knows they lurk in his closet and under his bed, waiting to eat him up. His mother tells him that there are no such phenomena, but this does nothing to alleviate his fears. Finally, with pounding heart, Albert confronts the demons so that he can sleep. Unfortunately, this silly story lacks charm. Baker gives too many plot details that negate any element of fear (a boy playing "piggie" with the monster's toes is not scary). Hayes's colorful artwork is clever, adding details of a bone for a curtain rod and a monster portrait on the wall, but too busy, thus detracting from the story. Telling a tale from the monster's point of view is an enticing concept, but it has been done more creatively in Philippe Corentin's Papa! (Chronicle, 1997) and Jackie French Koller's No Such Thing (Boyds Mills, 1997).Be Astengo, Alachua County Library, Gainesville, FLCopyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.Ken Bakers love for children's books began during childhood, when his parents and older siblings would relate favorite stories of Peter Cottontail, Dr. Seuss, Epaminondas, Curious George, and the three bears. That love for children's books grew as Ken read and made up bedtime stories for his own children.; Title: Brave Little Monster | [
5484,
8285,
15188,
27223,
31983,
31985,
43896,
56460
] | Train |
1,140 | 0 | K-Gr. 2. This attractive book from the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series discusses the sounds made by dolphins. Pfeffer draws parallels between people's words and dolphins whistles, human babies' gurgles and baby dolphins' chirps, human mothers' warning words and dolphin mothers' scolding movements. Besides relating the wide range of sounds dolphins make, the author also describes how the sounds are made, their use in echolocation, and a variety of underwater noises made by whales. Davie's paintings portray the world beneath the waves with particular grace and surprising variety. The book closes with an excellent two-page diagram showing a dolphin's interior organs and bone structure. An inviting addition to science collections. Carolyn PhelanCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reservedWendy Pfeffer has written several other books for children,including From Tadpole to Frog and What's It Like to Be a Fish? both illustrated by Holly Keller.Ms. Pfeffer lives in Pennington, NJ. Holly Keller has illustrated Let's Go Rock Collecting by Roma Gans and You're Aboard Spaceship Earth by Patricia Lauber, as well as her own books starring Horace and Geraldine.Ms. Keller lives in West Redding, CT.; Title: Dolphin Talk: Whistles, Clicks, and Clapping Jaws (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2) | [
617,
1051,
1083,
1398,
3995,
3998,
4002,
4006,
4017,
4770,
4772,
4795,
4798,
4831,
11661,
12844,
14246,
26821,
38533,
53399,
62424
] | Validation |
1,141 | 17 | "A worthy continuation of [the Little House] series." -- -- School Library Journal"Wilder fans will eagerly absorb this latest offering, and a few of the chapters will make terrific read-alouds." -- -- ALA BooklistRoger Lea MacBride, a close friend of Rose Wilder Lane's, was the author of the Rose Years novels.; Title: Bachelor Girl (Little House: the Rocky Ridge Years) | [
545,
909,
2351,
2361,
2370,
4435,
4439,
4446,
4465,
4477,
4499
] | Train |
1,142 | 2 | Roger is listening carefully backstage. The auditorium is packed. Three more lines, then two, then one, and he's on! Roger the mouse has a very important role in the school Halloween play, even if it is the smallest part. He and his classmates have practiced for days to get all their moves just right. And tonight they'll reap the rewards with their runaway success.For those who have waited nervously behind the stage curtain, counting the lines leading up to their cue, this book is a must. Sweet, simple, and so true, it captures the taut emotions of a schoolchild preparing for public appearance, and the wild release of a job well done. Felicia Bond, illustrator of such favorites as If You Give a Moose a Muffin and If You Give a Pig a Pancake, uses minimal text on each page. Her adorable, warmly colored illustrations of the tiny, earnest ghosts and wizards speak louder than words, and, along with the play's audience, young readers will laugh when they're "supposed to" and applaud madly for this smash sensation. Forget Broadway: a star is born right here! (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie CoulterFelicia Bond is the New York Times best-selling illustrator of many beloved books for children, including the If You Give a ... series, written by Laura Numeroff. She is also the author and illustrator of The Halloween Play, The Day It Rained Hearts, Tumble Bumble, and the Poinsettia books. She lives in Austin TX, and Santa Fe, NM.; Title: The Halloween Play | [
667,
1079,
1269,
1411,
2314,
3244,
3321,
3336,
3824,
3925,
5560,
6262,
6433,
6735,
10339,
14412,
16339,
16406,
16780,
17105,
18401,
18468,
19597,
21706,
22077,
22726,
22745,
25628,
28877,
28914,
29435,
33799,
35944,
37558,
37807,
39131,
52602,
... | Train |
1,143 | 1 | "It was a great day for a picnic," begins Marc Simont's lovely, touching, happy-ending picture book, The Stray Dog. And indeed, judging from the opening spread's clear skies, sparkling water, zooming boats, and adventure-bound cars it looks to be so. The story begins as a scruffy little dog makes an appearance at a family's picnic. The children name him Willy, and by the end of the day they desperately want to take him home. The family drives away, but all week they can think of nothing but their new furry friend. They return to picnic at the same spot the very next week, much to Willy's good fortune--and that of the newly smitten family.As in all the best illustrated children's books, Simont lets his pictures tell the story. We don't have to be told how wrenching it is for the kids to leave Willy behind--we see their small outstretched arms out the car window and the puppy watching them go. Simont doesn't have to tell us that the next Saturday the family is completely preoccupied with the possibility of another Willy sighting. We see the family, silent, munching, and just to the side is a plate of meat they've put out, just in case. Young readers will adore this simple tale of puppy love, but adults will be equally charmed. Simont illustrated his first book in 1939, and since then has illustrated nearly 100 titles, including the 1949 Caldecott Honor Book The Happy Day, by Ruth Krauss and Janice May Udry's A Tree Is Nice, winner of the 1957 Caldecott Medal. This book is our favorite so far of the year! (Ages 4 to 8) --Karin SnelsonIn this slender but engaging volume, Caldecott Medalist Simont (A Tree Is Nice) retells and illustrates a true story told to him by a friend. Picnicking in the country, a family spies a friendly dog. The brother and sister play with him and even name him, but their parents will not let them take Willy back to their city home. "He must belong to somebody," their mother explains, "and they would miss him." Returning to the same spot the following weekend, they once again see Willy, this time being chased by a dog warden who deems him a stray: "He has no collar. He has no leash." In the tale's most endearing scene, the boy removes his belt and the girl her hair ribbon, which they identify to the warden as Willy's collar and leash: "His name is Willy, and he belongs to us." Simont's art and narrative play off each other strategically, together imparting the tale's humor and tenderness. The final scenes are simple gems of understatement and wit. "They took Willy home" accompanies a full-bleed picture of the children energetically and messily bathing the dog; "And after that... they introduced him to the neighborhood, where he met some very interesting dogs" captions a busy scene of a park full of pooches. A charmer. Ages 4-8. (Jan.) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: The Stray Dog: From a True Story by Reiko Sassa | [
1117,
2840,
3930,
6086,
6150,
6962,
7237,
9563,
10139,
10269,
10841,
10920,
11104,
11254,
11912,
13723,
15393,
15492,
15811,
15915,
15987,
16147,
16172,
17544,
20787,
21344,
21393,
22211,
22538,
22830,
22948,
22959,
24866,
25008,
25129,
25783,
... | Train |
1,144 | 13 | The story of the little circus girl Flora flourishes under the care of the gifted Sendak brothers in this, one of their few collaborations.Jack Sendak began writing at a very early age, collaborating with his brother Maurice in writing, illustrating, and binding their own story books, which they then lent out to family and friends. His love for books grew out of the bedtime foltakes his father, Philip, told every evening. Reviewers called Jack Sendak's books humorous, magical, and mysterious.; Title: Circus Girl | [
884,
1070,
3044,
4572,
73258
] | Train |
1,145 | 11 | Youngsters can learn about the all-important tree trimmer in Cobweb Christmas: The Tradition of Tinsel (1982) by Shirley Climo, illus. by Jane Manning. Set in Germany, this charming story asserts that curious spiders paying a visit to Grandma's tree are responsible for the tinsel tradition.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.reS-Gr 1-A revised and newly illustrated version of a story published in 1982, illustrated by Joe Lasker. An old Bavarian woman does her annual cleaning and then invites children and animals in to admire her beautifully decorated Christmas tree and eat goodies. Only the spiders, which are ushered outside every year, miss out on the festivities, so Kriss Kringle (Christkindel in the earlier edition) lets them into Tante's house as he passes by, and they leave cobwebs all over the tree, which he then transforms into silver and gold-the first tinsel. Climo explains in a note in this edition that the story is based on a folktale whose roots go back more than 200 years. The modest text revisions result in a trimmer, more succinct story, while the new illustrations (still retaining a folkloric, old-fashioned quality) and larger format enhance the book's use in group storytime. Libraries owning the earlier edition will want to keep it while adding this welcome new interpretation of the appealing story.-E. M.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: Cobweb Christmas: The Tradition of Tinsel | [
2632,
4570,
5371,
5494,
5538,
6327,
6796,
6981,
7104,
7701,
8900,
12589,
12790,
13720,
14018,
14412,
15543,
15590,
16146,
16299,
16420,
16501,
19226,
21438,
22984,
23348,
27026,
27280,
28569,
28977,
28983,
33399,
33680,
33851,
34706,
36340,
382... | Validation |
1,146 | 0 | Praise for Dinosaur Tracks: A great choice for even the most discriminating dinophiles.-School Library Journal Zoehfeld builds on childrens fascination with dinosaurs by providingdetails about fossil tracks. The clear text is illustrated with informal, colorful spreads. (ALA Booklist)Praise for Did Dinosaurs Have Feathers?: Pastel illustrations in pale tones provide vivid visualizations of long-ago landscapes. Libraries that serve dinosaur fanatics will find this a welcome addition. (School Library Journal)Praise for Did Dinosaurs Have Feathers?: An interesting addition to an excellent series. (ALA Booklist)Praise for Did Dinosaurs Have Feathers?: This is a solid read for primary grade readers who are ready to move from simply exposition to a more subtle, problem-solving approach. (Association of Children's Literature)Praise for Did Dinosaurs Have Feathers?: Young dinosaur enthusiasts will love this fascinating information. (Kirkus Reviews)Praise for Dinosaurs Big and Small: Brightly colored, informative, and on a cherished topic, the book is certain to gather no shelf-sitter dust. (School Library Journal)Praise for Dinosaurs Big and Small: Well focused and very appealing. (ALA Booklist)Praise for Dinosaurs Big and Small: This book, geared toward teaching preschoolers and kindergartners simple science concepts, shows size difference in a way that children can understand. (Association of Children's Literature)Praise for Dinosaur Babies: This easy-to-read series entry will be welcomed with deserved delight by young dinophiles. (School Library Journal)Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld is the award-winning author of more than seventy books for children. She has written several books in the Lets Read And Find Out Science series, including: WHAT LIVES IN A SHELL?, an NSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book and winner of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences Best Childrens Book award; WHAT IS THE WORLD MADE OF?, a Childrens Book of the Month Club Main Selection; WHATS ALIVE?, also named an AAAS Best Childrens Book; HOW MOUNTAINS ARE MADE, an NSTA/CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book, DINOSAUR TRACKS, "a great choice for even the most discriminating dinophiles" (School Library Journal); and DINOSAURS BIG AND SMALL, winner of the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Book AwardKathleen was a childrens book editor for over ten years before becoming a full-time writer. When she is not reading, researching, writing, or editing she loves to spend her free time exploring, doing fieldwork, and preparing and curating fossils for her local natural history museums. She lives in Berkeley, CA.; Title: Where Did Dinosaurs Come From? (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2) | [
998,
1106,
1123,
3995,
3999,
4002,
4005,
4007,
4020,
4744,
4749,
4766,
4770,
4772,
4787,
4789,
4791,
4817,
4836,
4866,
4881
] | Validation |
1,147 | 2 | Originally published in 1973, Black Is Brown Is Tan was the first children's book to feature an interracial family. In this 21st-century version, with new, sunlight-drenched watercolors, Mom is still "a tasty tan and coffee pumpkin pie / with dark brown eyes and almond ears," and Daddy is "light with pinks and tiny tans / dark hair growing on my arms / that darken in the summer sun / brown eyes / big yellow ears." The happy, normal family goes about their day, drinking milk, barbecuing, spending time with grandmas and aunts and uncles, and reading stories. Throughout, they celebrate "all the colors of the race":Arnold Adoff's 1973 poem black is brown is tan, featuring the "first interracial family in children's books," according to the publisher, appears here with Caldecott Medalist Emily Arnold McCully's new watercolors.; Title: black is brown is tan | [
10271,
10339,
10443,
10774,
11671,
11685,
11896,
16061,
16347,
24112,
26219,
27060,
32724,
36827,
37140,
37443,
39391,
43301,
45652,
47683,
55583,
57590,
58229,
59837,
61449,
62297,
62655,
67237,
72704,
76248
] | Train |
1,148 | 2 | PreS-Gr. 1. This companion to I Love Trains! (2000) evokes a young boy's passion for planes of all kinds--from gliders to dive-bombers. Relayed in first person, the short text, which sometimes rhymes, reveals the places the narrator wants to go and the things he wants to do, such as "float to the moon in a big balloon." "Most of all," he concludes, "I want to fly to where stars twinkle in the sky . . and visit Mom," who is pictured in a space station. The simplicity of the child's words is well matched by the colorful, uncluttered images, outlined in black, which call up work by Byron Barton and Charles Schulz. Endpapers front and back, each different, buzz with plane references and a few facts. This is a high-flying treat for children already fascinated with planes; its appealing jacket and clean design will attract others to the thrill of being airborne, too. Julie CumminsCopyright American Library Association. All rights reservedYoung flight enthusiasts will soon be taking off on solo reading jaunts. (Kirkus Reviews)A high-flying treat (Booklist); Title: I Love Planes! | [
625,
973,
1533,
11756,
28895,
37108
] | Train |
1,149 | 5 | PreSchool-Grade 2-This new take on a nursery rhyme features a grouchy old woman "who didn't like children" and her cat "who didn't like kittens." One day, much to their chagrin, a mother and her five playful youngsters move in next door. The crotchety woman buys a "Kiddie-Be-Gone" potion from a witch, but the concoction is stale. After drinking a cupful, the siblings turn into grouchy old people, "the naggiest, craggiest crew," and their complaining soon becomes unbearable. Luckily, the witch returns just in time with some "Kiddie-Come-Back" elixir that restores the children to their former state. By story's end, the elderly lady has come to appreciate her rambunctious, jovial neighbors. The rhyming text keeps the action moving quickly. The glossy, colorful artwork is filled with characters who have oversized heads, strikingly beady eyes, and expressive eyebrows. Supplemental fare that could round out a storytime.Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VACopyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Linda Smith was "Mrs. Biddlebox" during her two-year battle with breast cancer. Linda died on June 28, 2000, but left behind a world of language, love, and good humor that shines through in her debut book, When Moon Fell Down, and now in the delightfully witchety Mrs. Biddlebox.; Title: There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Boot | [
1030,
1117
] | Train |
1,150 | 2 | Dr. Laura Schlessinger holds a post-doctoral certification in marriage, family, and child therapy and is licensed by the state of California as a marriage and family therapist. She is the author of the best-selling children's book Why Do You Love Me? and But I Waaannt It!, and best-selling adult books The Ten Commandments (with Rabbi Stewart Vogel), How Could You Do That?, Ten Stupid Things Women Do to Mess Up Their Lives, and Ten Stupid Things Men Do to Mess Up Their Lives. She has the number one radio show in America, which is syndicated in 450 cities and is heard by 18 million people each weekday. In September 2000, Dr. Laura will launch a daily television show, syndicated by Paramount Domestic Television. Dr. Laura lives with her son, Deryk, and her husband, Dr. Lewis Bishop, in southern California.; Title: Dr. Laura Schlessinger's but I Waaannt It! | [
935,
1050,
1319
] | Train |
1,151 | 2 | Grade 4-6-The resourceful, likable, but extremely unlucky orphans Violet, Klaus, and baby Sunny continue to flee from the clutches of the fortune-hunting, disguise-wearing Count Olaf. Also, they need to discover the whereabouts of their kidnapped friends, Duncan and Isadora Quagmire, based on the puzzling clue "V.F.D." In Elevator, the three Baudelaires go to live in the penthouse of the trend-following Jerome and Esm? Squalor, who adopt the children because orphans are "in." Despite the Baudelaires' resourcefulness, both Olaf and the Quagmires elude the grasp of the authorities due to the obtuseness of adults who, until it is too late, deny that terrible things can happen. In Village, the Baudelaires travel to V.F.D., a village that adopts the orphans based on the aphorism, "it takes a village to raise a child." They uncover the whereabouts of the Quagmires, but, as in the earlier books, they find neither respite nor peace from Count Olaf's machinations. Despite Snicket's artful turning of clich?s on their well-worn heads, Elevator sometimes belabors the fallacy of fads at the expense of plot. Nonetheless, the satiric treatment of adults' insistence upon decorum at the expense of truth is simultaneously satisfying and unsettling, as are the deft slams at slant journalism in Village. Arch literary allusions enhance the stories for readers on different levels. Despite Snicket's perpetual caveats to "put this book down and pick up another one," the Baudelaires are dynamic characters who inspire loyalty to the inevitable end of the series.Farida S. Dowler, formerly at Bellevue Regional Library, WA Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.Lemony Snicket claims he was nowhere near the scene of the crime. He is the author of several other unpleasant stories, including those in the bestselling A Series of Unfortunate Events and The Lump of Coal.; Title: The Ersatz Elevator (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 6) | [
666,
1259,
1328,
1498,
1650,
1936,
2170,
4388,
6412,
11142,
17108,
22706,
22877,
45922,
55143
] | Validation |
1,152 | 2 | A perky preschooler (or kindergartner) flies solo through his daily routine in this upbeat offering, which begins with a wake-up visit from the boy's pet cat. As the child washes up, gets dressed, eats breakfast, plays at school, goes to the library, etc., he is pictured on his own. Only in frames depicting his drop-off at and pickup from school and at bedtime do his parents appear. The parents' limited role reinforces the book's celebration of children's independence, even if it sometimes presents a skewed perspective of age-appropriate autonomy. The text is simple and the picture clues are ample, but the verse's rhythm and rhyme scheme are intermittently forced (e.g., "Right shoe, left shoe. Tie, comb, done! Breakfast's ready, pour, crunch, yum!"). Aliki's (William Shakespeare & the Globe) brightly hued, unadorned art convincingly conveys the protagonist's high energy and enthusiasm. A cheerful if minor addition to the author/artist's oeuvre. Ages 3-6. (Sept.) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.PreSchool-Grade 1-Just as the title implies, this jubilant story shows and tells about a child doing all sorts of things independently. "Right shoe,/left shoe./Tie,/comb,/done!/Breakfast's ready,/pour,/crunch,/yum!" The boy goes through a typical day, getting dressed, going to school, visiting the library, practicing his violin, helping with dinner, and getting ready for bed. Aliki's colorful illustrations closely match the moods and energy levels of a five- or six-year-old. The youngster's dog and cat have almost as much personality as he has. The text has a hand-printed appearance, large and easy to read. The back cover features a chart labeled, "What can you do all by yourself?" with verbs such as wash, brush, button, zip, tie, pour, build, and write. A good choice for storyhours and beginning readers.Sharon R. Pearce, Geronimo Public School, OK Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: All by Myself! | [
1128,
2266,
4461,
4587,
4901,
5376,
8258,
20727,
24163,
26896,
31414,
32304,
32864,
33333,
33641,
37140,
37870,
39391,
41778,
43301,
46881,
46888,
46898,
48519,
49469,
52599,
60530,
62297,
62318,
64799,
76590
] | Validation |
1,153 | 1 | PreSchool-Grade 1-The bunnies that introduced wee ones to the alphabet, counting, and time are back in this merry little travelogue. The family sets off for a vacation filled with just about every mode of transportation imaginable, including a car, train, ferry, tractor, and, finally, an airplane ride home. The rhyming text allows children the chance to shout out the missing last word before the turn of the page: "Bunnies pedal over the hills,/Chasing, racing, taking spills,/Jumping ditches, getting stuck./Now, bunnies, hop into the-." Each colorful spread is dominated by a particular conveyance and hides a visual hint on how the creatures will get to their next destination. For the story's sake, these animals have handlike paws. The closing spread fails to show how the bunnies get from the airport to their home, an omission that stops the fun of the visual game. Still, the book is amusing, and children will enjoy guessing the next words and looking for the clues.Bina Williams, Bridgeport Public Library, CTCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.PreS-Gr. 2. And go, they do! A family of five bunnies takes twelve different modes of transportation on a cross-country vacation. On each spread a visual clue foretells the next kind of travel, and the last word of the rhyming text is left off, to be revealed on following page. The anticipation and the guessing game work together to forestall questions about the time frame: How long are the bunnies gone? The question is subtly dealt with when the family returns home to find green vines climbing the walls of their home: the potted plant depicted on the opening pages has apparently been growing for some time. As in the three previous Bunnies books by this team, the detailed illustrations are lively and colorful. Preschoolers may need some help understanding the ending, but most kids will quickly catch on to the gimmick and scrutinize the picture scenes for hints about the mode of transportation the bunnies will choose--from train to tractor, from boat to balloon. An entertaining story and a fun approach to language development. Julie CumminsCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Bunnies on the Go: Getting from Place to Place | [
583,
1183,
1557,
6228,
27063,
28916
] | Train |
1,154 | 8 | Rumer Godden is the author of many much-loved books for both children and adults.These include The Diddakoi (winner of the Whitbread award for children's books), A Kindle of Kittens, Four Dolls, and Great Grandfather's House. She lives in England.; Title: Miss Happiness and Miss Flower | [
4841,
5190,
5225,
5241,
30473,
42818,
45169,
69689
] | Validation |
1,155 | 18 | Written with a simplicity and charm reminiscent of Wilders own prose, the book is just right for young readers. (BookPage)William Anderson is an award-winning historian and author whose interest in the Little House books began in elementary school. Much of his research for this book was conducted on-site at the locales of the Ingalls and Wilder homes. He has been active in the preservation and operation of the Wilder sites in De Smet, South Dakota, and Mansfield, Missouri, and edits the newsletter, Laura Ingalls Wilder Lore.Among Mr. Andersons other writings about the people and places of the Little House books are LAURA INGALLS WILDER COUNTRY, A LITTLE HOUSE SAMPLER, PRAIRIE GIRL, and LAURAS ALBUM.William Anderson currently lives and teaches in Michigan. You can visit him online at www.williamandersonbooks.com.; Title: Prairie Girl: The Life of Laura Ingalls Wilder (Little House) | [
877,
2370,
4249,
4439
] | Train |
1,156 | 2 | John Steven Gurney grew up in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He studied illustration at Pratt Institute and spent summers drawing caricatures on the boardwalk in Atlantic City. Since 1984 he has illustrated board games, advertisements, magazine stories, and more than 70 books for children, including all of the titles in the Adventures of the Bailey School Kids series and the A to Z Mysteries series. He now lives in Brattleboro, Vermont. Dinosaur Train is the first book he has written and illustrated, and it was inspired by his son's love of dinosaurs and trains.; Title: Dinosaur Train | [
11442,
13771,
14078,
16147,
22031,
23682,
48239,
52381,
52712
] | Train |
1,157 | 1 | The siblings who previously offered I Don't Want to Chase the Cat Today here create a jaunty picture-book adaptation of one of Harper's children's songs. "Crash! Bang! Crash! Bang! Boom! Something's going on in Nora's room!" begins this zippy flight of imagination. While Mom tends to two younger siblings, strange and very loud sounds emanate from behind Nora's bedroom door in a rollicking verse. All the while, Mom, the babies and the family dog envision what could be causing all the ruckus: "Sounds like hippos at a hippo hop./ Or when you pick up a piano and you let it drop./ / Like London Bridge is really falling down!/ Or a couple of giants are sitting on a town!" At book's end, when Nora's mother investigates, nothing is amiss. Readers are privy to the joke though, thanks to duPont's cheery slightly stylized artwork featuring muted ochre, pumpkin and melon tones with a bold outline. She shows a grinning Nora in a room filled with toy versions of everything mentioned in the previously imagined scenarios. This bouncy, fun-to-read-aloud outing may well encourage readers to seek out Harper's Nora's Room recording. Ages 3-8.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.PreSchool-Grade 1-A playful, rollicking romp from the sister team that created I'm Not Going to Chase the Cat Today! (HarperCollins, 2000). "Crash! Bang! Crash! Bang! Boom! Something's going on in Nora's room-." Rhyming text with a beat speculates on what the commotion is all about. Colorful, imaginative illustrations with humorous details depict the possible happenings, such as a bear dancing with a moose and "a couple of gorillas playing duck, duck, duck-Goose!" Even the text fonts bounce along on the pages. A musical version of this story is found on Harper's CD Nora's Room (Alacazam, 1996). Pair this title with Rosemary Wells's Noisy Nora (Viking, 1999) for a boisterous storytime.Debbie Stewart, Grand Rapids Public Library, MI Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Nora's Room | [
4522,
9314,
32899
] | Train |
1,158 | 2 | From the author of the 2000 National Book Award winner, Homeless Bird, comes an evocative glimpse into a chilling period in world history. Gloria Whelan manages to take the fly-on-the-wall approach one step further in her latest piece of historical fiction. In Angel on the Square, a young girl joins Russian Tsar Nikolai II, Empress Alexandra, and their children when her mother becomes one of the empress's ladies-in-waiting. Katya Ivanova, as companion to the Romanov children, has an insider's view of the crumbling of tsarist Russia from 1913 to 1918. Initially, life is lavish and amusing for this young aristocrat, although her friend Misha's revolutionary ideas often battle in her mind with her own loyalty to the tsar. Gradually, though, the world outside begins to enter the palace walls, and Katya's life--along with that of all nobility--changes forever.Whelan's balanced treatment of both sides of the Russian revolution is remarkably accessible. Katya is an appealing protagonist; readers will hang on her every word as she is transformed from a spoiled, sheltered child into a caring, hard-working adult. Young readers couldn't ask for a better introduction to this terrifying, earthshaking epoch in history. (Ages 10 and older) --Emilie CoulterWhelan (Homeless Bird) shows both sides of the Russian revolution in a sympathetic light in this absorbing saga of an aristocratic girl. The novel opens in 1913, just before Katya goes to live with Tsar Nikolai II, when her widowed mother becomes lady-in-waiting to the Empress. The royal couple and their children are like a second family to Katya. Still, the heroine cannot completely support the tsar's treatment of his people. Guided by her revolutionist friend, Misha, she witnesses the exploitation of workers in the city. Later, her exposure to country peasants forces her to realize that her own noble family is partially responsible for the peasants' suffering. On the other hand, Katya does not condone the violent reaction to oppression that is sweeping across her beloved country. Tracing each stage of Katya's enlightenment through intimate first-person narrative, Whelan brings immediacy to the historical events, offering well-rounded depictions of characters and vivid descriptions of their surroundings. The author sharply contrasts the luxurious conditions Katya enjoys in her early adolescence with the meagerness of her life five years later at the revolution's end. The book's uncomplicated language and sensitive treatment of political issues make it an excellent, vibrant introduction to the cause and effects of Tsar Nikolai's fall. Ages 10-up. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: Angel on the Square | [
594,
1284,
1435,
1621,
1780,
4407,
4444,
4514,
5674,
5995,
7470,
10492,
17360,
18036,
18696,
27865,
41905
] | Validation |
1,159 | 2 | Grade 4-6-The resourceful, likable, but extremely unlucky orphans Violet, Klaus, and baby Sunny continue to flee from the clutches of the fortune-hunting, disguise-wearing Count Olaf. Also, they need to discover the whereabouts of their kidnapped friends, Duncan and Isadora Quagmire, based on the puzzling clue "V.F.D." In Elevator, the three Baudelaires go to live in the penthouse of the trend-following Jerome and Esm? Squalor, who adopt the children because orphans are "in." Despite the Baudelaires' resourcefulness, both Olaf and the Quagmires elude the grasp of the authorities due to the obtuseness of adults who, until it is too late, deny that terrible things can happen. In Village, the Baudelaires travel to V.F.D., a village that adopts the orphans based on the aphorism, "it takes a village to raise a child." They uncover the whereabouts of the Quagmires, but, as in the earlier books, they find neither respite nor peace from Count Olaf's machinations. Despite Snicket's artful turning of clich?s on their well-worn heads, Elevator sometimes belabors the fallacy of fads at the expense of plot. Nonetheless, the satiric treatment of adults' insistence upon decorum at the expense of truth is simultaneously satisfying and unsettling, as are the deft slams at slant journalism in Village. Arch literary allusions enhance the stories for readers on different levels. Despite Snicket's perpetual caveats to "put this book down and pick up another one," the Baudelaires are dynamic characters who inspire loyalty to the inevitable end of the series.Farida S. Dowler, formerly at Bellevue Regional Library, WA Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: The Vile Village (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 7) | [
666,
1259,
1328,
1498,
1650,
1936,
2170,
4260,
4388,
11142,
11180,
11299,
16627,
20820,
21637,
22883,
33156,
45200,
47491,
48711,
55143
] | Train |
1,160 | 2 | Gr 2-4-In this charming story, Radish, a pony, teaches his bossy little girl lots of important things, including the fact that "if she asked nicely, he would almost always do what she wanted." Then Judy grows too tall for Radish and gets a new horse, and her pony is sent to Nina, his second young rider. Although Radish misses Judy, he teaches Nina all the lessons he taught Judy, but the cycle repeats itself, and when Nina gets a new horse, Radish runs away to find his previous owner. Finally, Nina and Judy catch up with him, and Judy gets the animal a permanent job teaching young riders at the camp where she works. For years, Radish teaches young campers all his lessons, until finally Judy's own daughter begins her summer with him. The story is written in easy, direct prose that will help children make the transition from beginning readers to chapter books. The engaging tale is greatly enhanced by Apple's delightful pencil illustrations, reminiscent of Wesley Dennis's work in Marguerite Henry's Misty of Chincoteague (Macmillan, 1990) and other titles. The story is simply written, yet it has a truthful ring for anyone who knows or has owned a small pony, and Radish has loads of horse personality.-Lisa Falk, Los Angeles Public LibraryCopyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.Jessie Haashas written four books about Nora and her grandparents: Hurry!, Sugaring; No Foal Yet; and Mowing. She is the author of a popular series of young novels about Lily and her mare, Beware, which includes Beware and Stogie; Be Well, Beware; A Blue for Beware; and Beware the Mare. The author's titles for older readers include Unbroken; Fire! My Parents' Story; Westminster West; and Uncle Daney's Way. Ms. Haas is a graduate of Wellesley College, a political activist, and a lifelong Vermonter. In Her Own Words..."I grew up on a small Vermont farm. My childhood was full of haying, gardening, horseback riding, and animals. I trained my own horse. I was given a goat for my sixteenth birthday. My mother was the town poundkeeper, so we had an endless stream of stray cats and dogs coming through. Lots of them stayed."Along with animals, there was reading. Everywhere. Even in the bathtub. I read all the horse stories ever written, as first choice, and then anything else printed on a page. At Wellesley, influenced by Jane Austen and all those horse stories, I wrote my first novel, Keeping Barney. My teacher, Helen Corsa, suggested I send the book to Susan Hirschman, a former student of hers. Greenwillow rejected Keeping Barney with many useful suggestions. I took them, and the book was accepted a month before I graduated."That same month I married Michael Daley, and three years later we built a tiny cabin just uphill from my parents' cow pasture. We had one room at first, with no insulation, no phone, no plumbing, and no electricity-but a very small mortgage. The little house gave us-still gives us-the freedom to pursue our interests without having to get "real jobs." I've worked at a vegetable stand, a village store, and a yarn mill, all part-time, while concentrating mainly on my writing."I still live the same kind of life I did growing up. I ride a horse I trained myself. A cat sleeps on my desk as I work. I walk to my parents' farm every day, and I can pick out the exact spot in the pasture where my horse Josey gave me Beware the Mare."Writing is a lot like the other things I do. Sometimes it's like planting seeds, and rewriting is a lot like weeding! Then when a story is ripe, it's put in a book to preserve it. Other times, writing feels more like riding, a process of balance, rebalance, and profound concentration. A story can go sour, just like a horse. You have to push it, but not too hard, and keep it moving freely forward."I love the challenge of trying to put the truth down on paper. I want to make the words transparent, so that the page becomes an open window. I hope to pass along, through my stories, the joy and strength that others have given to me."; Title: Runaway Radish | [
1691,
13474,
66239
] | Train |
1,161 | 2 | Product Description My mommy hung the moon. She tied it with string. My mommy's good at EVERYTHING. The ninth children's book by the #1 New York Times bestselling team of Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell is a celebration of unconditional love between mother and child. Mommy is the best at everything: Not only does she carpool, untangle kites, steal bases, and bake cookies, she also seems to light up the sun with her love. Written straight from the heart and illustrated with tender hilarity, My Mommy Hung the Moon: A Love Story is a keepsake that defines the magical relationship a mother has with her son or daughter. So grab the little one you love, and rejoice as the ordinary moments of everyday life become extraordinary because of the magic of mother love. PreSchool-Grade 2A child rhapsodizes about how wonderful and amazing his mother is. From the everyday things she can do (drive her kid around, make him feel better, break into spontaneous dance) to the ways that she seems superhuman ("She pours all the seas/and sparkles each star./And then she collects one/in my night-light jar"), the recurring theme is that "My mommy's good at everything." It is a touching sentiment, and definitely universal, if slightly overdone in this case. There is a giddy exuberance in both the text and the illustrations that sometimes seems forced, particularly when the rhyme stumbles ("She feathered the birds./She taught them to chirp./She taught me to speak,/my cousin to burp"). There are moments, however, when the book manages to convey a child's sense of adoration with just the right amount of glee, such as when the mother bakes a "BIG MOMMA BATCH" of cookies, and the illustration shows a conveyor belt filled with cookies representing everything from ET to Mount Rushmore. It's an image that is genuinely funny and indicative of how children look up to the adults who positively influence their lives. While not this team's strongest offering, the book will find a place with mothers and children who want another book to celebrate the special connection they have with one another.Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.; Title: My Mommy Hung the Moon: A Love Story | [
563,
714,
809,
829,
865,
1049,
1128,
1784,
2194,
2453,
2733,
3898,
4392,
15838,
16347,
24473,
25962,
31299,
31862,
38603,
43897,
44463,
44590,
45727,
45991,
48586,
56519,
57333,
58225,
59750,
68204,
74738,
75454,
75586
] | Train |
1,162 | 2 | Philip Sendak was Maurice Sendak's father. This was their only collaboration.; Title: In Grandpa's House | [
1070,
34825
] | Validation |
1,163 | 20 | The soft, creamy tones of Bernardin's (The Legend of the Candy Cane) oil paintings welcome readers to ancient Bethlehem for this familiar biblical account of the Nativity. His depiction of the angel's nighttime appearance to shepherds in the fields conveys the awe associated with the event yet to come, and portraits of beatific faces adoring the Christ child are also pleasant to behold. But on the whole, there is little to distinguish this book among many other editions in the marketplace. All ages.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.PreSchool-Grade 1-This book opens with the tax levied by Caesar Augustus and ends with the shepherds spreading the word of what they have seen. Although readers meet Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus, the focus is on the shepherds, two men and a boy, as they react with amazement and joy to their experiences; the endpapers show them working their flock on a peaceful hillside. The paintings give a vivid sense of the landscape around Bethlehem and portray the people in a realistic and moving way. This is a fine choice if you need more Nativity stories.-E. M.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: The Christmas Story: From the Gospel According to St. Luke from the King James Bible | [
5371,
5494,
5591,
6981,
8743,
9443,
14412,
22997,
27026,
29373,
32835,
39820,
46013,
51257,
52319,
52609,
55303,
69490
] | Train |
1,164 | 0 | It's summertime, and if you're a kid, the living can be very easy indeed. Douglas Florian's ode to the simmering, shimmering, sizzling, fizzling, flaming season of sun places every reader smack dab in the middle of a summer day (or night), with all its resident fireflies, cartwheels, green frogs, and sidewalk scooters. This companion volume to Florian's award-winning Winter Eyes celebrates summer with 48 short poems and accompanying watercolor and colored pencil illustrations. In "Bees," a child pithily reports: I'm pleased by bees Except for one thing: The sting. Against a brilliant yellow green grassy background, a redheaded boy sits placidly reading inside mosquito netting, half a dozen bees buzzing longingly nearby. Swarming with humor and honesty about barefoot days, humid nights, and those "Three words / Most cruel: / Back to school," this bright collection by the talented author-illustrator of Lizards, Frogs, and Polliwogs will demand year-round attention. (Ages 5 and older) --Emilie CoulterFrom the playful initial poems What I Love About Summer and What I Hate About Summer to the final contemplation of a future snowy day, Florian's companion volume to Winter Eyes overflows with inventive verses celebrating the delights and discontents of summer. Like chalk drawings on a hot sidewalk, the green and sunny watercolor-and-pencil illustrations capture The Sum of Summer including four fillion flies And five sillion fleas And uncounted numbers Of sweet memories, and concrete poems such as Summersaults and Double Dutch Girls cleverly mirror their subject matter. Florian's child-like paintings show ordinary pleasures, like skateboarding and eating watermelon, as well as more fanciful images of a girl swinging to the stars or being carried away by a giant mosquito. Florian's poems are often simple, rhythmic lists with an ending twist, as in Greenager: Green grass. Green trees. Grasshoppers With green knees ... Summer's green Wall to wall. Occasionally the poet's couplets scramble syntax (As mosquitos buzz your ear, Green cicadas you may hear) or his images strain to fit the rhyme more than the meaning (The dande-lion doesn't roar. It's quiet as a closet door). Over all, however, the poems are rhythmic, imaginative and packed like a cottage trunk with the long beach days and campfire nights of summer. Ages 5-up. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: Summersaults | [
623,
632,
48242
] | Validation |
1,165 | 2 | PreSchool-This delightfully sentimental concept book is perfect for sharing. Read one way, a mother's love for her child is likened to the way "fishies love the seas, like the monkeys love bananas and the squirrels love the trees." The animal comparisons continue with sliding penguins, giggling hyenas, roaring lions, peeping chicks, and more. When the book is reversed, the whimsical rhymes continue and listeners will hear how Daddy loves his baby "like the leopards love to pounce, like the bumblebees love buzzing and the bunnies love to bounce." Both texts end with the statement that Mommy or Daddy loves baby because it is "the sweetest little, cutest little YOU!" Beeke's watercolor animal creations help keep the sweetness in check. The playful animals are content and friendly (though the snapping gator does have a mischievous gleam). Kittens cuddle, and a mother bear gazes fondly at her sleeping cubs. Cozy domesticity reigns throughout, starting with a toddler in a hooded bathrobe on the title page. This is a striking book, making full use of Beeke's warm palette and creatively fresh perspectives. Preschoolers and their caregivers will find many things to enjoy in this charming picture book.Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CACopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.nicely scanning rhymesscampering animals are as adorable asbaby on the first title pagerange of (gorgeous) colors is extensive yet harmoniousreassuring rhymes (Horn Book Magazine)This delightfully sentimental concept book is perfect for sharingmaking full use of Beekes warm palette and creatively fresh perspectives. (School Library Journal (starred review)); Title: Mommy Loves Her Baby/Daddy Loves His Baby | [
28881
] | Train |
1,166 | 11 | Grade 4-7-Bruchac weaves an incredibly scary story of a girl whose warm, contented family is suddenly torn apart. Molly's knowledge of and immersion in her Mohawk heritage is something she takes for granted, as are the wisdom and strength that come from understanding the traditional tales and listening to one's dreams. She sets the stage as she tells one of her father's favorite stories about a man who is hungry and eats himself and then everyone around except for one clever young girl. Molly then discloses that her own parents have suddenly disappeared. An eerie, stick-thin old man arrives claiming to be her only kin using the pictures from her father's wallet. Adults on the scene vary from being clueless to well intentioned but ineffectual. Brought to skeleton man's house and locked in a room every evening, Molly keeps trying to find a way out, eventually finding that heeding her dreams, combined with some great detective work, does the trick. Better than many mystery writers, who make the clues obvious, Bruchac makes every word add to the tension right up to the final few pages. Details of video cameras and computers help to sustain belief in a highly improbable plot. The suspense draws readers in and keeps them engaged. In the classic horror tradition, Bruchac offers a timely tale that will make hearts beat and brows sweat, and it has the bonus of a resourceful heroine to put the world right again.Carol A. Edwards, Sonoma County Library, Santa Rosa, CA Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.The legend is chillingand the terror builds on every page. This book gave ME nightmares! (R. L. Stine, New York Times bestselling author of the Goosebumps and Fear Street series) An incredibly scary story that will make hearts beat and brows sweat. (School Library Journal (starred review))Bruchac vigorously cranks up the suspense, and pits a ghastly creature against a resourceful young heroine who draws both on courage and cultural tradition. A natural for under-the-blanket reading. (Kirkus)Bruchac gives full play to his talent for the creepy, and the introduction of bits of American Indian lore and story are smoothly and capably integrated. Reluctant as well as eager readers will relish this fast-paced supernatural chase. (Bulletin for the Center for Children's Books)Although its steeped in Mohawk lore and tradition, Bruchacs story is contemporary both in its setting and its celebration of the enduring strength and courage of Native American women. (ALA Booklist)The mix of traditional and contemporary cultural references adds to the storys haunting appeal, and the quick pace and suspence will likely hold the interest of young readers. (Publishers Weekly); Title: Skeleton Man | [
1371,
1619,
5330,
5674,
6120,
6180,
6333,
6536,
6719,
6905,
11565,
17050,
23035,
54834
] | Train |
1,167 | 11 | Grade 2-4-Children whose ideas about life in New York's Chinatown come solely from books about holiday celebrations will get a deeper glimpse from this former resident's solo debut. In four ruminative, simply phrased free-verse poems, one for each season, Mak looks back to childhood: to feeling homesick for Hong Kong, or excited by the annual Dragon Boat races; happily spoiling his appetite for dinner with fish balls purchased from a cart; and drifting off to sleep next to his mother as she does piecework on her sewing machine. There are no colorful urban street scenes or (with the exception of the Dragon Boat race) panoramic views in Mak's sober, extraordinary paintings. Instead, he focuses on individual figures-a curbside fortune-teller, a cobbler, a wide-eyed child drinking in a shop-rendered with photographic realism and placed against plain, undecorated backgrounds. The mood is generally wistful, though brightened at the end by a New Year's lion float prancing into view. The distinctly personal voice and sensibility makes this a natural companion for the more community-conscious tour in William Low's Chinatown (Holt, 1997).John Peters, New York Public LibraryCopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.*Starred Review* Gr. 2-6, younger for reading aloud. Extraordinary photo-realistic paintings and spare, free-verse poems bring New York's Chinatown to life in this picture book with appeal to a wide age group. Organized chronologically through the seasons, the poems follow a young boy from Hong Kong through his first year in the U.S. Written in the boy's voice, the words capture the fear and discomfort of adjusting to newness: "The English words taste like metal in my mouth." But as the year progresses, the boy feels the irresistible vitality of his new community, helped along by signs of the familiar; and at year's end, he exuberantly celebrates the dragon parade and his new home: "Drums beat / feet stamp / hands clap / voices shout / Chinatown, / this is Chinatown!" The words and pictures work beautifully together; both glow with a quiet intensity that complements rather than overpowers the other. Whether or not they've known displacement, readers will come away with a deeper interest in Chinatown's culture and in immigration stories in general. Suggest this to teachers doing units on home and place. Gillian EngbergCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: My Chinatown: One Year in Poems | [
4664,
6073,
16347,
22964,
25152,
27060,
27529,
33863,
36095,
36780,
37270,
38071,
38205,
41985,
46185,
52455,
52930,
62841
] | Train |
1,168 | 2 | PreSchool-Grade 3When staying with his grandparents, a boy is frightened by the squeaky door to his bedroom. To comfort him, Grandma puts various animals in bed with him. In MacDonald's retelling, she tries a cat, dog, pig, and horse. When the bed breaks, the boy gets to sleep with his grandparents. The next morning Grandma oils the door, repairs the bed, and the child sleeps soundly after that. Other retellings include Laura Simms's The Squeaky Door (Random, 1991), Judith Mathews and Fay Robinson's Nathaniel Willy, Scared Silly (S & S, 1994), and Pat Thomson's The Squeaky, Creaky Bed (Doubleday, 2003). This one is very similar to the language in Simms's version. All of the retellings are funny, and children enjoy the absurdity of the situation. DePalma's bright and colorful cartoon illustrations are full of humorous details, but are not large enough to share with a group. This book is best suited for one-on-one sharing and is also a great choice to add to storytelling repertoires.Elaine Lesh Morgan, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.PreS-Gr. 2. MacDonald--storyteller, author, and children's librarian--brings her experience to bear in this straightforward retelling of an old favorite, distinguished by the way the words are set down on the page. Ellipses, uppercase letters, exclamation points, and divergent spellings ("squeeeeeak!") signal readers to pause, raise or lower their voices, or inject drama into the cumulative tale of a misguided grandma who is certain a critter (or several) can help her grandson adjust to sleeping in a big-boy bed. When she realizes what's really causing the problem, she finds a quick solution: "She oiled that squeaky door." The art is as distinctive as the text. DePalma's illustrations, diminutive and detailed, envision a cozy home and loving grandma, whose comical endeavors to outfit animals in pj's and kiss them goodnight ("smack!") brim with clever touches, while double-page spreads reflect the child's apprehension and loneliness by gradually increasing the distance between the bed and the slowly closing door. Numerous spot illustrations make this impractical for pajama parties, but for lap sharing before bed, it is just perfect. Stephanie ZvirinCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: The Squeaky Door | [
1823,
1933,
2840,
3061,
7455,
10935,
17706,
25595,
31890,
33047,
37078,
45991,
48998,
63310
] | Train |
1,169 | 2 | Gr 7 Up-Cole Matthews is a violent teen offender convicted of viciously beating a classmate, Peter, causing neurological and psychological problems. Cole elects to participate in Circle Justice, an alternative sentencing program based on traditional Native American practices that results in his being banished to a remote Alaskan Island where he is left to survive for a year. Cynical and street smart, he expects to fake his way through the preliminaries, escape by swimming off the island, and beat the system, again. But his encounter with the Spirit Bear of the title leaves him desperately wounded and gives him six months of hospitalization to reconsider his options. Mikaelsen's portrayal of this angry, manipulative, damaged teen is dead on. Cole's gradual transformation into a human kind of being happens in fits and starts. He realizes he must accept responsibility for what he has done, but his pride, pain, and conditioning continue to interfere. He learns that his anger may never be gone, but that he can learn to control it. The author concedes in a note that the culminating plot element, in which Peter joins Cole on the island so that both can learn to heal, is unlikely. But it sure works well as an adventure story with strong moral underpinnings. Gross details about Cole eating raw worms, a mouse, and worse will appeal to fans of the outdoor adventure/survival genre, while the truth of the Japanese proverb cited in the frontispiece, "Fall seven times, stand up eight" is fully and effectively realized.-Joel Shoemaker, Southeast Junior High School, Iowa City, IACopyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.An excellent companion to Gary Paulsens Hatchet and Allan Eckerts Incident at Hawks Hill. (ALA Booklist)"[Cole's] solitary life on the island is just the ticket for Paulsen fans, who will appreciate the survival story." (The Bulletin)Mikaelsen paints a realistic portrait of an unlikable young punk. (Kirkus Reviews)Mikaelsens portrayal of this angry, manipulative, damaged teen is dead on. (School Library Journal (starred review))[Coles story] will fascinate young and old, and have everyone waiting for the sequel. (Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)); Title: Touching Spirit Bear | [
6051,
10148,
12837,
13821,
14274,
17212,
23676,
69531
] | Train |
1,170 | 2 | Newbery Medal winner Sharon Creech's Love That Dog, a funny, sweet, original short novel written in free verse, introduces us to an endearingly unassuming, straight-talking boy who discovers the powers and pleasures of poetry. Against his will. After all, "boys don't write poetry. Girls do." What does he say of the famous poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"? "I think Mr. Robert Frost / has a little / too / much / time / on his / hands." As his teacher, Ms. Stretchberry, introduces the canon to the class, however, he starts to see the light. Poetry is not so bad, it's not just for girls, and it's not even that hard to write. Take William Carlos Williams, for example: "If that is a poem / about the red wheelbarrow / and the white chickens / then any words / can be a poem. / You've just got to / make / short / lines." He becomes more and more discerning as the days go by, and readers' spirits will rise with Jack's as he begins to find his own voice through his own poetry and through that of others. His favorite poem of all is a short, rhythmic one by Walter Dean Myers called "Love That Boy" (included at the end of the book with all the rest of Ms. Stretchberry's assignments). The words completely captivate him, reminding him of the loving way his dad calls him in the morning and of the way he used to call his yellow dog, Sky. Jack's reverence for the poem ultimately leads to meeting the poet himself, an experience he will never forget.This winning, accessible book is truly remarkable in that Creech lets us witness firsthand how words can open doors to the soul. And this from a boy who asks, "Why doesn't the person just / keep going if he's got / so many miles to go / before he sleeps?" (Ages 8 to 12) --Karin SnelsonGr 4-8-Jack keeps a journal for his teacher, a charming, spare free-verse monologue that begins: "I don't want to/because boys/don't write poetry./Girls do." But his curiosity grows quickly as Miss Stretchberry feeds the class a varied menu of intriguing poems starting with William Carlos Williams's "The Red Wheelbarrow," which confuses Jack at first. Gradually, he begins to see connections between his personal experiences and the poetry of William Blake, Robert Frost, and others, and Creech's compellingly simple plot about love and loss begins to emerge. Jack is timid about the first poems he writes, but with the obvious encouragement and prodding of his masterful teacher, he gains the courage to claim them as his own in the classroom displays. When he is introduced to "Love That Boy" by Walter Dean Myers, he makes an exuberant leap of understanding. "MARCH 14/That was the best best BEST/poem/you read yesterday/by Mr. Walter Dean Myers/the best best BEST/poem/ever./I am sorry/I took the book home/without asking./I only got/one spot/on it./That's why/the page is torn./I tried to get/the spot/out." All the threads of the story are pulled together in Jack's final poem, "Love That Dog (Inspired by Walter Dean Myers)." Creech has created a poignant, funny picture of a child's encounter with the power of poetry. Readers may have a similar experience because all of the selections mentioned in the story are included at the end. This book is a tiny treasure.Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WICopyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: Love That Dog: A Novel | [
958,
1427,
2438,
2439,
2792,
4129,
6651,
6850,
6905,
9581,
10269,
11397,
14471,
17050,
21391,
21637,
21638,
21778,
22126,
22811,
22839,
23002,
36096,
45642,
45917,
46471,
50030,
62252,
64117
] | Train |
1,171 | 2 | PreS-A group of contented-looking children settles in for a busy day at day care, while their parents rush off to their jobs. The left-hand side of each double-page spread illustrates the different activities going on in the classroom, while the right side contains three smaller illustrations showing a particular dad or mom at work. There is a nice correlation between the actions of the children and those of the adults. As the youngsters build with blocks, a father works at a construction site. When they gather for circle time, a mother runs a meeting around a conference table. Lunchtime is balanced with pictures of a chef preparing a meal, and time in the bathroom is paired with a look at what a plumber does. The last page shows parents and children happily reunited. Done in pen and ink and watercolors, the cartoon artwork is colorful and pleasing. Adults and their offspring are clothed in the same shade, making it easy for readers to match up family members. The familiar routines and terminology will strike a chord with day-care veterans, and the simple text and appealing illustrations may help demystify the experience for novices. This book could also be used as a discussion starter about occupations.Joy Fleishhacker, formerly at School Library JournalCopyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.Robin Ballard, was born in Los Angeles and attended the Cooper Union School of Art in New York City. After several years in Washington, D.C., she now lives with her husband and sons in Switzerland. Ms. Ballard has written many popular books, including When We Get Home, When I Am a Sister, and Good-bye, House.; Title: My Day, Your Day | [
1270,
61641
] | Train |
1,172 | 5 | Kindergarten-Grade 3-"Whirrr. Whirr. Clunkety-clank." Baba Yaga flies across a moonlit sky over a verdant forest in her mortar and pestle, and readers can almost hear the whistling and shrieking of the wind as she slices through it. Yolen's vivid writing reflects the flavor of the original tales and comes alive with repetition of key phrases throughout the text. The author wisely injects humor to lighten up her version of the witch who scours the forest while seeking children to eat and thus provides a refreshingly original twist to the tale. She invents a fast-thinking heroine who uses her wits to defeat the witch, even spoon-feeding her at the end. Vagin's illustrations highlight the humor in the text. For instance, Baba Yaga flies upside down with garlic cloves and herbs tumbling from her pockets; and her nose is comically painted as a sharply pointed piece of steel-gray iron. Dappled sunlight on many pages and an especially lovely pastel-colored rainbow in the capture scene complement the mood and ending of the story. Detailed source notes appear on the last page. Use this tale with William Steig's Shrek! (Farrar, 1993) for a deliciously amusing romp with funny, spooky stories.James K. Irwin, Poplar Creek Main Library, Steamwood, ILCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.PreS-Gr. 2. Baba Yaga a vegetarian? In this original story about the Russian folktale witch, Baba Yaga travels via her mortar and pestle, lives in a house set on chicken legs, and, stuck with nothing but watery soup, longs to eat a plump child. It seems she may get her chance for a good meal after a little girl falls from her father's turnip truck and into the witch's clutches. The clever child buys some time by convincing Baba Yaga to fatten her up with turnips. The child's father catches on when the witch shows up to buy his goods. By the time he comes to the rescue, the girl has cooked a turnip stew so "hot and filling" that Baba Yaga has changed her tune: it's "better than plump children." Compared with some of the original tales, this is "thin soup," with an inconsistent, somewhat strained plot. But there are some nice storytelling flourishes and some well-detailed artwork, with the feel of old Russia, perfectly suits the story. Many libraries will welcome this nonviolent New Age Baba Yaga. Linda PerkinsCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: The Flying Witch | [
26733
] | Train |
1,173 | 2 | With great affection and an appealing nostalgia, Hurst (Through the Lock, reviewed below) recounts the story of her father, an avid rock collector from the time he was a boy. When people commented that "he had rocks in his pockets and rocks in his head," he would answer with an agreeable "Maybe I have," then reach into his pocket and eagerly add, "Take a look at this one." This response, conveying both the hero's humility and passion, becomes a recurring refrain. Stevenson conveys the fellow's easygoing manner with elegant pen-and-ink wash illustrations. Together, author and artist chart the boy's growth into manhood and touch on the world events that shape him. As a young man, he opens a filling station, where he displays his labeled rocks and minerals and learns how to repair the then-new Model T. After the Depression shuts down his business, he moves his cherished collection into the attic of his home, finding odd jobs wherever he can. The story's conclusion will prove as satisfying to readers as it was to Hurst's father: the director of the local museum offers him a dream job the position of curator of mineralogy. Dominated by earth tones, Stevenson's artwork convincingly evokes both the personality of this endearing protagonist and the period in which he lived. An emphatic endorsement for youngsters to follow their passions. Ages 5-up.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.PreSchool-Grade 3-Hurst tells the story of her father's passion for rock collecting in this gently humorous picture book. "People said he had rocks in his pockets and rocks in his head. He didn't mind. It was usually true." As a boy, he collected rocks. When he grew up, his carefully labeled rock collection occupied a place of honor on the back wall of his filling station. However, once the Depression hit and the filling station closed, he had to look for work. When there was none to be found, he would go to the science museum, where he eventually attracted the attention of the director. A stint as the nighttime janitor, combined with his unquenchable love for rocks, eventually led to his being named Curator of Mineralogy, despite his lack of a college degree. The narrative has the polish of a family story often told, and the author paints a touching picture of a man who quietly pursues his passion, no matter what others think. Stevenson's watercolor-and-ink illustrations, with their trademark sketchy style, capture the mild-mannered hero perfectly. Rendered in a palette of soft sepia tones, these warm pictures call to mind an earlier era. Pair this book with Lynne Barasch's Radio Rescue (Farrar, 2000), a similar biographical tale set in days gone by.Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, Eldersburg, MD Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Rocks in His Head (Avenues) | [
546,
5366,
6814,
7640,
9563,
12417,
13925,
15364,
15393,
16202,
18983,
24132,
24247,
26919,
31374,
35464,
38695,
39192,
41021,
46641,
46756,
49538,
49647,
49881,
50308,
50492,
52339,
53445,
53621,
58111,
63722,
64217
] | Train |
1,174 | 2 | Kindergarten-Grade 2Based on the librarian from the author's childhood, the story follows one woman's dedication to bringing reading material to people in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Starting with hauling books up from her basement to later driving around in the town's green bookmobile, Miss Dorothy eventually inspires the town to purchase a building for a library of their very own. Beautiful, soft landscapes of the rugged terrain throughout the seasons serve as a backdrop for this charming story of a librarian on the go. While Miss Dorothy's dreams of a stately brick building as a true library seems to undermine the worth of the bookmobile a bit, the overall effect is that of nostalgia and a sweet homage to a special woman. Most adult readers have a memory of a Miss Dorothy in their lives, be it a teacher, neighbor, or librarian, and most children will enjoy this look back in time. A lovely addition to any collection.Sarah Townsend, Norfolk Public Library, VA (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.As a youngster, Dorothy Thomas knew she would become a librarian and planned to be in charge of a fine brick library like the one in her small Massachusetts town. However, after getting her library degree, she married and moved to rural North Carolina, where she operated a bookmobile for many years, until a library was established. As the years passed, her library-on-wheels blossomed, and Dorothy profoundly affected many lives through her love of books. Finely drawn, colorful illustrations feature a good number of landscapes, giving a strong sense of the Blue Ridge mountain setting while closely matching the story line of the brief text as Dorothy and her green van visit patrons in small towns, farms, schools, and even snowbound homes. The final page features an authors note that establishes that Dorothy Thomas was a real person and reaffirms her influence in her rural community. The Library, by Sarah Stewart (1995), and Heather Hensons That Book Woman (2008) are good read-alikes. Grades K-3. --Randall Enos; Title: Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile | [
742,
5366,
5479,
5494,
6327,
7506,
9659,
12604,
13793,
15364,
15414,
21109,
23038,
23138,
23961,
27246,
37627,
38306,
38330,
45992,
47403,
48345,
48408,
48591,
56159,
57337,
60387,
60523,
62690,
63799,
63957
] | Train |
1,175 | 2 | Almost fearless Sheila Rae, of Sheila Rae, the Brave fame, is back... this time with a peppermint stick. This peppermint stick is "long. And striped. And thin. And sweet." And it's all hers. But then along comes Sheila Rae's little sister, Louise, hankering for some of that spicy sweetness. "Please?" she says, ever so hopefully. Sheila Rae, in the quintessential way of big sisters, proceeds to taunt, torment, and tease her younger sibling. "You can have one lick if you can guess how many stripes there are." Smugly, she waits for Louise's answer of "Thirteen-seven." Readers of the earlier Sheila Rae title will not be too surprised to see this mouse heroine get her comeuppance once again, and everyone will rejoice at the happy, win-win finale.Kevin Henkes, creator of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse and many other award-winning and beloved picture books, creates a charming pair of characters in this simple, very amusing story with a familiar theme. The small board-book format--Henkes's first!--is perfect for the tiny hands of young readers. (Baby to preschool) --Emilie CoulterIn his first board-book format, Kevin Henkes brings the star of Sheila Rae, the Brave back in Sheila Rae's Peppermint Stick. Here, the familiar theme of sibling rivalry surfaces between the heroine and her younger sister, Louise. As one might suspect, Sheila Rae meets her comeuppance, and in the end, all is well. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: Sheila Rae's Peppermint Stick | [
542,
667,
1272,
1399,
1432,
1524,
1716,
2639,
2772,
3512,
3773,
3930,
4098,
4315,
4592,
5365,
5376,
5512,
5611,
6175,
7488,
10027,
15915,
16146,
16202,
21168,
24005,
25368,
25648,
26386,
26689,
26936,
26973,
27265,
27266,
31414,
31931,
32259,... | Validation |
1,176 | 13 | Cooper (Ballpark; Country Fair) again simply and effectively zeroes in on a pastime to which youngsters are likely to be favorably disposed. Here he ushers readers into the studio of a dance company, where a choreographer teaches a new dance to the troupe members. They diligently "rehearse until their arms and legs remember the steps." As Cooper chronicles the painstaking process of preparing for a performance, the spontaneous, lyrical narrative makes each scene easy to visualize (e.g., "The dancers play with the music, reaching out as if to catch the notes as they rise and fall around the studio"). He portrays the dancers, constantly in motion, as diminutive, abstract shapes in spare yet energetic watercolor and pencil art. The book's inventive design features cleverly configured type that intermittently mimics the dancers' movements as it gracefully winds and bends across the pages. The tale ends just as the curtain goes up on opening night, emphasizing the meticulous rehearsal process rather than the performance. Cooper's illuminating depiction of the many steps leading up to the grand event are deserving of enthusiastic applause. Ages 4-up. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.Gr 3-5-From rehearsals and choreography to opening-night preparations, Cooper presents a no-frills treatment of dance. His spare pencil-and-watercolor illustrations amid lots of white space suggest the hastily rendered sketches of an unobtrusive observer. These minimalist images are strewn with tiny scribbled notes, such as "hands on hips" and "sweat," that draw attention to the poses of the featureless figures. The text wanders through these illustrations, sometimes requiring readers to turn the book around, which doesn't always work. It suits the subject for readers to stand on their heads periodically to follow the story, but it might not suit the readers themselves. Contortions notwithstanding, Dance successfully provides inquisitive children with a believable vicarious experience. Virginia Schomp's If You Were a Ballet Dancer (Benchmark, 1997) informs while Bill T. Jones and Susan Kuklin's Dance (Hyperion, 1998) inspires, but Cooper's book simply shows the process from his presumed vantage point as a layman. Readers looking for step-by-step instruction or education in either the text or graphics will be disappointed, but fans of Cooper's art and narration won't be.Catherine Threadgill, DeKalb County Public Library, Atlanta, GACopyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: Dance! | [
17622,
17643,
21906,
22282
] | Train |
1,177 | 2 | After stealing the hearts of middle-grade girls with her delightful Newbery Honor-winning Cinderella retelling, Ella Enchanted, Gail Carson Levine here creates a fairy tale of her own and gives it a characteristic grrrl-power twist. Twelve-year-old Addie admires her older sister Meryl, who aspires to rid the kingdom of Bamarre of gryphons, specters, and ogres. Addie, on the other hand, is fearful even of spiders and depends on Meryl for courage and protection. Waving her sword Bloodbiter, the older girl declaims in the garden from the heroic epic of Drualt to a thrilled audience of Addie, their governess, and the young sorcerer Rhys. But when Meryl falls ill with the dreaded Gray Death, Addie must gather her courage and set off alone on a quest to find the cure and save her beloved sister. Addie takes the seven-league boots and magic spyglass left to her by her mother and the enchanted tablecloth and cloak given to her by Rhys--along with a shy declaration of his love. She prevails in encounters with tricky specters (spiders too) and outwits a wickedly personable dragon in adventures touched with romance and a bittersweet ending. Young fans of princess stories will gobble this one up. (Ages 10 to 14) --Patty CampbellLevine (Ella Enchanted) enters a world of high fantasy with this latest princess tale, peopled with sorcerers, elves and fairies, but plot twists win out over character development. When teenage narrator Addie was two years old, and her sister, Meryl, just three, the siblings lost their mother to the Gray Death, a mysterious illness that continues to plague the kingdom of Bamarre, randomly selecting its victims. Meanwhile, under their monarch father's weak rule, "ogres, gryphons, specters and dragons... were slaughtering hundreds of Bamarrians every year." When the Gray Death strikes Meryl, Addie becomes determined to find the cure. Rhys, a sorcerer who fancies Addie, outfits her with a cloak ("It's not a cloak of invisibility," he tells her, "but if you're in shadow... you won't be noticed") and a tablecloth that produces food on demand; Bella, the girls' tutor, bequeaths to her gifts from their mother, seven-league boots ("the boots go seven leagues when you take a step") and a spyglass that can view a distance of seven leagues and also penetrate stone and wood. Despite Addie's myriad adventures (an encounter with a specter, an ogre and a dragon) and the courage she gains throughout, her character remains an enigma. Other subplots, such as Rhys and Addie's courtship, are not fully developed. Even after the heroine completes her mission (Levine plants clues to its outcome with a Beowulf-like poem interspersed throughout the novel), readers may feel let down. Ages 10-up.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: The Two Princesses of Bamarre | [
1014,
1068,
1314,
1527,
1718,
2219,
2311,
2431,
3115,
3545,
6664,
14852,
20831,
45968,
48961
] | Train |
1,178 | 0 | Brace yourself for more pun-ishment from the playful Jack Prelutsky and illustrator James Stevenson, creators of The New Kid on the Block, Something Big Has Been Here, and A Pizza the Size of the Sun. More than 100 Prelutsky poems populate the pages--a mix of 8-year-old-boy humor, nonsense poetry in the tradition of Ogden Nash and Edward Lear, and clever, often unabashedly shameless, wordplay. While there are many, many doozies, our favorite is "Hiccup!," excerpted here: I've tried gulping hiccup water, stood upon my hiccup head, held my breath until my hiccup hiccup face turned hiccup red. Chronic cogitators are celebrated in "Quibble Q. Quing" (who thinks about things), and wild imaginations in "Purple Orangutans:" ("Rabbits and parrots play tag in the stars, / marshmallows march in the meadows of Mars... / these are a few of the wonders I find / in the magic museum I keep in my mind.") Children find a kindred spirit in Prelutsky, a poet who knows full well that overweight underdogs and chocolate-covered salami and Sniffing Snutterwudds are always worth a giggle. Stevenson's understated (but always expressive) line drawings suit this silly collection to a T. (Perfect for reading aloud to younger readers, but wordsmiths ages 9 and older will pick up all the puns.) --Karin SnelsonFollowing A Pizza the Size of the Sun, the reigning czars of silliness are back on the warpath, wreaking poetic havoc with yet another deliciously sly volume. The titles alone are a treat: "Never Poke Your Uncle With a Fork"; "I'm Ironing My Rhinoceros"; "Waffles Give Me Sniffles." Prelutsky trips the light verse fantastic across territory that's familiar yet fresh. He gleefully descends to the depths of gross-out humor ("Worm puree, oh hooray!/ You're the dish that makes my day"), engages in nimble wordplay ("There's no present like the time," he notes in "I Gave My Friend a Cuckoo Clock") and once again proves himself king of the final one-two punch (a knight confesses to ineffectuality in an ode closing with this couplet: "My name is famed through all the land/ I'm called Sir Lunchalot"). The sassy selection of nonsense rhymes and puckish poems will further endear Prelutsky to his many fans. Meanwhile, partner-in-crime Stevenson peppers the pages with his inimitably impish sketches, from pigs in kilts on stilts to fleas on a circus trapeze. Hats off to these two glorious goofballs! Ages 5-up. (Sept.) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: It's Raining Pigs & Noodles | [
819,
850,
851,
865,
1396,
1397,
1768,
2585,
2942,
2977,
3244,
3463,
4050,
4928,
6055,
7554,
11061,
13848,
15087,
15164,
15228,
21059,
26016,
26542,
26648,
26820,
26941,
32410,
32541,
33776,
44225,
45599,
46175,
46185,
47737,
47886,
48160,
489... | Validation |
1,179 | 2 | PreSchool-A feast of color from the cutout letters of the title to the endpapers. The repetitious text is perfect for the toddler set. "Does a lion have a mother, too? Yes! A LION has a mother. Just like me and you." The text is repeated on every spread as the author showcases a dozen different animal mothers and their babies. The question, "And do animal mothers love their babies?" is answered on the last page: "YES! YES! Of course they do. Animal mothers love their babies, just as yours loves you." The vibrant artwork is classic Carle and should delight its audience. A concluding page lists terms for each animal baby, mother, father, and group. This book could be combined with Deborah Guarino's Is Your Mama a Llama? (Scholastic, 1989) for a great Mother's Day storyhour.Janet M. Bair, Trumbull Library, CT Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.Do animals have mothers, too? Of course they do -- just like me and you!Meet the little joey, whose kangaroo mother carries him in her pouch. See the cygnet riding on the back of the mother swan. Eric Carle's colorful collages of animal babies with their caring and affectionate mothers offer small readers visual delight as well as comforting reassurance.The playful question-and-answer text invites children and adults to read aloud together. Repetition of key phrases helps preschoolers take the first step toward reading readiness. And the gamelike format makes it easy and fun to discover more about the world of nature and to learn the common names of some familiar -- and some not-so-familiar -- animals. A bonus page at the back of the book lists the correct but sometimes surprising names of animal babies, their parents, and groups.Eric Carle is the creator of many beloved picture books for very small children. Here he offers a beautiful way for parents and children to share the knowledge that love crosses all boundaries and ties all creatures on this earth together.; Title: Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother, Too? | [
625,
6194,
6962,
10443,
10920,
15778,
16048,
16127,
16129,
19600,
20733,
26253,
32340,
32724,
45214,
62919
] | Train |
1,180 | 0 | Grade 2-4-A fine beginning chapter book. Margaret is the strong, smart daughter of a Vermont family doctor in 1918. She accompanies her father on his rounds as he visits neighbors and is paid for his services in chickens and apples. The 11-year-old loves to help her Papa, and wants to be a doctor when she grows up. Unfortunately, Mama does not agree that this is an attainable goal for a girl, and so discourages her daughter. The family is also affected by World War I when Uncle Owen is called into service. Margaret and her younger brother enjoy life as children, even with the news of the world and the hardships of life going on around them. The influenza epidemic, which hits their community, also brings drama to this tale. Good suspense and believable characters are the hallmarks of this short but well-written story. A good, easy choice for any collection.JoAnn Jonas, Chula Vista Public Library, San Diego, CA Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.Gr. 2-4. Margaret's dream of becoming a doctor like her father is put to the test in 1918 in rural Vermont. Her wishes for a sister, a dog, and for Mama to allow her to study medicine are set aside when Uncle Owen is declared missing in the war in France, and a deadly flu epidemic threatens the entire state. Margaret must use her wits and what she learned from watching her father at work to protect herself and her brother and save a young girl's life. Plot driven, the short chapters read quickly, conveying the conditions of the time and place. The ending is tidy and the characterizations are superficial, but the impact of a remote war, the strong family ties, and a girl's determination to follow her dream are clearly drawn. Margaret gets her wishes along with an understanding of human nature and an affirmation of her ambition. An easy read for historical context. Julie CumminsCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: A Doctor Like Papa | [
5649,
5678,
25034
] | Test |
1,181 | 2 | In this quirky, effective slice-of-life memoir, Perkins (Home Lovely) shows a family reassuring a child by recalling a previous crisis that turned out all right. Andy's cat, Frank, hasn't moved or eaten since Andy let him out after breakfast, the previous morning. Andy sits with his family in the veterinarian's waiting room and a question reveals his concern about his pet: "Mom,... can you tell me about that time... you fell and broke your arm?" His mother, grandmother and aunt remember the accident, interrupting and adding forgotten details. Perkins's pen, ink and watercolor figures wear '60s plaid dresses and cat's-eye glasses; they play out the action in a series of vignettes. Comic-book highlights such as thought balloons and alternating viewpoints of the same scene counter Andy's sober concern for his cat and the pain of his mother's broken arm. After they conclude their reminiscence, the vet calls for Frank, dresses his head wound and sends him home. "Did your arm hurt the whole time it was broken?" Andy asks. A split-scene sequence then follows Andy's mother (in girlhood) and Frank healing together. "No," she reassures him, "Pretty soon... I didn't think about it at all." Her youthful counterpart stands on her head as Frank, in a corresponding panel, sniffs gently at Andy's hand. Like Andy, young readers may well return to this tale when they need reassurance. Ages 5-up. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.reSchool-Grade 2-To ease the trauma of a trip to the vet with his injured cat, Andy asks his mother to tell him again about the time she fell and broke her arm. And while they wait to see the vet, three generations (Andy, his mother, aunt, and grandmother) relay the story of his mother's accident when she was a child. This is obviously a familiar family story ("And then did you cry and cry" asks Andy); the dialogue flows naturally with just the right amount of tension and with various members of the family humorously adding to or adjusting the story based on their recollections. Full of comforting details, the softly toned, realistic pen-and-ink and watercolor art successfully moves from scenes in the vet's office to flashbacks from Andy's mother's story. By the time Frank is called in for his examination, the broken-arm story has done its job of consoling everyone. While this charming book can be read as a reassuring look at coping with an injury and a trip to the doctor vet, it also works as a captivating family story.Caroline Ward, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CTCopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: The Broken Cat | [
18820
] | Test |
1,182 | 13 | Two new titles recast well-known numbers. Straight from The Wizard of Oz, Over the Rainbow by E.Y. Harburg and Harold Arlen pairs the timeless lyrics with gauzy watercolors by Julia Noonan (illus. of Mary Chapin Carpenter's Dreamland). Noonan imagines the narrator as a girl in denim overalls, dreaming of herself wearing a pink tutu and tiny gold crown doing a pas de deux with a toy kitten. Musical notation included. (June) Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.E. Y. Harburg (lyricist, 1896-1981) and Harold Arlen (composer, 1905-1986) teamed up in 1939 for the MGM classic movie The Wizard of Oz and created some of the most popular songs ever written, including the Academy Award -- winning "Over the Rainbow." Mr. Harburg wrote, extensively for both Hollywood and Broadway, producing hit after hit, including "It`s Only a Paper Moon," "April in Paris," and "Suddenly.- He was twice nominated for induction into the Entertainment Hall of fame, and was elected into the Songwriters' Hall of fame in 1973.; Title: Over the Rainbow | [
67882,
68429,
74392
] | Train |
1,183 | 16 | PreSchool-This story actually begins on the endpapers, long before breakfast. Father Rabbit and one of his bunnies are winding up a clock in the evening. The following pages show Mother Rabbit, early in the morning, enjoying what readers will discover is a rare moment of peace. Soon she wakes her five youngsters and the day begins. During the next 12 hours, the parents shepherd their bunnies through their daily routines and activities. Each spread is filled with humor and detail, and children will want to pore over the pictures. The inclusion of the hour of the day in each accompanying four-line stanza is casual and unforced. In fact, the rhythmic text doesn't miss a beat. In each illustration, a clock corresponding to the hour mentioned in the verse is depicted quite naturally-for example, a child playing with a pocket watch at lunch or a garden clock mounted on a wall. The tale comes full circle in the final scene with the parents relaxing with a cup of tea at the end of the eventful day. A book to be enjoyed at home and at preschool.Susan Marie Pitard, formerly at Weezie Library for Children, Nantucket Atheneum, MA Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.Ages 3-5. The subtitle is somewhat misleading. Young children will not be able to learn to tell time from this book. For one thing, the clocks are often too small and sometimes awkwardly placed. But this will start little ones thinking about the concept as a family of handsome rabbits goes through their day. The rhyming couplets recount how the bunnies rise at eight, dress themselves by nine, and are out pulling weeds at ten. The afternoon is for playing, resting, and being crafty. After dinner, "Bunnies think that books are heaven / Story time begins at seven." And just as eight is the time to get up, it's also bedtime. The richly colored artwork takes up almost every inch of the two-page spreads. Paige, the illustrator of Walton's So Many Bunnies (1998), provides a delightful crew of individualized family members set against a homey background full of eye-catching details. A possibility for themed story hours. Ilene CooperCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Bunny Day: Telling Time from Breakfast to Bedtime | [
583,
1153,
1557,
5575,
6086,
25899,
27063,
27999,
30512,
30524,
39167
] | Test |
1,184 | 0 | Now in its second season, HarperCollins's reissue of 22 Sendak classics continues. This time, his collaborations with Ruth Krauss take center stage. In Charlotte and the White Horse, first published in 1955, creamy pages frame Sendak's softly lit illustrations of a girl who convinces her father to keep a wobbly legged horse and cares for him until he can stand on his own. Sendak's delicate watercolors suit the dream-like mood of a boy who accomplishes all that he sets out to do in his imaginary world, in I Want to Paint My Bathroom Blue (1956), also by Krauss. A boy's imagination also comes to the fore in A Very Special House (1953) by Krauss, as the artist depicts the hero creating a home filled with a turtle, a giant, a very old lion and "some monkeys and some skunkeys." Oversize pages brim with the creatures as well as his house's "very special" furnishings. Open House for Butterflies (1960) takes a similar format to these collaborators' classic A Hole Is to Dig, and lastly, Hector Protector and As I Went Over the Water: Two Nursery Rhymes (1965) by Sendak conveys as much plot through the artist's wordless spreads as with the minimal text. For collectors and budding readers alike. Nov. Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.?Since Caldecott and Lesley Brooke, nobody has illustrated nursery rhymes this well...These wonderfully funny, charming drawings are just as good as those Mr. Sendak did for "Where the Wild Things Are.?"-- "The New York Review of Books"; Title: Hector Protector and As I Went Over the Water: Two Nursery Rhymes | [
864,
884,
3044,
3051,
4543,
17824,
34825
] | Train |
1,185 | 2 | "Format and content make this just right for a My First I Can Read Book." -- -- ALA BooklistAlyssa Satin Capucilli is the author of the popular books about the little yellow puppy named Biscuit. She lives in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. You can; Title: Biscuit Finds a Friend Book and Tape (My First I Can Read) | [
636,
639,
651,
667,
674,
1470,
1595,
1600,
1662,
1798,
2188,
2195,
2279,
2280,
2282,
2285,
2451,
2558,
2563,
2576,
2605,
2692,
2835,
2836,
2842,
3388,
3443,
3446,
3449,
3606,
3642,
3678,
3891,
3971,
4072,
4361,
4369,
4746,
4862,
26566,
... | Train |
1,186 | 2 | Gentle and understated in both text and art, this has a great deal to teach about empathy and forgiveness. -- BooklistSam McBratney has been writing children's books for nearly thirty years. His bestselling book Guess How Much I Love You, illustrated by Anita Jeram, has sold more than 16 million copies worldwide and continues to sell a million copies a year. He lives outside of Belfast, Northern Ireland.; Title: I'll Always Be Your Friend | [
27072
] | Test |
1,187 | 2 | In this endearing story by Newberry Medal-winner Sharon Creech, a wise old Italian granny skillfully imparts life advice (and cooking lessons) to her winning but sometimes obstinate 12-year-old granddaughter.Best known for Walk Two Moons and The Wanderer, Creech makes good use of another inventive format: Rosie's story unfolds first, over making and eating zuppa, and then Granny Torrelli tells parallel stories from her own childhood to help Rosie with her current predicament. Granny Torrelli's tales are laced with endearing, fun-to-say Italian: "I didn't like it, not one piccolino bit," as is her attempt to help Rosie mend her rift with her best friend Bailey ("That Bailey boy!"), for whom she's starting to feel more-than-friendship feelings.The details of both Rosie's and Granny Torrelli's respective stories are often quite funny (from Braille jealousy to secret guide-dog training for the legally blind Bailey). But, as usual, what Creech does best is slyly proffer small, nourishing morsels of wisdom--not unlike the cavatelli, the "little dough canoes," that Rosie, Granny Torrelli, and that Bailey boy labor over in the book's sweet second half. Just be warned that you might find yourself starving by the end of the story. (Ages 9 to 12) --Paul HughesGrade 4-7-Tastes and smells emerge along with wisdom and insight as a grandmother and grandchild reveal experiences past and present in the warmth of the kitchen. Rosie and Bailey are neighbors, born only a week apart. They are like sister and brother, only better "because I chose him and he chose me." She has always been his helper as he was born visually impaired. But now they have had a falling out. As Rosie tells Granny, Bailey is acting spiteful, all because she tried to be just like him. To be just like Bailey-her buddy, her pal-Rosie secretly learned to read Braille and unknowingly took away the special thing only he could do. When the two of them come together with Granny Torrelli in the kitchen and make cavatelli, the rift between them heals. Stories and wisdom continue as sauce and meatballs are made, helping to clarify feelings. As family and friends raise a glass of water to toast the cooks, Rosie realizes that her world is indeed bigger as is Bailey's; that tutto va bene-all is well! Twelve-year-old Rosie's narration seamlessly integrates Granny Torrelli's stories and fleeting conversations in short chapters. Her authentic voice gradually reveals what has happened and the accompanying emotions ranging from anger and angst to happiness and contentment. The integration of the Italian kitchen and Granny's family stories from the old country add flavor just like the ingredients in her recipes. This is a meal that should not be missed.Maria B. Salvadore, formerly at District of Columbia Public LibraryCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Granny Torrelli Makes Soup | [
1337,
1427,
2439,
2792,
4129,
5198,
5967,
6051,
9639,
10134,
10596,
17050,
21629,
23002,
45642,
45869,
52766
] | Test |
1,188 | 2 | Kindergarten-Grade 3–All of the ghosts in the teeny tiny school are excited about the upcoming Make a Monster contest–except the timid teeny tiny ghost, who finds the very idea frightening. At the end of the school day, he has not come up with any inspiration for his picture. On the way home, he flies over a dump filled with "raggy, saggy sofas" and wires, springs, clocks, and wheels. He gathers together a box of assorted junk and goes home. That evening, he constructs his monster. When he takes his junkyard creation to school, the other students smirk, snicker, and giggle. During recess, however, the Spook and Spirit Club judges the entries. The blue ribbon is hanging on teeny tiny ghost's friendly monster. In Munsinger's funny illustrations, the school is replete with spiders, bats, and cobwebs. The students are fashionably dressed in hoodies, T-shirts, and skirts. The teeny tiny ghost sports his signature red baseball cap and clutches his two black cats. The ghosts are energetic in action and expression, and their creations are more goofy than scary. Great fun as a Halloween read-aloud.–Linda Staskus, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Parma, OH Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Kay Winters, a former teacher and language arts consultant, is now devoting herself to writing for children full-time. Kay is the author of a number of children's books, including Whooo's Haunting The Teeny Tiny Ghost?, also illustrated by Lynn Munsinger; Did You See What I Saw?: Poems about School, illustrated by Martha Weston; and Abe Lincoln: The Boy Who Loved Books, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. Kay lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Earl. Her favorite Halloween costume is Little Red Riding Hood -- she still has a long red cape and a basket!; Title: The Teeny Tiny Ghost and the Monster | [
848,
6045
] | Train |
1,189 | 0 | Grade 1-6-Twenty-two delightful poems with a geological theme, including pieces on tectonic plates, lava, strata, and fossils. Exuberant, silly, and serious by turns, the selections engage imagination with often-humorous wordplay. The simple yet clever collages, many of which incorporate clip-art elements, deepen the intellectual and emotional content, yet keep a light tone. The large images and uncomplicated layouts enhance the read-aloud potential. This book offers a great jumping-off point for earth science, geology/geography, and even math classes. Three pages of endnotes provide additional factual and background details.Cris Riedel, Ellis B. Hyde Elementary School, Dansville, NYCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.Gr. 2-4. Inspired by a broad range of topics, from the earth spinning in space to a rock at the side of the road, the 22 short poems in this large-format book all pertain to geology. Peters often interprets solid facts in imaginative flights of fancy, tethered to science mainly by the endnotes, which briefly explain the geology behind the poetry. The result is a book of light poetry with a unifying theme rather than a series of lessons set to verse. In "Continental Promises," South America and Africa write short notes to one another promising undying affection ("Dear / Africa, / Stay close!"), but the unspoken message (confirmed in the endnotes) is that continental drift will take its toll. The illustration personifies the nearly touching continents with faint, amiable faces. Well tuned to the verse in tone and inventive imagination, the mixed-media collage artwork includes paintings and drawings on textured and printed papers. Individual pictures differ widely from one another, yet the overall effect is unified. A creative addition to earth science units. Carolyn PhelanCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Earthshake: Poems from the Ground Up | [
2597,
4018,
7485,
26997,
60526,
64087,
73249,
74677
] | Train |
1,190 | 0 | Jane Yolen is one of the acknowledged masters of fantasy today. She is the author of more than two hundred books for children and adults. Her young adult novel The Devil's Arhtmetic won the Jewish Book Council Award. Her children's book Owl Moon, illustrated by John Schoenherr, was awarded the Caldecott Medal; her fantasy novels Sister Light, Sister Dark and White Jenna were both short-listed for the Nebula; and she's won the Nebula twice for short stories. She has also won the World Fantasy Award, the Christopher Medal twice, and the Golden Kite Award. She has written two previous books in the Young Heroes series with Robert J. Harris, Odysseus in the Serpent Maze and Hippolyta and the Curse of the Amazons. Jane Yolen lives with her husband in western Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.; Title: Jason and the Gorgon's Blood (Young Heroes) | [
1118,
1258
] | Validation |
1,191 | 2 | Rabbit, who loves daytime, and Hedgehog, who prefers the night, make their third appearance (after A Little Bit of Winter and The Birthday Presents) in Rabbit's Wish by Paul Stewart, illus. by Chris Riddell. Here a flood brings about the unlikely fulfillment of Rabbit's wish that he spend a whole day with Hedgehog.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.Kindergarten-Grade 2-As the sun comes up, Rabbit wishes that Hedgehog could stay up during the day and play with him. However, his friend goes to bed, and Rabbit is on his own. When it begins to rain, he goes into his burrow, and water seeps in. He gathers his treasures, which include the bottle of moonlight Hedgehog gave him, and runs out in search of his friend, who has come to look for him. The two animals play in the rain until it is time for Rabbit to go to bed. Riddell's gentle, cartoon pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations underscore the joy these creatures share and the anxiety they feel when each thinks the other is in danger.Ann Cook, formerly at Winter Park Public Library, FL Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Rabbit's Wish | [
1090
] | Train |
1,192 | 0 | What wonders a snowy day can bring! Rolie Polie Olie, a cute little arthropodish robot, often wishes for snow in his frost-free land. One day his dream comes true--the sun blows a bulb and snow begins to fall. Olie and his sister Zowie decide to build a buddy--named Mr. Snowie! As with the legendary Frosty the Snowman, all is well until the sun returns to its bright, warm state, then suddenly Mr. Snowie is in danger. "What to do? What to do? They had a friend they couldn't keep cool!" There's only one solution. It's time to rocket to Chillsville where they encounter scores of frosty friends for Mr. Snowie, including one very familiar looking jolly fellow with a white beard and a belly like a bowl full of jelly.William Joyce, author-illustrator of Rolie Polie Olie, Rolie Polie Olie: A Little Spot of Color, and many other popular picture books, delights young readers with his quirky computer-generated characters and lighthearted adventures. Vivid colors, jaunty shapes, and playful, simple text are trademarks of Joyce's unique, contemporary style. (Ages 2 to 6) --Emilie CoulterAges 4-7. Joyce, whose wacky concepts morph into unforgettable art, here revels in the artistic capabilities of the computer. Rolie Polie Olie, the little round robot (now also a Disney TV star), returns in a story of snowmen and Santa (the high-tech Klanky Klaus). On the day Rolie's snowless planet blows a bulb and experiences a snowstorm, he builds a snowman, Mr. Snowie. But the sun gets a new bulb and Snowie begins to melt, so it's off to Chillsville, where, after a tussle with the North Wind, Rolie and friends eat some snowball pie, dance a chilly cha-cha, and leave Snowie safe with Santa. The story is slim and told in an uncomplicated text whose only real allure comes from hanging on to the fantastic pictures. Joyce's pictures are computer-generated with 3-D imaging that makes the rows of snowmen, bedecked in candy-cane-striped scarves, Santa in his rocket-powered sleigh, and the planet-hopping Rolie all seem as if they're about to zoom off the pages into the reader's lap. Yet despite the sophisticated techniques involved, the book has a goofball sensibility combined with a straightforward simplicity that will appeal to readers of all ages. Ilene CooperCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Snowie Rolie | [
1853,
17495,
23181,
51441,
51469,
51761,
51770,
51777
] | Train |
1,193 | 2 | Through a pastiche of poems and pictures, Williams (A Chair for My Mother) presents an affecting portrait of two young sisters in a struggling family. In the opening entry, readers learn why older Essie is smart (she "could read hard library books/ .../ thread a needle,/ cook toasted cheese sandwiches/ make cocoa") and why Amber is brave ("She could get the grocery man/ to trust them for a container of milk/ though their mother/ couldn't pay him till payday/ Amber wasn't afraid of the rat/ in the wall under the sink"). Gradually, readers learn about the challenges they face: their mother works long hours, their father is in jail for check forgery, the radiator grows cold in the evenings and there is little food. Yet there are lighthearted moments, as when the sisters make a "best sandwich" (with Amber on one side, Essie on the other, and Wilson The Bear in the middle), shriek with laughter as they jump on the bed and share a weekly ritual of playing beauty parlor with their mother. In perhaps the most poignant passage, Amber cuts off her braids "to send to Daddy/ so he'll be sure to remember me." The tale closes on an upbeat note when Daddy appears at the door. Williams opens with full-color portraits of the girls and closes with pastel drawings of the more dramatic moments; she punctuates the poems with black-and-white pencil drawings that convey the deep affection between these sympathetic sisters. Though the author taps into difficult themes, by relaying the events through the eyes of the two girls, she maintains a ray of hope throughout the volume. Ages 7-up. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.Gr 1-4-Williams's heartwarming story takes readers on the emotional roller-coaster ride that is Amber and Essie's life. Times are hard for their family-their mother works long hours, leaving them with sitters or cousins or often on their own. Worse yet, their father is in jail. While the girls share their heartache, they also share their special talents-Essie teaches Amber to write her name in script, and Amber convinces the grocer to trust them for milk until payday. The good times are good, but the bad times are really bad. The shadow of their father's mistake is always there. Williams's spare and touching verses capture every detail with clarity, humor, and heart. While the text is accessible to children just venturing beyond easy-readers, the story has a great deal of substance for older readers as well. Black-pencil sketches are full of action and as lively as Williams's poems, and fully capture the joys and sorrows of the girls' life. Finally, when the story has ended (or perhaps just begun), readers are treated to a full-color album of most of the high points and some of the low points the youngsters experience. A poignant testament to what it means to have a sister.Jeanne Clancy Watkins, Chester County Library, Exton, PACopyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: Amber Was Brave, Essie Was Smart | [
865,
1427,
2400,
5385,
6706,
6743,
6905,
10443,
10858,
17212,
23002,
27313,
36394,
36509,
37470,
41558,
55567,
72160
] | Train |
1,194 | 0 | Move over, Shel Silverstein and Edward Lear; company's coming. From sneezing trees to reliable bunnies to food psychos, bestselling author Dean Koontz bowls his readers over with his wacky, wild, wonderful poetry in The Paper Doorway. Following the success of their earlier children's books, Oddkins and Santa's Twin, Koontz and illustrator Phil Parks embarked on an adventurous new path: funny verse (and nothing worse). With poems titled "A Cure for Ugly," "The Pig with Pride," "Stars, Mars, and Chocolate Bars," The Woggle Wrangler," "The Young Musician--Or Maybe Thug," and "You Get the Pickle You Asked For," accompanied by elaborate and witty black-and-white illustrations, the creative pair lets loose with a riotous collection that will tickle the funny bone of readers of all ages (especially those of the middle-school-boy variety). Sometimes gross, sometimes spooky, usually tongue-in-cheek, the verses tackle all subjects with equal gusto. (Ages 8 to 13) --Emilie CoulterBestselling novelist Koontz rejoins his collaborator on Santa's Twin for this uneven roundup of poems whose humor sometimes misses the mark. All poems are narrated in the first-person; Parks portrays both boy and girl narrators. Among the most clever entries is the title poem, in which the narrator tells of losing himself literally in a book: "The book fell shut while I was inside/ And I escaped the things I can't abide:/ Doctors and dentists, lima beans and school,/ Homework, neckties, piano lessons, rules." In another winner, "The Monstrous Broccoli Excuse," the narrator insists that his or her dislike of this vegetable is mutual, explaining that the broccoli escapes from the fridge at night and slithers under the bed: "Oh, Mom, how can I eat, you see,/ A fearsome food that would eat me?" Some of Koontz's nonsense verse falls flat, as in the following brief ditty, "A Beverage with Antlers": "I like the taste of orange juice./ And I like the look of a moose./ However, I don't like moose juice,/ Nor do I want an orange moose." Often serving up surrealistic images, Parks's half-tone art echoes the hyperbole and whimsy of the verse, which Koontz's fans will likely pick up for their progeny. Ages 8-12.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: The Paper Doorway: Funny Verse and Nothing Worse | [
588,
1296,
2054,
16437,
16460
] | Train |
1,195 | 2 | "It is a poor life in which there is no fear," Dakar's father likes to remind his two daughters. Before 12-year-old Dakar and her family moved to North Dakota from Kenya, her fears took the shape of charging elephants, muggings, blind beggars, bombings, and deadly cholera. In the American Midwest, she is leery of telephones, the banister in her unfamiliar two-story house, and most of all, that her older sister, Jakarta, who decided to stay back in Kenya may not be safe.Jane Kurtz's delightful, original novel stars worrywart Dakar, a very human, very well-read, very bright girl with a richly textured imagination and fascinating fresh perspectives on Midwestern life. Dakar has reason to be a worrywart. Her mother slips into occasional periods of depression (the "hoodies" get her), and her father is perpetually preoccupied with global disease control, a job that keeps his mind far from the family, and the family on the run.Dakar is a natural storyteller, and her new sixth-grade schoolmate Melanie's eyes grow wide with her tales of Africa. Readers, too, will revel in her imaginative landscape, rich with historical and biblical allusions she memorized in an Ethiopian boarding school, and "mysterious and unexplained things" like the Ark of the Covenant, the pyramids, and that her mom heard her grandmother's voice after she had passed away. Dakar's growing friendship with Melanie is a pleasure to behold--Melanie teaches her how to say "Help me. I'm a buttery potato on fire" in sign language, and Dakar spins tales of a continent far away. They are a fine pair, sharing secrets and dreams, even though the most exotic thing Melanie owns is a bracelet from the Wisconsin Dells, and, as she says, "The most exciting thing I've done until now was wearing socks that don't match."Underlying all her new-kid-on-the-continent experiences is Dakar's fierce missing of Jakarta, her beautiful, smart, athletic sister. But when Jakarta is forced to return home from Africa for her own safety, the reunion is not the joyful one Dakar had anticipated. Jakarta and her father go head to head, and their mother leaves the family to help her mother's sister when she breaks her leg. When a terrible earthquake in Guatemala causes their father to leave, too, the girls are abandoned with only a credit card and the directive to be resourceful. In this fine novel, Dakar comes into her own. She learns, along with readers, that you shouldn't "get so caught up in safe that you forget to be fully alive" and that "courage and kindness and friendship and truth sent magic splinters into the universe." Heartily recommended. (Ages 10 and older) --Karin SnelsonAmbitious and complex, Kurtz's (Faraway Home) novel doesn't ultimately succeed, but offers a heady blend of universally relevant insight and an appreciation of the exotic. Raised in Africa, 12-year-old Dakar comes "home" with her parents to spend a year or two in North Dakota. She misses her older sister, Jakarta, who has insisted on staying behind at boarding school, and who has always been the leader. Her fears about her new environment are made all the more painful by her father's disdain for fear not even an elephant attack scares him. Bookish in a way entirely credible for a shy, expatriate child, Dakar thinks about literary and biblical characters and wishes she, too, could fashion her own quest. "What would Odysseus do?" she asks herself at one point. Kurtz captivates when describing Africa, be it the grace of the wilderness or the chaos of "Nairobbery," as Dakar calls it, and she astutely conjures adolescent dialogue and thoughts. But she overloads her plot. Jakarta is forced to join the family after her school is bombed; shortly after her return, their mom goes off to nurse a long-lost aunt (who doesn't have a telephone); and, without consulting his still-absent wife, their father rushes off to Guatemala to work with earthquake victims (no phones there, either), leaving his daughters alone for weeks. Multiple subplots involve a girls' basketball team, a painful family secret and a cook at Dakar's school who talks in aphorisms. Even with its solid beginning, the novel simply cannot sustain so much activity. Ages 10-up. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: Jakarta Missing | [
4402
] | Test |
1,196 | 0 | Kindergarten-Grade 5--A moving visual interpretation of Holiday and Herzog's swing spiritual based on the proverb, "God blessed the child that's got his own." The song serves as the inspiration for Pinkney's depiction of the Great Migration of the 1930s. Through evocative images, the artist tells the story of one family's move north. The warm and sweeping illustrations are masterful, completely filling each spread. Although the pages are rich in detail, the well-composed paintings never seem cluttered or overwhelming. There is something new to attract readers, even after several readings. The sense of the family members as a unit, as well as their emotions of hope, anxiety, and relief, are all beautifully conveyed. A CD of Holiday performing the song is included, and while the book can be enjoyed without it, listening to the nostalgic and somewhat bittersweet music does elicit an emotional response. While a fine choice for independent reading, this title is particularly poignant when shared with a group, turning the pages in conjunction with the CD. An author's note provides background about Pinkney's inspirations and research. This offering makes an excellent tie-in to units on African-American history.--Mary N. Oluonye, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Gr. 2-5. The references in the title Billie Holiday song have been interpreted in different ways. Here, Pinkney gives the words strength and a sense of possibility as one black family takes part in the great migration, moving from the cotton fields of the South to bustling Chicago. "Them that's got shall get, / Them that's not shall lose . . . " begins the song, and the opening spread shows a family that doesn't have much in the way of material goods. Yet the following pictures show joy in togetherness, even as grown-ups and children alike spend hours in backbreaking work. Then, in something of an abrupt transition, the family is packed and ready to move north. The next two spreads are brilliantly conceived. In the first, the old wooden house stands empty, just a rusty red wagon and a rubber tire swinging from a tree to show children once lived there. Turn the page to find Chicago--the El riding the tracks, skirting a city that is all buildings and busy people. Life is still difficult for the family, but hope for the future is evident in the last picture: a boy in school. In a note, Pinkney discusses the migration, the music, and the dreams of education. An accompanying CD brings words, music, and art together. Ilene CooperCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: God Bless the Child (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Books) | [
5519,
5554,
6905,
27214,
36225,
36389,
36390,
63502,
68116
] | Validation |
1,197 | 0 | PreSchool-Grade 1A young girl lists all of the ways she recognizes the season's onset, from the late morning light to her dad pulling her coat out of storage to making acorn art at school to watching the geese fly south. The rhyming text meshes beautifully with Hayashi's color-washed illustrations, which portray the child and her family apple picking, going on a nighttime hayride, and listening to a Native American storyteller perform near a campfire. A delightful book that will be especially appreciated by teachers looking for autumnal materials.Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Maryland School for the Deaf, Columbia Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.PreS-Gr. 2. A little girl identifies the clues that tell her autumn has come. Narrated in rhymed verses, this picture book shows the activities of a little girl and her brother, parents, grandfather, friends, and the community where they live as the season progresses. Each verse begins "I know it's autumn when . . ." The expected apples, pumpkins, and red leaves make their appearance, but Spinelli also finds less obvious signs of fall, such as Father bringing out the box of winter clothes and the sight of a turkey sticker on the girl's spelling chart. Large enough for group sharing and as quiet and comfortable as the text, Hayashi's illustrations feature rounded lines, soft shading, and gentle colors. An amiable read-aloud choice for the season. Carolyn PhelanCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: I Know It's Autumn | [
13,
1079,
4020,
4315,
4788,
5387,
5440,
5560,
5936,
6735,
6861,
7302,
7455,
7799,
8676,
8711,
8745,
10767,
15543,
15557,
17105,
21392,
24245,
26263,
27246,
28148,
28914,
28963,
31382,
31425,
31457,
31691,
36271,
37427,
37807,
39131,
40718,
46... | Test |
1,198 | 1 | Kindergarten-Grade 2-In this amusing retelling of the classic fable, eight-year-old Betsy has just taken the Shepherd's Oath. "She was going to be the best shepherd in Bray Valley history. And any wolf who tried to eat her sheep had better watch out!" However, Zimmo, the last wolf left on the mountain, comes up with a plan. He appears to Betsy, causing her to blow her whistle and seek aid, but then disappears when the farmers arrive, destroying her credibility and sending her back to Shepherd School. When she returns to the job and he tries his ruse again, no farmers come when Betsy calls, but she is determined to defend her flock. When she goes to hurl her plate of shepherd's pie at Zimmo, she suddenly realizes how skinny he is, and gives him the food to eat instead. Grateful, he helps the child rescue some of the sheep that are dangling over a precipice, and eventually he, too, takes the Shepherd's Oath and joins her on the hillside. The irony of the fact that the sheep are being saved from wolves so that they may be eaten by people will probably be lost on the intended audience, but the running commentary on events made by the sarcastic and silly sheep will not. Nash's cartoonlike illustrations, with their clean lines, crisp colors, and folk-art touches, add considerably to the story. This pleasant addition could generate discussion when paired with the original tale.Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.A must-have. (Kirkus Reviews); Title: Betsy Who Cried Wolf | [
2474,
4700,
5350,
5529,
5903,
5979,
6007,
6049,
6064,
6346,
9581,
10275,
11254,
15600,
17431,
20933,
25125,
27220,
27240,
27349,
28414,
37974,
39064,
48889,
60962,
61556,
62424,
73588
] | Test |
1,199 | 13 | Little Porcupine is, quite literally, the star of the holiday play. First published in 1982 as How Little Porcupine Played Christmas, Joseph Slate's Little Porcupine's Christmas, illus. by Felicia Bond, remains as charming as ever.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.Joseph Slate is a writer, poet, artist, actor, and professor. He is the author of several books for children, including the best-selling Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready For Kindergarten and Miss Bindergarten Celebrateds the 100th Day of Kindergarten.; Title: Little Porcupine's Christmas | [
2586,
4600,
5371,
5494,
5591,
8900,
9006,
9230,
9238,
9280,
9443,
13251,
14412,
16501,
33977,
40587,
46013,
52319,
55468,
62521,
69398
] | Train |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.